September is my favorite month of the year, and with the start of fall releases it is one of the most abundant in new movies, books and albums. In books alone (see list at top right), there are some huge name authors coming out with new titles, including: Margaret Atwood, J.M. Coetzee, Alice McDermott, Thomas Pynchon, and the ever-prolific Stephen King.
But I guess I’m most interested in the new novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri called “The Lowland.” I’ve read her three other wonderful books and I’m surely not planning on missing this one. It’s about two very different brothers bound by tragedy and is set in both India and America over many years. It deals with sibling rivalry, guilt, grief, marriage and parental love against a backdrop of revolution. “The Lowland” sounds intriguing and is written by a fantastic author who you won’t want to miss.
Another highly anticipated read for September is Jennifer duBois’s new novel “Cartwheel,” which is about a foreign exchange student arrested for murder in Argentina and a father trying to hold his family together. It sounds like a psychological suspense novel that is sure to be riveting. I missed her debut novel “A Partial History of Lost Causes” last year, which received so much high praise, so I definitely want to check out her writing this time around.
I’m also interested in a debut novel by Australian writer Hannah Kent called “Burial Rites” that explores the final months of a young woman accused of murder who was the last person to be executed in Iceland in 1829. It’s getting high ratings on both Amazon and Goodreads and is apparently bleak but quite memorable. And then there’s Daniel Woodrell’s “The Maid’s Version,” which is another tragic one based on a true story, that looks tough but also enticing. It’s about a deadly dance hall fire that took place in the Ozarks in 1928 and explores its impact over several generations. Lastly, I have a soft spot for Jamie Ford’s writing and will look for his new novel “Songs of Willow Frost,” set in Depression-era Seattle about a Chinese American orphaned boy with dreams for his future and an actress he believes is his mother.
As for movies in September (see list at top left), the documentary “Salinger” looks to make a splash (along with its companion biography of the same title) about the former reclusive author of “The Catcher in the Rye.” Not sure of all the strange stuff about him, but it’s quite noteworthy if indeed Salinger had five unpublished works finished that will come out starting in 2015. Hmm, the Glass family story continues apparently.
Also the movie “Rush” by director Ron Howard at the end of the month looks to be an entertaining action-drama about two Formula One drivers who were rivals in the 1970s and were willing to risk everything to win. Chris Hemsworth of “The Avengers” and “Thor” fame stars and is on the movie poster with the tagline “Everyone’s driven by something.”
Lastly for albums in September (see list at bottom right), more than a half-dozen good ones are in the mix.
There are big releases from long-time veterans Elton John (his first studio album in 7 years), Sting (his first full LP in 10 years) and even Cher (her first studio album in 10 years). Wow why are all they coming out now? I’m also interested a bit to hear the new one from Keith Urban, called “Fuse,” which according to him is quite a departure from his other recordings. And of course, I’m excited to hear Sheryl Crow’s new album “Feels Like Home,” which is the first country album of her career. Alternatively, I like Neko Case and her music though the title of her new one seems way too long. And lastly, I’m looking forward to the new one by Kings of Leon called “Mechanical Bull,” which is said to have a young, fun, high-energy sound to it and is less serious than the band’s other albums. Serious? These guys? No way.
How about you? Which new book, movie or music releases are you most looking forward to this month?
Love your blog. So up-to-date. Lowland and Cartwheel sound good. I’m not currently a big Salinger fan, though I read everything I could by him as a teenager. I tend to think of him as eccentric, over-rated, a good author for newly dissillusioned adolescents (are they all?)
Other than that ….
But I might go see the movie.
Thanks Barbara, that’s so nice of you to say. I agree with your Salinger comments, though the movie might make me curious enough to see it. I’m not sure which book of the Sept ones I’ll read first. I’m already behind on my previous stack, but I plug on !
I’m curious about Cartwheel…enjoy your reading. I love September, too, but October is probably my favorite month, since it stays hot here until then…lol.
Here’s MY SUNDAY UPDATES/MAILBOX MONDAY
Thanks Laurel. I’ll check out your post. I too would like to read Cartwheel. I hope it’s a fast one! cheers.
I’m also looking forward to Songs of Willow Frost – I have the ARC for review and will be reading it soon. His first novel blew me away, so expectations are high!
I don’t necessarily read books immediately after they’re released, so my September reading list is a bit different. I will be reading Cold Comfort Farm for the “I’ve Always Meant to Read That Book!” Challenge. I’m reading Lineup by Liad Shoham, an Israeli crime thriller for a book tour. I am currently reading one new release – The Doll by Taylor Stevens – another thriller. And on audio, I’m listening to Fin and Lady by Kathleen Schine, which is absolutely excellent.
I hope you enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
Sounds like you got quite a few good books Carrie. I’ll be looking to see what you think of them along with Jamie Ford’s new one. I too look forward to reading it. thanks!
I feel so old. I’m not interested in any of these, maybe Rush or Salinger, but that’s about it. I guess I’m too caught up in reading mostly older books, with one exception this month: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. BUT thank you for letting us know what’s coming up. I’m sure others are interested in hearing the latest. AND it’s not like I don’t want to read or see anything new. I would like to see The World’s End. 🙂
Yeah Bryan I’m usually slow about getting to new things that come out but I like just to know so perhaps they are on my radar. I’ll be checking out what you’re reading on your site, cheers.
What a great post and so informative. Fall has entirely too many awesome releases. I can barely keep up and know I’ll probably only find my to a couple of them during their actual release. Too many books, too little time.
Yeah Brooke I know what you mean. Good books are coming out of the woodwork. If I can get to one or two I’ll be happy
Burial Rites sounds so good!
I have a few fall books on my to-read list. The new book by the Code Name Verity author, the new Amy Tan book, and the new Bridget Jones in particular, but they don’t all come out in September.
Yeah thanks Anna … the books you mention all sound like good ones. I should read Code Name Verity quickly to get up to speed.
I want to read The Cartwheel too. Burial Rites is awesome. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks Nicole. I’m glad Burial Rites pans out good. I should pick up Cartwheel as well