I usually read a book before bed, but often the next morning, I cannot remember what I read! Does this happen to you? If so, I suggest the Bedside Table Book (BTB), ideally a collection of essays. Margaret Renkl is a favorite author in this category as are James Patterson (surprise), Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Ross Gay, and Nora Ephron.

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians edited by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann with Chris Mooney

James Patterson, best known for his prodigious output of thrillers, is also an advocate for literacy and reading. The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians is collection of   short essays written by reading champions from boutique bookstores, chain bookstores, public libraries, school libraries, and university libraries across the country.  The essays from those on the front lines range from making magical book recommendations to coping with censorship.   Charming.

Bite By Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Aimee Nezhukumatathil,  author of a collection of nature essays, World of Wonders, and a professor of English at the University of Mississippi, Oxford, has written another book of personal essays, Bite By Bite  In this collection, she muses about memorable meals, tantalizing tastes and smells, family recipes, and culinary traditions. The singular subject of each of the forty essays is a fruit, vegetable, or herb.

Occasionally, Nezhukumatathil interrupts a lyrical essay with the prosaic history of the food, which while informative, is often jarring, but still these one-to-two-page essays are a joy. 

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay

Winner of the National Book Circle Award for Poetry, Ross Gay “decided …to write a daily essay about something delightful.” His rules: write every day for a year, draft them quickly, and write them by hand. The result, A Book of Delights, is a truly delightful collection of one hundred essays which explore the beauty of nature but also the experiences of a black man in the world. This book has been on my bedside table for a few years, and I never fail to find pleasure in Gay’s writing. The Book of (More) Delights was published last year. 

The Most of Nora Ephron

The Most of Nora Ephron, a collection of writings from the late journalist, novelist, screenwriter, foodie, and feminist is also a mainstay on my nightstand. From her short pieces in the New York Post to profiles in major magazines,  this anthology includes a comprehensive selection of her work. The novel Heartburn is included in its entirety as is the screenplay for the movie When Harry Met Sally, which is reason enough to buy the book.

Note that the 2022 paperback edition was abridged and, for example, only includes excerpts from Heartburn and When Harry Met Sally– harrumph! The Kindle edition appears to be identical to the original anthology (©2013)