So Many Ways to Sleep Badly
The second novel from Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (above), published by City Lights, is a challenging, messy account of a life in San Francisco, written in an unflinching (and at times raunchy) stream of consciousness that recalls William Burroughs. Though perhaps not the book for everyone, it's a good read for those interested in exploring the underbelly of our rapidly gentrifying town through the eyes of our gender-bending queer hero(ine). In stores September 1
Library of Dust
David Maisel's latest monograph, from Chronicle Books, portrays copper canisters containing the neglected cremains of patients from a state-run psychiatric hospital in Oregon. Presented like portraits, the oxidized canisters resemble his earlier aerial photography—some are the color of old pennies while others bloom with blues and greens, like coastlines as seen from space. They are at once eerie and, as with all of Maisel's work, hard to turn away from. In stores September 1; an exhibition of Maisel's work is up at the Haines Gallery Sept. 4–Oct. 4.
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Gentlemen of the Road
From Random House, this is classic Michael Chabon—the picaresque tale of two Jewish horse thieves, set in 950 AD, is told in the same elaborate language of the Berkeley-based writer's other works, which include the Pulitzer Prize–winning Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay and The Yiddish Policemen's Union. In stores September 30
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Lulu in Marrakech
Those who love Diane Johnson's earlier books are bound to enjoy her latest (from Penguin), which covers some of the same territory. In it, the SF resident tells the story of Lulu Sawyer, an American working for the CIA who ends up on assignment in Morocco, and skillfully weaves together stories of love, politics and the clash of two cultures. In stores October 7
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The Selected Letters of Allen Ginsberg & Gary Snyder 1956–1991
Edited by Bill Morgan for Counterpoint Press, this collection casts new light on the powerful friendship between two of the Beat Generation's most important writers. Some 850 missives chronicle the duo's development as writers and friends. In stores November 17
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Vacation
Published by local outfit McSweeney's, Deb Olin Unferth's first novel could be called a mystery—not only because the plot reveals itself in an achingly slow fashion, tempting you to flip ahead, but also because at the book's core are many of life's bigger mysteries, such as the question of how love gets lost. In stores October 1
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State by State
The 50 essays that make up this collection from HarperCollins, edited by Matt Weiland and Sean Wilsey, are written by some of the best in the business: Ann Patchett covers Tennessee, Dave Eggers takes on Illinois, Anthony Bourdain talks about growing up in New Jersey and William T. Vollmann tours the Golden State. In stores October 1
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