The Essence of the Thing

The Essence of the Thing

Madeleine St. John

What a heart-wrencher! This book was about a break-up story, and without meaning to, I found myself feeling so much for these characters. It shouldn’t ever have to be this hard. Based in London, Nicola and Jonathan had a fine life together: happy, healthy, and whole…or so Nicola thought. Without any prior discussions, Jonathan decided to break up. This happened on page 2 (literally) and the rest of the book was about the pain and misery each went through disentangling their lives together. The author did an excellent job correctly articulating the stages of emotions a break-up causes, all the highs and lows and the games we play with ourselves to move forward.

My own pain from terrible break-up memories bubbled right under the surface the entire 2 days it took me to finish the book. Nonetheless, It was a good read because it was of a story most everyone can identify with. And, if you can’t, I believe that you should: everyone needs their heart broken one good time.

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1997, this book was a memorable one. I liked it and recommend it. The ending makes you just want to slap him, though.

Some trace of genuine emotion seemed to have gripped him. “ I can’t seem to make you realize that I’ve done what was right not only for me but for you too,” he said. He wasn’t indifferent any longer. “ It seems never to have occurred to you, that entering into a permanent relationship, e.g. marriage, e.g. parenthood, is probably more dangerous than walking across a minefield. And the possible suffering is more prolonged, and affects everyone near you. When it isn’t absolutely right it’s absolutely wrong. And when it’s absolutely wrong you’ve got your back against the wall for the rest of your life. Did you really want to risk that?”

“Yes,” she said. “I loved you. That’s what it means, to love someone: to be willing to take that risk.”

“Then love is only a kind of insanity,” he said.

“So be it,” she replied.

Boost Your Life

Janine Allis

This was a part memoir, part business book by the founder of Boost Juice Bars. Allis claims not to have been born with an entrepreneurial spirit and consequently did not start the business until she was 35. With nothing more than guts and gumption, she developed a multi-billion dollar business via juice shops across Australia. The book offered lots of tips, but the moral of the story was simply: Go for it! And Do what it takes to be your own boss! Both I already knew.

Good book, but too simplistic. Wouldn’t recommend it. Better business books out there.