ALU Staff Picks this Fall 2024

We’re breaking out more than our fall sweaters this month. Check out what books our staffers will be reading as cozy season begins.

All Lit Up Staff Picks Fall 2024

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The cover of The Siren in the Twelfth House

Lauren’s Pick

The Siren in the Twelfth House
by Victoria Mbabazi (Palimpest Press)

As my colleagues maybe know too well by now, I have become an astrology person. (When the world is as topsy-turvy and on fire as it is, why not turn to the cosmos for answers and insight? But that’s another blog post. And such an Aquarius moon thing to say.) Imagine my delight to discover Victoria Mbabazi’s forthcoming debut poetry collection, The Siren in the Twelfth House, a series of poems that bring the astrological signs into being, under the grieving eye of the titular Siren. I’m looking forward to reading this poetic exploration, especially as the seasons change and days get darker.

PreorderThe Siren in the Twelfth House here, or via your local bookseller.

Tan’s Pick

Zegaajimo: Indigenous Horror Fiction
co-edited by Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler and Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm (Kegedonce Press)

Zegaajimo means, “To tell a scary story” in Anishinaabemowin. In this anthology of Indigenous horror stories, eleven leading First Nations and Metis authors from across the territories of Canada have written tales to thrill and delight you. There’s work by authors I’ve read before—including a new Ghost Lake story from Nathan Niigan Noodin Adler—and lots that will be new to me. If you picked up and loved Never Whistle at Night, you’ll need to get your hands on a copy of Zegaajimo!

Preorder Zegaajimo here, or via your local bookseller.

The cover of Widow Fantasies by Hollay Ghadery

Mandy’s Pick

Widow Fantasies
by Hollay Ghadery (Gordon Hill Press)

Early reviews of Hollay Ghadery’s short story collection Widow Fantasies have been spectacular with lots of praise for her use of vibrant language and expertly crafted characters. These very short stories—most being under 1500 words—are flash worlds that peek the interior lives of girls and women and explore the subjugation of women through the often subversive act of fantasizing. I have a feeling I’m going to lose myself in these little-big worlds dreamed up by the inimitable Ghadery.

Purchase Widow Fantasies here, or via your local bookseller.

The cover of The Dark King Swallows the World by Robert G. Penner

Barb’s Pick

The Dark King Swallows the World 
by Robert G. Penner (Radiant Press Press)

The Dark King Swallows the World is the perfect October read for me. Spooky and genre-bending, this novel takes place in WWII Cornwall, where main character Nora travels to the land of the dead to find her beloved brother and free her mother from the necromancer who put him there. Comparisons to Aleister Crowley and C.S. Lewis make this an enticing Halloween read!

Preorder The Dark King Swallows the World here, or via your local bookseller.

The cover of The Donoghue Girl by Kim Fahner

Laura’s Pick

The Donoghue Girl
by Kim Fahner (Latitude 46 Publishing)

This fall, I’ll be reading Kim Fahner’s debut novel, The Donoghue Girl. A northern Ontario mining town, a spirited daughter who wants to defy the patriarchy and forge her own path, a love triangle, and a looming world war…who could resist this combination?  

Preorder The Donoghue Girl here, or via your local bookseller.