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.
Fiction
“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.
“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.
“Lies Like Wildfire” by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez | Release date: Sept. 7, 2022 | Alvarez’s debut thriller follows five friends and the deadly secret that could send their lives up in flames.
“Atomic Love” by Jennie Fields | Release date: Nov. 30, 2021 | Love, desire, and betrayal fuel this plot set against a backdrop of post-World War II Chicago.
“Her Dark Lies” by J.T. Ellison | Release date: March 9, 2021 | Jack and Claire travel from Nashville to an idyllic island off the coast of Italy to exchange vows, but be warned, this is a destination wedding no one will forget.
For the family
“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.
“The Summer of June” by Jamie Sumner | Release date: May 31, 2022 | This is the summer of new beginnings for 12-year-old June Delancey.
Learn something new
“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.
“Baseball’s Leading Lady” by Andrea Williams | Release date: Jan. 5, 2021 | This read tells the story of Effa Manley, the first and only woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“A History of Nashville’s Warner Parks” by F. Lynne Bachleda | Release date: Nov. 1, 2021 | The book includes over 175 maps, photographs, illustrations, and stories about the 3,000-acre public park.
Personal stories
“The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year” by Margaret Renkl | Release date: Oct. 24, 2023 | Renkl takes readers on a year-long journey through her backyard, meditating on nature’s joys and sorrows with the changing of the seasons. Bonus: The book features 52 original color artworks by her brother, Billy Renkl.
“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.
“Maybe We’ll Make It” by Margo Price | Release date: Oct. 4, 2022 | Singer-songwriter Margo Price recounts the ups and downs of her music industry journey.
“I Miss You When I Blink” by Mary Laura Philpott | Release date: April 2, 2019 | In this collection of personal essays, Philpott shares her experiences with wit and heart.
“Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss” by Margaret Renkl | Release date: March 30, 2021 | Nature, family, and “the cycles of joy and grief” are just a few of the topics explored in Renkl’s debut release.
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: Feb. 28, 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.
