Guest post - One Book by Jessica Howard
Welcome to a new series called “One Book” where I invite someone to tell us about one book that changed their life or one book they can’t stop talking about. Our first guest is Jessica Howard, and while she cheated just a little bit, I probably would to, so let’s allow it!
When Amanda asked me in early April to write about “One Book I Can’t Stop Talking About” – the first thing that came to mind was Sunrise on the Reaping. For a few weeks in late March I was living my best Hunger Game life like it was 2010 again – devouring SOTR and then immediately rereading the original trilogy.
It seemed a little overplayed by early April though; surely everyone was already talking about it? Why write yet another post about the Hunger Games? And THEN, over Easter weekend I discovered the Journals of Emma M. Lion. A couple of people had told me they thought I’d like them – and they were definitely not wrong. Now I literally can’t stop thinking or talking about the Journals of Emma M. Lion, and I might need to reread them all pronto.
Admittedly, it is a bit of a cheat to call it ‘one book’ – since it’s a collection of journal entries, split into eight novels/novellas so far. But, I devoured all eight in 5 days, reading them back to back, so it felt like one long journal.
Emma M. Lion is our undaunted heroine, aged twenty as the story begins in the spring of 1883. She’s had a hard life – losing both her parents by age 13, and being passed from unfeeling relative to strict school and back again. But now, Emma comes home to Lapis Lazuli house, which she inherited via her father. The only problem is, Lapis Lazuli comes with elderly Cousin Archibald – who, thanks to some complicated familial bequests, has been granted the right to live in the house in perpetuity. And THEN, Emma discovers that Cousin Archibald, who had access to her funds in order to maintain the house while she was at school, has spent all of her money.
Nearly broke and orphaned would be too much for most people, but Emma has a sunny disposition, and ends up making many new friends, including three with whom she grows incredibly close. I don’t want to tell you which people are in her closest cadre of friends by journal 4-5, because it’s better to watch it unfold, but it’s really sweet to watch Emma gather like-minded people around her.
Reading about Emma’s eternal hope in the face of tough circumstances is just the joyful escape I needed right now. If you ever read Daddy-Long-Legs as a kid (which is a very dated reference for sure!) the Emma M. Lion journals are quite similar. Or, for perhaps a better comparison - picture if To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before met Pride and Prejudice. Either way, if you’re looking for some laughs and tears and excellent ‘found family’ vibes, look no further! And then you can join the rest of the Emma M. Lion fans eagerly anticipating book 9…
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Jessica lives in the cool mountains of Northern Arizona with her husband, two children, and a whole lot of books. When not at work or reading, you can probably find her in the kitchen. Recently she’s been trying to perfect her high altitude chocolate sourdough bread! Check out her bookish Substack How Jessica Reads.