During the ripples of summer, there’s nothing like creating a pillow-filled nook to read and seek refuge. To decidedly lose all sense of space and time (and temperature) engrossed in a gripping new memoir or self-help book is truly the ultimate escape. Often, the best book recommendations surface from asking people outside of your normal social circle for their picks. Try speaking with someone who’s in a completely different line of work or lives in a different city or country for a truly new perspective. We did a little asking around and compiled a list of recommendations just for you.
Here’s what several local taste makers and book experts are reading right now:
Carroll Gelderman, Co-Owner at Garden District Book Shop:
Do Tell by Lindsay Lynch
“A rich portrait of the lives of early Hollywood’s beautiful puppets and those holding their strings.”
Excavations by Kate Myers
Four women triumph in a “shady mystery” on a Greek island setting
West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman
An unpredictable who dunnit
Melanie Warner Spencer, editor, New Orleans Homes, New Orleans Bride, Louisiana Life and Acadiana Profile :
“Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
Funny, romantic, clever and well-written.
The Forever Queen: Sometimes A Desperate Kingdom is in Need of One Great Woman” by Helen Hollick.
The epic story of Emma the Queen of Saxon England set in the late 900s and early 1000s.
Ashley O’Neill & Charlotte Tobin, Co-Founders of branding firm, Hey Ganza :
Wabi Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets, and Philosophers by Leonard Koren
Notes on Shapeshifting by Gabi Abrão.
Heady stuff for a year of transitions and growth!
Easy Beauty by Chloé Cooper Jones
A memoir reflecting the struggles of our superficial culture
Calypso by David Sedaris
A personal, darkly humorous tale of self-discovery
Neal Bodenheimer, Restauranteur and Author, “New Orleans Drink and How to Mix ‘Em“:
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara
My Picks:
Outlive, Peter Attia
A painstakingly detailed “self-help” book with real ways to maximize your health. The goal is not to live longer, but better. It has me doing toe yoga. It’s a thing.
The Accidental City by Lawrence Powell (recommended by Jenny Vorhoff @studioriga)
The full sweep of New Orleans history from the founding days to Louisiana statehood in 1812.
The Nightcrawler King: Memoirs of an Art Museum Curator by William Fagaly
A memoir and look into the art world from the perspective of former curator emeritus at the New Orleans Museum of Art.
