Welcome to the comments and discussion of the Young Adult Cancer Book Club! We are reading Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler. Catch up on Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and Chapter 7.
Let’s get started!
Chapter 8: Restoration
Commentary by Sarah H.:
I feel that I have had so many moments in the book where I have related to what Kate was saying. One that really stood out was in chapter 8 when she is talking to her mother in law and says “I think aging is a fucking privilege.” I find myself saying and thinking this a lot more since diagnosis. I cringe when I hear people complaining about new grey hairs or comparing what anti aging new thing they are trying. I feel we live in a society that is so afraid to get old, but none of them take a step back to look at the alternative. I find myself often telling people “getting old is my big goal in life and I am working really hard to achieve it.” I have had friends tell me that this perspective has made them take a step back and really think. A friend decided to grow her hair out and see what it looks like naturally. She has a clump of white right near the front that looks beautiful. She tells people “it is my badge of honor to show people what I have been through and what others don’t get to experience.” It sucks that it takes a serious diagnosis like cancer to get people to step back and think, but I will use my diagnosis to change others views.
Join in next Monday for the comments and discussion on Chapter 9: Ordinary Time!
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Thanks for joining us for Chapter 8: Restoration of Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler! Join in next Monday for the next chapter!
We will talk about a few chapters each Monday until the book is done. If Monday happens to be a holiday, then the post will publish on Tuesday. Once we finish the book, we’ll use one more Monday to talk about general feelings from the book and anything else you’d like to discuss. We’ll also have a video chat book club discussion at the end! Join in, in the comments every week! Also, there will probably be spoilers so read along with us!
Excited about the young adult cancer book club? Have any suggestions for future reads? Let us know!
