feral fall book recs pt 2
A slow-motion, love potion, Jumping off things in the ocean, I broke his heart 'cause he was nice
After part 1 of my “feral fall book recommendations” was published, I received a call from my number one reader, Papouli. When an octogenarian calls and hits you with a, “say less,” you know he means it literally. So part two will be further split into another 2 parts.
The only thing that's left is the manuscript
I Might Regret This by Lauren Graham
Fall is Gilmore Girls Season, I don’t make the rules. Why not pair your annual re-watch with an audiobook of Lauren Graham rehashing her behind the scenes memories from creating the show? I’m a sucker for any Lauren Graham memoir. I especially appreciate how she discusses her writing process.
I Might Regret This by Abbi Jacobson
Every season is Broad City Season… but there’s something about autumn and seasonal changes for me. Maybe it’s the “back to school” nostalgia. This memoir was written on Abbi’s cross-country, solo, road trip, with a heavy theme of transitions. She is in her biggest career pivot and coming to terms with her newfound sexuality. I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Educated by Tara Westover
This is a classic memoir at this point! Tara depicts her life growing up on a survivalist homestead with her extremist Mormon family to her personal liberation through education which takes her all the way to Harvard and Cambridge. 10/10 recommend the audiobook narrated by Julia Whelan.
My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinam
Maybe it’s because this was published in 2015, before I was aware of the “book scene,” but I think this memoir is really slept on. I listened to it 5 years ago, but loved having an insight into the feminist icon’s life.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
This is a near perfect novel! (We don’t talk about Iron Flame.) But if you’re looking for a fast-paced, exciting romantasy, this is it!
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novic
I devoured this series last fall. I’m pretty sure I listened to one per day (there are 3 in all). It’s dark academia, somewhere between YA and NA, in the most unique magic system I’ve ever read. The world building is so unique, don’t worry you didn’t miss a book, it’ll make sense eventually. I cried so hard in the second book.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
This is the first in a young adult fantasy series. It’s inspired by Ancient Rome I believe, and honestly was too heavy on the politics for me. BUT I was so invested, loved the series, and the first was probably my favorite.
Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder by Wren Jones
Looking for a cozy, fantasy, murder mystery with sapphic undertones? Well my dear friend wrote the book just for you! I remember reading it for the first time last fall and WISHING I could listen to it on my autumnal walks through the foliage, well ask you shall be rewarded. She released an audiobook this year and I will be listening soon! The sequel, Practical Potions and Professional Courtesy just dropped this month, and my copy just arrived!
She’s a FUN follow on tik tok, and she just released her own batch of fall book recs!
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
Lisa Taddeo followed many women’s lives for years all around the country to write this book. In 2020 I logged into a Zoom author chat with her and Chelsea Handler which I loved (I’m a die hard Chelsea Handler fan fun fact). It was a heavy read for me, but I wish I had read it 20 years later in my life. (Middle age subscribers, this one’s for you!) This has since been adapted for the screen! (I can’t think of Twilight the same way again.)
Taylor Swift song pairing: illicit affairs
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
This book took me a while to get into, and then I couldn’t put it down. Katrina reading a non-fiction book with her eyeballs?! You know it’s good! This was my first experience with narrative nonfiction, and I’m a fan! (I have not seen the film.)
KOTFM follows the rise and fall of colonized Osage Nation in the panhandle of Oklahoma. It was the most detailed depiction of Native American exploitation I’ve ever consumed. There’s also a lot of history about the FBI, police in America, and so much more. I was truly impressed with how enthralled I became.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS! 10/10 recommend this book having Bryan read you the audiobook because damn! I think this should be required reading in this country. I have always been opposed to the death penalty morally, but this book explains why it’s an unacceptable punishment when we KNOW it exists in a flawed and biased criminal justice system. I literally started studying for the LSAT again after finishing this book in 2020 because it was so inspiring and made me want to become a lawyer to help Americans in need.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I have gifted it to so many people.
Say it with me, “I haven’t seen the movie…” It’s on the top of my list because for so many reasons (including the star Michael B. Jordan), but it’s worth noting in the book Stevenson uses dozens of cases to share experiences and illustrate points, and the film follows just one of these (not even the most interesting).
In fact, HBO has a documentary called True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality which I think would be a more appropriate film equivalency for the book. I found the full film here, but have the trailer below if you just want a preview.
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Olue
If we’re being honest, I could definitely benefit from a refresher on this book. But in 2020 and 2021, like many white liberals, I did a lot of reading and learning about race in America. This (and Just Mercy) were the standouts that stuck with me the longest. Ijeoma Olue covered so many topics and nuances in an accessible and thought provoking way. I found this book to be more nuanced than some others and strongly recommend this to my friends across the political spectrum. (Racism should not be a political thing, but let’s face it, it absolutely is.)
Hyper-fixation du Jour: back on my 🥣 un-aliver bullsh!t
If you want to purchase any of the books mentioned in this article, please consider using my affiliate link with my favorite independent book store, The Ripped Bodice, or using my referral link to libro.fm for an audiobook!