Acclaimed Debut Novel about the South Gets a Helping Hand from a Bookstore in Maine

Just out in paperback this past week is Deborah Johnson's acclaimed debut novel, The Air Between Us. I just learned about this book, and after reading more about it, I can't wait to start it. Revere, Mississippi, with its population of "20,000 and sinking," is not unlike most Southern towns in the 1960s. Blacks live on one side of town and whites on the other. The two rarely mix. Or so everyone believes. But the truth is brought to the forefront when Critter, who is only ten, black and barely tall enough to see over the dashboard, drives Billy Ray—wounded in a suspicious hunting accident—to the segregated Doctor's Hospital. Dr. Cooper Connelly, the town's most high-profile resident, assures Billy Ray's family he'll be fine. He dies, however, and most people assume it is just a typical hunting accident—until the sheriff orders an investigation.

Suddenly the connections between white and black are revealed to be deeper than anyone expects, which makes the town's struggle with integration that much more complicated and consuming. Dr. Connelly takes an unexpectedly progressive view toward integration; the esteemed Dr. Reese Jackson, who is so prominent that even Ebony has profiled him, tries to stay above the fray. At times, it seems the town's only distraction is the racially ambiguous Madame Melba, a fortune-teller and "voyeur" with a past.

Booklist said "this heartwarming novel will strike a chord with fans of Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees." For the paperback publication, a contest was held in which booksellers were asked to send in reading group questions for the book. The store that sent in the best questions had them published in the back of the paperback. Interestingly, Brunswick Bookland in Brunswick, Maine was the winning store and you can see their great questions about this book set in the South here. You can browse inside the book here.

I've got ten copies of The Air Between Us to give away, simply post a comment about why you'd like to read the book and you'll be entered to win. I'll pick ten winners randomly from all entries received by midnight Wednesday April 1st.

Comments

[Julie P.]

This book sounds like one that I'd love. I grew up in the south and have always appreciated southern fiction. Books that deal with race are always fascinating to me. My favorite book is TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD; and I recently read THE HELP and loved it!

[Darby Lohrding]

I always enjoy books that involve race relations, one of my fave's is To Kill a Mockingbird". You can learn so much from these books about people and their attitudes towards one another. My Dad's Mom, was very strick in her views of blacks and whites and I can only imagine that this is what fed my interest from the time I was a little girl!
Thanks so much,
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

[Deb]

I am reading a wonderful nonfiction book right now called "Slavery By Another Name," about the way Blacks were treated in the South for decades after so-called emancipation. I loved The Secret Life of Bees and this sounds like it would be another great novel describing the terribly inequitable conditions that existed in the South in our lifetime.

[Sara]

I am always on the lookout for books that might be useful in my future classroom, and this sounds like it would be a great addition. I think it is extremely important for todays youth to understand the past, and books are a great accessible way for them to do that. I'd love an opportunity to win!

[bridget3420]

I like to read about things that I haven't experienced. I grew up knowing that the color of someone's skin defined who they were about as much as eye color. I never understood how one person could believe they were better than another based on something they were born with.

[annie]

This fascinating novel is such an important part of interesting history. Even though I am not from the South I believe that this book would be intriguing.

[Nicole]

I would love to read this one because the race relations in this book seem to be similar to one that I visited during the summers when I stayed with my grandfather, and now I am curious to know what the secret connection are.

[Ti]

I read Cane River for my book club a few months back and was disappointed with it overall. Everyone in my book club loved it so I was definitely the odd man out. I just didn't feel there was enough tension to pull me through the story. Even knowing that it was based on actual events didn't help.

This one sounds a bit different. From the blurb, it seems as if there will be a lot more conflict and I need that to hold my interest.

[Lisa]

Loved "The Secret Life of Bees" so any book that compares to that sounds great.

[Andrea Vrtikapa]

I'd love to read The Air Between Us -- it sounds right up my alley!

[Dawn - She Is Too Fond Of Books]

The Booklist review connection to THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES got my attention! Another great book that takes place (mostly) in the south is Bonnie Glover's GOING DOWN SOUTH.

Thanks for the opportunity!

[Kathy]

I've spent most of my life in the South and love books set here. This one sounds fabulous - I'd love to read it.

[Rusha Sams]

I've been a Southerner all my life and an English teacher as well. My students and I have pondered the themes of prejudice, local government, and family relations in numerous books, and The Air Between Us sounds intriguing for its true "Southerness"! Thanks for telling us about this new book!

[Gail Wood]

I loved the Secret Life of bees and this sounds like a fabulous book too. The inter-relationship of people, their feelings, and their quests always make wonderful reading.

[Julie E.]

This book sounds great, but the thing I'm most interested in is the fact that they solicited and then published reading-guide questions from booksellers! My fellow book-group members and I have often been frustrated by the questions in the back of books; oftentimes they are silly, obvious, or answered with a "yes" or "no"--none of which is actually helpful to a book club discussion! I'd be interested to see if the winning bookseller did a better job.

[Gwendolyn B.]

I love Southern literature, and I loved SECRET LIFE OF BEES. I've got THE BEST BAD LUCK I'VE EVER HAD by Kristin Levine on my nightstand. I think THE AIR BETWEEN US will mesh nicely with that.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

[Wendy Kinsey]

The title caught my eye.....it reminded me of the Space BETWWEN US which is one of my all time favorite books.I would love the chance to read this book.

[Gina B.]

I love Southern fiction. This book sounds great.

[Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)]

I love books about the underlying connections between disparate groups...I adored To kill a mockingbird as a child and have since reread it a number of times. i would love to be entered into this giveaway for another southern novel.

[Melanie]

Sounds like a great book. And the reference to Secret Life of Bees has me intrigued.