Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Reader Advisory Blog: Top Mystery of the Month: Phantom

After a three year absence, ex-detective Harry Hole is back in his home town of Oslo in Phantom, the third book in a riveting Scandinavian series from Jo Nesbo. Harry returns to Norway because Oleg, who was like a son to him, has been accused of murder. Though he is no longer a cop, investigation still runs in Harry's blood. His quest for the truth soon leads him into Olso's underground drug scene and deep into his own past in this mystery packed full of psychological suspense.

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

Genre: Adult Non-Fiction
Rating: 5 out of 5

"Being Mortal is about the limitations of what modern medicine can provide for people as their lives draw to a close. Gawande argues that the objective of medicine should not merely be treatment and survival; medical care should also ensure dignity in death and having control over one's final moments. He argues that instead of aggressively fighting the inescapable realities of aging, we should ask the hard questions of ourselves and our loved ones -- What makes life worth living? When should we try to extend our lives, and when should we choose a better quality of our remaining days over extending their quantity?

This book is difficult to read. Not because of the way Gawande writes -- his style is highly engaging, and he never lapses into excessively scientific jargon or overly simplistic explanations -- but because of the tough subject matter. Gawande draws on his own experiences as a doctor and peppers his book with honest and humane stories of his patients, friends, and family; the stories he tells make the book more accessible, and also more heartbreaking. (And that's not a bad thing.)

No one likes to think about their loved ones', or their own, impending mortality. But it's important to have these hard conversations, because as Gawande says, "endings matter." - Amanda

Top Mystery of the Month: Phantom

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