12 New Books for November

Thirty-five-year-old Anna—once an influencer who underwent cosmetic procedures to perfect her social media image—decides to have her surgeries reversed in the hope of returning to a more authentic self. But the night before the operation, she finds herself in the middle of a heated internet takedown of her ex-boyfriend and remembers the manipulative dynamics of their relationship. Rowbottom’s debut novel takes a sharp look at social media, the post-#MeToo era, and what the future could hold for a generation of young women. Soho Press, November 22

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Filmmaker Kumar claims that owls, snowy plovers, and other birds have healed her, comforted her, and given fresh perspectives on situations. More spiritual reflection than bird-watching guide, her essay collection reveals the wonders of the avian world and suggests that anyone willing to look upward—even in a bustling metropolis such as Los Angeles—can see nature unfolding in encounters that both anchor and stir the soul. Milkweed Editions, November 8

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From the author of The Dark Hours, the California Book Club’s April 2022 selection, comes a new novel about a perplexing decades-old cold case. LAPD detective Renée Ballard has been lured back to the force, this time manning her own unit in the elite Robbery-Homicide Division and working alongside her mentor, Harry Bosch, in an unlikely partnership. Connelly continues to reframe the police procedural as the partners work to solve the case. Little, Brown, November 8

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Lifelong Angeleno Alexander has produced a mesmerizing collection of poems about artists, musicians, and politicians from across history and around the world. The work here operates in the realm of surrealism and creates art from a variety of subjects, ranging from biology to philosophy to jazz. City Lights Books, November 29

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If Auric Goldfinger’s master plan of breaking into Fort Knox to steal the United States’ gold reserves was audacious in Ian Fleming’s Goldfinger, then John Sill’s scheme to break into the same base to steal a shoebox is absolutely absurd. To pull off this heist, the antagonist of Everett’s zany new novel employs the help of Wala Kitu, a mathematics professor who is secretly trying to thwart Sill’s plan to become a real-life Bond villain. Graywolf Press, November 1

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Acclaimed photojournalist Mayes showcases previously unseen photographs taken in Haight-Ashbury during the 1960s. The more than 40 images here trace the hippie movement via unflinching portraits and candid shots of familiar settings. Mayes captures youth culture through doorways, parks, and other mundane elements, in the process freezing a cultural moment with her lens. Damiani, November 8

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In her roller coaster of a memoir, Chopra shares what it was like to be one of the first female directors in Los Angeles. Recalling remarkable experiences of sexism, the effort of balancing a career with the pressures of motherhood, friendships with Hollywood legends, and the ways filmmaking has changed over the past 60 years, this memoir sheds light on the continuing fight for women’s rights. City Lights Books, November 22

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Love and Rockets may be a beloved comic book series today, but in 1982, the Hernandez brothers’ decision to depict the hyperrealistic lives of Latino characters in a fictional town was unconventional. To honor the 40th anniversary of its first publication, Fantagraphics has reprinted the first 50 issues of Love and Rockets in a massive eight-volume slipcase that both die-hard fans and newcomers can enjoy. ​​Fantagraphics Books, November 22

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When their mother was diagnosed with late-stage cancer, Betke-Brunswick began chronicling the chemo and doctors’ appointments as well as the shared laughs and sweet moments in a graphic novel. The family is portrayed as penguins in this rendering, and the other characters are all different types of birds. Simultaneously, Betke-Brunswick comes out and comes of age, navigating exams and college as they also make their way through grief and loss. Tin House, November 15

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Washington indie band Fleet Foxes have earned Grammy nominations and a reputation as talented folk musicians. Now the members of the band compile a close look at each of their 55 songs. Frontman and songwriter Pecknold gives an insider’s account of how each song came to be and holds a microscope to his poetic lyrics. The book includes an introduction by Real Life author Brandon Taylor. Tin House, November 15

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Beginning in a gritty dive bar called the White Horse, Wurth’s spirited debut novel follows an Indigenous woman haunted by her past. Kari James is used to fielding questions about her missing mother, but when her cousin presents her with a traditional bracelet that once belonged to the older woman, she begins to experience visions related to the mysterious disappearance. This ghost story follows Kari’s journey as she uncovers family secrets and her own tumultuous past. Flatiron Books, November 1

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The early days of California as a state come to life in the reflections and work of Emily and Matilda Bancroft, who were each married to the notable historian Hubert Howe Bancroft. Based in and around San Francisco, this account of the two women, as well as their notes on class, race, religion, and gender at the time, is presented with essential historical context. Heyday Books, November 8

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