A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE

LONGLISTED FOR THE ASPEN WORDS PRIZE and READING THE WEST AWARD

A KIRKUS REVIEWS “BEST FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR”

A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY “MUST READ” BOOK OF 2023

Profoundly moving and powerful, the stories in When Trying to Return Home dig deeply into the question of belonging. A young woman is torn between overwhelming love for her mother and the need to break free from her damaging influence during a desperate and disastrous attempt to rescue her brother from foster care. A man, his wife, and his mistress each confront the borders separating love and hate, obligation and longing, on the eve of a flight to San Juan. A college student grapples with the space between chivalry and machismo in a tense encounter involving a nun. And in 1930s Louisiana, a woman attempting to find a place to call her own chances upon an old friend at a bar and must reckon with her troubled past.

Forming a web of desires and consequences that span generations, McCauley’s Black American and Afro–Puerto Rican characters remind us that these voices have always been here, occupying the very center of American life—even if we haven’t always been willing to listen. (From the publisher) (Counterpoint Press)

Check out the playlist for WHEN TRYING TO RETURN HOME and an explanation behind the song choices here.

Longlisted for the Aspen Words Literary Prize.

Kirkus Reviews lists WHEN TRYING TO RETURN HOME as a best fiction book of the year and best short fiction book of the year.

Today lists WHEN TRYING TO RETURN HOME as One of the Best Books to Read in 2023

People Magazine en español lists it as one of 6 Book Releases We’re Excited About in 2023.

Ms. Magazine lists it as one of “The Most Anticipated Feminist Books of 2023” and as one of the top reads for February.

Elle Magazine calls the collection “moving” and “powerful.”

OC Register says the collection is “beautiful”

Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative lists it on their Spring 2023 reading list

The Book of the Day according to the New York Public Library

One of the Best Books in February to Read by Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews says WHEN TRYING TO RETURN HOME is an invitation to new worlds.

One of the Best Books in February to Read by Southern Review of Books

Lit Hub lists it as one of 23 books to buy.

The Week lists it as Most Anticipated

Write or Die Magazine lists it as a Most Anticipated.

Columbia Daily Tribune lists it as a Most Anticipated.
A “Leading Debut” in Library Journal’s Pre-Pub Alert

On The Rumpus’s Anticipated Releases for 2023.

One of Ms. Magazine’s Most Anticipated Reads for 2023

The Floor Magazine’s list of Most Anticipated.

One of “62 Books to Read by Women of Color” according to Electric Literature.

One of 8 Must-Read Latinx Titles to Read according to Rosa Hernandez of NetGalley

*A Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club Pick*

*A Cafe con Libros Bookstore Book Club Pick*

*A Shelves Book Store Book Club Pick*

“A Left Banks Books Bookstore Staff Pick*

* Third Place Books Bookstore Staff Pick *

*A #ReadPuertoRican Book Club Pick*

*A ThisBrowneGirlReads Book Club Pick*

“In both her poetry and fiction McCauley writes with a lovely lyricism and musicality, an adroitness of construction…” The New York Times, the book is also an NY Times Editors’ Choice/Staff Pick

“McCauley’s explosive debut collection crackles with moments of honesty, upheaval, and longing among families . . . Each story is a treasure.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“….Admiringly gutsy and tender, with flashes of poetry . . . What can’t McCauley do? A writer to watch." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“When Trying to Return Home stands as one of the best books of the year and is a must-read.”— Jose B. Gonzalez, Latino Stories

“It is this kind of moving close to something good, but not quite ever getting it — a “nice life,” which includes a strong sense of who you are — that defines the breathtaking poignancy of these stories. Perhaps even more important, Ms. McCauley’s “When Trying to Return Home” reminds us that every day of our lives is both dangerous and, despite fear and anxiety, beautiful.” —Jeffrey Condran, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

 "McCauley's outstanding collection of stories will beguile and intrigue you . . . Equally tender and sharp, gentle and defiant, delicate and resilient." —Karla J. Strand, Ms. Magazine.

“Jennifer Maritza McCauley proves she’s a writer to watch with her debut collection…” Michigan Daily

“Jennifer Maritza McCauley’s stellar stories in When Trying to Return Home are literally breathtaking.” —Deesha Philyaw, for The Millions “A Year in Reading”

“Every collection should include these brilliantly written stories that combine sharp social commentary with truly captivating characters…”—Library Journal (starred review of audiobook)

”Powerful, propulsive, and at the same time, tender, the stories in When Trying to Return Home overflow with unforgettable characters and voices. A stunning debut!”--Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

"Singular in power, beauty, wisdom, and depth, these stories blend razor sharp social commentary with an uncanny insight into the human experience. Jennifer Maritza McCauley introduces herself as a writer to behold with wonder." —Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, author of On the Rooftop

“This collection is a gorgeous kaleidoscope, audacious and wise, capturing and releasing the ways that love assaults us. McCauley’s stories will split your heart, but they will also, lovingly, fuse it back together.” —Ivelisse Rodriguez, author of PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction finalist Love War Stories

"McCauley is a powerful literary medium, able to speak in the voices of an astonishing range of characters, and to make us feel their presence in the room."- Debra Dean, bestselling author of The Madonnas of Leningrad and The Mirrored World

"In When Trying To Return Home live a cast of some of the most memorable characters and predicaments I've encountered in fiction. These interlinked stories will introduce you to a mother who fights to keep her two children close to her; a nun who considers her options for the future and her boisterous, ever-protective sister; a boy who meets a discarded family member; an adoptive mother whose will angers her heirs––just to name some characters. Jennifer Maritza McCauley is an incredibly gifted writer and I can't wait to see what she shares with us next." —De'Shawn Charles Winslow, author of Decent People

Available Now!