Our Tomato reviewers recommend three unforgettable reads that each explore the human spirit in strikingly different ways. Antoine Wilson’s Mouth to Mouth is a taut, psychologically charged novel. Roze Worrell’s Hearts is a perfect gift for anyone navigating loss or transition. And Mark Malkoff’s Love Johnny Carson is both a biography and a fan’s tribute, capturing the paradox of the Tonight Show legend with warmth and wit.

 A Psychologically Charged Novel That Explores the Slippery Nature Of Truth

Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson takes place in a first-class lounge at JFK airport, where, in between flights from Los Angeles to Frankfurt, our nameless narrator hears a name over the loudspeaker. It’s Jeff Cook, a fellow UCLA alum who stands out in the narrator’s mind despite barely being acquainted. Judging from his polished appearance, and the fact that he has access to the lounge, Jeff has apparently done quite well for himself. He invites our rather rumpled, basic-fare ticket narrator, into the lounge to drink beer and share the uncanny story of his adult life—a life that changed course years before, the moment he resuscitated a drowning man.

Jeff reveals that one day before dawn, fresh from a breakup with his college girlfriend, he drove to the beach, where he happened to see a man floating facedown and motionless in the early morning surf. He dragged the stranger from the surf and administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, saving his life. After that traumatic, galvanizing morning on the beach, he was compelled to learn more about the man whose life he had saved, convinced that their fates were now entwined.

Upon discovering that the man is renowned art dealer Francis Arsenault, Jeff begins to surreptitiously visit his Beverly Hills gallery. Although Francis does not seem to recognize him as the man who saved his life, he nevertheless casts his legendary eye on Jeff and sees something worthy. He takes the younger man under his wing, initiating him into his world, where knowledge, taste, and access are currency; a world where value is constantly shifting and calling into question what is real, and what matters. The paths of the two men come together and diverge in dizzying ways until the novel’s staggering ending.

Antoine Wilson’s Mouth to Mouth is a taut, psychologically charged novel that explores the slippery nature of truth, the hunger for recognition, and the ease with which personal narratives can be reshaped. Structured as a confession-like monologue delivered in an airport lounge, the book blends suspense, character study, and moral ambiguity when the truth may be the most malleable element of all. GET THE BOOK.

Joan Pagano, owner Joan Pagano Fitness, NYCTop of Form

A Perfect Gift for Anyone Going Through Loss or Transition

Roze Worrell’s Hearts is a beautifully written book that invites the reader into her lifelong practice of observing “hearts.”   This means any heart shaped objects or patters found in the world.  She interprets these hearts as signs of divine presence, comfort, hope, and connection when she finds them.

Worrell, a former FBI agent, describes how, after the loss of a cherished heart-necklace and through a series of life events, these “heart-finds” began to appear often in ordinary places.  They were rocks, bits of foil, oil blotches, charms, etc.  Over the last forty-plus years she has collected hundreds of such hearts.  In her book, she writes about 43 of her favorite ones, along with a photo and a journal entry describing the story behind that heart she had found.  The stories behind each heart are just fascinating.

The book’s primary message-that hope, comfort and joy can be found in small and ordinary things if we remain open.  The book will remind the reader how important it is to be present in life, practice gratitude.  I think it also talks about find grace and making sure to extend grace to others.

This book would make a wonderful holiday gift.  It would also be a perfect gift for anyone going through loss, transition, or someone you may want to encourage.  I really loved this book so much.  This is truly a five-star.  It really helped me slow down and be more present in life, without always wanting to jump to the next thing.  Roze Worrell is simply one of the kindest, most caring and compassionate women I have ever met. GET THE BOOK.

~Francene Katzman, Richmond, Virginia, advocate for parents of children with drug addictions

 A Love Letter to Show Business and  Carson Himself

For Tomatoes who grew up with Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show, Love Johnny Carson by Mark Malkoff (with David Ritz) is a book you will want to gift yourself. Both a biography and a heartfelt fan’s tribute, offering behind‑the‑scenes stories and a nuanced portrait of the legendary Tonight Show host. It’s equal parts entertainment history and personal obsession, making it a lively read for anyone curious about Carson’s genius and contradictions .

Malkoff, host of The Carson Podcast, spent years interviewing more than 400 people connected to Carson’s world, from comedians who got their big break on The Tonight Show to staffers who witnessed the host’s mercurial moods. The result is a book that feels both comprehensive and deeply personal.

The book mirrors a golden‑age talk show: breezy, entertaining, and packed with quips and quotes. Yet beneath the lightness lies serious research, with Malkoff setting the record straight on myths and misperceptions.

For fans of late‑night television, comedy history, or cultural icons, Love Johnny Carson offers both nostalgia and revelation. It captures the paradox of Carson: a generous kingmaker who launched careers, and a guarded, sometimes prickly figure who fiercely protected his lane.

~Cheryl Benton, the head tomato