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Caskets from Costco
For twenty years, I thought that I had been marching through the stages of grief in a straight line. I had been following the formula, crossing each processed grief experience off my list.
Except that I was totally deluded. And I didn’t discover that until Jim, my beloved father-in-law, died. I found myself drying off from my shower the morning after his death, really hoping he couldn’t see me naked. Or, if he could, that he was averting his eyes.
From that moment, my path through grief resembled a roller coaster, spiraling and twisting and turning, circling back around. Echoes of past trauma, including childhood abuse and cheating death, would no longer be ignored. I somehow needed to get from the beginning to the end of this grief adventure, and I don’t have a good sense of direction.
But what is always present during a journey through grief, regardless of the path chosen?
Hope.
Caskets From Costco is a funny book about grief that demonstrates the certainty of hope and healing in an uncertain and painful world.
Except that I was totally deluded. And I didn’t discover that until Jim, my beloved father-in-law, died. I found myself drying off from my shower the morning after his death, really hoping he couldn’t see me naked. Or, if he could, that he was averting his eyes.
From that moment, my path through grief resembled a roller coaster, spiraling and twisting and turning, circling back around. Echoes of past trauma, including childhood abuse and cheating death, would no longer be ignored. I somehow needed to get from the beginning to the end of this grief adventure, and I don’t have a good sense of direction.
But what is always present during a journey through grief, regardless of the path chosen?
Hope.
Caskets From Costco is a funny book about grief that demonstrates the certainty of hope and healing in an uncertain and painful world.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2014
8 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Wilson
2 books30 followersKelly Wilson is an author and comedian who entertains and inspires with stories of humor, healing, and hope. She is the author of Live Cheap & Free, Donít Punch People in the Junk, and the award-winning Caskets From Costco, along with numerous articles and short stories for children and adults.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Kelly writes and speaks about finding hope in the process of recovery. Through both stand-up and improv comedy, she brings laughter to audiences of all ages using a wide range of subject matter, including silly songs, parenting stories, and jokes and anecdotes revolving around mental health issues.
Kelly Wilson currently writes for a living and lives with her Magically Delicious husband, junk-punching children, dog, cat, and stereotypical minivan in Portland, Oregon. Read more about her at www.wilsonwrites.com.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Kelly writes and speaks about finding hope in the process of recovery. Through both stand-up and improv comedy, she brings laughter to audiences of all ages using a wide range of subject matter, including silly songs, parenting stories, and jokes and anecdotes revolving around mental health issues.
Kelly Wilson currently writes for a living and lives with her Magically Delicious husband, junk-punching children, dog, cat, and stereotypical minivan in Portland, Oregon. Read more about her at www.wilsonwrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 2, 2016
I wrote it, so I think it's awesome! :)
November 27, 2015
Kelly Wilson's book Caskets From Costco begins normal enough, an analogy between getting lost and the usefulness of a GPS system for someone like her who has no real sense of direction. This one simple analogy -- life and a GPS system -- that Wilson begins to weave her experiences in life and how none of them followed a desperately need straight and logical line that her chaotic childhood upbringing never had and she craved. Even the so-called Grief Cycle fails Wilson, the five neat and tidy steps she memorized in college not being so neat or tidy.
The book opens with the sudden death of her father-in-law, a man who had been more of a real father to her than her own, and the hurried arrangements that only those who have experienced sudden funeral planning can relate to. The days after her father-in-law's funeral hit Wilson by her surprise, though, and she's unprepared by the many churning emotions that send her into spiraling depression. She enters counseling when she recognizes her ability to teach is hampered -- a tough realization for anyone who has been there.
Wilson's counselor, Hannah, is thankfully a perfect fit and Hannah begins to pull out the many puzzle pieces from Wilson's storytelling for the reader in order to complete the entire picture. What first appears to be a tale soley about grieving a lost father-in-law who meant so much to a woman soon begins to be about overcoming post-partum depression and PTSD after the traumatic birth of Wilson's child when they both nearly died. While processing this information and fitting together the puzzle pieces of the child's birth story, Wilson neatly introduces more information of her own tumultuous childhood growing up with alcoholic and abusive parents. Then comes the second child's near death and the lost of a twin. Soon, Wilson leads us into the middle of the labrynth and we begin to see more clearly why meeting her high school sweetheart was truly miraculous; she begins to confide in Hannah the sexual abuse at the hands of her own father.
It is easy for the reader to recognize just how important it must have been for Kelly Wilson, as her younger self, to have a neatly organized and planned out life. The control over schedules and life plans is just as vital to a child sex abuse survivor as it is to someone with PTSD or someone with depression. To be a woman overcoming all of these things, control must be paramount and it's no wonder the grief stage failing her was a shock.
I related easily to Wilson. I lost my father-in-law while pregnant and on bedrest with my second baby, the funeral was a whirlwind for me and I never knew who would be pushing my wheelchair. I, too, have married my high school sweetheart and have been able to rely on him as someone stable and consistent. Wilson's writing is incredibly relatable and approachable. She is Every Woman who has ever feared being seen naked by a ghost -- in other words, being seen as vulnerable by the Unknown.
Each layer and turn of Wilson's story neatly ties together, taking the reader on a journey through her own struggle and pain, twisty-turny and anxious -- just like it was for her. Kelly Wilson demonstrates that there are no straight lines in any person's path, only curves and forks in the road that all lead to who she is supposed to become.
The book opens with the sudden death of her father-in-law, a man who had been more of a real father to her than her own, and the hurried arrangements that only those who have experienced sudden funeral planning can relate to. The days after her father-in-law's funeral hit Wilson by her surprise, though, and she's unprepared by the many churning emotions that send her into spiraling depression. She enters counseling when she recognizes her ability to teach is hampered -- a tough realization for anyone who has been there.
Wilson's counselor, Hannah, is thankfully a perfect fit and Hannah begins to pull out the many puzzle pieces from Wilson's storytelling for the reader in order to complete the entire picture. What first appears to be a tale soley about grieving a lost father-in-law who meant so much to a woman soon begins to be about overcoming post-partum depression and PTSD after the traumatic birth of Wilson's child when they both nearly died. While processing this information and fitting together the puzzle pieces of the child's birth story, Wilson neatly introduces more information of her own tumultuous childhood growing up with alcoholic and abusive parents. Then comes the second child's near death and the lost of a twin. Soon, Wilson leads us into the middle of the labrynth and we begin to see more clearly why meeting her high school sweetheart was truly miraculous; she begins to confide in Hannah the sexual abuse at the hands of her own father.
It is easy for the reader to recognize just how important it must have been for Kelly Wilson, as her younger self, to have a neatly organized and planned out life. The control over schedules and life plans is just as vital to a child sex abuse survivor as it is to someone with PTSD or someone with depression. To be a woman overcoming all of these things, control must be paramount and it's no wonder the grief stage failing her was a shock.
I related easily to Wilson. I lost my father-in-law while pregnant and on bedrest with my second baby, the funeral was a whirlwind for me and I never knew who would be pushing my wheelchair. I, too, have married my high school sweetheart and have been able to rely on him as someone stable and consistent. Wilson's writing is incredibly relatable and approachable. She is Every Woman who has ever feared being seen naked by a ghost -- in other words, being seen as vulnerable by the Unknown.
Each layer and turn of Wilson's story neatly ties together, taking the reader on a journey through her own struggle and pain, twisty-turny and anxious -- just like it was for her. Kelly Wilson demonstrates that there are no straight lines in any person's path, only curves and forks in the road that all lead to who she is supposed to become.
February 4, 2016
Costco does sell caskets!
I have to say that when offered this book for review, I was intrigued, not only by the title or the picture on the front, but how the author approached werious subjects such as abuse, grief and loss with humor. The author's experiences range from being sexually abused by her father and her mother doing nothing, which led to the author having PTSD, to the loss of her father in law, who was the father that her's was not and two difficult pregnancies, almost dying from pregnancies.We learn through counselor visits, starting in the present and going back to the beginning. As I continued reading this story based on the author's experiences, I had to admire her for telling the story with not only a wicked sense of humor but that she could share her experiences and be able to write this book about them. I found this book to be a page turner and I was hoping that all along that things would start to look up for her. They did as she seems to have an awesome husband and two little boys that she loves. Not everyone can talk, let alone write for the world to see, their bad experiences in life. I find it very commendable that not only is she a writer, but also a motivational speaker. I really liked this book, plus I learned that Costco does indeed sell caskets!
I have to say that when offered this book for review, I was intrigued, not only by the title or the picture on the front, but how the author approached werious subjects such as abuse, grief and loss with humor. The author's experiences range from being sexually abused by her father and her mother doing nothing, which led to the author having PTSD, to the loss of her father in law, who was the father that her's was not and two difficult pregnancies, almost dying from pregnancies.We learn through counselor visits, starting in the present and going back to the beginning. As I continued reading this story based on the author's experiences, I had to admire her for telling the story with not only a wicked sense of humor but that she could share her experiences and be able to write this book about them. I found this book to be a page turner and I was hoping that all along that things would start to look up for her. They did as she seems to have an awesome husband and two little boys that she loves. Not everyone can talk, let alone write for the world to see, their bad experiences in life. I find it very commendable that not only is she a writer, but also a motivational speaker. I really liked this book, plus I learned that Costco does indeed sell caskets!
April 13, 2015
While some work with organization could have given the memoir a more meaningful message, overall it is often funny (despite the subject matter) and engages with the problems that the average person may encounter. Caskets from Costco is a far cry from the memoirs that describe decades of the most brutal sexual assault or dependence on heroin or alcohol, like many memoirs I’ve read, which I find refreshing. It’s a memoir from which a person may nod in recognition instead of stare at like a horrific car accident.
Read the full review at Grab the Lapels, a blog that reviews and interviews only women.
Read the full review at Grab the Lapels, a blog that reviews and interviews only women.
November 15, 2015
Wilson takes the raw, intangible ideas of grief, loss, fear and joy and meshes them together beautifully in this memoir of healing. This book, like it's title, fuses some truly difficult circumstances with humor, truly awkward and exceptionally dark humor. My favorite type of humor, really. Having suffered from severe OCD PPD, depression, sexual abuse and loss, Wilson's honesty was just so refreshing to me. She didn't try to sugar-coat her anger, her strange thoughts about pushy ghosts, or her crisis of faith. She told her story, and it was heartbreaking and healing and funny and unique. Thank you, Wilson, for this Elite Indie Read. It is truly moving.
September 12, 2017
Humor on serious subject matter
Never imagined a story could be written with such good humor about sexual and emotional abuse, and spiritual misgivings. And then an ending to the story that gives hope!
Never imagined a story could be written with such good humor about sexual and emotional abuse, and spiritual misgivings. And then an ending to the story that gives hope!
April 3, 2016
‘Grief never ends, but it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay.
‘Grief never ends, but it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love.’Just one of the many quotable passages from this fine book. Kelly Wilson is the humorist of the moment in literature, having written Live Cheap and Free, Don't Punch People in the Junk, Hey Who Ate the Uterus? and now Caskets From Costco. She is intelligent, a thoughtful writer and a scribe who can find humor in the most unusual circumstance or events. Like Grief, for instance.
Early on in this superb book Kelly writes, ‘It’s important to remember that while tackling the serious, spiraling nature of the grief cycle, this book is also meant to be funny. And because it’s a story about my experiences dealing with both humor and grief, there was no way to avoid writing about people who appeared in various times and places in my life. Without the friends and family contained in the pages of this book, my grief journey would've been quite boring indeed.
And a bit later, ‘When I was in college, I learned that there are five stages in order to appropriately process grief. They’re locked in my memory as the acronym “DABDA,” which stands for Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance, terms coined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I bought into this concept with my whole being, interpreting the process as set-in-stone directions for grieving – a Grief Positioning System, if you will. I was going to navigate quickly and efficiently through my past trauma, happily leaving it behind me. There was nothing I wanted to do more than “Get Over IT,” whatever IT happened to be.’
Her synopsis of CASKETS FROM COSTCO outlines what we will encounter in her fine book: ‘For twenty years, I thought that I had been marching through the stages of grief in a straight line. I had been following the formula, crossing each processed grief experience off my list. Except that I was totally deluded. And I didn’t discover that until Jim, my beloved father-in-law, died. I found myself drying off from my shower the morning after his death, really hoping he couldn’t see me naked. Or, if he could, that he was averting his eyes. From that moment, my path through grief resembled a roller coaster, spiraling and twisting and turning, circling back around. Echoes of past trauma, including childhood abuse and cheating death, would no longer be ignored. I somehow needed to get from the beginning to the end of this grief adventure, and I don’t have a good sense of direction. But what is always present during a journey through grief, regardless of the path chosen? Hope.’
Read this book if you are facing a possible loss, if you need to be supportive to friends in a similar situation, or simply if you wish to discover why this young lady is rapidly becoming one of our to humorists. High Recommended
‘Grief never ends, but it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love.’Just one of the many quotable passages from this fine book. Kelly Wilson is the humorist of the moment in literature, having written Live Cheap and Free, Don't Punch People in the Junk, Hey Who Ate the Uterus? and now Caskets From Costco. She is intelligent, a thoughtful writer and a scribe who can find humor in the most unusual circumstance or events. Like Grief, for instance.
Early on in this superb book Kelly writes, ‘It’s important to remember that while tackling the serious, spiraling nature of the grief cycle, this book is also meant to be funny. And because it’s a story about my experiences dealing with both humor and grief, there was no way to avoid writing about people who appeared in various times and places in my life. Without the friends and family contained in the pages of this book, my grief journey would've been quite boring indeed.
And a bit later, ‘When I was in college, I learned that there are five stages in order to appropriately process grief. They’re locked in my memory as the acronym “DABDA,” which stands for Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance, terms coined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I bought into this concept with my whole being, interpreting the process as set-in-stone directions for grieving – a Grief Positioning System, if you will. I was going to navigate quickly and efficiently through my past trauma, happily leaving it behind me. There was nothing I wanted to do more than “Get Over IT,” whatever IT happened to be.’
Her synopsis of CASKETS FROM COSTCO outlines what we will encounter in her fine book: ‘For twenty years, I thought that I had been marching through the stages of grief in a straight line. I had been following the formula, crossing each processed grief experience off my list. Except that I was totally deluded. And I didn’t discover that until Jim, my beloved father-in-law, died. I found myself drying off from my shower the morning after his death, really hoping he couldn’t see me naked. Or, if he could, that he was averting his eyes. From that moment, my path through grief resembled a roller coaster, spiraling and twisting and turning, circling back around. Echoes of past trauma, including childhood abuse and cheating death, would no longer be ignored. I somehow needed to get from the beginning to the end of this grief adventure, and I don’t have a good sense of direction. But what is always present during a journey through grief, regardless of the path chosen? Hope.’
Read this book if you are facing a possible loss, if you need to be supportive to friends in a similar situation, or simply if you wish to discover why this young lady is rapidly becoming one of our to humorists. High Recommended
June 15, 2016
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. With that being said, I did not like this book.
The writing seems clunky and doesn't flow well. Sentences are overly long with metaphors that just don't know when to stop. Sometimes the author will interrupt her own thoughts and sentences with others, but never come back to finish the original idea or thought. I really, really disliked the use of bullet points at several points in the story and feel that they have no place in a book like this.
The idea of getting a casket from Costco is an interesting idea that has a bit of humor to it that I would have enjoyed more if she had really fleshed it out, but it is completely gone by the first 20 pages or so. Most (though not all) characters are SO flat. They are really just names on a page, because they are so undeveloped that the reader doesn't feel any emotional connection to them. I think the author had a lot of points to make and not a lot of room to make them in; I think part of this book's failings are in trying to accomplish too much. There's Christianity themes running throughout, but also abusive parents (that is really just hinted at, and never really shown) and the author's own medical problems. What this book is, is a lesson about grief.
The reader learns through various episodes about life, death, and the points in between via a dialogue between the protagonist, Kelli, and her therapist, Hannah. It's supposed to be about Kelli learning to grieve the loss of her father-in-law, Jim, but Jim doesn't show up for most of the book. And as mentioned before, he is one of the characters that isn't really developed very well so the reader doesn't get a good picture of the bond between the two.
There is some mention of a Santa Claus outfit giving the protagonist a PTSD-like flashback but that is largely left up to the reader's imagination as she only tells us (many pages later) that she once sat on her father's lap, with him dressed up as Santa, when he had been drinking. That's it. I don't see how this could cause her to have PTSD, but then she didn't really show us any more than that. There is another hint at sexual abuse but that's it, just a hint, and another episode about Kelli finding a video camera in the laundry that just seems absurd, at least in the way that it is written.
I certainly don't mean to discount the author's experiences but feel that they could have been better teased out and explored more than they were. I stick to my belief that if characters were better developed, the reader would care more for them. As it was, the only thing I really cared about was getting to the end of this book.
The writing seems clunky and doesn't flow well. Sentences are overly long with metaphors that just don't know when to stop. Sometimes the author will interrupt her own thoughts and sentences with others, but never come back to finish the original idea or thought. I really, really disliked the use of bullet points at several points in the story and feel that they have no place in a book like this.
The idea of getting a casket from Costco is an interesting idea that has a bit of humor to it that I would have enjoyed more if she had really fleshed it out, but it is completely gone by the first 20 pages or so. Most (though not all) characters are SO flat. They are really just names on a page, because they are so undeveloped that the reader doesn't feel any emotional connection to them. I think the author had a lot of points to make and not a lot of room to make them in; I think part of this book's failings are in trying to accomplish too much. There's Christianity themes running throughout, but also abusive parents (that is really just hinted at, and never really shown) and the author's own medical problems. What this book is, is a lesson about grief.
The reader learns through various episodes about life, death, and the points in between via a dialogue between the protagonist, Kelli, and her therapist, Hannah. It's supposed to be about Kelli learning to grieve the loss of her father-in-law, Jim, but Jim doesn't show up for most of the book. And as mentioned before, he is one of the characters that isn't really developed very well so the reader doesn't get a good picture of the bond between the two.
There is some mention of a Santa Claus outfit giving the protagonist a PTSD-like flashback but that is largely left up to the reader's imagination as she only tells us (many pages later) that she once sat on her father's lap, with him dressed up as Santa, when he had been drinking. That's it. I don't see how this could cause her to have PTSD, but then she didn't really show us any more than that. There is another hint at sexual abuse but that's it, just a hint, and another episode about Kelli finding a video camera in the laundry that just seems absurd, at least in the way that it is written.
I certainly don't mean to discount the author's experiences but feel that they could have been better teased out and explored more than they were. I stick to my belief that if characters were better developed, the reader would care more for them. As it was, the only thing I really cared about was getting to the end of this book.
May 20, 2016
Thank You to Booktrope for providing me with an advanced copy of Kelly Wilson's memoir, Caskets from COSTCO, in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT- In her memoir, Caskets from COSTCO, Kelly Wilson recounts her dysfunctional childhood, sexual abuse, dangerous pregnancies, mental illness, and the death of her beloved father-in-law. Although the content is heavy, Wilson uses humor to diffuse the tension.
LIKE- My biggest like was Wilson. She's open and honest about painful subjects and simply comes across as someone that I would like to know in person. Her likability comes through in her writing, which I think is a rare talent to possess.
The title is hilarious. I mean who hasn't wondered about COSTCO selling caskets? I did find moments where I laughed, although I wouldn't consider much of this story funny. It's painful. Wilson has had a painful life and I was relieved that by the end of the memoir, she seemed to have a good sense of perspective regarding her childhood trauma and herself as a person, surrounding herself with people who truly love her. My favorite part of her story was seeing the bond unfold between Wilson and her father-in-law. Also fascinating, was Wilson's road to motherhood and all of its complications.
DISLIKE- The way the story is arranged was a little odd. Wilson jumps between time frames and occasionally I felt confused. I can't give a specific suggestion, but I think the story could have a stronger arrangement. It doesn't need to be linear, but it does need to be less jumbled.
Wilson spends a lot of time talking about going to various therapists and also becoming a Christian. Neither of these things bothers me, however, I don't relate to either. I respect that many people find help and happiness through psychotherapy and religion, but I tend to loop them together, as things that are not part of my life. To that end, I was fascinated by the revelations that Wilson was making with regard to her therapy and religion, but I also felt the distance. This is personal to me, as I'm sure many people will relate to Wilson. There is enough emphasis on Wilson's Christianity, that I suspect this book will find its way to a Christian bookstore.
RECOMMEND- Maybe. I think Caskets from COSTCO would be of interest to both my Christian friends and those who have experience in highly dysfunctional/abusive families. It would also be of interest to my friends who have experienced difficult pregnancies, again, not something familiar to me. From the title and original description, I thought the book would deal more with the grieving process, and although it does a little, it's much more about a woman beating the odds to live a happy life. There is much to admire in Wilson's perseverance.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT- In her memoir, Caskets from COSTCO, Kelly Wilson recounts her dysfunctional childhood, sexual abuse, dangerous pregnancies, mental illness, and the death of her beloved father-in-law. Although the content is heavy, Wilson uses humor to diffuse the tension.
LIKE- My biggest like was Wilson. She's open and honest about painful subjects and simply comes across as someone that I would like to know in person. Her likability comes through in her writing, which I think is a rare talent to possess.
The title is hilarious. I mean who hasn't wondered about COSTCO selling caskets? I did find moments where I laughed, although I wouldn't consider much of this story funny. It's painful. Wilson has had a painful life and I was relieved that by the end of the memoir, she seemed to have a good sense of perspective regarding her childhood trauma and herself as a person, surrounding herself with people who truly love her. My favorite part of her story was seeing the bond unfold between Wilson and her father-in-law. Also fascinating, was Wilson's road to motherhood and all of its complications.
DISLIKE- The way the story is arranged was a little odd. Wilson jumps between time frames and occasionally I felt confused. I can't give a specific suggestion, but I think the story could have a stronger arrangement. It doesn't need to be linear, but it does need to be less jumbled.
Wilson spends a lot of time talking about going to various therapists and also becoming a Christian. Neither of these things bothers me, however, I don't relate to either. I respect that many people find help and happiness through psychotherapy and religion, but I tend to loop them together, as things that are not part of my life. To that end, I was fascinated by the revelations that Wilson was making with regard to her therapy and religion, but I also felt the distance. This is personal to me, as I'm sure many people will relate to Wilson. There is enough emphasis on Wilson's Christianity, that I suspect this book will find its way to a Christian bookstore.
RECOMMEND- Maybe. I think Caskets from COSTCO would be of interest to both my Christian friends and those who have experience in highly dysfunctional/abusive families. It would also be of interest to my friends who have experienced difficult pregnancies, again, not something familiar to me. From the title and original description, I thought the book would deal more with the grieving process, and although it does a little, it's much more about a woman beating the odds to live a happy life. There is much to admire in Wilson's perseverance.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
November 12, 2015
I met author Kelly Wilson a few months ago in a completely non-literary setting and was impressed by her honesty, authenticity, and outlandish sense of humor.
When I learned she was an author and her book "Caskets from Costco" was being re-released in some sort of fancy process, I wanted to help. So I offered to put the book up on my website and write a review. I figured there would always be SOMETHING positive to say.
"It's amazing!" (that you finished it.)
"Your writing is so clear" (but completely boring.)
Fortunately, I am not required to publish such caveats.
With a title like "Caskets from Costco" I expected the book to be about grief and death. Imagine my surprise that the majority of the book centers around childbirth, counseling, Christianity, abuse, and depression.
Unlike a lot of authors who approach these subjects with sensitively and delicity (which is good, but occasionally wearing) Wilson plunges in with an attitude of "let's just get over this."
It's refreshing.
And when she comes to the conclusion, in the last parts of the book, that her issues are not just going to be "gotten over" it leaves the reader not with sadness, but with hope that there is such an amazing person in the world who is trying just as hard as the reader without success.
It's a book about Wilson's baggage, but it also gives the reader perspective on their own.
Rather than classifying this as a book about grief, I'd place it firmly in the memoir category, comparing favorably with "Chosen Forever" and "Wild."
So with complete honesty, and with no prejudice, I rate this a 4 star book: "Really Liked It".
When I learned she was an author and her book "Caskets from Costco" was being re-released in some sort of fancy process, I wanted to help. So I offered to put the book up on my website and write a review. I figured there would always be SOMETHING positive to say.
"It's amazing!" (that you finished it.)
"Your writing is so clear" (but completely boring.)
Fortunately, I am not required to publish such caveats.
With a title like "Caskets from Costco" I expected the book to be about grief and death. Imagine my surprise that the majority of the book centers around childbirth, counseling, Christianity, abuse, and depression.
Unlike a lot of authors who approach these subjects with sensitively and delicity (which is good, but occasionally wearing) Wilson plunges in with an attitude of "let's just get over this."
It's refreshing.
And when she comes to the conclusion, in the last parts of the book, that her issues are not just going to be "gotten over" it leaves the reader not with sadness, but with hope that there is such an amazing person in the world who is trying just as hard as the reader without success.
It's a book about Wilson's baggage, but it also gives the reader perspective on their own.
Rather than classifying this as a book about grief, I'd place it firmly in the memoir category, comparing favorably with "Chosen Forever" and "Wild."
So with complete honesty, and with no prejudice, I rate this a 4 star book: "Really Liked It".
February 4, 2015
Caskets From Costco by Kelly Wilson is an interesting read. The book filled me with a whole mixture of emotions while reading it. The book is funny but sad at times. It also makes you want to hug the author while slapping the people around her. I chose this book because I wanted to see how someone else deals with grief.
I thought Caskets from Costco was going to be mainly about the death of the author’s father-in-law and depression, but it was also about her life, the birth of her children and the abuse she suffered. It was a history of the beginning of her PTSD. The birth of Wilson’s first child brought back so many memories to me about the birth of my own child. We both had C-sections and were both unable to hold our child the first day. We both also made deals with our spouses in order to get pregnant. Wilson’s deal with her husband was a remodeled kitchen. I also really loved the story of Big John and Little John. It had a great message in it.
I enjoyed reading Caskets from Costco. This is a great book for anyone who has ever been depressed. Wilson made me feel like I am not alone, seeing how she has been through some of the same things that I have. I am glad to know that I am not the only one that Christmas time depresses. Most importantly, I also learned that Costco does in fact sell caskets.
I thought Caskets from Costco was going to be mainly about the death of the author’s father-in-law and depression, but it was also about her life, the birth of her children and the abuse she suffered. It was a history of the beginning of her PTSD. The birth of Wilson’s first child brought back so many memories to me about the birth of my own child. We both had C-sections and were both unable to hold our child the first day. We both also made deals with our spouses in order to get pregnant. Wilson’s deal with her husband was a remodeled kitchen. I also really loved the story of Big John and Little John. It had a great message in it.
I enjoyed reading Caskets from Costco. This is a great book for anyone who has ever been depressed. Wilson made me feel like I am not alone, seeing how she has been through some of the same things that I have. I am glad to know that I am not the only one that Christmas time depresses. Most importantly, I also learned that Costco does in fact sell caskets.
June 13, 2016
Caskets from Costco is a book that look at the life and struggle of the author. She walks you through some very difficult times in her life which have had a great impact on her negatively. But through those dark and negative times she has overcome, found a new beginning in the Lord. Kelly has written this book in a way that is easy to read, sympathize and understand where she is coming from.
I must admit that at first I found it hard to continue because it did not pull me in quick like most books. But since Kelly had asked me to give an honest review, I continued with the book. I am so glad that I did. The more I read the more I could see similarities of her life with mine. Our children are born on the same day in the same year - that to me is crazy. But also she was so honest about her struggle with her depression and how it has effected her in so many ways.
I believe that folks will enjoy this book, if they like biographies that are written in the form of a story more so than just facts. It is certainly an interesting book as you will see when you have finished reading it.
I must admit that at first I found it hard to continue because it did not pull me in quick like most books. But since Kelly had asked me to give an honest review, I continued with the book. I am so glad that I did. The more I read the more I could see similarities of her life with mine. Our children are born on the same day in the same year - that to me is crazy. But also she was so honest about her struggle with her depression and how it has effected her in so many ways.
I believe that folks will enjoy this book, if they like biographies that are written in the form of a story more so than just facts. It is certainly an interesting book as you will see when you have finished reading it.
January 19, 2016
This isn’t an overly long book but it is quite entertaining even though it is based around, death, grief & life traumas.
It’s written in such a way that the reader keeps going to find out what happens.
There are several issues that are covered & I don’t want to delve into those because it will give spoilers. It is advertised as a humorous memoir .. while there are some sections that are witty & approached in a no-nonsense way I wouldn’t classify it as funny. The title alone conjures up some wonderful images & it’s certainly worth a read, well written but difficult to slot into a genre.
Thanks to the author & Pump Up Your Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
It’s written in such a way that the reader keeps going to find out what happens.
There are several issues that are covered & I don’t want to delve into those because it will give spoilers. It is advertised as a humorous memoir .. while there are some sections that are witty & approached in a no-nonsense way I wouldn’t classify it as funny. The title alone conjures up some wonderful images & it’s certainly worth a read, well written but difficult to slot into a genre.
Thanks to the author & Pump Up Your Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 23, 2016
Who would have thought that a book about death and grief would be so full of laughs? Unlike most memoirs I've read recently, this one doesn't tell the story of someone who survives abuse or addiction, but is a story that the average person can read and find themselves nodding as they recognize themselves in the words.
Yes, the author did deal with OCD, PPD, depression, sexual abuse and loss, but those things aren't presented in depressing graphic detail. She tells us her life story with honesty and humor. Hers is a story which I actually enjoyed reading.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Yes, the author did deal with OCD, PPD, depression, sexual abuse and loss, but those things aren't presented in depressing graphic detail. She tells us her life story with honesty and humor. Hers is a story which I actually enjoyed reading.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
March 27, 2016
When Wilson’s beloved father-in-law passed away, her emotions hit rock bottom. No stranger to depression, her grief was more than she could bear. In this memoir, she explores how counseling helped her come to terms with a painful past, including childhood sexual abuse, two premature births, and a near-death experience. Despite the tragedy she endured, Wilson tells her story with humor, engaging me and holding my interest from first page to last.
December 28, 2015
This book is funny, honest, and captivating. The author tells her story in a way that is totally engaging, infusing humor through the difficult parts of her life so that you not only relate to her but you also feel an immense amount of compassion for her. If you are a human and you suffer from life or experience bouts of joy, you should read it too.
August 31, 2016
Took me awhile to finish but I LOVED it
May 21, 2016
Kelly Wilson is able to share her her trials with insight and humor. Very well written and touching.
April 30, 2017
I rarely read books like this subject covers but I felt as a survivor I needed to. I am so glad I did. Kelly covers several years of her life that not only include grieving about someones passing but of the abuse she took from her dad. I found her mother to not be much better. I sympathize with her on both accounts. I loved the way she was able to keep a sense of humor in most cases. I found myself saying the same things. Are we long lost cousins? The dark subjects she covered were made easier to handle because of her humor. Her writing is so descriptive that I could imagine being where she was and feeling the same way as she did when it came to her dad. Being able to forgive someone for such terrible acts is very hard. I admire her for coming to her decision. I hope to be there someday. Hope. Sometimes that's all we have.
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