Coming Fall 2013

Some of my favorite emails to receive are Amazon's book suggestion lists and preview lists. This week's Fall Books Preview has quite a few titles to keep in mind as September and October approach. Of course, I'm going to share the ones I'm most looking forward to here! (And of course, all quotes and pictures come from Amazon book descriptions...follow the title links).

Salinger, by David Shields and Shane Salerno

Hardcover: 704 pages

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 

Release Date: September 3, 2013

ISBN-10: 1476744831

ISBN-13: 978-1476744834

J.D. Salinger, known for his wide-read book The Catcher in the Rye, has always been an enigma. A recluse of sorts, he refused to interview, appear in public, or sell movie rights to his book. Eight years ago authors Shields and Salerno began the process of discovering Salinger. This biography will be "published in coordination with the international theatrical release of a major documentary film from the Weinstein Company." 

Over the past eight years, and "especially in the three years since Salinger’s death, the authors interviewed on five continents more than 200 people, many of whom had previously refused to go on the record about their relationship with Salinger. This oral biography offers direct eyewitness accounts from Salinger’s World War II brothers-in-arms, his family members, his close friends, his lovers, his classmates, his neighbors, his editors, his publishers, his New Yorker colleagues, and people with whom he had relationships that were secret even to his own family. Shields and Salerno illuminate most brightly the last fifty-six years of Salinger’s life: a period that, until now, had remained completely dark to biographers. Provided unprecedented access to never-before-published photographs (more than 100 throughout the book), diaries, letters, legal records, and secret documents, readers will feel they have, for the first time, gotten beyond Salinger’s meticulously built-up wall. The result is the definitive portrait of one of the most fascinating figures of the twentieth century."

If this doesn't make you literary types' mouths water, I don't know what will. I'm thinking of making this one a "Happy Birthday to me" purchase.

David and Goliath, by Malcolm Gladwell

Hardcover: 304 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 

Release Date: October 1, 2013

ISBN-10: 0316204366

ISBN-13: 978-0316204361

You may know Gladwell from his numerous best selling hits Outliers, Blink, The Tipping Point, and What the Dog Saw. I personally am a fan, so I was excited to see a new title coming out soon. As usual, Gladwell uses historical points (both specific and general) and psychology to delve into the human psyche and pull together another view of what it means to be human.

"In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell challenges how we think about obstacles and disadvantages-offering a new interpretation of what it means to be discriminated against, or cope with a disability, or lose a parent, or attend a mediocre school, or suffer from any number of other apparent setbacks...all to demonstrate how much of what is beautiful and important in the world arises from what looks like suffering and adversity. "

I am interested to see how, or even if, Gladwell addresses the faith side of this topic. The book begins with a focus on the story of David and Goliath and moves onto modern day, parallel examples. A miracle is a miracle, so my curiosity wonders if the faith/God side of this book's subject will be ignored, dismissed, or even given notice. Honestly, I think God uses suffering and adversity to create beautiful things, so if Gladwell's research at least walks that path, I'll be satisfied. I'm already looking forward to discussing this one with my book buddy, RD. Her mind finds angles mine doesn't, plus we hold common beliefs and she's a Gladwell fan. Can't wait!

Sycamore Row, by John Grisham

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: Doubleday 

Release Date: October 22, 2013

ISBN-10: 0385537131

ISBN-13: 978-0385537131

Here is Amazon's rather lackluster blurb: "For almost a quarter of a century, John Grisham’s A TIME TO KILL has captivated readers with its raw exploration of race, retribution, and justice. Now, its hero, Jake Brigance, returns to the courtroom in a dramatic showdown as Ford County again confronts its tortured history. Filled with the intrigue, suspense and plot twists that are the hallmarks of America’s favorite storyteller, SYCAMORE ROW is the thrilling story of the elusive search for justice in a small Southern town."

Okay, so I guess John Grisham and his wildly popular book/movie A Time To Kill have enough notoriety  to sell on such a vague description. I'm sold. I don't recall actually read A Time to Kill, although I own two copies of it and my "have read" list says otherwise, but I've seen the movie numerous times and Brigance's closing remarks in the case of Carl Lee Hailey guarantees goose bumps every time. Generally, once I see a movie, I don't read the book and my Grisham streak ran dry long ago; however, I think I will read both A Time to Kill and Sycamore Row against these two usual-alities. What can I say? The first is iconic and hopefully the second measures up. Besides, as long as Grisham sticks to law stories, you can't lose.


Woo hoo! Good reading on its way. Any of these sound good to you? Are there any new releases you are excited about?