How would you feel if you woke up tomorrow with a small wooden box containing a string the length of your life inside? Would you change the way you live your life or would you remain the same? In The Measure (2022) by Nikki Erlick, the entire world wakes up one day with identical boxes at their doorstep. Some open it while others ignore it. Every country is researching the origin of the boxes and what the string represents. News outlets are filled with what ifs and how it will effect everyone.
Once the world discovers the string’s connection, the novel picks up speed. This seemingly unconnected group of characters handle the string differently as they begin living their lives as “long-stringers” or “short-stringers” – the divide creates a landscape of prejudice mirroring how our society currently handles world events. It a thought-provoking and engaging read with wonderful characters…and it is tied up with a string.
For similar reads, try The Immortalists (2018) by Chloe Benjamin, The Glass Hotel (2020) by Emily St. John Mandel, and In Five Years (2020) by Rebecca Serle.