5th January, 2026 in Recommended Reads

Between Sea and Sky by Heather G. Marshall

“I come with a new knowledge, sit at the table for the first time with the beginnings of a person to whom I am linked, not by porridge and hikes, but by limb and life, bone and blood.” The short story collection, Between Sea and Sky, by Heather G. Marshall, guides us through fifteen stories that explore the fragile, often painful bonds between people, particularly within families, and the quiet resilience that sustains them. The stories that stuck with me are those that focus on the relationships of mother and child and the hardships, hopes, and fears that follow within these relationships, including “Substrata,” “As Good as a Feast,” “Clear Blue Line,” and “Behind the Veil.” Marshall’s vivid language and thoughtful scenes highlight each character’s struggle and frustration, conveying sorrow while still leaving room for hope and fulfillment.