Your Scouted Books for Fall… Into Winter

Fall is tricky in the Treasure Valley. The sunny skies and omnipresent mid-70 degree temperatures still smack of the fading days of summer. There is much wardrobe confusion: days begin chilly and brisk, then require layer-shedding by the afternoon. But like the turning of the calendar page, a gust of wind seems to- rather immediately- blow in the earlier sunsets and frosted mornings.

Fear not! While we may not know whether it’s a sweater or shorts kind of day, we do know just what to read to settle into one of the most beautiful and varied of seasons.

Claire Meyer | Contributing Editor

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Local Woman Missing, Mary Kubica
Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense and New York Times best-selling author Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

The Comfort Book, by Matt Haig
The Comfort Book is Haig’s life raft: it’s a collection of notes, lists, and stories written over a span of several years that originally served as gentle reminders to Haig’s future self that things are not always as dark as they may seem. Incorporating a diverse array of sources from across the world, history, science, and his own experiences, Haig offers warmth and reassurance, reminding us to slow down and appreciate the beauty and unpredictability of existence.

The Lost Apothecary, Sarah Penner
One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose – selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames. She can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. Wind through the weaving and mysterious path to answers- where not everyone will survive.

Eat Joy: Stories & Comfort Food from 31 Celebrated Writers, Natalie Eve Garrett
This collection of intimate essays by some of America’s most well-regarded writers explores how food can help us cope in dark times―whether it be the loss of a parent, the loneliness of moving to a new country, the heartache of an unexpected breakup, or the fear of coming out. Luscious, full-color illustrations by Meryl Rowin are woven throughout, and accompanying each story is a recipe from the writer’s own kitchen.

If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal: What Animal Intelligence Reveals About Human Stupidity, Justin Gregg
With a slightly harsher title than perhaps intended, If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal overturns everything we thought we knew about human intelligence, and asks the question: would humans be better off as narwhals? Or some other, less brainy species? There’s a good argument to be made that humans might be a less successful animal species precisely because of our amazing, complex intelligence.

Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over, Alison Roman
An unexpected weeknight meal with a neighbor or a weekend dinner party with fifteen of your closest friends—either way and everywhere in between, having people over is supposed to be fun, not stressful. It’s not entertaining. It’s having people over. The social media star, New York Times columnist, and author of Dining In helps you nail dinner with unfussy food, unstuffy vibes, and the permission to be imperfect.