Notes For My Eulogist

by Thom Williams

Notes for My Eulogist is not a book about dying or even being dead. It is a love story for life - an articulate and frequently poetic celebration of our differences, our similarities, and the common experiences that unite us as human beings.

It is a book about telling our stories, out loud, as we live them. The storytelling is simple and approachable, but the language is lush and rendered in passages you will want to read over and over, and memorable lines that will echo in your mind long after you close the book.

Inside you will find lots of short and funny stories, relatable and revealing anecdotes, and a bit of something for everyone. It is as much a conversation with the author as it is a memoir.



Whether you read this collection straight through or in pieces, take your time - there is a lot of life to be found in these pages.

486 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2024

Reviews

[Brittany Leiba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I was as good with my words as Thom so I could write a review worthy of his work. Alas, I am not, but here we go….

This is a very well written book that had me giggling throughout. He has a gift for taking everyday, mundane events and finding the humor in them. This book not only made me laugh, but it brought me joy, happiness, and hope. What a gift to be able to reflect on one’s life in such detail and share these life lessons! His words made me want to be more mindful of the present and live with gratitude for the moments I have, no matter how normal and mundane they may seem on the surface. I am realizing how much can be missed when you sit by idly and just let these moments come and go without appreciation. Thom really highlights how every interaction in our life, even a small one, can leave a lasting impression on someone if you let it. I aspire to live my life with this outlook.

I look forward to reading more of his books!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of essays that are full of wit, humor, love, and a life well lived. Thom is a masterful storyteller, and the stories will take you on journeys of laughter, introspection, and even a reminder to look up and remember the stars.

[Niko · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the back cover, it says "take your time", which is useful advice because Notes for My Eulogist is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle after you've finished the edges.

Best enjoyed spread out over time. As you read, you slowly put together different sections that make up the tableau of Williams's life until you finally put together a complete picture of a wisened clown.

But more importantly, you find proof of a life well lived and a life worth sharing with others.

[Sarah A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book- I did indeed laugh, smirk, smile, and head nod, and also teared up, had my heart warmed, and found plenty to think about. When it feels like everything is going too fast, it’s refreshing to read about all the different shapes a life can take over time & all the many things that make up a life (and which of those things end up being important). Mitty-Me, Acceptance, and Actuaries were great choices for the final three essays of the book 💜

[Sarah Hoodlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful compilation of essays! The wisdom within these pages is vast, and best consumed slowly. There’s a sense of nostalgia that comes from Thom’s words, but also ones of wonder and comfort. The way he writes is almost poetic, but simple, and easily consumed.

I’ll admit, there were a couple of times I had to put it down, for it evoked in me a sense of longing and loss that is indescribable. But for the most part, it made me laugh, and made me think, and made me hopeful for better things to come. It's clear Thom is a storyteller, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

If you’re looking for a book you can consume slowly, in those moments when you might only have a few minutes to read, check out this book. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

[Josephine Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this is as if you are sitting at your kitchen table and talking with a friend over a coffee. It fills your cup. It makes you laugh and cry and feel those deep down thoughts and memories to come forward. You may not be at this point in you life where all of his stories are something you have experienced, but you will through him. Take you time. Put it down when you need to and come right back . You will be feeling some of these stories more than other ones. The stories that resonated with me not be as close to you however if you are in the same club with us it will hit you in way that leaves you staring at the wall and not feeling alone.

[Uma Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes For My Eulogist by Thom Williams is brilliant!
A collection of essays on life, I could see this book on the bookshelf of every avid reader. It has all the makings of a classic.
As Thom writes, ‘The world is not a tender place, but tenderness persists in little pockets…’
Notes For My Eulogist is packed full of tenderness. If you want a book that plucks at your heart strings, I highly recommend this one.
Six out of five stars!

[Lana Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thom’s ability to see the funny, whimsical, or thought provoking in everyday situations is what makes this book so great. His storytelling is engaging and always makes me smile.
I can’t wait to read what he comes up with next!

[J. Bagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Absolutely delightful. Perfect bite-sized tidbits of life to enjoy any time to need to sit a spell. I highly recommend for anyone but especially us old folk...

[Kimberly Renslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The stories about Thom and his life had me in a range of emotions. I felt like I was talking to an old friend reading it. It also reminded me of many of my life memories.