After a car accident in which her passenger, Marissa, dies, June Parker finds herself in possession of a list Marissa has written: “20 Things to Do by My 25th Birthday.” The tasks range from inspiring (run a 5K) to daring (go braless) to near-impossible (change someone’s life).
To assuage her guilt, June races to achieve each goal herself before the deadline, learning more about her own life than she ever bargained for.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
So what do you do with a story line like this? Well, if you are me you wonder what causes the accident and what is on that list?????
This book was one of those books that you pick up and get into right from the start. The character of June is funny and strong willed. She carries with her this burden of the accident being her fault (after all, Marissa’s seat belt was off only because June had to have that Taco Soup recipe! (Which by the way I highly recommend making!) And June had just met Marissa that night at the meeting when she got up to receive her lifetime achievement award for losing 100 pounds!
As June goes through the list, working to complete Marissa’s dreams, we see that it is June who grows as a person. She becomes more confident in herself as she puts herself out there “for the list” and on a grand scale, the list isnt anything unachievable with things on it like:
Lose 100 pounds
Throw away the bathroom scale
Try Boogie Boarding
Eat Ice Cream In Public
Make Buddy Fitch Pay
There are more things on the list and each one just adds to the fun of this book. After all who is Buddy Fitch and what did he do that he has to pay?
A wonderful book club read – we reviewed it last night and we had a lot of fun discussing Marissa’s list and making our own as well. We each pulled one thing from our list and put it in an envelope. We mixed them up and passed them out again. Each of us read what the paper said on our envelope and tried to guess who’s list that as on. This was a lot of fun and we learned about each others dreams.
We now know that many us have dreams of traveling, one of us wants their pilots license, one hopes to be a master chef, see all 50 states, slow dance in the rain with their husband, learn spanish, ride a mechanical horse, 2 wish to become published authors….
These discussions make for the best book club reviews!
Charming and fun – I would recommend this book as quick read that will make you really think about your own life goals. I would also highly recommend this for those of you in book clubs. This is a wonderful discussion book and there is a reading group guide in the back of the book.
Stop in and see Angie from By Book Or By Crook and read her review of this book. Angie is part of our book Club!
I purchased my copy from Amazon
Bookies overall rating on a scale of 1 – 5 (5 being the best)
Book Journey 
I listened to this book on audio and really enjoyed it. One thing I remember about the audio is that the narrator always had a melancholy tone, but the book was still light and sometimes funny. I still haven’t made my list though!
Hi Jo-Jo. We made lists last night. I did mine in a hurry so I know I need to add quite a few things to it. 🙂
This definitely sounds like it could be a good discussion starter! It also sounds fun to read.
Hannah we could have talked on this book a long time. 🙂 The author has ideas to do in your book groups in the back of the book and that really added to our discussion.
So does your book group generally find those guides/whathaveyou in the back helpful? I’m not a part of an in-real-life book group, alas.
Hannah, sometimes. This particular one was….. good questions, a couple were pretty deep and one about death we just decided to skip over.
In some books I have found the questions to be ridiculous. I am encouraging our group this year to each come up with a question for the discussion. I am working towards more of everyone really engaging in the books. For years I planned all the questions for our reviews and I am trying to get away from that and make it more of a group thing.
Sounds like a good plan. I know sometimes when I read the questions after reading the book, they’re just ridiculous! But glad to hear sometimes they’re better than that!
I’m going to be reading this book this week. Now I can’t wait! I love stories that lead us down unexpected pathways.
I envy you the book club!
Laurel –
I have to say it. My book club is enviable. They are such a great group of women. 🙂
First of all, I love the cover! Secondly, what a great sounding book. I love things that make you think – and the first thing that I did while reading your review was think “oooh, what would be on mine?”. So, you know, I’m now going to have to go away and make a damn list.
Also, I have to know: who is the Snow White in your photo? Was she the victim of a “let’s all go in fancy dress” practical joke, or did she randomly just come as Snow White? If it’s the latter, I think I love her. How fun is that!
First of All – LOVE your name. (And jealous I didn’t think of it LOL)
The picture is of our book club. Each July we have a Queen Event where we dress up and give our Queen speeches. (Long story – but we got the idea from a book called Same Sweet Girls)
The girl in my book club in the Snow White dress is Amy and she thought it would be funny to go all “Snow White” on us. 🙂 So yeah… that latter… LOL
Book club last night was fun and I enjoyed hearing everyone’s lists!
It was fun Angie – the ones where we get to talk about things like that are always the best!
Looks like a fun read! Great review!
Thanks Freda!
Nice post, Sheila! I’ve seen this book around, shelved it a bunch of times I think, cover is familiar. Glad to hear that it worked well for your group. The lists sound fun.
Shelved it Kay? Do you work at a library or a book store? 🙂
What a great review! I’ve never heard of this book before! It sounds really interesting. I’ve already added it to my list of books to read! Thanks Sheila!
This is a fun one Reagan! 🙂
I read it a few years ago and agree with your review.
Mary,
I actually read this one in the summer of 2008. My book club just picked it and I could not find my copy so I purchased a new one and read it again. It really was worth reading again 🙂
Perfect timing. I am going to book group tonight and am going to suggest this book. It sounds like fun.
Helen if you choose this one connect with me – I have a link to ideas for book club discussions.
Your book club sounds like a blast! Wish there was one near me that I could join.
Great post!!
Hi Vicki – they are such a great group! 🙂
This does sound like a terrific book club pick.
Stephanie – this book really brought up a good discussion. We have been reading such deep books as a group lately – this one was just refreshing.
This so sounds like a book that I would pick and enjoy!! Your book club sounds so wonderful!!!
Hi Staci – this is a fun read – quick and makes you think 🙂
OH this sounds good! Another title to add to my already way too long “to read” list!
Marilu it is a fun read!
Sounds like a book that would make me think and one I’d enjoy.
You would like it Pat!
This one does sound really good. I wonder what would be on my list. Hmmm…..
It doesnt have to be big things Kristen – it can be whatever you want! 🙂
Oh my gosh, you girls have too much fun. What a hoot. And the book looks like a great read, especially since I’m such a list maker 🙂
Then Lynne – this book is for you!
I had to add this book to my wish list after reading your review. It sounds like a great read.
Thanks!
Yes tammy – I think you would enjoy it 🙂
This book really does sound like a fun read. And I like the idea of sharing your lists like that – I might try using that as a team builder for my student staff next year.
That would be a great idea Jennifer 🙂
This does sound like fun; and the list sounds like something we should all put together. Plus, I love taco soup–so I’ve got to read a book that has taco soup in it!
Ooh thanks for reminding me Lisa – I really want to make it and I forgot to get the ingredients when I was at the store today!