It’s nearly October, my favorite month of the year – the month of changing trees, apple picking, bonfires, stormy weather, the return of knee high boots and buffalo plaid… And this particular October, quite possibly, childbirth* (which sounds both terrifying and like an absolute relief). Needless to say, I am excited for the personal changes and for the books that will be coming out. Will I get to read all of these? That’s a big nope, but it’s good to have goals. These are mine.
Faithful by Alice Hoffman (November 1). “What happens when a life is turned inside out? When love is something so distant it may as well be a star in the sky? Faithful is the story of a survivor, filled with emotion—from dark suffering to true happiness—a moving portrait of a young woman finding her way in the modern world. A fan of Chinese food, dogs, bookstores, and men she should stay away from, Shelby has to fight her way back to her own future. In New York City she finds a circle of lost and found souls—including an angel who’s been watching over her ever since that fateful icy night.”
Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood (October 11). “Margaret Atwood’s novel take on Shakespeare’s play of enchantment, retribution, and second chances leads us on an interactive, illusion-ridden journey filled with new surprises and wonders of its own.”
The Guineveres by Sarah Domet (October 4). “In prose shot through with beauty, Sarah Domet weaves together the Guineveres’ past, present, and future, as well as the stories of the female saints they were raised on, to capture the wonder and tumult of girlhood and the magical thinking of young women as they cross over to adulthood.”
The Unified Theory of Love and Everything by Travis Neighbor Ward (October 17). “In The Unified Theory of Love and Everything, Travis Neighbor Ward takes readers on a journey into the heart of marriage, friendship, and what it means to love someone.”
The Hidden People by Alison Littlewood (November 1). “In 1851, within the grand glass arches of London’s Crystal Palace, Albie Mirralls meets his cousin Lizzie for the first–and, as it turns out, last–time. His cousin is from a backward rural village, and Albie expects she will be a simple country girl, but instead he is struck by her inner beauty and by her lovely singing voice, which is beautiful beyond all reckoning. When next he hears of her, many years later, it is to hear news of her death at the hands of her husband, the village shoemaker. Unable to countenance the rumors that surround his younger cousin’s murder–apparently, her husband thought she had been replaced by one of the “fair folk” and so burned her alive–Albie becomes obsessed with bringing his young cousin’s murderer to justice. With his father’s blessing, as well as that of his young wife, Albie heads to the village of Halfoak to investigate his cousin’s murder.”
The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter by John Pipkin (October 11). “This is a novel of the obsessions of the age: scientific inquiry, geographic discovery, political reformation, but above all, astronomy, the mapping of the solar system and beyond. It is a novel of the quest for knowledge and for human connection — rich, far-reaching, and unforgettable.”
And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich (September 6). When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt’s home, it’s immediately clear that the “blood manor” is cursed. The creaking of the house and the stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too–the questions that Silla can’t ignore: Who is the beautiful boy that’s appeared from the woods? Who is the man that her little sister sees, but no one else? And why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer?”
The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike (October 11). “This tale of a young married couple who harbor a dark secret is packed with dread and terror, as they and their daughter move into a brand new apartment building built next to a graveyard. As strange and terrifying occurrences begin to pile up, people in the building start to move out one by one, until the young family is left alone with someone… or something… lurking in the basement. The psychological horror builds moment after moment, scene after scene, culminating with a conclusion that will make you think twice before ever going into a basement again.”
What are you reading this autumn? Have any baby names to share? We’re stuck. I happen to think Henry for a boy and Juniper for a girl are brilliant choices, but apparently I am supposed to compromise with my husband. For more top ten lists…
*To be realistic, the baby will likely come in early November, but don’t burst my bubble.
flannel and folklore 
I’ve seen “And the Trees Crept In” around the blogosphere, but haven’t read much about it. Hope you enjoy your autumn TBR picks. 🙂
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And the Trees Crept In made my list too!! It sounds perfect for fall and Halloween season 🙂
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The Graveyard Apartment sounds good! Good luck with the little one when it arrives! Juniper is a lovely name!
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I am definitely looking forward to the Atwood.
I really wanted Darwin for a boy, but considering your science library connection that might be a bit too much…?
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Compromising on baby names… 😛
Those are lovely names. They are both slightly unique but not ridiculously so if that makes sense.
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Will be keen to read your review of Hag-Seed – I read Jeanette Winterson’s Gap in Time (part of the same series of re-tellings, I think), and loved it. Seems they’ve picked excellent authors for the project.
Blind Astronomer’s Daughter also sounds good.
Not that I’m suggesting this (just sharing a strategy) but a friend’s husband was very set on the name Tess for a girl. My friend wanted Daisy. When the baby was born, the husband IMMEDIATLY said “Hello darling Tess!”…. and so it was Tess. As my friend said, once it was said, she didn’t feel it was right to go back. They had three more children after that and I always like to imagine great shouts of names the second the baby was born, so that they could get their choice in! Anyway, not endorsing that strategy, just saying…
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October is my favorite month too — for all the reasons you listed, plus pumpkins and my birthday! You can just let your little one know that October is the *best* month to be born ! 😉 I actually think the name Juniper is adorable. I’m all for plant-based names — two of my contenders for if we ever have kids are Violet and Holly.
I had only heard of a couple books you listed, but two new-to-me ones totally caught my eye, “The Hidden People” and “The Blind Astronomer’s Daughter.” I’ve read a few science-y books lately and I’m so hungry for more!
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These sound very, very interesting. Thanks for sharing these with us!
Here’s My Fall TBR!
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This is a great list – different stuff than I’ve seen on lots of other lists! I’ve been hearing more and more about The Guineveres and Unified Theory of Love and Everything totally caught my interest!
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Lots of good looking books on this list! Good luck on the baby names! I really like Juniper. 🙂
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Congrats on the pregnancy and best wishes for motherhood. Picking names can be hard. Good luck with the compromising!
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‘Both terrifying and an absolute relief’ is the perfect way to describe childbirth (especially the third time when you know what’s coming). Enjoy your last month of being able to rest a mug on your belly. 🙂
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Congratulations on your upcoming birth! That’s exciting. I did a lot of reading while feeding my babies, especially late at night.
I haven’t read any of the books on your list, but many of them are on my TBR mountain chain!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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Compromise? That’s crazy talk! Then again, I’m still bitter that my parents didn’t let me name my first sister Wendy and may or may not call her that when I’m angry. I love the name Henry but think you should name a daughter Allison (although I could be biased). Maybe you could go with Richard (as in Russo).
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Compromise? I’m sure you can come up with great arguments why your suggestions are perfect. Personally, I’m very partial to the name Henry.
Also, great list! I’m totally blaming you when at the end of the year, I haven’t gotten half of my original tbr list read because of all these distractions.
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The Graveyard Apartment and The Hidden People are both high on my TBR. They seem perfect for this time of year.
Baby names… hmm… well, I’ve always been partial to Ella (which is completely overdone at this point in time) and Brenin for a boy. Hope you and the baby both are doing well. 🙂
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Hag-Seed is on my radar too. Ooh and baby names – I love Sky for a girl and Zion for a boy.
Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
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