Living For Now

Ever read a book and every so often went back a few lines and read every word carefully...just to make sure you didn't miss a thing? Maybe you, like me, captivated by how the author described a situation, felt you were literally right there with the character as it happened. Maybe you wished that you could think of things that way. That you could, well...live out those book characters lives. Well, that was my experience with 'A Hundred Pieces of Me'... Were it not a library book, I'd keep it among my belongings just to remind myself the insights I received from it. I have to admit, am envious of Lucy Dillon's writing prowess. If I could talk to her I'd ask her one simple question...'how do you do it?'

I absolutely loved reading this book. I feel like I just got out of a 'Life Lesson'...a class where I was taught what mattered and what didn't because that's what this book has taught me. I found myself asking myself the old adage question....am I living or just existing? You might be thinking...okay Sharon...stop right there! But am serious, this book has opened my eyes literally to the sort of living I'd like to be doing...and I owe it all to 'a hundred pieces of me'. So anyway, enough about me...let me introduce you all to Gina.

Georgina (Gina) is a recently separated middle aged woman just starting out life on her own. After five years of marriage, part of which she battled cancer, she's looking to de-clutter her life. She describes her marriage with Stuart as a housemate-y kind of situation....having dedicated their time to making their house feel like a home. In the end, the house remained just that, a house. So in her new life, Gina focuses on making sure that what she keeps is only what she needs, and that's a big step from the familiar!

In the book's prologue, Gina talks about that ill-fated day when the horrific news was made known to her and her then fiance, Stuart. It is here that we are introduced to one of her 'one hundred pieces'; a red cashmere scarf. The concept behind the 'one hundred pieces' came about when she read a self-help book given to her by her best friend Naomi to cope with the separation and talked of this man who got rid of all his possessions except one hundred important things. Imagine that! One hundred things... if this were you dear reader, what could you possibly keep or get rid of? Okay maybe you should keep in mind that these one hundred things do not include the much needed day to day stuff. I bet you're already thinking up a list!

One thing I loved about this book is how Lucy was able to nicely interweave Gina's present experiences with her past. Here, I was able to meet the old and new Gina and reconcile them together. I especially loved how each piece of her that she kept related to her experiences and the lessons she learnt  really brought home the concept of letting go past mistakes and hurts and forging on.

Needless to say, there are a few parts of this book I'd had wished had been written differently. At some point I felt cheated when halfway through, the 'one hundred pieces' concept was fazed out and replaced with snapshots of Gina's life instead (you would have to read the book to understand this) but isn't that life really...not 'picture perfect' (no pun intended). Nevertheless, I read this book unwavering to the end because it spelt hope, love and new beginnings for me. If you do get your hands on this book, I suggest you clear your mind and prepare to be inspired...I know I was.