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Imagine you’re sitting on the porch in the crisp autumn air under a light breeze with leaves swirling and mug of hot apple cider. Is there any better place to begin a new book? This season, there’s no better time to check out the hottest releases from Philadelphia-based authors. These fall reads are a great way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon curled up and cozy with a good book.
At The Seams by Pamela Gwyn Kripke
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A former journalist whose stories have run in publications from The New York Times to Southwest Magazine and everything in between, Gwyn Kripke’s latest novel, At the Seams, is a story of family secrets, generational loss and the power of motherhood based on true events. You can catch the author for a reading at Narberth Bookshop on Thursday, October 19.
The Bigfoot Queen and The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner
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Find The Breakaway on: Amazon or Barnes & Noble
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You probably recognize Jennifer Weiner’s name from the 2002 film adaptation of her book In Her Shoes, starring Cameron Diaz. But Weiner’s successful career spans decades and genres with her latest book, a children’s novel, The Bigfoot Queen set to release October 24. Weiner also released an adult novel, The Breakaway, in late-August. Set in Philadelphia, it follows 33-year-old Abby Stern through a remarkable journey.
The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel by Douglas Brunt
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Though Brunt no longer permanently resides in the Philadelphia area, his strong ties with the region and his youth in the area recently brought him back for a event to promote The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel at The Haverford School. Brunt’s latest novel takes place back in 1913 aboard the steamship Dresden, when Rudolf Disel’s disappearance ignites a global mystery that could spark a world war.
The Gilded Age Cookbook by Becky Diamond
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Whoever said page-turners had to be novels? With a background in Philadelphia food history via Mrs. Goodfellow: The Story of America’s Cooking School, about Philadelphia’s first cooking school for women, Diamond’s The Gilded Age Cookbook is a time machine for foodies. Covering recipes and stories from 1868-1900, the elegance of its characters and recipes is immediately evident, making for a fascinating fall read.
Bottled: How Coca-Cola Became African by Sara Byala
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If one travels to just about any country in Africa, they’re likely to find a cold Coca-Cola. Yet how did this soft drink become monolithic across so many far-flung nations? Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised in the United States, Byala examines modern South Africa through the lens of the world’s most popular soft beverage. As a senior lecturer in critical writing and history at the University of Pennsylvania, Byala’s perspective on this story is almost entirely unique. Radnor Memorial Library hosts Sara Byala for an evening on November 1 to discuss her book.
Launch Me to the Stars, I’m Finished Here by Nick Gregorio
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A homegrown Philadelphian with a rapid penchant for his local sports teams, Nick Gregorio’s latest novel, Launch Me to the Stars, I’m Finished Here, is a story about mental health set in a science fiction background. Protagonist Astrid would quite literally rather blast off into space than confront her issues and, with the help of astrophysicist Dr. Barbara Loonsfoot, she just might be capable of doing so. If you’re looking to turn pages to a different world, this makes for a great fall read.
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