I went into Find the Good: Unexpected Life Lessons From a Small-Town Obituary Writer by Heather Lende with a lot of perhaps too many expectations. I anticipated (and hoped for) humor of the macabre variety. Find the Good is a book of anecdotal advice from someone who regular faces death head on...or at least experiences it alongside those left behind. From the book's blurb, I thought that this was going to be a look at death with a light touch because how else can one continually run up against death and retain their positive outlook on life? I guess in a way Lende does explore the way she has had to structure her life so that she can continue to be a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen when the grief overflows. As an obituary writer in a small town, most of the notices that she has had to write were about people that she knew if not intimately then by sight. That takes a toll on a person and also fosters an environment for emotional and spiritual growth.  There are some good, positive points made but in my opinion not enough to warrant an entire book. It would have made a good article or think piece. There's very little I can say about this one other than it didn't really live up to my expectations or blow me away. It would probably work well on a short train ride or as a beach read. It's a 3/10 for me, guys.

What I'm Currently Reading: still reading Scythe and Mine Own Executioner

How does one describe a book about the writing of obituaries without becoming maudlin? It is easy when describing this book, written by an obituary writer. It is simply not depressing, rather it is absolutely inspiring. The author’s approach to life moved me to rethink about my own approach.

This brief book is about a subject few people talk about, because obits, by their very purpose and nature, instigate thoughts of death. Now who really wants to think about their own expiration date? Yet, this author has written a somewhat humorous and heartwarming message for the reader, as she relates her own effort to always try to find something good to record in her obituaries; she always tries to find something that is personal and heartwarming to say. In this way, she can send a message to the mourners that will lift them up and enable them to celebrate the life of the deceased, to alleviate their sorrow rather than break them down emotionally. When describing a man who failed repeatedly to repair his fishing nets, she made it sound positive and amusing since it was the holes in the net that enabled some fish to escape to live another day. The irony is that she brought life into the very place of death and eased their pain.

As I read her descriptions of the people she has written about and learned about the basic facts of her own life, I found that her simple message and lifestyle encouraged me to stop thinking about what I might not have, but instead to choose to look for and appreciate the good things that I do have in my life and all the good things I have had as well. Is my glass half full or half empty? It is definitely half full. The joy of finding whatever “good” news there is in a situation instead of looking for and dwelling on the “bad”, improves one’s life markedly. So let’s all find the good, shall we?

Small town Alaskan obituary writer recounts her adventures writing about people she knew, didn’t know, like didn’t like and the flaws in every person. My favorite message was that the world is full of happiness, if only you are willing to take it as it is. She encounters all kinds of interesting characters in her little town. She struggles with some to find the good, but focusing of the good has made her a better person, happier, more centered in the world. her encounter Betty a small odd little kitten that grew permanently into her families heart was wonderful and beautiful.
She says at one point that her whole life seems “non intuitive”. Finding the good certainly isn’t. Love the ones who matter, the ones who love you and love them back. Don’t grow old and become a fearful person, hiding from life and the adventures all around you. That was what I got out of it that touched me. It is so easy to close the door and turn on the TV, safe easy and lifeless. There is a chapter on losing a mother that was lured with my tears.
It is not anything like I expected. This is a small book, written by a small town woman with a huge job. It is sometimes slow the stories can seem small town at times but they are so sweet. I slowed down my pace, I relaxed and just listened to her simple words wrap mourned the heart of all her people. This book is like sweet ice tea on a humid summer day.

"I believe that gratitude comes from a place in the soul that knows the story could have ended differently, and often does, and I also know that gratitude is at the heart of finding the good in the world- especially with the ones we love. I see proof of this all the time."

From an obituary writer 

"The invisible part of a mother's heart is the strongest and most flexible because it enlarges with each child and grandchild."