Mortality & Death

"Nothing can be said to be certain," wrote Ben Franklin, "except death and taxes." And yet, death is often ignored, dismissed, or delayed as an experience worth contemplating—until we are forced to reckon with it head-on. The books in this collection do their own reckoning.

Once and Again

by Rebecca Serle

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Grief, Guilt, Hope, Joy, Regret, Death, The Past, Place, Family, Fathers, Grandparents, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Truth & Lies

Tags Romance, Magical Realism, Relationships

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Once More to the Lake

by E. B. White

Publication year 1941

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Death, Memory, Environment

Tags Education, Education, Classic Fiction

“Once More to the Lake” is a narrative nonfiction essay written by E. B. White. The essay was originally published in Harper’s Magazine in 1941. White (1899-1985) was an American author best known for his children’s novels, including Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, as well as his contribution as co-author to The Elements of Style, a seminal English-language writing guide. “Once More to the Lake” recounts White’s experience of revisiting, as an adult, a lakefront... Read Once More to the Lake Summary

On Death and Dying

by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Publication year 1969

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Grief, Death, Family

Tags Science & Nature, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality, Psychology, Grief & Death, Health

On Death and Dying is a 1969 psychological study by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. It is best known in popular culture for introducing the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Kübler-Ross’s work with terminally ill patients inspired the model. She wrote the study as a response to the lack of instruction in medical schools about how to handle the topic of death. It was the very first book written by Kübler-Ross in her... Read On Death and Dying Summary

One Day

by David Nicholls

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Grief, Memory, Nostalgia, Regret, Coming of Age, Midlife, Death, Future, The Past, Marriage, Fate

Tags Romance, Drama, British Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature

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Only If You're Lucky

by Stacy Willingham

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Femininity, Coming of Age, Death, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

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On My Honor

by Marion Dane Bauer

Publication year 1986

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Guilt, Truth & Lies, Death

Tags Realistic Fiction, Relationships, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Grief & Death

On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer is a middle grade and young adult novel published in 1986. It was a Newberry Honor winner in 1987 and was also named an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. Bauer is a prolific writer who has written more than 80 books for young readers. In this novel, written in third-person omniscient point of view, she uses sparse language to deliver a profound message about honor... Read On My Honor Summary

On the Beach

by Nevil Shute

Publication year 1957

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes War, Death, Family, Friendship, Marriage

Tags Science Fiction, Military & War, Classic Fiction

Nevil Shute’s novel On the Beach was published in 1957. It tells the story of a group of people living in Melbourne, Australia, who face the end of the world after a nuclear war destroys the entire Northern Hemisphere. As they wait for the radioactive fallout to reach them, the characters must deal with the fact that their days on Earth are numbered. The story was initially published in four parts under the title The... Read On the Beach Summary

On the Shortness of Life

by Seneca

Publication year 49

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes The Past, Future, Death, Nature Versus Nurture

Tags Classical Period, Philosophy, Ancient Rome, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Self-Improvement, Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

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Onyx Storm

by Rebecca Yarros

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Grief, Loneliness, Love, Sexual Identity, Death, Future, The Past, Fathers, Siblings, Teamwork, Self Discovery, War, Good & Evil, Trust & Doubt

Tags Fantasy, Romance, New Adult

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Ophie's Ghosts

by Justina Ireland

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Femininity, Race, Coming of Age, Death, The Past, Family, Social Class, Economics, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime Fiction, African American Literature

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