Hi Bookworms, happy Labor Day weekend. I hope it’s fun and relaxing where you are. We are having three days of rain here. Bahhh, I had hoped to get yard work done before our trip this week to Mexico City for my nephew’s wedding (woohoo).
Here’s a shot from the end of the road.
I’ll be bringing Mexican Gothic in the travel bag … the 2020 novel by Silva Moreno-Garcia. I’m hoping it might add to the atmosphere. We plan to explore the city.
Now September is upon us. Can you believe summer is about over? Yikes, it’s definitely cooler in the mornings here, but fall should be nice, and this month — my birthday month — is usually one of the prettiest of the year. I hope my tennis and golf playing will still be possible into mid-October.
I’ll be recapping what I finished on my Summer List next time. I just finished Belle Burden’s memoir Strangers about the collapse of her marriage, which was a buddy read with Tina at Turn the Page. I’ll review it next time.
Until then there’s much to discuss about what’s coming out this month. So many notable authors have new novels releasing including: Marlon James, Kate Atkinson, Robert Harris, John Green, Ariel Lawhon, R.F. Kuang, Emily St. John Mandel, Patrick deWitt, Jodi Picoult, Min Jin Lee, Hernan Diaz, and John Boyne. There’s also new mysteries by Ann Cleeves and Richard Osman and popular reads by Deesha Philyaw, Elin Hilderbrand, Amanda Peters, and Chloe Benjamin among others. I’m looking at these and a few others highlighted below.
First is Emma Cline’s novel Switzy (due out Sept. 8) about a retired man with dementia who’s on his final journey to Zurich to accept his fate. On the way he plans to see his daughter in London and an estranged boyhood friend in France. But what is evident is his mind seems to be unraveling.
This novel sounds moving and sad, but I’m not totally sure it’s advisable for me to read considering past losses … though Emma Cline is quite a young talent and I’ve read and liked her other two books. Switzy has been longlisted for the Booker Prize and we’ll have to see if it makes it onto the shortlist when that’s announced on Sept. 22.
I’m also curious about Philippe Collin’s translated debut novel The Barman at the Ritz (out Sept. 1), which has been a big bestseller in France, about a bartender in Paris during the Nazi Occupation who is trying to hide a secret about himself while also helping the Resistance. Apparently the story draws on the real life of Frank Meier who served Nazis at the Ritz Hotel during WWII.
Kirkus calls it a “compelling story of entrapment and survival,” and Shelf Awareness says it’s a “sensitive portrait of a man forced to make impossible choices.” I have read several WWII novels set in Occupied France, but this one sounds like I shouldn’t miss it.
Next is Tananarive Due’s novel Mazywood (due out Sept. 22), which the publisher says is a literary thriller that follows the grandson of a famous Black actress who returns to his grandmother’s cabin retreat in the California mountains only to encounter a legacy of rage and secrets that has haunted his family for generations. The novel explores their family’s history while the grandson tries to piece together the true story of his grandmother who brushed shoulders with the stars of Old Hollywood.
I meant to read the author’s prior novel The Reformatory, which received much praise and now this book is doing the same. Both books are lengthy and apparently have a touch of the horror genre about them. She seems like an author who can spin an enticing yarn. She also teaches at UCLA.
Lastly I’m looking at Ayad Akhtar’s new novel The Radiance (out Sept. 29) about a writer who undergoes a startling transformation after being involved in a hit-and-run accident. Later he reaches out to a friend who teaches at the local college and then finds himself being pulled into a scandal there that threatens to destroy them both.
The novel — like Akhtar’s debut Homeland Elegies — is autofiction, which is genre I’m not usually a big fan of … whereby the author plays a main part in his or her own novel. Still the book has received an assortment of high praise so I’m going to check it out. Is it as profound and unforgettable as some are saying?
In what to watch this month — there’s Season 6 of the spy series Slow Horses with Gary Oldman as the grumpy chief spymaster starting on Sept. 16 on AppleTV, which is said to be bringing back some former characters, so stay tuned for that.
As well as there’s a new comedy-drama series Youth (starting Sept. 20 on HBO) starring Sharon Horgan as a 50-year-old divorcee literary agent who juggles dating life while taking care of her parents and adult son. Horgan, an Irish actress and the show’s creator, is funny in these types of roles and many liked her in the 2015 series Catastrophe and the more-recent series Bad Sisters, which was a fun spoof that features the five (bad) Garvey sisters who just might have covered up a crime.
I’m also eager to see the miniseries Trespasses (on PBS starting Sept. 20) about Cushla, a Catholic schoolteacher who falls dangerously in love with Michael, an older, married Protestant barrister in 1975 Northern Ireland. Cushia lives with her mother a widow and alcoholic (played by the great Gillian Anderson). It’s based on the 2022 novel by Louise Kennedy, which I reviewed here and was shortlisted for the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Check it out if you get a chance.
Lastly in music this month, there’s new albums by Beck, Miley Cyrus, Neil Young, Susanna Hoffs, and Leon Bridges among others. I’ll pick Leon Bridges new studio album Happiness Anytime (out Sept. 25), which is his fifth. Here’s the sounds of the smooth and delectable single Talk It Over. Enjoy.
That’s all for now. What about you — which new releases are you looking forward to? Happy September.
I can’t wait to see what you make of Mexico City. It sounds like you have the ideal book for your trip! Thanks for filling us in on upcoming new books.
Hi Deb, thanks, we are excited about the trip and we leave later today. It looks rainy there but we plan to explore. I’ll post about it next time. Cheers, have a great week!
We had rain, too! A little over 1 1/2 inches, which isn’t a lot, but we’ll take it. I pulled a few weeds after my walk yesterday since the ground wasn’t too hard, but I’ll wait to do more after our camping trip (we leave on Tuesday). Love your photo of your road. Did I ever send you a photo of our road when we lived in Nebraska? Looks so similar!
I have my Summer Reading Challenge summary ready to post, but wanted to get monthly summary up first. I’m diving into nothing but mysteries and thrillers this month and next, which should be fun. I’ve got at least two dozen thanks to my mom, but I’m going to skip putting together a collage of my options. Too busy prepping meals and getting the van packed. I’m starting the month with a re-read of Tana French’s “Faithful Place,” which is just as good as her two earlier mysteries in the Dublin Murder Squad series.
Have a wonderful time in Mexico City!
Hi Lesley, sounds cool you’re going camping this week. I’ll get the lowdown on your site. And send a Nebraska pic sometime …. I have not seen any.
I need to check out your recent posts. We leave today so I’m trying to fit everything in and make sure we’re packed. Enjoy your reads! Thanks we are excited about our trip. You enjoy your trip too. Happy exploring.
Mexican Gothic is excellent; perfect for Mexico as well as for the upcoming season. Enjoy the trip and have fun! I’ll be starting Marlon James’ latest as soon as I finish Land, which has taken me forever. It has received extraordinary praise, the NYT called it the book of the decade, or possibly the best of this century so far. Hmmm. I guess I’ll find out one way or the other. 🙂 I plan to read Switzy too; it’s already on hold at the library. I got Melanie Benjamin’s latest from the library also, but returned it to read James’ first. I would like to read so many more books this year but time is almost running out. Btw, my sister is vacationing in Banff this week. She sent pictures that got me crazy excited; I thought of you since you live in the general vicinity, right? 😉
Hi Carmen, good to know about Mexican Gothic, yay. If you start the Marlon James novel, I’ll be interested to hear what the writing is like. I have not tried any of his books yet (they’re long). I heard the NYT liked it a lot. Best book …. hmm.
I can’t believe your sister is in Banff, wow! Yes we live two hours from there. Same province. Is she on a sightseeing trip? The mountains should be beautiful right now … and maybe even a touch of snow on the peaks. Is she having fun?!
You should have come, lol.
Much to read right now. We’ll see what makes the Booker shortlist in a couple weeks. I guess Marlon James is up against Douglas Stuart … I hope you finish Land … it is a long book but it tapped my imagination a bit. What do you think? chat later, Enjoy your week.
Yes, my sister was on a sightseeing trip. She lives in the Toronto area. Never went anywhere aside from Niagara Falls. Sent me photos of Lake Louise, the foggy, snow-capped mountains, and the caves. I got crazy excited about Lake Louise. I didn’t know that area is fed by glaciers.
James’ novel is long but I’ve read that it’s propulsive, or as much as literary fiction can be. I’m still stuck in the final 15% of Land but it feels that pages are going faster than at the beginning. It has been a 4* so far. I’m surprised I didn’t put it aside for good; it’s much too slow. This is my third week reading it. I wouldn’t have made such concession with another book but it’s really a fascinating story. Well told too. A pleasure to read aside from the sluggish pace.
That’s great about your sister going. Yes Lake Louise is really cool. Beautiful place. I didn’t realize she lived in Toronto.
Yeah the O’Farrell book meanders at a slow pace but I listened to it as an audiobook so perhaps it moved better for me. Still it’s a long book … but I liked the various parts & characters. Though I wonder if she overuses tragedy in her books … hmm. Not sure I will get to the James novel.
I am so jealous of your three days of rain. It has been forever since we have had rain (which is normal I know, but still). There was a tentative forecast of a bit of rain today, which we dismissed. But, lo and behold, we actually did get maybe 20 minutes of light rain. Not a lot of help, but enough to keep the back area going for a day or two. We are also still having hot uncomfortable days, and the temps keep going up and down.
We will definitely be watching the new season of Slow Horses but we have several shows already going now. As far as books go, Switzy is the one I am focusing on now. I will get the new Emily St. John Mandel but I don’t know when, and the new Patrick deWitt book sounds very interesting.
I have finished reading the book by Margaret Millar about bird watching (and a big fire) in the Santa Barbara area in the 1960s. It exceeded my expectations.
Hi Tracy, yeah getting rain is lucky. We needed it too. My brother said it rained in L.A. (like where you are) but likely not enough. I hope it cools off where you are. I will see my siblings in Mexico … it’s been a while.
I look forward to your review of the Millar book — sounds interesting. And I’ll likely get on the library wait list for the Patrick deWitt book about a draft dodger. But I wonder if I could handle a dystopian read right now like Emily St. John Mandel’s book, hmm. The world feels too dystopian at the moment. But Switzy is one I’ll get to. Do you have your annual book sale coming up? I’m curious what you’ll find there. Enjoy your reads & shows. Cheers. Have a good week.
Love those photos! You will laugh but I used to take photos of hay bales when we’d ride the motorcycle through farmland. A field of bales was my computer wallpaper.
I wanted to wish you a great trip and tell you I like the books you have highlighted. The Barman at the Ritz has my attention. I have a hold for Switzy.
Oh, I just now got a copy of The Good People by Patmeena Sabit! Will try and write up some short review about Strangers later.
Looking forward to Slow Horses soon as well as the last seaon of For All Mankind, Friends and Neighbors. Travel safely!
Thanks Tina. I remember you like hay bales …. yay! They are plentiful here.
I’m excited about the trip, leaving soon — woohoo!
Glad some of these books appeal. And good you have a copy of Good People …. if I get through Mexican Gothic fairly quickly (airplane reading!) … I’ll start Good People …. I have an ebook from the library. I’ll let you know when I start it.
Hope these series are good – happy watching. Chat later. Appreciate your sendoff.
Susan, again, want to wish you a good trip to Mexico. Know you have a lot to do before you leave. Yes, there are definitely a bunch of books coming out in September and I’ve already got my eye on several of them. Oh, we got a teeny-tiny bit of rain at our house a couple of days ago. More rain was in our Central Texas area, but it has been one of those times where you might get some and you might not. Still having hot temps, but I think those will decrease in the next couple of weeks. Take care and be safe!
Thanks Kay. It’s been busy before the trip … but we’re good now and ready to head to the airport. I’ll post about it when I get back. Have a good week there and stay out of the heat. It’s good you got a bit of rain, hooray.
Happy Labor Day! They said we would get rain this weekend…but it all moved east of us, so we’ve got sun and clouds and lovely cool weather. I should get out and do some weeding and gardening but instead I’m inside watching tennis and reading. ;D Hope you have a wonderful trip to Mexico City.
Hi Lark, thanks, we are psyched up about the trip, and leaving soon. I’m glad you are reading and watching some of the tennis at the US Open …. I’m a tennis addict, lol. Too bad SLC missed the rain … my brother said they got some on Sunday in L.A. … woowoo. Hope you have a nice & peaceful week.
I love reading a book set in the place where I’m traveling. It seems to add an entire extra layer of memories on the experience. I hope it works for you!
Hi Joy — Yes I agree, it is so good reading a book set to where you are travelling. I am liking Mexican Gothic (the novel) and it has some of the imagery and feel of what I see as we explore Mexico City. Cool. Cheers.
A couple of friends have read and really liked Strangers so I am interested to see what you thought of it.
I’ve just this moment finished the Pull of the Stars, a book I’ve had on my TBR shelf for quite a while. I really enjoyed it even though it is intense.
Hi Helen, I have read Pull of the Stars and that is an intense one! I can’t recall if I read that before or after the pandemic … but it has a lot of pain in there.
And I thought Strangers was well done … I *liked* it which is hard to say about a divorce book … Man she had a hard time with what happened. See what you think …
Have fun in Mexico city and a great idea to explore the city after the wedding. I hear its beautiful.
Thanks for letting us know about all these great books coming out. Sept starts a really great season of reading. I must read Emma Cline and would probably have started with Switzy but dementia books I tend to avoid because of family issues. But The Girls might beca place to start. And I would like to check out The Barman Of The Ritz.
Hi Kathy, thanks we’ve been having fun in Mexico City and have explored around the city. Still have a couple of days.
And I agree with you — I’m not sure I can read a dementia novel like Switzy but I will see. Her debut novel The Girls is a creepy story but well done. See what you think. I think Emma Cline is a young talent to watch. Hope you enjoy some of these others. Cheers.
I’d not heard of Barman at the Ritz but t wsouds lie something I would like very much to read. I’m looking forward to all of PBS’ upcoming mysteries and masterpieces! And new All Creatures in January. Have fun in Mexico — we’re having cool mornings and nights too. Season is changing!
Hi Jeanie … thanks. Mexico has been a fun break, still have a couple days left. I wonder if you’ll be leaving the lake soon … as the seasons are changing. And I hope the Barman at the Ritz is a good read. Take care.
We had rain over the holiday weekend too and today it’s already 105 and not even 11am. I had grand plans for the weekend including birthday stuff but did not anticipate having to put my little pup down. That was heartbreaking in so many ways. Feel lost. She’s want me to carry on though.
Hi Ti, I totally sympathize with you. It is so hard to lose your Pup. But yes she would want you to carry on. We lost our dog too … which feels like a major hole in our hearts. Be good to yourself and find ways to get by. My brother said it has been really hot in L.A. ugh. Hope it cools.
Mexico City is great. The food.. top notch. Hope you have a brilliant time.
Thanks Hena … it’s been fun in Mexico City … with a lot to see! We have a couple more days.
Switzy sounds like something I’d like. Have fun in Mexico City! Eat lots of yummy food.
Hi Jinjer … thanks. It’s been nice to be in Mexico City …. Different and fun.
I hope your trip and the wedding were lots of fun! I’m so glad I stopped by because I had no idea Tennarive Due had a new book out. Thank you!! You need to read The Reformatory-it’s crazy good.
This fall is an overload of new releases. I finished and loved The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon (go kick-ass female pirates in 1500s Ireland!). I’m looking forward to: Empire by Sabaa Tahir, Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel, and Peck & Peck by Bonnie Gramus.
Hi Catherine, great to hear from you! I’m glad to let you know about the new novel Mazywood …. yes I must read Tennarive Due … either the first or second book or both. I’m on the library wait list so it might be a while. & Good to know you liked The Reformatory … and to hear which new fall releases you are looking at …. Both Bonnie Garmus and Emily St John Mandel are coming to our book festival here in mid-Oct. It would be fun to hear them speak about their books. So much to read this fall! No time to waste, lol. Enjoy your September.
We’ve been in NYC just over 2 weeks now. I’m finally coming up for air and trying to catch up. Our new grandson is thriving and our daughter & SIL are happy to have us a block away while they all adjust. You must be in Mexico City by now, perhaps even back already!?
There are just SO many exciting new releases this fall. I’m curious about Switzy, especially with the Booker nomination, but it sounds like a tough read. The Barman at the Ritz should be another good one and I’ll probably pick up Min Jin Lee’s American Hagwon asap!
Enjoy your travels!
Hi JoAnn, we just got home today on the Red Eye … ha ha – don’t know where I am … but glad to hear how you & your family are doing after the new baby. The days must be exciting there. What a joy to have a grandson!
There are a lot of good reads releasing … and I read an advanced copy of American Hagwon earlier this year …. I was a big, big fan of Pachinko … I learned a bit with her new novel but it was no Pachinko for me … just the way it was told I needed more of the characters inner thoughts etc. But see what you think of it. It’s a long epic. More later, Cheers!
Oh, right… I think I saw you posted that somewhere. Either way, glad you mentioned it so I can temper my expectations. That’s always a good thing.
Others liked American Hagwon quite a bit so perhaps it’s just me – so see what you think. I definitely had big expectations after Pachinko.
I’m getting here late. I hope you have had or will have a good trip to Mexico City. I approve of your choice of books for the trip. I very much enjoyed “Mexican Gothic.” Also, happy (belated?) birthday. I hope it was (is) a particularly good one. There are so many books coming out this fall from authors that I have enjoyed in the past. Truly my reading cup runneth over!
Hi Dorothy — thanks. My birthday is coming this Sunday … woohoo. Always a pretty time of year. We just got back from Mexico City …. interesting place with much to see. We had a good trip! And glad you like Mexican Gothic …. I just finished it …. it had plenty of atmosphere. Much to read this fall … enjoy your reads & the days!
Hope Mexico was great! I’ve only been to Cancun, and that was just weird, but I’ve heard Mexico City is very interesting.
Just put The Barman of the Ritz on my tbr list–sounds perfect. High hopes. Mazywood is also intriguing…maybe. Same goes for Trespasses.
We just cancelled HBO, so Youth will have to wait until we rejoin.
So many great authors have new books coming out! Something for everyone. Wonder what Kate Atkison has out–I love her Jackson Brody books a bit more than the experimental ones (i.e., the Groundhog Day approach to storytelling).
As always, thanks for the monthly preview.
Hi Jane, thanks. We’re home now from Mexico City and it was a cool trip. Plenty to explore and see and do there. And my nephew had a fun wedding too. More on Mexico in my next post, lol.
And I agree there’s a lot of new books coming out by notable authors …. we’ll have to pick and choose. I’m on the library wait list for many of these.
Happy reading & fall days!
Everything is so green and beautiful! I can’t believe summer is over either. We’re still getting warm weather but cool nights. I was in Montana over Labor Day then flew with my grandkids to their home in Texas so they could go back to school while my daughter and SIL stayed in Montana and my husband flew home. That was not planned.
I never heard of “autofiction” and interesting premise. I look forward to your thoughts!
Hi Rachel, sounds like nice travel that you had … between Montana and Texas. Quite a busy month, eh? It is hard to believe summer is over, wahhh. It is getting pretty cold in the mornings here too … which I’m not ready for yet.
And there’s several authors who like to write autofiction … putting themselves as a person with their own name in the story …. I usually find these stories to be sort of navel-gazing and don’t like it … but I’m giving it more of a chance. We’ll see. Let you know. Cheers.