September is here and that means the beginning of the fall publishing season. There are new books coming from John Stewart, James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich, plus two big authors—Audrey Niffenegger and Diana Gabaldon—are releasing graphic novels in September. The upcoming book I’m looking forward to the most is David Sedaris’ new book of animal fables, which will be out at the end of the month. So check out the September book releases I think you’ll be interested in.

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger
Available September 1, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Audrey Niffenegger, the New York Times bestselling author of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry, has crafted her first graphic novel after the success of her two critically acclaimed “novels-in-pictures.” First serialized as a weekly column in the UK’s Guardian newspaper, The Night Bookmobile tells the story of a wistful woman who one night encounters a mysterious disappearing library on wheels that contains every book she has ever read. Seeing her history and most intimate self in this library, she embarks on a search for the bookmobile. But her search turns into an obsession, as she longs to be reunited with her own collection and memories.

The Night Bookmobile is a haunting tale of both transcendence and the passion for books, and features the evocative full-color pen-and-ink work of one of the world’s most beloved storytellers.

Ape House by Sara Gruen
Available September 7, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani, and Makena are no ordinary apes. These bonobos, like others of their species, are capable of reason and carrying on deep relationships—but unlike most bonobos, they also know American Sign Language.

Isabel Duncan, a scientist at the Great Ape Language Lab, doesn’t understand people, but animals she gets—especially the bonobos. Isabel feels more comfortable in their world than she’s ever felt among humans . . . until she meets John Thigpen, a very married reporter who braves the ever-present animal rights protesters outside the lab to see what’s really going on inside.

When an explosion rocks the lab, severely injuring Isabel and “liberating” the apes, John’s human interest piece turns into the story of a lifetime, one he’ll risk his career and his marriage to follow. Then a reality TV show featuring the missing apes debuts under mysterious circumstances, and it immediately becomes the biggest—and unlikeliest—phenomenon in the history of modern media. Millions of fans are glued to their screens watching the apes order greasy take-out, have generous amounts of sex, and sign for Isabel to come get them. Now, to save her family of apes from this parody of human life, Isabel must connect with her own kind, including John, a green-haired vegan, and a retired porn star with her own agenda.

Ape House delivers great entertainment, but it also opens the animal world to us in ways few novels have done, securing Sara Gruen’s place as a master storyteller who allows us to see ourselves as we never have before.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
Available September 14, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family.

But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo’s empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich
Available September 14, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Life in Marblehead has had a pleasant predictability, until Diesel arrives. Rumor has it that a collection of priceless ancient relics representing the Seven Deadly Sins have made their way to Boston’s North Shore. Partnered with pastry chef Lizzie Tucker, Diesel bullies and charms his way through historic Salem to track them down—and his criminal mastermind cousin Gerewulf Grimorie. The black-haired, black-hearted Wulf is on the hunt for the relic representing gluttony. Caught in a race against time, Diesel and Lizzie soon find out that more isn’t always better, as they battle Wulf and the first of the deadly sins.

With delectable characters and non-stop thrills that have made Janet Evanovich a household name, Wicked Appetite will leave you hungry for more.

Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella
Available September 21, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Sophie Kinsella has dazzled readers with her irresistible Shopaholic novels—sensational international bestsellers that have garnered millions of devoted fans and catapulted her into the first rank of contemporary storytellers. Now her beloved heroine Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) returns in a hilarious tale of married life, toddlerhood, and the perils of trying to give a fabulous surprise party—on a budget!

Becky Brandon thought motherhood would be a breeze and that having a daughter was a dream come true: a shopping friend for life! But it’s trickier than she thought. Two-year-old Minnie has a quite different approach to shopping.

Minnie creates havoc everywhere she goes, from Harrods to her own christening. Her favorite word is “Mine!” and she’s even trying to get into eBay! On top of everything else, Becky and Luke are still living with her parents (the deal on house #4 has fallen through), when suddenly there’s a huge financial crisis.

With people having to “cut back,” Becky decides to throw a surprise party for Luke to cheer everyone up. But when costs start to spiral out of control, she must decide whether to accept help from an unexpected source—and therefore run the risk of hurting the person she loves.

Will Becky be able to pull off the celebration of the year? Will she and Luke ever find a home of their own? Will Minnie ever learn to behave? And . . . most important . . . will Becky’s secret wishes ever come true?

Earth (The Book): A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race by Jon Stewart
Available September 21, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
The eagerly awaited new book from the Emmy-winning, Oscar-hosting, Daily Show-anchoring Jon Stewart–the man behind the megaseller America (The Book).

Where do we come from? Who created us? Why are we here? These questions have puzzled us since the dawn of time, but when it became apparent to Jon Stewart and the writers of The Daily Show that the world was about to end, they embarked on a massive mission to write a book that summed up the human race: What we looked like; what we accomplished; our achievements in society, government, religion, science and culture — all in a tome of approximately 256 pages with lots of color photos, graphs and charts.

After two weeks of hard work, they had their book. EARTH (The Book) is the definitive guide to our species. With their trademark wit, irreverence, and intelligence, Stewart and his team will posthumously answer all of life’s most hard-hitting questions, completely unburdened by objectivity, journalistic integrity, or even accuracy.

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon and Hoang Nguyen (Illustrator)
Available September 21, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Diana Gabaldon’s brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and award-winning Outlander saga. Now, in her first-ever graphic novel, Gabaldon gives readers a fresh look at the events of the original Outlander: Jamie Fraser’s side of the story, gorgeously rendered by artist Hoang Nguyen.

After too long an absence, Jamie Fraser is coming home to Scotland—but not without great trepidation. Though his beloved godfather, Murtagh, promised Jamie’s late parents he’d watch over their brash son, making good on that vow will be no easy task. There’s already a fat bounty on the young exile’s head, courtesy of Captain Black Jack Randall, the sadistic British officer who’s crossed paths—and swords—with Jamie in the past. And in the court of the mighty MacKenzie clan, Jamie is a pawn in the power struggle between his uncles: aging chieftain Colum, who demands his nephew’s loyalty—or his life—and Dougal, war chieftain of Clan MacKenzie, who’d sooner see Jamie put to the sword than anointed Colum’s heir.

And then there is Claire Randall—mysterious, beautiful, and strong-willed, who appears in Jamie’s life to stir his compassion . . . and arouse his desire.

But even as Jamie’s heart draws him to Claire, Murtagh is certain she’s been sent by the Old Ones, and Captain Randall accuses her of being a spy. Claire clearly has something to hide, though Jamie can’t believe she could pose him any danger. Still, he knows she is torn between two choices—a life with him, and whatever it is that draws her thoughts so often elsewhere.

Step into the captivating, passionate, and suspenseful world of The Exile, and experience the storytelling magic of Diana Gabaldon as never before.

The Fall: Book Two of the Strain Trilogy by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan
Available September 21, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
From the authors of the instant New York Times bestseller The Strain comes the next volume in one of the most imaginative and frightening thriller series in many, many years Last week they invaded Manhattan. This week they will destroy the world.

The vampiric virus unleashed in The Strain has taken over New York City. It is spreading and soon will envelop the globe. Amid the chaos, Eph Goodweather—head of the Centers for Disease Control’s team—leads a band out to stop these bloodthirsty monsters. But it may be too late.

Ignited by the Master’s horrific plan, a war erupts between Old and New World vampires, each vying for control. At the center of the conflict lies a book, an ancient text that contains the vampires’ entire history . . . and their darkest secrets. Whoever finds the book can control the outcome of the war and, ultimately, the fate of us all. And it is between these warring forces that humans—powerless and vulnerable—find themselves no longer the consumers but the consumed. Though Eph understands the vampiric plague better than anyone, even he cannot protect those he loves. His ex-wife, Kelly, has been transformed into a bloodcrazed creature of the night, and now she stalks the city looking for her chance to reclaim her Dear One: Zack, Eph’s young son.

With the future of humankind in the balance, Eph and his team, guided by the brilliant former professor and Holocaust survivor Abraham Setrakian and exterminator Vasiliy Fet and joined by a crew of ragtag gangsters, must combat a terror whose ultimate plan is more terrible than anyone has imagined—a fate worse than annihilation.

Don’t Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

Available September 27, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
The good
New York’s Lombardo’s Steak House is famous for three reasons–the menu, the clientele, and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer. Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police’s fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

The bad
Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad-boy. In the chaos, he accidentally captures a key piece of evidence that lands him in the middle of an all-out war between Italian and Russian mafia forces. NYPD captains, district attorneys, mayoral candidates, media kingpins, and one shockingly beautiful magazine editor are all pushing their own agendas–on both sides of the law.

And the dead
Back off–or die–is the clear message Nick receives as he investigates for a story of his own.Heedless, and perhaps in love with his beautiful editor, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson knows.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
Available September 28, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Ken Follett’s World Without End was a global phenomenon, a work of grand historical sweep, beloved by millions of readers and acclaimed by critics. Fall of Giants is his magnificent new historical epic. The first novel in The Century Trilogy, it follows the fates of five interrelated families-American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh-as they move through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women’s suffrage.

Thirteen-year-old Billy Williams enters a man’s world in the Welsh mining pits…Gus Dewar, an American law student rejected in love, finds a surprising new career in Woodrow Wilson’s White House…two orphaned Russian brothers, Grigori and Lev Peshkov, embark on radically different paths half a world apart when their plan to emigrate to America falls afoul of war, conscription, and revolution…Billy’s sister, Ethel, a housekeeper for the aristocratic Fitzherberts, takes a fateful step above her station, while Lady Maud Fitzherbert herself crosses deep into forbidden territory when she falls in love with Walter von Ulrich, a spy at the German embassy in London…

These characters and many others find their lives inextricably entangled as, in a saga of unfolding drama and intriguing complexity, Fall of Giants moves seamlessly from Washington to St. Petersburg, from the dirt and danger of a coal mine to the glittering chandeliers of a palace, from the corridors of power to the bedrooms of the mighty. As always with Ken Follett, the historical background is brilliantly researched and rendered, the action fast-moving, the characters rich in nuance and emotion. It is destined to be a new classic.

In future volumes of The Century Trilogy, subsequent generations of the same families will travel through the great events of the rest of the twentieth century, changing themselves-and the century itself. With passion and the hand of a master, Follett brings us into a world we thought we knew, but now will never seem the same again.

Naked Heat by Richard Castle
Available September 28, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Nikki Heat and Jameson Rook are together again in Richard Castle’s thrilling follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, Heat Wave.

When New York’s most vicious gossip columnist, Cassidy Towne, is found dead, Heat uncovers a gallery of high profile suspects, all with compelling motives for killing the most feared muckraker in Manhattan.

Heat’s murder investigation is complicated by her surprise reunion with superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook. In the wake of their recent breakup, Nikki would rather not deal with their raw emotional baggage. But the handsome, wise-cracking Pulitzer Prize-winning writer’s personal involvement in the case forces her to team up with Rook anyway. The residue of their unresolved romantic conflict and crackling sexual tension fills the air as Heat and Rook embark on a search for a killer among celebrities and mobsters, singers and hookers, pro athletes and shamed politicians.

This new, explosive case brings on the heat in the glittery world of secrets, cover-ups, and scandals.

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris
Available September 28, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Featuring David Sedaris’s unique blend of hilarity and heart, this new collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, the situations in these stories bear an uncanny resemblance to the insanity of everyday life.

In “The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck,” three strangers commiserate about animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. In “Hello Kitty,” a cynical feline struggles to sit through his prison-mandated AA meetings. In “The Squirrel and the Chipmunk,” a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members.

Once again David Sedaris shows us the most outrageous, tender, absurd sides of ourselves in his “profoundly funny, well-crafted stories that somehow, magically, bring home a major point about fidelity or guilt or love” (Christian Science Monitor on When You Are Engulfed in Flames).

By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham
Available September 28, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Peter and Rebecca Harris: mid-forties denizens of Manhattan’s SoHo, nearing the apogee of committed careers in the arts—he a dealer, she an editor. With a spacious loft, a college-age daughter in Boston, and lively friends, they are admirable, enviable contemporary urbanites with every reason, it seems, to be happy. Then Rebecca’s much younger look-alike brother, Ethan (known in thefamily as Mizzy, “the mistake”), shows up for a visit. A beautiful, beguiling twenty-three-year-old with a history of drug problems, Mizzy is wayward, at loose ends, looking for direction. And in his presence, Peter finds himself questioning his artists, their work, his career—the entire world he has so carefully constructed.

Like his legendary, Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, The Hours, Michael Cunningham’s masterly new novel is a heartbreaking look at the way we live now. Full of shocks and aftershocks, it makes us think and feel deeply about the uses and meaning of beauty and the place of love in our lives.

Torment by Lauren Kate
Available September 28, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:
Hell on earth.

That’s what it’s like for Luce to be apart from her fallen angel boyfriend, Daniel.

It took them an eternity to find one another, but now he has told her he must go away. Just long enough to hunt down the Outcasts—immortals who want to kill Luce. Daniel hides Luce at Shoreline, a school on the rocky California coast with unusually gifted students: Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans.

At Shoreline, Luce learns what the Shadows are, and how she can use them as windows to her previous lives. Yet the more Luce learns, the more she suspects that Daniel hasn’t told her everything. He’s hiding something—something dangerous.

What if Daniel’s version of the past isn’t actually true? What if Luce is really meant to be with someone else?

The second novel in the addictive FALLEN series . . . where love never dies.

Follow me on Twitter @kristendaemons

The month of June is National Audiobook Month and Jen at Devourer of Books is hosting daily discussions of audiobooks all this week. I’m a huge audiobook addict and you might have noticed that many of the book reviews Jose and I do are of audiobooks. We started listening to them a few years ago to make our respective commutes to work go by faster. Since then, I’ve also started listening to them on the treadmill or while doing chores. I love them because they allow you to do two things at once and they make boring tasks a lot more fun.

In honor of Audiobook Week, I thought I’d share some of my all-time favorites:

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
I consider David Sedaris’ audiobooks to be some of the best out there, and I think they are a great starting point for a newbie. Sedaris narrates them himself with perfect comedic timing and delivery. I picked Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim because just thinking about the southern accent he does when imitating his brother Paul (aka “The Rooster”) makes me giggle, but all his audiobooks are awesome. Check out my review of Live For Your Listening Pleasure here.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my favorite books in general, but it works particularly well as an audiobook. William Hope (Henry) and Laurel Lefkow (Clare) narrate the unabridged version. Since the book switches back and forth between Henry and Clare’s perspectives, having a male and a female narrator works perfectly. It has been awhile since I listened to this one, but I can still hear the longing in Clare’s voice as she waits for Henry.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Help audiobook was my favorite book of 2009. It’s narrated by Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and Cassandra Campbell. Minny, who is sassy and speaks with a thick dialect, is brought to life by Bahni Turpin. Octavia Spencer (who will actually play Minny in the movie version) is the calm, thoughtful Aibileen, and I really connected to her character. These ladies deliver wonderful performances with authentic southern accents (to my Yankee ears) that made me feel like I was actually in the South during the 1960s. I can’t recommend this one highly enough. (Read my full review here.)

Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers
When I started listening to the Twilight audiobook, I was instantly captivated by Ilyana Kadushin’s rich, textured voice. She narrated Bella so perfectly that, to me, she IS Bella. If I go back and read a passage from one of the Twilight books, it’s her voice I hear in my head.

Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
I know a lot of people list the Harry Potter audiobooks among their favorites, but there’s a reason for this—they are GOOD. I’ve listened to the US version of the audiobooks, which are narrated by talented English actor Jim Dale. He created a different voice for each character, which is just amazing considered how many characters are in the series. His Hermione is a little whiny, but he captures most of the other characters perfectly. He really gets into it and delivers a performance, rather than a narration.

So have you listened to any of my picks? What are some of your favorite audiobooks?

Mr. Rochester, from Charlotte Bronte’s novel Jane Eyre, has been voted the most romantic hero in literature in a new poll by Mills and Boon. I guess some women like their romantic heroes dark and brooding with an insane wife locked up in the attic. Crazy wife aside, Mr. Rochester is just too moody and arrogant for my taste. My top pick would be Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. I’m really surprised that he was third in the poll, behind Richard Sharpe of Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series. Here’s a list of the top ten:

1. Mr. Rochester, Jane Eyre
by Charlotte Bronte

2.Richard Sharpe, Sharpe series by Bernard Cornwell

3. Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

4. Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

5. Rhett Butler, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

6. Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding

7. Captain Corelli, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Berniere

8. Henry DeTamble, The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

9. Gabriel Oak, Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

10. Rupert Campbell Black, The Rutshire Chronicles by Jilly Cooper

I like that Henry from The Time Traveler’s Wife made the list because the time traveling librarian is one of my favorite characters. I’ve written about my disdain for Heathcliff before, so I’m just going to leave that one alone. So what do you think of the list? Who’s your favorite literary romantic hero?

Halloween is only a few weeks away and here in Michigan the leaves are starting to change and there’s a chill in the air. It’s perfect weather for curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. In honor of Halloween, here’s a list of spooky/mystery/supernatural stories you may enjoy:

Just After Sunset by Stephen King

This collection of 13 short stories ranges from horror to gross-you-out to more common things we are fearful of like divorce and terminal illness. Stories include “The Cat from Hell” which is about a killer cat and the hit man hired to kill it and “N” which features a mental patient with OCD.

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

What could be better for fall reading than a gothic ghost story set in and around London’s Highgate Cemetery? It’s a creepy (but not scary) story and the dreary London weather creates the perfect backdrop. Read my full review here.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The young at heart might enjoy the latest book from Coraline author, Neil Gaiman. Nobody (Bod) Owens lives in a graveyard and is raised by ghosts after his parents are killed. Unfortunately, the man who killed his parents is also after him. The Graveyard Book has won the 2009 Newberry Medal and the 2009 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris

Speaking of graveyards, this mystery series features a heroine who spends a lot of time in them. Harper Connelly acquired the ability to find dead people and determine their cause of death after being struck by lightning as a teenager. Now, along with her stepbrother Tolliver, she makes her living finding missing persons. I recommend reading this series in order, starting with Grave Sight, followed by Grave Surprise and An Ice Cold Grave.

Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie

Abby Cooper is a psychic who lives in the Detroit metropolitan area. Along with police detective Dutch Rivers, she investigates both human and supernatural mysteries. There are currently seven books in the series, starting with Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye.

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L. J. Smith

If you like your vampires young and broody, the Vampire Diaries series is for you. Stefan and Damon are vampire brothers with a serious case of sibling rivalry. Set in the small town of Fell’s Church, Virginia, the book takes place around fall events like Homecoming and football. Read my full review here.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

If you prefer your vampires the old-fashioned way – skulking about European locales, biting people in the neck – you will like this story about Dracula. As implied by the title, it contains a lot of historical information about Europe and Vlad the Impaler. This thriller also has elements of mystery and romance and it will grab you right from the beginning.

Dead Men’s Boots by Mike Carey

If zombies are more your thing, the Felix Castor series will appeal to you. The books are set in an alternate version of London where the dead have started to return to Earth as ghosts and zombies. Exorcists like Felix Castor have the ability to permanently banish the spirits. Read my full review here.

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

Werewolf Kitty Norville hosts “The Midnight Hour” on a Denver radio station and dispenses advice to the supernatural. Her fellow werewolves and the local vampires don’t like the public exposure, which puts Kitty in a dangerous position. This urban fantasy series might appeal to fans of Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse books.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 25th Anniversary Edition: Collected from American Folklore by Alvin Schwartz

If you want to gather the family and read scary stories on Halloween night, this collection will frighten both children and adults. Many of the stories are based on urban legends and contain very creepy illustrations to go along with them. It’s perfect reading for Halloween, campfires, and sleepovers.

What do a haunted apartment, a cemetery, two sets of eccentric twin sisters, an agoraphobic obsessive compulsive, and the Little Kitten of Death have in common? These are the peculiar things that come together in Her Fearful Symmetry, the second novel by Audrey Niffenegger. As you can probably guess, it’s a unique novel filled with quirky characters and not all of them are amongst the living. Set in London, it has a dark, gothic tone with themes of death and grief factoring heavily into the story. But it is also about love, albeit the obsessive love between twin sisters who can’t live with or without each other.

The twins in question are twenty-year-olds Valentina and Julia, mirror twins whose mother, Edie, is also a twin herself. Edie and her family live in the Chicago area and she is estranged from her twin Elspeth. Elspeth has never met her nieces, but when she dies she leaves her apartment in London to them on the condition that they must live there for a year. Valentina and Julia move to the apartment building and meet its other occupants: Robert who was Elspeth’s longtime love and Martin who suffers from a raging case of OCD. The building is next to Highgate Cemetery where Elspeth is interred. The twins soon begin to suspect that their apartment may have another occupant as unexplained things begin to happen.

Valentina and Julia and their weird dynamic are at the heart of the novel and they somehow manage to be creepy, frustrating, and boring all at the same time. “Eccentric” is probably a mild way to explain their behavior. They wear matching outfits, walk down streets holding hands, and sleep in the same bed. Julia is the dominant twin; she bosses around and mothers the helpless and sickly Valentina. They’ve dropped out of college several times and they don’t work because they can’t decide on a career that the can pursue together. That’s really the problem in a nutshell – they don’t seem to do much of anything for the first part of the novel. Their dependence on each other has left them stuck in adolescence and their immaturity quickly wears thin.

One thing Audrey Niffenegger is talented at is making the unbelievable feel believable. She did this with time travel and now she makes the ghostly events in this book seem completely natural. She also describes Highgate Cemetery so vividly that it almost becomes a character itself. I wasn’t surprised to find out the Niffenegger worked there as a guide, much like Robert does in the novel.

Comparisons of Her Fearful Symmetry to The Time Traveler’s Wife may be unfair but they are inevitable. Anyone expecting The Time Traveler’s Wife Part II will be disappointed because the two books are radically different. The only similarity I noticed was that both books have an interesting take on death and the idea that love can somehow transcend it. To me, the themes of obsessive love in Her Fearful Symmetry just can’t match the rich emotional love story of The Time Traveler’s Wife. I also found the ending of Her Fearful Symmetry rather unsatisfying, though it was certainly memorable. Not all of Niffenegger’s fans will be pleased with the new book, but I think the darkness of the story will attract many new fans to her work.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5 | Publisher: Scribner | Pages: 416 | Buy on Amazon

Take a look at the September releases I think you’ll be interested in:

Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin (Order on Amazon)

Available September 8, 2009

From the publisher:

Official Book Club Selection is Kathy Griffin unplugged, uncensored, and unafraid to dish about what really happens on the road, away from the cameras, and at the star party after the show. (It’s also her big chance to score that coveted book club endorsement she’s always wanted. Are you there, Oprah? It’s me, Kathy.)

Kathy Griffin has won Emmys for her reality show Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, been nominated for a Grammy, worked and walked every red carpet known to man, and rung in the New Year with Anderson Cooper. But the legions of fans who pack Kathy’s sold-out comedy shows have heard only part of her remarkable story. Writing with her trademark wit, the feisty comic settles a few old scores, celebrates the friends and mentors who helped her claw her way to the top, and shares insider gossip about celebrity behavior—the good, the bad, and the very ugly. She recounts the crazy ups and downs of her own career and introduces us to some of the supertalented people she encountered before they got famous (or, in some cases, after fame went to their heads). Word to the wise: If you’ve ever crossed Kathy Griffin at some point in your life, check the index for your name.

Along the way, Kathy reveals intimate details about her life before and after she made the big time. She opens up about everything from growing up with a dysfunctional family in suburban Illinois to bombing as a young comedian in L.A., from her well-publicized plastic surgery disasters to her highly publicized divorce, and more. Only in this book will you learn how the dinner table is the best training ground for a career in stand-up, how speaking your mind can bite you on the ass and buy you a house, and which people in Kathy’s life have taught her the most valuable lessons—both inside and outside the entertainment industry.

Refreshingly candid, unflinchingly honest, and full of hilarious “Did she really say that?” moments, Official Book Club Selection will make you laugh until you cry, or just puke up a little bit.

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The Golden City by John Twelve Hawks (Order on Amazon)

Available September 8, 2009

From the publisher:

A world that exists in the shadow of our own . . . the thrilling conclusion to John Twelve Hawks’ Fourth Realm trilogy, The Golden City is packed with the knife-edge tension, intriguing characters, and startling plot twists that made The Traveler and The Dark River international hits.

John Twelve Hawks’ previous novels about the mystical Travelers and the Brethren, their ruthless enemies, generated an extraordinary following around the world. The Washington Post wrote that The Traveler “portrays a Big Brother with powers far beyond anything Orwell could imagine . . .” and Publishers Weekly hailed the series as “a saga that’s part A Wrinkle in Time, part The Matrix and part Kurosawa epic.” Internet chat rooms and blogs have overflowed with speculation about the final destiny of the richly imagined characters fighting an epic battle beneath the surface of our modern world.

In The Golden City, Twelve Hawks delivers the climax to his spellbinding epic. Struggling to protect the legacy of his Traveler father, Gabriel faces troubling new questions and relentless threats. His brother Michael, now firmly allied with the enemy, pursues his ambition to wrest power from Nathan Boone, the calculating leader of the Brethren. And Maya, the Harlequin warrior pledged to protect Gabriel at all costs, is forced to make a choice that will change her life forever.

A riveting blend of high-tech thriller and fast-paced adventure, The Golden City will delight Twelve Hawks’ many fans and attract a new audience to the entire trilogy.

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The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (Order on Amazon)

Available September 15, 2009

From the publisher:

The Lost Symbol, available wherever books are sold on 9.15.09, once again features Dan Brown’s unforgettable protagonist, Robert Langdon. The book’s narrative takes place in a twelve-hour period, and from the first page, readers will feel the thrill of discovery as they follow Langdon through a masterful and unexpected landscape. Dan Brown’s prodigious talent for storytelling, infused with history, codes and intrigue, is on full display in this riveting new novel.

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Just After Sunset by Stephen King (Order on Amazon)

Available September 22, 2009

From the publisher:

Stephen King — who has written more than fifty books, dozens of number one New York Times bestsellers, and many unforgettable movies — delivers an astonishing collection of short stories, his first since Everything’s Eventual six years ago. As guest editor of the bestselling Best American Short Stories 2007, King spent over a year reading hundreds of stories. His renewed passion for the form is evident on every page of Just After Sunset. The stories in this collection have appeared in The New Yorker, Playboy, McSweeney’s, The Paris Review, Esquire, and other publications.

Who but Stephen King would turn a Port-O-San into a slimy birth canal, or a roadside honky-tonk into a place for endless love? A book salesman with a grievance might pick up a mute hitchhiker, not knowing the silent man in the passenger seat listens altogether too well. Or an exercise routine on a stationary bicycle, begun to reduce bad cholesterol, might take its rider on a captivating — and then terrifying — journey. Set on a remote key in Florida, “The Gingerbread Girl” is a riveting tale featuring a young woman as vulnerable — and resourceful — as Audrey Hepburn’s character in Wait Until Dark. In “Ayana,” a blind girl works a miracle with a kiss and the touch of her hand. For King, the line between the living and the dead is often blurry, and the seams that hold our reality intact might tear apart at any moment. In one of the longer stories here, “N.,” which recently broke new ground when it was adapted as a graphic digital entertainment, a psychiatric patient’s irrational thinking might create an apocalyptic threat in the Maine countryside…or keep the world from falling victim to it.

Just After Sunset — call it dusk, call it twilight, it’s a time when human intercourse takes on an unnatural cast, when nothing is quite as it appears, when the imagination begins to reach for shadows as they dissipate to darkness and living daylight can be scared right out of you. It’s the perfect time for Stephen King.

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An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon (Order on Amazon)

Available September 22, 2009

From the publisher:

Diana Gabaldon’s brilliant storytelling has captivated millions of readers in her bestselling and award-winning Outlander saga. Now, in An Echo in the Bone, the enormously anticipated seventh volume, Gabaldon continues the extraordinary story of the eighteenth-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his twentieth-century time-traveling wife, Claire Randall.

Jamie Fraser, former Jacobite and reluctant rebel, is already certain of three things about the American rebellion: The Americans will win, fighting on the side of victory is no guarantee of survival, and he’d rather die than have to face his illegitimate son–a young lieutenant in the British army–across the barrel of a gun

Claire Randall knows that the Americans will win, too, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won’t include Jamie’s life or his happiness, though–not if she has anything to say about it.

Meanwhile, in the relative safety of the twentieth century, Jamie and Claire’s daughter, Brianna, and her husband, Roger MacKenzie, have resettled in a historic Scottish home where, across a chasm of two centuries, the unfolding drama of Brianna’s parents’ story comes to life through Claire’s letters. The fragile pages reveal Claire’s love for battle-scarred Jamie Fraser and their flight from North Carolina to the high seas, where they encounter privateers and ocean battles–as Brianna and Roger search for clues not only to Claire’s fate but to their own. Because the future of the MacKenzie family in the Highlands is mysteriously, irrevocably, and intimately entwined with life and death in war-torn colonial America.

With stunning cameos of historical characters from Benedict Arnold to Benjamin Franklin, An Echo in the Bone is a soaring masterpiece of imagination, insight, character, and adventure–a novel that echoes in the mind long after the last page is turned.

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Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger (Order on Amazon)

Available September 29, 2009

From the publisher:

Six years after the phenomenal success of The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger has returned with a spectacularly compelling and haunting second novel set in and around Highgate Cemetery in London.

When Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer, she leaves her London apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina. These two American girls never met their English aunt, only knew that their mother, too, was a twin, and Elspeth her sister. Julia and Valentina are semi-normal American teenagers–with seemingly little interest in college, finding jobs, or anything outside their cozy home in the suburbs of Chicago, and with an abnormally intense attachment to one another.

The girls move to Elspeth’s flat, which borders Highgate Cemetery in London. They come to know the building’s other residents. There is Martin, a brilliant and charming crossword puzzle setter suffering from crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Marjike, Martin’s devoted but trapped wife; and Robert, Elspeth’s elusive lover, a scholar of the cemetery. As the girls become embroiled in the fraying lives of their aunt’s neighbors, they also discover that much is still alive in Highgate, including–perhaps–their aunt, who can’t seem to leave her old apartment and life behind.

Niffenegger weaves a captivating story in Her Fearful Symmetry about love and identity, about secrets and sisterhood, and about the tenacity of life–even after death.

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Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby (Order on Amazon)

Available September 29, 2009

From the publisher:

From the beloved New York Times- bestselling author, a quintessential Nick Hornby tale of music, superfandom, and the truths and lies we tell ourselves about life and love.

Annie loves Duncan-or thinks she does. Duncan loves Annie, but then, all of a sudden, he doesn’t. Duncan really loves Tucker Crowe, a reclusive Dylanish singer-songwriter who stopped making music ten years ago. Annie stops loving Duncan, and starts getting her own life.

In doing so, she initiates an e-mail correspondence with Tucker, and a connection is forged between two lonely people who are looking for more out of what they’ve got. Tucker’s been languishing (and he’s unnervingly aware of it), living in rural Pennsylvania with what he sees as his one hope for redemption amid a life of emotional and artistic ruin-his young son, Jackson. But then there’s also the new material he’s about to release to the world: an acoustic, stripped-down version of his greatest album, Juliet-entitled, Juliet, Naked.

What happens when a washed-up musician looks for another chance? And miles away, a restless, childless woman looks for a change? Juliet, Naked is a powerfully engrossing, humblingly humorous novel about music, love, loneliness, and the struggle to live up to one’s promise.

Once in a while I read a book that is so original, touching, or thought-provoking that it stays with me long after I’ve finished reading. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is the perfect example of a book like this because it is all of these things and more. It tells the love story of Henry and Clare and how they maintain a relationship while Henry is spontaneously traveling to different points in time. The book begins with Henry meeting Clare for the first time when he is twenty-eight and she is twenty, but she first met him when she was six years old and he was in his thirties. This may seem impossible, but, due to a genetic disorder, Henry randomly travels through time. During one of his early visits, Henry tells Clare that in the future they are married, and thus begins Clare’s life of waiting for Henry to visit, waiting to meet him in real time, waiting for him to return from time traveling. Clare struggles with feeling trapped by knowing what happens in the future, like she can’t make her own choices because it’s all pre-determined. Clare and Henry face many interesting obstacles because of their very unique situation.

Even though the book is called The Time Traveler’s Wife, to me, it’s all about Henry. Henry has Chrono-Displacement Disorder, which means during times of stress he will uncontrollably travel to a different time, usually to a meaningful point in his own life. He can’t take anything with him, so he ends up in his new location naked and disoriented. Henry is a librarian at the Newberry Library in Chicago, although I don’t understand how he keeps his job when he is always disappearing and leaving a puddle of clothing behind. He’s well read, into punk rock, and has learned how to pick locks, fight, and do anything to survive.

I love science fiction, love stories, time travel, interesting characters, punk rock, libraries, and Lake Michigan, and The Time Traveler’s Wife combines all these things into one awesome book. When Clare is a child, she and Henry always meet in a meadow outside her house on Lake Michigan, and I just loved reading about this idyllic setting (full disclosure: I’m from Michigan and a sucker for anything set in our beautiful state). I really loved everything about this book, but the time travel aspect particularly fascinated me. Yes, at times all the jumping around in time is confusing, but you just have to go with it. You might think it all sounds very implausible, but the author just makes it all seem so real and believable that you really become invested in the story.

The Time Traveler’s Wife movie is coming out later this summer and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will be half as good as the book (you can watch the trailer here). I think this story has the potential to be a great movie, but I’m not getting my hopes up too much. This book is hard to classify because it’s part science fiction, part romance, and part literary fiction. So basically, if you are a fan of fiction and like a good love story, this book should be in your library.

Buy The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger on Amazon by clicking here.