What To Read

FICTION

Julia by Sandra Newman (Oct. 24)

Julia is a retelling of George Orwell's dystopian classic, 1984, told from the perspective of the protagonist's lover, Julia Worthing. I have always adored 1984, so I was initially wary of a contemporary writer defiling the original story. However, I have since learned that Orwell’s estate not only sanctioned the book, but had actually been in pursuit an author to tell the story of Julia. Now I'm especially intrigued by the book, given the fact that Newman, a respected author previously longlisted for the Women’s Prize “proved to be the perfect fit” according to the estate. – Emmanuel Hidalgo-Wohlleben

Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri (Oct. 10)

You are most likely familiar with this Pulitzer winner from her story collection Interpreter of Maladies or her novel The Namesake. Lahiri was born to Bengali parents in London, raised in Rhode Island, and made a name for herself writing in English. But if you’re a superfan, or you read her 2015 essay in the New Yorker, you know that she taught herself Italian and has become a master translator. And sure enough, she first wrote this collection of short stories, which are all set in Rome, in Italian. With such a unique literary journey by a talented storyteller, plus an endlessly fascinating city as a muse, this one’s got all the ingredients for an extraordinary read. – Fernanda Gorgulho

America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien (Oct. 24)

Tim O'Brien's biting sarcasm is at work from the very title of his first novel in two decades. In this sprawling odyssey (464 pages) of mid-Trump and mid-COVID America, a disgraced journalist-turned-store manager robs a bank, kidnaps a teller, and embarks on a fugitive road trip to settle an ultimate score. I'm ready for the "romp," as literary critics love to call this kind of book. – Sam Haecker

Jonathan Abernathy You Are Kind by Molly McGhee (Oct. 17)

Anyone else waiting impatiently for the next season of Severance? Reading about this new novel reminded me immediately of the show and got me hooked to see how the author pulls off this bizarre concept. It's a workplace novel-meets-tech dystopia book in which a downtrodden and debt-ridden narrator is hired as a dream auditor. This means he has to clean up workers' dreams so that they can work more efficiently during the day. Inevitably, the distinction between dreams and reality, and then life and work, starts becoming fuzzy.  – Romina Raimundo

The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng (Oct. 17)

This Booker Prize longlister set in 1920's Penang was inspired by both the actual life of author W. Somerset Maugham and one of his stories. Maugham was in a downward spiral when he visited the island in 1921, and stumbled upon clues of a scandalous murder that would become the next story he was so desperately searching for. I love the idea of the entangled stories of a true crime intrigue in imperial Malaysia and the inside story of a literary legend.  – Emmanuel Hidalgo-Wohlleben

Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror ed. by Jordan Peele (Oct. 3)

In the last decade, Jordan Peele first redefined the capabilities of the horror genre with award-winning films such as Get Out and Us. Now, he is branching into print by putting together this anthology of horror stories from Black writers I adore such as N. K. Jemisin and ones I'm eager to be introduced to such as Justin C. Key and Cadwell Turnbull. Plus, it's coming out just in time for spooky season. I'm ready to delve into the unsettling yet eeriely familiar worlds of these hair-raising, spine-chilling stories and to see the future Peele is envisioning for Black horror literature.  – Laurann Herrington

NONFICTION

The Lumumba Plot: The Secret History of the CIA and a Cold War Assassination by Stuart A. Reid (Oct. 17)

A longtime editor for the bible of policy wonks, Foreign Affairs, Stuart A. Reid has written a 600+ page deep dive into the 1961 assassination of deposed Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. I have always been fascinated by the circumstances leading up to Lumumba's death, which has been shrouded in mystery and controversy given the role of the American CIA and the Belgian governmen. It sounds like one of those history books that unravel true events that are wilder than fiction! – Laurann Herrington

Sonic Life: A Memoir by Thurston Moore (Oct. 24)

Sonic Youth is one of those change-your-entire-life sort of bands, immortalized for their role in the 80s New York DIY scene. I was a huge fan of Michael Azerrad's seminal indie rock chronicle Our Band Could Be Your Life, and the chapter on Sonic Youth made a huge impression on me. So when I saw that frontman Thurston Moore announced he was writing a memoir that would double as a tribute to the punk and no-wave communities that influenced him, I couldn't wait!  – Sam Haecker

Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography by Staci Robinson (Oct. 24)

Tupac Shakur’s global impact, not just on music, but on political resistance and resilience, is immeasurable. It’s no surprise there are already about two dozen books covering his life and work. But this forthcoming book is the only “authorized” biography of the cultural icon. Written by his high school friend, Staci Robinson – who also contributed to the 2008 compilation Tupac Remembered: Bearing Witness to a Life and Legacy – this book promises to be a powerful exploration of the artist, his relationships, and the political landscape in which his music took hold. It’s also the only biography that received the blessing of Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur. An absolute necessity for any fan or completist. – Erica Landau

Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs by Willie Nelson (Oct. 31)

Willie Nelson is a personal hero of mine and a national treasure. His songs are on constant rotation in my house, and I’ll always be thankful I got to see him perform live. He’s a gifted poet and storyteller, and Willie’s lyrics are a huge part of what makes him an American original. So I'm beyond excited for his upcoming book, in which he reveals the stories behind some of his most iconic hits and even some of the lesser known ones that have a special meaning to him. I’m sure he’ll have a few tales about my favorite Willie track, Me and Paul, which happens to be the title of his recent memoir. What a great way to celebrate The Red Headed Stranger, a legend who’s turning 90 this year and who is still out on the road doing his thing! – Fernanda Gorgulho