Description

A delightful and thought-provoking collection of illustrated essays, *Sweet Nothings* explores the joys—both simple and complex—of the vast and eclectic world of candy. Written by award-winning author Sarah Perry, with illustrations by Forsyth Harmon, this book is a celebration of taste, texture, memory, and pleasure.

Organized by candy color, *Sweet Nothings* presents one hundred micro-essays that examine everything from the red shimmer of Pop Rocks to the deep purple of a Jelly Bonbon from a Whitman’s Sampler. Each entry is both a sensory exploration and a nostalgic reflection. Perry thoughtfully considers beloved favorites like Snickers and Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Cups, as well as divisive treats such as Good & Plenty and Werther’s Originals.

With sharp insight and a touch of humor, Perry delves into pressing candy-related debates: Twizzlers or Red Vines? Why are Mentos eaters so inexplicably cheerful? And perhaps most puzzling, in *The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe*, why would Edmund betray his siblings for something as underwhelming as Turkish delight? Rejecting the idea of a single favorite candy, she instead asks: Favorite under what circumstances? In what weather, in which mood, on the road or at home? Through these questions, she reveals how candy is deeply intertwined with life’s moments, emotions, and rituals.

Moving fluidly between topics like pop culture, culinary history, body image, class-based food shaming, and even philosophy, *Sweet Nothings* challenges the notion of “junk” food and argues for the importance of pleasure in everyday life. Along the way, Perry shares glimpses of her 1990s childhood—along with the personal loss at its core—blending nostalgia with insight, love, and longing.

Intelligent, funny, and unexpectedly moving, *Sweet Nothings* is an ode to small joys, savoring life’s fleeting sweetness—even in black licorice.