Nancy Pearl’s Fall Recommendations
In her monthly appearance on Seattle’s NPR station, KUOW, librarian Nancy Pearl talked about her favorite titles of the current season. In addition to several major adult releases, she picks a debut YA novel.
The Art of Fielding, Chad Harbach, (Little, Brown, 9/7; Hachette Large Print) — “the one I am most excited by.”
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard, (Random House, 9/20; RH Audio; BOT Audio) — About one of our least-remembered presidents, James Garfield, so the subject is not what will draw in readers, but, says Nancy, “a wonderful author like Candice Millard can make you interested in everything.”
Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend , Susan Orlean, (S&S, 9/27; S&S Audio; Large Type, Thorndike) — Nancy loves the details, including “how the character of Rin Tin Tin changed from silent movies to the TV show.”
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Doubleday, 9/13; Audio, RH Audio and Books on Tape; Large Print,Center Point) — Nancy says it’s for people who liked The Time Travelers Wife.
Legend by Marie Lu (Putnam. 11/29) — a forthcoming teen fantasy novel that Nancy calls ” just terrific.” It received early attention back in July from USA Today. The first in a planned trilogy of dystopian YA novels, it’s catnip for Hollywood. No surprise, rights were snapped up in February. Director Jonathan Levin (his 50/50 has just been released) was attached to it in May, moving it another step along the process. VOYA just reviewed the book (5Q 5P J S), saying, “Debut author Lu has managed a great feat—emulating a highly successful young adult series while staying true to her own voice.” Kirkus gave it a star.