Reviews
"Working as an obituary writer could get you down, if you were the kind of person who let it. Lende isn't . . . she teases wisdom from the lives her obits celebrate as well as from her own experiences as a mother and grandmother . . . each conveys the unsentimental conviction that the good in our lives shouldn't be overshadowed by their inevitable end." -- New York Times Book Review " Find the Good is the perfect nightstand accompaniment: short, breezy and chock-full of life lessons." -- New York Daily News "A wise, witty memoir that combines anecdotes about Lende's work and family with plainspoken wisdom gleaned from her years of living in a small community."-- Shelf Awareness for Readers , starred review "Lende's short chapters resonate, reminding us that it's worth looking at our relationships, our obligations, our priorities, our community, and our world from a fresh, positive perspective. A gift to share with friends and family, Find the Good offers a way out of the negativity and cynicism that can overwhelm our daily routines."-- Utne Reader "Simple yet profound . . . [Lende's] homespun stories will speak meaningfully to readers. The overarching message is that the life we get is precious, as obituary writer Lende knows so well, and should be lived in such a way as to create much good to be remembered by." -- Booklist "Honest and simple yet full of lasting strength, the author's prose demonstrates what makes a life better rather than worse--including something as simple as picking up heart-shaped stones on the beach with a grandchild. Optimistic, slightly humorous reflections on living a fully engaged, meaningful life."-- Kirkus Reviews " Find the Good is wonderful to its core . . . page after page of this delicious book is filled with truisms you'll want framed to hang on your wall." -- The Oklahoman "A feel-good volume that is sure to please many a mom and maybe even earn you some extra brownie points." -- BookBrowse " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness "Heather Lende is the kind of person you want to sit across the kitchen table from on a rainy afternoon with a bottomless cup of tea. When things go wrong, when things go right, her quiet, commonsense wisdom, self-examining frankness, and good natured humor offer a chance to reset, renew, rebalance. Find the Good is excellent company in these unsteady times." -- Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted "A beguiling evocation of small-town life, and death. The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Lende is a keen observer, but more than that she has jumped into her life and community with both feet -- the good, bad, happy and sad, all grounding her and shaping her . . . I read this little book twice. I may read it again. It is not sad; it is inspirational and true. Lende has figured out what makes a community, a neighborhood, a life. Find the good." -- Yakima Herald Republic , "Working as an obituary writer could get you down, if you were the kind of person who let it. Lende isn't...she teases wisdom from the lives her obits celebrate as well as from her own experiences as a mother and grandmother...each conveys the unsentimental conviction that the good in our lives shouldn't be overshadowed by their inevitable end." --New York Times Book Review "A wise, witty memoir that combines anecdotes about Lende's work and family with plainspoken wisdom gleaned from her years of living in a small community." --Shelf Awareness for Readers , starred review "Find the Good is the perfect nightstand accompaniment: short, breezy and chock-full of life lessons." --New York Daily News " Find the Good is wonderful to its core . . . page after page of this delicious book is filled with truisms you'll want framed to hang on your wall." --The Oklahoman "Simple yet profound... [Lende's] homespun stories will speak meaningfully to readers. The overarching message is that the life we get is precious, as obituary writer Lende knows so well, and should be lived in such a way as to create much good to be remembered by." --Booklist "Honest and simple yet full of lasting strength, the author's prose demonstrates what makes a life better rather than worse--including something as simple as picking up heart-shaped stones on the beach with a grandchild. Optimistic, slightly humorous reflections on living a fully engaged, meaningful life."-- Kirkus Reviews "It seems so easy to write something that makes the world a better place, but as most writers know, it isn't. Heather Lende has a rare gift and is a writer to be treasured and appreciated for all the tough times in your life, whether you are from a small town in Southeast Alaska or a city on the other side of the world."-- The Seattle Review of Books "At times heart-achingly poignant, at others heart-meltingly sweet, Find the Good reminds us those last words will come soon enough, far too soon for some, and charges us with the responsibility to not only live a life worth writing about but to recognize and honor those people who matter to us while they're here to appreciate it."-- South Bergenite /NorthJersey.com "Lende's short chapters resonate, reminding us that it's worth looking at our relationships, our obligations, our priorities, our community, and our world from a fresh, positive perspective. A gift to share with friends and family, Find the Good offers a way out of the negativity and cynicism that can overwhelm our daily routines."-- Utne Reader "A feel-good volume that is sure to please many a mom and maybe even earn you some extra brownie points." --Bookbrowse, " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, author of Real Happiness "A beguiling evocation of small-town life and death. The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects. I don't want to get creepy here, but I hope that, when the time comes, she'll look for the good in my life and write my obituary." -- Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat, " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, New York Times bestselling author of Real Happiness "Heather Lende is the kind of person you want to sit across the kitchen table from on a rainy afternoon with a bottomless cup of tea. When things go wrong, when things go right, her quiet, commonsense wisdom, self-examining frankness, and good natured humor offer a chance to reset, renew, rebalance. Find the Good is excellent company in these unsteady times." -- Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted "Heather Lende's small town is populated with big hearts--she finds them on the beach, walking her granddaughters, in the stories of ordinary peoples' lives, and knits them into unforgettable tales. Find the Good is a treasure." -- Jo-Ann Mapson, author of Owen's Daughter "Beguiling . . . The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects . . . I hope that, when the time comes, she'll look for the good in my life and write my obituary." -- Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat, " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, New York Times bestselling author of Real Happiness "Heather Lende is the kind of person you want to sit across the kitchen table from on a rainy afternoon with a bottomless cup of tea. When things go wrong, when things go right, her quiet, commonsense wisdom, self-examining frankness, and good natured humor offer a chance to reset, renew, rebalance. Find the Good is excellent company in these unsteady times." -- Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted "Heather Lende's small town is populated with big hearts--she finds them on the beach, walking her granddaughters, in the stories of ordinary peoples' lives, and knits them into unforgettable tales. Find the Good is a treasure." -- Jo-Ann Mapson, author of Owen's Daughter "In this cynical world Find the Good is a tonic. Heather Lende confronts life and death with love and vulnerability. The result is a literary wellspring, which will continue to run, and nurture, even in times of drought. What a brave and beautiful thing she has made with this book." -- John Straley, Shamus Award-winning author and former Writer Laureate of Alaska "Beguiling . . . The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects . . . I hope that, when the time comes, she'll look for the good in my life and write my obituary." -- Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat, "Honest and simple yet full of lasting strength, the author's prose demonstrates what makes a life better rather than worse--including something as simple as picking up heart-shaped stones on the beach with a grandchild. Optimistic, slightly humorous reflections on living a fully engaged, meaningful life." -- Kirkus Reviews " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, New York Times bestselling author of Real Happiness "Simple yet profound . . . [Lende's] homespun stories will speak meaningfully to readers. The overarching message is that the life we get is precious, as obituary writer Lende knows so well, and should be lived in such a way as to create much good to be remembered by." -- Booklist "Heather Lende's small town is populated with big hearts--she finds them on the beach, walking her granddaughters, in the stories of ordinary peoples' lives, and knits them into unforgettable tales. Find the Good is a treasure." -- Jo-Ann Mapson, author of Owen's Daughter "Heather Lende is the kind of person you want to sit across the kitchen table from on a rainy afternoon with a bottomless cup of tea. When things go wrong, when things go right, her quiet, commonsense wisdom, self-examining frankness, and good natured humor offer a chance to reset, renew, rebalance. Find the Good is excellent company in these unsteady times." -- Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted "In this cynical world Find the Good is a tonic. Heather Lende confronts life and death with love and vulnerability. The result is a literary wellspring, which will continue to run, and nurture, even in times of drought. What a brave and beautiful thing she has made with this book." -- John Straley, Shamus Award-winning author and former Writer Laureate of Alaska "Beguiling . . . The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects . . . I hope that, when the time comes, she'll look for the good in my life and write my obituary." -- Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat, "Honest and simple yet full of lasting strength, the author's prose demonstrates what makes a life better rather than worse--including something as simple as picking up heart-shaped stones on the beach with a grandchild. Optimistic, slightly humorous reflections on living a fully engaged, meaningful life." -- Kirkus Reviews " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, New York Times bestselling author of Real Happiness "Heather Lende's small town is populated with big hearts--she finds them on the beach, walking her granddaughters, in the stories of ordinary peoples' lives, and knits them into unforgettable tales. Find the Good is a treasure." -- Jo-Ann Mapson, author of Owen's Daughter "Heather Lende is the kind of person you want to sit across the kitchen table from on a rainy afternoon with a bottomless cup of tea. When things go wrong, when things go right, her quiet, commonsense wisdom, self-examining frankness, and good natured humor offer a chance to reset, renew, rebalance. Find the Good is excellent company in these unsteady times." -- Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted "In this cynical world Find the Good is a tonic. Heather Lende confronts life and death with love and vulnerability. The result is a literary wellspring, which will continue to run, and nurture, even in times of drought. What a brave and beautiful thing she has made with this book." -- John Straley, Shamus Award-winning author and former Writer Laureate of Alaska "Beguiling . . . The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects . . . I hope that, when the time comes, she'll look for the good in my life and write my obituary." -- Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat, " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, New York Times bestselling author of Real Happiness "Honest and simple yet full of lasting strength, the author's prose demonstrates what makes a life better rather than worse . . . Optimistic, slightly humorous reflections on living a fully engaged, meaningful life." -- Kirkus Reviews "Heather Lende is the kind of person you want to sit across the kitchen table from on a rainy afternoon with a bottomless cup of tea. When things go wrong, when things go right, her quiet, commonsense wisdom, self-examining frankness, and good natured humor offer a chance to reset, renew, rebalance. Find the Good is excellent company in these unsteady times." -- Pam Houston, author of Contents May Have Shifted "Heather Lende's small town is populated with big hearts--she finds them on the beach, walking her granddaughters, in the stories of ordinary peoples' lives, and knits them into unforgettable tales. Find the Good is a treasure." -- Jo-Ann Mapson, author of Owen's Daughter "In this cynical world Find the Good is a tonic. Heather Lende confronts life and death with love and vulnerability. The result is a literary wellspring, which will continue to run, and nurture, even in times of drought. What a brave and beautiful thing she has made with this book." -- John Straley, Shamus Award-winning author and former Writer Laureate of Alaska "Beguiling . . . The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects . . . I hope that, when the time comes, she'll look for the good in my life and write my obituary." -- Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat, " Find the Good is a gem of a book. It's honest and funny, reminding us to live in the moment and to pay attention to those around us. A joy to read." -- Sharon Salzberg, New York Times bestselling author of Real Happiness "Beguiling . . . The perfect book club book." -- Dana Stabenow, New York Times bestselling author of the Kate Shugak novels "Heather Lende is a terrific writer and terrific company: intimate, authentic, and as quirky as any of her subjects. I don't want to get creepy here, but I hope that, when the time comes, she'll look for the good in my life and write my obituary." -- Marilyn Johnson, author of The Dead Beat
