September is the best time to buy a book because of the cozy atmosphere that is soon rolling in: from the newest release by a Pulitzer-finalist author to a realistic fiction that takes readers to the streets of Calcutta, India; from sequels of loved fantasy books like Once Upon a Broken Heart and Gideon the Ninth to a highly-anticipated debut set in Syria. Read on to find some titles for your shelves!
The Birdcatcher by Gayl Jones
On a white-washed island, a quirky triangle is formed of a writer, her closest friend—who is a gifted sculptor repeatedly institutionalised for trying to kill her husband—and the husband who never leaves her. Buy now!
The House Party by Rita Cameron
When a group of reckless teenagers who have led protected lives trash a newly built home—a perfect one that a woman, the owner, hopes would compensate for her failure to have a child and possibly save her marriage—just weeks before the family move in, a suburban town fractures along lines of privilege. Buy now!
Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa
The white-passing daughter of an immigrant mother lives must hide her identity in this prejudicial world of 1920s Kansas City so her community that secretly houses witches isn’t exposed. But this bruja with earth magic continues to defy societal expectations and fight every brand of bigotry. Buy now!
Bliss Montage: Stories by Ling Ma
A collection of eight wildly different tales of people making their way through the madness and reality of love, loneliness, connection, possession, friendship, motherhood, and the idea of home: from a women living in a house with all her ex-boyfriends to an ancient ritual of burying yourself alive can heal you of anything. Buy now!
How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz
Cara, in her mid-50s, has lost her job in the Great Recession and is forced back into the job market for the first time in decades. So when set up with a job counsellor, over the course of twelve sessions, she recounts her love affairs, her loving relationships, gentrification, loss, and debt while confronting her darkest secrets and regrets. Buy now!
A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan
When a number of bodies turn up on the shores of Lake Michigan with animal bite-like injuries, a bookstore owner and cryptozoologist can’t turn down the opportunity to aid the police chief in investigating this series of deaths, for the proof of a fabled lake monster that her sceptic heart can’t definitively rule out. Buy now!
Meet Me Halfway by Anika Fajardo
Having recently moved in with her new stepfamily, Mattie is directionless. Her doppelganger, the popular Mercedes doesn’t like being a look-alike. Both couldn’t be more different, but when both realise they have the same Colombian dad, the two team up in a misadventure—including fake sleepovers and escaping school field trips—to meet him for the first time Buy now!
Small Deaths by Rijula Das
In contemporary Calcutta’s notorious red-light district, Lalee dreams of a better life. Her loyal client, a romantic novelist, Tilu dreams of liberating Lalee from her street life with marriage. But when a fellow sex worker and young mother is brutally murdered, the ‘madam’ invites Lalee to take the woman’s place as a high-end escort. And so a rescue mission commences to escape a savage fate. Buy now!
The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber
After a betrayal that took away Evangeline’s happily ever after, she is determined to start on a new journey after having discovered her own magic. But when a terrifying curse is revealed, she find herself in a tenuous partnership again. Now the betraying one has to be trusted and old friends have to be fought to break a murderous spell. Buy now!
Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Six months ago, Nona woke up in a stranger’s body and she’s afraid she might have to give it back. The planet is about to be teared apart, her city is under siege and is surrounded by Blood of Eden forces; their demand: Nona to be the weapon that will save them from the zombies that are coming back in this third book of The Locked Tomb. Buy now!
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
A young adult speculative novel set amid the Syrian Revolution and follows a pharmacy student as she is torn between her loyalty to her country and her conviction to survive—while an imagined companion haunts her every move to keep her safe. Buy now!
Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer
With a catastrophe narrowly avoided, the kingdom’s prince Corrick, and Tessa, is now trying to foster unity between rebels and royals. But when consuls continue their monopoly, Corrick realises he must find a new source for the lifesaving elixir. Especially when the neighbouring kingdom arrives with an intriguing offer, they both set out on a dangerous journey. Buy now!
Wishtress by Nadine Brandes
Myrthe has a big secret: she can turn her tears into wishes. Bastiaan has a rare talent: he can stop time with a snap of his fingers. She is on a journey to the Well to break a curse placed on her—the next tear she sheds will kill her—while he is out to capture the Wishtress upon the new king’s command. Buy now!
I love that you recommended a great mix of genres here, Fanna! Thanks for the recs!
Nona is such a ride! I can’t wait to see more reviews come out.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow is in my to-read list! I had no idea that came out this month!
I wrote a post with book releases too, but it didn’t pop of in any list I researched on Goodreads? It’s a shame!
I’m conflcited about the House Party. I really can’t tell from the blurb if it’s something I would truly enjoy. Maybe if I find it randomly in a bookshop, I could get
Love the recs so so much