If ever there were a consistent centerpiece in contemporary American suburbs, the mall might be it. Here is where Karin Lin-Greenberg sets her new novel, You Are Here. Within the walls of the shopping center, a web of community takes root, from the hairstylist who longs for a more artistic craft, to the girl who works at the fast food counter but is pining to be center stage, to the eager but hapless bookstore clerk.
As their — and others’ — personal dramas and experiences are brought into their mall-dwelling lives, we are swept into the hope and perseverance and adaptability that they all inevitably hold onto so tightly. They toe the lines of reinvention, some more closely than others, and certainly you’ll root for most of them, even when their inertia can cause a little frustration.
Following an act of gun violence that shakes the denizens of the small town, rumors take flight as residents find their way on the flip side of tragedy. You Are Here is a small-town story with big heart, a story that shines a light on the countless pieces that make up a corner of the world, offering readers and book clubs countless points to ponder, discuss, and think back on.
You Are Here
by Karin Lin-Greenberg
One of the most wonderful things about Karin Lin-Greenberg’s perfectly set novel, You Are Here, is its cast of complicated characters, all with rich inner lives, aspirations, leanings. As you think about the people at its heart, where they’re from, and how they came to be, consider a few of these questions to kick off the conversation with your book club.
Get the questions.
We’re paying homage to Maria, the boldly quirky teenager who works at mall gastro-institution Chickety Chix with our book club-ready recipe. Try this Oven-fried Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. It’s food-court tasty — but elevated for your reading pals.
What to drink with mall-inspired fare? A boozy Orange Julius, of course! This version of the classic kiosk beverage brings vodka into the mix, kicking the drink of our kitschy childhoods up a few notches. Pro tip: You may want to save this one for dessert.
Get the recipe.
Want to get to know a little bit more about the author and her inspiration? Check out this fantastic interview with her over at Electric Literature, where she delves into mall culture, gun violence, and mall cuisine. Author photo © Jeff Janssens
Read the Q&A.