Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library Reader Advisory Blog: nearing home

For high-quality Christian reading material, try one of these four newly-announced ECPA Award nominees available at Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library. (The full list is here).

Queen by Steven James - (nominated for Best Novel) - While investigating a double homicide in an isolated northern Wisconsin town, FBI Special Agent Patrick Bowers uncovers a high-tech conspiracy that twists through long-buried Cold War secrets and targets present-day tensions in the Middle East.
The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue - (nominated for Best Novel) - In obedience to a divine nudge, 47-year-old Allison Chamberlain buys a Harley and waits for further instructions, which turn her into a reluctant prophet and take her into the darkest parts of her city.
Nearing Home by Billy Graham - (nominated for Best Nonfiction) - Sharing his experience of growing older, a world-renowned author, preacher, and evangelist teaches some important lessons on how to view our time here on Earth and makes it clear that God has a specific reason for keeping us here.
The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson - (nominated for Best New Author) - In this story loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, seventeen-year-old Rose, a healer's apprentice, falls in love with the betrothed Lord Hamlin, who is seeking the sorcerer who cursed his future bride.

Cardholders, did you know you can also subscribe to our Christian Fiction e-newsletter? Other genres, such as historical fiction, romance, science fiction, and mystery, are also available; sign up here.

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

Christian Book Award Nominees at MMSCL