CHECK OUT: The Collected Regrets of Clover

Dear Friends,

I am writing with a wonderful book recommendation. I recently read the book, The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer, and it was a solid 10/10. I enjoyed every part of it.

This book takes place in NYC with the main character being a girl named Clover. Clover is an introvert and loves to be at home with her dog and 2 cats. Her home is filled with memories of her grandfather who had passed away a few years ago. Clover's grandfather raised her from a young age, right after her parents had passed away, and they were best friends. Clover's grandfather passed away, alone, at work while Clover was away in Cambodia studying. It was at this point she came to the realization that she didn’t want people to have to die alone, and became a death doula.

I can reference quite a few examples to enhance this great book recommendation. First, I would like to mention that this book completely encompasses the daily life of a death doula. I love how the author creates the main character to be with a dying person and helps her through her own end of life. Clover was able to provide a listening ear, and helped her navigate to the paperwork side of her estate for after she had died She helped her with her funeral planning, and even down to what to have her wear. Clover was the person who was the dying person to go, as her own family was not able to come to terms with death, and didn’t even talk about it. I loved this overall death doula that Clover was.

I love how Clover wanted to help her patient in finding her one true love, albeit without her knowing, and I loved the way the story turned when a new character was introduced. I won't spoil the outcome of the full circle, but it keeps you reading.

Another great example of why I recommend this book, was the way that the author also created Clover to be an average woman, who had a huge heart for family, and holding on to memories of them, in her case it was her grandfather. I love the way the author made you feel like you were in her home and cozy. The book showed challenges in relationships that she encountered, and her non ability to let people in. She was a book worm which I adored as well.

Clover's character was witty, and she had three books in her collection that were journal type The three books were titled “regrets’, “advise” and “confessions”. Within these books she added her own "last words” from her death doula patients, and any that were referenced as a ”regret” she would ensure that they were

done by herself in lieu of the one who had died. I loved this aspect, I may even start to do this myself. I also loved the reference of NYC and the use of street names and references. I also loved the mention of Death Cafes, it was a real down to earth and real life novel.

If you love books on dying, death, and being a death doula, this has my top recommendation.

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Krista Smith is a mother of 2 and wife who resides in London, Ontario. She has a passion for helping those during their end of life stages, along with their grieving family. Krista has volunteered for over 35 years in palliative care, and currently volunteers weekly in a hospice, as well as working on her palliative care certification. She is thrilled to be working through the death doula program through Home Hospice Association with plans to incorporate these new skills and knowledge into her own holistic practice, as well as be accepted into Humber College for their Funeral Director 1 program.