I am taking a break from our regularly-scheduled digital marketing programming to make a few book recommendations.

Reading is something that has always brought me joy. I am an avid writer but a dedicated reader. When I don’t have a book near me (or the book I am reading isn’t good), you can easily notice my high levels of crabbiness and general discomfort. I read to learn about other people and use both fiction and non-fiction to develop a better understanding of the world.

This past Sunday, Tiffany Razzano of Wordier Than Thou asked me to share the contents of my library and highlight a few books that I love. Check out my top book recommendations and find out how you can order them in a way that supports our local literary non-profit.  

Find My Video on Facebook

To see the full virtual library tour, check out Wordier Than Thou on Facebook. Here is a link to my video, but you can also see what other authors read and learn why they love the books they do.

Tiffany started these library tours at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with other author readings and virtual events. This has been a way to allow authors to promote themselves as in-person events were canceled while providing much-needed distractions to audiences from the stress of closed businesses and rising case numbers.   

If you love the books on your shelves or want to share your writing with our community, check out some of our events. We host regular open mic nights specifically for authors to share their best work, or even just a few pieces they are trying to workshop and improve on. (I am using the first-person plural here because I sit on the board of Wordier Than Thou.)

My Top Book Recommendations (Right Now)

Arguably, the phrase, “you are what you eat,” could be adjusted to say, “you are what you read.” A person’s reading choices and reading habits are as diverse and personal as their music preferences. To prove this, just ask any reader whether or not it is acceptable to dog-ear a page in a book – or tell a Hunger Games fan that the movies were better. 

So what am I reading now? What books do I hold near and dear to my heart? Here’s my current top-five hit list:

1. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah This has been one of my favorite books for years. Noah does a great job of presenting difficult concepts (like growing up during Apartheid) in a light, approachable way. Readers can enjoy his stories while still understanding the horrors of growing up under such overt racism. 
2. The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator by Timothy Winegard History nerds (aka my people) will love this book. It is dense but incredibly informative. As a whole, we have done a terrible job of handling pandemics and disease since the dawn of time. It is humbling to see how much more we need to learn. 
3. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi I have recommended this book left, right, and center. It is moving, it is informative, and you find yourself worrying about the characters and thinking about their lives long after you put the book down. 
4. Typhoid Mary: An Urban Historical by Anthony Bourdain This is one of Bourdain’s lesser-known books, which is why a copy can cost more than $80 online. However, the taciturn chef had a tremendous amount of respect for Mary Mallon, both for her skills in the kitchen and as a survivor in the early 20th century. You can access this ebook easily and enjoy Bourdain’s flowing words and trademark snark.
5. The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson This is another lighthearted book. If you need a mental break or read to escape, relax knowing that this family isn’t yours.  

Most of the books on this list have stood the test of time as my favorites. However, I will always have another book up my sleeve that I want to talk about.

How to Buy the Books I Recommend

Amazon may be your go-to place to buy books, but there are other options! Support your local library! Share books with others. Look for gently-used bookstores. Shop local. In the St. Petersburg, Florida area, I highly recommend both Tombolo Books and 321 Books. 

Another option is Bookshop, which describes itself as, “an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores.” They give over 75% of their profit margin to local booksellers, authors, and literary organizations. You can also choose which bookstores, in particular, you want to support.

(Note, that is NOT an affiliate link. I just enjoy the service they provide.)

Tiffany created a tab from Wodier’s Bookshop page with my book recommendations from the library tour. Not only do I recommend reading these books, but I also suggest reaching out to tell me what you thought of them – and whether or not you think my taste matches yours. 

Reading is a major part of who I am, but the books I pick up also make me a better writer. I am reminded of unusual words that I can start using and I pick up on grammar nuances that I otherwise wouldn’t notice. 

Plus, in times of stress, you can always find solace in a good book.