On the Shelf: Five books to fall into this autumn

By Courtney Warren

I keep telling my students it’s sweater weather. So much so that one of them even gifted me a sweater covered in books! As the leaves change and we are finally getting some cooler weather, I am so excited to transition to fall books. With a fresh cup of tea, a warm blanket, and the cool air around you, here are a few upcoming releases for the season. 

On the Young Adult front, We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart continues her tradition of smart, unexpected narratives. This book is from the We Were Liars series, the perfect story for those who love a good plot twist. It was recently adapted to a tv series, as well! According to the publisher, the invitation arrives out of the blue. In it, Matilda discovers a father she’s never met. Kingsley Cello is a visionary, a reclusive artist. And when he asks her to spend the summer at his seaside home, Hidden Beach, Matilda expects to find a part of herself she’s never fully understood. Instead, she finds Meer, her long-lost, openhearted brother; Brock, a former child star battling demons; and brooding, wild Tatum, who just wants her to leave their crumbling sanctuary. With Kingsley nowhere to be seen, Matilda must delve into the twisted heart of Hidden Beach to uncover the answers she’s desperately craving. But secrets run thicker than blood, and blood runs like seawater. And everyone here is lying.

The fall season also brings essential nonfiction, and Black Owned by Char Adams stands out as a critical piece of contemporary journalism and history. I’m really excited about this one, because I’ve recently discovered a love for non-fiction. I think the exploration of the cultural impact of Black entrepreneurship, especially through bookstores, is going to be wonderful, and I can’t wait to see what all Adams has in store for readers. 

Moving on to all things cozy, Travis Baldreee has another treat in store. If you haven’t read the magic that is Legends and Lattes, and you are a fan of cozy fantasy, I highly recommend the story. Coming again from this author, readers are getting Brigands and Breadknives. According to the publisher, Fern has weathered the stillness and storms of a bookseller’s life for decades; but now, in the face of crippling ennui, transplants herself to the city of Thune to hang out her shingle beside a long-absent friend’s coffee shop. What could be a better pairing? Surely a charming renovation montage will cure what ails her! If only things were so simple…It turns out that fixing your life isn’t a one-time prospect, nor as easy as a change of scenery and a lick of paint. A drunken and desperate night sees the rattkin waking far from home in the company of a legendary warrior surviving on inertia, an imprisoned chaos-goblin with a fondness for silverware, and an absolutely thumping hangover. As together they fend off a rogue’s gallery of ne’er-do-wells trying to claim the bounty the goblin represents, Fern may finally reconnect with the person she actually is when there isn’t a job to get in the way.

Finally, for the youngest readers (and the adults who read to them), The Humble Pie by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald, is an absolute delight. This picture book continues the bestselling Food Group series with a focus on self-acceptance and modesty. John’s signature gentle humor, paired with Oswald’s charming, expressive illustrations, makes this a wonderful story about finding the joy in simplicity and recognizing the value of humility.