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Readers' Most Anticipated Books of September
Summer is winding down, but that’s OK, as long as there are good books to read. As it happens, there are some great new books coming in September. This time around, we’ve compiled a full dozen of the month’s most anticipated titles.
New in September: Debut author GennaRose Nethercott explores Eastern European mythology with the fantasy adventure Thistlefoot. Deanna Raybourn introduces a team of senior citizen assassins in the mystery-thriller Killers of a Certain Age. And historical fiction specialist Maggie O'Farrell explores Renaissance Italy with The Marriage Portrait. Also on tap this month: Pulitzer Prize winners, lesbian necromancers, and the latest from Mr. Stephen Edwin King.
Each month the Goodreads editorial team takes a look at the books that are being published in the U.S., readers' early reviews, and how many readers are adding these books to their Want to Read shelves (which is how we measure anticipation). We use the information to curate this list of hottest new releases.
Swedish author Fredrik Backman (A Man Called Ove) wraps up his popular Beartown series with The Winners, a multilayered tale of life and loss in a small town obsessed with hockey. Two years ago, the residents of hard-luck Beartown experienced a tragedy that no one wants to talk about. It looks like a sports story, but Backman is writing about family and community—you don’t need to like hockey to appreciate these books.
This highly anticipated new historical novel comes from the author of Hamnet, the National Book Critics Circle Award winner that imagined the fate of Shakespeare’s son. This time around, author Maggie O’Farrell sets the action in the treacherous noble courts of Renaissance Italy. Young Lucrezia de Medici finds her carefree life suddenly upended when the powerful duke of the Ferranese dynasty asks for her hand in marriage. Lucrezia soon learns that aristocratic mind games can be deadly, especially in 16th-century Florence.
Debut author Carolyn Huynh brings a jolt of playful magical realism into the messy lives of a modern Vietnamese American family in Orange County, California. For several generations now, the women of the loving and rowdy Duong family have suffered from an ancestral curse that dooms them to misfortune and misery. But now Hawaiian psychic Auntie Hua has delivered a new prophecy concerning a marriage, a funeral, and the birth of a son.
Remember Lucy Barton? Well, the good news is she’s back! The bad news is that she’s in pandemic lockdown. The weird news is that she’s locked down with her ex-husband and occasional bestie William, in a small town in Maine. Pulitzer Prize–winning author Elizabeth Strout (Olive Kitteridge) writes with tremendous empathy about the nooks and crannies of the human heart. People need people, it seems. Even in lockdown. Even with your ex.
Put the terms “new book” and “Stephen King” in a sentence, and the day gets a little brighter. The latest from New England’s gentleman monster-summoner, Fairy Tale concerns a young boy, his adopted dog, and a portal to another universe. King has said that the book is his answer to a question he asked himself during the pandemic: “What could you write that would make you happy?” Be aware: The stuff that makes Stephen King happy can get a little dodgy…
Jamaican British author Candice Carty-Williams snagged a lot of eyeballs with her 2019 debut novel, Queenie. Now she’s back with the story of Dimple Pennington, an aspiring lifestyle influencer with a flair for the dramatic. When her elusive father drifts back into the picture, Dimple reunites with her rowdy half-siblings Nikisha, Danny, Lizzie, and Prynce. People Person is a reminder that family is family, no matter how late you make the connection.
In this third installment of his popular Thursday Murder Club series, English author Richard Osman returns to the gentle retirement village known as Cooper's Chase, in which four aging sleuths team up to solve criminal cases. This time around, the gang investigates two separate murders involving TV stars, money launderers, and at least one ex-KGB colonel. Bonus trivia: Osman is also a popular comedian and TV presenter in England.
Continuing the senior citizen theme, Deanna Raybourn’s new mystery-thriller follows the fortunes of 60-something compatriots Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie. The ladies have just embarked on an all-expenses-paid vacation to celebrate their retirement—when their former employer tries to kill them. But don’t worry: It turns out that the old girls are actually highly trained assassins. Coming back out of retirement has never been such fun.
The term “Nicholas Sparks book” is practically a genre designation of its own and a semiannual destination for the prolific author’s legions of fans. Sparks’ latest is a love story with extras, as the author presents two narrative strands that ultimately converge. A pair of musicians find each other late in life, while a young single mother tries to protect her boy from an abusive ex-husband. Bonus trivia: Sparks’ most popular books on Goodreads are, in order, The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, and Dear John.
One of the more intriguing books to come down the pike this year, Thistlefoot is the debut novel from writer, performer, and folklorist GennaRose Nethercott. The story digs deep into Eastern European folklore and features a traveling theater show, a sentient house on chicken legs, and a menacing entity known only as the Longshadow Man. Think of it as contemporary mythmaking in the manner of Holly Black’s Modern Faerie Tales series or Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.
Continuing The Locked Tomb series of dark adult fantasy, Nona the Ninth is the latest from New Zealand author Tamsyn Muir, who has carved out her own unique domain of genre-hopping spacetime. The series rides a kind of adult SFF/horror vibe and features swashbuckling adventure, goth sensibilities, lesbian necromancers in space—that sort of thing. Even the numbers get weird. Nona the Ninth is technically the third book in the series, but actually the fifth.
Celebrity scientist and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is an intensely curious individual and has proved to be one of the most effective science communicators of his generation. His new book brings a much-needed cosmic perspective to our current earthly dilemmas—in fact, it’s a direct challenge to those forces that seek to divide us with misinformation campaigns and tribal politics. What’s so funny about peace, love, and compassionate rationalism?
Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? Let's talk books in the comments!
And be sure to check out more recent articles.
And be sure to check out more recent articles.
Comments Showing 1-50 of 76 (76 new)
"Add Real Authors" you're crying over a list. By Goodreads.
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
embarrassing reaction
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
Are you serious, or are you trolling??? Woke?? Really???
Its the overly dramatic for me.... -_-
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
First, the book's title is The Ink Black Heart, not Black Ink Heart. Second, the book published at the end of August, and this is a list for books publishing in September. Ink Black Heart has been featured on prior lists. Finally, Rowling doesn't need you to evangelize for her. Everyone who wants to read this book knows that it's coming/out.
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
should probably calm yourself down there. it's literally a goodreads list.
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
Dude this is a WAY over the top reaction to a goodreads list but also.... This list is readers most anticipated releases of SEPTEMBER, as in books coming out later this month. The Ink Black Heart came out August 30th. You could have gotten your hot little hands on it days ago
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
Add real authors to a list that includes Stephen King? Lol, okay.
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
"No J.KRowling" good.
Can’t wait to get my hands on “The Marriage Portrait”! It’s been about a while since I last read a historical novel
There are soooo many "real authors" on this list that I can't wait to read! Mostly though, I'm just here for the comments. :)
Shannon wrote: "There are soooo many "real authors" on this list that I can't wait to read! Mostly though, I'm just here for the comments. :)"The comments are SPICY!!! LOL
I'm gonna be so happy when Nona comes out, I've been hyped for this book FOR SO LONG.
Haven't heard of A Man Called Ove or the Thursday Murder Club series until just now somehow. Going to check those out.
Loved anxious people, it's my top recommendation to other readers. The Winners is sounding interesting.
koni wrote: "Can’t wait to get my hands on “The Marriage Portrait”! It’s been about a while since I last read a historical novel"Me too! I feel like something historical has to be extra interesting to lure me in and this one seems like it just has that extra something
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
HA HA HA HA HA
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
you're embarrassing
Once again so very many *great* books coming out this month - and so very few books on this list I've ever heard of.Here's just the ones on my own list:
Lost In Time by A.G. Riddle
Twisted by James Beltz
Emerald Dragon by David Wood
Exiles by Ashley Saunders and Leslie Saunders
Mystic Wind by James Barretto
Free Market by Jacob Soll
Lizzy Blake's Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings
Buck's Pantry by Khristin Wierman
A Secret In The Family by Leah Mercer
Nation Of Victims by Vivek Ramaswamy
Our Stolen Child by Melissa Wiesner
Secrets In The Mirror by Leslie Kain
The Make-Up Test by Jenny L Howe
The Book Haters' Book Club by Gretchen Anthony
The Road To Christmas by Sheila Roberts
Force by Henry Petroski
Toxic Effects by Joel Shulkin
Take It From Me by Jamie Beck
Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan
The Italian Daughter by Soraya Lane
Taken Before Dawn by BR Spangler
Secrets At Brambleberry Creek by Elizabeth Bromke
6 Ripley Avenue by Noelle Holten
A Familiar Stranger by A.R. Torre
Worn Out by Alyssa Hardy
A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi
I look forward to the witch and the tsar
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
go outside
Mark wrote: "Haven't heard of A Man Called Ove or the Thursday Murder Club series until just now somehow. Going to check those out."Read "Beartown" instead of "A Man Called Ove."
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
Does everything have to be political? Can’t we just enjoy books? Sheesh!!
Where’s “The Butcher and the Wren” by Alaina Urquhart?
Enjoy trying debuts. Fortunes of Jaded Heart Woman. - Grew up in Orange County California during the time when many Vietnamese migrated in and had serval friends that shared their experience. So this one connects.
Jeff wrote: "Once again so very many *great* books coming out this month - and so very few books on this list I've ever heard of.Here's just the ones on my own list:
Lost In Time by A.G. Riddle
Twisted by Ja..."
Thanks for sharing this list. Going to look into these now!
“Real authors”? What a bunch of pompous bloviating!Anyone who writes a novel is an author. Calm down.
Jeff wrote: "Here's just the ones on my own list:"
Thank you very much, Jeff, for this additional list!
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
that book is already #1 or #2 on bestseller's lists. i think it's out now
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
Or maybe no one cares about her anymore lol
Erin wrote: "Mark wrote: "Haven't heard of A Man Called Ove or the Thursday Murder Club series until just now somehow. Going to check those out."Read "Beartown" instead of "A Man Called Ove.""
Read both
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?
NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
wow ... did someone pish in your cornflakes this morning???????
if you hate Goodreads that much, WHY ARE YOU ON THE SITE AT ALL???? (or are you mad at Trump??? Nothing would surprise me I think!)
NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
wow ... did someone pish in your cornflakes this morning???????
if you hate Goodreads that much, WHY ARE YOU ON THE SITE AT ALL???? (or are you mad at Trump??? Nothing would surprise me I think!)
I don't think Herald will ever comment on a post again...😂
HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the wor..."
Did you read the criteria for how books are added to the list?
Jeff wrote: "Once again so very many *great* books coming out this month - and so very few books on this list I've ever heard of.Here's just the ones on my own list:
Thanks for the great recs! Found a few on here that I'll definitely be checking out :)
Wow. You people are brutal. Remind me never to post here.
"Assassins! Accidental Matchmakers" by Jen and Eric Desmarais is what I'm most looking forward to this September
Eagerly Waiting for Fairy tale by Stephen King! Currently listening to " The Pet Semetary" on Google Play ....
Can we just read without people making it about politics? Please?
🤣🤣🤣 came for the list, stayed for the comments.
What a great month with the Beartown finale, a new Stephen King book and Thistlefoot sounds brilliant!
Louise Penny-The next Gamache book (#18!) is called, A WORLD OF CURIOSITIES and will be in your hands on November 29th.
Karen Smith wrote: "🤣🤣🤣 came for the list, stayed for the comments."Sweet.
Looking forward to getting Desperation in Death by J. d. Robb
Mark wrote: "Haven't heard of A Man Called Ove or the Thursday Murder Club series until just now somehow. Going to check those out."A Man Called Ove is a great read...you will enjoy it.
“Wow. You people are brutal. Remind me never to post here.”Don’t say ridiculous things and you won’t get appropriate responses. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Beartown series is AMAZING!! Can’t wait to read The Winners which sadly is the end of the trilogy.(Beartown is also an HBO series which closely matches the book.)
lilly wrote: "HERALD wrote: "" Whaaaat??? No J.KROWLING in the list?NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design i..."
You got the name wrong. You don’t seem to realize it’s been published. You’ve politicized goodreads. No one is making you stay. You can leave. Wake up!
NO BLACK INK HEART...We have been waiting since January.
GoodReads your WOKE "policies" won't help you gain popularity.
And the BETA design is still the worst.
Next time. Add Real authors on the list.
Dumb people.