It’s the best time of the year a.k.a. fall a.k.a. Halloween a.k.a. Nerdoween. It’s time to pull out your cozy sweaters, rock some thick socks and witchy boots, and eat a lot of pumpkin pie. As the nights get longer, the leaves turn redder, and the wind gets chillier, there’s nothing better than curling up in your favorite chair with a good book, and that’s why we have a collection of magical titles for you to keep an eye out this festive fall season.
A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney
Retold fairy tales have been a popular trend in YA, but you’ve never read one quite like A Blade So Black. McKinney’s vision of a young black Alice in Wonderland battling evil in both the streets of Atlanta and her very own version of the iconic fantasy world is absolutely brilliant, and it hits shelves with dose of magical realism on September 25.
Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy by Amy Ratcliffe
The galaxy of Star Wars is an expansive and brilliant one, but so often the stories have been focused on the men who inhabit it. No more! This new coffee table book from our very own Amy Ratcliffe, and 75 incredible artists who identify as women or non binary, is here to prove that Star Wars has plenty of terrific female heroes as well! The lineup includes rad creators like Jen Bartel, Little Corvus, Alice X. Zhang, and Annie Wu! We’re dreaming of picking it up on October 30.
Coyote Doggirl by Lisa Hanawalt
Marvel and DC get much of the shine in the comics business, but there are other fantastic publishers like D+Q who are putting out books unlike anything else. Lisa Hanawalt’s Coyote Doggirl is an unmatched experience. One of the minds behind BoJack Horseman, Hanawalt brings her humor and award-winning cartooning to this strange and surreal Western that’s out now.
The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee
The highly anticipated sequel to the Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, this radical romp focuses on Felicity, the sister of the first book’s protagonist. Her journey appears filled with just as much adventure, romance, and fun as the first in the series. The book doesn’t hit shelves until October 2, so you’ve still got time to grab Lee’s bestselling introduction to the wild world of the Montague clan if you haven’t read it yet.
Star Wars: Lando’s Luck by Justina Ireland
The first in the new Flight of the Falcon middle grade series about the history of the Millennium Falcon! Written by the wonderful Justina Ireland—whom you might know from her incredible YA novel Dread Nation—with illustrations by the brilliant Annie Wu, this story focuses on Lando and L3-37’s run-in with some unfriendly Imperial forces. We’ve also heard rumors that this series will have links to Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge planet Batuu! Catch a ride on the Falcon on October 2.
Assassinistas by Tini Howard, Gilbert Hernandez, Rob Davis, and Aditya Bidikar
Ever wanted a cool comic about a rad ex-bounty hunter who’s also a mom, written by one of the brightest stars in the scene and drawn by a literal icon? Well, luckily for you Tini Howard and Gilbert Hernandez teamed up and made this super original and maniacally fun story about a college kid dragged into his “family business” from Black Crown. Best news is it’s out right now!
Daemon Voices: On Stories and Storytelling by Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman is a master storyteller, and in this upcoming non-fiction book he explores his own connections to the craft. From studying his own works, including His Dark Materials, to looking at the stories that inspired him, from creators like the Brothers Grimm, this volume also delves into the themes of science, religion, and education, which are so often at the center of Pullman’s books. Daemon Voices: On Stories and Storytelling is available on September 18.
Meal by Blue Delliquanti and Soleil Ho
Iron Circus Comics is changing the face of the book and comics market with record-breaking Kickstarter funding, a visionary founder in Spike C. Trotman, and brilliant books like Meal. This gorgeous culinary tale focuses on a restaurant whose specialty is insects and the young newcomer who’s determined to make her mark there… though it might not be her place to. This is a lovely tale about youth, friendship, and learning that’s completely sumptuous. Get your hands on Meal on October 1.
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
If you’re a metalhead or have ever been in a band, then We’ve Sold Our Souls will likely be right up your alley. The self-aware horror tells the story of a group of musicians who, after achieving middling success in the ’90s, were abandoned by their lead singer, who went on to achieve worldwide fame. Fast-forward a couple of decades and the guitarist is broke and rightfully bitter, but it all gets much worse she realizes that the fame of the man who left her behind might’ve been at the cost of her mortal soul! Time to get the band back together on September 18.
Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel by A.W. Jantha
Hocus Pocus is one of the all-time iconic Halloween films. This fall, just in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the cult hit, Disney has released this retelling of the original film alongside a brand new sequel story focusing on the children of the first film’s young heroes! If you love a sweet but spooky tale to enjoy alongside your pumpkin spice, then this is for you. And you don’t even have to wait, as it’s out right now!
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
Tillie Walden is undoubtedly one of the best living cartoonists. Her epic illustrations and spectacular comics have completely changed the concept of what can be achieved in the medium. Her second book from First Second is this unreal collection of her brilliant webcomic On a Sunbeam. It’s a vital and vibrant science fiction tale about a young girl traversing the universe to find her long lost love, the likes of which you’ve probably never seen. If you want to lose yourself in a book this fall, pick up On a Sunbeam on October 2.
Which books are you most excixted for this season? Can’t wait to discover a new fave from our list? Let us know below!
Images: Disney, Iron Circus Comics, Macmillan, First Second, Imprint, Quirk Books, David Fickling Books, Drawn & Quarterly,
