At dinner with friends the other night, one of them said, “I just haven’t found a book lately that I really wanted to read.”

I piped up and said, “I have!”

And that book is The Other Life by Ellen Meister.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, but nothing that has really moved me. I’ve read non-fiction books that have made me laugh or have taught me things. I’ve read fiction that has entertained me and made me laugh, but nothing that has compelled me to keep reading as much as this book has.

Have you ever wondered what life would have been like had you made other choices? In this creative tale, protagonist Quinn Braverman knows that the road not traveled lies just beyond her reach, where another version of herself is living a different version of life.

When she learns some devastating news, Quinn is compelled to think about that other world. Much more than a fantastical tale, this book dives into family issues, love, depression, choices, parenthood and trust.

Meister’s book was difficult for me to put down. I found I could really identify with Quinn’s struggles, questions and even the selfish bits. She’s a flawed character living in a flawed world.

I found this title at my local library; look for it at your favorite local bookseller or online retailer.