Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a classic novel set in North Carolina during the mid to late 1900s. It follows Kya, a young girl who lives in a marsh with her poor family. Abandoned by her mom and eventually her siblings at the tender age of six, leaving her alone with her abusive and alcoholic father. He too eventually abandoned her at the age of seven. Alternating between two timelines, the book follows Kya as she grows up alone and poor, suffering harsh discrimination and judgment from the Berkley Cove townspeople, finding acceptance only amongst a select few. When Chase Andrews, a beloved and popular young man in the town is found murdered, the town immediately starts suspecting Kya. The book is a whirlwind of emotions, plot twists, and relationships. Kya’s character is so well-written and relatable even though most readers probably have never had the same experiences as her. The various relationships explored in this book included friendship, guidance, mentorship, and even true love. The imagery and descriptions in this book are beyond words. I can imagine every single moment and setting as I read the book. Additionally, sometimes when authors write books with parallel plots of the past and the future, it leaves the reader confused, but that was not the case in this book. The alternating timelines created the perfect contrast between the much younger and afraid Kya to the older and more determined Kya. Overall, the book was absolutely amazing and is a must-read!