FLORIDA! A Hyper-local Guide to the Flora, Fauna, and Fantasy of the Most Far-out State in America

by Gabrielle Calise (Editor)

Welcome to Florida! Your new 547-page, hyper-local guide to the most far-out state in America.

Flip through for tips on trips to the destination beaches of the Redneck Riviera, to the largest nudist colony in Pasco County (and the country), all the way over to the coleslaw wrestling arenas of the Space Coast. Through 7 chapters broken down by region, and with hundreds of the Sunshine State’s best kept, strangest secrets, Florida! has a pit-stop for everyone.

A non-exhaustive list of what you’ll find inside:

How-to instructions on everything from chucking dead fish at the Floribama mullet toss to becoming a professional mermaid at the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park; excerpted essays and poems, plus contemporary and archival Floridian photography; illustrated fold-out maps, recipes, and tips that will keep you from looking like a tourist.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

574 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Sheamus · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite coffee table book, the art is funny and lovely and the writing is the same

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The site isn't cooperating at all, but I'm glad to see this is on here. I finished it in September, but it won't let me select a date. Hope they work these kinks out at some point (although I can't really blame them for keeping me from reaching my lofty ambition of reading 150 books this year).

[Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in the early 2000s, a series of unique travel guides were written under the name “Crown Journeys” by many famous authors (Ishmael Reed, Christopher Buckley, Chuck Palahniuk, Michael Cunningham, etc.). I always wanted to collect them all and visit the cities for each guide. The only one I’ve read is Palahniuk’s FUGITIVES & REFUGEES, which explores the more obscure and “underground” attractions of Portland, Oregon.

This book, FLORIDA!, reminds me exactly of that guide. Ever heard of the Red Shoe Drop, where a drag queen named Sushi descends in a red stiletto on New Year’s Eve in Key West? Or the Amish-dominated Pinecrest Village hidden inside Sarasota (my gorgeous hometown), where the bakeries are nigh-notorious for their consistent deliciousness? What about a city populated entirely by retired postmen, a city where (can we really be surprised?) no dogs are allowed? Not your fancy? That’s fine. We have cities whose vast majority are psychics (Cassadaga). We have counties that hold world records for nudist populations (indeed, Pasco County is the “Nudist Capital of the World”). We’re the only place on the entire Earth where alligators and crocodiles can coexist in harmony.

This guide is a perfect addition to any nomadic Floridian’s bookshelf (or glovebox). It highlights the beauty and significance that nature, culture, and history have to our state: sea cows and coastal dune lakes, drag ball culture and Cuban sandwich recipes, how MLK Jr.’s arrest in St. Augustine led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a history of the Kennedy Space Center (and many of America’s expeditions to space), as well as, of course, some BTS essays and information about some of A24’s most beloved films set in Florida (SPRING BREAKERS, THE FLORIDA PROJECT, ZOLA); and that’s barely scratching the surface of what this book offers. (If I went on, this would reach college thesis length.)

I will say this: the quickest way to NOT enjoying this is to read it all in one sitting, as if it were a novel to be read page-by-page (my mistake for a good 70-ish pages). This is a guide to flip through at random or whim, or even if you’re looking for a specific location. It was extremely refreshing to read about the Parliament (House Resort) in Orlando, since I have many friends who frequent (and adore) that club, yet I’ve never been. It was downright WEIRD finding out how much inspiration Jeff VanderMeer got from St. Marks (National Wildlife Refuge) for his SOUTHERN REACH trilogy—but “weird” has always been what Jeff does best.

((A little quote from Jeff, from an essay of his included in this guide: “Something that comes up in my work a lot is this whole idea of contamination and reclaiming that word as something positive. And that definitely comes directly out of North Florida.”))

This was a PERFECT New Year’s gift. There are so many places I haven’t been in Florida that I hope to visit this year, and this helps point me towards so many attractions that capture my intrigue.

I feel bad for everyone who has to wait for A24 to restock this book, but having read more than half of the articles and recommendations, I can easily understand why this guide sold out so quickly. I was apprehensive at first about buying a book that was $50 with no reviews, but I’m glad my love for A24 (and my impulsive obsession with the front and back cover of this book) was enough to convince me.

And frankly, I would’ve paid double what it’s worth. It’s that good.

[Brittany Newton-Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of interesting facts about the most surreal state! I would have liked more behind the scenes coverage, or at least a solid feature, from the 5 A24 films set in Florida (which all rank among my favorites) but this was a fun read nonetheless.

This tome also suffered from the same print margin problem that plagues their screenplay books, but was only noticeable on a few pages. Also caught a couple of typos. A24, hire me already!

[John Schorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like a hyper-crazed version of Roadside America. One could certainly imagine grabbing this book, starting in the Florida panhandle, and working your way down to the Keys to look at all the sites found in the contents, weird and otherwise. But it does go beyond dinosaurs and swamp creatures. There is a very thorough at some of the more hedonistic things that take place across the state. I wonder if similar volumes could be written about other states?

[Stef · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definition of a coffee table book or something that looks nice on the shelf. Attractive to look at with some interesting facts, but light on content, especially for the physical size of this tome. Not a mention of Dinosaur World?

[Timothy Fanning · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant read with troves of treasures and hidden gems. It’s perfect for newcomers but, as a life long Floridian, I discovered plenty of tidbits and surprises. One thing about this book that is abundantly clear: the authors love Florida and give plenty of reasons (and recipes) to love it, too.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Florida” by Gabrielle Calise is an awesome book! Calise successfully explored the quirky side of Florida in this beautiful tome. The illustrations made by Gabriel Alcala further enhanced the imagery needed for this unique guide for one of the most unique states in America.

The Citrus Tower in Clermont, Solomon’s Castle in Ona, “The Castle” in Ybor City, Tampa and the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg are just some of the sites that captured my attention throughout the book. I felt encouraged to visit some of the locations featured in this book and I hope I get to visit them soon.

A+ to Gabrielle Calise and Gabriel Alcala for bringing Florida to life 🌴🌊🌞

[Richard Inman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a really fun book. I will be using it during my Tour De Florida in 2024.

[Jac Kulchin]

such a fun coffee table book & it honestly taught me so much about the intricacies of fl

[Rachel Ram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best $50 I’ve ever spent on a book

[M J · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a fifth gen floridian, this is the real deal.