Everything Happens for a Reason And Other Lies I\'ve Loved

AdivinityprofessorandyoungmotherwithaStageIVcancerdiagnosisexploresthepainandjoyoflivingwithoutcertainty.Thirty-five-year-oldKateBowlerwasaprofessorattheschoolofdivinityatDuke,andhadfinallyhadababywithherchildhoodsweetheartafteryearsoftrying,whenshebegantofeeljabbingpainsinherstomach.Shelostthirtypounds,chuggedantacid,andvisiteddoctorsforthreemonthsbeforeshewasfinallydiagnosedwithStageIVcoloncancer.Asshenavigatestheaftermathofherdiagnosis,Katepullsthereaderdeeplyintoherlife,whichispopulatedwithacolorful,oftenhilariouscollectionoffriends,pastors,parents,anddoctors,andsharesherlaser-sharpreflectionsonfaith,friendship,love,anddeath.Shewonderswhysufferingmakesherfeellikealoserandexplorestheburdenofpositivity.Tryingtorelishthetimeshestillhaswithhersonandhusband,sherealizesshemustchangeherhabitofskippingtotheendandplanningthenextmove.Ahistorianofthe“Americanprosperitygospel”—thecreedofthemega-churchesthatpromisesbelieversacurefortragedy,iftheyjustwantitbadlyenough—Bowlerfindsthat,inthewakeofherdiagnosis,shecravesthesesame“outrageouscertainties.”Shewantstoknowwhyit’ssohardtosurrendercontroloverthatwhichyouhavenocontrol.Shecontendswiththeterrifyingfactthat,evenforherhusbandandchild,sheisnotthelynchpinofexistence,andthatevenwithouther,lifewillgoon.Onthepage,KateBowleriswarm,witty,andruthless,and,likePaulKalanithi,oneofthetalented,courageousfewwhocanarticulatethegriefshefeelsinthefaceofherimpendingdeath.,