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Happy Land
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
8 posts | 5 read | 5 to read
A woman learns the incredible story of a real-life American Kingdomand her familys ties to itin this enthralling novel from the New York Times bestselling, NAACP Image Award-winning author of Take My Hand. Named a Most Anticipated book of 2025 by People ? Harper's Bazaar ? PopSugar ? Reader's Digest ? SheReads ? Womans World ? BookBrowse ? and more! Nikki hasnt seen her grandmother in years. So when the elder calls out of the blue with an urgent request for Nikki to visit her in the hills of western North Carolina, Nikki hesitates only for a moment. After years of silence in her family, due to a mysterious estrangement between her mother and grandmother, shes determined to learn the truth while she still can. But instead of answers about the recent past, Mother Rita tells Nikki an incredible story of a kingdom on this very mountain, and of her great-great-great grandmother, Luella, who would become its queen. It sounds like the makings of a fairy taleroyalty among a community of freed people. But the more Nikki learns about the Kingdom of the Happy Land, and the lives of those who dwelled in the ruins she discovers in the woods, the more she realizes how much of her identity and her familys secrets are wrapped up in these hills. Because this land is their legacy, and it will be up to her to protect it before it, like so much else, is stolen away. Inspired by true events, Happy Land is a transporting multi-generational novel about the stories that shape us and the dazzling courage it takes to dream.
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ErikasMindfulShelf
ErikasMindfulShelf
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

3.5 stars. Interesting story, but the dialogue just didn‘t work for me.

20 likes
review
Zbayardo
Zbayardo
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Did you know that in the late 1860s, a group of freed people from Mississippi established a self-sustaining, cooperative community they called the Kingdom of the Happy Land?

I didn‘t. I do now!

This was a great historical fiction read that gives you a little glimpse into the Kingdom of the Happy Land, a historical community formed by people who dared to dream beyond survival.

8 likes
review
MallenNC
MallenNC
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

I really enjoy Dolen Perkins-Valdez‘s work. I loved her previous book so this one had to meet high expectations. She does a great job balancing the dual timelines and timing it so that it spools out the narrative just right. It was especially interesting to read this one since it is based on a true story in my home state. #JumpStartSummer

tagged users iconTheSpineView
TheSpineView 🤩🤩🤩 3w
25 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
MallenNC
MallenNC
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Today my work started out half day Friday summer schedule. I look forward to this all year. This weekend I want to #JumpStartSummer by making a start on my summer reading TBR. I want to finish Happy Land and start at least one other of this stack.

tagged users iconTheSpineView
TheSpineView That's an impressive stack. Enjoy 4w
Aims42 Next week starts my Summer Fridays at work, I can‘t wait 🤩🤩🤩 4w
MallenNC @Aims42 They are the best! Enjoy. 4w
Aims42 @MallenNC You too!! 😍🥰 4w
30 likes4 comments
review
BookedBeyondMeasure
BookedBeyondMeasure
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Pickpick

Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is powerful and moving. Set in North Carolina (my home state🙌🏾) it blends a real 1870s Black utopia with a modern story of legacy and land. The characters—especially the women—are rich, flawed, and deeply human. Themes of generational memory, identity, and the power of dreaming shine through. Beautifully written and unforgettable. 5⭐️
Full review: https://www.instagram.com/bookedbeyondmeasure

1 like
quote
ChrisBohjalian
ChrisBohjalian
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Yup. I absolutely loved HAPPY LAND by the brilliant Dolen Perkins-Valdez. You will, too!
@BerkleyPub

21 likes
blurb
Prairiegirl_reading
Prairiegirl_reading
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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My votes for #CampLitsy25. I‘m excited to see the finalists!
I had the loveliest day yesterday! I went through the longlist with my long morning coffee. I thought I had a plan as to how I would vote but I ended up going with my heart in the end. Very on brand for me, I suppose. Then, I went to get my nails done and then went to two indie bookstores for Independent Bookstore Day! I bought three books but I really had to restrain myself! #CIBD2025

Meshell1313 Ooh excellent choices! 2mo
Prairiegirl_reading @Meshell1313 I‘m really hoping to read them all even if they don‘t get chosen. Did you already vote? 2mo
BkClubCare Oh good. Three of these are on my list (I think; so difficult to choose!) 2mo
See All 9 Comments
Prairiegirl_reading @BkClubCare it is hard! I knew going in I wanted two for sure and the other four switched a few times. I said to myself that I wouldn‘t put it off and just go with this list because I could have in consideration forever! 2mo
BkClubCare @Prairiegirl_reading - I made a list of about 8 books but now can‘t find 🥸 2mo
Prairiegirl_reading @BkClubCare oh no!! Hope you find it soon! 2mo
monalyisha Nice! Happy about Happy Land. Fingers crossed! And I definitely considered The Tokyo Suite, too! 2mo
Megabooks I‘m so excited for Woodworking. Even if it‘s not picked, it‘s definitely on my tbr! 2mo
Prairiegirl_reading @Megabooks oh me too!!! I hope we do discuss it but I‘ll definitely read it anyway. My tbr has EXPLODED this month! 🤣 2mo
43 likes9 comments
blurb
BkClubCare
BkClubCare
Happy Land | Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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#CampLitsy25 🏕️ 📚 🗓️ 🌟 🎉

ALL of these titles have been submitted already so just consider this my addition to the excitement.

BarbaraBB Love your addition to the excitement ❤️ @squirrelbrain @Megabooks (edited) 2mo
squirrelbrain More excitement is always good! ❤️ 2mo
Megabooks Great choices! I‘m definitely going to read Woodworking! 2mo
See All 6 Comments
GatheringBooks I love seeing the Laila Lailami title! 2mo
MeganAnn Excellent choices! All of these are on my TBR, but I especially want to read Happy Land and Woodworking. 2mo
sarahbarnes Very interested in Tilt! 2mo
58 likes6 comments