In her novel The Chosen One, Carol Lynch Williams explored the emotional life of a teenage girl living in the isolation of a polygamist community. For her follow-up, Miles from Ordinary, Williams once again investigates the inner world of a character whose family circumstances make it impossible for her to feel that she’s living a regular life.
The story follows a single pivotal day for Lacey, a teenager trying to create some kind of normalcy. Ever since her aunt left, Lacey has been caring alone for her mother, who struggles with profound mental illness. But today is the day that her mother starts a new job, and Lacey herself begins volunteering at the local library. She even talks on the bus to a boy who seems to like her. Unfortunately, the legacy of Lacey’s damaged family will make returning to adolescent simplicity anything but simple in this unsettling but heartfelt tale. Join the author for a book-release signing today.
Carol Lynch Williams: Miles from Ordinary @ The King’s English, 1511 S. 1500 East, 801-484-9100, April 23, 2 p.m., free. KingsEnglish.com
