Lessons in Loss and Living: Hope and Guidance for Confronting Serious Illness and Grief »

Dr. Michele Reiss is the Assistant Program Director and Director of Behavioral Sciences for the UPMC St. Margaret Family Medicine Residency Program in Pittsburgh, where she also maintains a private psychotherapy practice. She is an adjunct Assistant Professor for the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine and Graduate School of Nursing. She lives in Pittsburgh and has two grown children, both psychologists.

"Michele Reiss reminds us that it should not take a life- threatening illness, or loss, or trauma to awaken us to living each day with joy, blessings, passion, and purpose. This book, with its profound lessons, is a gift."
-Ann Webster, Ph.D., Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine, Harvard Medical School

"In reading Lessons in Loss and Living, I felt that I was listening to a wise, trusted friend. Give yourself the gift of this necessary read, and then give it to a friend."
-Lulu Orr, Executive Director, Good Grief Center

Dr. Michele Reiss, an expert in the field of death and dying, specializes in helping clients cope with life-threatening illnesses and helping their families through the grieving process. A highly respected therapist, she counseled Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, and his wife, Jai, as Randy was dying of pancreatic cancer.

Now Dr. Reiss provides comfort and counsel for readers who are coping with the challenges of serious illness or grief. Through real-life examples of people who have dealt with cancer and other illnesses, she has given us a book about hope and the art of living and loving well, despite significant adversity.

This beautifully written, inspiring book reminds the rest of us that time is precious, and that we should live our lives fully, generously, and with joy.

Library Journal

These two books deal with the same subject matter but with slightly different presentations. Leimbach, Trypheyna McShane, and Zenith Virago pull together over 40 personal stories from their own lives and others' to share experiences of the many aspects of death and dying, such as choosing burial or cremation, fulfilling a dying wish, losing a spouse to suicide, and helping one's children with grief. They cover with compassion the death of children and teenagers, friends, and family members and offer practical advice. Psychotherapist/nurse Reiss also shares a collection of true-life examples, though not written by the individuals themselves. Under the headings "Serious Illness: Issues and Opportunities," "Loss and Grief: A Family Perspective," "Special Challenges," and "Lessons in Coping for Patients, Families, and Good Friends," Reiss spends a lot of time dealing with the many aspects of serious illness, such as informing people, planning finances, and making the most out of time remaining. VERDICT Both of these books are excellent. The Intimacy of Death and Dying is probably better for those nearer the end of life's journey.—Deborah Bigelow, Leonia P.L., NJ