Get Thee to a Bookstore: Autumn Releases 2011

There's something about books and autumn -- they go well together, like pumpkin pie and whipped cream, or new leather boots and sidewalks strewn with fallen leaves... So it's no wonder really, that September is practically bursting with sumptuous new books coming out.

Here are my top four most-excited-about new/coming-soon releases:

THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern: I picked this one up at Shakespeare and Co. a week ago, and just started reading it during my commute to language school this week. It's already made me miss my metro stop once. It is... spellbinding. Dazzling. Achingly beautiful. I catch myself closing my eyes after each chapter so I can sit and savor the delectable descriptions I've just read. Can't bear to put it down, but want to prolong the reading experience as much as possible. 

THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen Johnson: American girl at a London boarding school, a rash of Jack the Ripper-mimicking murders, ghost police(??) -- even if this wasn't by one of my all-time favorite authors, my interest would be piqued.

DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor: I've read everything she's written so far, and can attest that Laini is a master weaver of words, a teller of magical tales, a seasoned guide to realms of the imagination hitherto never ventured before. Delicious morsels of temptation from her newest book: a main character with naturally blue hair, necklaces strung with teeth, studying art in Prague, chimera, burned black handprints on doors, star-crossed lovers... oh, the anticipation!

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins: Regulars here will remember how I rhapsodized over Steph's debut, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, so it should be no surprise that I'm bouncing-on-the-edge-of-my-seat giddy that her next novel is (finally) coming out at the end of this month. I absolutely cannot wait to meet Lola, fledgling costume designer and owner of multiple wigs, and Cricket(!), inventor, engineer, and one half of a set of twins. Steph has a way of creating characters who are refreshingly new yet utterly relate-able to; they'll charm your socks off and make you care about what happens to them. And after the magical way she brought Paris to life in the first book, I can only imagine the San Francisco of LOLA is going to be an awesome place to visit. Honestly, just treat yourself to this book -- I promise you will be SO HAPPY that you did.

Happy reading everyone!

p.s. if you haven't already, come share your favorite book with us in the comments for the 10th anniversary giveaway post, and you could win some Parisian goodies!