Susan Straight Unveils New Novel “Sacrament” Amid Pandemic Challenges

Acclaimed author Susan Straight has released her latest novel, Sacrament, a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Set in San Bernardino during the late summer of 2020, the narrative follows a group of nurses as they care for critically ill patients while balancing their personal lives, highlighting the human experience amid crisis.

The novel features characters like Larette Embers, an ICU nurse who sings to patients in a coma to provide comfort, and Marisol Manalang, a nurse of Filipino descent who supports both her patients and fellow nurses. Sacrament also delves into the lives of their teenagers, who are separated from their mothers for their safety during this tumultuous period. The story intertwines themes of love and connection, introducing Johnny Frias, a California Highway Patrol officer from Straight’s previous work, Mecca. He is depicted as searching for love in the midst of uncertainty, alongside a teenage romance set in a Coachella Valley date garden.

In a recent Q&A, Straight shared insights about her new book and her reading preferences. She expressed admiration for James Welch‘s novel Fools Crow and Helena Maria Viramontes‘ Under the Feet of Jesus, both of which she frequently recommends to readers.

When asked about her current reading list, Straight mentioned Michael Connelly‘s Nightshade and the classic Sounder by William H. Armstrong, noting that her diverse interests span literary novels, poetry, and mysteries. Her unique approach to discovering new books involves her “Fence Library,” a community initiative she started during the initial COVID-19 lockdown. This initiative allows neighbors to drop off and borrow books from her sidewalk collection, fostering a sense of connection and sharing during challenging times.

Reflecting on her literary influences, Straight recalled the impact of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Bette Greene. The novel resonated with her as it depicted a young girl’s love for books and mirrored her own experiences growing up in an immigrant family.

In a significant revelation, Straight disclosed a unique aspect of Sacrament that readers may not know: her observations of longhorn cattle in Reche Canyon informed her depiction of a scene in the book where Johnny Frias and his father attempt to rope a bull. She also highlighted the tender care nurses provide to COVID-19 patients, a detail shared by her friends in the healthcare field.

As readers engage with Sacrament, Straight invites them to reflect on the theme of grief and the complexities of closure when losing a loved one.

The author, who serves as the Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside, will appear on the upcoming episode of Bookish on November 21, 2025. During this segment, she will further discuss her novel alongside author John Freeman, who will share insights from his work, California Rewritten: A Journey Through the Golden State’s New Literature.

As independent bookstores continue to thrive in Southern California, readers are encouraged to explore the latest literary offerings, including Nobody’s Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, which currently tops the nonfiction bestsellers list.

Through her vivid storytelling and commitment to community engagement, Susan Straight remains a prominent voice in contemporary literature, reminding readers of the resilience and compassion that emerge in times of crisis.