My Inorganic Chemistry teacher in high school had a very dry, quiet sense of humor. He would spend a few minutes explaining the solution to a long equation and at the end he’d sometimes say, without changing tones, “Now doesn’t that make your socks go up and down?” I suppose that for some, Inorganic Chemistry did make their socks go up and down, but mine stayed firmly in place.
For me, the anticipation of getting my hands on all the big fall book releases that the publisher stack the end of the year with — that’s what “makes my socks go up and down.” Or, more accurately, makes me feel like this:
Here’s a little preview of the fall books I’m most excited about this year:
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling (September 15)
I have the audiobook edition of this pre-ordered on Audible, and I’m already looking forward to listening to Mindy chat at me while I walk to and from work.
Step Aside Pops by Kate Beaton (September 15)
If you have yet to discover the delightfulness that is Kate Beaton’s comic collection Hark! A Vagrant, I recommend hightailing it to a store or library and grabbing it. It’s full of smarts and playfulness, and it will please anyone who loves history and/or literature. Her follow up, Step Aside Pops, is sure to be lovely as well.
More Letters of Note compiled by Shaun Usher (October 1)
I really enjoyed Shaun Usher’s first collection of fascinating & notable letters, and I’m looking forward to reading this sequel collection.
M Train by Patti Smith (October 6)
I was a bit floored by how much I loved Patti Smith’s first memoir, Just Kids. It’s stunningly beautiful. I absolutely cannot wait to read her follow up, M Train. I bought a ticket to see her speak about it the week it’s released, which includes a copy of the book. I think I might also need this one on audiobook – hearing her read her work adds even more beauty to her writing.
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt (October 6)
I think Gary D. Schmidt is one of the most talented middle grade writers out there right now. I especially love The Wednesday Wars, but everything he writes is unique and moving. From what I’ve heard, Orbiting Jupiter is no exception and I’m excited to read it.
Thirteen Ways of Looking by Colum McCann (October 13)
Glimpse into my inner monolog: “Colum McCann wrote something new? Yes I will need that right now thank you.” It doesn’t really take any more thought that that with some authors.
The Mark and the Void by Paul Murray (October 20)
I fell hard for Skippy Dies, which I initially bought because of the cover and the title. Luckily, I loved the inside too, most especially Paul Murray’s writing and storytelling ability. This passage is one of my all time favorites, in any book. I was thrilled to get a galley of his latest novel at BEA, and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell (October 20)
Where Sarah Vowell leads, I will follow. (See Colum McCann above.)
The 50s: The Story of a Decade by The New Yorker (October 27)
I love a good collection of vintage writing from the New Yorker’s glory days, and I’m a fan of their newest concept: collecting the fiction, essays, and reviews that best capture a decade and assembling them with introductions from current writers and editors. I have their first collection: The 40s, and it’s a treat to open it up and immerse myself in whatever piece catches my eye. I’ll be grabbing a copy of this one as well.
*One final note, I was majorly bummed to find out that Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh (originally slated for a 10/27 release) has been moved back to April!
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What books are you most looking forward to this fall?
That is my new favorite saying. I usually use “blew my socks off” but this is even better. I will put $.01 into a jar for you every time I use it. Don’t get your hopes up, I have the memory of a sieve and will likely forget it by the time I’m done with this comment.
You know what I love? That other than the new Sarah Vowell (BECAUSE SARAH VOWELL!!!!), we have zero crossover. Color me weird, but I love it when people are excited about different things than I am. Perhaps because it gives me a chance to learn about things that aren’t on my radar. And that might be outside my wheelhouse. So I await your thoughts on all of the above.
I did not know about the 50’s book, which looks fantastic, I love the 50’s and will put this on my watch list.
I got Skippy Dies from the library when it first came out. It was long. I gave it a small go, but to be fair probably wasn’t in the mood. Want to try and sell me on a re-try?
I will keep bringing up the phrase then, to help us all remember (hopefully Shaina’s in too) and then the 3 of us can be responsible for it taking the world by storm. :D
I love that too – from reading your reviews I’ve noticed that we have a small percentage of crossover, but that a lot of what you read is new to me, and I like that very much. It’s so fun to discover new things that are outside my radar.
I’m excited for the 50s book as well. I like the 40s book, and I like reading about the war, but sometimes one needs a break from WWII reading. The 50s is such a crazy and fun time in the US, and it’s very fun to read about. (That’s a big part of why my very favorite memoir of all time is The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. The 50s are essentially a character in the memoir, and I love it so much. Have you read it?)
Not sure how far you got in Skippy Dies, but I think the reason I enjoyed it was the writing and storytelling methods of Paul Murray…. not so much the *actual* story – if that makes sense. I just loved his writing and how he built the characters and the plot. So if you gave it a decent enough shot but it still wasn’t working for you, I think that’s ok. I’m not sure I’d recommend plowing through it for the story if you didn’t like the style. In any event – his new novel looks interesting, and quite a bit different plot-wise. So I’ll report back on his new one, and if I think folks who didn’t care for Skippy would appreciate the new one or not.
If this is what I’m ultimately known for, I’m ok with that. I hear you about the ’40s and WWII. I read a lot from that time, and a little 1950s would be a nice reprieve.
I have NOT read that Bryson, but am putting it on my list immediately. I’ve heard about it, but it hasn’t made it into the queue yet. It might even be in my library audio wish list, I’ll have to check that out.
I hear what you’re saying about Skippy, thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I don’t remember getting very far. I think it was a combo of my mood and it didn’t just GRAB me. Maybe I’ll read the new one and go back if his style fits me in this one. I look forward to your thoughts!
Oh I do hope you can read the Bryson soon – it’s really fun and excellent. The audiobook is WONDERFUL!
Sounds like a very good plan for Skippy – for me, it seems best to try something different from an author who didn’t previously work, and then go back if the other stuff sticks.
I checked the library the other night and indeed the audio book was on my wish list. It happened to be available, so I checked it out and will start it as soon as I”m done with my current listen. Huzzah!
Yay! I really hope you love it as much (or even close to as much) as I do!
PS – I saw that Bill Bryson’s latest book is coming out in the UK two months before it comes out in the US, so I just pre-ordered it from Amazon.co.uk. I’m a bit obsessed.
So many exciting books! I’m looking forward to the new Kaling, and I should probably finally get around to reading Paul Murray, Patti Smith, and Colum McCann. (I own books by all three, but I’m so terrible at reading backlist!)
I highly recommend all of them – most especially Patti Smith. Just Kids is one of the very best memoirs I’ve ever read.
I’ve been bad about my backlist books too, especially this year. It’s not just from reading galleys either – it’s from impulse library checkouts or purchases – books I’ve just heard about are getting read, and my backlist isn’t. My goal is to start working on that more seriously!
Were you a Patti Smith fan before you read Just Kids, Emily? I’ve heard great things about it, but I’ve never really followed her career. Which isn’t always a precursor to enjoying a book, I’ve certainly read bios and non-fiction works about things I know nothing about. Just wondering how you went into it.
That’s a great question/point – it’s useful to know if being a big fan of a celebrity is a likely pre-requisite for enjoying a memoir or not. There are times/books when I think it probably is, but this isn’t one of them. I liked Patti Smith alright before reading Just Kids, and knew/enjoyed a few of her songs. But I didn’t know much about her, and I wouldn’t consider myself a devoted fan. (Reading Just Kids turned me into more of a fan – of both her writing and her music.) The book is more about being young and unknown in NYC during the 70s and coming of age in that incredible bohemian scene. It’s about finding your way and figuring out who you are and growing and changing with someone you love who is also coming of age and changing and evolving. It’s hard to describe, but it’s wonderful.
Perfect answer, that’s exactly what I was looking for. And I do love it when you read a book like this and it turns you into a fan (or more of one). Thanks!
Yes! I love that too – and it definitely turned me into more of a Patti Smith fan.
ICYMI: Just Kids is on sale on Audible right now for $4.95. I am listening to it again to prepare for M Train, it’s interesting listening to the audiobook. Her voice is very flat, but not necessarily in a bad way. I’m enjoying it so far.
I saw it on the sale and I”m so torn. I bought another title, so I think I’d rather read that one in print, but still mulling…
I’m with Lauren—that saying is fantastic and I hope to incorporate it into as many new conversations as possible.
If only Mr. Wood (his real name) knew what a trend he’s starting – it’d….. well. Make his socks go up and down!
I love The Wednesday Wars! I actually haven’t read anything else Gary Schmidt has written, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. I’ll have to remedy that!
The Wednesday Wars is so good! I’d like to re-read it soon. And I’ll share my thoughts on Orbiting Jupiter soon! Okay for Now is also great. :)
I didn’t know Allie Brosh had another book in the works! How exciting! (even if it does have to be put off until next year)
Isn’t it? I’m so looking forward to it – even if we do have to wait a bit.