The Fall Book Preview
Purity by Jonathan Franzen | (Sept. 1st)
The high-minded literary event of the season, Franzen’s newest novel is a sharp and often funny take on the minutiae of contemporary life. Idealistic Pip Tyler navigates post-college confusion and angst as she’s drawn into the world of an enigmatic Julian Assange-esque Andreas Wolf. Whether you’re part of the literati or are just in a casual book club, Purity will be inescapable this autumn.
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith | (Oct. 20th)
Why would I include a work by the completely unknown Robert Galbraith you ask? Because it’s the pen name of none other than J.K. Rowling, of course. The million-selling maestra of Pottermania, Rowling has proven her crime-fiction chops with two previous novels in the series. This third entry finds detective Cormoran Strike investigating the delivery of a severed leg in a bloody package, a suspenseful tale that’s firmly in the “adults only” camp.
The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory by John Seabrook | (Oct. 5th)
There’s a reason why that song is stuck in your head and won’t easily let go of it’s spot on your playlist, it was specifically designed that way. Like electrical engineers designing iPhones or an architect rendering a new high-rise, today’s modern songwriters and hitmakers are carefully crafting today's catchy songs in highly specific ways. The Song Machine takes you inside this process and gives you a behind-the-scenes peek into how that one-hit wonder got made.
Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham | (Oct. 20th)
With 19 best-sellers to his name, John Grisham is no stranger to success. His releases are anxiously awaited by a huge and rabid readership, eager for another dose of legal thrills from the master of the genre. Well, the wait is over. Grisham’s Rogue Lawyer follows Sebastian Rudd, the titular litigator, as he takes on a variety of less than savory clients. Expect deft plotting, riveting courtroom scenes, and steel-wire dialogue.
Amazing Fantastic Incredible by Stan Lee | (Nov. 3rd)
Comic book legend and now, movie powerhouse, Stan Lee has been a force in popular culture since the 50’s. The man responsible for some of our most recognizable heroes and villains, gets his own origin story in the fascinating and entertaining full-color graphic novel that tracks his massive and influential career.
Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton | (Oct. 13th)
If you’re on Facebook, you’re likely familiar with Stanton’s photography project-cum-social media phenomenon Humans of New York. Stanton takes photos of NYC’s eccentric masses and pairs them with lively, sad, or inspiring stories from their lives. This new book collects some of his best work in a beautiful hardcover edition that gives you a taste of the energy and diversity of New York from the comfort of your couch.
The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories by Stephen King | (Nov. 3rd)
Known best for iconic horror classics like IT, The Shining, and Carrie, this new collection of short stories finds King firmly in command of the genre with a collection of stories that range from terrifying to philosophically challenging. What makes this one special are the personal introductions that King gives to each story, discussing idea origins and the motivation behind the writing.