I didn’t read nearly as many new releases in September as I would have liked. For starters, I still need to dive into The Story of a Brief Marriage and (of course) J.K. Rowling’s Pottermore Presents trio of ebooks. But here’s a look at what I did read!
You Are Two by Sara O’Leary
4/5 stars
I ended up buying You Are Two for my daughter’s birthday this year. It is a lovely hardcover with beautiful and vivid illustrations by Karen Klassen. Sara O’Leary touches on some milestones in a toddler’s second year that really pull on a mother’s heartstrings. Even though I may be a sucker for these sentimental sorts of books, this was also a hit for the little one in our home. She enjoyed me reading it aloud to her at bedtime, and it was a great way to close out her big day of celebrating. I’d like to buy a copy of You Are One and start collecting these books as long as they are released for each year.
Loner by Teddy Wayne
3/5 stars
I’ve been binging the heck out of Gilmore Girls these days because people haven’t stopped talking about the new episodes coming out soon and I started getting major FOMO. It just so happens that a character in the show and the main character in Loner are both attending Ivy League schools – a fascinating world I knew nothing about until recently. But that’s where the similarities end between the two stories. Author Teddy Wayne introduces a freshman male who becomes obsessed with a female peer. In the beginning of the book, he seems like he could be anyone; I even see parts of him in me. But, over the course of one intense semester, David becomes delusional, dreaming up inappropriate fantasies and leaving readers feeling uneasy. I would definitely put a few trigger warnings on this one. It’s an unhappy read that makes you think about the people around you. While the conclusion was believable and wrapped up quickly like a present, I wouldn’t call this book a gift. I like dark stories and this was a decent one, but Loner didn’t shed much new light on humanity for me or leave me with much emotion after it was over.
You’re Saying It Wrong by Ross Petras and Kathryn Petras
4/5 stars
How is it that I’ve been pronouncing so many words incorrectly? It reminds me of the anonymous quote I’ve seen floating around the bookish internet: “Never make fun of someone if they mispronounce a word. It means they learned it by reading.” I must have learned quite a few words in the pages of books, because You’re Saying It Wrong completely schooled me. If this title sounds dull, give it a chance anyway – especially if you love linguistics. I was amused to find out I’ve ordered my acai drink at Starbucks w-r-o-n-g WRONG for years. Some of the words that the Petras talk about are obscure terms that I will probably never speak aloud in my entire lifetime. And they sort of patchwork together several different guides and dictionaries to land on their recommendations, so it may seem kind of inconsistent at times. But it is still a quick read that gets you thinking about pronunciation and makes you want to carry a cheat sheet around in your pocket at all times.
October is going to be hot for new releases. Below are my picks of books to watch out for this month. Side note: If you’re one of the few (like me) who didn’t already, now is the time to read The Girl on the Train before the movie adaptation comes out in theaters on October 7!
Disheveled Shelf 