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emilywemily6's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was incredible. I could not put it down! This book contains many deeper themes that are reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made this book feel very personal for me and almost triggering as I remembered the strife of that global event. So if the pandemic is a hard topic for you still this book might be difficult emotionally because of the parallels. But this book was reflective and meaningful and emotional, and I have no regrets that I went on this journey. Told through multiple POVs that intersect at moments throughout the book, this book made me feel for and love every character. This book was surprisingly human and realistic; I forgot I wasn’t living the string reality they faced. The societal issues related to the divisive nature of the strings were portrayed really well through the lens of the multiple POVs. I loved the discussions on discrimination and prejudice and the ties with both history and current examples of discrimination. This book was beautiful and heartbreaking and gave me a lot to think about my own life and what it would mean to know how long I have to live, or how long my family has. If you need a good cry with some hope, this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Terminal illness, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Blood, Violence, Death of parent, Bullying, and Cursing
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Medical content, Suicide, Alcohol, Racism, Sexism, and Hate crime
Minor: Classism, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
sshull's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book. It was a unique plot line that I haven’t experienced before. I felt like many of the plot points were similar to COVID emotions and experiences. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something different to read. It’s got high tension, high emotion, and I loved the connections among all the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
kshertz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow! It’s a fascinating concept about life and learning about how long you will live. I thought it was a great commentary on the world and how we’d handle it. I was blown away by the analysis of what rules would be made, who would win the presidency and how the world would continue. It’s a must read. I think anyone who even slightly enjoys dystopian worlds would love this book !!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, Xenophobia, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, Abandonment, Blood, Death, and Grief
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Title: The Measure
Author: Nikki Erlick
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: June 28 , 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Intriguing • Original • Uplifting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.
It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.
But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to 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?
💭 T H O U G H T S
Of course, I'd seen The Measure on so many 2022 favourites lists, yet it wasn't until it was recommended to me as part of my 12 recommendations from 12 friends project for 2023 that I really paid attention to this debut. And in short, from the very first pages I knew I was going to love this book!
I loved all of the characters (except maybe one...) and each of their distinct, yet interconnected lives. While the cast is vast, Erlick does a fantastic job at giving each character a distinct arc, so the reader is able to keep the plotlines straight. Getting to explore different reactions to the strings through a variety of POVs was an absolute gift. There's an underlying political aspect (that I know many won't love) weaved into the story, and I thought it was interesting to see the perspective of how people in power would handle such huge life questions.
This novel gave me way more than just entertainment. It dives deep into the meaning of life and what makes a good life. It explores priorities, the value of connection, and the importance of both the big and the small moments, while also contemplating hope and destiny. It is just so wholly human. Additionally, there were so many parallels to things that have happened or are ongoing (war, COVID, etc.) that it sparked even more deep thought and reflection on my part. This book is the reason I love reading.
I cannot finish my review without mentioning the anonymous letters been Ben and Amie. It was one of my favourite aspects of the book, an absolutely beautiful portrayal of interconnectedness and the power of strangers. Their communication and support of one another made me believe in the kindness and good of people. When there is so much doom and gloom, getting an uplifting (even if fictionalized) account of kindness brought tears to my eyes.
An ambitious debut, I simply could not put this book down! While it tackles themes of death and immortality, it does so in a very human and hopeful matter. I went back and forth between whether I'd want to open my box or not, and came away still unsure. As someone who has bared witness to the death of my person (himself a 'short stringer'), I honestly cannot say whether I'd have wanted to know or not. I don't think anything could ever prepare someone who such a loss. What I do know for sure is that no matter what I'd still feel the same - love would always be a constant. The Measure has found its way onto my favourites list and I will come back to it as a comfort read in the future. I cannot wait to see what Nikki Erlick writes next and I know I'll definitely be pre-ordering it.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• everyone!
• fans of The One and/or The Midnight Library
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"The poster was covered with wrinkled photos of famous figures, all of whom has passed prematurely: Selena Quintanilla, Kobe Bryant, Princess Diana, Chadwick Boseman. A meaningful life, at any length was written across the top in cursive lettering."
"But you asked if everyone deserves happiness. I certainly think so. And I don't think having a short string should make that impossible. If I've learned anything from all the stories I've read - of love and friendship, adventure and bravery - it's that living long is not the same as living well."
"'It's easy to look at our time together and think that we were so unlucky. But isn't it better to spend ten years really loving someone, rather than forty years growing bored or weary or bitter? When we think of the greatest love stories ever written, we aren't judging them by their length. Many of them were briefer than my marriage with Maura. But our story - mind and Maura's - it felt deep, and it felt whole, despite its length. It was an entire, wonderful tale in and of itself, and even though I've been given more chapters than Maura, her pages were the ones you couldn't put down. The ones that I'll keep rereading, over and over, for the rest of my life. Our decade together, our story, was a gift.'"
"Dear B,
No matter what happens, I still feel the same.
-A"
Author: Nikki Erlick
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: June 28 , 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Intriguing • Original • Uplifting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Eight ordinary people. One extraordinary choice.
It seems like any other day. You wake up, pour a cup of coffee, and head out.
But today, when you open your front door, waiting for you is a small wooden box. This box holds your fate inside: the answer to 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?
💭 T H O U G H T S
Of course, I'd seen The Measure on so many 2022 favourites lists, yet it wasn't until it was recommended to me as part of my 12 recommendations from 12 friends project for 2023 that I really paid attention to this debut. And in short, from the very first pages I knew I was going to love this book!
I loved all of the characters (except maybe one...) and each of their distinct, yet interconnected lives. While the cast is vast, Erlick does a fantastic job at giving each character a distinct arc, so the reader is able to keep the plotlines straight. Getting to explore different reactions to the strings through a variety of POVs was an absolute gift. There's an underlying political aspect (that I know many won't love) weaved into the story, and I thought it was interesting to see the perspective of how people in power would handle such huge life questions.
This novel gave me way more than just entertainment. It dives deep into the meaning of life and what makes a good life. It explores priorities, the value of connection, and the importance of both the big and the small moments, while also contemplating hope and destiny. It is just so wholly human. Additionally, there were so many parallels to things that have happened or are ongoing (war, COVID, etc.) that it sparked even more deep thought and reflection on my part. This book is the reason I love reading.
I cannot finish my review without mentioning the anonymous letters been Ben and Amie. It was one of my favourite aspects of the book, an absolutely beautiful portrayal of interconnectedness and the power of strangers. Their communication and support of one another made me believe in the kindness and good of people. When there is so much doom and gloom, getting an uplifting (even if fictionalized) account of kindness brought tears to my eyes.
An ambitious debut, I simply could not put this book down! While it tackles themes of death and immortality, it does so in a very human and hopeful matter. I went back and forth between whether I'd want to open my box or not, and came away still unsure. As someone who has bared witness to the death of my person (himself a 'short stringer'), I honestly cannot say whether I'd have wanted to know or not. I don't think anything could ever prepare someone who such a loss. What I do know for sure is that no matter what I'd still feel the same - love would always be a constant. The Measure has found its way onto my favourites list and I will come back to it as a comfort read in the future. I cannot wait to see what Nikki Erlick writes next and I know I'll definitely be pre-ordering it.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• everyone!
• fans of The One and/or The Midnight Library
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"The poster was covered with wrinkled photos of famous figures, all of whom has passed prematurely: Selena Quintanilla, Kobe Bryant, Princess Diana, Chadwick Boseman. A meaningful life, at any length was written across the top in cursive lettering."
"But you asked if everyone deserves happiness. I certainly think so. And I don't think having a short string should make that impossible. If I've learned anything from all the stories I've read - of love and friendship, adventure and bravery - it's that living long is not the same as living well."
"'It's easy to look at our time together and think that we were so unlucky. But isn't it better to spend ten years really loving someone, rather than forty years growing bored or weary or bitter? When we think of the greatest love stories ever written, we aren't judging them by their length. Many of them were briefer than my marriage with Maura. But our story - mind and Maura's - it felt deep, and it felt whole, despite its length. It was an entire, wonderful tale in and of itself, and even though I've been given more chapters than Maura, her pages were the ones you couldn't put down. The ones that I'll keep rereading, over and over, for the rest of my life. Our decade together, our story, was a gift.'"
"Dear B,
No matter what happens, I still feel the same.
-A"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Hate crime, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, War, Religious bigotry, Medical content, Death of parent, Cancer, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Bullying, and Terminal illness
Minor: Ableism, Pregnancy, Outing, Classism, Cursing, Drug use, and Car accident
death of partnerreadbycarina's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
Minor: Violence, Car accident, Suicide, and War
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
So many people seem to love this book, but I found it so close to reality and depressing. I loved the premise of the book, the question of what would happen if everyone suddenly found out how long they would live. In this case, we meet a few individuals/couples who are each tied to someone with a short string. The world immediately begins a prejudice against short stringers, and we see how these individual’s lives are affected.
So much of the book focuses on all of the difficulties of what happens in this situation. (Mass suicide, shooting, bombings, hospital issues) So many things reminded me of the parts of life that hurt right now - politicians and political processes that hurt people and have to be the right way while taking away freedom from other people. A few years ago, I would have thought people would rise above bad news and chose kindness, but right now, maybe this is closer to the truth. Not to say, there are a few examples of kindness and the idea that kindness keeps trudging forward and making progress (while evil is enjoying the win).
Nonetheless, there is a lot to discuss.
“…sometimes overwhelmed Nina to think that she could spend an entire lifetime reading and never keep up.” Ch 1
“The mystery was only a few hours old, but some people were already interpreting the message to mean that the string inside your box foretold the ultimate length of your life. But how could that possibly be true? Ben thought. That would mean the world had flipped around, like the ceiling above him, the humans now seeing from God’s perspective.” Ch 2
“And yet no one could find concrete evidence to trust that these strings were anything more than strands of ordinary thread.” Ch 3
“…there was something almost . . . thrilling . . . about the strings’ arrival. Frightening and confusing, of course, but also, perhaps, wondrous?” …
…this was the first time the world outside of her books had ever rivaled the stories with its very own plot twist.”
Ch 8
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” —Matthew 7 - Ch 9
“Maybe it didn’t matter anymore where the strings had come from. Even if they were sent from heaven, or beamed down from outer space, or traveled back in time from the distant future, it was people who decided what to do with them now.” Ch 15
“…what might have happened if the strings had appeared before WWII?” Ch 18
“And maybe it isn’t even really about children. Maybe it’s the fact that now I can’t stop thinking about all the other doors that might be closing, too.” Ch 24
“Keep fighting, keep holding on, no matter what. But sometimes I think we forget that it also takes strength to be able to let go.” Ch 26
“The president just created two classes of citizens, based on strings.”
““But this is what humans have always done,” Maura said, her anger swelling inside. “We segment ourselves based on race or class or religion or whatever f-ing distinctions we decide to make up, and then we insist on treating each other differently. We never should have allowed them to start labeling people as ‘long-stringers’ and ‘short-stringers.’ We made it too easy for them.” Ch 30
“The measure of your life lies within. Sure, it’s pointing to the string inside, but maybe that’s not the only measure we have. Maybe there are thousands of other ways we could measure our lives—the true quality of our lives—that lie within us, not within some box. And, by your own measure, you can still be happy.” Ch 54
“…this woman’s life had been lengthened simply because Hank had been alive, and Ben realized that there was more than one way to live on.” Ch 61
“…grateful, to live as much life as possible. And I think that’s as good a measure as any.” Ch 62
“What about all the choices that we make, each day? Who we choose to be, and how we choose to love? Every choice that was made to look, or never look, inside the box.” Ch 72
“The Tree of Knowledge. The reminder that we will all find our ultimate rest beneath the soil, nourishing the life that grows above us.” Ch 73
3.5 stars rounded up
So much of the book focuses on all of the difficulties of what happens in this situation. (Mass suicide, shooting, bombings, hospital issues) So many things reminded me of the parts of life that hurt right now - politicians and political processes that hurt people and have to be the right way while taking away freedom from other people. A few years ago, I would have thought people would rise above bad news and chose kindness, but right now, maybe this is closer to the truth. Not to say, there are a few examples of kindness and the idea that kindness keeps trudging forward and making progress (while evil is enjoying the win).
Nonetheless, there is a lot to discuss.
“…sometimes overwhelmed Nina to think that she could spend an entire lifetime reading and never keep up.” Ch 1
“The mystery was only a few hours old, but some people were already interpreting the message to mean that the string inside your box foretold the ultimate length of your life. But how could that possibly be true? Ben thought. That would mean the world had flipped around, like the ceiling above him, the humans now seeing from God’s perspective.” Ch 2
“And yet no one could find concrete evidence to trust that these strings were anything more than strands of ordinary thread.” Ch 3
“…there was something almost . . . thrilling . . . about the strings’ arrival. Frightening and confusing, of course, but also, perhaps, wondrous?” …
…this was the first time the world outside of her books had ever rivaled the stories with its very own plot twist.”
Ch 8
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” —Matthew 7 - Ch 9
“Maybe it didn’t matter anymore where the strings had come from. Even if they were sent from heaven, or beamed down from outer space, or traveled back in time from the distant future, it was people who decided what to do with them now.” Ch 15
“…what might have happened if the strings had appeared before WWII?” Ch 18
“And maybe it isn’t even really about children. Maybe it’s the fact that now I can’t stop thinking about all the other doors that might be closing, too.” Ch 24
“Keep fighting, keep holding on, no matter what. But sometimes I think we forget that it also takes strength to be able to let go.” Ch 26
“The president just created two classes of citizens, based on strings.”
““But this is what humans have always done,” Maura said, her anger swelling inside. “We segment ourselves based on race or class or religion or whatever f-ing distinctions we decide to make up, and then we insist on treating each other differently. We never should have allowed them to start labeling people as ‘long-stringers’ and ‘short-stringers.’ We made it too easy for them.” Ch 30
“The measure of your life lies within. Sure, it’s pointing to the string inside, but maybe that’s not the only measure we have. Maybe there are thousands of other ways we could measure our lives—the true quality of our lives—that lie within us, not within some box. And, by your own measure, you can still be happy.” Ch 54
“…this woman’s life had been lengthened simply because Hank had been alive, and Ben realized that there was more than one way to live on.” Ch 61
“…grateful, to live as much life as possible. And I think that’s as good a measure as any.” Ch 62
“What about all the choices that we make, each day? Who we choose to be, and how we choose to love? Every choice that was made to look, or never look, inside the box.” Ch 72
“The Tree of Knowledge. The reminder that we will all find our ultimate rest beneath the soil, nourishing the life that grows above us.” Ch 73
3.5 stars rounded up
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Medical content, Racism, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Violence, and War
cheyrohm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed this book. It's so realistic to how the world would actually react if something of this nature occurred (and you'll probably even find yourself drawing some similarities to our world since 2020). Also just a genuinely great story about life and human connection. Definitely recommend checking this one out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, War, Death, Abandonment, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, and Gun violence
Minor: Racism and Physical abuse
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