Burning Sage

by Jennifer Rieger

"I light all three rolls, fan them with my book to get the embers going, and stick them in the sand. As the January light becomes soft and hazy, each roll burns into the damp divots I created for them. The smoke transforms into shadowy clouds, billowing the salt air, until, ultimately, they dissipate to another time and place. I watch the dried leaves extinguish themselves, until finally, finally, the high tide comes for all that remains, and the knot loosens, just a bit."


In her fearless debut, Jennifer Rieger captures the way in which the ashes of the past speak to the journeys of the present — how even in barren dust, roots linger and discovery is born. Rieger's essays weave together small-town, childhood summers, the revelations of young parenting, and two decades of classroom connections, all of which lead to the Pacific Northwest, New England, Oxford University, Italy, and ultimately, back to the blank page of a writer who finds purpose.


Belies the freight of grief a well-lived life must carry... humour
too, and a portrayal of the strength and resilience gained from
an honest reckoning of one’s life.”
— Jillian Sullivan, author of A Way Home and the poetry collection Parallel

These are not just great stories–they’re also lessons in empathy,
trust, and hope.”
— Grant Clauser, author of Muddy Dragon on the Road to Heaven

Touching and tender, powerful and wise, Rieger’s voice will
stay with you long after you turn the last page.”
— Margo Raab, author of the novels Lucy Clark Will Not Apologize, Kissing in America, and Cures for Heartbreak

198 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2022

About the author

Jennifer Rieger is a public educator and college professor in the Philadelphia area. An advocate for her students and graduates, she dedicates her time to empowering others through reading, writing, and acts of love. Jen has been honored with the Franklin Institute 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award, the 2021 Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Teaching Award, and was a semi-finalist for the Pennsylvania Department of Education Teacher of the Year.

Along with a nomination for the 2020 and 2022 Pushcart Prize for Literature, Jen has also been published in Chautauqua Literary Journal, Wisconsin Review, BUST Magazine, Philadelphia Stories 15th Anniversary Anthology, and Minerva Rising's 10th Anniversary "Now and Then" Anthology, among others. In 2022, Minerva Rising Press published her collection of lyrical essays, Burning Sage-- a teacher and mother's quest of learning when to hold onto the past, and when to let go.

Jen holds a BA in English, an MA in English Literature, an MFA in Creative Writing and lives in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Andrew Hoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful collection of essays will make you laugh, cry, smile, and appreciate everything you have. I had the honor of being one of Jennifer Rieger’s students, and if you read this book you will truly understand the honor that it is. Rieger’s essays are all incredibly composed, and will make you realize that Rieger is truly made of something magical.

[Laura Ebersole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about this book. It perfectly captures the life of a teacher who means so much to her students. A wonderful retelling of all the beauty in the world, the struggles, and the perseverance needed to adapt to a changing environment.

[Traci Papst · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to be inspired, to feel, to laugh, to cry, to love right along with the author, then this is the collection of stories for you. I didn't want to put it down and felt like I was taking this author's journey with her from start to finish. Well done. A must read if you could use a little inspiration in your life.

[abby hill ꕥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I smiled, laughed, and cried (full tears streaming down my cheeks on multiple occasions) (maybe i’m just a very emotional person, maybe Rieger is just a great writer. Definitely both). I didn’t fully know what i was getting myself into when starting it, but i binged it not wanting to stop. Read this if you haven’t already!

[Kyra Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, or better yet being taught by, Ms. Rieger, you’ll be able to hear her voice in every chapter. Her writing is gorgeous and full of the wisdom of herself and thousands of students. Her essays are so deeply personal, raw, and thorough. No surprise there.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this collection of essays at AWP this year, and had no idea how much this little book would mean to me. I feel such kinship with Jen as she meditates on literature, teaching, and motherhood. Her writing style is vibrant and paints such vivid pictures in a way that encapsulates her emotions as she lived the moments as well as her emotions while writing. It also feels like reading a bit of history, as if each essay is a monument to a someone or something, whether it be student stories, visiting Plath’s grave, or her personal life events. I will return to these essays again and again. Thanks Jen. ❤️

[Sydney Blaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was never taught by ms. rieger but in reading this collection i got to take a look back at my senior year and see how she really touched every part of it. from challenge day to graduation to every time she popped in to 5th period. forget celebrity memoirs, the best memoirs are from extraordinary people who live ordinary lives and change the lives of others in so many wonderful ways. just like ms. rieger.

final cry counter: three :) they're good cries though, dw

[Rebecca Beardsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading a pre-publication version of Burning Sage. I loved it – so much that I pre-ordered some copies for friends. Rieger takes the reader on a journey through the life of a teacher and writer. There were several times I got chills seeing how connected life can be. This is a great read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, fast read from a wonderful and inspiring woman. As a former student so very proud and excited for Mrs. Rieger, I was not prepared to cry so much. Her memoirs are honest, raw and so relatable. This is such a lovely gift to ALL of her children.

[Anna Walmsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me cry probably 30 times. Jen Rieger’s writing is witty, intimate, and incredibly emotionally evocative. I am so proud to have been her student :)

[Jose Gamboa Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest and intimate collection of essays that will just tug at the heartstrings. I laughed, I cried; at times, I had to put the collection down to (truly) digest the images flowing off the page and into my cerebrum. Jen doesn’t mince words; Jen doesn’t hold back on her emotions nor her thoughts that inspired her throughout every essay. “Burning Sage” is such a worthwhile read for any person of any identity because the human experience is one thing everybody (every reader) has in common.

[Tish Leahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels. These words go where all women feel, but rarely speak of. Explores and expresses the challenges, frustrations, and celebrations that we all deal with on our journey of life. The reader will cry, laugh, and grow. Rieger shares her personal experiences that we all can relate to in a very enjoyable way. A must read

[Jessica Poley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing read. There is something so special about the way the stories are told. It makes you feel as though you are there with her, experiencing the stories. You can tell how special her students are to her and how special she is to her students.

[Sam Blaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

five stars. OBVIOUSLY. how could it be anything else?

btw the dialogue on page 170, paragraph 4 (or 5 depending on if you count the rest of the sentence from the prior page) is just like me fr. ME TOO (hopefully!!)

[Jill Demcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautifully written, loved the description of soul mates. so raw and emotional it was hard not to fall in love with the writing

[Maddie - Arcane Book Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels 🥹

[Claire Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

From having her as a teacher, to now a friendship with her, this truly made me see the woman I saw snippets of in the classroom. I cried, I laughed, I flashed back to her reading these passages aloud. As a fellow romantic I’ve felt how every detail can feel so significant, and this is beautifully illustrated in this novel. I can’t wait to read her next work.