Gwen Chavarria's Notes on the Next Life is a story about a woman named Belinda Bering. The book opens with a scene describing Belinda's time in her mother's womb and follows Belinda's life as she is raised by her grandmother Cora in a deeply religious household together with her younger brother Roland. When she is eighteen, Belinda learns of her birth parents' struggles with drug addiction, promising herself that she would never give in to worldly temptations. However, at college she accidentally gets pregnant, and has an abortion that she later regrets. Belinda survives an abusive marriage with a man named Craig while raising her daughter with severe disabilities, who eventually passes away. During her later years, she goes on a pilgrimage to Israel with her friend. Now, in the afterlife, she works toward reaching the seventh level of heaven.

Notes on the Next Life is a moving story of a woman and her lifelong journey to find God. Gwen Chavarria tells a powerful tale about faith and the resilient nature of the human spirit that draws inspiration from many different world religions. Chavarria's narrative particularly infuses Christian themes and lore to make some poignant points on the human condition that make you contemplate, no matter whether you're religious or not. This is primarily a theme-driven book, with the plot and the characters having background roles to shed light on some of the relevant social issues of the world today. Chavarria paces the story well and uses the book's latter half to showcase Belinda's experiences in heaven. I highly recommend this book to literary fiction readers.

Notes on the Next Life is a work of fiction in the religious, interpersonal drama, and emotive writing subgenres. It is best suited to the adult reading audience. Penned by author Gwen Chavarria, the work is a thought-provoking and unique novel that delves into the life and afterlife of its protagonist, Belinda Macomber Bering. In the earthly realm, the book traces Belinda's journey as an American woman, from her fetal life to her experiences, both positive and challenging, as she navigates the complexities of her world. It explores her career in journalism and politics, her role in caring for a child with disabilities, and the societal issues she confronts, such as domestic abuse, terrorism, and political corruption. However, the story takes an intriguing turn as it shifts to Belinda's adventures in the afterlife.

Author Gwen Chavarria has crafted a truly unique work like nothing else I’ve read this year. With a fast-paced narrative style, witty dialogue, and dry humor, the novel explores what comes next after our earthly existence in a highly entertaining fashion. It challenges preconceived notions about the afterlife, offering a transcendent coming-of-age tale that will resonate with readers of various religious backgrounds as you get to know Belinda in ways you never imagined you would. And, whether you believe in the religious concepts behind it or not, the story is a wild ride with lots of memorable character moments, compelling dialogue, and plenty of imaginative twists. Overall, I would certainly recommend Notes on the Next Life as a captivating exploration of the unknown, making it a riveting read for those with both doubts and curiosity about the afterlife.