Treat each day as though it's borrowed: HERE FOR THE MOMENT.

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well, this was a captivating read. After a lengthy delay, a flight finally takes off. It seems like it will be a typical journey, until a woman starts going up and down the aisles, telling everyone when and how they will die. "Old age. 99." "Drowning. Age 7." Some people laugh it off, while others are a bit freaked out, especially those whose deaths are predicted for the near future.

Things become even more interesting when the first passenger dies... exactly as predicted. Two more deaths follow, just as they were foretold. A Facebook group filled with the passengers is fraught with panic.

I had a tough time putting this story down. It alternates between the stories of the passengers, including the mom who was told her baby will drown at the age of 7; the flight attendant celebrating her birthday on the fateful flight; a new bride who is told her husband will kill her via intimate violence; a young man already grieving the loss of his friend; and an overworked dad who is told he will die in a workplace accident after his next birthday.

Then we hear from Cherry, the woman who made these startling predictions. Moriarty captures Cherry perfectly, allowing her to tell her life story between the tales of our plane passengers. When the first passenger dies, it's truly shocking, and Moriarty does an amazing job of making you truly care about this group of people you meet on a plane--so you're worried about their welfare and fates.

This would have been a 5-star read for me, but I found the ending a little lacking--in a way I'm not even sure I can articulate. I was looking for something just a bit "more." Still, the way Moriarty weaves the various stories and connections together is masterful. This is a fascinating and thoughtful read about appreciating life--just as it is--and realizing the true impact we have on others. It makes interesting and poignant points about the ways our lives are woven together more than we may ever realize. 4+ stars.

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