The Life List: A Novel Paperback – July 2, 2013

Loved this book, fun twists, moves along. Interesting characters, interactions. Lessons learned!

I loved the premise of the book which led me to buy it, that and for the first time ever I created a life list similar to the one in the book. I was actually looking for a book or journal which would let me list my long term and short term goals, and I stumbled upon this.I thought why not, since this year would mark my first ever time I made a Life List for myself and I though this would be a good book to read to help motivate me with my own life list.It was a bit hard for me to get into the story at first bit after the first hundred pages I started liking what I was reading even more. The book really has something about it that makes you think, especially for those who abandoned their childhood dreams at an early age.(Spolier alert, do not read at all if you don't want to spoil the plot for reading)The main character, Brett has her work (and her life) cut out for her upon the death of her mother, and with it her expectations to inherit her mother's position as CEO and the life she thought she wanted. Instead she get's a surprise that completely and literally turns both her world and her attitude of life upside down - She needs to complete a set of wishes she had made as a fourteen year old teenager in order to get any share of inheritance from her mother. Unfortunately, her mother sets a time limit, complete the list by September next year, or get nothing at all. The story follows Brett as she goes from reality, and practical based to someone more loving, kind, and tenderhearted as she tries to complete her list before the deadline.I loved reading the story, and I do agree with one reviewer, that it gets a little bit predictable, and the whirlwind romances that she included keep you guessing and hoping, but I feel as if they could have been fleshed out a bit more and that there were a little more to the ending than was given as it felt as if she was trying to end the story as fast as she could and only briefly hit the last few items on the list through good "coincidences" that left me feeling that it was a bit lacking.But if you were to ask me if I would read this book again, I would gladly say, "Yes!"For now, I give this book Four Stars!

I watched the movie last weekend with my husband & loved it. Knowing the books are better, I immediately purchased it & began to read. Very different in many ways from the movie. It cried, smiled, laughed, felt many emotions while reading it. I definitely liked it more than the movie. Truly recommend this book. Is very touching.

What a lovely story! I like this book better than the Netflix movie…

BOOK REVIEWTHE LIFE LISTbyLori Nelson SpielmanOh my gosh, this book should be on everyone's reading list. It is so very special, poignant and thought provoking. Truly. Once I began reading I could not put it down. It has become my all time favorite book.It story begins with the passing of Brett Bohlinger's mother, a highly successful business woman. Brett expects to inherit her mother's business and become the new CEO of the cosmetics company she founded. Instead what she receives is a list of goals that she wrote at the age of fourteen, and yes, her mother saved it and it seems that her mother thought she had a better understanding of her daughter and what would make her life a happy and fulfilled one. At the reading of the will Brett is given this list along with instructions that she is to complete every single one of her goals within a year in order to receive her inheritance. As each goal is accomplished she is given a letter written by her mom before her death. The letters give a full explanation as to why that goal was significant for Brett. Some of the goals are meant to fulfill childhood dreams while others are meant to challenge Brett's emotional needs and give her what she has been longing for so that she is able to find her truth for a happy and joyful life. While trying to accomplish each goal Brett also uncovers some secrets that answer questions she has had since childhood. The letters are all intrinsic to the story and help us to better understand why her mother did what she did.All the other characters in the story play significant roles because it is through them that Brett is able to accomplish “The Life List” which we the reader see ultimately change her life forever.I was glad I had a box of Kleenex next to me because the story is bittersweet in placesas we follow Brett on her personal journey to finding herself and the life she was meant to live. WOW, is all I have to say.Until next time.....booksraddicting.com

This was such a good read. It was funny and it made me cry. I could feel the grief rolling off Brett as she went through her list. I would recommend reading this. It did make me miss my mom.