The Way We Left Things

AN ENGROSSING DEBUT NOVEL FROM JENNA BUSH HAGER’S VENTURE, THOUSAND VOICES

Kari and her twin brother, Matt, are fresh out of high school when their family rents a summer cottage in the sleepy lake town of Culver Point. It should be an idyllic holiday before college in the fall, but their volatile—and at times abusive—father quickly makes things unbearable. Soon, Matt's drinking too much and Kari is looking for any excuse to get out of the house. But then she meets a local named Michael and finds herself instantly drawn to him. Before long, they're both unable to think of anything else but each other, and as they grow closer, so does the possibility for everything to go wrong.


Years later, Kari is on her way back to Culver Point for the first time since that fateful summer to attend a family wedding. She's trying hard to keep her anxiety hidden from her devoted fiancé, Jonathan, who knows nothing of her history in this place. Kari is now estranged from Matt, barely speaking to her father, and tormented by memories of the way things ended with Michael and how his actions forever impacted her family.


Then Matt reappears for the first time in years, unexpectedly joining their now-divorced parents, Kari, and Jonathan for this supposedly happy occasion. Tension builds relentlessly as they all try to avoid confronting the fallout of the last night they spent together in Culver Point all those years ago—and find a way forward.


Told in alternating timelines, past and present collide in this moving story of the ripple effects of first love and the repercussions of complicated family dynamics.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs