Fall Non-Romance Preview
Yeah, I read non-romance. Not much, but I do. That being said, with romance reading and review books, plus grad school coursework, I have to be really choosy with what I read. At the same time, I’m determined to branch out from romance and YA, and I’m going to make it my goal to read at least one non-romance book each month. Since fall is big publishing season, here are three non-romance books that caught my eye, in no particular order:
The Casual Vacancy, by J. K. Rowling
Her first book since Harry Potter. There is no way this is not going to be a publishing phenomenon, and canny for her, she’s going into adult contemporary fiction. It looks good though – satire and small town secrets, and all that – and I like the cover.
Sweet Tooth, by Ian McEwan
Ian McEwan does 1970s espionage and romance. Needless to say, I doubt it’s going to end happily, but I’m really, really looking forward to this one. Features an Oxford mathematician as a heroine, who gets recruited by MI-5 and falls in love with the guys she’s spying on. It’s already out in Canada (although not until November in the States), and the reviews are fantastic.
The Emperor of Paris, by C. S. Richardson
I don’t know a thing about this author, but the Globe and Mail review (“a jewel of a novel about books and love”) makes it sound right up my alley.
Other ones that I know are big, but that I haven’t been particularly anticipating, are highly anticipated followups: NW by Zadie Smith, Ken Follett’s Winter of the World, and Emma Donaghue’s short story anthology and return to historical fiction Astray.
What are you looking forward to reading in the fall? Have you read any good non-romance books this year so far?
– Jean AAR
You should for sure try out ‘The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry’.
I have become quite a mystery reader, of late. I just finished Louise Penny’s latest The Beautiful Mystery which was wonderful. Before that I started the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear and so far have read Maisie Dobbs and Birds of a Feather, both very enjoyable.
The next book up in my queue is Kate Morton’s The House at Riverton. Not a new release but a new-to-me author.
I know I’m forgetting about many coming up before the end of year. I’m interested in Jacqueline Carey’s new Urban Fantasy book which comes out in October, and I plan to pick up Laini Taylor’s follow-up to Smoke & Bone, which comes out in November.
I read a lot of non-romance. Some I have on my “”to buy list”” are:
A Wanted Man – Lee Childs
The Twelve – Justin Cronin
Unwritten Laws – Greg Iles
The Last Man – Vince Flynn
Founders – John Wesley Rawles
Collision Course- David Crawford
The 9th Girl – Tami Hoag
Ann Rule’s new book – (I forget the name of it. It is one of her crime chronicles)
What I have read lately:
Kill You Twice – Chelsea Cain
Deadly Little Secrets – Kathryn Casey (true crime)
Never See Them Again – William Phelps (true crime)
Criminal – Karin Slaughter
Damage Control – John Gilstrap
The Amateur – Edward Klein
Implosion – Joel Rosenberg
Gone Missing – Linda Castillo
Masters of True Crime – anthology
I am about to start Lynwood Barclay’s Trust Your Eyes.
All of those I read were excellent too.
I really should read Linwood Barclay. Considering how much I loved his articles when he was still with the Toronto Star, I need to get on it.
I’m awaiting the Nelson DeMille book “”Panther.”” I do enjoy his books. And I’m also looking forward to Stella Rimington’s new book, “”The Geneva Trap,”” a spy story.
I’ve read some good non romance books so far this year. Most are science fiction/fantasy with romantic elements or mystery.
Elfhome by Wen Spencer
Catch Me Lisa Gardner
Down the Darkest Road Tami Hoag
Last to Die Tess Gerritsen
I also have James Rollins Bloodline on my TBR as well as Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.
I don’t want to list the YA or Women’s fiction books. Too many to count!
I, too, am anxiously awaiting the Rowling book.
Oh, I’d forgotten about the new Wen Spencer. How was it? I loved the first one, and more or less reeled in horror with the second one.
You know I really haven’t. I have David Baldacci’s The Innocent to read and I like Nelson Demille and he has a book out in October called The Panther. Since I read women’s fiction and chick lit quite a bit when I take a break it is usually to dive into a techno-thriller type book. Even though no happy ever after is guaranteed for the most part the good guys win. And some of these writers are not half bad at adding a little romance in the story.
Sheesh Forgot I read the new P.J. Tracy book and the new David Rosenfelt one too