Meri Miller lives in Soldotna, Alaska. Never heard of it? That’s because in Slowdotna the most riveting activities for a teenager are salmon fishing and grabbing a Big Gulp at the local 7-Eleven. More than anything, Meri wants to hop in her VW Bug and head somewhere exciting, like New York or L.A. or any city where going to the theater doesn’t only mean the movies. Everything is so scripted here–don’t have too much fun, date this guy because he’s older and popular, stay put because that’s what everyone else does.
But when her senior year should be all boys, SAT prep, and prom drama, Meri feels more and more distance between herself and the people she loves. Her grandma dies, her brother gets hurt, and even her best friend checks out to spend more time with some guy. As she struggles with family, grief, friends, and hormones, Meri must decide if she really is ready for the world beyond her backyard.
Meagan Macvie’s debut novel, The Ocean in My Ears, raises questions of love, purpose, and the power to choose your own future even when your future’s the thing that scares you the most.
About the Author
Meagan Macvie was born and raised in Alaska. She received her MFA in fiction from Pacific Lutheran University. Her work has appeared in Narrative, Fugue, and Barrelhouse, as well as the short story anthology, Timberland Writes Together. Meagan lives with her husband and daughter in Washington State.
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Praise
“The Ocean in My Ears is an absolutely gorgeous story; an honest, stark coming-of-age journey so intimate you breathe it, with salty, flawed characters and a true romance that will leave you aching with the best kind of hurt.” —Estelle Laure, author of This Raging Light
“An unforgettable journey to adulthood.” —Kirkus Starred Review
“Macvie movingly explores the ever-shifting highs and lows of adolescence.” —Publishers Weekly
“A strong debut novel featuring memorable, relatable characters making adult decisions at the edge of high school in a fantastically drawn Alaskan setting.” —School Library Journal
“Meri’s first-person account is strikingly original, with frank discussion of sexual experiences, religious posturing, and stilted family dynamics.” —Booklist
“Macvie deftly captures the painful but necessary lessons about family, friendship, love and being true to oneself that mark adolescence.” —The Oregonian
Staff Pick at Powell’s: “A dead-on coming-of-age tale.”
Featured on Bustle‘s “The 11 New YA Novels You Need To Watch Out For in November 2017” and BookRiot’s “Must-Read November New Releases” in 2017
The Ocean in My Ears
Start to Finish
The Ocean in My Ears Book Launches with 90s Trivia A book’s launch party should reflect the content of the book and the personality of its writer; it should be a celebration of all the hard work that went into creating the book and is seen as the culmination of all of that hard work…so, no pressure, right?
