@oregon101, I’m not sure I can read science fiction either, but we’ll see how it goes! My only other foray into SF was when the group read the duet Enders Game and War of the Worlds, but I think Stephenson is on a different plane altogether.
I’ve never read Gilead and would be delighted to pair that with Being Mortal. @mathmom’s post tells me that Atul Gawande’s book could be either a great choice or an awful one, depending upon how willing one is to read about the painful realities you’re actually experiencing with loved ones.
Many years ago, my son was very ill and had to undergo multiple surgeries. (He’s fine now.) Taking a break from the hospital room, I crossed the street to the bookstore and saw Gawande’s Complications on the display rack, and I bought it. Strange choice of reading material under the circumstances, right? But I couldn’t put it down. It was oddly comforting–almost a relief to have found a book about the very world that was occupying my every waking thought.
Buying my plane ticket to Texas now. You’ll pick me up at the airport?