Books Set in New Orleans for the Final Day of Mardi Gras

Fat Tuesday is one of those holidays that has transcended its religious roots. I mean take me for example, I am Jewish but we are cooking up a NOLA inspired dinner tonight at home.

Your patrons are probably aware of Mardi Gras, but the literature of New Orleans goes so much deeper than this one event.

Now would be a great time to put up displays with fiction set in NOLA that doesn't have anything to do with this one celebration. Your "Mardi-Gras Hangover Display"-- great New Orleans reads for the rest of the year. Your patrons have New Orleans on the mind, why not suggest a book go with it?

It is when we anticipate their interests that we make the biggest impact on our patrons. We. surprise them by "reading their minds" when we suggest the perfect book for the moment via a display, online list, social media post, m etc.... This is an opportunity for meaningful impact you don't want to let pass you by.

Thankfully there are many lists out on the inter-webs to help you.

First I want to point you to one of my favorite reads from last year, We Cast A Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin. Set in an alternative, dystopian NOLA centered on a father who wants to turn his son white. Here is an excerpt from my review:

Also our narrator [nameless] is the key to whether or not you will like the story. Yes he is not a great human, makes bad choices, and is fairly unreliable, but he is also extremely compelling. Ruffin inhabits him and in turn, he captivates the reader. The strong narrative voice here leads the reader though both the plot and the emotions. It was awesome. And, it had a very satisfying ending. Often in these books [especially debuts] where there are many lofty ideas, it doesn't come together. No worries here. 

Ultimately this is a book that makes a strong statement about the state of race relations in America right now through an Alternative History lens with obvious satire, but does it all in a package that was also an enjoyable, compelling, and satisfying story. 

Now out in paperback and being singled out for many awards, Ruffin's novel is a great option for speculative fiction readers, those who want to look at social justice issues but still have an entertaining story, and would make a great book discussion book for any group.

But there are so many more great options. Here are a few other recent lists of books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults that are not just about Mardi Gras [or Katrina] and cover all the genres:

• From Electric Lit: 7 Books Set in New Orleans That Go Beyond Mardi Gras
• From Book Riot: Articles and lists with #New Orleans tag
• From Lit Hub: Articles and lists with the New Orleans tag
• I like this 2016 list in particular: Beyond Mardi Gras: A New Orleans Reading List
• Goodreads crowdsourced lists of books about or set in NOLA
• Don't forget to run a key word search in your own catalog to find even more titles.

And if you make a display and name it "Mardi-Gras Hangover," I totally want a picture. It is the perfect name but I know the humor might not fly everywhere. You can see my contact info here, or just click on the RA for All logo anytime.