SHADER
Daniel Nester
99: The Press, 2015, $16
Not since Bruce Springsteen has a man so eloquently immortalized and rendered fascinating a subsection of New Jersey while also excavating his own soul. Maple Shade native Daniel Nester unspools his memoir in rock-and-roll bursts—brief, potent chapters grappling with Gen X coming-of-age and an alcoholic father, whose 2013 passing inspired this work. Extravagant love and devastating abandonment haunt Nester to this day, yet Shader offers hope and no small dose of hilarity. Appearing 12/12 at 7pm, Volume Reading Series at Spotty Dog Books & Ale, Hudson. —RBW
Check out the rest of Chronogram Books Holiday Gift Guide here.