I am Deborah, Tony’s wife, and I was the one who wrote the previous post here. I want to let you all know that Tony passed away at 1:00 PM on July 21st. He had a series of cardiac events, and then other problems arose. At first the doctors had hope, but too much went wrong. He was unconscious for the last fifteen days. I want you all to know that Tony truly valued his readers here. He enjoyed writing this blog as much as he ever enjoyed anything! All of you were much appreciated. I am going to keep this blog live on the internet as long as I can, so his reviews can continue to be appreciated.
What I have learned is that congestive heart failure is sly and tricky. Men and women experience a wide array of symptoms. Some complain that they have a bad cold; others are dizzy or nauseous, and yet others simply find themselves making extra trips to the bathroom. Often the symptoms are quite mild … until they are deadly. If you find yourselves experiencing strange changes that don’t quite make sense, especially after the age of 65, don’t shrug them off. Take action and get your heart checked out!
Tony's Book World 
Posted by Tredynas Days on July 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
So sorry to hear this terrible news. My condolences, and thank you for writing what must have been a difficult post. Simon
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Posted by Anokatony on July 22, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Thank you for the kind thoughts.
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Posted by Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead on July 22, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I’m devastated. Reading Tony’s blog was always a highlight for me and I looked forward so much to our exchange of views about what we were reading. Thanks so much for letting his readers know what happened and many condolences for your sad loss.
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Posted by griffandsarahthomas on July 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I am so sorry and sad for your sudden loss. Thank you so much for thinking of Tony’s bloggers at such a time as this. My thoughts are with you as you navigate the hard days ahead.
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Posted by Rach on July 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I am also devastated… I loved Tony’s reviews, he always had interesting opinions which were often so different to mine and I really liked that because his perspective was so unique.
I am also so sorry for your loss and wish you strength to get through what must be such a difficult time, especially with how prolonged it has been… And your advice is spot on. Hugs to you and your family.
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Posted by Lisa Hill on July 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Oh, Deborah, I am so very, very sorry to read this. Reading Tony’s posts was always such a pleasure and we used to have such interesting conversations, I shall miss him terribly.
Please accept my sincere condolences. It must have been a terrible shock for you, and I hope that your friends and family will be some consolation for you in your devastating loss.
And thank you for thinking of us, his virtual friends, it’s very kind of you.
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Posted by Lisa Hill on July 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
PS If I may make a suggestion… today when so many condolences are online and therefore ephemeral, you might like to consider doing what I did when people wrote thoughtful messages on my blog after my father died. I took screen shots of them, printed them out on photo paper, and kept them in a scrapbook so that I can revisit them from time to time.
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Posted by Anokatony on July 24, 2025 at 11:36 AM
That is an interesting idea. Thank you.
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Posted by Vale to Tony, from Tony’s Book World | ANZ LitLovers LitBlog on July 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
[…] Today, booklovers among us learned of the sudden death of Tony from Tony’s Book World. […]
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Posted by MarinaSofia on July 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
So very sorry to hear this awful news. What a shock it must have been for you, Deborah. He will be very much missed by us in the bookish world as well.
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Posted by jamesscottboyd on July 22, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I am truly saddened by this news. His reviews were a constant joy in my life. His humor and insight will truly be missed by this reader. My heart aches for you and your family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
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Posted by Whispering Gums on July 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Oh this is terrible news Deborah but thanks so much for taking the time to tell us. It is awful when a blogger disappears and you never know why.
I have not engaged with Tony so much in recent years as life has just got in the way of my blogging activity, but in the early days of our blogging we had some great discussions. Those early days were so exciting and stimulating, and Tony was right there always.
It is also lovely of you to share your experience as a warning – or, if not quite that, as a consciousness raiser – for us. I hear you. Thankyou.
I wish you all the best in the days, weeks and years to come. Keep well – and know Tony will be remembered around the world by people he never physically met.
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Posted by VICTOR ODELBERG and Laura Azuma on July 22, 2025 at 4:19 PM
So saddened by this news. I have followed Tony’s book critiques and recommendations for many years and have enjoyed them so much. Many of those books, that would have been unknown to me otherwise, have become my favorites. He was so very generous of his time and knowledge. Much appreciated. I will miss him. My deepest sympathy to you and to all of his loved ones. Warmest regards, Vik
Vik Odelberg and Laura Azuma home: 303-424-8315 cell Vik: 303-883-5314 cell Laura: 303-883-5441 odelberg-azuma@comcast.net—
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Posted by Annabel (AnnaBookBel) on July 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
So sorry to hear this sad news. Sending love and hugs to you and your family. I’ve followed Tony’s book reviews for years, and know he’ll be missed terribly in the blogging world too.
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Posted by winstonsdad on July 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
So sorry for your loss my thoughts are with you and your family at this time stu
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Posted by Matt Nagin on July 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I am so sorry to hear this news. And so thankful for his generous review! May his memory be a blessing! And I know his work will continue to inspire readers and writers in the community My condolences!
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Posted by roughghosts on July 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I wish to add my voice to the many heartfelt condolences, Deborah. Thank you for letting us know, Tony and his insightful reviews will be missed. Wishing you and your family strength in the weeks and months to come.
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Posted by Max Cairnduff on July 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
I’m very sorry to hear this. Thank you for letting us know, that was very kind.
Like others here I’ve long enjoyed Tony’s reviews. He’ll he missed online as well as off.
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Posted by kimbofo on July 23, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Oh, I am so very sorry to hear this. Tony was one of the first people to leave regular comments on my blog and we shared similar tastes in books. I loved how he often championed Australian writers. He will be sorely missed.
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Posted by Simon T on July 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
How heartbreaking. I am so sorry. He was such a valued member of the online book community.
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Posted by Kate W on July 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
So sorry to hear this news but thank you so much for letting us know. In many ways, the book blogging world is a very connected bunch, but, in other ways sometimes those connections can feel tenuous, or that we are over-stepping, so very much appreciate letting us know (and for keeping Tony’s blog going).
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Posted by kaggsysbookishramblings on July 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this – sending my condolences, he will be missed by the blogging community.
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Posted by Lisa Hill on July 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Hello again Deborah…
I posted a tribute to Tony on my blog, and perhaps you might like to visit because so many readers have expressed their admiration for him, see the comments at https://anzlitlovers.com/2025/07/22/vale-to-tony-from-tonys-book-world/
Lisa
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Posted by Anokatony on July 24, 2025 at 11:28 AM
That was wonderful to see. Thank you for posting the tribute and letting me know. Deborah
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Posted by WordsAndPeace on July 24, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Deborah, I am so so sorry for your loss
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Posted by sciencebird on July 24, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I am so sorry to hear about Tony, Deborah. I enjoyed Tony’s reviews, I found him by googling Alice Adams, a writer forgotten by many. I wish I had interacted with his blog more. I wish you much peace and love and comfort, and thank you for letting everyone know. Leslie
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Posted by JMN on July 24, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Very sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences for your loss, which is our loss too. I enjoyed the witness he gave for the reading life. Kind regards.
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Posted by Cathy746books on July 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Oh no. I am so sorry to hear this. I loved interacting with Tony on WordPress and chatting about books. I am so sorry for your loss Deborah x
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Posted by Diana @ Thoughts on Papyrus on August 2, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I am so sorry for your loss. I was absent from the blog in June, so have just read the news. I am so so sad. I loved conversing with Tony and so appreciated his comments on my blog – always so knowledgeable and perceptive. He introduced me to so many new books. His book blog was, is one of the best on WordPress, so admirable. He will be greatly missed in the blogging community. My deepest condolences.
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Posted by Kat on August 22, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I will really miss Tony. I’ve read his blog for so many years, and found out about so many interesting books. I do feel shattered by this. I am so sorry for your loss. He was an important person to so many of us.
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