2.5 out of 5 Stars

I really had trouble with this heroine. Her hypochondria and ocd just went on and on and on. The world is already full of self-obsessed people, and I am supposed to commiserate with her? She broke her arm and kept saying, I'm fine, it's okay, etc and then had fears that were like little kids when they get a splinter, "Will I get blood poisoning? Will they have to cut off my hand?"
I just couldn't get passed the 4th chapter.

I am not sure how to rate this one. I found this book about Gilda, a depressed and anxious lesbian, quirky and at the same time relatable. Despite the topics of depression, mental illness, addiction, anxiety, and religion, I truly enjoyed the story.

I really enjoyed certain parts of this book, but it was so all over the place and included not enough information on some parts that seemed important and then random storylines that had no bearing on the plot.

Brilliantly written, I absolutely loved the main character. The tone, layers, and overall book was something perfect. I cannot stop recommending this book because it was original, dark sense of humor, and clever.

this book focuses on gilda, a depressed lesbian woman in her mid/late twenties who picks up a job at a church, despite being atheist. her mind is bombarded with intrusive thoughts, especially fixations on death. I thought the shattered narrative tended to work in the book’s favor, though at times it felt a little jumpy. I wish the other characters, including her family and partner, were fleshed out à bit more. this book isn’t for everyone but would rec to people who struggle with anxiety/depression, or those who seek out stories with LGBTQ characters

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC: this book grew on me: it's a stream of consciousness memoir style novel from a troubled woman who is seeking help and turns to a church and ends up working there, despite not being Catholic and hiding that she is gay. As you learn from an unreliable narrator, so much does not become clear until the book is completed. Her many, many visits to the ER surprised me, but then I learned she's in Toronto. Here in the US, the copays would be prohibitive. Mental health care is hard to access in any country and she struggles and tries so hard. I grew frustrated with Gilda, the narrator, but that was a sign of the realistic portrayal of a woman struggling with depression. It's an accurate representation and worth reading. Withhold judgement until you've read it all and let it sit for a day. Darkly humorous.

Gilda has a new job. She had only intended to inquire about free therapy sessions held at a Catholic church. But, instead, she was mis-identified as a job applicant to replace the receptionist who had recently passed away. Too embarrassed to correct this mistake, Gilda accepts the job (which she does, indeed, need), determined to disguise the fact that she is not only an atheist but also gay. She also struggles with anxiety, she is obsessed with the notion of death, and she is somewhat of a hypochondriac (think multiple visits to the ER).

I thought Emily Austin’s debut novel would be much more entertaining than it proved to be. There were some clever and funny moments, but much of it seemed to be a stream of consciousness that often didn’t lead anywhere. Indeed, it was a strange book with some interesting characters and a clever premise. But, for me, it just didn’t resonate quite as well as I had hoped it would.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin was outside of my typical genres, but I enjoyed it. I appreciated the light-hearted tone, but as the book went on, I realized this was actually a heavy topic. Because of Gilda’s unresolved mental health issues, I felt real compassion for her. The book was also a bit of a mystery in figuring out who may have killed Grace, Gilda’s predecessor at the church.

I will recommend this to readers who like dark humor with characters who are dealing with mental health issues.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book has made it onto my list of favorites that I've read this year. Never before have I read a book that so accurately portrayed what it is like to have generalized anxiety disorder, and to experience panic attacks. The writing in this book is so well done. I laughed so much, I nodded my head in knowing agreement, and I was sad when it ended. I will be buying copies of this books for my friends!

Having been raised by a mother with extreme anxiety and an inability to say no to anyone, Everyone in this Room Will Soon Be Dead seemed like a no-brainer to read.

Gilda is a 28 year old lesbian atheist who is so painfully anxiety-ridden, she inadvertently accepts a job as a receptionist at a Catholic Church. Both hilarious and heartbreaking, this novel is the story of a young woman’s descent into depression and her desire to not inconvenience anyone around her. Thus, Gilda buried herself in a web of small, but consequential lies that lead to a surprising, but satisfying ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead is a Emily Austin's debut novel telling the story of Gilda, an anxious woman who happens to find herself working in a Catholic church due to a misunderstanding.

I enjoyed reading this one! I appreciated the deadpan humor and found myself laughing out loud during different parents of the story. Gilda's obsession with death and constant state of anxiety definitely hit home at times, and I can certainly relate to some of her behavior resulting from her anxiety. This book was quirky and humorous with a main character that I found to be endearing. This was a quick read, and I would recommend it to anyone who can appreciate dark humor and quirky characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this title, which did not affect the contents of my voluntary review. All opinions are honest and my own.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. It’s beautiful and I love it! The second thing was the description. A lesbian that’s obsessed with death working in a Catholic Church is exactly my type of humour. Gilda is morbidly quirky and an interesting character to read about. The overall feel of this book is quite depressing, but at the same time there were instances that made me laugh. I feel like it was the perfect amount of dark humour with likeable characters and entertaining in a way that held my attention. I wouldn’t say I loved it, but I definitely don’t regret reading it. Final rating is 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exhange for an honest review.
"Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead" by Emily Austin was a heart-breaking & laugh-out-loud funny debut novel about anxiety & depression.
I enjoyed reading it & I would love to read what Ms. Austin writes next.

DNF at 30%. I expected something edgy and witty from the description. There were a couple of good lines that resonated with me but the narrative didn't come together and I found myself getting bored.

One of my new favorite books of all time. I can’t even put into words how perfectly written this is from the perspective of someone with extreme anxiety. I’ve never related to a book this much. A modern day Bell Jar.

The writing is also somehow funny and charming even while dealing with such heavy topics. It’s probably not a book everyone would relate to as strongly as I did, but I do think most people can relate to many of the thoughts that go through Gilda’s mind.

The story itself holds your attention but also remains wonderfully simple, allowing for the focus to be on Gilda’s own journey.

My top pick of 2021 so far.

Gilda is a young atheist lesbian, plagued by anxiety and obsessed with death so when she accidentally stumbles into a job with the Catholic Church, even she doesn't know how the heck she got here especially when she discovers the woman she is replacing, Grace, died recently. Still, she is determined to make the best of it by pretending to be a straight Catholic. As she struggles with family, trying to blend in with Church rituals which produce some of the funniest moments in the novel, the not-so-funny attitudes of the Church, the elderly parishioners, and her questions about Grace, Gilda begins to learn more about herself and the fact that everyone, even those who may seem unlikable or overly confident, are dealing with their own struggles the best they can.

Okay, I really loved Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin that manages to be both heart-breaking and laugh-out-loud funny but always sympathetic. The characters are interesting and, if at first, they appear one-dimensional, Austin slowly fleshes them out, revealing enough of their backstories to make them seem alive. But I especially liked Gilda who, despite her constant obsession with death and the related hypochondria still manages to be one of the most likeable and dare I say relatable characters I have encountered in a very long time. Definitely a high recommendation for anyone who enjoys books infused with dark humour. This is Austin's debut novel and oh, what a debut it is - I can't wait to read more by her in the future.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review</i>

This book is unlike any I have read. Gilda is self deprecating, but so relatable. She struggles to make the “right” life choices and always seems to be barely getting by. Gilda starts digging into the mystery behind her predecessor’s death and through this, she starts to uncover why life is worth living, even if we all die in the end. It’s quirky, satirical, dark & slightly morbid. I read this book within hours and found it entertaining and unique.

One of my fav quotes: “I came to the realization that every moment exists in perpetuity regardless of whether it’s remembered.”

Overall, I'm in the 3.5 star range. A decent read with a unique and relatable character.

This book was overwhelmingly depressing and so so so heavy. I guess I should have known that based off the description, but overall this was very hard for me to read, as I realize there are people who struggle like this and I can't imagine how impossible it is for them. It's really well written and a quick read, but it was just so hard for me to get through emotionally. Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC.

A very strange read for sure. Not a bad read just strange. Seems a bit disheveled as it’s really just a collection of thoughts and memories from Gilda’s mind. Gives a feeling of unease at times, almost too real. The ending sentence made me happy.

Thank you for the ARC of this novel!

Told through the perspective of Gilda, the reader easily becomes part of Gilda's inner thoughts. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with bad news, I think we can all see a little Gilda in ourselves.

She is obsessed with death and the unknown. Through a series of short constant stories, you follow her through a new job (as a gay atheist who now works at a Catholic Church), on dates, and through small places in her life.

The book is quirky but so enjoyable. It reminded me of Jenny Offill's writing style, but with a slightly better flow!

Thanks again for the ARC!