We Read To Know We’re Not Alone.

In her long-anticipated second novel, Angela Flournoy invites us into the lives of five Black women—Desiree, Danielle, January, Monique, and Nakia—whose friendship stretches over two transformative decades, from their early twenties into the onset of midlife.

These women navigate the dizzying complexities of adulthood—careers, romantic entanglements, motherhood, and creative pursuits—set against the shifting landscapes of New York and Los Angeles

Each character carries her own story: sisters estranged by history, a woman wrestling with ambivalence in motherhood, a librarian-turned-blogger who challenges academic erasure, and another building a restaurant against family expectations.

Their lives unfold amid cultural and political upheaval, economic instability, and environmental uncertainty, all while forging bonds that sustain them through life’s unpredictable wilderness

Flournoy’s voice is both intimate and expansive—wry, luminous, and emotionally incisive.

Named among the most anticipated books by major publications, The Wilderness cements Flournoy’s reputation as a generational talent who captures friendship’s beauty and complexity with disarming clarity.

© The Wilderness: A Novel
Angela Flournoy
Mariner Books

A Year of Literary Discovery

Reading challenges often feel like homework—rigid lists that prioritize completion over connection. This challenge is different. It's designed for curious minds who want to expand their literary horizons without the pressure of arbitrary goals or forced genres.

The Philosophy

Instead of racing through a predetermined number of books, this challenge encourages intentional wandering through the literary landscape. Each month offers a gentle prompt designed to nudge you toward books you might not otherwise discover. There's no finish line, no badges to earn—just the quiet pleasure of following your curiosity wherever it leads.

Monthly Invitations

January: Read something that scares you (not horror—something that challenges your worldview) February: Pick up a book translated from a language you don't speak March: Read something published the year you were born April: Choose a book with fewer than 200 pages May: Read something recommended by someone under 25 June: Pick a book from a country you've never visited July: Read something that won an award you've never heard of August: Choose a book written by someone who shares your profession September: Read something that takes place in a single day October: Pick a book of essays or short stories November: Read something that's been sitting on your shelf for over a year December: Choose a book that someone you trust says "changed their life"

The Only Rules

1. Trust your instincts. If a book isn't working, put it down guilt-free.

2. Document your journey. Keep notes about what you discover, not what you complete.

3. Share discoveries. Recommend books that surprise you to others.

4. Be flexible. Skip months if life gets busy. Double up if you're inspired.

Why This Works

This challenge recognizes that meaningful reading happens when we're genuinely curious, not when we're checking boxes. By offering invitations rather than assignments, it creates space for serendipity—that magical moment when the right book finds you at exactly the right time.

The goal isn't to become a "better" reader or to impress anyone with your literary taste. It's to cultivate a more adventurous relationship with books, to remember that every story has the potential to teach us something new about the world or ourselves.

Getting Started

Pick any month, any prompt that intrigues you. Visit your local bookstore or library with nothing but curiosity. Let your eye wander across spines until something calls to you. Trust that instinct—it's rarely wrong.

Remember: the best reading challenge is the one that makes you fall in love with books all over again.