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The Best of Us
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
11 posts | 12 read | 13 to read
From New York Times bestselling author Joyce Maynard, a memoir about discovering strength in the midst of great loss--"heart wrenching, inspiring, full of joy and tears and life." (Anne Lamott) In 2011, when she was in her late fifties, beloved author and journalist Joyce Maynard met the first true partner she had ever known. Jim wore a rakish hat over a good head of hair; he asked real questions and gave real answers; he loved to see Joyce shine, both in and out of the spotlight; and he didn't mind the mess she made in the kitchen. He was not the husband Joyce imagined, but he quickly became the partner she had always dreamed of. Before they met, both had believed they were done with marriage, and even after they married, Joyce resolved that no one could alter her course of determined independence. Then, just after their one-year wedding anniversary, her new husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. During the nineteen months that followed, as they battled his illness together, she discovered for the first time what it really meant to be a couple--to be a true partner and to have one. This is their story. Charting the course through their whirlwind romance, a marriage cut short by tragedy, and Joyce's return to singleness on new terms, The Best of Us is a heart-wrenching, ultimately life-affirming reflection on coming to understand true love through the experience of great loss.
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bookandbedandtea
Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Pickpick

Despite all the incredible similarities, this is totally not based on the Gabby Petito/ Brian Laundrie story. 🙄 There are no sympathetic characters here (which I struggle with so it was good for me that this was so short) but it's an interesting exploration of the events. With a very intriguing end! 🤔
(This title is not in the database so I tagged another title by the author)

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GidgetsTreasures75
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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5-31-21: My 57th finished book of 2021! What a powerful memoir that had me crying up until the last page. Joyce Maynard tells the story of her later in life marriage to her soulmate and the crushing blow they received with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis for him. This is a love story with a tragic ending. I took care of both my parents during their illnesses and this brought back a lot of sad memories but the love these two shared was beautiful. ⬇️

GidgetsTreasures75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👍🏼📖#️⃣5️⃣7️⃣ #thebestofus #joycemaynard 3y
8 likes1 comment
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The_Real_Nani
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Honest, horrible description of what it‘s like to be married to someone dying of cancer.

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The_Real_Nani
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Next up on my BEA 2017 TBR!

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Viji
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Enjoying a rare three-day weekend with a cold beverage and this book. Sad but compelling memoir about finding love late in life.

Samplergal Finding love later in life is amazing. JS. 6y
Aleida That sounds encouraging! 6y
104 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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GirlWellRead
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Raw, honest, and heartbreaking, Maynard doesn't shy away from sharing the ups and downs of marriage with the added strain of a terminal illness. She courageously writes about Jim's final days—her writing is beautiful and reminds us that love is fleeting, as is time, and that both are a gift to the heart.

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Leigh_Medeiros
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Sitting in my kitchen listening to writer Joyce Maynard teach a Creativelive class. I'm hooked. If anyone wants to learn the basics of memoir I highly recommend. She's a really engaging, smart, compassionate teacher, not to mention successful writer. This course is jam packed with useful info. #writeyourstory #memoir

ReadingSusan Love Creative Live! They are the best ❤️❤️ 6y
Leigh_Medeiros @ReadingSusan Yes! It's my first class with them and I'm so impressed! 6y
11 likes2 comments
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Michreads
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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It was a good glimpse of a love affair that happens late in life. The observations about love , marriage , aging and sickness were very detailed. I liked the author's perspective. It was sad but made me reflect and think about a lot about my own life. I recommend this book.

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monkeygirlsmama
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Pickpick

4 stars

This memoir details Joyce's late in life romance with Jim and their battle with prostrate cancer. Not my favorite memoir, but worth reading. You'll need a few tissues though, fair warning.

#NetGalleyReads

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Happiestwhenreading
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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Mehso-so

Overall, The Best of Us is a very touching tribute to the power of love, connection, and the ultimate promise one can make to another person – in sickness and in health. It‘s deep and emotional and will make you appreciate the hope one has when faced with death.

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BookNAround
The Best of Us: A Memoir | Joyce Maynard
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I'm at my family's cottage for the summer and this is where I stash my books when I'm here. #24in48