We Need a More Expansive View of Caregiving, and This Book Provides It

I've read every book Emily Giffin has written. Some I've loved: Her first novel, Something Borrowed, was kind of my gateway from reading young adult novels to reading women's lit and continues to be a comfort read. Others have left me underwhelmed — most notably, the book she released last year, The Summer Pact, though quite honestly, most of her most recent books have been misses for me.

A few months ago, I found myself wondering if maybe I'd outgrown this author. Maybe it was time to skip the new release. I'm glad I didn't.

Giffin's most recent book, Love You More, worked for me. It just did.

Not only was it exactly the kind of easy, sweet read I've been craving, it also provided some important caregiving representation, the kind I believe we've been needing for a while.

I won't spoil the book, but here's a brief synopsis: Billie is a successful doctor living in New York City. One day, shortly after she gets engaged to her equally successful doctor boyfriend, she receives a call from her first love. That call, and the news he shares, changes everything.

Now how does caregiving come into play? Again, I won't spoil it. But I will say this: A few months ago, I launched a podcast called The Millennial Sandwich. It's dedicated to the experience of being in the sandwich generation — caring for kids and aging parents at the same time. Daughterhood, as we often discuss, has barely received any cultural recognition, even though so many people (and especially women) are actively caring for their parents. But here's what I've learned: It isn't just daughterhood that has gone unrecognized; it's caregiving in general.

People are caring for kids. They're caring for parents. Some are caring for siblings, aunts/uncles, neighbors, friends, spouses...the list goes on. And this book reflects that: It shows caregiving for what it truly is: A life-shifting set of choices big and small. Choices that can feel disruptive or set you on a whole new path. Choices that can make you reevaluate everything or change your priorities.

This book shows that. It's the kind of representation we need, and if you like stories about women reevaluating everything, I think you'll like this one.