What Should We Do Instead of Killing Ourselves? by Elizabeth Gordon follows a professional reader's journey as she searches for the author of an anonymous suicide journal, discovering her own demons along the way. It's New York City, in the first half of 2018, and Liz, a professional reader in a midsize publishing house has just received a disturbing submission-sender unkown. It's a handwritten journal detailing its author's struggle to find a reason to keep living. Shocked and enthralled by the dark philosophies of the journal, Liz knows what she must do: Find its author. But where to start?
Liz struggles to balance her growing obsession with the journal's author with her ever increasing work load, and fails to keep her new mission hidden from Marcus, her boss. Worse than being upset, Marcus actually wants to publish the journal, and he thinks he's figured out the author. Only, Marcus's theory is one Liz absolutely despises. Desperate to prove him wrong, she leaves for Pittsburgh on her own dark journey in search of the truth.
In this profound and timely novel, Liz finds more than she is looking for; she finds a purpose.
Here's what some readers are saying about What Should We Do Instead of Killing Ourselves?
"A narrative that feels as authentic as it is riveting to read. A character-driven drama at its core, this is one of the finest examples of slow-burn storytelling... This book is for anyone who enjoys philosophical musings on the human condition. Highly recommended."
- Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite (Rating 5 of 5 stars)
"A literary mystery with dynamic characters... Gordon's premise for her novel is a perfect setup for a story involving sleuthing, self-doubt, and sometimes-unwanted success. Liz is an insightful character with a razor-sharp mind who has plenty to say..."
- Kirkus Reviews
"What Should We Do Instead of Killing Ourselves? is a raw and surreal book... a provocative, blunt, and abrasive book that deserves a rating of 4 out of 4 stars"
- Online Book Club