**Daniel Mason’s ‘Country People’ Selected as July 2026 GMA Book Club Pick**
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In an exciting announcement, the Good Morning America (GMA) Book Club has revealed that Daniel Mason’s latest novel, ‘Country People’, will be its featured selection for July 2026. Known for exploring themes of identity and human connection, Mason offers readers a new perspective through the lens of local folklore in this engaging work.
The narrative follows Miles Krzelewski, a professor grappling with feelings of inadequacy both in academia and his personal life. After a lengthy delay in completing his Ph.D. thesis on Russian folktales, Miles finds a chance at renewal when his wife, Kate, secures a teaching position at a university in Vermont. The family relocates from California, setting the stage for a fresh start amidst the captivating scenery of the East Coast.
Once in Vermont, the Krzelewski family find themselves immersed in a community filled with whimsical local characters. However, it is their encounter with intriguing regional legends that truly transforms their new life. As Miles delves into the specifics of one particularly unusual myth, he discovers that sometimes, tales of the extraordinary may be rooted in reality.
In a recent interview, Mason explained the importance of local myths in the storytelling of ‘Country People’. He imagined Miles as a folklore scholar who initially hopes to use his time in Vermont to enhance his research on Russian folktales. Instead, he becomes entangled in a local legend that insinuates the existence of a mystical portal in the mountains — a gateway to an underworld and perhaps a hollow earth.
Initially, Mason found the idea somewhat far-fetched. However, as he explored the legend in greater depth, he began to unearth its deeper significance. “I thought it was a little wacky,” Mason commented, adding that, over time, he recognised the profound connections the legend holds to our history and shared beliefs about another civilization hidden beneath the surface.
Mason further elaborated on the universal themes imbued in such folklore, stating that similar ideas resonate throughout literature, from Dante’s epic works to Lewis Carroll’s whimsical adventures in Wonderland. This recurring notion speaks to humanity’s innate longing to discover the extraordinary, whether in distant galaxies or beneath the earth.
Readers looking seeking both a narrative rich in local colour and philosophical depth will find ‘Country People’ to be a compelling addition to their reading lists. It has the potential to resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place or sought deeper connections with the world around them.
The GMA Book Club has a legacy of spotlighting notable works since its inception in 2019, with previous titles such as ‘Dolly All the Time’ by Annabel Monaghan and ‘Homebound’ by Portia Elan. Mason’s ‘Country People’, now available for purchase across various platforms, promises to join the ranks of these remarkable selections.
As Mason’s story unfolds, readers are invited to reflect on the intersection of reality and myth, exploring how local customs and stories shape individual and collective identities. Those interested in literature that dives deep into cultural roots will undoubtedly find ‘Country People’ a satisfying exploration of both personal and communal narratives.
For literature enthusiasts and newcomers alike, the journey through the pages of ‘Country People’ beckons — an invitation to ponder the legends that fill the spaces we inhabit and the histories that may lie just beneath our feet.