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It’s time to talk about the books we’re stacking on your nightstands for the Fall months! I’m feeling sweater, cappuccino and a stolen hour to just read in our futures. Here’s our working list. What would you add?
• I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reed It’s been called a “tight, ferocious little book” full of mounting suspense. A friend suggested it saying… it’s one of those crazy good books you read in four hours and with that recommendation, it’s the next book on my shortlist.
• Night Film by Marisha Pessl We’re in for thrills this Fall and Night Film was named one of the best books of the year by NPR. An investigative journalist tries to solve the murder of a cult-horror-film director’s daughter. Sounds like a page turner so let’s get to it!
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah WWII in France through the eyes of two sisters. I feel like this is bound to be big and beautiful.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein We’re taking it back to 2009, but have you read this yet? A sweet and loving look at family life, from the eyes of the dog. It’s going to be really annoying when I sob through the second half of this book. I am always looking for a reason to cry on the plane though…
• Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler A coming-of-age in the NYC restaurant industry story. I’m into it because I ’bout that life, and I know restaurant life is sloppy and romantic and messy and delicious and there are so many lessons to learn the hard way.
• The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware You’re a travel writer on assignment on a luxury cruise ship… pretty swanky… until you see a woman being thrown overboard, but everyone on the boat is accounted for and you sound downright crazy. Now what? Tell us Ruth, tell us! I’m just finishing In A Dark, Dark Wood and looking forward to this read.
• The Girls by Emma Cline Let’s read this! It sounds full and nuanced, like our lives, like our lives (?).
• It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover This is definitely the second book on my Fall shortlist. It sounds like a love story on a rollercoaster and I want on.
• Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee I continue to be obsessed with this book and it’s so good that I refuse to finish it. It’s the story of a woman who goes from circus performer to the world’s most famous opera soprano. She’s got secrets and lies and it’s a stunning read.
• Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple We all think it from time to time, don’t we? Let’s read the fictionalized fiasco.
• Everything I Want To Eat by Jessica Koslow Yes it’s a cookbook but Jessica has a very fine and earnest food brain and I want to read her words before eating her food. Very excited about this!
• In The Company of Women by Grace Bonney Inspiration from women entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and creative industries. I need a copy of this book for my coffee table and for both bathrooms… which sounds disturbing but is meant to be a supreme compliment.
Here’s last Winter’s Reading List. My favorites were Fates and Furies, It’s What I Do, and When Breath Becomes Air.
Let me know what you’re reading! I love when the comment section fills up with your suggestions!
xo Joy
69 Responses
I just finished The Orphan Train. There were parts that were a bit lame, but the story is sad and beautiful and gives you a glimpse into a part of history that many don’t know about.
I absolutely Love The Art of racing in the rain!!! I recommended that book to so many people, and usually someone will over ear me and chime in that it is one of the best they ever read! Im not even a dog person.
Just finished, The Storied Life of A.J. Fickry, by Gabrielle Zevin. Great, fast read!
I loved Today Will be Different! The cover could be an illustration of my life right now!
NIGHT FILM IS THE SHIT! <3
I loved A Man Called Ove and The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. Both by Swedish authors. Both fantastic.
The Nightingale was so good. I flew through it in two days! I’m not really a crier when it comes to books, but oh boy did this one have me going. You’ll love it!
It’s a young adult book, so don’t judge, but I loved Libba Bray’s A Great and Terrible Beauty trilogy. It’s seriously one of my favorites. It’s a little historical fiction, a little fantasy and a whole lot of wonderful.
I read a 1994 profile of Jane Goodall in a Nat Geo recently and suddenly I need to read all about Goodall. Of course I’m not reading books with any plan, just as my library has them and they appeal to me. I started with her 1999 Reasons for Hope which was perfect for when I was feeling like the whole world was a dumpster fire. It’s an interesting look at Goodall’s life and how she has inspired individuals to make a difference. A good read for people who want a roll model for being compassionate and a businessman/scientist.
I HIGHLY recommend A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman. I started out thinking why am I even reading about this odd curmudgeon and ended up falling in love with him. Then I read another book by the same author, Britt Marie was Here. SAME STORY – I LAUGHED, I CRIED, and fell in love with Britt Marie. And decided to be her for Halloween : )
I am currently reading “The Girls” and I have to say I really hate it. Not enough to stop reading it – I’m far enough in that I have to finish it. But I am really not enjoying it. For whatever that’s worth. Totally adding that Maria Semple book to my list, though – I absolutely LOVED Bernadette.
Know the Mother by Desiree Cooper is amazing! Short (super short) stories about race and gender and navigating this crazy world as a lady. I’m not a mom, but this gave me SUCH an awesome perspective on the strength of all women.
https://www.amazon.com/Know-Mother-Made-Michigan-Writers/dp/0814341497/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476208187&sr=8-1&keywords=know+the+mother
Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis. Tells the story of 15 dogs who are given the gift of language and human reasoning by Hermes and Apollo. It is incredibly beautiful and delves deep into what it means to be human. It’s thoughtful and touching and will hopefully make you laugh and ugly cry (we all need a good ugly cry every once in a while).
It Ends With Us is definitely one of my favorite novels from this year. It is so freaking good! I read Night Film when it came out and thought it was well worth the wait- Pessl is such a fascinating author and it was different from her first novel but still had her stamp all over it.
I am reading Queen of the Night it is wonderful! I know what you are saying. :)
I love your reading lists — keep them coming! just started The Girls and I’m already hooked.
Don’t waste your time with The Girl in Cabin 10 — I regretted the purchase immediately! It got better about half way through, as another commenter said, but the ending is just ridiculous and nothing makes sense at the end. It tries to be The Girl on the Train, but fails miserably, in my opinion!
The Perfume Collector (Kathleen Tessaro). This is the novel that came out a year (or so) before Tessaro’s current novel and surpasses not only her backlist but also her newest book. Quality of writing, evocative settings, unforgettable characters. And, abundant “didn’t see that coming” surprises. Lovely.
I read The Art of Racing in the Rain a couple years ago. I highly recommend it. It was such a great read.
I’m halfway through The Woman in Cabin 10. Really enjoying it!
I just finished The Nightingale and to say I couldn’t put it down would be an understatement…. Definitely needs to be on your must read!!
I’ve been obsessed with two books this past year – The Night Film (on your list – yes!) and Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman (should be on your list – amazeballs!). Thanks so much for your reading list. I bow to you.
I was really disappointed with The Girls! Which was so upsetting because I LOOOVE cult stuff. Or, rather, I’m super interested/curious in reading about that kind of stuff, not necessarily in love with… actual cults or anything… oh God I’ve gone too far. But I was expecting something super juicy and it was pretty anticlimactic. Such a bummer. But I did love The Woman in Cabin 10 and I can’t wait to read Today Will Be Different and In The Company of Women! Thanks for the reminder!
I’ve read The Art of Racing in the Rain…its great but definitely a tearjerker! Enjoy!
My current reading list is
non fiction: Vampires and Vampirism
fiction: Redwall (yes for the first time, not sure how I missed this one growing up)
parenting: Baby sign language
I proposed reading 30 books this year as part of a Goodreads Reading Challenge and so far I’ve finished 25. I read Nightingale but was a little underwhelmed and disappointed. However, the best book I’ve read so far is Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I highly recommend it!
Good for you! Thank you for the recommendation!
Great list Joy. I love when you do this. I read Sweetbitter and The Girls and really enjoyed them both.
Have also really loved Commonwealth by Ann Patchett, Imagine me Gone by Adam Hasett, and The Life Changing magic of Tidying Up.
I always enjoy adding books from your lists to mine! I read “The Art of Racing in the Rain” years ago and liked it so much that I will reread it some day. Just read “Sweetbitter” and liked it quite a lot. “The Queen of the Night”…wanted to like it, but just didn’t. Was very glad to finish and move on to a new book. Sounds like you feel about it the way I wanted to feel! Next up on my reading list is a reread of “A Feather on the Breath of God”, a beautiful little novel by Sigrid Nunez
“The Art of Racing in the Rain” is one of my favorite books…loved learning how racing relates to life. I think everyone should read “Nothing to Envy”….and learn what is actually happing in North Korea…you will cry your eyes out!! Our nation has reason to be concerned.
Joy…Have you read any of Liane Moriarty books? FAB! ???????? I’ve read Big Little Lies, it was excellent! Then red “The Husband’s secret”, oh, my gosh, sooo good, now reading her book Truly, Madly Guilty! You can’t put these books down! Sooo good!????
The Nightingale IS big and beautiful and very sad. Hannah’s book The Winter Garden REALLY destroyed me. I had to put it down a few times because I was crying hard.
The Art of Racing in the Rain surprised me – I didn’t expect to like that much, let alone love it. Such a simple, wonderful story. I saw the movie rights have been floating around for awhile … It could make a great movie, if it’s done right.
I don’t know how I missed How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, a columnist for the Times in London, when it came out, but I’m glad I found it later! Its essays about life, poverty, family and feminism are smart, provocative and sneeze wine out of your nose funny! I borrowed it from the library 1st, bought it for my daughter, then picked it for my book club to read this month.
Joy, may I recommend the exquisite and heartbreaking “Barefoot to Avalon” by David Payne. I really appreciate your suggestions and look forward to reading many. Thank you so much
Currently reading Sweetbitter. The writing is clever and satisfying. Also, I have had nightmares about working in the restaurant business again and getting fired over aprons and ice scoops. So, it’s infiltrated my psyche. The Girls is up next for me. And thanks for the Christmas gift idea! The Grace Bonney book sounds right up my sister’s alley.
Underground Airlines, Before the Fall and Darktown!
I recently read I’m Thinking of Ending Things and your description is precisely how I read it. It’s quite an unexpected read.
If you want a great new non fiction read Carry On by Lisa Fenn. It will inspire you it will make you laugh and cry.
Hi Joy! I love your book lists! I loved The Nightingale. But by far my favorite book of the year is A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara. It was so powerful and heartbreaking and beautifully written.
oh I’ve heard this was fantastic! Thank you for the reminder.
I have NEVER cried more then how much I did while reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. I read it on the planes to and from a conference in Chicago and it wasn’t just some tears, it was the red-faced ugly crying. I’m sure the people on the plane with me thought I was insane. I just read It Ends With Us and really liked it and currently reading The Woman in Cabin 10. Can’t wait to hear what you think about all these! Thanks for the additional suggestions!
I have loved Cathleen Schine’s writing since she used to do flippant little things for the NYT. She has a new book: They May Not Mean To, But They Do, based on the totally hilarious and true Philip Larkin poem, which is one of two poems I know by heart.
Also, I started The Truth About Alice (young adult, but good) and Don Quixote, which is far funnier and a better read than I had imagined.
good good good thank you!
I took Queen of the Night with me to Paris this summer. Need I say more? Can anything on this list compete with it?
I sooo recommend The Nightingales, it compares to The Winter Garden by same author which is the best book i have ever read. Many have mentioned All the Lights We Cannot See whivh was really good as well.
The Girl Who Wrote In Silk byKelli Estes was a very good book be sure to keep tissues on hand. HAPPY READING!
Have you ever read The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection by Father Robert Capon? It is incredible and unique… He frames the book with one recipe, but takes each ingredient and stage of the recipe as a prompt and writes at length about the beauty and sacredness of cooking, the importance of loving our fellow man through food, and the joy one can find in cooking. It’s also hilarious–he’s so real and talks about family and society with such loving sarcasm. He wrote it in the 60s, so there are some dated references, but the overall message–love God AND love thy neighbor, all through cooking–is timeless. One of my very favorite books.
I love this, Ashley! Thank you!
I recommend All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – it is set in WW2 France as well, if you liked/are interested in The Nightingale. Best book I read in 2015.
YASSS
All the Light We Cannot See is the best that book I’ve ever read. It’s stunning.
Yes! Such a good book
SUCH a good book! I’ve been chasing that reading high ever since! I read The Nightingale, really good! I’m on to The Book Thief now which has been a good read so far.
My fall book list is pretty similar. Another recommendation for your list–A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles–the world and the characters are so rich–you won’t want the story to end. It’s the perfect book to read in your cozy sweater with a cappuccino (I read it in 90 degree weather in LA and that worked too).
Aaaaah I didn’t realize Amor Towles had a new full-length out! Rules of Civility was one of the most beautifully-written books I have read.
I have read The Art of Racing in the Rain, and I enjoyed it. I look at my dog just a wee bit differently now. ????
I also loved this book, and you are right, you will cry buckets – but, it’s beautiful and it will stay with your for a long time. Like Dana above said, you do see your pets a bit differently.
Buckets and buckets. I was crying in the first chapter. Granted, I started reading this book about two days after we brought home our little rescue puppy, but still… Buckets of tears will be shed!
I also really loved The Nightengale & The Woman in Cabin 10. What a great list!
I agree. It’ll make you cry, but such a good read! And makes you feel as though your dog is part of your family even more after you are done.
Me too! I LOVED it!!
Loved it so much!! I do too!
i think i am the only person who really didn’t like the nightingale…
I didn’t either. And The Woman in Cabin 10 was super disappointing (after a stellar start)…my advice is to skip that one! I’m super excited about the new Maria Semple though…
I suggest The Shepard’s Life by James Rebanks. I just finished reading the autobiography and it was a lovely ode to tradition and family. A moving story about the everyday life of an English shepard that had me thinking about our “modern” city-life values but somehow managed to not present a negative perspective on “modernity”. It read beautifully and really immersed the reader into a world worth exploring!
The Nightingale is definitely big and definitely beautiful. Enjoy – with tissues – definitely.
I just finished ‘Rattlesnake Stories’ and will definitely try the new Maria Semple next!
We have some great book options planned out for our fall Hello Book Lover boxes! Currently I am reading Modern Lovers by Emma Cline. We plan to include it as an option in a future box.
The Nightingale is INCREDIBLE. Have tissues. Lots of tissues.
The Nightingale, so so good. I have recommended it to several people and passed my copy around at work
I loved the Art of Racing in the Rain – it is sad but also lovely. The Girls is very well written but rather depressing. On the top of my to-read list is Jennifer Weiner’s Hungry Heart. She is such a good writer that I’m sure her memoir will be moving. I also loved a book from a few years ago called Defending Jacob – some great twists in it.
I read Defending Jacob last year! One of my favourites!:)
I just finished The Nightingale…so good. I thought at first it was a little hokey but I got over that quickly.I think Sweet Bitter will be my next one!
I’m reading The Queen of the Night right now and totally enjoying it!
I just added a few of those books to my “must read” list! I just finished up The Girl in Cabin 10 – and if you feel the same way I did about it – promise me you’ll hang on until about 3/4 of the way through. That’s when it finally hooked me and I couldn’t read the pages fast enough. I currently have an advanced readers copy of The Girl Before
by J.P. Delaney to read for a review. So far I’m in love with it – so look for that in January!