We’re now edging ever closer to Christmas. That means we’re now entering into some of the busiest weeks in the world of publishing and book selling. Expect to see lots of gift books and themed releases on the shelves in the next few weeks.
With so many books being released each month, we in the AU Books Team like to do our bit to help, and pick out a few of our favourite and most anticipated books due for release over the next three months. It’s not an exhaustive list by any means. These are just some of the books we’re excited for in the near future.
We’ll be back in December to round up our favourite reads of the year. Until then… Happy Reading!
October
Our Share of Night – Mariana Enriquez (trans. Megan McDowell)
Granta | Pub Date: 13th October | Pre-Order HERE
Simon: As we’re in the midst of spooky season, I felt practically duty bound to kick this off with a suitably gothic title. Our Share Of Night is the latest book from award-winning Argentine novelist and journalist Mariana Enriquez to be translated into English. The translation here comes from Megan McDowell.
Gaspar is in danger. He’s six-years-old, and on the run from the Order, a group of wealthy acolytes who seek to harness the Darkness – no matter the cost. Gaspar is no ordinary six year old though, he may have inherited the strange abilities of his father, Juan; a powerful medium, who is trying to save his son from the sinister cult he is destined to serve.
Our Share of Night spans the years of Argentina’s military dictatorship and its aftermath. It’s a novel of broken families, cursed lands, inheritances, power and sacrifice. A thrillingly paced gothic road trip of a novel. Perfect for the season.
The Atlas Paradox – Olivie Blake
Pan Macmillan | Pub Date: 25th October | Pre-Order HERE
Jess: Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ve probably heard of the TikTok sensation The Atlas Six. Fans will no doubt be storming bookstores globally this October for the release of the sequel The Atlas Paradox in which each character from the first book must now take sides, making and breaking alliances that will change the world as we know it.
I was drawn to this series by the fact that the first book was originally self-published and found such success that it was later picked up by Pan Macmillan.
There is something so satisfying about seeing independent authors find a wider audience and I’m keen to see how the series continues.
Unnecessary Drama – Nina Kenwood
Text Publishing | Pub Date: 5th October | Order HERE
Jemimah: Brooke has finished highschool in her small country town and moved into a sharehouse in Melbourne to study at uni. Everything is going well, she has a to-do list and an app for every eventuality, and her whole future and new self are just waiting for her to grasp them.
But then Jesse, her highschool nemesis, moves into the sharehouse, and suddenly she has to navigate a disaster she could never have seen coming, and try not to break house rule number one: No Unnecessary Drama.
This looks like a fun, light, YA rom-com about moving out and growing up, with a sweet enemies-to-lovers arc alongside the coming of age as a young adult plot.
November
A Book of Days – Patti Smith
Bloomsbury | Pub Date: 15th November | Pre-Order HERE
Simon: In recent years acclaimed musician Patti Smith has become known as award winning author Patti Smith thanks to the success of her memoirs Just Kids and M Train. Her forthcoming release A Book of Days takes Smith down a slightly different path. Influenced by her Instagram feed, A Book of Days perhaps owes more to Smith’s Land 250 than her more recent memoirs.
A Book of Days is a collection of 365 photographs, one for each day of the year. Alongside the photographs are wide ranging and intimate notation for Smith. For those of you who do follow Smith’s instagram, you’ll know her eye is eclectic, with daily coffees sitting on the grid alongside photos of the graves of poets, and more. But, rest assured there’s plenty of original material to be found.
A rare glimpse into the magpie mind of a visionary poet, writer and performer. This is definitely one for the Patti Smith fans. I’ve had my copy on pre-order for months.
Heart of the Sun Warrior – Sue Lynn Tan
Harper Collins | Pub Date: 30th November | Pre-Order HERE
Jess: I’m not lying when I say that I picked up Sue Lynn Tan‘s first book Daughter of the Moon Goddess simply for its gorgeous cover art, but I also stayed for the story.
Heart of the Sun Warrior is set to do the same thing to me again. With the epic story paired with Chinese mythology and classic fantasy themes, I am dying to read this.
I’m also totally down for this duology trend we’re seeing in fantasy publishing at the moment. With so many incredible books out there, there is something so satisfying about knowing you can have the depth of a series and still have a quick-paced and tension-filled read that won’t leave you hanging for years for an ending.
Catch Her When She Falls – Allison Buccola
Penguin | Pub Date: 1st November | Pre-Order HERE
Jemimah: Ten years ago, when she was a senior in high school, Micah Wilkes’ boyfriend killed her best friend. Emily was a star ballerina with a bright future, and a decade after her murder Micah has finally been able to move on.
But then, reminders of that night start to appear in her home and at work, and questions raised on a true crime podcast make Micah begin to rethink that fateful night.
This sounds like a brilliant, tense thriller, full of intrigue, twists and turns, and an explosive ending. Perfect for staying up late reading into the night!
December
Stella Maris – Cormac McCarthy
Pan Macmillan | Pub Date: 13th December | Pre-Order HERE
Simon: Sixteen years after the release of his last novel Cormac McCarthy is back, with not one, but two new novels published approximately a month apart: The Passenger and Stella Maris. The novels follow siblings Bobby and Alicia Western, who are tormented by the legacy of their father — a nuclear physicist.
Stella Maris is the second (and shorter) of the two novels, and focuses on Alicia, a math prodigy, as she is admitted to hospital with forty-thousand dollars in a plastic bag and no desire to talk about her brother. The novel is the first time McCarthy has focused on a female protagonist.
The two novels are one of the publishing events of the year, with McCarthy considered by some to be American’s greatest living novelist. Add to that at sixteen years of waiting and rumours, it’s safe to say anticipation is high.
Where It Rains In Color – Denise Crittendon
Angry Robot | Pub Date: 6th December | Pre-Order HERE
Jess: Give me beautiful space-opera-style science fiction any day. This book caught my eye months ago and it finally feels like it’s close to being here. Lileala is the Rare Indigo (a beauty among beauties) on the planet Swazembi, a colour-rich utopia and galactic holiday paradise.
But when a mysterious disease begins to taint her beautiful skin, and she starts hearing voices in her head, the world feels more frightening than ever before. But among the fear, a new power awakens in Lileala, one that could change the galaxy.
I’m so keen to see where Crittendon’s debut sci-fi novel takes me.
The Dressmakers of Prospect Heights – Kitty Zeldis
Harper Collins | Pub Date: 6th December | Pre-Order HERE
Jemimah: A historical fiction about three women living in 1920s New York. The story moves between New York, late nineteenth century Russia, and New Orleans in the 1910s, and is about fitting a future, creating strong friendships and community, and moving on from the past to embrace the future.
This book looks like it is equal parts tragic and heartwarming, with a happy ending for everyone. I love the sound of the settings it moves through, and the examination of women’s lives in different time periods and how they navigate the challenges they face.
Thanks to Jemimah Brewster, and Jess Gately for their contributions to this article.
You can read our picks for January to March HERE, April to June HERE and Jul to September HERE.
Header Photo: Patti Smith by Steve Sebring
