Necessary Arrangements

I was given this book as a gift and wasn't sure what to expect. As a general rule, I do not read fiction but I made an exception for this one. I ended up loving NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS. I can't say enough good things about it. Asia Swenson's cancer has returned just as her sister is getting engaged. The story details the bonding and love that becomes even deeper between the sisters. To even Asia's surprise, a young man falls in love with her, cancer and all, and their relationship grows stronger throughout the book. NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS not maudlin, it's not a "downer" of a book at all. There were many times I was laughing out loud because of some comment made by Asia that was very pithy and succinct. It's a book that makes one reflect on family relationships. Ms. Michna has written a terrific first novel and I can't wait to read what she writes next. This was one of the better books I've read in a long time and I highly recommend it.

One sister is about to marry, one is facing cancer...both have to open themselves up to their family's love and support, and open themselve up to learning to let go of what may be and appreciate what is. Michna writes a stirring story of love, of faith...of learning to make the Necessary Arrangements. A brilliant, poignant story.

This is a very moving story and it will touch your soul - I laughed and I cried. What a joy it was to share the special relationship these sisters had. Well done!

This is a story about the way life-changing events force us to reevaluate who we are and who we want to be--not for the sake of personal legacy, but for the sake of personal happiness. It's difficult to explain what makes this book so good without giving away too much of the plot. The author, Tanya Michna, capitalized on two strengths in writing this novel. First, she's gifted at writing natural dialog, and there were conversations throughout the novel that I could easily picture myself having. Second, she knows how to introduce the kind of detail that makes readers feel like we're inside her story without making her settings obtrusive. By Chapter 5, the fluidity of the story had become so compelling, and the characters so relatable, that it was just easier to keep reading than, say, eat, sleep, or shower. Michna didn't create the relationship between Asia and Lucy in Chapter 1. The relationship had already existed for nearly three decades before Michna started recording it. The interaction between them is almost rhythmic, and evokes their entire history. But while the two sisters are the stars of this particular show, they're supported by a strong ensemble of family and friends, and by the end of the story all the characters have evolved toward more complete versions of themselves. For the last couple of years, I've been asking strangers in airports if they've read Leif Enger's "Peace Like a River". Now I'll be asking them if they've read Tanya Michna's "Necessary Arrangements".