The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone

I did not finish this book, and will not be writing a review for it. I did not like Maggie's personality. She is extremely rude, and her thoughts on other cultures bothered me. I also really didn't like the family. Since I'm a character-driven reader and absolutely must like at least one character to enjoy a book, I knew there was no reason for me to continue. I loved the idea, but the author needs to do a little more research on how to respect different cultures and be accepting of other people.

This book made me feel. And made me realize I, too, would want to live out my remaining days on a cruise ship. The atmosphere of The Loose Ends Lists was a breath of fresh air. The content and plot were new and real and gritty and it engrossed me.

Highly recommended and one of my favorite all-time reads.

DNFd this book. I set it down for a LONG time obviously. I pick it up every once and a while and despite the light content here, I just couldn't finish. Have it in my classroom library and do recommend it for readers who are the opposite of me.

This was a wonderful book, and even though it’s a young adult book (ages 14 to 18), adults will enjoy it as well.
Maddie has just graduated from high school and figures on spending the summer before college by hanging around with her friends. But when her grandmother announces that she has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and she wants to take the entire family on an eight-week “death-with-dignity” cruise, Maddie knows she has to go with the family.
The family is fun and quirky, and there are other terminal patients and their families as well.
Seems like this would make a good movie. Yes, it’s a bit sad at the end, but uplifting at the same time.

The summer after high school graduation, Maddie joins her grandmother on a cruise as her last hurrah in life. I was skeptical as I started this book, but the characters are so compelling I was easily pulled in to the plot. Characters drive this novel. I felt connected to them, engaging me more emotionally during both the comical and melancholy moments. The adventure, humor, and sadness are paired with life lessons (which I am a sucker for). I love so many bits of wisdom Maddie is given through the story, like “You know when you fall and get a big old bruise on your leg? That bruise isn’t going anywhere for a while. But it takes longer to heal if you’re pressing on it all the time...Be gentle with yourself. Listen to good music. Eat good food. Nourish your body and your spirit, and you’ll be all right.” I would recommend this novel to readers who like character-driven adventure and romance novels with a sarcastic twist and some depth.

Deep and emotional, this beautiful novel was thought provoking and character driven. This book dealt with emotions in a raw and gripping way, drawing me in while reading and holding me there for the duration of the story.