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Some heavy hitters are coming to shelves this October, as publishing ramps up into its fall season. Traditionally fall is when companies release some of their most prestigious titles, as the literary award season begins in earnest. The pandemic rather scrambled that trend, but this October is seeing its fair share of highly anticipated titles appearing on shelves. On to the notables:
--An especially abundant selection of memoirs is in the offering this month, particularly from artists. Former poet laureate Joy Harjo, journalist Susan Orlean and filmmakers Cameron Crowe and Judd Apatow are among those competing for space on the new memoir shelves. Particularly notable is a new memoir from political activist/humanitarian Malala Yousefzai; her 2013 I Am Malala was a popular selection for UW-Madison’s Go Big Read. She follows up on that title with Finding My Way, recounting her life since navigating adolescence, young adulthood and her international humanitarian efforts.
--A few major literary figures are adding to the new books readers can enjoy this month. The legendary, reclusive Thomas Pynchon pens his first book in a decade, Shadow Ticket is a Depression-era tale featuring a private-eye and a missing Milwaukee cheese heiress. No reviews out on it yet, but readers will have a chance to read it themselves October 7. Adam Johnson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for previous novels, pens a saga of the Pacific with The Wayfinder. Due out mid-month, the historical epic centered on the island nation of Tonga is already getting strong reviews, with Publisher’s Weekly calling it ‘remarkable’ and Booklist finding it ‘enthralling.’ Acclaimed author Gish Jen sticks a bit closer to home, with her latest, Bad Bad Girl. Originally intended as a memoir of her mother’s life, Jen determined only a fictional treatment could capture the expansiveness of a life encompassing World War II, the Chinese Revolution and a brand new life in America. Starred in all the major reviewing sources, it’s out October 21. And Catherine Newman, whose novel Sandwich was a hit last fall, returns with Rocky and family in her follow-up, Wreck. Capturing the family two years after the events of Sandwich, Kirkus calls it an ‘absolutely Ephron-esque look at the beauty and fragility of everyday life.’ It’s on shelves late October.
--The bestseller lists are sure to change over the course of the month as popular authors release their latest. Harlan Coban teams up with book group maven Reese Witherspoon in the joint-authored thriller Gone Before Goodbye, out mid-month. Another unusual author pairing sees Nicholas Sparks of The Notebook fame teaming up with director M. Night Shymalan in the supernatural love story Remain, an apt release for spooky season that should appeal to fans of both men’s work. Unsurprisingly, there’s a film adaptation in the works. Thriller juggernaut Freida McFadden adds to her oeuvre with The Intruder; a woman invites a blood-soaked teen into her isolated cabin the midst of a furious storm, what could go wrong? Kirkus praises it as ‘A grim yet gleefully gratifying tale of lost innocence and found family.’ And mystery maven Louise Penny builds on the suspense of her previous The Grey Wolf with The Black Wolf; Publisher’s Weekly notes ‘Penny's talent for nail-biting suspense and quiet character moments fuse with surprisingly topical subject matter to deliver an unputdownable installment of an ever reliable series.’ Look for it on shelves October 28.
Publication dates are based on regular print format and are subject to change. This list is not exhaustive. See staff for more information.
Happy Reading!