On-Your-Own Book Club

"The Measure: a novel" by Nikki Erlick

No meetings, no deadlines, no pressure, just good reading! This month’s title is "The Measure: A Novel" by Nikki Erlick. Pick up a copy of the book at the Culture & AV service desk.

Enjoy fiction and nonfiction, large print, and audiobooks. Author information, questions to ponder, and readalikes are included with each book.

Book Summary:

It seems like any other day: You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out. But today when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to the exact number of years you will live. From suburban doorsteps to desert tents, every person on every continent receives the same box. In an instant, the world is thrust into a collective frenzy. Where did these boxes come from? What do they mean? Is there truth to what they promise? As society comes together and pulls apart, everyone faces the same shocking choice: Do they wish to know how long they'll live? And, if so, what will they do with that knowledge?

"Perfect for book clubs, Erlick's "The Measure" is equal parts charming and thought-provoking. It takes a philosophical question--what if everybody on earth knew exactly how long they had left to live?--and explores, with compassion and pragmatism, how the implications would trickle down into every area of modern life, from politics to intimacy." -- Marie Claire

Readalikes include: "The Immortalists: A Novel" by Chloe Benjamin, "The Midnight Library: A Novel" by Matt Haig and "In Five Years: A Novel" by Rebecca Serle.

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