Book: The Measure

[elusivek]

The Measure
Nikki Erlick
Amazon Product Link

"A story of love and hope as interweaving characters display: how all moments, big and small, can measure a life. If you want joy, love, romance, and hope—read with us." —Jenna Bush Hager

A luminous, spirit-lifting blockbuster that asks: would you choose to find out the length of your life?

Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.

It seems like any other day. You wake up, drink a cup of coffee, and head out.

But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. The contents of this mysterious box tells you 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?

The Measure charts the dawn of this new world through an unforgettable cast of characters whose decisions and fates interweave with one another: best friends whose dreams are forever entwined, pen pals finding refuge in the unknown, a couple who thought they didn’t have to rush, a doctor who cannot save himself, and a politician whose box becomes the powder keg that ultimately changes everything.

Enchanting and deeply uplifting, The Measure is an ambitious, invigorating story about family, friendship, hope, and destiny that encourages us to live life to the fullest.

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This book was recommended by a friend, we hadn’t talked for a long time, and then she suddenly reached out to ask about ereader devices, then she mentioned having heard of a recommendation for this book.

I found the premise a little silly (suddenly, worldwide, everyone over 22 receives a box with a string. Box and string are indestructible, and string length is how long your life is). But, premise aside, the incidents that happen are indeed interesting.

We follow the stories/viewpoints of a few characters. Some people decide to look at the string, some people decide not to look.

Hm… I was a little annoyed at Amy with her see-sawing decision and being oh so understanding in her letters, but then having double-standards in real life. I had a fleeting thought of “huh, the thing is she doesn’t know if *this certain thing will happen*” and what do you know…. *that certain thing* did happen. Called it.

This is ultimately a feel-good book. I think I read this at a good time, with my dog passing away yesterday and me reaching the end of the book, it has actually helped me look at the situation that “17 years of a life well-lived” (even for a dog).