Wednesday, September 25, 2013

fall book picks

There are so many good books coming out this fall that I’m overwhelmed.  I wish I could take October off just so I could catch up on my to read list.  Here’s what I plan to read.

I just started Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri and this is turning out to be one of my top pick for the fall.  It’s the story of two brothers and is set in 1960’s India.  This is a topic I really care nothing about, but I’m only in a few chapters and I’m hooked.  The writing is so powerful that I just can’t put it down.  If you haven’t read Interpreter of Maladies then I suggest you pick up a copy of that as well.
I’m not a huge Stephen King fan (although I do seem to like the few things I’ve read by him) but I’m going to give Doctor Sleep a try.  It’s a follow up to The Shining and this is one of the most anticipated books of the season. 
All of my bookseller peers rave about The Secret History by Donna Tartt.  It’s been on my to read list for a while and now she has a new book out called The Goldfinch.  I’m not sure which one I’ll start with, but from what I hear about her writing I should expect a powerful narrative.  Fingers crossed that I fall in love with her.
Tampa by Alissa Nutting has had a lot of controversy surrounding it.  First off the cover is hideous black velvet.  I hate gimmicky covers like this.  I wouldn’t have thought twice about this book until they reviewed it on Literary Disco (a book podcast I listen to).  The plot involves a young teacher who seduces her male students.  From what I understand the writing is pretty explicit and it seems more 50 Shades than Lolita.  I get the topic is taboo and I’m okay with that, but I have a feeling the book was written more to shock then to prove a point.  I’ll give it a try though and report back.
Cuckoo’s Calling is the surprise J.K. Rowling book that she wrote under the pseudonym Robert Gailbraith.  It’s Hollywood noir and is certainly not what I’d expect from here.  Reports say the writing is solid so it’s on my list.
The Bones of Paris by Laurie R. King looks right up my alley.  I’m a sucker for mysteries lately and I’ve had many people recommend King to me.  This one is set in Paris during the Jazz Age.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.  I’m a huge Bridget Jones fan and can’t wait for the third book in the series to come out.  I don’t even care if it’s good – I just need my Bridge fix.
Meaty by Samantha  Irby.  This just satisfies my need to read funny memoires by funny girls with blogs.
The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison.  Basically for the ‘if you like Gone Girl’ crowd.  I’ve heard it’s good and it’s been on bestsellers.  Also, it’s set in Chicago so I’m biased.
And the book I’m most excited about?  Allegiant, the third book in the Divergent trilogy by Verionica Roth.  Teen. Dystopian.  Chicago.  That’s right.
These authors also have books out or coming out this fall: Elizabeth Gilbert, Amy Tan, Malcolm Gladwell, and Bill Bryson.