Today DAUGHTERS OF NANTUCKET turns one! As a proud book mama, I can honestly say that the time went by in a blink. One minute Eliza, Maria and Meg were playing dress up and make-believe in my mind, tottering around on unsteady heels, their words tentative, and the next they were out there on the page confidently babbling to you! They now walk and talk on their own, running around completely unsupervised at Barnes & Noble. They plan their own tea parties and book clubs, chat with yentas during swim aerobics and make small talk on airplanes. Rumor has it they even got tipsy at a cocktail party the other night.
Daughters. They grow up so fast.
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about aging, maybe because of the book’s milestone, or maybe because my son is turning 22 in April and graduating from college in May. Maybe its because I have friends who are seriously talking about moving to Florida, or maybe it’s because I’ve been watching Feud: Capote v. The Swans and thinking THAT’S Calista Flockhart? THAT’S Chloë Sevigny?
I could complain about my bum shoulder, or my back, or my neck wrinkles or Calista Flockhart’s neck wrinkles, but, having had a grandmother who lived to be over 100, that’s not at all my mojo. One thing I know to be 1000% true is that aging is great, because it means I am still living. Beating heart, robust laugh, sunshine on my (old) face, bring it on. I hope to be here for all of it.
Books age differently than people do. Some age very quickly; they are a hot little number for a second and then, bam, they are pulled off the shelf to make room for a baby title with a newer, sexier cover. Others get soft light shining on them forever, like ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, a work of WW II historical fiction that was a bestselling hardcover for three years.
I’m learning that historical fiction ages much more slowly than other genres. Why? Because, from the moment of its conception, historical fiction is already old.
I know: it’s either the most obvious point I’ve ever made or the most genius remark I’ll ever make.
Want to feel forever young? Pen a work of historical fiction. Readers will come to your story with a new appreciation for the past and treat you with time-traveling awe, like you just emerged in a spacesuit from a tricked out DeLorean.
What I’m saying, obviously, is that I figured out the fountain of youth. For although I shall age in people years, DAUGHTERS OF NANTUCKET will literally never get old.
Speaking of aging beautifully, my very own daughter is now a college girl who is home this week for spring break. In my mind Zoe is four, but in actuality she is 18. Z came home and promptly cleaned out her closets and organized her desk drawers. Then she and I went shopping and maybe played a little bit of dress up.
Daughters. They grow up so fast.
xo
Julie
P.S.: Happy Women’s History Month! In my house, it’s Women’s History Month every month, but in case you are craving a wonderfully immersive, can’t-put-down women’s story to celebrate this March, look no further than Ariel Lawhon’s The Frozen River (set in Maine in 1789-90) and Patti Callahan Henry’s The Secret Book of Flora Lea (set in England and on Cape Cod in 1939-1940 and 1960). Let me know what histfic you’re loving and I’ll add it to my TBR!
Happy first birthday to your beautiful book...it's my current read! :)
Happy birthday, Daughters! They certainly have been busy. So many things. Love the pic with the Nantucket basket! Also I am watching Feud too and OMG - Calista!!