Lycanthropy and Other Chronic Illnesses: A Novel

Priya’s dream of becoming a doctor was rudely interrupted when she contracted Lyme disease. Ill for months, she had to leave Stanford to return home for rest and recovery. Dealing with almost continuous pain and adapting to being home again has been unbelievably difficult, so her online support group, “oof ouch my bones,” consisting of people around the globe, has become a life saver. Meeting once a week has given them all a safe place to complain about their chronic symptoms and to celebrate their victories. When one of the group members, Brigid, misses a meeting, Priya drives the short hour to find someone, or something, locked in her basement. When the animal gets loose, Priya has to re-evaluate the classification of chronic illnesses… to include werewolves?

Throwing in the concept of werewolves as a chronic disease contributed to keeping this tale more light-hearted than it could have been. The characters feel like best friends, and their online meetings are both inspiring and witty. While the buildup to the werewolf takes some time, the antics of chasing and securing a werewolf provide nail-biting humor, and Brigid could not have been written better. This is one of the best books of the year.