Never Better | All Things Considered

Readers' Comments

A dive into her own psyche, "Never Better: All Things Considered" is deftly written and highly recommended for self-help collections and for any woman who has lost their husband.

— Midwest Book Review

Small Press Bookwatch, The Self-Help Shelf, Vol. 7, No. 6, June 2008

The author does a wonderful job of intertwining the journal entries into the narrative to seamlessly tell her story. . . . At times the reader feels as is he/she is sitting next o the author and working through the grief of loss together. By the end of the book, the reader feels as if the author is a good and trusted friend and it is a shame that their time together has come to an end.

—Writer’s Digest

This personal collection of essays and opinions provides insight into the author’s life transitions. After a long and happy marriage, Sally Connolly encounters the sudden realization of life without her soul mate, partner and best friend. Through her writing, she is able to deal with loss and a renewed spirit.

This is very much a terrific self-help book for those who may be experiencing similar loss. The writing is thoughtful, insightful and honest. In some ways the book is reminiscent in style to Andre Dubus’ Meditations from a Movable Chair. Like a personal journal, Sally Connolly offers her reflections and occasional thoughts for all to enjoy and maybe share some insight in our own daily routines and circumstances.

— Dogdayspress

This book is a perfect companion piece to her first book, A Boy from Lawrence - The Collected Writings of Eugene F. Connolly, which was reviewed here on Myshelf. Each entry is a look inside the experiences of Sally's emotional roller coaster, and bestows a touch of divine grace to the reader. . . . In the writing of this work, Ms. Connolly gives our feelings and emotions validity, and allows us, through her experiences, to know that we are not alone in life, grief and sorrow. That alone is worth the price of admission! ENJOY!

-- Laura Stratham Hulka, Myshelf.com

http://www.myshelf.com/miscellaneous/08/neverbetter_2ndreview.htm

The essays in Never Better run the gamut of topics, from her own childhood to parenting to music to encouraging success, to more local topics that Connolly wrote about for the Danvers (MA) Herald. . . . Connolly even tells of a couple of miracles that have occurred in her family's life!
Never Better will bring hope to widows that they can follow Connolly's example and keep going. Life does continue. While there will still be moments of hurt, joy does eventually return.

— Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-review- never-better-all-things.html

This is an easy and pleasant book to read. . . The well-crafted essays [show] the liberation of a soul from the pangs and sorrows of losing a loving spouse.

— Willie Elliott, MyShelf.com

http://www.myshelf.com/miscellaneous/08/neverbetter.htm

Sally Connolly’s fondness for the written word filters through the passages of her book not only in her own writing but in the pearls of wisdom, coming from eminent figures in literature. . . . While not offering any expressly stated guidelines, Never Better is more like a picture that shows the beauty of living a good life and sharing it with others.

— Ernest Dempsey, editor-in-chief, The Audience Review

World Audience Publishers, http://bookreviewpot.blogspot.com/2008/03/never-better.html

As a practicing Catholic, Connolly's writing is affected by her religious ideals. She was brought up with a strong faith, attended Catholic schools and universities and was married to a man who at one time in his life was a Marist Brother. Her faith is woven throughout and is clearly seen in some of her more strongly-felt entries.

— Janet Caplan, reviewer, Story Circle Book Reviews

www.storycirclebookreviews.org/reviews/neverbetter.shtmlstorycirclebookreviews.com

Written with positive enthusiasm [Never Better] is hard to put down.

— Bro. John Alexius, FMS, New York

I thoroughly enjoyed your book. You are generous to share so openly, especially about your feelings and your family. I am sure your readers will be enriched. I was. My congratulations on a beautiful book.

— Patricia P., Atkinson, New Hampshire

Thank you so much for such a delightful book.

— Justine S., Lawrence, Massachusetts

Powerful, human, down to earth [Never Better deals with] issues and events we can all relate to. The Human Condition in its essence.

— Gary Larrabee, Author/historian

Never Better: All Things Considered

Reviewed by Laura Strathman Hulka, MyShelf.com

Ms. Connolly's technique in selecting to write out her grief and sorrow is not unique, but her approach and voice is. In a series of heartfelt and inspiring vignettes, she explores the varying aspects of widowhood and moving on with life thereafter.

This book is a perfect companion piece to her first book, A Boy from Lawrence - The Collected Writings of Eugene F. Connolly, which was reviewed here on Myshelf. Each entry is a look inside the experiences of Sally's emotional roller coaster, and bestows a touch of divine grace to the reader, for Sally Connolly’s faith is present in each word she writes. Even those without the roots and faith of Catholicism that Ms. Connolly embraces can learn from her experiences, and her viewpoint.

Certainly, the perspective that is presented in these scenes from her life is moving and inspiring. In addition, there is a strong sense of realism and verisimilitude in her work that transcends the spiritual or religious. The appeal here is not only to those widowed, but also to those in long-standing relationships, adult children who have lost a parent, and to those struggling to understand the loss of others.

The contents are presented in sections: "An Affair to Remember" (about the roots of her romance, marriage and widowing), "Family Ties," "The Song is You," "Friendly Persuasion," "Time on My Hands" and "A Passion for Decency." Each segment has a series of essays that can be read one at a time and savored, or read one after the other to get the full flavor of Sally and Gene's life together. She weaves the stories of her children, family and friends within, as well, giving the book the feeling of reading someone's private journal.

The Catholic in Sally is strong, and may be off-putting for those not reared within the confines of Catholic schools and religion. Yet her history as a retired school counselor and teacher is evident as well, for each word seems carefully chosen to express the emotions and sentiments that many of us feel, but can't articulate. In the writing of this work, Ms. Connolly gives our feelings and emotions validity, and allows us, through her experiences, to know that we are not alone in life, grief and sorrow. That alone is worth the price of admission! ENJOY!