Pickleball Is Life: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Obsession

In this whimsically illustrated manual, McHugh (So Who’s Counting? The Little Quote Book About Growing Older and Still Kicking Ass) lays out everything readers never knew they needed to know about the “pickleverse,” from rules of the sport of pickleball to its quirky lingo and which cocktails to serve courtside. A sidebar provides a history of the game, while McHugh contrasts the paddles, court, and scoring with those used in badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. Though pickleball was falsely rumored to have been named after a dog named Pickles, McHugh sets the record straight about its origins (Pacific Northwest in 1965) and moniker (after a boat, not a pup). In addition to sharing tips for those interested in starting this “crazy game,” the author offers a bonus section suggests appetizing pickle-themed recipes such as peanut butter and pickle bites and a cornichon martini. Hipster-styled drawings by Jackie Besteman typecast game players such as “The Urban Ninja,” “Nouveau Scruff,” and “The Gladhander.” As well, celebrities who “jumped on the pickleball bandwagon” are name-dropped, including Brené Brown, Owen Wilson, and Savannah Guthrie, who’s quoted as saying, “I like a sport where you could do it barefoot while holding a rosé.” McHugh scores with this witty look at an oddball game. Agent: Chris Tomasino, Tomasino Agency. (Oct.)