Summer was great, but if you ask us, fall is the season that was made for reading: blustery weather, shorter days, and the return of pumpkin-spice everything. And there are so many great titles coming out — it was hard to narrow it down to the best books of fall 2015! Here’s what we’re most excited about. We’ve got nonfiction, fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, memoirs, comics, YA… a little something for everyone. What will you be curling up with this fall?
Did You Ever Have A Family
Author: Bill Clegg
This debut novel has already been long-listed for the Man Booker Prize. The night before her daughter’s wedding, June Reid suffers an unimaginable tragedy when a disaster kills her daughter, her daughter’s fiance, June’s ex-husband, and her boyfriend, all at once. As June flees across the country to escape her grief and makes a new life out west, the small-town community she left behind comes together as a community through their shared sorrow. In other words, get ready to cry.
The Marvels
Author: Brian Selznick
Based on its beautiful cover, this illustrated story will be a delight to look at as well as to read. The illustrated story begins in 1766, as Billy Marvel becomes the lone survivor of a shipwreck, and follows his descendants for the next five generations. The text begins in 1990, as young Joseph runs away from school to his estranged uncle’s mysterious London house, where he must solve a number of puzzling mysteries. This one sounds like a great holiday gift for yourself or your favorite reader!
Saga, Volume 5
Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Illustrator: Fiona Staples
If you’re not reading Saga, start now! This gorgeously illustrated (by Fiona Staples) and surprisingly sincere space-opera love story is an absolute must-read, but you’ll want to start at the beginning to understand the complexities of a universe where the winged, technology-loving inhabitants of one planet make endless war on the horned, magic-wielding inhabitants of another — until a soldier from one planet and a prisoner from another fall in love and have a very special baby, putting the new family in grave danger from both sides. With magical cats who can sniff out lies, ghostly babysitters, and an abducted baby robot prince, this volume will be as action-packed as the first four.
Why Not Me?
Author: Mindy Kaling
Comedian Mindy Kaling returns with her second book, sharing her continuing quest for happiness in adult life — searching for love, seeking friendships, and proudly defying Hollywood’s narrow definitions of female beauty. She even spills some juicy details about her “weird as hell” relationship with ex-boyfriend B.J. Novak.
Library of Souls: The Third Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
I’ll freely admit that I don’t quite get the adoration heaped upon this series of creepily illustrated and not-very-well-written fantasy novels, but (as often happens) I’m in the minority on this one. In this third installment, a dangerous madman is on the loose and orphanage director Miss Peregrine is in danger again. Peculiar children Jacob and Emma must make a daring rescue, traveling through a war-ravaged landscape and deciding who to trust. Can Jacob be the leader that the Peculiars expect him to be? Get caught up before the movie comes out in 2016.
After You: A Novel
Author: Jojo Moyes
In this (equally tear-jerking, I’m sure) sequel to weepy terminal-illness romance Me Before You, Louisa Clark is struggling to adjust to life without the lovably cranky Will Traynor when a tragic accident forces her to return home to recover. She can’t help feeling that she’s right back where she started… until Louisa forces herself to join a support group and surprises herself by making connections — including a strong, understanding paramedic. But when someone from Will’s past suddenly shows up, Louisa’s life could head in a completely unexpected direction.
Pretty Girls
Author: Karin Slaughter
Another addition to the two-teen-girls-forever-bound-by-a-terrible-crime subgenre, which makes for perfect fall reading! Over twenty years ago, Claire and Lydia’s teenage sister Julia vanished, and they’ve been estranged ever since. Now, Claire is the wealthy and privileged trophy wife of an Atlanta millionaire, while Lydia is a struggling single mother with a loser ex-con boyfriend. But when Claire’s husband is killed, the two sisters realize that neither of them has really recovered from losing Julia. Reluctantly, Claire and Lydia team up to discover the secrets of their family’s past — and perhaps a chance for revenge.
Six of Crows
Author: Leigh Bardugo
I’ve been hearing tons of praise for this fantasy novel that’s full of rogues, trickery, and magic. Ketterdam is a sprawling city of trade, where you can find anything you desire — for a price. Kaz Brekker, criminal extraordinaire, is offered a temptingly dangerous heist that could leave him wealthy for life… but he’ll need help. Assembling a dream team of violent convicts, gambling-addicted sharpshooters, high-class runaways, enigmatic spies, and slum-dwelling magic-users, Kaz takes on the biggest heist of his career — and he might just end up saving the world while he’s at it.
Ancillary Mercy
Author: Ann Leckie
The conclusion to the marvelous Ancillary World sci-fi trilogy, featuring Breq, a soldier of the galatic empire who used to be a space battleship. Which is to say, she’s the ship’s artificial consciousness, downloaded into the semi-willing body of a brain-dead human, which understandably gives people the creeps. Breq is trying to protect Athoek Station from the empire’s fractured and possibly insane ruler, Anaander Mianaai, whose consciousness has been split and downloaded into multiple bodies with different agendas. It’s confusing! But fascinatingly inventive and creatively written. Give it a whirl, but start with book 1 of the trilogy.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Author: George R. R. Martin, Illustrator: Gary Gianni
Before you freak out, THIS IS NOT THE NEXT BOOK IN THE GAME OF THRONES SERIES. Whew. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way… this is actually three novellas that take place a century before the Game of Thrones series, back when the Targaryens still held the Iron Throne. Ser Duncan the Tall is a young and naive, but brave, hedge knight who travels the kingdoms with his squire Egg, aka Aegon Targaryen. With over 160 new illustrations, this will be an entertaining addition to the GRRM collector’s library, and will tide you over until the actual next book in the Game of Thrones series comes out.
Career of Evil (Cormoran Strike)
Author: Robert Galbraith
J.K. Rowling’s crime-thriller alter ego, Robert Galbraith, has been hard at work penning another twist-filled mystery. A package containing a woman’s severed leg (gasp!) is delivered to Robin Ellacott, but her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, isn’t exactly shocked. Strike can think of four prime suspects — and of course the police go right for the least likely one. Cormoran and Robin start their own investigation into the other three, but as more frighteningly violent acts follow, their time is running out.
Lost Ocean: An Inky Adventure and Coloring Book
Author: Johanna Basford
You’ve probably heard that coloring books for adults is the trend that just keeps getting hotter. Johanna Basford’s first book, Secret Garden, is the best-known of the new wave of sophisticated grownup coloring books, and even sold out of its first print run. This follow-up has a new marine theme and is perfect for holiday giving. If you’re intrigued, see our coloring books for grownups and more coloring books for grownups!
The Witches: Salem, 1692
Author: Stacy Schiff
Just in time for Halloween, this promises to be the new authoritative history of the Salem Witch Trials. You probably know the general outline from school: teen girls having strange seizures and convulsions, widespread hysteria tearing communities apart, and hasty trials ending in hangings. But bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff dives deep into the historical record, arguing that the Salem witch trials were a crucial turning point for women in American history. Educational and sensational — my favorite combination!
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories
Author: Stephen King
Also out around Halloween is a new collection of short stories by Stephen King. Not all are new, but each is accompanied by autobiographical commentary explaining when, why, and how King came to write each piece. Themes of mortality, guilt, the afterlife, and the possibility of altering the past or present tie the stories together. Pairs well with leftover Fun Size trick-or-treat candy.
Winter (The Lunar Chronicles)
Author: Marissa Meyer
YA lovers, the conclusion of the Lunar Chronicles is finally (almost) here! Princess Winter of the Lunar people is loved for her grace, kindness, and beauty — rumored to be even more dazzling than her stepmother, the evil Queen Levana. Joining up with Cinder, the scrappy cyborg mechanic with a prosthetic leg, and Scarlet, the intrepid girl spy, Winter hopes to spark a revolution and overthrow Levana’s oppressive regime once and for all. This clever fantasy series plays off familiar fairy-tale heroines and will enchant young readers with magic, intrigue, and adventure.
Solutions and Other Problems
Author: Allie Brosh
OK, this isn’t even close to fall — it’s well after both Hanukkah and Xmas! But I couldn’t resist mentioning that hilarious Hyperbole and a Half web cartoonist Allie Brosh has a second book coming out this winter, featuring an all-new collection of autobiographical illustrated essays about her wacky childhood, psychologically complex dogs, and her struggles with depression and creativity. Check out her work online and feel free to pre-order a copy for me now.
- Spring 2020 Book Preview - May 15, 2020
- Winter 2020 Book Preview - January 1, 2020
- Fall 2019 Book Preview - September 26, 2019
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