"We absolutely love this thoughtful, funny and kind novel, it sits as one of our books of the year."
Beautifully observant, funny, and affectionate, this uplifting novel deserves to soar. With the help of his mum’s blue and yellow notebooks full of advice Joe-Nathan navigates his way through life. Author Helen Fisher shone with her debut Space Hopper, and Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life joins it as a LoveReading Star Book. The two novels are very different, each is unique and yet contains an unmistakable eloquence. Joe-Nathan himself steps in to join my list of favourite characters, in fact each member of this cast-list is a delight. Whether in the starring role or on the page for a moment, they felt authentic, vibrant, and known to me. As I read all my senses came into play, the words played out in my mind, enveloping and surrounding me with love. While undoubtedly a feel-good book, it doesn’t shy away from difficult and dark times which are handled with care and thoughtfulness. The balance of humour, affection, sorrow, and pain plays throughout the novel, I let go of my emotions and rode the waves. I will admit to tears, tears of the most positive kind, and I properly hugged this book after turning the last page as I didn’t want to put it down. One of my picks of the month and one of my books of the year, Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life is as insightful as it is inspiring. One to shout about from the rooftops.
| Primary Genre | Feel-Good Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Win a Copy of The Sisters of Hope Square by Faith Hogan and a Bucket List Scratch Book
Closing date: 04/07/2026
Joe loves predictability. But his life is about to become a surprising adventure.
Joe-Nathan likes the two parts of his name separate, just like his dinner and dessert. Mean Charlie at work sometimes calls him Joe-Nuthin. But Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, he’s good at his job, good at making things and good at following the rules, and he’s learning how to do lots of things by himself.
Joe’s mother knows there are a million things in life he isn’t prepared for. While she helps guide him every day, she’s also writing notebooks full of advice about the things she hasn’t told Joe yet, things he might forget and answers to questions he hasn’t yet asked.
Following her wisdom – applying it in his own unique way – this next part of Joe’s life is more of a surprise than he expects. Because he’s about to learn that remarkable things can happen when you leave your comfort zone, and that you can do even the hardest things with a little help from your friends.
Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life features in the following genres: Humorous Fiction, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Family Drama, Contemporary lifestyle fiction, Narrative theme: Death, grief, loss, Fiction, Recommendations, Fiction: narrative themes, Feel-Good Fiction, Book Club Recommendations, Star Books, Sharing Diverse Voices, Narrative theme: Identity / belonging
Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life is available in Paperback, Hardback
Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life was written by Helen Fisher and published by Simon & Schuster Ltd
Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life has 421 pages
£8.99
