New Releases: November 2018

You guys, please tell me I’m not the only one excited for the holidays? I mean, sure, I know, it’s still like two months away… But, you know… I’m still not completely recovered from this summer’s excessive temperatures? And I just want to be as cold as humanly possible? Ish? So I can cuddle up under a fleece and read every. Single. Book. From this new releases November update?

1. Becoming, Michelle Obama

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African-American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms.

Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.

It’s Michelle Obama.

Expected publication: November 13th (Goodreads)

2. My Sister, the Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite

“Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer.”

Korede is bitter. How could she not be? Her sister, Ayoola, is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola’s third boyfriend in a row is dead. Korede’s practicality is the sisters’ saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the trunk of her car is big enough for a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures of her dinner to Instagram when she should be mourning her “missing” boyfriend. Not that she gets any credit.

A kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where Korede works, is the bright spot in her life. She dreams of the day when he will realize they’re perfect for each other. But one day Ayoola shows up to the hospital uninvited and he takes notice. When he asks Korede for Ayoola’s phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become and what she will do about it.

Sharp as nails and full of deadpan wit, Oyinkan Braithwaite has written a deliciously deadly debut that’s as fun as it is frightening.

This book is completely out of my comfort zone. Like, if my comfort zone were Jupiter, this book is in another galaxy. But, I mean, I don’t know… Something about that synopsis just spoke to me? Also, it’s funny. So that might make up for the fact that I never read anything slasher-like?

Expected publication: November 13th (Goodreads)

3. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald – The Original Screenplay, J.K. Rowling

At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured in New York with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes custody and sets about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings.

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore enlists Newt, his former Hogwarts student, who agrees to help once again, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

This second original screenplay from J.K. Rowling, illustrated with stunning line art from MinaLima, expands on earlier events that helped shaped the wizarding world, with some surprising nods to the Harry Potter stories that will delight fans of both the books and films.

Honestly? I’m kind of in two minds about this one. On the one hand, I don’t think I’m going to go watch the movie. Because, you know… Everything. So this book could be my way to still know what happens (as you might know, there are few things I dislike as much as a story unfinished). On the other hand, I’d still be supporting the franchise? So, like, I don’t know if I should? But also… The story!

Expected publication: November 16th (Goodreads)

4. The Adults, Caroline Hulse

Meet The Adults. 

Claire and Matt are no longer together but decide that it would be best for their daughter, Scarlett, to have a “normal” family Christmas. They can’t agree on whose idea it was to go to the Happy Forest holiday park, or who said they should bring their new partners. But someone did–and it’s too late to pull the plug. Claire brings her new boyfriend, Patrick (never Pat), a seemingly sensible, eligible from a distance Ironman in Waiting. Matt brings the new love of his life, Alex, funny, smart, and extremely patient. Scarlett, who is seven, brings her imaginary friend Posey. He’s a giant rabbit. Together the five (or six?) of them grit their teeth over Forced Fun Activities, drink a little too much after Scarlett’s bedtime, overshare classified secrets about their pasts . . . and before you know it, their holiday is a powder keg that ends where this novel begins–with a tearful, frightened call to the police.

What happened? They said they’d all be adults about this. . . .

Honestly, everybody probably knew something at least a bit Christmas-y would be coming up. And this does sound like that perfect kind of “not too sappy” Christmas story. And I love me a good one of those!

Expected publication: November 27th (Goodreads)

5. This Is What It Feels Like, Rebecca Barrow

It doesn’t matter what the prize for the Sun City Originals contest is this year.

Who cares that’s it’s fifteen grand? Who cares about a gig opening for one of the greatest bands to ever play this town?

Not Dia, that’s for sure. Because Dia knows that without a band, she hasn’t got a shot at winning Sun City. Because ever since Hanna’s drinking took over her life, Dia and Jules haven’t been in it. And ever since Hanna left — well, there hasn’t been a band.

It used to be the three of them, Dia, Jules, and Hanna, messing around and making music and planning for the future. But that was then, and this is now — and now means a baby, a failed relationship, a stint in rehab, all kinds of off beats that have interrupted the rhythm of their friendship. No contest can change that. Right?

But like the lyrics of a song you used to play on repeat, there’s no forgetting a best friend. And for Dia, Jules, and Hanna, this impossible challenge — to ignore the past, in order to jumpstart the future — will only become possible if they finally make peace with the girls they once were, and the girls they are finally letting themselves be.

Rebecca Barrow’s tender story of friendship, music, and ferocious love asks — what will you fight for, if not yourself?

Music bringing friends (possibly) together? I’m here for that.

Expected publication: November 6th (Goodreads)

6. How to Be Alone: Essays on Modern Romance, if That’s Even a Thing Anymore, Lane Moore

Lane Moore is a fool for love.

From her addiction to romantic comedies to her tendency to form instant soulmate connections with strangers, she has a way of romanticizing everything and everyone. It’s no wonder the New York Times, in a review of her comedy show, “Tinder Live! with Lane Moore,” called her “a flirt par excellence.” But her romantic nature belies a decidedly unromantic childhood, one that sent her down a long and difficult road.

Lane considers herself an orphan, though she has two living parents. After being abused by her parents, bullied by her peers, and targeted by older men at a young age, she became homeless after high school and lived out of her car in Los Angeles. Lonely and afraid, she ultimately became empowered to start her life over again.

Where others see a void, Lane sees an opportunity. Her estrangement from her family was a catalyst for her to build a new one with a community of friends, comedians, and oddball roommates in Los Angeles and then New York City. Her experience with sexual assault informed her work as the sex and relationships editor for Cosmopolitan, which turned her into a champion for young women.

With an intoxicating blend of dark wit and relentless positivity, Lane sheds light on an often-stigmatized condition and reveals how she harnessed and drew strength from her loneliness to become the creative powerhouse she is today.

There’s this thing about people bringing their own experience that always has me interested. The experience of Lana Moore seem to have been so far away from anything I’ve ever experienced? That it basically just makes me want to read all about it.

Expected publication: November 6th (Goodreads)

Are there any other books that you think I might be interested in? New releases, or otherwise? Be sure to let me know below!

-Saar