{"book":{"book":"Sophie, Standing There","author":"Meg Mason","publicationYear":2026,"description":"In Meg Mason's novel Sophie, Standing There, protagonist Sophie Pattison finds her life unexpectedly falling apart. On paper, everything appears to be going well, as she works her dream job mic’ing up authors at a local book festival and has a robust support system. However, when her world comes crashing down, she is left feeling profoundly isolated and alone. Seeking comfort amid the turmoil, Sophie turns to books for solace and develops a crush on her favorite author. Through Sophie's story, the book delves into the emotional process of starting over and the deep desire for human connection. It also explores how literature can serve as a powerful means of coping with loneliness and finding a path forward.","image":"https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2160x2160+0+0/resize/3000/quality/66/format/jpg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9a%2Fc3%2F2e59f1804b3eb3b96aca5849237c%2Fbfc88df7-c9f1-49c3-b30b-9180a3dc9fa0.jpg","date":"2026-11-04"}}