The Reading

An unexpected-and unrecognized-visitor attends veteran writer Esmé's reading and brings events of forty years past squarely into her present. Struggling with writer's block and uncertain about a future with her romantic partner, Esmé undertakes a journey through her own history. Esmé revisits a particular year she had written off as the worst of her life as well as her whirlwind early marriage. In the process, Esmé ultimately overcomes the wounded hesitancy that has characterized her life and rediscovers her former courage and openness to risk.

"A question at the heart of this novel is: What happened to the young people of [Esmé's] generation who were so ready to take on the world? Monier deftly spans the decades and writes incisively about how the answers aren't always easy to find. She gives shape to fragmented and loose connections between people, however dispersed they have become, and thoughtfully explores an idea that may resonate with many members of her heroine's generation. As Esmé puts it: 'Perhaps it's not the past that catches up with me, but rather the other way around.' A beautifully written novel shows how small moments can make a big difference in people's lives." -Kirkus Reviews

"With striking sensitivity, humor, and superb awareness, Barbara Monier brings to life the trials of a young creative woman finding her way in the world... The author weaves past and present beautifully... A literary gem with the kinds of characters you deeply care about... It's a masterful story from a masterful writer." -David Berner, Sandman: A Golf Tale

"Monier's style of writing is compelling, filled with details and occurrences of everyday life that most people don't notice... This is a book that will make you examine your own values, and is a must read." -Pat Camalliere, Cora Tozzi Historical Mystery Series

"[Monier is] a writer who loves language and crafts stories that deeply mine a character's past... Her heavily Salinger-inspired experiences are wry, painful and relatable.... A deeply personal and 'quiet' story that goes in and out of time and arrives at less a climax than a massive epiphany... A positive message in our turbulent times." -Rita Dragonette, The Fourteenth of September

"The writing is so clean and the voice so authentic, that there is a tendency to take it slow and reflect on what's on the page.... Monier does a masterful job of sharing the hopes and fears of a young woman away from home for the first time in her life... This is a poignant, often funny, life-story... Highly recommended." -Len Joy, Dry Heat

"Masterful...[with] gorgeous, meaningful passages... Thank you, Barbara Monier, for writing this up front and personal novel that's so profound, so witty, so real." -Carol Orange, A Discerning Eye

"The Reading deals with the human condition of loneliness, addresses the complexity of relationships (regardless of age), and illustrates the difficulty of understanding both youth and loss. I relished the descriptions of Esmé's physical surroundings because they were poignant and evocative. Monier also uses humor, and I found myself laughing out loud at some of Esmé's observations in her internal monologue.... The Reading will appeal to anyone who appreciates self-reflective writing and a complex main character." -Kayleigh Perumal, Readers' Favorite