Rachael's Favorite Books For 2021 (+ A Few Picks From John)
Rachael has written her fair share of books — 26, to be exact! And she even recently revealed that she's been writing another book during the pandemic. So it comes as no surprise that she's also a bookworm.
"My friend, Bob Schneider — who's actually a musician, not a painter — he made me wooden copies of some of my favorite books and they're all throughout our house," she says.
"I like to read non-fiction and thrillers," Rach goes on, "so that's where my headspace is at."
These are the books she's "gobbling up," as she says, right now. Plus, John chimes in with a few of his current picks.
1. Anything by Harlan Coben — most recently Win
"Harlan Coben, Harlan Coben, Harlan Coben," Rach says. "I got a galley of Harlan's new book. [He's] one of my favorite authors, and he's a fantastic thriller writer." (FYI—it's out now!)
"Win, I gobbled in literally a couple of days," she continues. "It's fantastic. That's his upcoming title. He'll be on our show in March, I believe."
"Of course, I love reading cookbooks," Rach says, "[like those by] Marcella Hazan."
3. The Obamas' Latest Books, Becoming and A Promised Land
"The Obamas, of course," Rach continues. "I enjoyed Michelle's book Becoming. I toured with her for it, and I am halfway through President Obama's latest, [A Promised Land]."
4. Begin Again by Eddie Glaude Jr.
"I loved Eddie Glaude Jr.'s book," Rach says. His latest is called Begin Again.
5. His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope + The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels by Jon Meacham
6. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
"John bought me — it was my favorite Christmas present — The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse," Rach says. "Both in English and Italian."
7. Unfinished: A Memoir by Priyanka Chopra-Jonas
Hear Priyanka tell Rach the story of why her mom was in a nightgown when she first met Nick Jonas—a funny anecdote straight from her book.
8. No Time Like The Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality by Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox is one of Rach's all-time favorite guests — and it was no different when he visited most recently to talk about his new book and explain why he calls it "cranky."
9. John's Pick: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
"I Am Pilgrim was a great thriller," John says. "That was my favorite thriller," Rach adds. "It so shocked me."
10. John's Pick: Who I Am by Pete Townsend
"I love any books about music," John says.
11. John's Pick: How Music Works by David Byrne