The Top Of The World
- Judith D Collins
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
By: Ethan Joella
Narrators: Ryan Do, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 9781668024621
Publisher: Scribner
Publication Date: 06/30/2026
Format: Hardcover
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
A heartbreaking, life-affirming new novel by Ethan Joella—author of the Read with Jenna Bonus Pick A Little Hope—about a young woman searching for answers about her brother’s last days.
June 1975. Maggie Bishop has just graduated high school, the future hers to embrace—but she’s still reeling from the death of her older brother, Chip. A devastating diagnosis the summer before prompted Chip to leave home for a few months, never revealing where he went. Maggie’s search for clues leads her to The Red Maple Inn, a mountaintop resort in the Poconos.
At the Red Maple, Maggie is welcomed into a tight-knit community. As she unravels secrets about her brother’s final days, she begins to connect with the people he loved, and whose lives he touched. Through the warmth of strangers, Maggie begins to heal and is able to help others cope with loss.
Set in a nostalgic resort town over two transformative summers, this dual-narrative novel explores sibling relationships, coming of age, and the quiet power of human connection. Perfect for fans of emotional storytelling and small-town summer books, The Top of the World is a timeless story about memory, grief, second chances, and hope.
About the Author
Ethan Joella teaches English and psychology at the University of Delaware. He is the author of A Little Hope, which was a Read with Jenna Bonus Selection; A Quiet Life; The Same Bright Stars; and The Top of the World. He lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his wife and two daughters.
Connect with Ethan:
Praise
“[Written] with grace and insight... characters are exceedingly likable and devoted to each other... the preponderance of touching moments allow the story to soar... A captivating and tragic tale about living to the fullest before a young life is extinguished.” —Kirkus (starred review)
“I loved following the moving story of Maggie and Chip, two characters I won't be forgetting anytime soon. The Top of the World is a pleasure to read from start to finish.”
—Liz Moore, author of The God of the Woods
“An immensely affecting novel about living with zeal and approaching life's end on one’s own terms, The Top of the World gifted me both courage and comfort.”
—Megha Majumdar, author of A Guardian and a Thief and A Burning
“Wise, kind-hearted, and propulsive, this elegiac novel is exactly what I want in a book right now. The Top of the World is Ethan Joella at the top of his game.”
—J. Ryan Stradal, author of Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club
“The Top of the World is a deeply moving novel of loss and legacy. Set in the picturesque landscape of a Poconos resort, Ethan Joella gives us a heartfelt story about what it truly means to live life to the fullest, the healing connection of found family, and the power of being remembered.”
—Allison Larkin, author of The People We Keep and Home of the American Circus
Exceptional Authors,
Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
BEHIND THE BOOK AND THE AUTHOR
Welcome back to the LitLift, dear book enthusiasts!
Today, we have the distinct pleasure of hosting a beloved literary figure, the unparalleled storyteller, Ethan Joella, who graces us with his latest life-affirming masterpiece, "The Top of the World."
Ethan Joella, a bestselling author renowned for his captivating narratives, is here to enrich our souls with his exquisitely crafted new novel, "The Top of the World." I found it to be an absolute gem, quickly earning a spot among my all-time favorites.
Let’s dive into the “Vibe” Check:
Picture this as the quintessential summer read that tugs at your heartstrings. Set against the backdrop of the stunning Poconos mountains during two transformative summers in the mid-1970s, this dual-narrative tale weaves a poignant exploration of a sister as she unearths her late brother’s hidden legacy at a serene mountain resort. It’s a profound meditation on memory, the depths of grief, and the subtle yet profound power of human connection.
We are incredibly fortunate to spend some time with Ethan for an exclusive #LitLitMiniAuthorChat, where we’ll delve deeper into his inspirations and the magic behind his storytelling.
Welcome, Ethan!
Ethan Joella Edition
THE TOP OF THE WORLD
Red Maple Inn Nametag
Maggie’s entire journey is catalyzed when she snoops through her late brother's things and uncovers a physical bridge to his hidden life—his resort nametag.
Q. If you were trapped in a stalled elevator right now and had to choose one sentimental item or memento from your own past to carry in your pocket for comfort, what would it be?
EJ: I just love this question. I think it would be my old Swatch watch I had when I was young (maybe 10 or 11). I lost it on a family trip once, and I have thought about it so many times over the years.
Author Floor
Q. Share with us 3-5 things about YOU that readers may (or may not) know.
I’m the youngest (third) boy in my family.
I worked at McDonald’s when I was sixteen.
I have four graduate degrees.
My wife and I met in third grade and were in each other’s classes all through elementary and high school.
The first concert I ever went to see was Salt-N-Pepa in Philadelphia when I was a teenager.
Q. You have a trademark gift for quiet, grounded emotional storytelling. If you could open the elevator doors onto your absolute ideal, distraction-free writing sanctuary anywhere in the world, what does it look like?
EJ: Growing up in a big family, I don’t need to be in a distraction-free environment to write. I have a nice office in our basement, but I actually prefer the sofa in our family room because I like hearing the noises of my family and seeing the trees and birds out the window of our backyard. I don’t think I could write anywhere else, but if you’re twisting my arm, I would try the upstairs room at Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris early in the morning with a good cup of coffee.
The Gift of Found Family
A central theme of the novel is that the most beautiful monuments we leave behind are the living relationships we inspire others to build.
Q. If you could give a boarding pass to any reader currently navigating a heavy wave of personal grief, what is the main message of hope you want this book to deliver to them?
EJ: The owner of Red Maple in the book, Rhonda, talks about a documentary she watched where ants started to rebuild their destroyed nest. She talks about moving pieces, doing small things that can make you feel okay. And I think that’s all we can do in the midst of huge losses: move small pieces. Planting perennials to take care of and watch return, fostering a cat or dog, cleaning out a drawer, taking a bus ride somewhere, watching sailboats out on the water. I think every effort counts. I also think it’s our duty to live well for the people we lose, to do the things they can’t do, as Mrs. Crowley says in A Little Hope.
The Top Floor
The elevator doors are opening on the top floor.
Q. The minute a reader turns the very last page of The Top of the World this June, what reaction are you hoping for: crying happy tears, immediately calling a sibling or loved one, feeling a profound sense of comfort, or summing up the journey in just one single word?
EJ: All of those things are beautiful, and I’d be grateful to hear about any of those reactions. I hope my book stays with a reader in a small way, but I think at some point, the book becomes the reader’s book to respond to as they wish. And just the fact that they made it to the end, when so often people might choose not to finish a book, feels special to me.
Wild Card Rapid Fire Floor
Q. How many books have you written?
At least seven or eight (some which never saw the light of day)
Q. A favorite character or book? (of yours)
I love all of my books fairly equally like children, but I adore Nicole Pratt from The Same Bright Stars. She is so unconcerned with anyone’s opinion of her and was always so much fun to bring into a scene.
Q. Current project or upcoming release?
Almost finished with a new novel that’s multigenerational.
Q. Favorite snack or beverage while plotting?
Pretzels and peanuts.
Q. Morning or night person?
Morning!
Q. Pantser, Plotter, or Plantser?
Pantser all the way.
Q. Zodiac Sign, Favorite Color, Favorite Season?
Gemini, Green, and Winter!
Q. A recent book recommendation?
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout.
Thank you, Ethan, for spending time with us today!
It was fascinating to hear about your experiences. I’m also a fan of "The Things We Never Say" and guessed correctly that your favorite season is Winter, which is evident in your novels. We look forward to your next multigenerational novel
Readers:
Be sure to pick up "Top of the World" at your favorite bookstore. It will be available in hardcover, e-book (Scribner), and audio formats (Simon & Schuster Audio) on June 30, narrated by Ryan Do and Mia Hutchinson-Shaw. ORDER HERE
My Review
A poignant, deeply moving 1970s nostalgic dual-narrative masterclass.
"A heartbreakingly beautiful story where a sister's quest for answers unravels the luminous legacy of a brother's hidden final days."
In THE TOP OF THE WORLD, bestselling author Ethan Joella (a favorite) departs from his coastal Delaware settings to deliver a deeply atmospheric, mid-century Pennsylvania mountain, 1970s historical contemporary fiction mystery. The story hinges on a resilient young woman navigating immense waves of grief to connect with the found family her late brother left behind.
Devoted sister vs. the ticking clock of an unshared diagnosis.
Elevator Pitch
Reeling from the loss of her older brother to leukemia, a high school graduate follows a trail of subtle clues to a mountaintop Poconos resort, retracing his mysterious final summer to uncover the heartwarming secrets of how he chose to live his last days to the absolute fullest.
Setting
The story is set across two transformative mid-1970s summers (1974 and 1975) at The Red Maple Inn, a nostalgic, mountaintop honeymoon resort nestled in the scenic, picturesque wilderness of the Poconos.
Vibe
Tender, melancholic, and deeply life-affirming. It blends the warm, comforting nostalgia of a small-town summer book with the gentle, slow-burning emotional pull of a community healing together through shared grief.
Genre
Historical Contemporary Fiction / Coming-of-Age Drama / Grief and Healing / Literary Fiction
Themes
~Loss and Legacy
~Found Family & Connection
~Sibling Devotion
~Living on One’s Own Terms
Turning personal heartbreak into a profound journey of human connection.
Standout Characters
~Maggie Bishop:
The fierce, deeply loyal protagonist who snoops through her late brother's belongings to piece together his hidden timeline and find closure.
~Chip Bishop:
Maggie's exceedingly likable, leukemia-stricken older brother, who leaves home for a summer job to embrace life fully away from the shadow of medical treatments.
~Chuck Ayers:
Makes a historical cameo appearance. If you are a fan, you may recall Chuck was a grieving, early-70s widower and Vietnam veteran struggling after the loss of his wife in A Quiet Life. The author has cleverly integrated Chuck into The Top of the World, which leans heavily into 1970s nostalgia. This brings a younger version of Chuck into the Poconos-centered story. (fans will delight)
Author Writing Standout
Joella’s trademark gift for quiet, grounded emotional storytelling shines through in his measured, dual-POV execution. He avoids making the terminal illness a melodramatic plot device, painting the everyday logistics of the 1970s resort staff, sibling interactions, and the subtle mechanics of grief with striking, tactile realism.
Takeaway
To truly remember someone is to embrace the love and community they left behind; the most beautiful monuments to those we lose are the living relationships they inspire us to build.
Title Significance
The Top of the World serves as both a literal reference to the majestic, high-altitude Poconos resort where the characters converge and a poignant metaphor for Chip's final mindset. It represents the emotional peak of choosing to live with absolute zeal and clarity when faced with an expiration date, showing that even a tragically shortened life can reach a beautiful summit.
Metaphor
The Red Maple Inn nametag Maggie discovers acts as the central metaphor of the novel. It represents a golden key to a closed chapter—a physical bridge that connects Maggie’s stagnant, grieving home life to the vibrant, legacy-filled mountainside sanctuary where her brother found his final peace.
Why You Should Read
Read this if you are a fan of elegiac, kind-hearted small-town fiction like that of William Kent Krueger, Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth Berg, or if you want a beautifully balanced story of loss that offers immense comfort and hope rather than just sadness.
My Thoughts
A huge fan of the author, Joella masterfully uses historical fiction and nostalgia to showcase young love and sibling bonds. In addition, the younger Chuck adds a brilliant meta-layer for his dedicated readers. This appearance fills in the backstory of his younger years, giving deeper weight to his older self.
Joella skillfully builds subtle emotional tension. The mid-1970s timeline is perfectly captured—not just through aesthetics, but through the nostalgic, insulated atmosphere of the Poconos resort era. Maggie and Chip are unforgettable leads whose deep mutual devotion makes the inevitable heartbreak incredibly grounding. A masterfully executed, life-affirming climax.
Verdict: 5 /5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Stars
"A deeply moving, exquisitely written novel of loss and legacy that captures the quiet, healing power of human connection."
Recs
I highly recommend the author's backlist. A treasure.
~A Quiet Life (2022) A cold winter in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
A beautiful novel following three grieving individuals whose lives intersect in unexpected ways. Notably, The Top of the World features a major cameo from this book!
~A Little Hope (2021), Wharton, Connecticut.
Joella's acclaimed debut explores a tight-knit Connecticut community navigating an aggressive illness, lost love, and everyday hope.
~The Same Bright Stars (2024) Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Set in a nostalgic Delaware beach town, this story focuses on family legacy, grief, and forging unexpected new friendships at a personal crossroads
Similar authors, if you enjoy Joella's style and emotional resonance, I recommend Elizabeth Strout, Elizabeth Berg, Wade Rouse (Viola Shipman), Catherine Ryan Hyde, Jessica Strawser, and Fredrik Backman.
Special thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jun 30, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
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