Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Reader Advisory Blog: New Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates has written enough books to know how to take a risk and her newest book, The Accursed, is just that. This eerie tale of psychological horror revolves around the citizens of Princeton who fall under the influence of a supernatural power. At the turn of the century, a young bride on the verge of the altar is abducted by a shape shifting European prince who just might be the devil. When the bride's brother sets out to find her, his path crosses Princeton's most formidable people. This thrilling and fresh historical novel marks new territory for the veteran writer.

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

New Joyce Carol Oates

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