Low Country by J. Jones (books to read in your 20s .txt) 📕

for the telling and retelling of family stories, for help with research. Thank you to my brothers: Justin, Jason, and Jared. My gratitude to Joanne Gaines for the love, care, and devotion to my nana over her lifetime.

Thank you to my friends, to my first readers, and to anybody who has offered kindness and help along the way. I am indebted and think with gratitude of you often: Gillian Jones, Marie Masson, Sara Lieber Green, Krishna and Emma Andavolu, Ryann Liebenthal, Angelina Fanous, Sophia Efthimiatou, Iza Wojciechowska (who doubles as proofreader), Ray Dademo, Katie Bachner, Ross Simonini, James Yeh, Liz Tingue, Hilary Leichter, Pat and Harriet Carrier, Leigh Black, Lis Harris, Ellis Jones, Ed Park, Dewitt Henry.

Thank you to readers and to independent bookstores.

Thank you to my dog, Juno, best good girl, squirrel huntress, and fastest pup at the dog park. Your goofy, bossy love makes everything better. And to Ben, whose unfailing support has made everything possible.

© Ben Bromley

J. NICOLE JONES received her MFA in creative nonfiction from Columbia University and has since held editorial positions at VICE and VanityFair.com. Her essay defending the art of memoir, “Why’s Everyone So Down on the Memoir?,” was published by The Los Angeles Review of Books in 2013 and went viral, and her reviews and other writings have appeared in magazines, including Harper’s online. She grew up in South Carolina and now lives in Brooklyn and Tennessee.

This book is a memoir. It reflects the author’s recollections of experiences over time. Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

Copyright © 2021 by J. Nicole Jones

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-948226-86-8

Jacket design by Robin Bilardello

Book design by Jordan Koluch

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020942085