I’m delighted to introduce today’s #read99women guest, Sarah-Jane Stratford, whose new novel RED LETTER DAYS comes out tomorrow, February 25. It’s been dubbed ‘thoroughly fascinating’ in a starred review by Booklist, and a ‘crisp novel…that delivers on every level’ by Publishers Weekly. I was lucky enough to get an early copy and officially expressed my love for it with this blurb:

“Fairly singing with tension and triumph, Sarah-Jane Stratford's RED LETTER DAYS plunges you directly into the dark days of McCarthyism, as courageous women writers on the blacklist struggled to win back their lives and careers. Stratford weaves fact and fiction into a tale that serves as entertainment, warning, reflection and homage wrapped up in one highly readable package."

Sarah-Jane is the author of RADIO GIRLS, which has been described as a “crackerjack historical novel” (USA Today) and “an intoxicating look inside a world of innovative new media,” (Kirkus). She holds a Masters in history from the University of York and in 2017 was granted a 5-year visa from the Arts Council in Britain. Formerly a resident of both American coasts (not at the same time), she's now living the expat life in London. She enjoys adventuring around town with her boyfriend, knitting, and is a keen board game player.

Sarah-Jane’s #read99women recommendation is FUN HOME by Alison Bechdel, and you can find her glowing review in its entirety here on BookBub. A snippet to whet your appetite: “You wouldn’t have thought a woman’s memoir of her closeted gay father, whose suicide dovetails with her own coming out, would feel both personal and universal to the average reader, but that’s only part of the joy of this glorious book. It is funny and witty as well as searingly sad….It’s no wonder the book was turned into one of the best modern musicals this theatre-lover could ever hope to see (5 times).” High praise indeed!