No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up–emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
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It'd be easier to talk about this if I'd read Fox's earlier books, to compare. But from what I gather, the past memoirs have been about embracing his challenges and finding ways to celebrate the life and career that he's enjoyed.

This book seems to be about when it gets hard to be an optimist. When the challenges seem to be winning (and, sure, he's in a privileged place, but his challenges are the kind that'd break many people), how do you stay optimistic? Or do you? Well, if you have people like Fox does in your life (and one great-sounding dog), maybe you do. Fox describes himself as characteristically optimistic, but lately, it's because of the people in his life and deliberate decisions on his part to stay that way.

He talks about the challenges, he's honest about the impact on him, and he celebrates the people—friends, family, strangers, medical professionals—who've helped him keep going. But told with a lot of heart and humor. I really enjoyed this.

Fox doing the narration—clearly not the easiest task for him, made it even better.