Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Reader Advisory Blog: Next Book Discussion Book Announced

Join us for our next book discussion on October 21st from 2pm - 4pm to discuss Raymond Chandler's classic P.I. novel The Big Sleep.

When a case of blackmail involving the daughter of a California millionaire leads to murder, the inimitable Philip Marlowe, a private eye who operates in Los Angeles' seamy underside during the 1930s, is stirred into action as he becomes embroiled in a troublesome case of extortion complicated by kidnapping, pornography, seduction, and murder.

Copies of The Big Sleep are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk. To register for the book discussion, simply click here or call us at 631-399-1511 ext 240.

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

Next Book Discussion Book Announced

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