Join a book club that is reading The Filling Station: A Novel!

Well-Read Black Girl Book Club at Bookmarks

Amplifying the voices of women of color in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Pen A Theme

Pen A Theme diversifies the reading experience by intentionally choosing quality literature by BIPOC authors without centering the narrative around trauma.

The Filling Station: A Novel

"The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre is, shockingly, little more than a footnote in history . . . Miller's book, thankfully, reverses that egregious oversight . . . we viscerally learn how this vibrant Black community fought devastation with resilience, faith, and grit." --Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Two sisters. One unassuming haven. Endless opportunities for grace.

Sisters Margaret and Evelyn Justice have grown up in the prosperous Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma--also known as Black Wall Street. In Greenwood, the Justice sisters had it all--movie theaters and entertainment venues, beauty shops and clothing stores, high-profile businesses like law offices, medical clinics, and banks. While Evelyn aspires to head off to the East Coast to study fashion design, recent college grad Margaret plans to settle in Greenwood, teaching at the local high school and eventually raising a family.

Then the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre upends everything they know and brings them unspeakable loss. Left with nothing but each other, the sisters flee along what would eventually become iconic Route 66 and stumble upon the Threatt Filling Station, a safe haven and the only place where they can find a shred of hope in oppressive Jim Crow America. At the filling station, they are able to process their pain, fill up their souls, and find strength as they wrestle with a faith in God that has left them feeling abandoned.

But they eventually realize that they can't hide out at the filling station when Greenwood needs to be rebuilt. The search for their father and their former life may not give them easy answers, but it can propel them--and their community--to a place where their voices are stronger . . . strong enough to build a future that honors the legacy of those who were lost.

"The Tulsa Race Massacre is rarely covered in historical fiction, and this story is an absolutely worthy addition to the genre." --Booklist Starred Review

"In a novel that should be required reading, Miller movingly explores the aftermath of racial trauma and how resilient people can open their hearts again." --Library Journal Starred Review

BUY THE BOOK

384 pages

Average rating: 9.25

4 RATINGS

|

3 REVIEWS

These clubs recently read this book...

Community Reviews

A Cleve
Mar 27, 2025
10/10 stars
Vanessa Miller’s The Filling Station is a powerful and well-crafted historical fiction novel that sheds light on the Tulsa Race Massacre while honoring the resilience of the Black community. This five-star read is both educational and deeply moving, weaving together fact and fiction in a way that brings history to life. Miller does an exceptional job of portraying the strength of the community while also acknowledging the lasting trauma that each individual experienced in different ways. The characters are richly developed, making their struggles and triumphs feel deeply personal. The novel doesn’t shy away from the horrors of the tragedy, but it also highlights the perseverance, hope, and unity that emerged in the aftermath. What makes The Filling Station stand out is how seamlessly it blends historical truth with compelling storytelling. It not only teaches but also leaves a lasting emotional impact. This is an essential read for those who appreciate historical fiction that honors real-life events and the people who lived through them.
Mia_cb
Mar 25, 2025
9/10 stars
I can't say enough about this book. Vanessa Miller takes a deep dive into the aftermath of the 1920's Tulsa Massacre which occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, beginning on May 31, 1921, and lasted for two days but left open wounds of destruction and devastation. The massacre left somewhere between 30 and 300 people dead, mostly African Americans, and destroyed Tulsa’s prosperous Black neighborhood of Greenwood, known as “ Black Wall Street". The mere fact that the range of deaths is so wide speaks to how the masses concealed this atrocity. The Filling Station tells the story of survival in the aftermath. Two sisters, Margaret and Evie, with the same experience, the same tragedy, yet different perspectives on what survival looks like. The Filling Station with it's well-developed characters, gives the reader a front seat view of the struggles when the dust settles after the massacre. The battles, externally and internally, that were fought, the continued racism, the strength of wounded people, having unwavering faith in despair and perseverance. This story is a testament to a favorite quote, Still I Rise, Maya Angelou. Is this a must read? Yes, don't wait.
ShayLynn
Mar 14, 2025
10/10 stars
The Filling Station by Vanessa Miller is an emotionally gripping story set against the backdrop of the Tulsa Massacre, humanizing the victims of this horrific event. Through the lives of two sisters, the novel shows how racism can shatter normalcy in an instant. Margaret Justice struggles with her faith as she deals with the trauma, while her romantic interest, Elijah, fights for both her love and belief. Meanwhile, her free-spirited sister Evelyn throws caution to the wind, following her heart as she grieves. This book deeply impacted me, reigniting my own faith as I saw my doubts reflected in Margaret's struggles. Miller masterfully weaves themes of love, faith, and resilience into an unforgettable story. The Filling Station isn’t just a book; it’s an experience that will leave you reflecting on life, love, and the power of God’s grace. This is truly the book of the year, and I can’t recommend it enough—everyone deserves to feel the emotional journey it offers.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.