New Jersey Fan Club: Artists and Writers Celebrate the Garden State

by Kerri Sullivan (Editor), Haley Simone (Illustrator), Jonathan Conner (Illustrator)

Despite the many jokes and stereotypes about New Jersey and its residents, in reality the state is a wildly diverse place, home to a vast variety of landscapes, cultures, and people. There is no singular New Jersey experience, and the stories that its residents have to share about the state will surprise you.
 
New Jersey Fan Club: Artists and Writers Celebrate the Garden State  is an eclectic anthology featuring personal essays, interviews, and comics from a broad group of established and emerging writers and artists who have something to say about New Jersey. It offers a multifaceted look at the state’s history and significance, told through narrative nonfiction, photographs, and illustrations.
 
New Jersey Fan Club  is edited by Kerri Sullivan, founder of the popular Instagram account Jersey Collective (@jerseycollective), which features weekly takeovers by different New Jerseyans. This book functions the same way: it gives dozens of different contributors the chance to share what New Jersey looks like to them. The book is an exploration of how the same locale can shape people in different ways, and it will inspire readers to look at the Garden State with fresh eyes and appreciate its bounty of beautiful places and vibrant spaces.

Genres: Nonfiction

316 pages, Hardcover

Published June 17, 2022

Reviews

[Alicia Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do I have an essay in this book? Yes. And I'm a proud NJ girl? Also yes. But this 5 star review is my honest take on this collection. This is a unique, EVERGREEN anthology with a common thread of the Garden State tying dozens of contributors together. It truly captures the artistic diversity in New Jersey. You don't need to know much about New Jersey to appreciate the writing, illustrations, photography throughout its pages. In fact, you'll learn a ton about NJ along the way.

[Kiely · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In college, and after, the train was a familiar space, one where I was nearly always alone, my knees drawn up onto the seat in front of me, the wide plate window expansive next to me. Taking the train felt like it belonged to a different place than New Jersey and a different time; I felt like a girl in Europe, someone in a movie; but the window was sticky with someone else's forehead oil, and I was still me." - Caiti Borruso

this is such a wholesome book about my lovely birth state / current home, and I loved all of the stories told within it immensely. New Jersey is such a special place & I'm thankful to Kerri Sullivan for realizing that and putting together this lovely and joyous collection :)

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures everything that I loved about growing up in New Jersey and living in New Jersey, the things that make me proud to be from the best state in the country.

[Shannon at Siren Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for all New Jersey residents! And everyone else. NJ has bad PR. A poor rep if you will. But as a staunch lover and supporter of our fine Garden State, I am a fan of this particular fan club. A diverse collection of voices and stories from people who live or used to live in NJ but still love it. Even with its faults. Sorry to all the other states but NJ is it.

It’s not mentioned but Chris Gethard, a featured essayist, also hosts a wonderfully fun podcast called New Jersey is the World. And if you haven’t checked it out, listening post-read will only strengthen that strong feeling about NJ you might already have.

I will certainly revisit these essays over and over.

[Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, beautiful, quirky, thoughtful, diverse collection of essays and images. Made me proud of and nostalgic for my home state of New Jersey.

[Alyssa Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-crafted anthology with diverse writers and artists of all respects. As a New Jerseyan, it made me really joyful to read this book and learn more about how cool our state is 🥹

[Lenni Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book with the lowest expectations, scared that it would be boring and weird. As soon as I started the first passage, though, I knew I would love it. This book has something for literally everyone, whether you like essays, Minecraft, photo collections, comics, or just New Jersey in general. I’ve learned so much about this state through the experiences of others. I highly recommend this book, and would even read similar ones, especially if the editor compiles another companion collection.

[J.J. Lair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know the writers that participated in the book. I enjoyed each story though. Pooja Makhijani’s story was good because it says it’s about a sub sandwich but there is so much more. The drone photos were amazing. "Why I left" had me hooked. "Finding religion" was a study in architecture .

So many stories from so many writers. There is so much to like about this book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming anthology about my favorite state in the union. Lots of head nodding and smiles as I paged through this brilliantly edited essay and comic collection. I also learned a thing or two---like the history of cycling in NJ and the great salamander migration that takes place just a few miles from where I now live. If you're a NJ fan, then this is a must read.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! What a wonderful anthology, a love song to NJ sung by those who know and love it - warts and all.
If you want to hear why NJ is the coolest state, from so many different voices, read this.
Beautifully executed!

[Mary Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delight. From browsing the illustrations and photographs to diving into insightful essays and comics, it’s a book I will continue to revisit and share with those who love the Garden State and those who need to be convinced of its merits and complexity.

[Kathleen Mumma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book of short essays by a diverse group of authors about the place I call home!! I felt an attachment to each essay.

[Matthew Mirliani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of stories from across the state - rich, layered, intimate - offers a fresh perspective on Jersey.

[Olan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars probably. Didn't finish the crossword though :/

[Amanita · Rating 2 out of 5]

One author inexplicably argues that it's racist to deny the existence of Central NJ (???). Lol.