September Release Love
This month's book releases I'm excited about
Welcome to the first monthly issue of the new releases edition of my newsletter! I have so much fun finding out what books are coming out and narrowing down the list to the ones I’m most excited about. Instead of every other month, you’ll now receive these every month, both to make them shorter and to make it easier on me to read ahead if I’m able. Speaking of which, for the sake of my reading life I’m only reading ahead of pub date when it feels like something I want to do, rather than something I have to do. As a mood reader, keeping my reading life fun and flexible is important for my mental health. If I read any of these after I send this, I’ll be sure to share my thoughts in the next month’s release newsletter. Let me know what you think of this edition, or anything you’d like to see in the future. Now, onto the books!
What I read from the July and August Release Love newsletter…
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller – This will definitely be one of my favorite books of the year. I’m a sucker for books about marriage and relationships, and ones with alternating timelines and/or perspectives, and this book had all of it. The structure had me turning the pages, but so did my eagerness to see who Elle picked – her husband, or her lifelong best friend who she has sex with during a dinner party. Getting to know Elle’s background and all the events that led up to this one night made for a fast-paced story. And the ending! While some people thought it was ambiguous, others (including me) were sure she picked one or the other. If you’ve read it, let me know what you think about how it ended. For fans of Fates and Furies and A Separation.
Bookshop | Amazon
Ones I’ve read…
A Slow Burning Fire by Paula Hawkins (released August 30) – I listened to this one on audio (thank you, PRH Audio!) and it immediately sucked me in. It took me a bit to get the characters straight, but once I did I raced through it. Rosamunde Pike’s narration was perfection, and makes me eager to listen to more British thrillers. CW: child death, ableism. For fans of Clare Mackintosh and Hawkins’ The Girl on the Train.
Bookshop | AmazonFriends Like These by Kimberly McCreight (releases today) – A Good Marriage, McCreight’s 2020 release, was one of my favorite thrillers last year so I knew I had to read this one. And while it dragged a little in the middle, the ending made up for it. Plus, I really enjoyed the structure of going back and forth in time, having one perspective be anonymous, and getting alternating chapters from each of the main characters. For fans of her other novels and The Guest List.
Bookshop | AmazonApples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty (releases 9/14) – I listened to this one on audio (thank you to Libro.fm for my advanced listening copy!) and really enjoyed it. After not loving Nine Perfect Strangers, this one is much more like her past books (maybe most similar to The Husband’s Secret). There were a couple things I didn’t love, like how one of the characters was portrayed, but overall it was an enjoyable read that had me turning the pages to find out what happened. For fans of Everything I Never Told You and Sally Hepworth.
Bookshop | AmazonAssembly by Natasha Brown (releases 9/14) – This novella was a quick listen but packed so full of commentary on race and class as a Black woman in the UK that I definitely need to read it again to fully appreciate what it’s doing. At just 100 pages, I recommend giving it a try because it’s so well written and impactful.
Amazon
Ones on my shelf…
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Salley Rooney* (releases today) – I loved Normal People so have been highly anticipating this release (like many many others). Because her writing is so character driven and typically a commentary on life and relationships, I know I need to wait until I’m in the mood for it. But I’m eager to hear about what others think as they start reading.
Bookshop | AmazonThe Last First Kiss by Walter Bennett (releases 9/14) – This is an indie release about a late-in-life romance by my dad’s college classmate. It takes place in the Outer Banks during a hurricane when two high school sweethearts reunite. Love stories between people in their 60s and 70s are rare, so I’m eager to read this and will be sure to share my review later this month.
Bookshop | AmazonCatch Us When We Fall by Juliette Fay (releases 9/21) – I read and loved City of Flickering Light (recommended to me by Allison Larkin, author of The People We Keep) so when I heard she had a new one coming out I knew I needed to read it. This deals with some heavy subject matter and is being paired with authors like JoJo Moyes and Jodi Picoult.
Bookshop | AmazonNo Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler (releases 9/28) – I’m a big fan of Kate Bowler’s podcast, Everything Happens, and this sounds right up my alley. A cancer survivor, Bowler’s writing centers around being human in a difficult world, something we all can relate to these days.
Bookshop | AmazonEight Perfect Hours by Lia Louis (releases 9/28) – Dear Emmie Blue was the first book that hooked me back in March 2020 when the world was shutting down. Her next book, which takes place during a snow storm, sounds like the perfect one to cozy up with as the weather gets colder.
Bookshop | AmazonBlack Girls Must Die Exhausted (releases 9/28) – The first in a new three-book series, Tabitha Walker seems to have it all, until an unexpected diagnosis threatens to upend it all.
Bookshop | Amazon
*When I asked y’all on Instagram what book you’re most looking forward to, this was by FAR the most popular answer.*
Others I’m excited about…
Nice Girls by Catherine Dang (releases today)
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun (releases today)
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell (releases today)
Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo (releases today)
Unbound by Tarana Burke (releases 9/14)
Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed by Saraciea J. Fennell (releases 9/14)
A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria (releases 9/14)
Fault Lines by Emily Itami (releases 9/28)
Other lists to check out…
40 Books We Can’t Wait to Read This Fall via Vulture
19 New Books Coming in September via The New York Times
Which Big Fall Book Should You Read? via LitHub
What books are you excited about this month? Let me know if you add any of these to your TBR!
* This email contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase.*