Fiction
Helm by Sarah Hall
Faber, out now
Renowned for her captivating short stories, Hall presents her long-awaited novel, years in the making. Set in Eden Valley, Cumbria, the narrative chronicles the Helm—the UK’s only named wind—from its mythical creation to today’s climate crisis, weaving together the lives of neolithic shamans, Victorian meteorologists, and modern-day pilots.
Katabasis by RF Kuang
HarperVoyager, out now
In this sequel to *Yellowface*, Kuang draws on Ancient Greek mythology to tell the tale of two Cambridge postgraduates exploring hell to retrieve their lost academic supervisor in a thrilling fantasy adventure.
Good and Evil and Other Stories by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell
Picador, out now
This eerie collection from the three-time International Booker nominee offers a penetrating look into the moments that bridge our outer and inner worlds, revealing unsettling truths about violence and epiphany.
What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
Jonathan Cape, 18 September
Set a century into the future, this narrative follows an academic researching literary archives in a sinking Britain, seeking the meaning behind a poem that has puzzled generations in the aftermath of disaster.
Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood
Bloomsbury, 23 September
Lockwood’s unique style returns in this autofictional exploration of an American woman’s struggles with mental health following the pandemic, following her acclaimed *No One Is Talking About This*.
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
Hamish Hamilton, 25 September
Two decades after winning the Booker Prize with *The Inheritance of Loss*, Desai presents a profound love story balancing modernity and tradition while navigating familial issues between India and the US.
Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Atlantic, 25 September
Following her hit *My Sister, the Serial Killer*, Braithwaite explores the life of Eniiyi, a woman set on breaking a family curse of heartbreak in this gripping narrative.
Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon
Jonathan Cape, 7 October
Pynchon returns with an adventurous tale set during the Great Depression, as private detective Hicks McTaggart delves into a routine case that spirals into a whirlwind of spies and paranormal intrigue.
Big Kiss, Bye-Bye by Claire-Louise Bennett
Fitzcarraldo, 9 October
This introspective novel from the author of *Pond* examines intimacy and personal connections as a woman in the countryside reflects on her past.
The Four Spent the Day Together by Chris Kraus
Scribe, 9 October
Kraus delves into American poverty and division through the lens of a murder involving three teenagers and a woman drawn into their story.
The Land of Sweet Forever by Harper Lee
Hutchinson Heinemann, 21 October
Marking a decade since her posthumous *Go Set a Watchman*, this collection features early stories and nonfiction from the iconic author of *To Kill a Mockingbird*.
The Rose Field by Philip Pullman
Penguin, 23 October
In the much-anticipated conclusion to the *Book of Dust* trilogy, Pullman answers lingering questions as Lyra Belacqua embarks on her grand quest across multiple worlds.
Vaim by Jon Fosse, translated by Damion Searls
Fitzcarraldo, 23 October
Fosse’s first novel since winning the Nobel Prize in 2023 tells the story of a man seeking lost love amidst the backdrop of a fictional Norwegian fishing village.
Tom’s Crossing by Mark Z Danielewski
Pantheon, 28 October
In this “most accessible yet” work from the author of *House of Leaves*, two friends embark on an adventure in the American West to rescue horses from slaughter.
The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie
Jonathan Cape, 4 November
This collection of five stories reflects on aging, merging settings in India, England, and America to contemplate public life, personal tragedy, regret, and imagination.
The Silver Book by Olivia Laing
Hamish Hamilton, 6 November
In this second novel, Laing crafts a queer love story set against the world of Italian cinema, intertwined with the mysterious allure of a young English artist meeting a renowned designer in Venice.
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn, translated by Martin Aitken
Viking, 6 November
Following the success of her *International Booker*-shortlisted *The Employees*, this novel shifts back to a 17th-century witch trial, exploring themes of creation through beeswax sculpture.
On the Calculation of Volume 3 by Solvej Balle, translated by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell
Faber, 20 November
Continuing an inventive Danish timeloop series, this volume sees a woman living November 18 over and over, ultimately meeting a fellow time traveler who disrupts her cycle.
Nonfiction
All the Way to the River: Love, Loss and Liberation by Elizabeth Gilbert
Bloomsbury, 9 September
In this compelling memoir, the author of *Eat Pray Love* dives into the complexities of a turbulent relationship, tackling themes of addiction, illness, and the path to recovery.
Fly, Wild Swans: by My Mother, Myself and China by Jung Chang
William Collins, 16 September
Returning after three decades, Jung Chang’s sequel to *Wild Swans* blends memoir and social history, illuminating the era of Xi Jinping and shaping the understanding of modern China.
If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: The Case Against Superintelligent AI by Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares
Bodley Head, 18 September
Should we be concerned about the rise of superintelligent AI? Yudkowsky, a prominent voice in tech ethics, answers with an emphatic yes, while suggesting precautions we can take to prevent looming threats.
When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows … Common Knowledge and the Science of Harmony, Hypocrisy and Outrage by Steven Pinker
Allen Lane, 23 September
Pinker explores the fundamental role of common knowledge in society, investigating how shared beliefs shape our interactions and lead to various consequences, both positive and negative.
107 Days by Kamala Harris
Simon & Schuster, 23 September
Harris reflects on her 107-day mission to steer the Democratic Party back on course after President Biden’s decision not to run again. This candid memoir highlights a grueling political campaign’s challenges.
The Boundless Deep: Young Tennyson, Science and the Crisis of Belief by Richard Holmes
William Collins, 25 September
Holmes delves into the conflict between faith and science, grounding the biographical tale of Alfred Lord Tennyson in the broader context of 18th and 19th-century scientific discovery.
On Friendship by Andrew O’Hagan
Faber, 9 October
This collection of insightful essays delves into the essence of friendship, illuminating the bonds we create with fellow humans and animals alike, enriched with literary references.
The Big Payback: The Case for Reparations for Slavery and How They Would Work by Lenny Henry and Marcus Ryder
Faber, 9 October
In this crucial inquiry, Henry and Ryder ask how society could right the wrongs of the slave trade, analyzing the implications and reparative measures that could be taken.
The Chain by Bradley Wiggins
HarperCollins, 23 October
Wiggins reflects on his mental health struggles, detailing his journey through depression and addiction in this heartfelt memoir, a candid take on the darker corners of his life.
The Uncool: A Memoir by Cameron Crowe
4th Estate, 28 October
Crowe’s reminiscences encompass his time as a young music journalist and his acclaimed filmmaking career, revealing the glamorous yet gritty journey through the world of music and cinema.
The Seven Rules of Trust: Why It Is Today’s Most Essential Superpower by Jimmy Wales
Bloomsbury, 28 October
As the co-founder of Wikipedia, Wales shares his insights on trust in the digital age, arguing for its importance in creating a better society and improved institutions.
Dead and Alive by Zadie Smith
Hamish Hamilton, 30 October
In her latest collection of essays, Smith navigates popular culture and political landscapes with captivating commentary, drawing connections between various figures and events that have shaped today’s society.
We Did OK, Kid by Anthony Hopkins
Simon & Schuster, 4 November
Reflecting on his rise from humble beginnings to becoming an Oscar-winning actor, Hopkins shares how his childhood experiences shaped his illustrious career in this deeply personal account.
Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run by Paul McCartney
Allen Lane, 4 November
McCartney’s comprehensive narrative spans nearly 600 pages, offering profound insights into the creative burst that followed the Beatles’ breakup, pieced together from extensive interviews.
Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood
Chatto & Windus, 4 November
Atwood finally shares a memoir, detailing her childhood and the inspirations behind her celebrated works, offering a unique glimpse into the life of one of literature’s most influential figures.
Bread of Angels by Patti Smith
Bloomsbury, 4 November
Following her acclaimed *Just Kids*, this memoir shifts focus to Smith’s individual artistic journey, sharing the influences that have shaped her illustrious career as an artist.
One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson
Jonathan Cape, 13 November
In this exploration of the *1001 Nights*, Winterson uses the figure of Scheherazade to reflect on the significance of storytelling and its role in our cultural narratives.
Crime
Spies, lies, and the return of the Da Vinci codebreaker
September brings an exciting wave of new crime and thriller titles to bookshelves. Leading the charge, Richard Osman returns with *The Impossible Fortune* (Viking, 25 September), another chapter in his beloved Thursday Murder Club series involving a wedding guest who finds themselves in grave danger. Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike explores his complicated feelings with Robin in *The Hallmarked Man* (Sphere, out now), while Mick Herron delivers *Clown Town* (Baskerville, 11 September), a tale of espionage rooted in a Northern Ireland cover-up.
Janice Hallett presents a cozy mystery with *The Killer Question*, centered around pub quizzes (Viper, out now), while William Boyd launches *The Predicament* (Viking, out now), an exciting swinging 60s thriller featuring the accidental spy Gabriel Dax. Not to be missed, Dan Brown returns with *The Secret of Secrets* (Bantam, 9 September), a fast-paced conspiracy thriller with Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon.
In October, Vaseem Khan’s *Quantum of Menace* (Zaffre, 23 October) marks the start of a cozy mystery series starring Q from James Bond, who is now running his own investigations following a quantum computer scientist’s death. Ann Cleeves also brings back Shetland detective Jimmy Perez in *The Killing Stones* (Macmillan, 7 October), where he seeks the truth behind a childhood friend’s murder amidst a beautiful but darkly secretive landscape.
Memoir
From Hollywood to Harvey Nicks: More life stories
As the year closes, celebrities share their reflective life stories, a trend often seen during the holiday season. Huey Morgan from Fun Lovin’ Criminal chronicles his wild 90s experiences in *The Fun Lovin’ Criminal* (Quercus, 11 September). Those seeking edgier accounts can check out *Rumours of My Demise* (Faber, 6 November) by Evan Dando of The Lemonheads. Lionel Richie’s highly anticipated autobiography *Truly* (William Collins, 30 September) promises to be a bestseller, while Yusuf/Cat Stevens shares his intriguing journey in *Cat on the Road to Findout* (Constable, 18 September). Jodie Harsh, the drag DJ, recounts her experiences in *You Had to Be There* (Faber, 25 September), reflecting on London’s vibrant 00s scene.
From Hollywood, Charlie Sheen presents *The Book of Sheen* (Gallery, 9 September), detailing his tumultuous life, while Michael J. Fox offers a glimpse into his acting journey in *Future Boy* (Headline, 14 October), focusing on his roles in the beloved *Family Ties* and *Back to the Future*. Tim Curry, from *Rocky Horror Show*, reflects on his eclectic career in *Vagabond* (Century, 14 October).
Celebrating memorable journeys, Mary Portas shares her rise to fame at Harvey Nicks in *I Shop, Therefore I Am* (Canongate, 2 October), while comedian Ben Elton asks *What Have I Done?* (Pan Macmillan, 9 October) in a self-reflective exploration. Tennis legend Boris Becker recounts his fall from grace in *Inside* (HarperCollins, 25 September), while Malala Yousafzai discusses life after becoming a human rights icon in *Finding My Way* (W&N, 21 October). Finally, Susan Orlean promises engaging storytelling with *Joyride* (Atlantic, 6 November), reflecting on her experiences writing for *The New Yorker*.
Final Thoughts
This collection of upcoming books invites readers into diverse worlds, from reflective memoirs to thrilling mysteries. Whether you’re looking to explore the intricacies of human experience through memoirs or dive into fantasy realms and gripping crime narratives, there’s something for everyone. Happy reading!
