Fall is the biggest season for literature, the most anticipated titles are released in September and awards season commences in November. To sort through this glorious deluge, we asked our trusted friends with the most impeccable literary taste for their recommendations for the buzziest new books, the ones they’re most excited for and can’t stop talking about. Here are what indie booksellers across America are reading this autumn:
Titles below link directly to the bookstore (when available), while book covers are Bookshop.org affiliate links. If you are a bookseller and would like to participate in this feature, send us an email at books@electricliterature.com.
Lesser Ruins by Mark Haber
“In Lesser Ruins, a retired/fired community college professor, grieving the recent death of his wife to dementia, is obsessively writing a book-length essay on Montaigne, though the only progress he’s made thus far are the thousands of titles he’s brainstormed. His son Marcel calls incessantly on his hated smartphone, rambling endlessly about electronic dance music of which the narrator has no interest. Lesser Ruins is a wickedly funny novel of obsession, Montaigne, coffee, art, smartphones, and EDM. One of my favorite books of 2024!”—Caitlin L. Baker, Island Books in Mercer Island, Washington
My Lesbian Novel by Renee Gladman
“My Lesbian Novel is a momentous achievement from the iconic poet, novelist, essayist, visual artist, and innovator Renee Gladman. Here is the conceit: a fictionalized Renee Gladman is interviewed by an unnamed interviewer as to the process of writing her first lesbian novel, and swatches of the novel itself are spliced into the interview text. Gladman achieves more in 150 pages on both a formal and an emotional level than other writers strive to achieve in works 3-4 times the length. She is one of the most exciting contemporary writers working today, one who defies boundaries of genre and form to create works that are truly singular, endlessly thought provoking, and that push literature as a whole into the future.
The book feels epic despite its slim size, and what is distinctly marvelous and monumental and exceptional about it is that it is equally successful as a metatext and formally inventive work as it is as a swoon-worthy, stomach butterflies producing work of romance fiction. Readers will be enraptured by the charms of both the fictionalized Renee and her fictional protagonist in the novel within a novel, June. A must read for any who have ever wondered if fiction and prose as a whole are still constantly evolving.”—Meghana Kandlur, Open Books Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
“Five people smoking cigarettes in the graveyard of an abandoned church—insomnia and aimlessness the only things they share in common—discover a freshly dug grave, thrusting them into a night-long investigation that’ll unearth disturbing secrets and personal revelations. With an engaging mystery and an instantly memorable cast of characters, set in a streetlight-drenched world both creepy and creepily familiar, it only took one page to lock me in for the next 24 hours. A perfect Spooky Season read, and one I look forward to revisiting. (Also: be sure to check out the recommended playlist in the back!)”—Nik Long, P&T Knitwear in New York
“The Breakfast Club meets The Last of Us meets, yes, Scooby Doo in this quiet, uncanny Gothic. Our tale begins with five acquaintances from different walks of life, bonded only by their chronic insomnia and pervasive loneliness, discovering an empty grave one sleepless night. Then come the rats. The ensuing unraveling of both a sinister conspiracy and our heroes’ collective sanity unfolds hour by hour, from midnight to 10a.m., as they piece together the awful truth about their mundane university town. M.L. Rio creates atmosphere like few can, attending to each grim detail with the macabre glee of someone who loves horror. And let me just say: as a woman who spent many restless nights wandering the cemetery outside my dormitory, I felt deeply connected to this work.”—Charlie Monroe, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
How to Tell When We Will Die: On Pain, Disability, and Doom by Johanna Hedva
“Hedva, inspired by Sad Girl Theory, writes on the topic of Sick Woman Theory, integrating analysis of class, race, physical ability, and sexuality in places where Sad Girl Theory only touched on binary gender. Hedva utilizes their own experiences as a disabled and mentally ill person, while supplying critical analysis from anti-imperialist, anti racist, and disability justice activists and authors. The book, which has frightened many of my colleagues with its alarming title places ableism at the forefront as it argues for a revolution, and one that can take place by means of radical care. Positioning doom as liberatory and capitalism as unliveable, this book is a necessary addition to the disability justice movement and to your to read list!”—Ellie Younger, Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago, Illinois
The Repeat Room by Jesse Ball
“In 2017, Jesse Ball wrote an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times proposing that every citizen should serve short, random sentences in our country’s maximum-security prisons once every decade. Not only might this insure better conditions for people within the carceral system, but we who serve as a jury of our peers ‘would now know to what [we] were condemning those [we] condemned.’ The Repeat Room is a similar though exercise, one that is well worth the paces it puts readers through.
The room in question allows jurors—one per case, selected through an opaque and demanding process—to inhabit the consciousness of the defendant whose fate they will determine. We follow Ball’s everyman protagonist, Abel, through the selection process; we follow a record of the defendant’s life, one marked by enormous psychological abuse and taboo intimacy. We are asked, in the ways Ball has become known by, to consider that we know far less about what it means to judge or love another than we care to admit. Consider this a summons.”—Joe Demes, P&T Knitwear in New York
Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative by Isabella Hammad
“To call this an essential text when explaining and educating people on the present Palestine conflict would be an understatement. Isabella Hammad’s impeccably done Recognizing the Stranger takes the issue head-on but in a much more nuanced, possibly more effective way than most.
The book’s first half is Hammad’s commencement speech at Columbia a week before the October 7th attacks, with the last 20 pages being an afterword titled “On Gaza.” Hammad’s crisp, concise, and accessible writing better explains this war’s direct actions and consequences. I will be thinking about specifically this afterword and Hammad’s voice for many years. No fluff, no filler, just pure compassion, care, and a voice to champion.”—Grace Sullivan, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia
The Naming Song by Jedediah Berry
“Fans of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, of R.F. Kuang’s Babel, of N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth trilogy, won’t want to miss this one. I’ve been waiting for a new Jedediah Berry book since The Manual of Detection 10 years ago, and The Naming Song did not disappoint. It’s hard to describe a book that is about the power of words, the weight of naming things, and the significance of storytelling, without wildly overthinking every word. Set in a future dystopian world where society is rebuilding itself, one Named object at a time, after the Great Silence, this novel follows an unnamed Courier, who travels the country in a train delivering new words as they are conjured up. The Courier slowly discovers the truth behind the stories she’s been told about her own past, as well as the ways that words—and memory—can be wielded to the advantage of the few people in power at the expense of the many. Every time I had to put it down, I couldn’t wait to get back in. And, as the parent of a toddler who is just learning to match words to the people, things, and events around her, The Naming Song gave me a unique appreciation of the importance of being able to describe the world, not just experience it.”—Emily Giglierano, The Astoria Bookshop in Queens, New York
Deja Brew by Celestine Martin
“Deja Brew is a delightful mashup of small town Stars Hollow vibes and Halloweentown spookiness. Celestine Martin invites readers in to a fun-filled magical story featuring our heroine, Sirena Caraway. She makes a wish for a second chance, and wakes up reliving the entire month of October. This is the book to cozy up with this fall.”—Tara Leimkuehler, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
“Bog Wife is a book that will make you feel unstuck in time. Deeply atmospheric, each Haddesley sibling is so set in their own world view that this book had me questioning what was real at each POV change. This is what all Appalachian folk horror wishes it was.”—Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books, Boston Massachusetts
The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb
“The Forbidden Book is the perfect follow up to the masterpiece that was When the Angels Left the Old Country. When Sorel escapes from her home right before her wedding she quickly finds herself enveloped in a mystery. Steeped in Jewish folklore and magic, I could not put this book down. The characters are all amazing—Sorel is brash in the best way, and I love them, and the ending had the perfect pay off.”—Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books in Boston, Massachusetts
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The Great When by Alan Moore
“The grumpy god of graphic novels has fully moved into the prose realm (by his own admission)—and this first in a proposed series of five novels spanning the 20th century is a far more digestible read than his literary debut Jerusalem. But have no fear: it’s still as language-drunk and story-crazy as anything he’s ever done. It is the story, on its face, of a young man in post-Blitz London doing odd jobs for a bookseller only to come across a book that shouldn’t exist, a book straight out of fiction. This leads him into a wondrous and polyphonic adventure that brings us to another London, the Fire to our London’s Smoke—and truly unbelievable things ensue. Maximalism is *in* again, folks: strap in and have yourself a blast.”—Drew Broussard, Rough Draft Bar & Books in Kingston, New York
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
“Looking for a holiday romance that sparkles with charm and fun? Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake brings the magic of the season alive with a delightful queer romance filled with fake dating twists. It’s the perfect festive read, combining heartfelt moments and irresistible chemistry to warm up any winter day. “—Leah Koch, The Ripped Bodice in Los Angeles, California
The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz
“The Sequel packs a double punch, as a twisty, addictive thriller and an astute (not to mention witty) satire of the publishing world. With its smooth prose and a captivating antiheroine, you’ll be furiously turning the pages to find out what’s going to happen.” “—Joelle Herr, The Bookshop in Nashville, Tennessee
Dating & Dismemberment by A.L. Brody
“A summer camp slasher monster finds herself in a slump and killing cranky campers no longer brings her joy. When a mysterious tentacled man threatens her hunting territory, Darla Drake, the Duchess of Death, must shake herself out of her ennui… except Jarko Murkvale is very attractive. A comedic horror romp that pokes fun at the slasher genre while still delivering bone-chilling visuals and excellent story-telling. Enemies to lovers has never been this much fun!”—Nikolas Leasure, The Book Loft in Columbus, Ohio
Comrade Papa by Gauz, translated by Frank Wynne
“A funhouse mirror version of the colonial adventure story, Comrade Papa pokes, prods, & mocks a whole suite of ideologies & assumptions. Gauz has an exuberant, nimble style & an off-center imagination that will keep readers on their toes.”—Josh Cook, Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Women’s Hotel by Daniel Lavery
“The Women’s Hotel has an unexpected commonality with Seinfield, which is about “nothing,” but actually is a canny and compulsively entertaining examination of the quirks, misunderstanding, stratagems, assumptions, social connections, and cultural pulse of friends bound by time and circumstance in a very specific part of New York.
The Women’s Hotel is about a slowly fading New York specialty hotel for women, mostly young or youngish overseen by Mrs. Mossler, a vaguely kind but absent-minded manager who is happy to delegate most of her responsibilities to even kinder (to the extent of being a pushover), Katherine, whose reflexive generosity covers an uncertain sense of self and a burned bridges family scrapbook. Lavery shows an unflagging interest in the smallest details of the lives of its residents, who run the gamut from leftist activists to wannabe socialites to models, stock room workers, bartenders, shop girls, journalists, typists and office staff; they are all just scraping by. The residents are hunting for husbands, for independence, for friendship, for freedom, for an end to capitalism, for a celebration of it, for sobriety, and they are uniformly fascinating. This is due in no small part from the narrative tangents Lavery employs detailing bad bosses and worse mothers, the social repressions of gay culture in the 1960s, the small to medium shady practices some working and out of work women use to supplement their incomes, and especially, the often hilarious, often poignant interactions of borders with very different agendas. Lavery lavishes a good part of this slim book in setting the scene, which can be off-putting initially, but his observations are droll and acute, so the slower pace pays off. There is not much of a plot, other than the repercussions and rebellion against the new cost saving policy of eliminating free breakfast. But Lavery is able to string a wealth of character exploration, historical positioning and social commentary on this premise, it is well worth a visit.”—Toni Streckert, Mystery To Me Books in Madison, Wisconsin
War by Bob Woodward
“War chronicles the discussions and decisions that have marked not only the last four years of American politics, but of a world on edge. Drawn from dozens of in-person interviews, it is a brilliant first draft of how we have arrived at our current moment.”—Charlie Carlisle, The King’s English in Salt Lake City, Utah
Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán, translated by Sophie Hughes
“Clean unfolds as housemaid Estela sits alone in a room, telling her story to an unknown audience from behind a glass wall. She has been working for the Jensen family for seven years—since just days before the birth of their daughter, who is now dead. What follows is an incisive and visceral exploration of class, resistance, power, and violence as Estela recounts the events that have led her to this moment. Utterly unpredictable and haunting.”—Madeline Mooney, The Bookshop in Nashville, Tennessee
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
“Merowdis goes out in the woods with her dogs and her pig, Apple—and comes back forever changed. This beautiful illustrated short story by the author of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is a meditation on nature, magic, and the strange liminal spaces of childhood. It’s a perfect book to read as the seasons change, and would make a gorgeous holiday gift. Recommended for fans of Over the Garden Wall, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, and anyone who just can’t get enough of Clarke’s ethereal writing.”—Anna Newman, The King’s English in Salt Lake City, Utah
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
“Cole is a giant of the paranormal romance world and I am so excited her classic Immortals After Dark series is getting republished. If you were just thinking to yourself, I really need a twenty book long series of interconnected standalone romances filled to the brim with spice and monster politics, then look no further. Once I started I absolutely could not stop with this series. Perfect for fall!” Katie Garaby—Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
Memorials by Richard Chizmar
“If Chizmar’s brand of horror was walking down the sidewalk towards me, I would cross the street at a dead sprint. This man’s work gives me nightmares, and having grown up on King an Koontz, that’s no easy feat. Memorials is a masterpiece in epistolary fiction, and I was white-knuckling it through the entire thing. Read with the lights on. At noon. And prepare to be terrified.”—Jen Fryar, Porter Square Books in Boston, Massachusetts
“Memorials is an Appalachian Folk novel that has elements of horror and is full of small town creepy vibes. It follows three friends who explore road side memorials for a research project. Billy’s parents met their end in a car wreck, so in honor of them, he chooses roadside memorials as his subject to study what they mean for people and the environment. The elements of grief make the book open to a wider audience than only horror fans.”—Matthew Aragon, West Side Books in Denver, Colorado
24 Seconds From Now by Katie Garaby
“Neon and Aria are relationship goals and if every young person could have a first time like these two they would be so so lucky. In the spirit of Judy Blume’s Forever, 24 Seconds From Now follows two young people in the seconds, minutes, days, weeks and months before they make the decision to have sex. A funny, loving, wonderful book that takes great care with its leads. I want so many people to read this book.”—Katie Garaby, Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee
For She is Wrath by Emily Varga
“For She is Wrath is a Pakistani romantic YA fantasy that reimagines The Count of Monti Cristo. The selling point for me is that it is a revenge story where Dania seeks retribution against those who have betrayed her… including the boy she used to love. Expect strong feminine power, a high-stakes adventure, and a gasp-inducing end.”—Kaliisha Cole, Porter Square Books in Boston, Massachusetts
Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times That Made Handel’s Messiah by Charles King
“Like an oratorio, Every Valley brings multiple layers into harmony. It’s a collective biography, chronicling the lives of various powerful and obscure figures, from composer George Frideric Handel to West African prince Ayuba Diallo; a panoramic history of the violence and upheaval that shaped 18th-century Europe; and a triumph of artistic analysis, shedding radiant new light on old music. At once contemplative and dramatic, King’s take on Messiah will inspire wonder in even the most skeptical reader.”—Amy Woolsey, Bards Alley in Vienna, Virginia
Canoes by Maylis de Kerangal, translated by Jessica Moore
“Translated from the French, these stories explore identity and the human voice—and none of them fail to mention canoes, no matter how minimally. De Kerangal’s writing is beautiful, refreshing, and often thought-provoking. Keep an eye out for this one if you’re a fan of literary fiction!”—Camille Thornton, The Bookshop in Nashville, Tennessee
Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch
“Pony Confidential galloped straight into my heart from page one. This cozy mystery is narrated by a ornery pony trying to clear the name of his beloved former owner Penny. It features rats, cats, birds and dogs aiding our hero in his redemptive quest and—oh, did I mention—this is based on The Odyssey? Easter eggs galore for the clever classicist. If you enjoyed playing spot-the-character in Demon Copperhead, just wait until you meet Circe the goat. Perfect for lovers of Remarkably Bright Creatures and Lessons in Chemistry.”—Maggie Robe, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“This book came to me the week Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina and my heart. While witnessing the earth’s rage and strength of mutual aid in real time, reading of nature’s interdependence was my buoy among flooding of rivers, loss, and grief. In these times of greed-driven, scarcity-fueled climate change, this writing is a balm. In sweet and inviting prose, Robin Wall Kimmerer gifts us yet another powerful lesson from our ecosystem teachers. For emergent strategists, those weary of late-stage capitalism, and all earthlings who read.”—R.C. Coleman, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
“Robin Wall Kimmerer once again reminds us that we still have much to learn from the natural world. She asks us readers to prioritize quality and community over quantity and individualism, for this is how we will grow and survive. The Serviceberry is beautifully written and full of wisdom, you won’t want to miss it!”—Ashley Kilcullen, The Bookshop in Nashville, Tennessee
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
“Julia Armfield has created a hypnotic story that submerges you into a dystopia world that feels all too possible. But the book isn’t about the climate apocalypse that’s slowly eroding away at human life, and is rather about grief and estrangement and what it means to be a grown child. To say too much about Private Rites is to give it away, but it has the kind of atmospheric, haunting look at family life as Hereditary.”—Katherine Nazzaro, Porter Square Books in Boston, Massachusetts
“A suspenseful family drama, a speculative King Lear retelling, and an absorbing work of climate fiction all in one. Estranged sisters Iris, Irene, and Agnes are left in the harsh wake of their supremely wealthy father’s death in a world nearly swallowed by constant rainfall. The three now must cope with his haunting cruelty, his substantial inheritance, their broken bonds to each other, and of course, each of their less-than-ideal life situations. In other words, it’s like if King Lear had queer daughters, all at different stages in their lives when things spin wildly and unforgivingly out of control. The intertwining perspectives create such an empathetic and intimate portrait of how these sisters work (and don’t work) together. Every time I put it down I was itching to get back into their minds to figure out their next move. It feels like I could fall through Armfield’s words like a sheet of glass, as if I’m applying enough pressure just by reading them. Private Rites shatters in front of you—it’s sensitive, messy, and explosive. The reading experience aches, hypnotizes, and stings a little bit—savor every sentence.”—Emma Holland, Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
“In Armfield’s second novel, we find ourselves in a reimagined King Lear in a speculative future with a climate crisis in full swing. Armfield’s prose is striking, her novel deeply haunted by family and rain. Her trio of sisters is both exasperating and captivating, the sinking city of the book is an eventuality that feels so near to hand; a combination that kept me reading compulsively. Lovers of Our Wives Under the Sea will not be disappointed. I, for one, could read Armfield writing about soggy queers forever.”—Meaghan O’Brien, Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Massachusetts
