Fall Preview - Books to Read This Fall

Many, many publications and blogs have been looking forward to Fall as there are several heavyweights releasing books in the next few months. The first to be released is Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan - reviews are mixed so far, but I like Kerry's review at Pickle Me This. There's also novels by Michael Chabon, Zadie Smith, and Junot Diaz, which promise to be great (however, Jennifer Egan doesn't think so: read here and here).

A couple of (gasp) overrated forthcoming releases are The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling and a "new" novel from Roberto Bolano. Who knows? Rowling may surprise some readers, but those expecting the charm of Harry Potter will be disappointed, I am sure. Bolano has been dead for a few years now, but his manuscripts keep popping up.

Two other books that I am looking forward to are on the non-fiction list: Joseph Anton: A Memoir by Salman Rushdie and Every Love Story is a Ghost Story: A Life of David Foster Wallace by D.T. Max. Rushdie is a brilliant writer and his memoir about his life in hiding while a fatwa was placed on him should be great reading. David Foster Wallace's life story is compelling and this first biography of him will be just as compelling.

Read the Toronto Star's most anticipated books of the fall in this article.

Salman Rushdie on Celluloid Adaptations of Novels

There is an interesting article on the Guardian's website today: Salman Rushdie talks about film adaptations. Earlier this week, Rushdie blasted the film versions of Benjamin Button, The Reader and Slumdog Millionaire at a lecture, and as Slumdog had just won the Oscar for Best Picture, there was an obvious backlash. Rushdie explains his point further, and perhaps more diplomatically, in his article.

Salman Rushdie on celluloid adaptations of novels | Books | The Guardian

It is long, but an interesting point of view from an author who does not shy away from controversy. Surely, however, he's asked himself why put forth such a view when he himself is writing an adaptation of his greatest novel? He can tell himself that the film or stage versions will be "second cousins" to the book, but inevitably the viewing audience will not see it as such. With such a view of adaptations already in the public sphere, there is only trouble ahead for Rushdie, no matter how good Deepa Mehta's film turns out.

June Poll

The process of selecting the next book club title has begun! So far we have three contenders - The Road by Cormac McCarthy, Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy and Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. From what I can tell, all are worthy contenders. Let the voting begin! Everyone is invited to vote on our next selection and leave a comment telling us why we should read that particular book. Also, if there are other titles you feel we should consider, put those forth as well and we will vote. Voting will end next Friday, however, and the reviews will start popping up by month's end.