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The Harboring & other stories
The Harboring & other stories is a collection that weaves together the resiliency of Appalachian women—in fact, all women—as they meet their seemingly insurmountable challenges with grace, celebrate their joys, and find ways to resolve all that remains unresolved in their lives. Each story finds a connection with the others until “The Harboring” brings it to an unexpected crescendo.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
2 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 18, 2025
Kathleen M. Jacobs, I’m so happy I finally got to read one of your books!
The characters in these stories, Tommy, Alex, Ada, and Fanny touched me. I loved the ways Jacobs wrote their loneliness and isolation, feelings that all humans often encounter and most of the time don’t know how to cope with. It’s refreshing to read characters that sat with emotions of discomfort, uncertainty, and longing instead of rushing toward resolutions.
Each story felt inviting into the private, often unspoken emotions of the characters. I appreciated how much attention was given to the description of places, details of everyday life, and the inner thoughts and small quiet moments, which made the emotional experiences feel intimate and real.
This short story collection encouraged me to read slowly, reflect on how people carry loneliness in different ways, and how connection can be both desired and difficult.
Thank you Kathleen for sending me your short story collection. I enjoyed it.
The characters in these stories, Tommy, Alex, Ada, and Fanny touched me. I loved the ways Jacobs wrote their loneliness and isolation, feelings that all humans often encounter and most of the time don’t know how to cope with. It’s refreshing to read characters that sat with emotions of discomfort, uncertainty, and longing instead of rushing toward resolutions.
Each story felt inviting into the private, often unspoken emotions of the characters. I appreciated how much attention was given to the description of places, details of everyday life, and the inner thoughts and small quiet moments, which made the emotional experiences feel intimate and real.
This short story collection encouraged me to read slowly, reflect on how people carry loneliness in different ways, and how connection can be both desired and difficult.
Thank you Kathleen for sending me your short story collection. I enjoyed it.
October 12, 2025
Let me start by clarifying that I read this out of order. I read The Author's Note and The Playlist, then the very short stories that follow The Harboring, then The Harboring and then reread the author's note and Playlist. The Playlist captures or summarizes the essence of the stories within the collection.
The Author's Note coupled with the additional short stories led me to expect a very different outcome for The Harboring. The story is woven impeccably. And, as the main character's story comes to a close, there's a haunting, eery, uncomfortable satisfaction? experienced as the reader.
Curiosity leads me to want the facts of this tale and I plan to submerge myself in a Google search for more info!
The Author's Note coupled with the additional short stories led me to expect a very different outcome for The Harboring. The story is woven impeccably. And, as the main character's story comes to a close, there's a haunting, eery, uncomfortable satisfaction? experienced as the reader.
Curiosity leads me to want the facts of this tale and I plan to submerge myself in a Google search for more info!
July 30, 2025
Kathleen M. Jacobs examines the spirit and grit of the women of Appalachia, proving, once again, that she is a lasting voice in Southern literature.
The Harboring, the story whose name is in the title, shows how a woman reclaims her identity after years of losing it. The other stories, originally published in various magazines and publications, illustrate how modern-day women living in Appalachia navigate the challenges they face.
But, are women who live outside of Appalachia different than those who do? Appalachian women often lack the necessary resources nearby, but they are willing to draw upon their inner strength to do what they need to survive.
Once again, Jacobs reveals the inner strength of the women who live in our mountainous regions.
The Harboring, the story whose name is in the title, shows how a woman reclaims her identity after years of losing it. The other stories, originally published in various magazines and publications, illustrate how modern-day women living in Appalachia navigate the challenges they face.
But, are women who live outside of Appalachia different than those who do? Appalachian women often lack the necessary resources nearby, but they are willing to draw upon their inner strength to do what they need to survive.
Once again, Jacobs reveals the inner strength of the women who live in our mountainous regions.
October 10, 2025
I was so happy to finally read something of Kathleen’s! Her language is so beautifully descriptive and can evoke strong emotions with few words. Shuffle was my favorite story in the collection ❤️
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews