While not as good as The World Without You, the novel still stands in a category by itself. Morningside Heights is the history of a family and a neighborhood. Henken's characters remind you to slow down when you examine a life. Events and traditions from your youth can still form who you're supposed to be, despite life's shrinking to replaying soft music and accepting the limitations of those people and locations you love.

I waited to read this book, knowing that any chores and creative dinners would be put off until I finished. I was not disappointed. The book asks readers to question our deep-seated assumptions about class and politics and race and religion. It also asks us to know, really know, the people whom we ask to help us believe in ourselves. This timely novel reads almost like a biography whose well-rounded characters teach us to examine our reasons for hope and happiness. Add this one to your TBR list.