What’s better than a good book? A good book written by your neighbor (or former neighbor).
Brew up your favorite tea or coffee and get ready to meet your next read, because we’re talking about locally-written books in Nashville.
Learn something new
“Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell” by Ann Powers | Release date: June 11, 2024 | In this exploration of Joni Mitchell’s life and career, Powers delves into the artist’s musical evolution and personal journey, including her return to music in recent years.
“Prine on Prine: Interviews and Encounters with John Prine” by Holly Gleason | Release date: Sept. 12, 2023 | Gleason, who knew John Prine for decades, offers a glimpse into the world of the late singer-songwriter through compiled interviews.
“Butcher on the Block” by Matt Moore | Release date: May 9, 2023 | Moore’s latest cookbook delves into the world of butchers, offering 125+ recipes, stories, and tips from people behind the counter.
“Greetings from New Nashville” by Steve Haruch (editor) | Oct. 15, 2020 | This collection features essays about Nashville’s growth from the perspective of local authors and journalists. Bonus: Haruch’s first edited book was a collection of the late Jim Ridley’s writings.
“I’ll Take You There” by Amie Thurber (editor) and Learotha Williams (editor) | Release date: May 15, 2021 | Williams, a historian and professor at Tennessee State University, collaborated with Thurber on this book exploring Nashville’s social justice sites.
Fiction
“A Very Bad Thing” by J.T. Ellison | Release date: Sept. 3, 2024 | In this gripping murder mystery, bestselling author Columbia Jones is found dead on the final night of her book tour, leaving Darian (her daughter and publicist) to unravel dark secrets as hidden motives emerge from the shadows.
“The Empress of Cooke County” by Elizabeth Bass Parman | Release date: Sept. 3, 2024 | Posey Jarvis confronts the chaos of her life in a small Tennessee town, including a strained marriage, a run down mansion she inherited, and her daughter’s sudden engagement.
“Do Tell” by Lindsay Lynch | Release date: July 11, 2023 | The golden age of Hollywood comes to life through actress turned gossip columnist Edie O’Dare’s eyes, revealing a world of secrets.
“The Other Year” by Rea Frey | Release date: Aug. 15, 2023 | Kate Baker confronts the alternate paths her life could have taken after a near-tragic incident involving her daughter, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience in parallel timelines.
“Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett | Release date: Aug. 1, 2023 | An exploration of love, family, and self-discovery unfolds as Lara shares stories from her past at the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan.
For the family
“Firefly” by Anne Buckle | Release date: July 12, 2024 | Inspired by the author’s song of the same name, this tale invites readers to discover their inner light and take flight, just like the fireflies that illuminate the night sky.
“Clara and the Constellations Play Kickball” by Allie Davis | Release date: June 7, 2024 | In this whimsical picture book adventure, a young girl teams up with lively constellation animals for a celestial kickball game, discovering that true magic happens when you believe in yourself and your friends.
“The Ghost Rules” by Adam Rosenbaum | Release date: Aug. 13, 2024 | In this sharp-witted, heartfelt middle grade novel set in Tennessee, 12-year-old Elwood McGee discovers he can see ghosts, leading him on a journey to connect with his late brother and navigate the realities of letting go.
“Deep Water” by Jamie Sumner | Release date: April 9, 2024 | Tully Birch embarks on a grueling marathon swim across Lake Tahoe, facing her fears and the weight of her memories as she strives to break the record for the youngest person to complete the famous “Godfather swim.”
“I’ll Meet You in Your Dreams” by Jessica Young (author) and Rafael Lopez (illustrator) | Release date: March 9, 2021 | A child and parent journey through life together in this heartwarming book with dreamy illustrations.
“Inaugural Ballers” by Andrew Maraniss | Release date: Sept. 13, 2022 | Learn more about the first women’s basketball team to compete in the Olympics in 1976.
Personal stories
“Soul Food Love” by Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams | Release date: Feb. 3, 2015 | This mother-daughter duo shares cooking traditions and 80+ recipes.
“Leaf, Cloud, Crow” by Margaret Renkl | Release date: Sept. 24, 2024 | This companion release to Renkl’s 2023 book, “The Comfort of Crows,” is a weekly journal featuring writing prompts and interactive elements designed for nature enthusiasts.
“Baking in the American South” by Anne Byrn | Release date: Sept. 3, 2024 | The cookbook offers 200 recipes from 14 states, along with more than 150 photos and stories highlighting Southern classics such as biscuits, pound cake, and meringue pie.
“This Is How a Robin Drinks” by Joanna Brichetto | Release date: Sept. 24, 2024 | This collection of 52 short essays on urban nature is arranged by season and weaves in “observation, reflection, and commentary” on the natural world around us, extending beyond parks and the wilderness.
“Tías and Primas” by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez | Release date: Sept. 10, 2024 | The author reflects on the strong, complex women in her family, exploring their struggles and triumphs against the backdrop of intergenerational trauma.
YA releases
“I’ll Stop The World” by Lauren Thoman | Release date: April 1, 2023 | This coming-of-age mystery unravels as Justin and Rose, separated by time, must work together to solve a decades-old murder and seize control of their intertwined destinies.
“In the Wild Light” by Jeff Zentner | Release date: Aug. 10, 2021 | Fans of John Green’s “Looking for Alaska” will enjoy this coming-of-age tale about two best friends whose friendship is tested when they leave their small town for an elite prep school.
“This Will Go Down on Your Permanent Record” by Susannah Felts | Release date: March 1, 2008 | Two teens strike up a friendship, and Nashville’s Dragon Park serves as the backdrop.
Need more recommendations? Stop by Parnassus Books, Novelette Booksellers, The Bookshop, and Landmark Booksellers to get expert advice from local booksellers.
