A LONG WAY DOWN by Nick Hornby

FIC

HORNBY

The setting is New Year's Eve 2003 on the roof of Topper's House in London, a popular suicide spot. Four strangers converge there, each wanting to end his life in privacy. Maureen is a devout Catholic and single mother to a severely disable adult son. Martin, a former TV host, is just out of prison for statutory rape. JJ is an American who broke up with his girlfriend and was fired from his dream job in a rock band. Teenage Jess, the flighty daughter of a politician, was dumped by her boyfriend. The result of their rooftop meeting is a special bond. That night they forge an agreement not to kill themselves for ninety days. In their attempts to support each other, they provide a moving and lively read.

THE DIVE FROM CLAUSEN'S PIER by Ann Packer, 2002

FIC

PACKER

In Madison, Wisconsin high school and college sweethearts Carrie Bell and Mike Mayer are having relationship problems - at least Carrie is. Before they can clear the air Mike, trying to win Carrie's attention, foolishly dives into shallow water at a Memorial Day picnic. He is paralyzed. Carrie feels pressure and expectations from all sides: his family, her mother, her best friend, Mike's best friend, Rooster, Mike himself. Carrie finds refuge shut up in her room sewing outfits of her own design. In the middle of one night she leaves and ends up on the doorstep of a high school classmate living in Manhattan. She gets cheap rent and finds romance with an older, emotionally impenetrable man. All this adds to her confusion in her quest both to forgive herself and to embark on a career. As for Mike, you have to read the book!