Books to look forward to (Guest post: Kailana of The Written World)

While I'm away, Kailana of The Written World offered this guest post. Her thoughts about fall releases are perfectly timed for me, because I'm just starting to feel a hint of autumn here in Oregon as I prepare for my family's annual fall trip to the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound off of Washington state. I'll be back in time for Book Blogger Appreciation Week on the week of September 14th.

For me, fall is the best time of the year. It's almost always when the books I have been looking forward to all year are going to be released. I also enjoy hearing what other people are waiting for, so I thought I would do my post on that very topic. There are several books I am looking forward to, but here is just a list of a few of them:

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Nieffenegger - Released October 6, 2009
By the author of The Time-Traveler's Wife, this is probably the book I am most looking forward to this fall. It's been 5 years, so it is exciting that she finally has a new book out. Plus, it is already getting good reviews!

From Amazon.ca:

Another brilliant, original and moving novel from the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife.

Julia and Valentina Poole are normal American teenagers — normal, at least, for identical “mirror” twins who have no interest in college or jobs or possibly anything outside their cozy suburban home. But everything changes when they receive notice that an aunt whom they didn’t know existed has died and left them her amazing flat in a building by Highgate Cemetery in London. They feel that at last their own lives can begin … but they have no idea that they’ve been summoned into a tangle of fraying lives, from the OCD-suffering crossword setter who lives above them to their aunt’s mysterious and elusive lover who lives below them, and even to their aunt herself, who never got over her estrangement from the mother of the girls — her own twin — and who can’t even seem to quite leave her flat….

The Maze Runner by James Dashner - Released October 6, 2009
I saw this book being discussed on Twitter and knew I was going to have to give it a read when it comes out. I have only seen positive reviews, but I don't know if I will buy it myself or see if the library will get a copy.

From Amazon.ca:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.

Peter & Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham & Steve Leialoha - Released October 13, 2009
I am a huge fan of the Fables series by Bill Willingham, so when I heard they were making a novel version I put it on my wish list immediately. I am a little worried because this is new territory for them, but I am confident they can pull it off.

From Amazon.ca:

A new stand-alone FABLES NOVEL from award-winning and wildly acclaimed author, Bill Willingham.

This story stars Peter Piper and his incorrigible brother Max in a tale about jealousy, betrayal and revenge. Set in two distinct time periods, prepare to travel back to medieval times and learn the tragic back-story of the Piper family, a medieval-era family of traveling minstrels. Then, jump into the present to follow a tale of espionage as Peter Piper slowly hunts down his evil brother for a heinous crime, pitting Peter's talents as a master thief against Max's dark magical powers.

Based on the long-running and award-winning comic book series FABLES, PETER AND MAX is its own tale. Readers don't have to be familiar with the comics to fully enjoy and understand this book.

Fire by Kristin Cashore - Released October 6, 2009
I was going to leave this one off because it's part of a series. The list just looked barren without this one, though, so I am adding it on. Besides, you have a month to read the first book, so I recommend doing so if you haven't already! It is called Graceling.

From Barnes & Noble.com:

She is the last of her kind...

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. In King City, the young King Nash is clinging to the throne, while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. War is coming. And the mountains and forest are filled with spies and thieves. This is where Fire lives, a girl whose beauty is impossibly irresistible and who can control the minds of everyone around her.

Exquisitely romantic, this companion to the highly praised Graceling has an entirely new cast of characters, save for one person who plays a pivotal role in both books. You don't need to have read Graceling to love Fire. But if you haven't, you'll be dying to read it next.

Going Bovine by Libba Bray - Released September 22, 2009
I loved her first trilogy, so I was thrilled to see she had a new book out! She has a tough debut to follow, so fingers crossed this book is worth the wait!

From Amazon.ca:

Can Cameron find what he’s looking for?

All 16-year-old Cameron wants is to get through high school—and life in general—with a minimum of effort. It’s not a lot to ask. But that’s before he’s given some bad news: he’s sick and he’s going to die. Which totally sucks. Hope arrives in the winged form of Dulcie, a loopy punk angel/possible hallucination with a bad sugar habit. She tells Cam there is a cure—if he’s willing to go in search of it. With the help of a death-obsessed, video-gaming dwarf and a yard gnome, Cam sets off on the mother of all road trips through a twisted America into the heart of what matters most.

That's just some of the books I am looking forward to this season! What about you, what are some books that you are looking forward to? I can always use more books on my wish list, right?