I’ve always been a lover of all things history, so it’s no surprise I gravitated to the world of historical fiction for my profession. What moves me the most is how, across time periods and culture, the bonds of family (more specifically sisters), remain one of the most enduring and poignant themes with which almost all can identify. Growing up, my relationship with my own sister was complex and difficult. However, now that we are grown, I can fully appreciate just how much my connection with her shaped—and continues to shape—the person I am. Exploring family ties in literature (both writing and reading) is one way in which I celebrate our common humanity.
I wrote...
If It Rains
By
Jennifer L. Wright
What is my book about?
It’s 1935 in Oklahoma, and lives are determined by the dust. Fourteen-year-old Kathryn Baile is a spitfire born with a severe clubfoot. Once her beloved older sister marries, Kathryn’s only comfort comes from her favorite book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Then Kathryn’s father decides to relocate to Indianapolis, and only the promise of surgery to finally make her “normal” convinces Kathryn to leave Oklahoma behind.
Back in Boise City, Melissa Baile Mayfield is the newest member of the wealthiest family in all of Cimarron County. In spite of her poor, rural upbringing, Melissa has just married the town’s most eligible bachelor and is determined to be everything her husband—and her new social class—expects her to be. Melissa secretly defies her husband, risking her life to follow God’s leading.
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The Books I Picked & Why
The Nightingale
By
Kristin Hannah
Why this book?
In the overcrowded market of World War II fiction, this book stands alone. It centers around two sisters far from the battlefield but nonetheless on the front lines and allows us a rare glimpse at the intricacies and complexities of war—how “right” and “wrong” are not always black and white terms. For me, this book shattered the narrative I’d always assumed about Nazi collaborators versus resisters and truly made me think about the sacrifices I’d be willing to make for the ones I love.
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The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
By
Lori Nelson Spielman
Why this book?
This book has everything: love, drama, lush descriptions of a foreign country (essential now, when travel is so limited), and family curses. Having a sister myself, I loved how authentic the relationship between Emilia and Lucy felt; stronger than iron yet as fragile as glass. The unraveling mystery behind the so-called “curse” was just icing on the cake. Love truly is what life is all about---just not in the ways we always assume.
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The Distant Hours
By
Kate Morton
Why this book?
I’m a sucker for books with a creepy setting—and a rundown castle in the English countryside was the perfect, eerie location for this twisty, unsettling novel. With alternating timelines, unreliable characters, and multi-faceted mysteries, this tale of family secrets kept me on my toes—and reminded me that the stories behind our favorite childhood stories are often darker than we realize…and often best left untold.
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As Bright as Heaven
By
Susan Meissner
Why this book?
Alright, alright, alright, I get it: no one wants to read a pandemic book. Not here, not now. But Meissner’s novel, set in Philadelphia during the 1918 Spanish Flu, is a surprisingly uplifting tale. In addition to sisters, we also get to experience the time from the viewpoint of the girls’ mother. It’s a beautiful, resonating story that reminded me of the tricky balance that always exists—pandemic or no—between mitigating risk and living life to its fullest.
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Little Women
By
Louisa May Alcott
Why this book?
What’s a list about sister books without Little Women? It’s cliched and commonplace…but also absolutely wonderful. Originally published in the late 19th century, Alcott’s tale has lost none of its charm over 150 years later, and nearly everyone can find themselves in one of the March sisters. As for me, I’m Jo. Always and forever Jo.
