I probably shouldn’t have read Before I Go by Colleen Oakley. It is quite literally what my brother calls a ‘cancer story’ (he puts books/films/television shows into one of three categories*). Anyway, it was just too sad. Thank Christ there were no kids in the story.

So I’m not going to review this book in the usual way. If you want to know what it’s about, read this. Also know that whilst it’s essentially a sad story, it’s told in a chick-lit style – the main character, Daisy, makes jokes about her ‘Lots of Cancer’ and has a bucket-list that is focused on DIY tasks around her house – fixing squeaky doors, leaky windows and so forth. The bits that made me cry? All the bits about Daisy’s best friend, Kayleigh. Kayleigh is exactly the kind of friend you want, particularly if you have Lots of Cancer – practical, fun, ‘there’ (physically), staunch. So instead of a review as such, I’m giving thanks. Thanks for the friends in my life. Continue reading →