In Persuasion Nation & Me Before You

George Saunders is a short story writer like Manny Machado is a third baseman. Um, if you like really, really weird, creepy, dystopian tales about six-month-olds who can make witty comments with the aid of assistive technology (I CAN SPEAK), or a suburban community who goes vigilante against rogue pets (The Red Bow), then George is your man. I can only read him in limited doses because of the creep factor, but I LOVE HIS WORK!!! Saunders writes in a deceptively simple, conversational style -- how The People of Walmart would write, if they could. The setting of the stories gives them their gut-wrenching impact: America in a near future where capitalism is THE dominant force in peoples' lives. Funny, smartly written, wildly imaginative, I found In Persuasion Nation a mesmerizing, frightening look at an America that is alien and chillingly familiar at the same time.




Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes, blends a burning ethical dilemma and a highly unlikely love story, kind of a British mash up of Jodi Picoult and Nora Roberts.

Will Traynor is a bitter 35 year old quadraplegic, formerly a corporate raider and worldwide adventurer, now confined to his parents' estate and determined to end his life on his own terms. Louisa Clark is a 26 year old unemployed waitress, cowed by her younger and smarter sister, marking time in a dead end relatoinship, and emotionally crippled from a long buried secret. When Louisa is hired to be Will's daily companion, it's only a matter of time before Will begins to thaw and Louisa begins to assert herself. Well written, fast paced, appealing characters, touches of dry British wit, and loads of heartrending detail on the lives of quadraplegics. Kudos to the author for not giving in to a sappily ever after ending. Gave it the dignity this story deserved.