Hello, star bits, and welcome to another Tuesday tome talk! I hope you’ve all been enjoying your fall so far. The nights are getting chilly here in Maine — it’s perfect weather for reading. JK, it’s always perfect weather for reading! Books 24/7, please. You may not know this about me, but I love books. And to that end, for you today, I have a collection of pieces from one of the greatest literary figures of the century, an absolutely bananapants novel of phantasmagoric horrors, and a wonderful middle-grade story of magic and friendship.
At the top of my list of today’s books that I want to buy are Blackouts by Justin Torres, Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri, and Touched by Walter Mosley. You can hear about more of the fabulous books coming out today on this week’s episode of All the Books! Vanessa and I talked about some of the books we’re excited about this week, including Normal Women, By Any Other Name, and Brooms.
Autumn is here, which means it’s time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes.
And now it’s time for everyone’s favorite game, “Ahhhhhhh, My TBR!” Here are today’s contestants!
Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business by Roxane Gay
Roxane Gay fans, rejoice! It has been a few years since a new book from her, but we have always been able to read her wise words online and in The New York Times opinion section and as the NYT “Work Friend” columnist. This is a curated selection of her best pieces from the last ten years, ranging from politics and the issues plaguing our country, to pop culture and some of the advice she has doled out over the years. She is funny, frank, and fearless about everything she discusses, and while some readers may be familiar with the work, it is a joy to have it all in one handy book to revisit.
Backlist bump: Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay
A Light Most Hateful by Hailey Piper
In time for Halloween season comes this bananapants horror novel! It’s like Stranger Things for grownups. Olivia works the concession stand at the drive-in in the small town of Chapel Hill, Pennsylvania. She’s lived here for three years since running away from Connecticut, and her only happiness in life is her friend Sunflower. Olivia thinks Sunflower is the most perfect person ever, and has feelings beyond friendship for her that she can’t share. This is really all you need to know, because the most bonkers stuff is going to start happening almost immediately after the book starts, when Olivia reports for work. There’s a monster, supernatural weather occurrences, a widespread unknown infection taking over the town, and more. Olivia, Sunflower, and the few other unaffected citizens must try and survive the night while figuring out what the hell is going on. It is completely wild, a little ridiculous in a fun way (I don’t believe a runaway hiding out would attend high school any more than I believe vampires would), and plenty gross, too. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Backlist bump: The Worm and His Kings by Hailey Piper
Just a Pinch of Magic by Alechia Dow
And to finish things up today, I have Dow’s magical middle-grade debut. Wini and Kal are both kids in a small town who are experiencing trouble in their lives. Wini’s family is struggling to keep their magical bakery afloat. To try and help out, Wini casts a forbidden spell, which backfires and puts the whole town in peril. Meanwhile, Kal is having a hard time adjusting to the reappearance of her grandfather in her and her father’s lives. He disappeared years ago, and dark rumors surround him. When Wini and Kal meet, they discover they have a lot in common and work together to find solutions for the problems in their lives, because there’s no magic like friendship. (Awwww. That was sweet. But a little gross, too, right? I felt a little gross typing it lol.)
Backlist bump: Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega
Book Riot has podcasts to keep your ears listening for days! Check them out and subscribe.
This week, I am reading Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi and The Halt During the Chase by Rosemary Tonks. In non-book things, I haven’t been watching much TV, but I do have Over the Garden Wall playing in the background while I do work and chores. It’s also the preseason for my Celtics, who won their first game last night. The song stuck in my head this week is “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind. And here is your weekly cat picture: Zevon really doesn’t understand that he’s a cat sometimes, and tries to sit on the couch like a human.
Thank you, as always, for joining me each Tuesday as I rave about books! I am wishing you all a wonderful rest of your week, whatever situation you find yourself in now. And yay, books! See you next week. – XO, Liberty