Gathering

by Priscilla Thomas

"...everything in a life, in a person, is intertwined and messy..."In this collection of vignettes and essays, Priscilla Thomas presents a celebration of the varied identities each individual person holds within. From scenes from her teaching life, to reflections on beauty and body, to vividly rendered childhood memories, to snapshots of day-to-day life, Thomas captures the harmonious contradictions of being human. "Gathering" tells stories of abuse and survival, of multicultural identity, of love, and of loss. In these pages, there is something for all of you.

142 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2018

About the author

Priscilla Thomas is a teacher and writer living in New York City. She writes about the fantastic in the ordinary, about trauma and triumph. Her writing has been described as lyrical, captivating, and inspiring. Her first book, Gathering, is available on Amazon.

Praise for Gathering

"A beautifully written, literally heart filled book." - Dr. Patti Feureiesen, Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse

"It’s not often that I read a whole book in one sitting. Gathering is just that good — I simply couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait to reread it!" - Kristen G.

"This book is a gift. It is a complete celebration of life, with all its muck and intertwinings and joy. Thomas is one of those writers who makes you stop, sentence by sentence, and say, “Whoa. I wish I’d written that.” Beautiful." - Lindsey Stoddard, Just Like Jackie

Reviews

[Kerry Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exceptional book, to be read by every person who wants the pangs of developmental awkwardness, longing for meaning and purpose, just “being” in Life’s realities to be validated and affirmed. Priscilla Thomas delivers this and so much more. I felt at times like she had revealed pages of my own childhood diaries or spoken aloud thoughts that have lived only inside my head. Her storytelling, the realness of her expression are completely engaging, compelling you to want to read more. I loved everything about this book and plan to read excerpts to students in my Human Behavior and Development course!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, powerful, and inspiring. It’s not often that I read a whole book in one sitting. Gathering is just that good — I simply couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait to reread it!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This book is beautiful. It is like listening to a friend give you advice, loving but honest. It's a sip of diner coffee when you're on a long trip, strong and energizing. It is a book I will return to, and I'm grateful for its existence.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring. I could have read this in one sitting but life prevented me from doing so. In reading this book each morning with my coffee, I felt as though Priscilla were sitting with me, baring her soul. As she goes through some of life’s hardest moments, she brings beauty and insight in ways only a strong woman writer like herself can. I highly recommend this book, and can’t wait to see more from Ms. Thomas in the future!

[Alie Stumpf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priscilla's words help me feel feelings I didn't know I had and hadn't taken the time to feel. My favorite thing about this book is that I can keep it close, reread little chunks, and keep P. Thomas's wisdom buzzing in my ear. <3