The Book Salon ~~ September 2026 > Likes and Comments

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What books are you starting September reading ?

I'm starting September reading

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

I'm giving this one a short leash as it uses elements of magical realism and alternate history. Two things I am not a fan of. So I may quickly DNF.

I decided to read this since I really enjoyed his writing style in The Nickel Boys I thought I would try this one. It was also available without a wait from my library. :)

Alias Reader wrote: "I'm starting September reading

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

I'm giving this one a short leash as it use..."

Good luck with the magical realism. I don't like it either.

I am reading the new book, , by the author of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife and have the same complaints.....slow, repetitive, and her tendency to insert information from her time working with the elderly in care homes. I doubt if I will finish it.

I am also reading and enjoying it....by the author of which I loved.

Remembering author Edgar Rice Burroughs on his birthday. 🎂

Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American writer, recognized for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Best known for creating the characters Tarzan and John Carter, he also wrote the Pellucidar series, the Amtor series, and the Caspak trilogy.

Born---September 1, 1875, Chicago, IL
Died---March 19, 1950 (age 74 years), Encino, Los Angeles, CA

--- Wiki bio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_R...

--- Books

The Collected Works of Edgar Rice Burroughs: PergamonMedia

Martian Tales of Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan of the Apes

Tarzan at the Earth's Core

Tarzan Triumphant

Edgar Rice Burroughs

JoAnn wrote: "I am reading the new book, , by the author of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife and have the same complaints.....slow, repetitive, and her tendency ..."

I feel like she should write a nonfiction/memoir about her care home time, she seems to really want to tell us about it. I would read that book I think.

I am starting September by continuing books I started:
Vineland
The Last of the Mohicans

Books I started months ago:
Middlemarch
Around the World in 80 Books
Baseball as a Road to God: Seeing Beyond the Game

And because I'm a glutton for punishment I just started:
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

This is out Sept 9, and I hope it finds many fans.

They were hired by the US government during WW2 to be The Silent Women and never talk about their work. Author Tara Lynn Masih was "inspired by the true story of the Manhattan Project’s secret women", and both her research and story are impressive.
My review of The Silent Women

I do enjoy watching a clever public defender try to find a legal way to bring his own guilty client to justice while still providing the defence to which we are all entitled. The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly is the first of what is said to be a good series. So far, so good!
My review of The Lincoln Lawyer

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I do enjoy watching a clever public defender try to find a legal way to bring his own guilty client to justice while still providing the defence to which we are all entitled. [book:The Lincoln Lawy..."

Fantastic review, Patty!

#10 Denise wrote: "I am starting September by continuing books I started:
."

You sure do have a big stack of books you are reading, Denise. I love how varied the genre are.

Around the world in 80 books. I don't know if I would enjoy reading about books that I haven't read. Is the book a synopsis of each book? I can see how it can make your TBR grow.

I read Maybe You Should Talk To Someone back in 2020. Gosh how time flies. I was an outlier on this one. If I recall correctly, it was less about her patients and more about her own issues. I gave it a 2/5.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "This is out Sept 9, and I hope it finds many fans.

They were hired by the US government during WW2 to be The Silent Women and never talk about their work. Author [author:Tara Lynn..."

Solid review, Patty.

#12 PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I do enjoy watching a clever public defender try to find a legal way to bring his own guilty client to justice while still providing the defence to which we are all entitled. [book:The Lincoln Lawy..."

I read this one back in 2021. I enjoyed it and gave it 4/5 stars. However, for some reason, I never continued with the series.

Alias Reader wrote: "#10 Denise wrote: "I am starting September by continuing books I started:
."

You sure do have a big stack of books you are reading, Denise. I love how varied the genre are.

Around the world in 8..."

I wouldn't say a synopsis as much as how the book fits into the society/culture of the place. One thing I don't like is he has a "theme" for each place and chose books that fit the theme for that region, so some of the books are not the ones I would expect to see for a country/region. So yes you will know what the book is about but it is also connected to the place and theme. I've finished 2 regions since I started the book months ago. It's the type that you can return to periodically, it doesn't need sustained reading.

Yes, so far Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed is mostly about her and I'm hoping it will return to other people as well

Thanks for the further info on Around the World, Denise.

As to Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, in our June 2020 monthly recap thread I wrote:
2/5
I was disappointed by this current bestseller. The author is a therapist. Because of relationship breakup she also is seeing a therapist. I found her to be a bit self absorbed, narcissistic, whinny and not too shy to brag about the colleges she attended, degrees she has, how smart she is, her career in TV on and on. We are introduced to a few of her patients. They mostly are dealing with depression, anxiety etc. While I feel sorry for them, it wasn't very compelling reading. There were a few interesting points but not enough to sustain my interest for an entire book.

All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron

In this addition to the Golden Motel series, yet another murder has occurred near the 'murder motel' and amateur sleuth Dee Stern helps investigate.

The story is fun but the mystery falters. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

How Can My Manager Be So Stupid?

Heard about this today on BOOK RIOT podcast. Sounds interesting and no fantasy. Love the title. Working in a bookstore is not as romantic as it sounds! There's a lot of scut work involved and not much time to talk about books with customers.

One of the BOOK RIOT hosts drives me crazy with her use of the word "like" over and over and over.

JoAnn wrote: "How Can My Manager Be So Stupid?

Heard about this today on BOOK RIOT podcast. Sounds interesting and no fantasy. Love the tit..."

That is a fantastic title!

JoAnn wrote:
One of the BOOK RIOT hosts drives me crazy with her use of the word "like" over and over and over..."

I only listen to the Jeff and Rebecca shows on Book Riot.

Jeff O'Neal is the CEO, co-founder, and executive editor of Book Riot. He co-hosts Book Riot - The Podcast alongside Rebecca Schinsky, discussing book industry news, reading trends, and top releases.

Alias Reader wrote: "I found her to be a bit self absorbed, narcissistic, whinny and not too shy to brag about the colleges she attended, degrees she has, how smart she is, her career in TV on and on..."

A lot of insecure people feel the need to do this kind of bragging. Pretty sad.

Denise wrote: "I feel like she should write a nonfiction/memoir about her care home time -she seems to really want to tell us about it.."

I agree!

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I do enjoy watching a clever public defender try to find a legal way to bring his own guilty client to justice while still providing the defence to which we are all entitled. [book:The Lincoln Lawy..."

Great review, Patty.

Is the TV series of THE LINCOLN LAWYER available to you in Australia? There are several seasons and it is very good.

Alias Reader wrote: ".."

I only listen to the Jeff and Rebecca shows on Book Riot.

."

Yes, they are pretty good. I skip a lot of the episodes because the "hosts" are pretty annoying and sound like such amateurs.

The Hugo Awards are one of the biggest sci-fi and fantasy awards

The winners of the 2026 Hugo Awards, Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book, and Astounding Award for Best New Writer are:


The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow—Best Novel
The Everlasting

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar—Best Novella
The River Has Roots

Old Man’s War by Jon Scalzi—Best Series
Old Man's War by John Scalzi

A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel, written by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted & art by Fred Fordham—Best Graphic Story or Comic
A Wizard of Earthsea

Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee—Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book
Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe


**** Full list at link.
https://locusmag.com/2026/08/2026-hug...

Alias Reader wrote: "JoAnn wrote:
One of the BOOK RIOT hosts drives me crazy with her use of the word "like" over and over and over..."

I only listen to the Jeff and Rebecca shows on Book Riot.

Jeff O'Neal is the C..."

Book Riot hosts the Read Harder Challenge...the hardest one I try to complete and the only one I aim for only 80% completion on. The book choices are too narrow for some of the categories/prompts

#5
Alias Reader wrote: "I'm starting September reading

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

I'm giving this one a short leash as it uses elements of magical realism and alternate history. Two things I am not a fan of. So I may quickly DNF...."

I had not heard about the magic realism in this book, only the not-true-to-fact RR stations, which is okay by me.. I look forward to your comments.

#7
JoAnn wrote: "I am reading the new book, , by the author of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife and have the same complaints.....slow, repetitive, and her tendency ..."

Two of the three are working for you, that’s a plus, imo. Here’s hoping they both continue to satisfy.

#10
Denise wrote: "And because I'm a glutton for punishment I just started:
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald..."

LOL, Denise. You really are. I look forward to your review of Vineland.

madrano wrote: "#10
Denise wrote: "And because I'm a glutton for punishment I just started:
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald..."

..."

Here's my short review at about 60% in: it's weird

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "This is out Sept 9, and I hope it finds many fans.

They were hired by the US government during WW2 to be The Silent Women and never talk about their work. Author [author:Tara Lynn..."

I’m torn on this one. The dust storm & Guymon OK news report called to me, as we lived there in the ‘80s, where they still talk about that first storm. And the overall topic is intriguing. But historical fiction doesn’t call to me. Your review is tempting, though, Patty. Thank you.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I do enjoy watching a clever public defender try to find a legal way to bring his own guilty client to justice while still providing the defence to which we are all entitled. [book:The Lincoln Lawy..."

You truly are a Book Temptress, Patty!

Barbara wrote: "All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron

In this addition to the Golden Motel series, yet another murder has occurred near t..."

I read this last month, Barbara. I wish i could stop myself but i like her Louisiana mysteries so very much, so bide my time by reading this mediocre series.

You alit on my biggest gripe—flimsy reasons why someone would murder another person. To be fair, she is not alone but seems to do it more often, imo.

My other gripe is that there is no way they can make money, given all the freebies and activities they offer! The charcuterie business alone must be way deep in the hole! I know, but she does not mention, that the real owner can afford this & creating these boards are her “art”, but still! And their motel offers so many activities requiring purchases, apparently without discounts on them, i do not see how they will ever make a profit! Pumpkins for each guest or just a family would take a huge chunk of change.

LOL. That’s me wanting reality from a cozy. :-)

#20
JoAnn wrote: "How Can My Manager Be So Stupid?

Heard about this today on BOOK RIOT podcast. Sounds interesting and no fantasy. Love the tit..."

I thought it was NF, but see it’s a novel. I must say even in NF, i wonder about the great book discussions workers have with bookstore employees. I’ve never been that lucky. 😊

madrano wrote: "Barbara wrote: "All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron

In this addition to the Golden Motel series, yet another murder has..."

You alit on my biggest gripe—flimsy reasons why someone would murder another person. To be fair, she is not alone but seems to do it more often, imo.

My other gripe is that there is no way they can make money, given all the freebies and activities they offer!

Excellent point madrano. That hadn't occurred to me. 😊

I'm also annoyed that Dee never thinks about actual evidence: fingerprints, footprints, fibers, whatever. She seems to think she can find a 'suspect without a good alibi' and bingo, they'll get convicted.

#27
Alias Reader wrote: "The Hugo Awards are one of the biggest sci-fi and fantasy awards

The winners of the 2026 Hugo Awards, Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book, and Astounding Award for Best New Writer are:


The ..."

Thanks for the info, Alias, as well as the links. I’ve added The Everlasting—Alix E. Harrow to my TBR.

You're welcome, deb. Enjoy !

Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship
by Charles Casillo

I'm reading a bio of Roddy McDowall - who was besties with Liz Taylor - and got sidetracked to this audiobook about Liz and Monty. I'm not going to write a long review, but here are some thoughts.

My quick review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

What books are you starting September reading ?"

I’m still reading both Coolidge—Amity Shlaes and I Am Not Sidney Poitier—Percival Everett.

The Coolidge has given me fresh insight into the Industrial Age, which is good.

Poitier continues to move in unexpected ways. Yesterday author Everett introduced himself into the text. Love it.

JoAnn, I know you are an Ina Garten fan.

On Facebook if you follow:
Happy Hour with Ina

She gives a tour of her NYC apartment instead of her
East Hampton location.

14 new books in September to help ease you into fall

https://www.npr.org/2026/09/01/nx-s1-...

🎃🎃🎃🍂🎃🎃🍂🎃🎃🎃🍂🎃🎃🎃🍂


Here are the Best Witchy Books of 2026, according to Goodreads


The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman: Ms. Practical Magic herself is blessing us with 1950s Cambridge, MA-set witchery.
The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman


Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens: New Orleans-based witchy romantasy with vampires and werewolves. Exactly my kind of carrying on.
Witch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens


Blacktail by Scott Hawkins: Fans of The Library at Mount Char (me, I’m fans) have been waiting for years for a follow-up, and we finally have one. What’s more, it has an “ancient and terrible feline witch.” 10/10, no notes.
Blacktail by Scott Hawkins


The Witch by Freida McFadden: Yes, that Freida McFadden has a witchy book. Who would have thunk it.
The Witch by Freida McFadden


Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez: A queer, Latine working-class witch tries to save an heiress. This gets bonus points for being surreal and gothic.
Muñeca by Cynthia Gómez

🎃---For more witchy books
https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/3...

Happy Birthday to author Malcolm Gladwell. 🎂🎉🎈

Malcolm Timothy Gladwell is a British-Canadian journalist, author, and speaker who has written multiple New York Times bestsellers. His work explores how social epidemics, snap judgments, and circumstances impact success. Gladwell has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1996. He's also the host of the popular podcast Revisionist History and co-founder of Pushkin Industries.

Born
September 3, 1963 (age 62 years), Fareham, United Kingdom

--- Wiki
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm...

---- Books

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Outliers: The Story of Success

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know

The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War

Malcolm Gladwell

madrano wrote: "#20
JoAnn wrote: "How Can My Manager Be So Stupid?

.."

Reserved this last night and it is already waiting for me at my library. I will wait to pick it up until my "in transit" book gets there. It is a cookbook with nothing but recipes for galettes, both sweet and savory. I love making them.

Deb, my brief (one summer) experience at a very busy indie bookstore at the beach ---- I never had one chance to talk about a book to a customer!

Alias Reader wrote: "JoAnn, I know you are an Ina Garten fan.

On Facebook if you follow:
Happy Hour with Ina

She gives a tour of her NYC apartment instead of her
East Hampton location."

Already saw that tour of her NYC apartment. Prettttty nice, right?

I know she has LOTS of help, but I still do not know how she does so much. She is close to my age and the thought of even moving between homes became too much for me a couple of years ago!

She has a new cookbook coming out in October.

I am planning to watch her podcast in 2 weeks.

Alias Reader wrote: "Remembering author Edgar Rice Burroughs on his birthday. 🎂

Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American writer, recognized for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Be..."

I am a few chapters into Tarzan of the Apes and really enjoying it.

Alias Reader wrote: "Happy Birthday to author Malcolm Gladwell. 🎂🎉🎈

Malcolm Timothy Gladwell is a British-Canadian journalist, author, and speaker who has written multiple New York Times bestsellers. His work explores..."

The Tipping Point was good, and of course it was a huge hit. I see Gladwell’s entire career since then as a futile attempt to put forward another concept that would catch on like that. It seems desperate, and becomes increasingly hard to take seriously.

I am having a grand time reading the Maigret novels in Penguin’s re-publication order. I just finished the third, The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien, which has an extra level of interest since it is based on events from Simenon’s own life. It is hard to say much more without getting into spoilers.