Author Carol Davis in her home library
The Novel

RESTORATION

Coming Soon

Available September 29, 2026
In 1984, American architect Risa Meier travels from San Francisco to rural England to restore a crumbling centuries-old barn on a remote family estate. Fresh from a devastating loss and eager for distance from her life back home, she throws herself into the work—studying the structure’s aging beams, hidden foundations, and long-forgotten spaces. But as the restoration begins, so does the uncovering. Dreams that merge into reality. Stories whispered by villagers. Fragments of a family history she was never meant to know.

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Praise for Restoration

“An intimate, vivid, and deeply felt novel.”
DAVE EGGERS
Author of Contrapposto

“Carol Davis provides an authentic and unwavering portrayal of the depths between mothers and daughters, lovers and friends. A beautifully written story, told with the keenest, fondest eye for architecture, for San Francisco, and for what it means to love someone no matter what.”

AMANDA UHLE
Author of Destroy This House
“Restoration beautifully, movingly reminds us that we may have to go backward before we can move forward; and that even our oldest, most formative beliefs about ourselves may not contain the full truth. A lyrical debut novel of uncommon emotional depth, power, and wisdom.”
ANN PACKER
NYT bestselling author of Some Bright Nowhere
“In this luminous debut novel, Carol Davis uses the language of historic preservation to explore family trauma, memory, and healing. With a nuanced understanding of how building materials embody layers of memory and meaning, she reveals the act of repair as a powerful model for mending what has been broken in ourselves and those we love.”
Rosa Lowinger
Author of Dwell Time
All Reviews
THE AUTHOR

Meet Carol

Carol Davis is a writer, researcher, and archivist whose work explores history, memory, place, and the stories embedded in the built environment. She serves on the boards of McSweeney's Literary Arts Foundation and Synergos Global Philanthropy Network, is a co-founder and former board member of The Brigid Alliance, and is involved in the global movement Mother’s Call.

She holds a BA in Art and Architectural History and an MFA in Writing and Literature. Her work has brought her in close collaboration with architects and art conservators in New York, Los Angeles, and London. She and her husband divide their time between New York and The Berkshires. Restoration is her first novel.

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Author Carol Davis in her home library

“Writing Restoration felt like wandering the labyrinthine streets of an old city.”

CAROL DAVIS · AUTHOR OF RESTORATION

EVENTS

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Sept 29
Book Launch
New York City, NY

6:30 P.M.
Norr Cohan Gallery
48 Walker Street
NYC 10013

IN CONVERSATION WITH DEBBIE MILLMAN
Oct 6
Reading & Signing
Oakland, CA

7 P.M.

RSVP
Clio’s Bookstore
353 Grand Avenue
Oakland, CA 94610

In conversation with Amanda Uhle
Oct 8
Reading & Signing
Santa Monica, CA

Time TBD
Deisel Bookstore
Brentwood Country Mart

225 26th Street

Santa Monica, CA 90402


(Interviewer TBD)
Oct 27
Reading & Signing
Washington D.C. 

Time TBD
Vital Voices Headquarters
1509 16th Street, NW

Washington D.C. 20036

(Interviewer TBD)
Nov 13
Reading & Signing
Miami, FL
7 P.M.

RSVP
Books and Books

265 Aragon Avenue

Coral Gables, FL 33134

In conversation with Rosa Lowinger
Dec 15
Reading & Signing
Paris, France

Time TBD
The American Library

10 Rue du Général Camou

Paris 75007, France



In conversation with JENNIFER ESPOSITO

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Book updates, tour dates, and notes from Carol.