books that will make you laugh, cry, and turn the pages late into the night
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n Elizabeth Gilbert’s (Eat, Pray, Love) first new novel in 12 years, she weaves a mesmerizing story of love, adventure and discovery. Alma Whittaker, born in 1800 into a wealthy, enterprising family, is a botanist of renown. Her research into evolution puts her at odds with her lover, a utopian artist. Their disparate attempts to understand the universe will carry them on a spellbinding journey across the globe and into the modern age.
Viking 10.1.13
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n this humorous look at fear through the eyes of an avowed scaredy cat, Patty Chang Anker (upside-down-patty. blogspot.com) decides to face her fears in order to be a better role model for her daughters. Along the way she discovers she’s not alone in holding onto childhood fears and conquers her own (diving, riding a bike, doing a handstand, surfing) while helping others with theirs (public-speaking, flying, heights, driving).
Riverhead 10.10.13
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ince 2003, the revolutionary oral-history project StoryCorps has recorded and archived more than 45,000 interviews. Now, StoryCorps founder Dave Isay has culled from the archives to create a unique collection about families – both conventional and unlikely – in THE TIES THAT BIND. A powerful testament to our need to connect, this collection is alternately heartwarming, hopeful, sad and ultimately life-affirming.
The Penguin Press 10.17.13
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onna Tartt’s (The Secret History) highlyanticipated new novel begins with an explosion at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that leaves Theo Decker motherless and in possession of a rare, priceless painting. Epic in scale, but written with the brilliance and attention to detail that makes Tartt’s fans devout, THE GOLDFINCH takes readers into the depths of the New York City art world and across the US and Europe in search of family, love and identity.
Little, Brown 10.22.13
September/October 2013
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