Feb 14

Feb 14 Kin - Tayari Jones

Tayari Jones left a lasting impression on the book world with the release of An American Marriage. When it was announced that she would be releasing a new book in 2026, I prayed to the book gods that I would receive an advance copy. They heard my please because me and many other anxious book reviewers and influencers were blessed with a “Read Now” message from Netgalley (IYKYK). And blessed is the correct word because Tayari Jones is BACK.

In her upcoming novel, Kin, Tayari takes us to Jim Crow South (booo) in Honeysuckle, Louisiana where best friends Annie and Vernice have been all their young lives. Both are motherless: Vernice’s mother by death and Annie’s by abandonment. The girls were fortunate enough to be raised by family but were never given the kind of love that only a mother can provide. It doesn’t help that neighbors look at them both with pity but of a different variety. With Vernice, neighbors look at her with sadness because of the circumstances of her mother’s death. But with Annie, the pity has a mean streak because of who her mother was and how she left. What does that do to a young child yearning for a mother’s love?

When I started reading Kin, I was immediately engrossed in the story and read half of the book without even realizing. I was thisclose to calling out of work to finish it. Annie and Vernice are written like the young girls they are, bursting at the seams, searching for something more. For Annie, she wants to leave Honeysuckle for Memphis to find her mother. Vernice wants to go to college and move up in the world. I related to them both because if I were Annie, nothing and no one would stop me from finding my mother. And if I were Vernice, nothing and no one would have stopped me from my dream of going to college.

Their stories unfold through their POVs and through the letters they send to each other. Annie’s and Vernice’s lives are vastly different from each other, but they continue to stay in touch. The constant connection truly touched my heart, because I’m still in touch with friends I knew when I was young and dumb. It isn’t easy to do when you’re still figuring things out. But stay connected they do. Vernice is at Spelman College, the all-women’s Black college filled with the kind of Black people she’s never known. Many of the women come from upper class families with degrees, money and influence. As Vernice is learning how to become a Spelman woman, Annie is making her way to Memphis, where she’ll have the kind of experiences most never have in their entire lives. Annie is seeing the real and harsh world, but somehow is still somewhat protected. You’ll have to read the book (and read it you must) to find out what I mean.

I adore Annie and Vernice so much because Tayari Jones wrote them to be lovable, even when they’re being insufferable. I love how much they love each other, flaws and all. How honest they are with each other, even when it hurts. They are young Black women in a world that hates them, learning about the world, the harsh realities and the sweetness that comes with it all. Not to be forgotten is Vernice’s aunt, Irene, the aunt we all have in our family; childless, free and fabulous. When Vernice’s mother dies, however, she becomes a mother overnight. The author wrote Aunt Irene so well because many will understand her resentment in the sacrifice she made to raise Vernice, but also the deep love she has for her niece even though she isn’t one for showy affection. Aunt Irene simply did what she had to do even though she never had the time to grieve for her sister or the life she had to give up to care for her niece.

I feel so fortunate to have read Kin before its release because I got to experience this lush story before the general public. To fall into Vernice’s and Annie’s lives without having to share, just for a little while.

Kin will be released on February 24, 2026.

Where to buy: The Lit. Bar Loyalty Bookstores Call & Response Books Reparations Club

Support my book habit: Book Minded Mag's 2026 Wishlist