This.

Moving exploration of grief. I loved that this novel included passages from biographies, histories, and primary sources about Lincoln. I admit that I wasn‘t a Saunders‘ fan before this novel. I finally understand the hype.

She has missed books, but she‘s afraid of them, same as music. Books make you feel things hard. They hit the tender spots. . . Books were dangerous.

Good novel about two teenage boys from very different backgrounds. Music plays a huge role—and there‘s an interesting sub plot that involves bullying. An alternative to The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Insightful biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I learned a great deal about her historical context—including American Indian histories—and the poverty she suffered for much of her life.

Really good dystopian novel about a future after global warming has destroyed life as we know it.

Really glad that @JackieSmith lent me this novel. Interesting (and horrifying) exploration of the making of a terrorist.

This novel gave me insight into the thought processes of a loved one who is ocd. Grateful for this novel.

Such an engaging book. Complex characterization and unexpected plot turns. Loved this novel.

I loved how quiet this novel was—with complex characters that try to continue to “live” (as in be present) even as disaster approaches. It‘s really a lovely novel about who we are in difficult situations and how we fight to survive. It‘s a subtle novel though so don‘t expect desperate and wild acts. And including a trans teen was perfect considering the themes of the novel.

It took me awhile to get into this book, but I really enjoyed the layered narratives, the historical context, and the complex characterization.

Does it alter us more to hear, or be heard? Is it better to have been loved, or to love?