5 must-read books
In search of something good to read? USA TODAY’s Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases.
Barbara VanDenburgh makes her picks.
1. “The Testaments”
by Margaret Atwood (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday, fiction, on sale Sept. 10)
What it’s about: The feminist dystopian classic “The Handmaid’s Tale” (1985) gets a sequel at long last. Atwood says of the book, “Dear Readers: Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we’ve been living in.”
The buzz: USA TODAY gave the book ★★★g in a review, saying, “’The Testaments’ is worthy of the literary classic it continues.”
2. “The Institute”
by Stephen King (Scribner, fiction, on sale Sept. 10)
What it’s about: Twelveyear-old genius Luke Ellis is whisked away in the middle of the night and taken to the Institute, where psychic kids are being held captive to save the world.
The buzz: USA TODAY gave the book ★★★☆ in a review, saying, “King leans into the theme of ‘great events’ happening with the smallest of decisions as well as the worldchanging power of togetherness. And in that case, it’s a frequent lesson he extols that never gets old.”
3. “Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America”
by James Poniewozik (Liveright, nonfiction, on sale Sept. 10)
What it’s about: The New York Times TV critic examines the history of television and American media to explain how Trump mastered the medium to win his base and become our 45th president.
The buzz: A starred review from Kirkus Reviews says, “This intelligent eye-opener belongs on the small shelf of valuable books that help explain how Trump created his base.”
4. “The Education of an Idealist”
by Samantha Power (Dey Street, nonfiction, on sale Sept. 10)
What it’s about: The Pulitzer Prize-winning Irish-American diplomat and human rights advocate traces her journey from immigrant to war correspondent to presidential Cabinet official in a revealing memoir. The buzz: A starred review from Kirkus Reviews says, “Power’s vibrant prose, exuberant storytelling, and deep insights into human nature make for a page-turning memoir.”
5. “After the Flood”
by Kassandra Montag (William Morrow, fiction, on sale Sept. 10)
What it’s about: In this dystopian adventure novel set in a water-logged world altered by climate change, a mother embarks on a perilous voyage to rescue her kidnapped daughter. The buzz: “Anchored by a complicated, compelling heroine, this gripping, speculative, high-seas adventure is impossible to put down,” says Booklist.