TODAY regular contributors Jasmine Guillory and Isaac Fitzgerald stopped by on April 8 to recommend a few of the books they’ve been reading and loving lately.
Guillory’s novel “Flirting Lessons” is out today. Another installment of her Napa-set romances, the book follows a straight-laced woman who wants to learn how to flirt, and the heartbreaker determined to teach her. (You can read a sneak peek here!)
Isaac Fitzgerald’s latest was the memoir “Dirtbag, Massachusetts,” about his New England upbringing.
Isaac’s picks
Best fiction: “Deep Cuts” by Holly Brickley
Fitzgerald calls this a “captivating love letter to the early aughts and the era of ‘indie sleaze,'” and says it promises a nostalgic journey for anyone who lived through the 2000s.
The book following a songwriting partnership between a man and a woman who meet at a campus bar in 2000.
“At its heart is the story of Percy and Joe—a tale of love, art, and the complications that lie between. But beyond their relationship, Deep Cuts delves into the raw, relatable realities of artistic ambition, toxic dynamics, and the complexity of growing up,” he says.
Best nonfiction: “Everything Is Tuberculosis” by John Green
Acclaimed author and podcaster John Green turns his sights on the history of a deadly disease and people who are affected by it to this day. He tells the story of a young man in Sierra Leone who has tuberculosis.
“Through Henry’s journey, Green forces readers to confront the deep inequalities within global healthcare, shedding light on the shame, isolation, and hopelessness that often accompany a TB diagnosis—and, by extension, the broader challenges many of us face in trying to maintain our health,” Fitzgerald says, pointing out Green’s “empathy.”
Author’s choice: “Friends Helping Friends” by Patrick Hoffman
If you’re looking for a novel brimming with twists and turns, Fitzgerald says this is the book for you.
This is the story of how two young men accidentally ended up roped into a dangerous proposition in exchange for some much-nee
“‘Friends Helping Friends’ is an atmospheric comedy of errors that shows how those that live on the margins of society are often forced into bad decisions and even worse situations,” he says.
Best children’s book: “Nellie’s Big Splash” by Cori Doerfeld
Fitzgerald calls this a “beautifully crafted and wondrously illustrated tale of an anxious lil’ turtle.” In it, he found lessons about the importance of facing fears, taking first steps and “embracing the excitement of new beginnings.”
Jasmine’s picks
Best fiction: “Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One” by Kristen Arnett
“The first chapter of this book made me laugh out loud repeatedly, and also do a full body cringe, a series of emotions that set the tone for the rest of the book,” Guillory says.
Our heroine? A clown in Florida — yes, really – who meets a magician and gets a new lease on life (and her act).
“Kristen Arnett is a master at making you laugh while also making you think about grief and love and community. This book will surprise you at every turn, and also touch your heart at the most unexpected times. I had the best time reading it,” Guillory says.
Best nonfiction:
“The Pacific Circuit” by Alexis Madrigal
Guillory, who sets many of her books in California, chose a new nonfiction book about Oakland .
“It’s about history, sociology, and politics, and is a fascinating window on America. I learned so much, and was thoroughly entertained in the process,” she says. “This book gave me a new perspective about not just one city, but about the world I live in.”
Author’s choice: “No Ordinary Love” Myah Ariel
Read this if you’re looking for a “joyous, sweeping, beautiful romance,” Guillory says.
It’s about a pop star getting out an abusive marriage and the new love she finds about the process. And it’s also, Guillory says, about hope.
“If you need a book about new possibilities, about triumph, even in the face of so much stacked against you, about friends who support you through thick and thin, and — of course! — about falling deep in love, read this book,” she says.
Best children’s book: “The Forgotten Summer of Seneca” by Camryn Garrett
A 12-year-old girl mourning the loss of her father finds a hidden world in Central Park, thanks to her father’s old camera.
“This is one of those books I just wanted to hug to my chest when I finished,” Guillory says.
