Boozhoo Books | A Council of Dolls: A Novel

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A Council of Dolls: A Novel

Mona Susan Power

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LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD

The long-awaited, profoundly moving, and unforgettable new novel from PEN Award–winning Native American author Mona Susan Power, spanning three generations of Yanktonai Dakota women from the 19th century to the present day.

From the mid-century metropolis of Chicago to the windswept ancestral lands of the Dakota people, to the bleak and brutal Indian boarding schools, A Council of Dolls is the story of three women, told in part through the stories of the dolls they carried….

Sissy, born 1961: Sissy’s relationship with her beautiful and volatile mother is difficult, even dangerous, but her life is also filled with beautiful things, including a new Christmas present, a doll called Ethel. Ethel whispers advice and kindness in Sissy’s ear, and in one especially terrifying moment, maybe even saves Sissy’s life.

Lillian, born 1925: Born in her ancestral lands in a time of terrible change, Lillian clings to her sister, Blanche, and her doll, Mae. When the sisters are forced to attend an “Indian school” far from their home, Blanche refuses to be cowed by the school’s abusive nuns. But when tragedy strikes the sisters, the doll Mae finds her way to defend the girls.

Cora, born 1888: Though she was born into the brutal legacy of the “Indian Wars,” Cora isn’t afraid of the white men who remove her to a school across the country to be “civilized.” When teachers burn her beloved buckskin and beaded doll Winona, Cora discovers that the spirit of Winona may not be entirely lost…

A modern masterpiece, A Council of Dolls is gorgeous, quietly devastating, and ultimately hopeful, shining a light on the echoing damage wrought by Indian boarding schools, and the historical massacres of Indigenous people. With stunning prose, Mona Susan Power weaves a spell of love and healing that comes alive on the page.

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Posts about this title from Boozhoo Books

Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Feb 19 2025

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\ \ I just realized that I have 5 extra copies of NWAN and 3 extra copies of A Council of Dolls? \ \ Want to be entered to win one? Here is what you need to do. \ \

Be Subscribed to my Bindery (At Any Level, from Free to $25)\ \
Comment on this post which book you'd like to win (You can enter for both!)\ \
For an extra entry join the community Discord\ \ \ Winners will be selected on Sunday, February 16, 2025. Open to US Residents Only.](https://boozhoo.binderybooks.com/item/eStXT4b3jmHAbOdl7VXC/)

Book Giveaway!

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Never Whistle at Night or A Council of Dolls! To enter, be subscribed to my Bindery community and leave a comment on this post. For an extra chance to win, join my Discord. Open to US Residents Only. Winner will be selected Sunday, February 16.

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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Nov 9 2024

Hello Friends,\ \ Below you will find a list of Giveaway Winners:\ \ Winner of 3 month Paid Upgrade: allimoose37\ \ Alli will receive a free upgrade to a Paid Tier for 3 months. They will have access to the Paid Publishers channel on Discord as well as exclusive content for paid members. Congrats!\ \ Monthly $5 Tier Giveaway Winner: KittyKolektor\ \ This winner will receive a handwritten letter from me, including book recommendations and also has the option of being promoted by me on social media.\ \ Monthly $12+$25 Tier Giveaway Winner: lostinabookbrb\ \ This winner will received a curated book box for me, including a book, a handwritten letter with book recommendations and other goodies. They also have the option of being promoted by me on social media.\ \ Book Giveway: A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Power, this month's Good Day To Read Indigenous book club selection:\ \ dibiz116\ \ Plandroreads\ \ MagdalinaHagdalina\ \ Winners have already been notified via email.\ \ Congrats to all of the winners and thank you so much for supporting Boozhoo Books and being apart of this community.\ \ Follow Me On Instagram\ \ \ \ \ \

Giveaway Winners

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Boozhoo Books\ \ Naomi\ \ • Aug 7 2024

This morning I announced Indigenous Book Bingo, which will run from this Friday 8/9 until the end of Native American Heritage Month 11/30.\ \ I have attached all of the books that are on the Bingo card for easy access.

Books Included on Indigenous Book Bingo

Here is a list of the books included on Indigenous Book Bingo.

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Posts about this book from across Bindery

2-Spirit Bookshelf\ \ (@Indigenousbookshelf)\ \ • Apr 3

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[Here are some Indigenous audiobooks that are currently on sale on Libro! (I think it varies by region)\ \ Audiobooks took me a looong time to get into. As someone with autism and ADHD, processing information (especially verbal) has always been a challenge. But I really wanted to find a way in, especially during burnout, when reading with my own eyeballs is too dang hard.\ \ If audiobooks are hard for you too, but you want them to work, I really recommend pairing them with something that keeps your body busy and your mind open to processing sound information. I know a lot of people craft, but for me that takes too much focus because I need to think about my art. What’s helped me is sort of mundane tasks like doing the dishes, tidying up, small chores that you can do on auto pilot. Audiobooks make those moments feel more doable and enjoyable. There has been a substantial increase in my available spoons since getting into audiobooks!!\ \ I used to avoid listening on walks because I really value being present- taking in the world around me and being in relationship with the land. But lately I’ve been going on night walks with an audiobook, and it’s been sooo nice. A different kind of presence. In the darkness of night the sounds are dull, the brightness is gone, the humans are asleep and everything is . It’s just you and a story and the light of the moon. (sometimes some little furry pals lurking about !!) I find myself walking three times farther than usual. It’s turned into a gentle way to move my body, especially on days when that feels hard. It’s my new favourite coping skill (and I’ve been needing to do a lot of coping!!!!)\ \ If you haven’t joined libro, I highly recommend it. It is superior to every other audiobook service. You get to support in the bookstores and the sales selection is always vast and you get to keep the audiobooks, even if you unsubscribe and you can bookmark different parts of them, etc!!!\ \ Feel free to join using my link so I can read more💕 https://libro.fm/referral?rf\_code=lfm992710\\ \

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