The world turns on our every action, and our every omission, whether we know it or not. 
 It is statistically improbable that I will read a book as good as this one anytime soon. Although I'll admit it starts off slowly, I found that the depths of this novel are revealed as the protagonist's life unfolds. Something of a bildungsroman, Cutting for Stone focuses on a pair of twin boys who are born and raised in an African missionary hospital. Their story combines elements of Indian and Ethiopian language and culture, third world medicine, sexual awakening, political revolution, foreign travel, and of course, and easily my favorite, emotional and complex family drama. Written in a style of prose that allows one to forget the author is even there, Verghese really captures what it means to be human--that the frailty of life isn't distinct from the strength of the spirit, but that one complements the other. ShivaMarion's story is about as moving as it gets, and I've got a few tear stains on my Kindle to prove it.