New Fall Novels

Even though it's the beginning of summer - not even July yet - we at Micawber's are buying our fall books from publishers. As we prop open the door to welcome visitors, we are thinking about what will sell as the leaves turn color and, later, when snow covers the branches.

It's exciting to see all the children's publishers' fall catalogs. They traditionally pull out some big books for this season, and it's no surprise. Fall leads into the holiday season, which is the biggest selling season for independent book stores like Micawber's.

I have been getting my ARCs in the mail. These Advance Reader Copies are what everyone will see on the shelves come September and October. Right now, I'm particularly excited about these four new novels:

• Fire by Kristin Cashore (Dial - Oct. 2009)

This is a prequel (of sorts) to Cashore's earlier, spectacular novel Graceling (which comes out in paperback this fall.) You don't have to read one first because they can stand alone. But, I bet once you read one, you'll want to read the other, and fast!

• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Little, Brown - Dec. 2009)

I'll just say it's set in the South, it involves a boy, a new girl, a curse, and some very interesting family members. I read it and I predict it's going to be BIG this fall!

• The Maze Runner by James Dashner (Delacorte - Oct. 2009)

When the book rep sold me this book, she said it gave her the same feeling she had when she first read The Book Thief. Not because of similar subject matter, but because of the magnitude and quality of the book. Author, Dashner, has described The Maze Runner as a modern Lord of the Flies. It promises to be a very compelling read!

• The Blue Shoe by Roderick Townley (Knopf - Oct. 2009)

I admit, I love this book already just because of the subtitle and artwork. And seriously, what's not to love about Mary GrandPre's art and a subtile that reads "A Tale of Thievery, Villainy, Sorcery, and Shoes." Plus, the first printing will be in BLUE ink! Bring it on!

That's it for now, but look for more news soon on great fall picture books!