I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A group of authors and artists come together to share their unique take on the Garden State in the anthology “Stay Salty: Life in the Garden State”.
The Synopsis
Dear Reader, the book you hold in your hand is as relaxing as a day at the Shore, as tense as the traffic you hit on the way down to get there, and as expansive as the Pine Barrens you find yourself lost in after that wrong turn off the Parkway.
Stay Salty, the second volume in Read Furiously’s popular New Jersey Anthology series, once again reminds us of everything we love and hate (and love to hate) about the Garden State.
Following the tradition of storytelling of The World Takes, Stay Salty features prose, poetry, comics, and photography that showcase the mysterious and fascinating elements that make up New Jersey and its inhabitants.
Grab some salt water taffy and listen in to voices from Sussex County to Cape May.
Because in New Jersey, there’s always a story to tell.
The Review
If you don’t hail from New Jersey, I feel like the state is one of those places that everyone has a particular view on, thanks to popular media. Whether it’s the complexities of the film Garden State or the reality of The Jersey Shore, there are always preconceived notions about places like this that pale in comparison to the real thing. That is what the authors and artists in this anthology have done so beautifully, capturing the unique, often humorous, but always human charm that the people and its inhabitants usually have.
Several pieces in this collection stand out, but one in particular that was so unique was New Jersey in Photographs (Part 1) by Shannon Linder. The unique chapter was a beautiful collection of photographs the artist took, from self-portraits to long-since bulldozed diners and so much more. It showcased the every day yet culturally heartfelt moments locals could enjoy in the artist’s part of the state. It brought the emotional and compelling narrative these intimate stories and photographs were trying to instill.
The Verdict
Memorable, iconic, and engaging, “Stay Salty” is a refreshing and must-read anthology you cannot put down. Each chapter’s thoughtful approach to bringing New Jersey as both a state and a destination to life made the reader want to come back repeatedly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
