Mortality by Christopher Hitchens

Having spent a lifetime as a literate and literary atheist, Christopher Hitchens died of esophageal cancer on December 15, 2011. In Mortality he reflects on his life and his journey from the diagnosis in 2010 to death. His writing over the course of these eighteen months maintains the amusing and intelligent outlook on life that had brought him great success as a writer. An Afterward by his wife remembers his charisma as a public speaker, friend, and family man. The tiny bit of tension in Mortality comes from the question of will this atheist recant on his deathbed. You will have to read the book to find out, and if you do, you will love being in the mind of a wonderful human being.

Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen

A memoir told in the form of essays, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, is beautifully written and full of gratitude for lessons learned in a relatively quiet life. At first glance I thought the author arrogant with an attitude of "I'm here to tell you what life is all about," but that seemed to wear off as I read further and became more engaged. When we discussed it in book club, the consensus was that it was beautifully written but superficial. Evidently the author has had a life untouched by pain and sorrow. Pulitzer Prize winner Anna Quindlen is an excellent writer, but in this memoir she has left out life's blood and guts.