to be read

There are some amazing books being released right now and I’m so excited. There are periods throughout the year (usually the spring/summer) when book releases are absolutely dreadful. (Dear publishers, stop trying to make “beach reads” a thing.) Anyway, here are a few that I’m totally stoked for.

“Between life and death there is a library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?” — The Midnight Library

Cuyahoga tells the story of the race between Ohio City and Cleveland to build a bridge over the Cuyahoga River. Called a “tall tale for our times” and “deliriously fun,” I can’t wait to read this book, probably one of the first books ever written where something good happens to “The Mistake on the Lake.” (Sorry, Cleveland.)

Not enough people realize that Margaret Atwood is also an incredible and prolific poet. She hasn’t released a full collection of poems since 2007, so I’m really looking forward to seeing where she’s going to go. Can’t wait to dig in to Dearly.

Y’all, it may be because it’s October and Halloween is around the corner, but I saw Penguin Classics was releasing this collection of real-life stories of exorcisms around the world and immediately added it to my Want to Read shelf. Penguin Classics is one of my favorite publishers, so I’m sure The Penguin Book of Exorcisms will be fantastic.

Like every other white millennial girl in her 30s, I’ll be purchasing Rupi Kaur’s latest poetry collection ASAP after it releases. I hate myself for saying it, but I love her poetry and it gives me all. the. feels. (I’m basic and I’m sorry.) Stoked for home body.

I saw this as a new release from Jon Klassen and purchased it there and then. The story is ridiculously sweet: Badger, loner, lover of rocks, just wants to be alone but when Skunk moves in after losing his home, the odd couple has to learn what it means to share their living space – and their lives. Best friends! Skunk and Badger came in the mail last week and I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it’s next on my list.

I’m most looking forward to The Midnight Library. This is what books are for me, the chance to live a life I haven’t lived or won’t live. The idea that there are books and books filled with lives I could have lived is both beautiful and painful. There are more releases I’m excited about, of course, but these are the standouts. I’ll update on them if they live up to the hype I’ve given them.