Joe Nuthin's Guide To Life - Helen Fisher - Top Book Pick!

Fiction

Rating: 9/10

Joe isn’t like everybody else. People call him feeble-minded and childlike. That he can’t handle new things. That he is nothing.

Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, a good worker, good at making things and at following the rules and at loving his mom. He follows the book she has created for him, with instructions for things that need doing at home. Like tidying on Saturday, making dinners, getting ready for bed and so much more. When she passes away, he finds that she has left him another book. This one for how to make his way in the world outside their front door. One she hopes will keep him from being too confused.

As he mourns his mom and adjusts to living alone, Joe begins to expand his group of friends and find comfort in new traditions.

I adored twenty-three-year-old Joe and his beautiful, big-hearted story about friendship, resilience and empathy woven with gems of wisdom that stay with the reader long after the final page is turned. To keep company with someone who sees the best in everyone, even if they aren’t being their best selves, is something we should all be lucky enough to do.

True Friends…taken from Joe’s second book from his mom

Friends love you for who you are.

Friends support your dreams.

Friends will be there when you are in trouble.

Friends will tell you the truth.

Friends have your back.

Friends keep your secrets.

Friends make time for you.

Friends are always a shoulder to cry on.

Friends make you feel better about yourself.

Friends will make mistakes.

Footnote: Try not to sob at Joe’s eulogy for his mom. I dare you.

Book Pairing(s):Curious Incident Of The Dog & The Night Time by Mark Haddon, Casebook by Mona Simpson, Once Upon An Effin’ Time by Buffy Cram