With autumn just around the corner, booklovers come together in their love of cosy evenings spent reading. In that spirit, we’ve got the ultimate list of new and upcoming releases to ease you into the chillier season.
What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez October 1, Little, Brown
Extraordinarily emotive and utterly life-affirming, Sigrid Nunez’s latest novel What Are You Going Through is undeniably poignant. The story begins when a woman visits her dying friend, another woman who wishes to end her life on her own terms with a little help from her friend. As the latter promises to do whatever it takes to make her friend’s last earthly moments fun and memorable, Nunez takes the reader on an unforgettable and powerful journey along friendship and human relationships. Armed with dazzling prose and deeply moving themes, What Are You Going Through will stick long after the final page.
A Snowfall of Silver by Laura Wood October 1, Scholastic
A Snowfall of Silver is a magical coming-of-age story following 18-year-old Freya, a character who first appeared in Laura Wood’s debut novel A Sky Painted Gold. When Freya runs away from her Cornish home to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and joins a touring theatre company, she is certain success is imminent. But amid the glamour of performing, Freya finds herself doubting whether her reality will ever match up to her expectations. She fears her dreams – of falling in love, of belonging – may never come true. As it explores leaving home and figuring out your place in the world, this beautiful story is perfect for the upcoming winter months.
What Girls Do in the Dark by Rosie Garland October 15, Nine Arches Press
In her bewitching new poetry collection, Rosie Garland invites us to leave what we think we know – about our bodies, our minds and our freedom – behind, and leap fearlessly into the unknown. Drawing on fairy tales, mythology and science fiction, Garland’s “girls” transcend and transform. Some become foxes, and others become stars. What Girls Do in the Dark sails across the constellations to the edge of the universe, reminding us of the infinite and immeasurable galaxies within ourselves.
Trio by William Boyd October 8, Viking
Thrilling, funny and heartbreaking, William Boyd’s Trio follows three individuals – a novelist, a producer and an actress as they set about making a disaster movie set in the politically tense summer of 1968. But each of them are living secret lives that have not gone unnoticed by the CIA and FBI. The pressure is slowly building and the only question is: who will crack first? This is a novel – filled with intrigue, drama and tension – that is sure to appeal to fans of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's".
Pandora’s Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes October 1, Picador
A change in the seasons calls for a shift in perspective. That's exactly what Natalie Haynes does in her newest book Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths. This non-fiction title explores ten of the most iconic women in Greek mythology through retellings that discuss the erratic mutations of that mythology depending on authors, their sources and the era in which they lived. As it ponders how retellings develop in time to match the constantly shifting morals and standards of new eras, this book also reflects on how these have affected the representation of women. In this discussion of Greek mythology, no stone is left unturned. Haynes covers everything from art and poetry to sculptures and pop culture.
Ghosts by Dolly Alderton October 15, Penguin
This delicious debut novel from Dolly Alderton is one of the most hotly anticipated of the season. It follows the story of 30-something Nina, a born and bred Londoner with a successful career as a food writer, as her world is slowly coming apart at the seams. Suffocating under the time pressures society places on us, and especially women, Nina’s life seems to be escaping her. All her friends, however, are smoothly moving on and settling down. After learning to navigate the world of online dating, Nina falls for the charming Max. He could be the one but, predictably, life has other plans. It doesn’t help that her mother is going through a crisis of identity, and her father, whom she usually seeks solace in, is slowly slipping into a world of fading memories, confusion and dementia. Relationships, family, memories and of course love lie at the heart of this novel about the ghosts we all face in their many guises. If you’re a fan of anything Nora Ephron, then this book is for you. Utterly hilarious and beautifully tender, Ghosts will give you the utter joy of a girls’ night in whilst leaving you feeling warm and content.