September Release Love

Reviews and blurbs of the books I'm excited about this month

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Hello long lost friends!

Not interacting with y’all online this past week has felt strange, but it’s been good. And I’m glad I have a few more weeks until I’m back on the ‘gram. I hope y’all are enjoying the last bits of summer, reading good books, and resting when you need it.

There are a LOT of books out this month (like a lot a lot), so let’s get to it!

Note: Books I read or plan on reading via audio are marked with an 🎧. If you haven’t tried audiobooks or don’t have an audiobook subscription, Libro.fm is my favorite way to listen to audiobooks, and my favorite audiobook company to support. Use my code (KATHARINE) or this link and get 2 audiobook credits for the price of 1.

Tell me what new releases you’re excited about this month!

Ones I’ve Read*

• The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh 📖 – The story of a cursed family of Vietnamese women, this book takes you on quite a journey. Intergenerational family stories are right up my alley, and this was a satisfying one. Full of heartfelt relationship struggles, messy characters (in the best way), and plenty of humorous moments, this was a fun and entertaining read. One thing to note: there are quite a few characters, which can be hard to keep track of but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. For fans of Crazy Rich Asians and The Many Daughters of Afong Moy. (Releases today, 9/6)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

• Before We Were Trans by Dr. Kit Heyam 🎧 (narrated by author) – I haven’t read anything about trans history before so this was a fascinating and informative read. Heyam clearly did an incredible amount of research to compile this almost academic book, looking at gender across time periods, countries, and cultures. There is so much here, and done so well, that I’ll definitely be returning to it again and again. Pairs well with Redefining Realness and An Unkindness of Ghosts. (Releases 9/13)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

• The Old Place by Bobby Finger 🎧 (narrated by Barrie Kreinik) – This book wasn’t one that was on my radar until it popped up under books about small towns. And while that’s a big part of it, there’s so much more to it. It explores relationships, parenthood, grief, sexuality, and uncovers quite a few secrets along the way. I enjoyed how this one unfolded, and felt completely immersed in the small Texas town. For fans of Remarkably Bright Creatures and All the Lonely People. (Releases 9/20)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

*I just started People Person by Candice Carty-Williams (see below for details) and so far am really enjoying it! If that remains the case, I’ll include my review of it in my September Roundup later this month.

Ones I Want to Read

• Year of the Tiger by Alice Wong – I’ve long been a fan of Wong’s and am eager to read her memoir. From the publisher: “This groundbreaking memoir offers a glimpse into an activist’s journey to finding and cultivating community and the continued fight for disability justice, from the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project.” (Releases today, 9/6)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

• People Person by Candice Carty-Williams – Queenie was one of my favorite books of 2019 so I was thrilled to hear she has a new one coming out (and started reading it just last night!). From the publisher: “From an author with ‘a flair for storytelling that appears effortlessly authentic’, People Person is a vibrant and charming celebration of discovering family as an adult.” (Releases 9/13)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

• How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz 🎧 – From the publisher: “An electrifying new novel about a woman who has lost everything but the chance to finally tell her story.” This is at the top of my TBR. (Releases 9/13)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

• On Belonging by Kim Samuel 🎧 – From the publisher: “Whether through sports, medicine, music, business, culture, or advocacy, the people and programs in this book offer us meaningful lessons on building a world where we all feel at home.” As someone who has been feeling a bit disconnected, I’m looking forward to this being a balm. (Releases 9/13)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

• Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory – There isn’t a Guillory book I haven’t read, and this was one of first books I preordered this fall (and her first departure from her previous six-book series). From the publisher: “Set against a lush backdrop of Napa Valley wine country, nothing goes to your head as fast as a taste of love—even if it means changing all your plans.” (Releases 9/20)
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

• The Winners by Fredrik Backman – Do I really need to say anything about this one? If you’ve been following me for a while, you know Beartown has a special place in my reader heart. And it’s time for the final installment! From the publisher: “The Winners returns to the close-knit, resilient community of Beartown for a story about first loves, second chances, and last goodbyes.” I’ll be reviewing this one before it releases on 9/27 and paid subscribers will get to read it before anyone else (so make sure you’re subscribed)!
  Bookshop | LibroFM | Amazon

Even more books I’m excited about

• On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton 🎧 (releases 9/6)

• Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (releases 9/6)

• All That's Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien (releases 9/13)

Paperback Releases

• The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

• Fault Lines by Emily Itami

• Matrix by Lauren Groff

Question: Is it helpful to know what books are releasing in paperback? This newsletter can get pretty long, so I want to make sure what I’m including is beneficial and helpful to y’all.

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