I've been recommending R. Eric Thomas' essay collection "Here for It" for the past month. I've even purchased copies for a few friends in town and dropped it off at their front doors as a surprise. Thomas' writing is insightful, smart and laugh-out-loud funny. The cover is a cheerful sight at this time, too.

Nina Badzin, Minneapolis

Quarantine Reads are recommendations of soothing books in fraught times. Send your suggestions, with your name and city, to books@startribune.com.