"The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot" by Marianne Cronin

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
Call Number: FICTION Cronin
Seventeen-year-old Lenni Pettersson lives on the Terminal Ward at the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Though the teenager has been told she's dying, she still has plenty of living to do. Joining the hospital's arts and crafts class, she meets the magnificent Margot, an 83-year-old, purple-pajama-wearing, fruitcake-eating rebel, who transforms Lenni in ways she never imagined. As their friendship blooms, a world of stories opens for these unlikely companions who, between them, have been alive for one hundred years. Though their days are dwindling, both are determined to leave their mark on the world. With the help of Lenni's doting palliative care nurse and Father Arthur, the hospital's patient chaplain, Lenni and Margot devise a plan to create one hundred paintings showcasing the stories of the century they have lived--stories of love and loss, of courage and kindness, of unexpected tenderness and pure joy. Though the end is near, life isn't quite done with these unforgettable women just yet.

Interpersonal Relationships: Discuss the central relationship between Lenni and Margot. How does their friendship develop over the course of the novel? What strengths and challenges do they bring to their bond, and how do they support each other through difficult times?
Age and Wisdom: Consider the perspectives of Lenni and Margot, who are at different stages of life. How does their age difference shape their outlooks on life, death, and the passage of time? What wisdom do they impart to each other, and how do they learn from one another's experiences?
The Power of Storytelling: Explore the theme of storytelling as a means of coping with adversity and preserving memories. How do Lenni and Margot use storytelling to make sense of their lives and connect with others? What role do art, literature, and creativity play in their journey of self-expression and healing?
End-of-Life Reflections: Reflect on the novel's portrayal of death and dying. How do Lenni and Margot confront their mortality with courage and resilience? What insights do they gain about life and legacy as they navigate the challenges of aging and illness?
Intergenerational Connections: Consider the relationships between Lenni, Margot, and the other residents of the hospice facility. How do these intergenerational connections enrich their lives and provide comfort and companionship in their final days? What do they learn from each other's stories and perspectives?
Regrets and Redemption: Discuss the theme of regrets and redemption as depicted in the novel. How do Lenni and Margot come to terms with their past mistakes and unfinished business? What opportunities do they seize to make amends and find closure before the end of their lives?
Legacy and Remembrance: Reflect on the legacy of Lenni and Margot's friendship and the impact they have on the people around them. How do they leave their mark on the world, and how are they remembered by those who knew them? What lessons can be gleaned from their lives and shared experiences?
Humor and Resilience: Despite the novel's somber themes, humor and resilience are recurring elements in Lenni and Margot's interactions. How do they find moments of joy and laughter amidst their struggles? How does humor serve as a coping mechanism and a source of strength in the face of adversity?
Narrative Structure: Discuss the novel's narrative structure, which alternates between Lenni and Margot's present-day interactions and their reminiscences of the past. How does this dual timeline enhance your understanding of their characters and experiences? What insights does it offer into the complexities of memory and storytelling?
Reflection and Gratitude: Consider the novel's message about the importance of living fully and embracing each moment with gratitude. How do Lenni and Margot find beauty and meaning in the midst of uncertainty and loss? What can readers learn from their example about cherishing life and valuing human connection?

Early Life and Education: Marianne Cronin's early life, including her birthplace and upbringing, is not widely documented. However, it can be inferred that she likely had a passion for writing from a young age, which led her to pursue a career as an author.

Literary Career: Cronin gained recognition with her debut novel, "The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot," which was published in 2021. The novel received widespread acclaim for its poignant storytelling, memorable characters, and exploration of themes such as friendship, love, and loss.

While "The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot" is Cronin's first published novel, she may have previously written short stories, essays, or other works of fiction before gaining mainstream success.

Personal Life: Details about Marianne Cronin's personal life, including her upbringing, family, and hobbies, are not readily available in the public domain. Like many authors, she may prefer to keep her personal life private and separate from her professional endeavors.

Legacy: As a new author, Marianne Cronin has already made a significant impact on readers and critics alike with her debut novel. Her poignant storytelling and relatable characters have resonated with audiences, ensuring her a place among the ranks of promising contemporary writers.

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Call Number: FICTION Adams
Mukesh lives a quiet life in the London Borough of Wembley after losing his beloved wife. He worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries. Aleisha is a bright teenager working at the local library for the summer. She discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird; it is a list of novels that she has never heard of, and she impulsively decides to read every book on the list. When Mukesh arrives at the library seeking to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list. The shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again.

*Audiobook & e-book on Libby
*Audiobook on hoopla
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
Call Number: FICTION Brammer
What's the point of giving someone a beautiful death if you can't give yourself a beautiful life? From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit , Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. After the beloved grandfather who raised her dies alone while she is traveling, Clover becomes a death doula in New York City, dedicating her life to ushering people peacefully through their end-of-life process. Clover spends so much time with the dying that she has no life of her own, until the final wishes of a feisty old woman send Clover on a trip across the country to uncover a forgotten love story--and perhaps, her own happy ending. As she finds herself struggling to navigate the uncharted roads of romance and friendship, Clover is forced to examine what she really wants, and whether she'll have the courage to go after it. Probing, clever, and hopeful, The Collected Regrets of Clover is perfect for readers of The Midnight Library and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine as it turns the normally taboo subject of death into a reason to celebrate life.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan
Call Number: Fiction Hogan
A "subtle and poignant" novel about unexpected friendships, second chances, and dark secrets--from the international bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things ( Good Housekeeping ) "Despite tackling such huge topics as bereavement and cancer, Hogan's work is filled with hope and the power of friendship." -- Evening Standard They say friends make life worth living... Once a spirited, independent woman with a rebellious streak, Masha's life was forever changed by a tragic event twelve years ago. Unable to let go of her grief, she finds comfort in her faithful canine companion Haizum, and peace in the quiet lanes of her town's swimming pool. Almost without her realizing it, her life has shuddered to a halt. It's only when Masha begins an unlikely friendship with the mysterious Sally Red Shoes--a bag lady with a prodigious voice and a penchant for saying just what she means--that a new world of possibilities opens up: new friendships, new opportunities, and even a chance for new love. For the first time in years, Masha has the chance to start living again. But just as Masha dares to imagine the future, her past comes roaring back. Like her beloved debut, The Keeper of Lost Things , Ruth Hogan's second novel introduces a cast of wonderful characters, both ordinary and charmingly eccentric, who lead us through a moving exploration of the simple human connections that unite us all.
The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg; Alice Menzies (Translator)
Call Number: FICTION Lundberg
Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment, has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with her American grandniece Jenny give her great joy and remind her of her own youth. When Doris was a girl she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. Writing down the stories of her colorful past, can she help Jenny unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future?
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
Call Number: FICTION Lyons
Eudora Honeysett is done with this noisy, moronic world--all of it. She has witnessed the indignities and suffering of old age and has lived a full life. At eighty-five, she isn't going to leave things to chance. Her end will be on her terms. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland, a plan is set in motion. Then she meets ten-year-old Rose Trewidney, a whirling, pint-sized rainbow of sparkling cheer. All Eudora wants is to be left alone to set her affairs in order. Instead, she finds herself embarking on a series of adventures with the irrepressible Rose and their affable neighbor, the recently widowed Stanley--afternoon tea, shopping sprees, trips to the beach, birthday celebrations, pizza parties. While the trio of unlikely BFFs grow closer and anxiously await the arrival of Rose's new baby sister, Eudora is reminded of her own childhood--of losing her father during World War II and the devastating impact it had on her entire family. In reflecting on her past, Eudora realizes she must come to terms with what lies ahead. But now that her joy for life has been rekindled, how can she possibly say goodbye?
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Call Number: FICTION Pooley
"A story about a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even love. "Everybody lies about their lives. What would happen if you shared the truth?" This is the question that Julian Jessop, an eccentric, seventy-nine-year-old artist, poses within a pale green exercise book that he labels The Authenticity Project, before leaving it behind in Monica's Café. When Monica discovers Julian's abandoned notebook, not only does she add her own story to the book, she is determined to find a way to help Julian feel less lonely. And so it goes with the others who find the green notebook that will soon contain their deepest selves. It will also knit the group together In Real Life at Monica's Cafe, where they'll discover the thrill and sometime-risk of being completely honest--and, for some, find unexpected love. With a cast of characters who are by turns quirky and funny, heartbreakingly sad and painfully true-to-life, The Authenticity Project is a novel readers will take to their hearts and read with unabashed pleasure".

*ebook & audiobook on Libby

New York Journal of Books

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot" by Marianne Cronin

"The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot" by Marianne Cronin

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