A tart and sweet ode to finding small joys where you can. Yes, even in black licorice. A taxonomy of sweetness, a rhapsody of artificial flavors, and a multi-faceted theory of pleasure, SWEET NOTHINGS: Confessions of a Candy Lover by Sarah Perry (Mariner; On Sale 2/4) is made up of 100 illustrated micro-essays organized by candy color, from the red of Pop Rocks to the purple Jelly Bonbon in the Whitman's Sampler. Each entry is a meditation on taste and texture, a memory unlocked. Everyone's favorites-and least favorites-are carefully considered, including Snickers and Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Cups, as well as the beloved Good n' Plenty and Werther's Originals. An expert guide and exquisite writer, Perry asks such pressing questions as: Twizzlers or Red Vines? Why are Mentos eaters so maniacally happy? She rejects the dreaded "What is your favorite candy?" question and counters: Under what circumstances? In what weather? In what mood? For candy is inextricably tied to the seasons of our lives. SWEET NOTHINGS moves associatively, touching on pop culture, art, culinary history, philosophy, body image, and class-based food moralism. It challenges the very idea of "junk" food and posits taking pleasure seriously as a means of survival. Perry's pure love of candy weaves together elegiac glimpses of her 90s childhood-and the loss at its center- with stories of love and desire. Her previous work, After the Eclipse, cemented her as a critically acclaimed writer with accolades from NYT, Entertainment Weekly, W Magazine and more. Perry's latest endeavor promises to be equally impactful, with its blend of nostalgic charm and intellectual rigor. Surprisingly smart and frequently funny, it's perfect for anyone who loves a good story, appreciates fine writing, and, of course, has a sweet tooth. 

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