Fall 2023 Preview: Titles We Are Excited to Read!

Librarians Claire and Stephanie talk about some of the 2023 releases that they are excited to add to their “To Be Read” piles this fall!   Among the Bros:  A Fraternity Crime Story by Max Marshall.  Published Nov. 7, 2023 (Claire) A true-crime story of status, money, drugs, and murder on a campus called “the most beautiful campus in America” by Travel + Leisure – the College of Charleston.  Kill Show: A True Crime Novel - Daniel Sweren-Becke – October 3, 2023 (Stephanie) A teenager goes missing – made into a TV docuseries – book takes place 10 years later, family and friends are “ready to talk” – fashioned like a true crime show with interviews – explores our obsession with the true crime industry Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll.  Published October 3, 2023 (Claire & Stephanie) Extraordinary story inspired by the real-life sorority targeted by America’s first celebrity serial killer in his final murder spree.  Told from the women’s perspective.  Enchanted to Meet You – Meg Cabot – Published September 5, 2023. (Stephanie)  Wrote one of my favorite series, The Princess Diaries. A “witchy rom com” is description, and first in series. Plus size heroine – representation. Witches… great for Halloween / fall. Mysterious man comes and tells her she is the “chosen one” who must save her town. Evil Eye by Etaf Rum  (Published September 5, 2023) (Claire) Etaf Rum’s follow-up to her 2019 debut, A Woman Is No Man, is a complicated mother-daughter drama that looks at the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma and what it takes to break the cycle of abuse.  A Haunting on the Hill – Elizabeth Hand.  Published October 3, 2023.  (Stephanie) First novel authorized to use the setting of Shirley Jackson’s Haunting of Hill House (miniseries on Netflix – so good!). Playwright rents this house, along with actors, strange things happen. Heirloom Rooms:  Soulful Stories of Home by Erin Napier.  Published October 3, 2023.  (Claire) Essays that evoke her Southern home, lots of photos – from the host of the hit HGTV series, Hometown.  The Woman in Me - Britney Spears – October 24 –If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos (Stephanie) Growing up watched “Full House” and listened to Britney – want to hear the whole story from both! Other “big” NF:  My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand, Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson, Killing the Witches by Bill O’Reilly The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger.  Published September 5, 2023.  (Claire) Stand along novel by the author of the Cork O’Connor mystery series.  Police procedural, small town Minnesota in the 1950’s.  Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong – September 12, 2023.  (Stephanie) Horror! Halloween vibes. She’s a popular author, this is a standalone horror novel. Woman rents out her vacation home on an island. Horrified renters flee after finding blood, weird sights. She goes to investigate with several others, and they become trapped on the island. Love “trapped room” books. Sure I’ll Join Your Cult:  A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere by Maria Bamford.  Published September 5, 2023 (Claire) A brutally honest and hilariously frenetic memoir about show business, mental health, and the comfort of rigid belief systems.  Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey.  Published October 3, 2023.  (Stephanie) Right after Halloween, Stephanie switches from the creepy to the cheesy Christmas books– two adult children of two former rock stars – trying to get the band (their mothers) to reunite for a Christmas Eve show – feud broke up the band years before – one is the son and one is the daughter of bandmates – had feelings for him back then, hasn’t seen him in years.    Have thoughts about our picks?  What books are you looking forward to reading this fall?  Connect with us at [email protected].  We love hearing from our listeners and getting your suggestions for our “To Be Read” pile!