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Welcome back to My Jamaican Vignettes. Today I’m sharing what I’m reading each night before bed.
What I’m Reading This Week: Writer In Residence by Rhonda McKnight
Writer In Residence by Rhonda McKnight
Book Summary
From award-winning author Rhonda McKnight comes a new story of faith, history, and the power of legacy that merges the romance of The Bookshop Sisterhood with the rich Lowcountry setting of Mary Alice Monroe.
Alexandra Chambers is a writer who has run out of words. Struggling with writer’s block and the pressure to secure a new book deal, she wins a week in a writer-friendly cabin through a drawing held at a Lowcountry literacy center. What she finds is far more than she expected–a vibrant community brimming with inspiration, a past steeped in history and culture, and a man who both intrigues and unsettles her.
Gabe Scott, a bestselling author and the former writer-in-residence, is everything Alex feels she’s not–acclaimed, award-winning, and unshakably confident. When their paths cross at the center, his literary brilliance and dedication to helping struggling Gullah students stir feelings Alex isn’t ready to confront.
Though undeniably attracted to him, Alex wrestles with the fear that her books pale beside his celebrated work.When a surprising family connection unearths long-hidden truths about her past, Alex is forced to confront a lie that has shaped her life. Guided by the quiet wisdom of Ms. Kate, an elderly Gullah cleaning woman with losses of her own, Alex finds the strength to forgive truths long withheld, embrace her voice, and write the story only she can tell.
Writer in Residence is a rich and layered choice for book clubs eager to explore themes of identity, family secrets, creative reinvention, and the power of place. McKnight’s lush Lowcountry setting and unforgettable cast of characters spark meaningful conversation about Gullah Geechee culture, the stories we inherit, and the courage it takes to tell our own truth. An included discussion guide makes it easy for groups to dig deeper into Alex’s journey of rediscovery–and perhaps reflect on the hidden roots in their own lives.
2026 Reading Goals Update
As I am writing this I’ve read 19 books so far in 2026. I reduced my reading goal to a manageable 24 books and I think I’ll make it.
Unlike in previous years there will be no Christmas holiday break that’s not a benefit in my current job so there will be no push to read or week of reading and relaxation to end the year.
How is your 2026 reading goal going? Hit your target or are you still making your way towards that reading goal?
