Geraldine Cronin-Soszynski, who traced her roots here back many generations, died on Nov. 13 at the Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton. She was 96 and had dementia.

Heidi Ann Kulp, known as a “neighborhood mother” in East Hampton, died on Dec. 5. She had been in failing health for the past few years and living in East Patchogue.

In this slim and lyrical novel, Max Little, an author with a fatal disease, ponders what’s ahead while dreading having to tell his wife.