Remember the Sweet Things

REMEMBER THE SWEET THINGS: ONE LIST, TWO LIVES, AND TWENTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE: Ellen Greene: William Morrow: Nonfiction: 280 pages

Ellen Greene married Marsh Greene late in her 30s after one failed marriage and another bad relationship that took a toll on her and her two children. With a somewhat pessimistic view toward love, Ellen began her relationship with Marsh planning to keep a list of his faults—a kind of good riddance list—to help her get through the break-up that she assumed would eventually part them, but she couldn’t find anything to put on the list. Marsh was kind and considerate, and Ellen changed her tactic, creating a “sweet things” list instead, noting down Marsh’s thoughtful actions and humorous quips, a list that she shared with him each year and that became the basis of her memoir of their life together. Ending each chapter with examples from the sweet things list, Ellen recounts the couple’s courtship, marriage, adventures living abroad, and family life in a moving and sweet, but not saccharine, tribute to her husband.

MBC