Turn Where: A Geography of Home

by Chet'la Sebree

A probing essay collection that chronicles one woman’s complicated quest to find home in a fractured America, from the award-winning author of Field Study and contributor to Four Hundred Souls, edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain

Where do I belong in a country that has never loved me? What does it mean to be an American?

Lauded poet and essayist Chet’la Sebree interrogates these questions as she traverses an America that has always had a fraught relationship with its Black citizens. Her journey takes her from the shores of the Atlantic to the prairies of the Midwest, to the forests of the Pacific Northwest, abroad, and then back again. Through these shifting landscapes, Sebree seamlessly weaves memoir with history and cultural criticism in a collection of essays bound by themes of movement, home, inheritance, and belonging.

Growing up in a family that would pile into the car for lengthy excursions, Sebree has always loved to travel; it's in her marrow. Once she left her parents' home in Delaware, she rarely kept an address for more than two years and was more comfortable with a suitcase and an itinerary than the idea of a mortgage and stillness of settling down. Her life as a writer, scholar, poet, and professor fed her hunger for exploration domestically and internationally while staving off the pang that she never quite felt at home anywhere. That latter fact became increasingly unsettling as she desired to put down roots—both for herself, and for the child she began to consider bringing into the world as a single mother.

Building on the work of scholars like Saidiya Hartman and Imani Perry, Sebree navigates her relationship to a place that was not made for her to survive, let alone thrive, as she dreams of new futures. In exploring this fracture, Sebree carves out space of her own through clear-eyed observations and fearless revelations.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays, Audiobook, Memoir

256 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't ask me. i have no sense of direction

(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(review to come)

[Ten Cats Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early thoughts: The form is hard to follow with a screen-reader because it is experimental. It's essentially a memoir in parts, written in response to different family documents. I expect it will get easier to follow. It's already interesting, what I'm picking up of it.

Vibe: creating family through history

I’m curious about: ...whether or not the form will end up adding to the memoir overall, or turn into a distraction.

"...I don’t need to dream a dream that doesn’t dream of me." p107

Final thoughts: For me, this one started to get repetitious half way through, which I think was a result of the form. I wanted something deeply personal here, but the story tasted dry to me through the filter of the documents.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many people, I am from multiple places. from Turn W(here) by Chet’la Sebree

I moved the summer I turned eleven. Fall found me a stranger in a strange land, without friends, never learning how to play Four Square at recess, and disdaining the Beatles who took the country by storm. It took me three years before I gave up my homesickness and decided to ‘fit in’, even if it meant abandoning my long held dismissal of pop music and being silly over boys. I married and we lived in twelve houses before retirement.

In my poetry I often grappled with the idea of home, and which place was home, and if ‘home’ was a spiritual or physical place.

Chet’la Sebree offers a beautiful and profound look at the idea of home, but her challenge is far deeper than mine. As a black woman, and a gay woman, America is a ‘home’ that rejects and oppresses her. She was not at home in her body or spirit.

What does it mean to be a citizen in a country that rejects you? How do we bring a child into a country that doesn’t promote it’s thriving or even surviving? Could she find a home that nourishes her, were she belongs? As she travels across the country and the world, Sebree sought for a haven.

Unusual in form, poetic, and moving.

Thanks to Random House for a free book through NetGalley.

[Kayleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turn Where is an essay collection as Chet'la explores what home means to her in the current American climate and how the way her family has historically found home, including her grandmother who told her kids to "buy by the water."
Sebree explores the complexities of having roots in a nation that has a fraught history with its Black citizens. Through the series of essays spanning her lifetime and experiences, she looks at concepts of home both in and out of the US.
"I live in a body that is often unsure of which shore it should moor."
The entire book was focused and concise, always coming home to the theme of home and family- which includes the chosen family you create yourself through your life. As Sebree explores whether motherhood is the right path for her, she builds on the concepts of found family and community.
The writing style and formatting was a bit unconventional but I really enjoyed it and found it easy to fall into.

Turn (W)here is set to be published May 5, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.

[cass krug · Rating 4 out of 5]

nothing i love more than a short but impactful collection of creative nonfiction! i loved how focused and concise this book was on the themes of home, ancestry, and chosen family. even the way that chet’la formats these pieces, invoking family trees and passports, is in service of the themes she explores. those forms were unique and made the book fly by. her grappling with whether or not she wants to become a mother and how that decision intersects with race and sexuality was moving and thought provoking. i’ve had sebree’s poetry collection, field study, on my shelf for a while but i don’t consistently read poetry, so i haven’t gotten to it yet - was super excited to be able to read her in a format that is more familiar to me!

thank you to the dial press and netgalley! turn where publishes on may 5th!

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

This is my first experience with Sebree, so other than the short description, I had little insight into what to expect in format or content. I really enjoyed this collection and look forward to reading more from this author based on a positive initial encounter.

The pacing, organization, and variation are all spot-on throughout. Sebree introduces and interrogates aspects of her family tree, providing well-timed notes about specific individuals and evolving this information into a deeper understanding of herself and her upbringing. There's a consistent focus on various aspects of identity here, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, health status, sexual orientation, and even prospective parenthood. These explorations are not always linear, which helps readers understand the ways in which Sebree's identities punctuate particular moments and realizations in her life.

Though these essays are consistently powerful, I was especiaily struck by how much Sebree's tales of teaching resonated with my own experiences: not just interactions with students and student groups but also views of the profession at large. These are by no means the focal point of collection, but they really stood out to me.

This is another example of why widgets are a gift. I'm not sure how I'd have ever come across this book without it landing with a recommendation in my inbox. As usual, sometimes these publishers know me better than I know myself. Thanks for the assist on this one. I'll absolutely be back for more from this author and recommend this read.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Lauren Chrisney at Penguin Random House for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Whatithinkaboutthisbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turn (W)here: A Geography of Home by Chet’la Sebree
Pub Date: May 5/26

Thank you so much Random House & Dial Press for this gifted copy, this review & opinions are my own.

This is a stunning collection of essays, that asks big questions about where you call home, belonging, and identity when you live in a country that is hostile and rejecting of you as a Black woman - a place you will never feel completely at home.

I read this right after finishing Misbehaving at the Crossroads by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers, and the two complemented each other beautifully.

Sebree examines what home and belonging mean through a different facets of her lived experience in each essay. In her life she used travel to find acceptance and comfort, as she says “I am drawn to travel’s acceptable otherness, to be somewhere I don’t and don’t expect to belong.” But travel brings its own complexities and challenges.

This collection feels like a complete story, rather than a collection of essays, as Sebree seamlessly weaves together memoir, history, travel and incisive cultural critique. Her poetry background is evident in the lyrical prose that captures the heart ache and anger underlying her central questions. Her writing is tender and vulnerable yet equally intellectually sharp in its analysis and insight into the challenges facing Black women, especially those who are lesbian. At the same time, there is a palpable sense of joy and support in the community of friends she has built, it feels like she has found her home.

This was a moving and insightful book, beautifully written and captivating. I definitely plan to explore her other work.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was fairly easy to read, with most chapters being relatively short. Each chapter varied in length, and some were noticeably smaller than others, making the reading experience approachable and not overwhelming.
A central theme throughout the book is the question of what constitutes home. The author encourages readers to reflect on this concept, prompting thoughtful consideration. Personally, this was not something I had taken time to think about before, but the way the author presents this question invites introspection and engagement.
The narrative moves back and forth in time, which sometimes works well and, at other times, can be a bit challenging. Each chapter tends to focus on a particular time, place, or question, adding depth and variation to the storytelling approach.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the book was getting to know the author. She comes across as vulnerable and genuine, making her someone I would like to get to know better. Through the narrative, I felt a strong connection, as if I was truly getting to know her.
Writing a review of someone's life experiences and their reflections can be challenging. It feels somewhat egotistical to attempt to put my own thoughts on another person's life. Despite this, I enjoyed reading about Chet'la's travels and struggles. I relate to her quest to find home and to be seen. Ultimately, regardless of our differences—race, religion, gender, or beliefs—we all seek to be seen, understood, and to have a place where we feel safe and that belongs to us.

[Lauren (sharonoldsfanclub) · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC - out 05/05/26 via The Dial Press) Chet’la Sebree’s poetry collection, Field Study, is one of my favorite collections of all time. She uses a unique form, that of an academic field study, to speak to her own lived experiences. The writing is personal and vivid and surprisingly tender. This, her memoir, really continues on with the thoughtful grappling of her life as a black woman living in America. The memoir is specifically about her love of traveling and how that love and desire for exploration counteracts the traditional narrative that many women’s lives follow - school, work, marriage, kids. I write this frequently, but you can always tell when a poet writes another genre. The writing is just so gorgeous on a sentence by sentence level. Sebree continues to play with form here, too, using photos and transcripts and short chapters to build her narrative. There’s a section where each chapter is devoted to a place that Sebree inhabited for a time and includes a brief scene of her life in that place. Sebree writes about the racism, both overt and quiet, that she has experienced in her nomadic life, she speaks of her desire to become a mother on her own terms after years of a childfree existence, and within her own personal writing is an interesting examination of how the united states continues to punish it’s citizens of color in destabilizing, cruel ways. I knew I was going to love this, but it was still a welcome treat.

[Jamie Cha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased and fair review. I was excited to read this book. I like non-fiction. I like books that make you think.

The book was fairly easy to read. Most of the chapters are small. Each chapter was different lengths. Some chapters were smaller than others.

The book makes you think. The majority of the book questions what is home. Honestly I really never thought about this. The author asks the question but wants the reader to think about it.

The book goes back and forth in time. Sometimes it really works. Sometimes it was a little bit more difficult for me. The chapters are more focused on a time, place, or question.

The best part of the book, for me, was getting to know the author. She is vulnerable and real. She reminds me of someone I would like to get to know better. I felt reading the book that I got to know her

I am thankful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I feel the book made me think about family, race, and this country. An important book to be read.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

“So if home is not physically identifiable—a state, an address, a zip code—then maybe it’s an essence?”

Chet’la Sebree’s latest non-fiction work beautifully charts a course that takes the reader through many iterations of home (body, place, feeling, self, etc.). A poet, writer, friend, daughter and potential parent shares how her life has been shaped by the many places and people she’s known as “home” and what it means to bring a child into a world where home is so important yet fraught for Black people.

A mix of prose, poetry, quotes from notable writers and thinkers this work calls the reader to consider how they define home and what that means to how they have come to know themselves and others. How are we shaped by the people and places we’ve loved and lived? Can we help a new human chart a course we don’t know yet we’ve navigated successfully? What if home is never found? All questions you are asked to sit with in Turn (W)here.

Excellent slow paced read! Release date set for May 2026 from PRH. Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turn (W)here by Chet'la Sebree is a mix of essay and memoir where they explore the definition of home. It is split into three sections which explore where are you from, where do you call home, and where do you belong. She explores where are your roots as she explores her family tree. She struggles to answer when someone asks where she is from as she keeps moving both in childhood and adulthood. She uses her family to highlight what many black families experienced in the past including the great migration and a mix of freed and enslaved ancestors. She studies the history of black citizenship as she contemplates having a child of her own. She interweaves black experiences feeling at home and not at home (references James Baldwin's experience in France as he leave America) and previous legal cases like the Dred Scott case, traveling to St. Louis to learn more. This is a complicated, but rewarding book to read and leaves much to reflect on. Sebree comes from the world of poetry, which is reflected in her writing here. This book would be a great pick for a book club.

Thank you to The Dial Press via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

[Regina Mastrogiacomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the way Chet'la Sebree used directions to described her family and her travels. I loved how she brought to my attention how an exhibition could feel normal because I'm use to it, but is actually lacking in what is actually happening because only part of the story is being told. I'm also wondering if some of the exhibitions she's describing, are still in existence or have they been taken down and if they have been taken down then this will be a road map about the history that's missing from our lives. I loved how she describes her travel and what she learned from it and how much she enjoyed it. I was intrigued when Sebree was talking about motherhood and debating if she was or wasn't going to be a mother, and how brave she is to try it on her own. I'm glad that I get to read books that have no connection to my life and teach me something about someone else's life that I have no connection to.

I want to thank Random House | The Dial Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy about a woman's journey to find her home.

[Chelsea Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this and that’s no surprise to me because this is exactly to my taste. I loved these essays and this memoir reminds me of A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung and Whiskey Tender by Deborah Jackson Taffa. Each word felt carefully chosen by the author and I came to care deeply about this author in the short pages of this book despite not knowing anything about them before reading this. A lot of this memoir is about the author’s experience of wanting and trying to have a child but this also has a lot on genealogy, family, travel and there is a general theme on belonging. This discusses race in very subtle ways that I really appreciated. I found this to be compelling, extremely readable and quiet in the best way.

Favourite quote (from The Way Forward) - “My students, like a lot of white America, have trouble accepting what both the archive and the present demonstrate. They prefer to bypass the “hard stuff.” Fixated, instead, on “looking ahead,” interested in “what we’ve overcome,” they want to see how far we’ve come, because they can’t bear the sight of how far they have to go.”

[Yaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgia ride.

Some books tell a story. This one invites you to revisit your own.

This poetry collection beautifully explores how the places we've called home continue to shape us long after we've left them. Home becomes more than a location. It's the people we loved, the memories we carry, and the versions of ourselves we discover along the way.

It's a quick read, but not one you'll want to rush. If you've ever driven past a childhood home, revisited a city that once meant everything to you, or found yourself unexpectedly reminiscing about a different chapter of your life, this collection will likely resonate.

At its heart, the poems revolve around one timeless question: What is home? Rather than offering a single answer, the collection encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences and discover what that word means to them.

Refreshing, thoughtful, and quietly moving, this is a collection that lingers long after the final page.

Thank you, NetGalley, Chet'la Sebree, and Random House for the ARC. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Kayla T · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this work Sebree offers a unique writing style and and and impactful perspective on her experiences as a Black American. The piece is broken up into 3 sections beginning with family history, moving into her experiences in different places in the USA, and the final section highlights experiences travelling outside the USA for her and her friends and colleagues. Through this journey through the author’s life she walks us through her attempts to feel at ease in her country and how all of the different phases shaped her as a person. As a Canadian I found this to be important and informative and also just down right interesting. The middle section becomes dense with words at times, especially for those of us who know little about art, but a recommended read none the less

Thanks to the author for putting this into the world

[Vans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is a deeply moving collection of stories of family, belonging, and discovery of self as the author explores what it means to be Home. Chet'la Sebree has a gift for words, making every part from history lesson to current experiences as a Black woman in today's America a joy to read. Especially enjoyable to me were the explorations of family dynamics and how they change, for good and for bad, as the author grows.

This is not the type of book I normally pick up (non-fiction in general!) and I'm so glad I did. I've never been great with writing serious reviews, and I'm not sure how to get the point across about how satisfying each part of this book was to read. But I liked it. A lot.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is difficult to write a review of someone's life experiences and their thoughts about those experiences. To try to put my thoughts on someone's life seems, well egotistical. I enjoyed reading about Chet'la travels and struggles. I understand her need to find her home and to be seen. I think that regardless of race, religion, gender, or beliefs, we all just want to be seen and understood. To have a place we feel safe and that is ours.

I really enjoyed reading about Chet'la and would recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of the ebook. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Hollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.

What a powerhouse of an essay collection. This was my first time reading Sebree’s work and I was impressed with her vulnerability and how carefully curated each essay felt. She was not afraid to play with structure which I really enjoyed and ultimately felt like always added to the essay rather than distracting from what Sebree was trying to say. Sebree explores history, home, and reconciling with being a Black woman in America. The writing was nothing less than what I would expect from a poet-lyrical yet precise. This is a collection that I will definitely recommend to the people who I call home.

[Abaigh Ritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collection of essays on what it means to be home or who we find home and family with. I related to a lot of this book based on the age and location of all of the places she has visited, most importantly one of her (and my) favorite homes, Chincoteague. This translates from Algonquian to "beautiful land across the water".
I felt like I was with Chet'la as she traveled from one place to another and contemplates not only her perception but how she is perceived as a black American woman. The way she opens up with her friends and finds family in them while breaking bread through hard times. Quick read one can go back to again and again.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. This was a deep and heartfelt analysis in essay form of what it means to be a Black American in a society rapidly becoming more constricting. The author traverses all sections of this county and discusses important themes such as home and family, what we inherit, and belonging. A truly riveting set of work about the author's perceptions on how to survive, and hopefully grow, in a country that does not want her to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/The Dial Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir in the form of essays is remarkably literary given that Chet'la Sebree is a poet. What sets it apart from others is her itinerant nature, that searching for a place to call home runs deep in her DNA, and she has many friends and family members who help her along the way. Even her university experiences unsettle her to the degree that she gives up a generous sabbatical in order to find stasis. As this consists of essays, it does not follow a linear chronological line, and she heads certain pieces with dates in a rhythm that makes sense to her.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written, contemplative memoir of what is and makes a home through the lived experience of a Black woman living in contemporary America. Is it land? Is it within us? Among others? I loved the structure and form this memoir took, with the inclusion of quotes, poems, and images. The essay on the Black gaze and the need for disrupting whiteness in museums really stood out to me in this collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Suzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a beautifully personal account of Sebree’s journey to uncover her roots and reflect on the concept of home. Her writing flows easily, making it approachable and engaging, even when she dives into deeply personal and emotional experiences.

I particularly appreciated how she weaves together reflections on family, history, and self-discovery without feeling heavy or overly academic. It really feels like being invited into her world, observing the intimate process of finding where she belongs.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“Turn (W)Here” is a collection of short stories/essays by Chet’la Sebree. The main theme of this book is “what constitutes as HOME.” Sebree explores this question through her own experiences - some present, some past. I found it interesting to learn more about Ms. Sebree’s experiences and get to know her better. Overall, I found this an interesting read, but not one that I need to read again.

[RK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turn (W)here is a compelling collection of personal history, rumination, and research into what home is to Sebree as a Black American.

The format of this book was unique with the way Sebree skillfully wove personal experience with academic texts. I'm a sucker for an untradionally-formatted memoir.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advanced copy of this book.

[Mary C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful collection of essays exploring family, relationships, identity and what is the meaning of home. Discusses feeling overlooked and feeling like an outsider in one's own country. Food myself reflecting on being considered an outsider in my own country.
#TurnWhere #RandomHouse #TheDialPress #NetGalley

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was invited by the publisher to review this work. A collection of unique poetry told in a way i have never experienced before. It is beautiful and the photographs truly add a layer of humanity.

[Maxine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed most of this.

[Chrissy Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming May 2026 -- a wonderfully and uniquely written memoir capturing what it means to be a Black American woman designing a life best suited for her, involving domestic and international travel, subsisting as an academic and a writer, and choosing to become a solo mother on her own terms. A compelling read from a contemporary voice worth listening to.

+++
Thanks to ARC and Random House|Dial Press for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.