I’ve been a fan of Joy Neal Kidney’s books for several years and her latest, “The Immigrant and the Outlaw: A Collection of Stories from America’s Heartland” earned its position as my new favorite right off the bat.

Joy’s vibrant and compelling storytelling always shines, but in this volume, I found myself leaning in…savoring each story as if Joy was sitting across from me with a cup of tea, peeling back layers of love, loss and yes. Joy. Her keen observations about nature and the wonder of the world, offered in snippets from her distinguished career as a columnist and writer in her beloved Iowa…so good!

Joy’s roots run deep and in “The Immigrant and the Outlaw” I understood the magnitude of her investment in her community. Not only through her generous sharing of family history — service, sacrifices and nostalgia — but by allowing us to sit alongside her as she welcomes us into the fold, offering poignant and hopeful encouragement.

It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite chapter, but I found myself falling in love with her observations about the moon. Whether it’s a reminder of my own Midwestern farming roots or a wave of melancholy about my long-departed dad, reading Joy’s words felt like a hug. Memories of my dad’s musings as he’d sit, eyes skyward, amazed by the night sky.

Here’s what I mean…an excerpt from Chapter 1: Celestial. “Our Mysterious Moon and its Complicated Cotillion:

“During its complicated cotillion, the moon is costumed by reflections and shadows–waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, waning crescent, and new moon–its phases. One unabridged performance takes twenty-nine and a half days, and is accompanied by solo patterns of each of the nine planets in our home galaxy and by the seasonal choreography of the constellations…”

Oh! And the story, “We Brake for Lilacs” put a massive grin on my face. Joy wrote:

“The air is permeated with what is surely the fragrance of heaven– lilacs.”

I couldn’t agree more!

And the story about the “Spider in the Choir Loft”? Oh my. Humor and goodness…so relatable, so fun.

But here’s my confession.

I’m not normally a slow reader. I move quickly and annotate as I go, enjoying what I read–especially great work written by dear friends. But this time? I’ve slowed down, reading a bit each night before bed because I find Joy’s work calming. Life’s been busy lately and the boost from “The Immigrant and the Outlaw” has been unexpected…a reminder to slow down and let Joy’s stories, the good feelings and smiles sink in.

So here I am, wantonly reading out of order and circling back to chapters I love. Eventually I’ll find my way to the end, but I’m dawdling. I think it’s the intimacy of Joy’s words and the way she’s welcomed us in, allowing me to unapologetically savor.

Thank you, Joy, for your beautiful book. Grateful…ever grateful!

Vicki

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Dr. Atkinson (Vicki) earned degrees in counseling and psychology and a doctorate in adult education. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and a leadership and life coach in private practice. Vicki lives near Chicago with her husband Paul and her daughter, Delaney. Her beloved sister with disabilities, Lisa, continues to thrive, delighting friends and family with her big heart and sense of humor.

Vicki Atkinson is the author of the compelling memoir Surviving Sue and the mystifying new novel Slivers, which is available from Eckhartz Press.

You’d enjoy visiting her website, Victoria Ponders. Please check it out!

The Immigrant and the Outlaw: A Collection of Stories from America’s Heartland is available in paperback, hardbound, ebook, and audiobook through Amazon.com and Amazon.uk.