The trees are tipping toward red, gold, and orange, soup is boiling on the stove, and we're all trying to remember how to dress for cooler weather.
It's cozy season. And in the book world, that means it's release season.
What summer is for blockbuster movies, fall is for books. It feels like every major author has a new release, which is great news for book lovers—less so for my TBR pile, which is already teetering precariously on my nightstand.
What we're reading
Caleigh is reading
The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden
A duchess planning a secret wedding under cover of a unicorn hunt? Yes, please. I'm here for the enchanted forest, the court intrigue, and a heroine determined to hold on to her own future.
— Caleigh
Chris is reading
Alexander: God, King, Man by Edmund Richardson
Think Oppenheimer in sandals: a big, swaggering biography of ambition and empire that reads like a prestige blockbuster. It was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction and will almost certainly end up in the hands of that one friend who brings up the Roman Empire unprompted.
— Chris
Taylor is reading
Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen
After losing her baby, Cleo takes a job at a funeral home and finds herself among people learning to live with their own grief. Mai Nguyen gives loss its full weight, but also makes room for wit, connection, and the possibility that life can still be beautiful. This tender, unexpectedly funny novel is longlisted for the 2026 Giller Prize.
— Taylor
Most anticipated
Last month we tried (and failed) to stick to just one title. There is no shortage of great releases coming up, but this time we managed to restrain ourselves and pick the title we're most excited about.
Partita by Barbara Kingsolver
Demon Copperhead, Kingsolver's previous novel, blew Chris away with its Appalachian retelling of David Copperfield. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2023, so expectations are sky high for Kingsolver's next release, Partita, out October 6 in North America. We're fascinated to see how Kingsolver frames memory as music in this tale of romance, ambition, and art.
New at the Cottage
Pilot Kakuno fountain pens are built for the fountain-curious beginner. The nib has a small smiley face that shows when you're holding the pen the right way. Easy to fill, easy to clean, and at $22, a low-stakes entry point before you jump off the deep end.
Links worth your time
These are just some of the delightful things we encountered across the internet this month.
R.F. Kuang on “How I Write”A conversation about observation and the craft of writing.
“90% of good writing is just being very attentive to what's going on around you.” Kuang goes deep into the power of observation—of yourself, others, and the world around you—as the key to writing well. It's heady, academic, and glorious, which is probably exactly what you expect if you've read one of her novels. For more Kuang coverage, read Chris's review of Katabasis.
Snail LifeA handwritten, hand-drawn newsletter delivered to your door.
Whimsical snail mail that reminds you to slow down and injects some analog delight into your digital life. Rachel sends an envelope each month; it might contain essays, zines, or doodles. You won't know until you get it, and that's the charm.
Typewriters are making a comebackA video report from NBC News.
Our beloved teal typewriter broke the other day during a writing sprint and is in need of repair. Sure, the house is a little quieter in the evenings, but writing on the computer just isn't the same.
Bookstores are booming in PhillyA look at independent bookshops in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philly-area shops are seeing renewed interest, while books sold through physical retail nationally grew almost 34% over the past five years. Readers are choosing real shelves and local stores. You simply love to see it.
Events coming up
Dragon Keeper's Cottage: A Threshing Day Celebration — Tuesday, September 29 · 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Drop into the cottage for a day of dragon companions, hidden eggs, and bookish treasures as we welcome Threshing Day. No ticket is required.
Chapter Two: A Cottage Birthday Celebration — Saturday, October 10 · 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
We're turning two! Come celebrate with books, treats, prizes, giveaways, and a few birthday surprises. RSVP to let us know you're coming.
Midnight Release Party for ACOTAR 6 — Monday, October 26 · 9:00 p.m.–midnight · Side Launch Brewing Company, Collingwood
Costumes, trivia, a night market, and a countdown to the new book. This event is full; the waitlist is open.
New on the website: For you
Your next read might already be waiting for you. Sign in to the bookstore and visit our new For you page for recommendations shaped by the books you've bought and the reviews you've shared with us. Look for the little double thumbs-up in the top menu whenever you'd like a fresh nudge toward your next chapter.
— With ❤️ from Nottawa Cottage Bookstore
Cover: Agnes Chamberlin, Canadian Wild Flowers, Plate IX (1869), Library and Archives Canada.