Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Reader Advisory Blog: Books like Umberto Eco's 'The Prague Cemetery'

Enjoy atmospheric historical fiction and conspiracy theories? Then you've probably already discovered Umberto Eco's new book The Prague Cemetery, which follows the controversial nineteenth-century story of a European world where violence and occult practices shaping key historical events are commonly linked by a solitary evil genius. If you loved it and are looking for similar titles, NoveList also recommends:

An instance of the fingerpost - Iain Pears - These two titles are both highly intellectual historical mysteries that bring Europe's past to life. Each focuses on a fictional character but features real historical figures, and each has elements of religious hatred, ethnic prejudice, and deception.
My name is Red by Orhan Pamuk - If you enjoy mysteries full of historical detail, a strong sense of place, and a many-layered plot, you may want to read The Prague Cemetery and My Name Is Red.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - The Prague Cemetery and The Count of Monte Cristo are stories of 19th-century intrigue, action, and conspiracy. Both are lyrically written and feature men who excel at keeping their true selves hidden in order to enact devious plans of revenge.

Log on to NoveList yourself using your Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library card, and discover even more books that are similar to your favorites.

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

Books like Umberto Eco's 'The Prague Cemetery'

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