Welcome to a special bonus issue of Morning Person: my second annual fall preview! After a whirlwind of a summer, Iām looking forward to softening into the cooler months and taking a cue from the season to slow down (more on that in next weekās issue!). Iām heading home to Reno this weekend, but as soon as I return, Iām ready to embrace the gorgeous, wet season we get in Portland with baking projects in my new home, novels read in coffee shops, and rainy day moviesāall of which youāll find celebrated here. Without further adoā¦ enjoy this yearās fall preview!
P.S. This email is packed with recommendations. You may need to hit āExpand emailā to read the full thing. Enjoy!
The publishing industry often saves their biggest releases for the fall, when they know weāre all craving time curled up with a book. I couldnāt be more excited for these releases.
š Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout: A quick follow-up to Oh William! with one of Stroutās best known characters, Lucy Barton. In it, William persuades her to leave New York for Maineā¦ a good idea, or? (Out next week! Sept. 20)
On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton: Set in 1950s San Francisco, a mother has high ambitions for her three musical daughtersājust named a Reeseās book club pick. (Out now! Published Sept. 6)
š Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng: Set in a near-future America, where families, especially those of Asian origin like the Chinese family at the heart of this novel, have to walk on eggshells, lest they be labeled as ādissidentsā for breaking laws around āAmerican Culture.ā (Out Oct. 4)
š The Marriage Portrait by Maggie OāFarrell: Historical fiction about Duchess Lucrezia de' Medici, by the author of Hamnet. (Out now! Published Sept. 6) By the wayā¦ Iām giving away two copies of this book over on Instagram! Just started it yesterday, and already loving it.
š And Yet by Kate Baer: I pre-ordered this collection of poetry by Kate Baer the moment I read her poem, āHalfway There.ā (Out Nov. 8)
Bliss Montage by Ling Ma: A collection of eight fantastical short stories from the author of one of my favorite post-apocalyptic novels, Severance (no relation to the show). (Out now! Published Sept. 13)
š The Passenger (Out Oct. 25) and Stella Maris (Out Dec. 6) by Cormac McCarthy: McCarthyās first novels since The Road, the books will be released a month apart and tell the stories of a brother and sister who live in the shadow of their father, who helped to develop the atomic bomb.
There are so many movies to look forward to this fallāI didnāt even touch December, which includes the āKnives Outā sequel and āWomen Talkingā adaptation. Hereās a small selection of the next few monthsā highlights:
Doen Amelie Tee ($118): Loving Doenās take this season on their fitted cardigan, though itās a bit too pricey for meāI may be opting for this similar, simpler ribbed cardigan ($49) from GAP.
š STILL HERE New York Jacket ($320): I bought this unisex, reversible shearling-lined jacket a few months ago on sale in anticipation of fall. Canāt wait to wear it!
Birkenstocks in Taupe ($120): Planning on digging these and my Uggs out of my high school closet when I visit home this weekend because Birks are back, baby!
Avec Les Filles Coat ($229): Itās plaid coat season! Pair these with your Birks, and a monochrome ensemble underneath and youāre golden.
Le Labo ThĆ© Noir 29 ($215): Scents are so nostalgic, so Iām a big believer in swapping out scents during transitional times to use them as intentional milemarkers. I love this one for fall.
T.H.O.M. Scalp Serum ($52): Named for short, Gucci-sponsored doc, This Hair of Mine, hairstylist Cyndia Harveyās new line aims to reinvent haircare for Black women. This is the first product, with more to launch this fall!
Violette Petal Bouche Matte ($28): Though I prefer a blotted-on look for lipstick, Iād be down to try this new bold color inspired by roses.
Television generally plays releases closer to the vest than movies (meaning, some of the best fall shows may be yet to be announced), but there are a few promising comedies coming our way and a promising-looking mystery.
So many albums to look forward to in the coming months! We have Taylor Swiftās fifth album in two years (out Oct. 21) š, Yeah Yeah Yeahs with their first release in nine years (out Sept. 30), Waxahatcheeās new project, The Plains releasing their first album (out Oct. 14), and the 1975 releasing an Antonoff-produced pop album (out Oct 14). Iām starting my fall playlist here!
š Indicates releases Iām particularly excited about.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for subscribing to Morning Person! As you probably already know, this newsletter is entirely member-supported (there are no affiliate links or sponsors here so I can keep making 100% genuine recs!).
If you like what you read, the best way to support my workāand posts like this oneāis to become a paying subscriber (if you arenāt already) and to share Morning Person. Forward it! Post it on social! Surprise a friend with a gift subscription here, should you be so inclined! I rely almost entirely on word of mouth, so thank you for spreading the word.
Iām ramping up paid content this fallākeep an eye out for a new way to connect with me directly (launching tomorrow!) and a book clubāso now is the perfect time to be a member of this community. If a friend forwarded you this email, you can do that here! Thank you, thank you, thank you and happy fall!
Let me know what youāre looking forward to this fall in the comments! Do you have a fall bucket list? I want to know!
Loved this surprise email Leslie! Honestly my subscription to morning person is the best value for money I spend all month. I'm having a hard time getting into the fall spirit for some reason this year. Hoping the coming of October shakes me up and brings cooler weather and cozier vibes :)
Leslie, this list brightened my morning! Coincidentally, it felt like the *actual* first day of fall in New York City :)