The various categories for my current reading challenge are not vast and inclusive I fear. When Breath Becomes Air was going to count for a book published this year, but I'm going to have it be the category a book recommended by your child - since Hannah recommended it to me - and I will have this be the book published this year!!
I enjoyed Olive Kitteridge a lot, so that is what attracted this book to me, since it is by the same author. However, it was quite a different book - and in fact I went to the library today to get earlier books by this author just to get more familiar with her. Will let you know what I think.
My Name is Lucy Barton is very reflective - reflective in the sense that the woman - Lucy Barton - is reflecting on many different parts of her life. Although the time frames jump around, it is easy to keep the thread. The story is basically that of a woman who is in the hospital for 9 weeks - we never know exactly why - and her mother comes to visit her after a very long absence. The story is very spare - but full anyway. The richness of language is apparent in its sparseness.
I do wish I knew more about the woman and her life though. Maybe that was the author's intent.
It might not appeal to everyone, but I found it compelling.