Read a family story about loss, belonging, and leaving a legacy—plus a giveaway!
Gone Like Yesterday — Janelle M. Williams
Read to the bottom of this issue for a chance to win one of two brand-new hardcover copies of Gone Like Yesterday by Janelle M. Williams. Thank you to Tiny Reparations Books for providing the copies! If you don’t win, the book is available now for purchase.
What to Read This Week
Gone Like Yesterday by Janelle M. Williams
Content warnings are listed at the bottom of this newsletter.1
An additional note: The book features insects called g*psy moths. The word g*psy is a slur and is offensive to a large community of people. In July of 2021, the Entomological Society of America announced the changing of the name to spongy moth. Since the book was likely already printed or heading to print due to publishing schedules and it is set in 2019, the book uses the term g*psy moths throughout, though it does recognize its offense at the beginning of the book. I will simply be referring to them as moths throughout this recommendation.
What It’s About
Zahra is a college prep coach who feels stuck and like her work helping rich white kids get into school isn’t fulfilling her. The moths that sing to her have been with her all her life, but recently they’ve become louder than ever. She meets Sammie, a young activist trying to get into college, and takes her under her wing. The two bond over being Black women in a world that seems set against them, Sammie’s sit-in at her school, and the strange sensation they both feel, as if someone is watching them.
But then Zahra gets word that her brother, Derrick—who also hears the moths—is missing. Trey, Sammie’s uncle, drives the three of them down to Atlanta to help Zahra’s family look for Derrick. As the family converges at Zahra’s grandmother’s home, secrets come to light and arguments from past years boil over.
No relationships are perfect, and Williams perfectly illustrates how complicated bonds between family, lovers, and friends can be. It’s a story of family history and family trauma and the impacts it has, long after it seems, on the surface, the repercussions should be gone. The moths seem to live everywhere in Zahra’s head and in the family home, and they move with her throughout her life and connect her to her roots.
“‘You know, trees never die of old age. They could live forever.’ Makes Sammie wonder—if not of old age, then how: What’s it like to live forever? What’s it like to have a thousand rings . . . What’s it like to keep stories inside of you like holding your breath?”
Why You Should Read It
Those who need shiny bows and wrapped-up stories will be frustrated with this one, but it’s the way the story was meant to be told. This reminded me of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, though plots are not similar, but the incredible depth of characters and lyrical writing are the standouts. You all know by now I love a family story, and though this one takes place over a short period of time, diving into Zahra’s past with her own family makes it feel sweeping in the way that big sagas feel.
It’s also important to read about people who have had different lives and experiences than our own, and Williams details this in her writing with each characters’ own biases and assumptions as they realize they have preconceived notions of the others. It’s also incredibly beautiful writing and a fully immersive story that will grab hold of you and not let go.
This would also be an excellent book club pick and would invite discussion about what family legacies mean, what we leave behind, and how our actions affect others, among many other topics.
Giveaway!
Enter to win one of two brand-new hardcover copies of Gone Like Yesterday—thank you to the publisher, Tiny Reparations Books, for providing the copies!
To enter:
Be either a free or paid subscriber (sign up at the top of this post!)
Leave a comment on this post saying you’d like to read this book (and why, if you like!)
If you want a bonus entry, share this newsletter on any social media platform of your choosing, and come back and leave a second comment that you shared it and where (honor system, folks!)
US residents only, or must have a US mailing address, for shipping purposes. Must feel comfortable sharing shipping address with me (will not be shared elsewhere). Not affiliated with Substack. Must be 13+ years to enter. Entries accepted until 12 AM CST 2/27/2023.
Next Up
I don’t have a picture for you today of my books because I’m traveling, but I’ve been flying through audiobooks. I finished She Rides Shotgun, a lightning-fast thriller about a man just out of prison who goes on the run with his daughter to keep her safe. I started Small Game, which I’m already very into and loving the Survivor feel of it, and I’m about halfway through Death by Dumpling, the first in a fun cozy mystery series that has been a delight to read at night to wind down.
More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!
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Content warnings include use of word g*psy, Black trauma, racism and discussions of racism, family arguments, absent parents, discussion of drug addiction, suicide (brief, not central to main characters), discussion of prison injustice.
I’d love to read it!!
I'd love to read this one!!