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As I write this, I do have the window cracked open because it’s *only* 80 degrees outside. Granted, it’s overcast and not even 10 am yet, but I’ll take the wins where I can get them.
Every year that has me spending fall in a southern state is a year I have to pretend to feel crisp air but you know what? It’s alright. It can be fall, if only in my heart.
And so, Blanche’s 2024 Fall Reading Guide is here!
Each year, I look forward to putting this list together and kitty Blanche and I consider so many titles before selecting our recommendations.
I have to say, though, that because I’ve made a promise to myself to read ONLY the books on my bookshelf this year, I had trouble finding books I wanted to add to this list.
One reason I’m only reading what I have is to help train my brain to see that I have everything I need. As a result, I don’t look for new books anymore. I barely follow #Bookstagram or add books to my TBR list because there are so many at home I have to read.
I hope saying this doesn’t deter you from checking out the list because these titles went through the ringer. Many of them are backlisted titles, so you have a better chance of finding them at the library or a used bookstore.
And with that, let’s get into it!
‘Cher: the Memoir, Part One’ by Cher
I love celebrity memoirs! I’m always so curious what they choose to share, and how much detail we’ll get. When I saw this was coming out (November 19, 2024), I knew it belonged on this list. Cher is an icon; I know she has so much to say!
After more than seventy years of striving to live on her own terms, Cher opens up like never before in a two-part memoir that offers an intimate glimpse into her true story.
Her extraordinary career is unlike any other. As the only woman to top the Billboard charts in seven consecutive decades, Cher has won an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Cannes Film Festival Award. She’s also been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and honored by the Kennedy Center.
Beyond her success in entertainment, Cher is a dedicated activist and philanthropist.
Growing up as a dyslexic child with dreams of stardom, Cher was raised in a turbulent environment, surrounded by singers, actors, and a mother who, despite their complicated relationship, inspired her deeply.
In Cher: The Memoir, she uses her signature honesty and humor to tell the story of how she defied the odds, with no clear plan and little confidence, to become the trailblazing icon the world has admired for over fifty years.
‘The Wedding People’ by Alison Espach
I kept seeing this book on lists, but I’m always skeptical of things that are SO popular. However, when I read the description, I thought it sounded light and funny, which we’ll all need this election season.
On a gorgeous day in Newport, Rhode Island, Phoebe Stone steps into the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, carrying no bags and arriving alone. The moment she enters, everyone in the lobby assumes she’s one of the wedding guests.
But unlike everyone else at the Cornwall, Phoebe isn’t here for the big event. She’s here because she’s dreamed of visiting for years—hoping to shuck oysters and enjoy sunset sails with her husband.
Now, she’s arrived without him, at her lowest point, determined to indulge in one final, lavish treat for herself.
Meanwhile, the bride has meticulously planned every detail of the weekend, accounting for every potential disaster—except for Phoebe and her intentions. What neither expects is how quickly they’ll start confiding in one another.
‘The French Ingredient’ by Jane Bertch
I saw this book earlier this year, and it sounded so refreshing. I also love food-based stories and memoirs, so this was a no-brainer.
When Jane Bertch was seventeen, her mother took her on a graduation trip to Paris. Eager to practice her high school French, Jane’s attempts were met with cold disdain by every waiter and shopkeeper she encountered. By the end of the trip, she vowed never to return.
Yet a decade later, Jane was back in Paris, transferred there by the American bank where she worked. This time, she mastered the language and thrived in her new role. But her true dream was something else entirely: to open a cooking school for foreigners like herself, who wanted to learn French cuisine in a welcoming environment and bring those skills back to their kitchens. Predictably, she faced skepticism from the French—how could an American banker start a cooking school in Paris?—along with real-estate challenges and the uphill battle of attracting clients.
Through sheer determination, Jane opened La Cuisine Paris in 2009. Today, the school is flourishing, inviting international visitors to knead dough, whisk béchamel, whip meringue, and discover the precision, patience, and artistry of French cooking.
‘Crushing Snails’ by Emma Murray
I met Emma at a party years ago, and we’ve been friends ever since! Although we write wildly different types of things, I call her my “writing partner.” We share our goals with each other and help hold ourselves accountable for them. Crushing Snails is her debut novel, and although I’m a little scared to read it given the subject matter, I know it’s a fantastic book!
Winnie Campbell is sixteen and a burgeoning serial killer. Her father blames her for her mother’s death, dotes on her little sister, and executes increasingly cruel punishments meant to humiliate Winnie. As the punishments morph into torture, she begins fantasizing about regaining some semblance of power, eventually working through her rage by killing small animals.
When her violent games escalate and she accidentally kills an infant while babysitting, Winnie gets a taste of a power she doesn’t want to let go of. Her obsession with killing grows, and so does her fascination for Leigh, a girl who reminds her of her younger self.
Winnie wants to kill. She wants to die. She wants to be someone other than herself. Killing Leigh, a symbolic suicide, could be the key to her metamorphosis.
‘World Travel’ by Anthony Bourdain
I love Anthony Bourdain, and I know many of you do, too. I was crushed by his passing, but am grateful for the stories he left for us all. This latest book is more of a guide, and if it teaches me how to devour moments like he did, I’ll take it.
Anthony Bourdain explored more of the world than most people could ever dream of. His journeys took him from the hidden corners of New York, his hometown, to a tribal longhouse in Borneo, and from the vibrant streets of Buenos Aires, Paris, and Shanghai to the breathtaking landscapes of Tanzania and the remote solitude of Oman’s Empty Quarter—and beyond.
In World Travel, Bourdain’s vast experiences are gathered into an entertaining, practical, and candid travel guide that introduces readers to some of his favorite destinations, all in his own words. The guide offers essential advice on how to get there, what to eat, where to stay, and even what to avoid, providing readers with the context that made these places unforgettable for Bourdain.
Adding depth to Bourdain’s insights are essays by friends, colleagues, and family that delve further into the essence of each location. These include sardonic tales of traveling with Bourdain from his brother, Christopher; a guide to Chicago’s best cheap eats by legendary music producer Steve Albini, and more. Each chapter is also accompanied by illustrations from Wesley Allsbrook, bringing these stories to life.
‘The Nocturnal Brain’ by Dr. Guy Leschziner
This has been on my TBR list for a few years and, as someone who has struggled with sleep off and on for years, I think it would do me some good to finally read it.
For Dr. Guy Leschziner’s patients, sleep is anything but restful. Conditions like insomnia, narcolepsy, night terrors, apnea, and sleepwalking plague those who struggle to find peace at night—and their attempts to do so often resemble nightmares. Some experience demonic hallucinations that paralyze them with fear. Restless legs disturb both the sleepless and their partners with unpredictable, uncontrollable movements. Disrupted circadian rhythms throw off the body’s natural clock, making day and night indistinguishable.
And then there are the extreme cases. A woman in a deep sleep gets dressed, unlocks her car, and drives several miles before returning to bed. A man spends decades raiding kitchens in the middle of the night while “sleep-eating.” A teenager with the serious yet unfortunately named Sleeping Beauty Syndrome cycles through excessive unconsciousness, binge eating, and uncharacteristic bouts of aggression and hypersexuality when awake.
Through the compassionate stories of his patients, Dr. Leschziner delves into the neuroscience of our sleeping minds, uncovering the complex biological and psychological factors that are essential for achieving rest. He shows how proper sleep not only sustains our physical and mental health but also enhances our cognitive abilities and overall happiness.
‘The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace’ by Jeff Hobbs
This book is nearly 10 years old and has been sitting on my Pinterest board of “books to read” for who knows how long. I stumbled across it a few weeks ago, and it still sounds like an incredibly touching story.
When author Jeff Hobbs arrived at Yale University, he quickly formed a close bond with his college roommate, Robert Peace, a friendship that would last throughout their four years together.
Robert’s life had been challenging from the start, growing up in the crime-ridden streets of Newark in the 1980s. With his father in prison and his mother earning less than $15,000 a year, Robert faced immense obstacles.
Despite these hardships, he was a brilliant student, and his acceptance to Yale, where he studied molecular biochemistry and biophysics, was supposed to be a turning point. But life didn’t get any easier. Robert struggled to reconcile the dual realities of his existence—trying to fit in at Yale while returning to his tough Newark neighborhood during breaks.
The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace offers a compelling and honest portrayal of Robert’s relationships—with his devoted mother, his incarcerated father, his teachers, and his friends.
The book delves into some of America’s most enduring conflicts: race, class, drugs, community, imprisonment, education, family, friendship, and love. It examines the collision of two starkly different worlds—the ivy-covered campus of Yale University and the gritty streets of Newark, New Jersey—and the challenges of navigating between them.
‘Pearce Oysters’ by Joselyn Takacs
I heard about this novel while listening to a bookstore podcast. It sounds deeply Southern, which I like, but it also revolves around the 2010 oil spill, which I remember greatly (I was working in a PR office in Louisiana at that time).
Pearce Oysters, a lush and evocative debut novel set on the Louisiana coastline during the catastrophic 2010 oil spill, tells the story of the Pearce family, local oyster farmers on the brink of losing their business, their family, and their way of life.
In this eye-opening work of eco-fiction, Pearce Oysters captures the resilience and beauty of lives lived in a frequently overlooked corner of the American South, exploring the intricate relationship between nature and humanity.
With a focus on family, culture, community, class, and industry, emerging talent Joselyn Takacs brings to life the voices of her deeply sympathetic characters: Jordan, the reluctant leader of his family’s storied oyster business; May, his grieving, widowed mother dealing with unexpected challenges; and Benny, the free-spirited musician brother who returns from New Orleans to help during the crisis.
Drawing on years of research, Takacs’s debut novel shines as it illuminates murky waters, old wounds, and the enduring strength of a family fighting for survival. Their story is both poignant and inspiring, a testament to the power of perseverance and hope.
‘The Loneliness Files’ by Athena Dixon
I saw this at a used bookstore and thought it sounded attractive from the angle that we all live in such a “connected” but disconnected time. It has mixed reviews, but I’m excited to read it and see how it is, for myself!
What does it mean to be a person behind a screen, lost in the constant hum of the online world? In an era of digital hyper-connection, Athena Dixon delves into this question with profound insight and passion, exploring the voids that technology cannot fill and confronting a lifelong experience of loneliness.
Living alone as a middle-aged woman without children or pets, working forty hours a week from home, and living more than 350 miles away from family and friends, Dixon turns to mystery videos on YouTube, true crime podcasts, and video game walkthroughs just to hear another human voice. She becomes captivated by the story of Joyce Carol Vincent, a woman who died alone, her body left unnoticed in front of a glowing television for three years.
In her search for connection, Dixon dives deep into the shared experience of communal loneliness, posing essential questions to herself and all of us: How have her choices led her to this isolation? Are we all, as humans, connected by a universal loneliness? How do we perceive the world and our place within it? And, most importantly, how can we find our way back to each other?
The Loneliness Files is a searing and introspective memoir in essays that ultimately unites us through its powerful, revelatory exploration of how and why we drift apart.
‘What You Are Looking for is in the Library’ by Michiko Aoyama
I’ve always been fascinated by librarians and booksellers — how do they offer such great recommendations? This book magically explores that question.
“What are you looking for?” asks Tokyo’s mysterious librarian, Sayuri Komachi. With an uncanny ability to sense what each visitor truly seeks, she offers the perfect book recommendation to guide them on their journey.
A restless retail assistant eager to gain new skills, a mother struggling with a demotion after maternity leave, a diligent accountant dreaming of opening an antique shop, a recently retired salaryman searching for a new purpose—each of them finds precisely what they need in Komachi’s carefully chosen books to pursue their dreams.
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is a story about the enchanting power of libraries and the connections we discover within them. This uplifting tale reminds us that by listening to our hearts, seizing opportunities, and reaching out to others, we, too, can fulfill our lifelong aspirations. So, which book will you recommend?
‘Beastie Boys Book’ by Adam Horovitz and Michael Diamond
I’ve already shared my love for celeb memoirs, but if there’s music involved… even better! The Beastie Boys have always intrigued me, and I love that they’re sharing their story firsthand.
Formed as a New York City hardcore band in 1981, the Beastie Boys carved an unexpected path to global hip-hop stardom. This is their story, told for the first time in the band’s own words. Adam “ADROCK” Horovitz and Michael “Mike D” Diamond share revealing and often hilarious accounts of their journey from teenage punks to rising rappers.
They recount their early collaborations with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, the release of their debut album Licensed to Ill—the first hip hop record to ever hit #1—and the tumultuous fallout that led to their split with Def Jam. The narrative follows their move to Los Angeles and their reinvention with the genre-blending masterpiece Paul’s Boutique, their growth as musicians and social activists through classic albums like Check Your Head, Ill Communication, and Hello Nasty, and the Tibetan Freedom Concert benefits conceived by the late Adam “MCA” Yauch. The Beastie Boys have left an indelible mark on popular culture for over three decades.
Beastie Boys Book is as distinctive and eclectic as one of their albums, turning the traditional music memoir on its head. In addition to the band’s story, the book features rare photos, original illustrations, a cookbook by chef Roy Choi, a graphic novel, a map of Beastie Boys’ New York, mixtape playlists, contributions from guest writers, and plenty of other surprises.
‘Olivetti’ by Allie Millington
This book came out earlier this year, and although I was initially drawn to it because of its adorable cover, the story sounds so good!
Being a typewriter isn’t as simple as it seems. Surrounded by books—those notorious attention seekers—and recently replaced by a computer, Olivetti has been forgotten by the Brindle family, with whom he’s lived for years. The Brindles are busy, except for 12-year-old Ernest, who prefers the company of his Oxford English Dictionaries. The least they could do is remember Olivetti now and then, especially since he remembers every word they’ve ever typed on him. Keeping memories alive is a thankless task.
Olivetti gets a rare moment of attention from Ernest’s mom, Beatrice—his once most frequent user—only to be dropped off at Heartland Pawn Shop, left behind and helpless. When Olivetti later discovers that Beatrice has mysteriously gone missing, he believes he can help find her. Breaking the only rule of the “typewriterly code,” he types a message back to Ernest, revealing the memories of Beatrice that are stored within him.
Their search takes them all over San Francisco—following clues, maybe bending a few rules along the way. As Olivetti spills out the past, Ernest is forced to confront what he and his family have been avoiding: The Everything That Happened. Together, they must find Beatrice, reclaim their sense of belonging, and rediscover the parts of themselves they’ve lost.
And there you have my 2024 fall reading recs! What sounds interesting to you? What are you looking forward to reading this season?
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