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Just Because We Can
If you love the earth and a compelling read, this book is for you.
Dale became an environmental scientist to help save the earth, but at 36, she is jaded with the reality of her job. Meanwhile, just as she struggles to connect with her glamourous mother and navigate her siblings’ complex problems, she and her husband embark on another round of IVF.
But just as the suffocating pressures of everyday life threaten to overwhelm Dale, she leaves on a work trip to Thailand. Working on a landfill site halfway around the world, she unexpectedly becomes captivated by a neighbouring village and its inhabitants. She readily adopts their deep, spiritual connection to the earth. Amidst the tranquility, she finally finds a place where she belongs. A place that feels like home. With her panic attacks replaced by transcendent experiences, how can Dale return to Calgary, knowing that everything will be the same? Could she actually discard her marriage, her career, and her family? Can she figure out what’s best for her and what’s best for the earth?
In a culture trumpeting individual abundance and unlimited growth potential, this novel asks: what is truly important in a world where time is running out, where resources are limited? Should Dale, should any of us, keep treating the world as our personal oyster*…* just because we can?
Dale became an environmental scientist to help save the earth, but at 36, she is jaded with the reality of her job. Meanwhile, just as she struggles to connect with her glamourous mother and navigate her siblings’ complex problems, she and her husband embark on another round of IVF.
But just as the suffocating pressures of everyday life threaten to overwhelm Dale, she leaves on a work trip to Thailand. Working on a landfill site halfway around the world, she unexpectedly becomes captivated by a neighbouring village and its inhabitants. She readily adopts their deep, spiritual connection to the earth. Amidst the tranquility, she finally finds a place where she belongs. A place that feels like home. With her panic attacks replaced by transcendent experiences, how can Dale return to Calgary, knowing that everything will be the same? Could she actually discard her marriage, her career, and her family? Can she figure out what’s best for her and what’s best for the earth?
In a culture trumpeting individual abundance and unlimited growth potential, this novel asks: what is truly important in a world where time is running out, where resources are limited? Should Dale, should any of us, keep treating the world as our personal oyster*…* just because we can?
270 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 12, 2018
This book was gifted to me by a lovely friend and I saved it for a lovely weekend on the Alberta prairies. It did not disappoint! l love reading books by local authors and this one was no exception.
The descriptions were explicit enough to create visions in your head without being overly detailed. The characters were 'real' in that they came alive from the page - and you wished them all well. The storyline of coming to accept what is, deeply resonated with me.
What sets this book apart for me, was the author's values... humility, respect for the earth, respect for others, being non judgemental, the value of self-examination....... she is someone I would be interested in hearing speak. I enjoyed the book and look forward to taking it back to my bookclub as a recommended read!
The descriptions were explicit enough to create visions in your head without being overly detailed. The characters were 'real' in that they came alive from the page - and you wished them all well. The storyline of coming to accept what is, deeply resonated with me.
What sets this book apart for me, was the author's values... humility, respect for the earth, respect for others, being non judgemental, the value of self-examination....... she is someone I would be interested in hearing speak. I enjoyed the book and look forward to taking it back to my bookclub as a recommended read!
January 8, 2020
FULL REVIEW UP ON MY BLOG : FULL REVIEW
FBRC REVIEW:
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I really liked the concept and the way the author makes people think about life, our purpose and spiritual well being is amazing. The book is introspective and is filled with situations that lead us to examine ourselves. The very essence of one’s life and accepting of our fate, having no control of things are all very much the prevalent themes in the book. Life’s small pleasures are often forgotten in the pursuit of materialistic things. The book is great at revealing what’s beneath us and helping us solve our life situations. I have given the book 4 stars.
FBRC REVIEW:
This book was a pleasant surprise for me. I really liked the concept and the way the author makes people think about life, our purpose and spiritual well being is amazing. The book is introspective and is filled with situations that lead us to examine ourselves. The very essence of one’s life and accepting of our fate, having no control of things are all very much the prevalent themes in the book. Life’s small pleasures are often forgotten in the pursuit of materialistic things. The book is great at revealing what’s beneath us and helping us solve our life situations. I have given the book 4 stars.
April 23, 2019
This was a story I could relate to working in the environmental field. A very relatable story about a woman trying to figure out what she wants in her life.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
May 16, 2019
I have to admit, this is miles away from my normal read. I generally find that reading books about the environment makes me very anxious (much like dale!) so it’s something I normally avoid. But the cover was so lovely, I couldn’t help myself!
I’m definitely glad I read it. Dale as a character was brilliantly written - I was concerned there would be an element of the preacher to her, but actually, she was flawed, just like the rest of us. She struggled, she made mistakes, and she learned.
Also, I loved Kob. Loved loved loved him. Yes, some could say there was a vague element of the caricature to him, but who cares? He was lovely and uplifting and inspiring.
My only criticism would be the ending. It felt a bit.. almost wishy washy. Like, dale went on this huge life changing journey, and when she came home she was meant to be doing ‘big things in small ways’, but it just felt like she didn’t really. There was no outlining of how she planned to help the environment, she still did things known to be bad (like air travel) but justified it with some anxiety over the effect it would have. Before doing it anyway.
Overall, I thought it was a very thought provoking novel, and all the more amazing for the fact that it is a debut. But I did feel there could have been more information about everyday things that can be done, especially for the readers who might not be as knowledgable. Yes, they can go away and research, but that just felt to me like a bit chunk of the book that was missing.
I’m definitely glad I read it. Dale as a character was brilliantly written - I was concerned there would be an element of the preacher to her, but actually, she was flawed, just like the rest of us. She struggled, she made mistakes, and she learned.
Also, I loved Kob. Loved loved loved him. Yes, some could say there was a vague element of the caricature to him, but who cares? He was lovely and uplifting and inspiring.
My only criticism would be the ending. It felt a bit.. almost wishy washy. Like, dale went on this huge life changing journey, and when she came home she was meant to be doing ‘big things in small ways’, but it just felt like she didn’t really. There was no outlining of how she planned to help the environment, she still did things known to be bad (like air travel) but justified it with some anxiety over the effect it would have. Before doing it anyway.
Overall, I thought it was a very thought provoking novel, and all the more amazing for the fact that it is a debut. But I did feel there could have been more information about everyday things that can be done, especially for the readers who might not be as knowledgable. Yes, they can go away and research, but that just felt to me like a bit chunk of the book that was missing.
May 14, 2019
Nicole Brooks makes her debut with a moving story of love and ever-changing family dynamics filled with spiritual and emotional healing. After a string of failed IVFs and with onset of anxiety-laden panic attacks, Dale decides to take on her boss’ offer of travelling to Thailand for a work-related assignment. The humble lifestyle of locals she encounters in the village gives her a new perspective about her own life.
Even as a debut author, Brooks’ writing is highly disciplined and her characterization shines. With Dale’s job as an environmental scientist at the centre of the story, Brooks offers a well-informed look at the impact of human-inflicted contamination on the planet.
Readers will recognize the depth of emotions the characters portray as the story strides toward a heartening finale.
Even as a debut author, Brooks’ writing is highly disciplined and her characterization shines. With Dale’s job as an environmental scientist at the centre of the story, Brooks offers a well-informed look at the impact of human-inflicted contamination on the planet.
Readers will recognize the depth of emotions the characters portray as the story strides toward a heartening finale.
March 11, 2020
Another books that definitely deserves to be on my books-that-matter shelf on Goodreads. This book taught me plenty of things and was very near in the back of my mind for quite a while after finishing it.
If there is one scene to summarize this book it is this - despite it being uplifting - Just Because We Can is way more than that, very layered. But here it is:
'"It's what he does. Plus, now that all of this children are grown and gone, he needs to help someone." I grinned. 'So I'm not special?" "Your are and you aren't. Its the nature of duality. But that, young grasshopper, is for another day."'
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
If there is one scene to summarize this book it is this - despite it being uplifting - Just Because We Can is way more than that, very layered. But here it is:
'"It's what he does. Plus, now that all of this children are grown and gone, he needs to help someone." I grinned. 'So I'm not special?" "Your are and you aren't. Its the nature of duality. But that, young grasshopper, is for another day."'
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
July 16, 2019
Quite a revealing book about the anxieties and worries of the 30 something. But, very interestingly, a lot of worries are in fact common to any generation. This is not a self help book, yet a lot of people might identify
with the main character. Half way btween fiction and reality, we are reading about a journey.
I think it is better to encourage readers to read beyond the first half of the book. Or perhaps it's me ? I kept waiting for the arrival in Tailand.
with the main character. Half way btween fiction and reality, we are reading about a journey.
I think it is better to encourage readers to read beyond the first half of the book. Or perhaps it's me ? I kept waiting for the arrival in Tailand.
April 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Calgary author, Nicole Brooks. It was a wonderful story with likeable characters facing relatable experiences. The development of the central character was engaging, and we could really feel the struggles and tough decisions she worked through. Bravo Nicole! Excellent read!
June 12, 2019
“Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.”
This is an interesting read. It really opened my eyes to what we can be doing to save this planet. I appreciated the tension the main character, Dale, has within herself between living life in our non-environmentally friendly world, and doing whatever she can to save the planet. Its relatable, relevant, and interesting.
Support new writers!!
This is an interesting read. It really opened my eyes to what we can be doing to save this planet. I appreciated the tension the main character, Dale, has within herself between living life in our non-environmentally friendly world, and doing whatever she can to save the planet. Its relatable, relevant, and interesting.
Support new writers!!
February 9, 2020
3.5 stars. I liked the details of Dale’s job and the conflict she feels between it and her values and her struggle to resolve that. Her inner musings on the environment, infertility, belonging, and relationships were relatable. I did find some of the dialogue to sound unnatural. Overall, a quick, enjoyable read.
April 23, 2024
An intelligent, thoughtful book with flavours of The Celestine Prophecy and Eat Pray Love. I loved the story and my introspection that resulted from it. Now I wish to downsize my house and ride my bicycle more often. <3
April 2, 2018
Beautifully written, characters are engaging and memorable. Loved reading this book, makes you think about our impact on the world. Has you thinking about it long after you are done reading. Highly recommend!
Want to Read
April 27, 2019I enjoyed this book. Very thought provoking and makes you think about how we as humans impact the earth we live on. Can we all follow what truly makes us happy and at peace? I believe this is the authors debut novel and will definitely be looking out for more from her.
May 23, 2019
Even if we would like to shield our eyes from all things environmental at times, finding the news to be too unnerving, this is one instance when you should open yourself up to the world of environmental science. Brooks dips us into the topic, and helps us back out to explore the gorgeously-written relationships here. I found this book to be enchanting, engaging and so book club-friendly. So much to enjoy here, and a timely handling of the topic that smooths back any hesitation about the topic (you'll find no preaching here -- just a wonderfully-crafted character-building.) Loved in. Would recommend to all.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews