The Names is a story about how one baby’s name can shape a life. It follows three different possible names and the three very different futures each one creates. This was a book the team had been wanting to read for ages, so we skipped the vote and made it the pick.

“I genuinely loved it! What fascinated me most was how, no matter which name he was given, his father’s influence shaped all of their lives. It was interesting, very sad, and not really like any book I have read before.” — Justine

“I was invested and needed to know how it all ended for each version of him, so I guess that’s the sign of a good book, but I just found it very heavy.” — Catherine

“This was much heavier than I expected. Well written, and an incredibly interesting and compelling concept, but ultimately a bit too grim for me. I think I was expecting something different based on everything I had heard about this book. It’s definitely not bad, and I think I would recommend it, just go in with an open mind and the expectation that you’re going to feel a bit sad at the end.” — Bonnie

“It is pretty different to other books I’ve been reading lately, something that did really make me think about how one decision can change the course of a life.” — Emma

The big theme this month was how heavy it was. Most of us were hooked by the concept, even if it left us feeling a bit sad. If you’ve read it too, we’d love to hear your take in our Fable group!