The 11 best new books to read in September as you embrace all things autumn
Ah, fall. The first day of autumn isn’t until September 23rd, but we’re already feeling its effects. School is in session, Halloween décor is on store shelves, and the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back. Now that the summer sun is fading, we’re ready to curl up with a cozy blanket and a good book to read the afternoon away. It’s time to enjoy all the best things that autumn has to offer. Here are the 11 best new books coming out in September.
1Dominicana by Angie Cruz, out September 3rd
This novel about the immigrant experience in America and choosing survival over love is remarkable. Dominicana is set in 1965 New York City, but the story feels especially timely in today’s climate.
2Modern Love, Revised and Updated: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Redemption edited by Daniel Jones, out September 3rd
Regular readers of The New York Times “Modern Love” column will fly through this collection of the most moving and unforgettable essays to date. It’s the perfect companion to the upcoming Amazon series of the same name (starring Tina Fey and Anne Hathaway) that premieres on October 18th.
3The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, out September 10th
The Testaments is one of the most anticipated books of the month, year, and decade. It picks up 15 years after The Handmaid’s Tale ends and promises to answer all of your burning questions about what happened to the women in Gilead. Blessed be the fruit indeed.
4The Nobodies by Liza Palmer, out September 10th
If you can’t get enough of real-life grifters and scam artists like Anna Delvey and Elizabeth Holmes, this one’s for you. The Nobodies is a wildly entertaining novel about a Gen X-er surrounded by millennials. When she starts over at the bottom of the corporate ladder, she accidentally stumbles upon a big juicy company secret.
5Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson, out September 17th
One of our favorite genres is “sweeping family fiction,” and Red at the Bone is exactly that. It begins with 16-year-old Melody’s coming of age ceremony, then travels back and forth through time to reveal the conversations, decisions, and roads not taken that brought everyone to this exact moment. You’ll love every last word of this beautiful book.
6The Babysitters Coven by Kate Williams, out September 17th
Just in time for Halloween, get in touch with your witchy side by reading The Babysitters Coven. This witty and witchy YA novel follows a coven of babysitters who take it upon themselves to protect the world from evil. It’s billed as “Adventures in Babysitting meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” so yeah, you’re going to love it.
7Make It Scream, Make It Burn: Essays by Leslie Jamison, out September 24th
If you loved The Empathy Exams and The Recovering, you’ll devour Leslie Jamison’s new collection of essays about obsession and longing. From thoughts on Civil War photography to a museum dedicated to breakups, her insightful, thought-provoking writing shines brightly throughout.
8Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (A Transgender Memoir) by Jackson Bird, out September 24th
Jackson Bird came out as transgender when he was 25 years old. From growing up in Texas in the ‘90s and wondering if he should have been born a boy to his first testosterone shot and his top surgery, Sorted takes you through every moment of his journey. It’s educational, candid, and uplifting, and should be required reading for everyone.
9Obviously: Stories from My Timeline by Akilah Hughes, out September 24th
If you follow Akilah Hughes on Twitter, you know her voice is one in a million. Whether she’s writing about her racist fifth grade teacher or “making it” in New York City, her heart and humor always shine through. Akilah’s laugh-out-loud funny collection of essays deserves a special spot on your bookshelf.
10Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep by Erin Carlson, out September 24th
All hail Queen Meryl. From Joanna Kramer to Miranda Priestly, she’s played some of Hollywood’s most memorable characters of all time. This detailed biography celebrates her storied career and legendary life. It’ll show you a side of Meryl you’ve never seen before.
11Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love by Jonathan Van Ness, out September 24th
JVN is the third member of the Fab Five to release a memoir. And all we have to say is: Yass, henny! Over the Top tells the story of his childhood in a small Midwestern town, the bullying he endured in his teens, and how he managed to stay positive and become the model of self-love and acceptance he is today. It’ll remind you to value, prioritize, and accept yourself for exactly who you are.
