Ask the Author: Will Schwalbe
Answered Questions (68)
Will Schwalbe
I'm so sorry to hear about your father -- he does sound very much like my mom. As for the booklist -- it's at the end of the printed book (or should be in most editions). But also someone put together a Goodreads page with the books! Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
Will Schwalbe
Apologies for such a slow reply -- I somehow forgot to check my GR questions. Thank you for writing to me. I remember our conversation at Blue Willow (one of my favorite bookstores in the world). I was hugely touched that you shared that with me. I'm grateful that you bought the new book -- and hope you've enjoyed it. Sending warmest best wishes from NYC.
Will Schwalbe
How great that your son was at The Island School way back in 2007! It's a remarkable place. I've heard from so many people about how it changed their lives. I'm excited to hear what you and Seth think about the portrait of Maxey. I feel so, so lucky to have him as a friend.
Will Schwalbe
Thanks so much for the kind comments about my books! That's such an interesting question. I actually like reading sad books during tough times because it makes me feel so lucky in comparison -- especially if they are REALLY sad. But most of my friends are more in your camp and prefer to read uplifting fiction. So I totally get that. Did you read DEAR EDWARD by Ann Napolitano? I find it's the perfect blend -- a sad premise but an incredibly uplifting ending. Hugely recommend it. Warmest best! Will
Will Schwalbe
Hi Daya: Thank you for such a kind and generous message. I'm really happy you liked the books -- and especially that you found them in a library in Singapore. I love visiting Singapore and can't wait to go back when we can all travel again. Glad, too, you like my favorite question. Warmest best wishes! Will
Will Schwalbe
Dear Dave: I'm so sorry! I fear in the chaos of the last year I may have missed this message. I'm so glad you enjoyed The End of Your Life Book Club. Mom did love mysteries -- Donna Leon was a big favorite. But she never read science fiction. Warmest best! Will
Will Schwalbe
Dear Heather: I'm so touched that you read my book, and went on to read some of the books Mom and I discussed. And especially glad to know that you loved Crossing to Safety as much as my mother and I did. It's a tough task to come up with a book that rivals that one. But there is a book I read recently that's something of a hidden gem and everyone I urged to read it has loved it: Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls. It's a novella from 1982; very different from Crossing to Safety, but thoroughly remarkable in its own way. Another book I hugely recommend is Old Filth by Jane Gardam. If you haven't read that yet, you are in for a huge treat. (Strange title, I know). Warmest best! Will
Will Schwalbe
Ha! Great to hear from you again, Patti. I still tell people my Saratoga/Sarasota confusion. I'm so happy and honored you are reading Books for Living -- and delighted to know that the introduction so resonated. And, yes, great to reconnect via Goodreads. You can reach me at will.schwalbe@gmail.com. Best as ever! Will
Will Schwalbe
I'm delighted to meet another vintage '62 reader! I'm mid-July so am just a few weeks ahead. And I'm very grateful to you for your kind words. Hope you are having a grand autumn and finding lots of great things to read.
Will Schwalbe
Thanks, Cassie! Coffee and books and dogs -- fantastic! Would love to visit Idaho Falls. Am working on a new book which will be a year and bit more in the writing. But would love to try to put Idaho Falls on the book tour for that one. Hope you are finding great things to read this summer. I need to update my Goodreads. Have found lots of wonderful books this summer.
Will Schwalbe
Thanks for this lovely message, Gayle! Hugely appreciated. Just finished my long tour for BOOKS FOR LIVING the follow-up of sorts -- so I'm now at work on a NEW book. I'm really excited about it. But it will be a few years in the making.
Will Schwalbe
Thanks, Deborah! So kind of you. And, yes, love connecting with other voracious readers. This looks like an extraordinary book. Will add it to my TBR list for sure. Recent favorites of mine include PACHINKO by Min Jin Lee and MRS. CALIBAN by Rachel Ingalls. All best! Will
Will Schwalbe
Sorry to be so slow to answer! I remember hearing good things about HOW THE IRISH SAVED CIVILIZATION by Thomas Cahill so that might be one to try. And if you want your history in novel form, there's the wonderful IRELAND by Frank Delaney. Hope you are having/have had a marvelous trip. So many literary landmarks!
Will Schwalbe
Theresa, I can't tell you how much it meant to me to get your kind message this Memorial Day weekend. Of course, I would love it if you "joined" the book club by reading the books my mother and I discussed. And do let me know what you are reading and liking -- books mom and I read but other books as well. Again, thank you for taking the time to write me and for your extremely generous words. Best! Will
Will Schwalbe
Hi! Sorry for the slow reply! As you can tell by how long it took to answer your kind question, my balancing isn't going as well as I would like! :-) What I try to do is write all weekend, every weekend, and leave the week free for Macmillan. I wish I was one of those people who can write every morning -- but I'm not. It takes me forever to get up and get going -- I need to read the newspapers cover to cover, watch the Today Show, and have at least two huge cups of coffee. Then it's time for work! But I do treasure my writing weekends.
Will Schwalbe
Hi Cassie! Sorry for the slow reply. Hope it's a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend in Billings! And hope I can come out there before too long. Life is busy -- in a good way! -- but maybe a bit too busy. Oh, and hope you are finding lots of great things to read!
Will Schwalbe
Hello! Thank you so much for reading THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB. I'm delighted you are reading it in Portuguese. It took me about two years to write. I certainly hope you are enjoying it. I'm grateful to your friend for recommending it to you. Always delighted to meet a fellow reader -- especially one who works in a library! All best, Will
Will Schwalbe
That's so kind! Thanks for reading my books -- and there's no greater compliment than to know a reader is dreading getting to the end. Such a great question about a favorite book. I don't really have one favorite -- more like a few dozen of them. As you can tell, THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING by Lin Yutang is definitely one of them. But I do have a favorite author: Christopher Isherwood. You?
Will Schwalbe
Thank you. Such wonderful books. I too find myself drawn to "sad" books. Sending all best wishes.
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