Tilt plunges into the catastrophic aftermath of a megathrust earthquake, as revealed through the eyes of nine-month pregnant Annie. Physically and mentally exhausted, barely mobile, she is injured and stranded miles from home after the quake. Annie quickly grasps the brutal reality that no one is coming to save her. Walking among the dead and mortally wounded, the threat of death present in each decision she makes, Annie’s is a terrifyingly vivid narrative. The sole information about a government response is a single chilling sentence revealing that the president is refusing aid because of the region’s political bent. Once started, you really cannot put this book down.
—James, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge, WA
Emma Pattee on Imagining the Devastating Aftermath of the “Big One”
Suddenly, the Big One—the catastrophic earthquake predicted to ravage the PNW in the next half century—is no longer a matter of What If but of What Now? Annie is nine months pregnant in IKEA stressing about a crib purchase when it happens. The narrative alternates between the present-day disaster and ruminations on the past with an eye to the immediate and uncertain future. Annie addresses her baby-to-be as she sets out on an odyssey across the ruined city of Portland, OR, to reunite with her husband. Propulsive in plot and rich in story, Tilt deftly articulates so much about motherhood and humanity, survival and strength. As a fellow Millennial and anxious new parent, I related deeply to Annie and felt myself with her every aching step of her journey, devoted and unwilling to put the book down until we reached the final page together.
—Anika, Phinney Books, Seattle, WA
This debut novel takes place in one day. A very pregnant Annie is shopping for a crib at IKEA in Portland, and an earthquake hits. What follows is a propulsive story about human behavior during a disaster and the reflections of Annie on her marriage and impending motherhood. As one drawn to books about family relationships, especially mothers, I will be slow to let this visceral one go.
—Julie, Browsers Bookshop, Olympia, WA
Finally, here’s Paper Boat Booksellers‘ Desirae Wilkerson interviewing the author for the American Booksellers Association. Tilt was chosen as an Indies Introduce title– an honor for ten debuts in each age range (Adult and Kids)– and as the #1 April Indies Next List title, which means it earned the most independent bookseller recommendations around the country before it published.
