What do you think?
Rate this book
A Pocket Full of Days Part 2
Isn’t love supposed to be enough? As Mike and Jo’s story continues to unfold, the secrets they share serve to bind them together while at the same time drive them apart. Yet even in their darkest moments, both learn to find and cherish joy where they can, in the simple moments of living each day.The conclusion of their story comes both unexpectedly and long foreseen.This is a heartfelt and raw tale of adversity, endurance and, in the end, acceptance.
- GenresMemoir
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
2 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Mike Cavanagh
8 books24 followersMike Cavanagh is now in his sixties and has no idea how that happened. He lives with his wife, Julie, adult son Dan, and two black cats in Bateman’s Bay, NSW. Two other adult children, left home eventually, complete the extended menagerie.
The house Mike and Julie live in is quirky and in need of regular maintenance, as are its owners. Mike also writes poetry, fiction, plays guitar and composes music, is doing research on rock-wallabies, and spends far too much time playing computer role playing games. He does none of these very well, necessarily, but he does them.
Mike thought he knew who he was until a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome in his sixties gave him pause to rethink who he thought he was, and how he got here. Having no real idea how to proceed from there, he wrote his memoir, 'One of Its Legs are Both the Same'. It was not the memoir he thought he was going to write, so he wrote another one, 'A Pocket Full of Days'.
The house Mike and Julie live in is quirky and in need of regular maintenance, as are its owners. Mike also writes poetry, fiction, plays guitar and composes music, is doing research on rock-wallabies, and spends far too much time playing computer role playing games. He does none of these very well, necessarily, but he does them.
Mike thought he knew who he was until a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome in his sixties gave him pause to rethink who he thought he was, and how he got here. Having no real idea how to proceed from there, he wrote his memoir, 'One of Its Legs are Both the Same'. It was not the memoir he thought he was going to write, so he wrote another one, 'A Pocket Full of Days'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 20, 2021
Having read A Pocketful of Days Part 1 I knew this would not be an 'easy' read, but my goodness what a powerful tribute to Jo, Mike's first wife. What a rollercoaster of a life they had together through some incredibly challenging times. In his words ' life cuts like a razor sometimes’ The old adage ' can't live with someone, can't live without them' seems appropriate in some ways to describe their relationship. It's a testament to Mike's love, care and compassion for her when it must have been so difficult. It's beautifully written, heart-breaking, and heart-warming and so incredibly powerful. It is a book I won’t forget.
Mike has certainly had a rather extraordinary life but is now living a much more settled and almost conventional life. You will have to read this memoir to discover how dramatically that came about.
Mike has certainly had a rather extraordinary life but is now living a much more settled and almost conventional life. You will have to read this memoir to discover how dramatically that came about.
January 11, 2021
A powerful and emotional memoir.
I have read and loved Mike Cavanagh’s ‘A Pocket Full of Days Part 1’. Usefully, he provides a quick recap of events in there; good to jog your memory on various points, or for if you perhaps haven’t read the first volume before coming to this second book.
I love his writing style. I like the music mentions too-eg. Thriller, Van Morrison; they really add to it for me. We have a few smiles. Then: Bang. He gets a letter from Jo. Will she come back in his life again?
I remember laughing in his previous book. A lot. He seemed like a stand-up comedian. This book seemed darker, certainly early on. Mike and Jo had known each other ten years now. They have gone through so much and inevitably have a strong bond. They keep ending up back together again and again. A crazy and complicated relationship. Dark, hard-hitting issues. He has such skill at weaving all his emotions into his writing. A complex, honest portrayal. A difficult book, with some hard happenings-but so beautifully told.
There are still a few of his little phrases which make you smile-but this is essentially a powerful, emotional and high drama memoir. A rollercoaster for Mike. It was so moving. Certainly no picnic. Much of this is hard, hard circumstance. But it's not all gloomy. A beautiful fairy tale encounter is in store for him later.
You know when you watch a film and get so involved in it you have a lump in your throat? And tears. Tears of joy at the unexpected happy bits? This is that in a book. I had. I did. An amazing book.
Powerful feels an understatement.
I have read and loved Mike Cavanagh’s ‘A Pocket Full of Days Part 1’. Usefully, he provides a quick recap of events in there; good to jog your memory on various points, or for if you perhaps haven’t read the first volume before coming to this second book.
I love his writing style. I like the music mentions too-eg. Thriller, Van Morrison; they really add to it for me. We have a few smiles. Then: Bang. He gets a letter from Jo. Will she come back in his life again?
I remember laughing in his previous book. A lot. He seemed like a stand-up comedian. This book seemed darker, certainly early on. Mike and Jo had known each other ten years now. They have gone through so much and inevitably have a strong bond. They keep ending up back together again and again. A crazy and complicated relationship. Dark, hard-hitting issues. He has such skill at weaving all his emotions into his writing. A complex, honest portrayal. A difficult book, with some hard happenings-but so beautifully told.
There are still a few of his little phrases which make you smile-but this is essentially a powerful, emotional and high drama memoir. A rollercoaster for Mike. It was so moving. Certainly no picnic. Much of this is hard, hard circumstance. But it's not all gloomy. A beautiful fairy tale encounter is in store for him later.
You know when you watch a film and get so involved in it you have a lump in your throat? And tears. Tears of joy at the unexpected happy bits? This is that in a book. I had. I did. An amazing book.
Powerful feels an understatement.
Read
December 15, 2020After having read Mikes first two books ‘ One of its legs are both the same’ and a Pocket Full of Days Part 1’ I was really looking forward to this book and I was not disappointed. Written with Mikes flair to combine humour and sorrow he takes you on his personal journey and by the end you feel honoured to have been allowed to be part of his life. He has an amazing ability to capture place and time and hooks the reader from beginning to end . I would highly recommend this and all his books. I have thoroughly enjoyed this his latest book and look forward to the next one.
January 22, 2021
Pockets full of dreams
This follows on from A Pocket Full of Days, and is the story of Mike and Jo. If you haven't read part one you really should: both to help you understand the story and because it's a great book. I don't want to give anything away, but this is a compassionate, thoughtful, and very well written account of a couple who can't live together, but can't live apart. It also follows Mike's journey from layabout hippie to (almost) respectable working man. It's so difficult to write anything about the book without giving away the story, so I just want to say that it's a fabulous book that I really enjoyed, and you should definitely read.it.
This follows on from A Pocket Full of Days, and is the story of Mike and Jo. If you haven't read part one you really should: both to help you understand the story and because it's a great book. I don't want to give anything away, but this is a compassionate, thoughtful, and very well written account of a couple who can't live together, but can't live apart. It also follows Mike's journey from layabout hippie to (almost) respectable working man. It's so difficult to write anything about the book without giving away the story, so I just want to say that it's a fabulous book that I really enjoyed, and you should definitely read.it.
February 23, 2021
An emotional and powerful memoir
Having read Mike´s other books, One of its legs are Both the Same and A Pocketful of Days Part 1, I was excited to get back to his story of life, it did not disappoint. This book follows on from A Pocket Full of Days, I advise reading this first so that you can understand Mike and Jo´s story, it is a brilliant book.
Written in Mike´s honest, engaging and straight to the point writing style, I was soon back in the land of Mike and Jo and their on again off again, together but not together world. Life with Jo has never been easy, there is a bond that holds them together, a very complex and complicated relationship binding them together no matter where they are. Through deep and dark times Mike manages to hold down a fulltime, respectful and meaningful job, a far cry from his earlier hippie days. This book had it all, tears of sadness, tears of joy and unexpected happiness.
After years of torment, there is a happy ending for Mike but you will have to read his story to find out how it comes about, no spoilers from me.
I felt honoured to be along for the ride on this very moving, emotional and personal journey. A very moving tribute to Jo, his first wife. Thank you, Mike.
Having read Mike´s other books, One of its legs are Both the Same and A Pocketful of Days Part 1, I was excited to get back to his story of life, it did not disappoint. This book follows on from A Pocket Full of Days, I advise reading this first so that you can understand Mike and Jo´s story, it is a brilliant book.
Written in Mike´s honest, engaging and straight to the point writing style, I was soon back in the land of Mike and Jo and their on again off again, together but not together world. Life with Jo has never been easy, there is a bond that holds them together, a very complex and complicated relationship binding them together no matter where they are. Through deep and dark times Mike manages to hold down a fulltime, respectful and meaningful job, a far cry from his earlier hippie days. This book had it all, tears of sadness, tears of joy and unexpected happiness.
After years of torment, there is a happy ending for Mike but you will have to read his story to find out how it comes about, no spoilers from me.
I felt honoured to be along for the ride on this very moving, emotional and personal journey. A very moving tribute to Jo, his first wife. Thank you, Mike.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews