The Measure by Nikki Erlick

This is an interesting book conceptually and I enjoyed it. I did think it was a little "preachy" however.

The premise is that everyone aged 22 and over is delivered a box with a string in it.  The string indicates how long your life will be.  No one knows where the boxes came from or how they got here, but everyone gets one.  The implications are immense, of course. Start thinking about that in the context of your own life. Would you open the box?  How would you change the way you live? How would this change society? Immensely!  The author does a good job of covering so many scenarios as she follows a bunch of people's lives in the story.  Most of the scenarios are good and interesting. There was one, however, that I thought was ridiculous (Jack and Javier) and I won't say why.  

Anyway, I am glad I read it and I think it would be a good book club read.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

One of my favorite authors finally came out with a new book and it did not disappoint!  Tough subject: opioid epidemic, and handled with such dignity.

Kingsolver retells the story of David Copperfield in the context of modern-day Appalachia.  I never ready Dickens (I hate to admit that!) but am familiar enough with Copperfield to see the connections to what Dickens was conveying.

What stands out in this book is her amazing capability to bring life to these characters - both the "good" ones and the "bad" ones.  None of the addicts can be blamed for their habit; society is to blame.

I love the way she describes Appalachia - lovingly - so despite what the reader may have in terms of preconceived notions, we learn to love the beauty of it.

There's so much here;  I wanted to read it again as soon as I finished. It took me a long time to read; it's not a short book. It deserved more time than I gave it, however.  Reading this book also made me want to re-read "the Poisonwood Bible" as I recall that as being one of the best books I ever read!