Since we all know the outcome of ALS, it was hard to pick up this book. The frustration of that disease and its evil, relentless progression is tough stuff- hard enough for those who endure it, hard as well to sit and read it and know there is nothing to be done.

However, this is a wonderful book. The author is so articulate in her descriptions of both the tangible and the intangible, that I could feel the expectation, the joy, the fear, the frustration and humiliation of Richard and Karina. Their progression together through the disease and its endless challenges and adaptations required of both of them is a rocky path, but strewn with both regret and insight.

As I read it, it was so incredibly clear that the author has traveled this path, there is no way the ALS part is fiction.
The nice surprise was to read how she wrote about music; understanding it has always defied me. Her (pardon the pun) lyrical descriptions of the music, its simplicity and complexity, and of playing, of loss of playing was amazing. Her ability to describe aspects of music that always opaque and in a way that I finally could appreciate. This was a good counterpoint to the raw reality of the physical situation.

The last family scene was a lovely image, I hope that part was was not fiction.

This is another exceptional book from Lisa Genova. Every Note Played is about a man with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. As a speech language pathologist, I know a great deal about this neurological disease, but that isn't a prerequisite of reading this book. The author spends a great deal of time explaining within a great story the symptoms of ALS, as well as a human side, as she is a neuroscientist,

The patient is concert pianist Richard Evans, who has placed himself and his music before everything else in his life. The story is great and I will look forward to Lisa's next book. I have read them all, and this stands out as a supurb read. You won't be disappointed.

Every Note Played is another exceptional book from Lisa Genova. This time her subject is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, motor neurone disease, or Lou Gehrig's disease. I knew very little about this tragic neurological disease, but that is just one of the benefits of reading Genova's books. As a fiction-writing neuroscientist, she has an extraordinary ability to educate readers about scientific details and symptoms of the disease, but she also writes very realistically about the important human side of the patient.

The patient is concert pianist Richard Evans, who has placed himself and his music before everything else in his life, often to the detriment and neglect of his now ex-wife Karina and daughter Grace. His first symptoms of the progressive loss of muscle control that marks ALS begin as paralysis in his arms. His physical decline changes his life immeasurably, and while the author describes all of the things he can no longer do and the care and equipment he needs quite clearly, she also writes eloquently about his emotional and internal struggles. Richard's relationships with his father, ex-wife, and distant daughter Grace all come into play, giving the reader a total picture of the person who is far more than just a collection of symptoms.

Genova's Still Alice is one of my all-time favorite books, and Every Note Played is just as strong, earning a well-deserved 4.5 stars. I think it must be quite difficult to write a book about a person living with an eventually fatal disease, but the author does it very well, and gives the reader an understanding of the disease, regrets, and mistakes made, but also hope, forgiveness, and peace.

Thank you to Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of the book.

You might know Lisa Genova from her other works such as, "Still Alice", "Left Neglected", "Love Anthony" and my personal favorite, "Inside the O'Briens". Lisa Genova is best known for her ability to take medical fiction to a new high.

Her character's become your friends, family, loved one or you." Every Note Played" follows, Richard a professional, renowned classical pianist diagnosed with ALS. His entire life up until that point has been his music, his piano but ALS is cruel and he slowly loses his ability to play. His hands will never again touch the ivory keys and the music will no longer flow through his veins.

Richard keeps his diagnosis a secret and is in denial but he is quick to find out that while his mind is in denial his body isn't. He slowly starts to deteriorate and when he can no longer care for himself he moves in with this ex-wife, Karina who reluctantly becomes his caregiver. It is important to note that, Karina herself is a piano player and that their music is brought them together many, many years ago.

Richard and Karina navigate this new world of theirs in which they both had to adjust to his illness in order to make his life as comfortable as possible. Along they way there is self discovery and healing.

ALS takes and takes from Richards. It takes body, his dignity, his independence and his essence but it gives him something he never knew he was missing, something he never knew he wanted.
Genova wrapped the ending up perfectly and while this is my least favorite of her novels it is still worth the time and energy it takes. Just prepare yourself for an emotional journey as some self reflection.

Thank you to Lisa Genova for giving me a better understanding of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and the devastation it leaves in its wake. Every Note Played is a beautifully written, and deeply emotional story about a concert pianist stricken by ALS. Richard quickly learns that his inability to play the piano is just one of the many freedoms and joys, ALS steals from him.

In her signature fashion, Genova gives us a glimpse of Richard's suffering, but also the toll the disease takes on his loved ones and caregivers. In this case, the primary … unpaid … caregiver is Richard's ex-wife, Karina. Richard and Karina were divorced for a few years and estranged when he learned of his diagnosis. Their only daughter, recently away at college, had only the slightest contact with her father before he moved back to the family home.

Every Note Played is pitch perfect. Gripping, raw, and even uplifting. It explores themes of trust, honesty, humility, forgiveness, resentment, and compassion. Like any book by Genova, I would highly recommend it. Just keep the tissues handy.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Richard, a world famous pianist is diagnosed with a career ending disease. We witness the rapid decline of a once confident artist into someone who depends upon others for even the smallest things. Loss is a powerful agent of change, and Richard's loss changes him as well as the people around him. Priorities and values shift with perspective, and knowing the ending doesn't make it any easier to witness. Beautifully written - This was one of the rare books that I had trouble putting down and kept my attention until I finished it.

Richard and Karina divorced several years ago. Richard a famed pianist, now has ALS. Karina (also a pianist, tho of lesser repute), often accused of divorcing Richard over jealousy, has tremendous guilt..... all the mixingsngir a romance.
I am not a romance fan. I do see the need to discuss harrowing diseases such as ALS, but this novel just didn't do much for me, other than another breezy-read tragic romance for a snowy night.
If you want something of greater substance, read Genova's Still Alice instead.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Lisa Genova once again tackles a difficult and heartbreaking subject when she writes about Richard, a well known and accomplished pianist who is struck with ALS. The impact this has not only on his life but on the lives of others in his life is examined closely and unflinchingly.

Richard was not always a likable character, even as I felt horribly sad for him as he progressed through ALS I often didn't like the person he had been and sometimes still was. The same could be said about Karina and his daughter as well. My frustration with the characters interfered at times with my overall enjoyment of the book, but it was still compelling and well written.

Ms. Genova is, in my opinion, an outstanding writer. Her subject matter is always compelling, well researched and thought provoking, and I have read every book she has written.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to pre-read this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions here are solely my own.

An excellent read!! I would read it in one seating if I didn't have to get up the next day. Lisa's writing evolved and matured to the point that I felt disappointed when the book ended, because I didn't have her next novel to focus on.

Every Note Played surpassed my expectations. It wasn't a novel only about ALS but also about family, courage, disappointment, betrayal and forgiveness. Its a beautifly written tale about Richard, a famous pianist, who has ALS. His estranged Ex-wife takes him in when he has nowhere to go. Together they unravel many truths about themselves and each other. Genova takes the reader through the bad and the worse of this monsterous diseas. Its a well worth read that deserves to be prized!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Here is that review:

Lisa Genova has carved out a unique niche for herself. She writes about the cruelest diseases and how they affect not only the patient, but everyone in his life. This one is about ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease, a disease we have all heard of but know little about. We know about Stephen Hawkings, but what, exactly, is wrong with him? Well, after you read this you will know, in excruciating detail.

Richard is a world-renowned concert pianist, travelling the world and doing what he loves most. He has an ex-wife and a daughter, but he barely gives them a thought. His life is the piano. And then his right hand starts disobeying him, and soon his entire right arm is paralyzed. He is diagnosed with ALS and he learns about this disease as we, the reader, also learn, in excruciating small steps. The only end is death, but this disease takes everything away from you before you get there.

I could not put this book down. It is so well written, and the subject is so compelling, that I just devoured it.

Lisa Genova never disappoints. Her intense scientific and medical background serves to help the reader navigate through the various pathologies she writes about with such insight and humanity. She writes with a passion that envelopes the reader and gives us a deeper understanding of ALS and its impact on the main character and those who are a part of his life. Genova's writing just gets better and better.

This book was so great that I hated to reach the end. Lisa Genova continues to give us books that teach us about health issues while giving us a real look into the lives of people dealing with these issues. I am deeply moved by her writing.

Wow....Lisa Genova does it again. Some people may think Lisa writes about an illness and that's true. But Lisa puts such a human side to the whole ordeal that the information in enlightening and very heartfelt. She gets the perspectives from the patient, the family, and the caregiver just right. The reader feels everything they are feeling. Love her writing! She doesn't disappoint.

I started this book on a beach in Maui--and ended it the same afternoon.

Genova had me spellbound with her matchless prose and her heartbreaking--yet somehow inspiring story. Her writing is thick, descriptive and crisp, keeping me in the moment and needing to know what happened to each character with every paragraph. She elevates and illuminates ALS, weaving in redemption and self-discovery along the way.

This book is amazing and it will definitely stay with me--and has already impacted me personally. I'm off to find the ALS donor page referenced in the acknowledgements.

Brava Lisa Genova!

I liked this book but it is such a sad disease. It was hard to read about these two unhappy people . I guess three people including the daughter. I want a cure so bad for this. You are a great writer but this was a just sad subject matter.

**Big thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy to review!**

Richard is a brilliant pianist, and all the things that go with that. Yup, he's the narcissist that you love to hate. His ex-wife, Karina is also a brilliant pianist from Poland. She's much easier to love, but she has her issues, too.

His world is knocked over when he is diagnosed with ALS. Actually, he doesn't really get depressed until his right arm is paralyzed.

Karina takes him in and helps care for him when she discovers he is completely alone in the world with this disease. Is she hoping to absolve her guilt? Will Richard make things right with Karina and his daughter before it's too late?

I couldn't put this one down. Lisa Genova is a brilliant author, she knows just how to pull you and push your buttons. That's right, I cried a few times.

Wonderfully paced, and it held my attention non-stop.

Every Note Played is a tremendous book that deals with ALS and the complicated relationships among people. I feel like I just went through the wringer with Richard and Karina. They are both so flawed and yet who among us isn't? I learned so much about ALS. I can't imagine the horror of losing control of your body bit by bit and still wanting to go on. Lisa Genova never disappoints in weaving wonderful stories while educating us about difficult medical conditions. This is a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Threshold Books for providing me with an ARC of Lisa Genova’s newest novel Every Note Played.

Lisa Genova is the perfect conductor of pulling heartstrings and taking the reader on a symphonic journey of emotions. I went from strongly disliking smug, self absorbed concert virtuoso Richard to full on bawling and rooting for him as the pages turned.

Every Note Played highlights the debilitating process the patient and family goes through from diagnosis through logistics until life and death decisions. It’s a cruel disease and Lisa Genova writes it as such.

I especially appreciated the character of Bill, Richard’s loving, kind, big hearted, humorous home health care aide who provides so much physical and emotional strength to both Richard and his ex-wife Karina.

Make sure to have the tissues handy and make sure to read the author’s notes and acknowledgments (you’ll probably need more tissues).

This was such an educational look at life with ALS. What an absolutely awful disease. My heart aches for the individuals that are living with ALS.

I loved that Lisa Genova used a pianist as the focus of this book. To use so much of your body for your career and then to have it ripped from you. To slowly lose the ability to do the thing you love most in life. Gut wrenching.

Richard and Karina's story is beautiful and heart breaking. Both if them feel so wronged by the other. To spend so much of your life blaming someone else for your unhappiness is disease in itself. It was clear to me that both Richard and Karina still had strong feelings for each other. Karina taking Richard in when he had no where else to go, giving up her life essentially to care for him. In living together again it was easy to see that they would each come to realize their own responsibility in their unhappiness.

My heart broke at the end of this book. It had me weeping and wiping away tears to finish and not blur the words. I love Lisa's books. I have read all of her books and always feel I have learned something in addition to reading a wonderfully written novel.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Threshold, Pocket Books

Karina finds out just by chance that her estranged ex-husband and famous concert pianist (Richard) has ALS. When she sees how quickly he's deteriorating, she ends up taking care of him. Like in Still Alice with Alzheimer's, Genova writes in a way that let's the reader feel the pain, indignity and hopelessness of what it's like for someone suffering from these terrible diseases.

Not only does Genova do such a good job illuminating all the different aspects of the disease, she is a great fiction writer as well. Her characters seem so real and their flaws make them believable and empathetic. Richard was a pretty much a jerk, but to watch him go become helpless and paralyzed by ALS was painful and heartbreaking to read. Karina wasn't perfect either. I wanted to shake her out of her lethargy and martyrdom. While the subject matter is hard to take at times, especially if you know someone who has suffered or is suffering from ALS, I commend Genova for not sugarcoating anything. This is a powerful and engrossing story.