The weather may still be warm, but school is back in session and pumpkin spice is in the air. The Arlington Public Library is embracing the season and mood with these new books. (We’ll just leave the sweaters at home for a bit longer.)
Fiction
I Hope This Email Finds You in Hell by MacKenzie Reed
After a traumatic loss sends Brie Benson to Pennsylvania and a soul-crushing job at a life insurance company, the last thing she expects is to catch her uptight boss, Luke, performing an exorcism on a coworker. When another colleague disappears, Brie learns that demonic activity is on the rise and Luke comes from a long line of demon hunters. Soon she joins him on a rescue mission to Hell, accessed through an entrance in Times Square. With snarky banter, corporate satire, demons, and a slow-burn romance this is a wildly entertaining paranormal romp. Available September 1. Library catalog link here.
The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury
When a beloved Oxford librarian dies of an apparent heart attack, Ginevra “Gin” Bishop assumes it’s a tragedy—but MI5 has reason to believe it was murder. The librarian was secretly tracking a Soviet spy at the university, and now Gin has been recruited to help uncover the truth. Her unlikely partner is Sidney Braithwaite, a fellow scholar and former British intelligence agent with plenty of experience keeping secrets. As the mismatched pair follow a trail of clues, hidden relationships, and wartime secrets, they discover there may be a traitor in their midst—and they could be the next targets. With clever puzzles, espionage, humor, and a slow-burn romance, this charming historical mystery is a delightful start to a promising series. Available September 1. Library catalog link here.
Incarnate by Alma Katsu
Dorothy Wagner has spent her whole life desperate to be seen, so when she lands a job at a company developing cutting-edge, deep-fake technology, she secretly creates Isabella, an impossibly beautiful influencer who quickly becomes an online sensation. But Dorothy’s fantasy begins to turn into a nightmare when an anonymous online figure offers her everything she’s ever wanted, but at a price. As Isabella’s popularity grows, so does the horror surrounding Dorothy, and the boundary between the real and the artificial begins to collapse. This dark tale combines AI, social media, and unsettling body horror for a chilling modern take on The Picture of Dorian Gray. Available September 22. Library catalog link here.
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw
Scharisse Freeman has the designer clothes, successful husband, thriving business empire, and coveted title of first lady at a 25,000-member megachurch but she still can’t quite win over the other pastors’ wives. When she’s invited to compete in the First Lady USA pageant, Schar finally sees a chance to earn their approval, but just as her carefully curated image is coming together, secrets from her past threaten to unravel everything. Funny, juicy, and full of surprises, this is a delicious story about what happens when telling the truth becomes more important than looking perfect. Scharisee is an unforgettable, unapologetically flawed heroine in a story full of humor, scandal, and sharp observations about class, colorism, misogyny and church culture. Available September 29. Library catalog link here.
Nonfiction
Dressing the Queen: Two Hundred Years of Craft, Couture, and Monarchy by Kate Strasdin
What does it take to dress a queen? From Queen Victoria to Elizabeth II, royal wardrobes have required the work of thousands of talented people, many of whom have remained almost completely unknown. Fashion historian Kate Strasdin brings these hidden figures into the spotlight, exploring the craftspeople, designers, embroiderers, milliners, glovers, and other skilled workers behind the clothes worn by Britain’s queens and queen consorts. Each chapter focuses on a different part of the royal wardrobe, from corsets to country tweeds, revealing the remarkable craftsmanship and fascinating lives behind these iconic garments. Filled with fashion history, royal anecdotes, and beautiful illustrations, this engaging book offers a fresh look at the people who help create the image of the British monarchy. Available September 1. Library catalog link here.
The Bookshop Woman: My Year Transforming Lives–One Book at a Time by Nanako Hanada, translated from Japanese by Cat Anderson
After her marriage falls apart, Tokyo bookseller Nanako Hanada finds herself feeling increasingly isolated until she discovers a website where strangers meet for thirty-minute conversations. Nanako’s profile offers an unusual promise: she’ll recommend the perfect book for you. Soon, she’s meeting all kinds of people, from those grieving a loved one to people struggling with life’s challenges to readers simply looking for their next great book. As she listens to their stories and searches her vast knowledge of books for just the right recommendation, Nanako discovers a new sense of purpose and connection. Funny, touching, and full of bookish charm, this memoir is a love letter to books, bookstores, and the unexpected friendships that can grow from sharing a story. Available September 15. Library catalog link here.
Redwood: The Untold Story of the Cold War’s Most Extraordinary Spy by Ben MacIntyre
In 1981, Soviet KGB officer Vladimir Kuzichkin made a desperate decision and he turned to Britain’s MI6 for help. Codenamed “Redwood,” Kuzichkin was running spies in post-revolution Iran while secretly gathering information about a Soviet plot to overthrow the Ayatollah’s regime. When his double life puts him in danger, MI6 officer Ian McCredie must find a way to smuggle him out before the KGB and Iranian intelligence close in. Drawing on newly uncovered archival material and interviews with those involved, Ben Macintyre tells the astonishing true story of the spies caught between Cold War superpowers and the daring escape that could have changed the course of history. Gripping and suspenseful, it’s a thrilling tale of espionage, betrayal, loyalty, and the extraordinary consequences of one man’s decision to defect. Available September 15. Library catalog link here.
Never Say Die: A Memoir by Ke Huy Quan
From fleeing North Vietnam as a child refugee to becoming an Oscar-winning actor, Ke Huy Quan’s extraordinary life has been anything but predictable. In this warm and engaging memoir, Quan recounts his childhood in Vietnam and time in a Hong Kong refugee camp before his family settled in Los Angeles, where a chance audition at age 12 landed him the role of Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He shares delightful behind-the-scenes stories from Indiana Jones and The Goonies but also opens up about the years when acting opportunities disappeared and he worked behind the scenes in Hollywood. Decades later, Quan returned to acting in Everything Everywhere All at Once and won an Oscar for his performance. Funny, heartfelt, and inspiring, this is a moving story about perseverance, second chances, and never giving up on your dreams. Available September 15. Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
Hometown written and illustrated by Shaun Tan
A human girl lives on a strange and beautiful plant filled with bizarre creatures. She has a loving family, good friends, and three hundred pets. She never questioned if she belongs there until a mysterious astronaut arrives and tells her that she’s human, just like him, and that this isn’t her real home. Suddenly, she must decide whether to leave everything she loves behind for a world where she might finally fit in. With minimal text and Shaun Tan’s stunning, surreal illustrations, Hometown is a thought-provoking story about family, identity, belonging, and what truly makes a place home. Available September 15. Library catalog link here.
Young Adult
Second Generation Blues by Julio Anta, illustrated by Red Dryer
Luis Menendez dreams of becoming a music journalist, but his summer plans are put on hold when he’s expected to work long hours at his family’s struggling Cuban restaurant in Queens. As his father pushes him toward a more practical future, Luis finds himself caught between his family’s expectations and his own dreams. Then he meets Yara, who encourages him to pursue the life he wants, and a music magazine offers him an internship. Balancing family, friendship, romance, and his own ambitions, Luis must figure out how to honor where he comes from without giving up where he wants to go. This thoughtful and relatable graphic novel features vibrant artwork and an honest look at the challenges facing second-generation immigrant kids. Available September 29. Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.
