Books

Books by Sheila Williams

no better time book by sheila williams

No Better Time
A Novel of the Spirited Women of the Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion

A February 2024 Books We Can’t Wait to Read Pick by The Root
A Black History Month Pick by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A BookSparks Book Club Pick

The acclaimed author of The Secret Women and Things Past Telling returns with an engrossing historical novel about a little known aspect of World War II — the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only Black WACs to serve overseas during the conflict. | Read more

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Things Past Telling

New York Times Book Review Summer Reading Pick
One of Washington Post’s 10 noteworthy books for March 2022

The author of The Secret Women tells the story of a brave and enduring woman as indomitable as Ernest Gaines’ legendary Miss Jane Pittman, in a breathtaking novel that combines the epic romance and adventure of Outlander, the sweeping drama of Roots, and the haunting historical power of Barracoon. | Read more

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The Secret Women

The Secret Women

TOP SUMMER 2020 BEACH READ PICK — TimeWomen’s World and Parade

The author of Dancing on the Edge of the Roof, now a Netflix film starring Alfre Woodard, returns with a riveting, emotionally rich, novel that explores the complex relationship between mothers and daughters in a fresh, vibrant way—a stunning page-turner for fans of Terry McMillan, Tayari Jones, and Kimberla Lawson Roby. | Read more

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Dancing on the Edge of the Roof

Dancing on the Edge of the Roof

Now available on Netflix, Juanita, is a new film based on Sheila Williams’ book “Dancing on the Edge of the Roof”, directed by Clark Johnson from a screenplay by Roderick Spencer and starring Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood. Watch official trailer

At forty-one, Juanita Lewis is running away from home, courtesy of a one-way ticket to Montana, a place that seems about as far away from the violence and poverty of the Columbus, Ohio, projects as the moon.

The Shade of My Own Tree

The Shade of My Own Tree

Beloved author Sheila Williams beautifully captures the bittersweet humor and vivid adventures of women who survive the worst life can toss at them — and fight back to claim their right to be free, to be themselves, and to live in . . .

On the Right Side of a Dream

On the Right Side of a Dream

When Juanita Lewis arrived in Paper Moon, Montana, courtesy of a Greyhound bus, she was just looking for a brief respite. Instead, she found a home, friends, and a man to love. But this leave-your-attitude-by-the-door woman made a promise to herself — one that she intends to keep. Now that she’s got a place to come back to, Juanita wants to see the world.

Girls Most Likely

Girls Most Likely

“We didn’t know then that the dramas we imagined weren’t even warm-ups for what real life held for us.”

From the fifth grade to their fifth decade, Vaughn, Reenie, Susan, and Audrey share secrets and dreams — their lives connected like silk threads through rich fabric, pulling but never breaking at life’s unexpected twists and turns.

A Letter for My Mother

A Letter for My Mother

edited by Nina Foxx
with an essay by Sheila Williams

Thirty-three female writers share their essays and letters—hilarious, heart wrenching, and everything in between—in this wise and poignant collection about mother-daughter relationships.