Flavorwire

Fall is always a huge season for the publishing industry. It makes sense: all those back to school feelings making everyone long for stacks of books to carry around, the holiday season right around the corner, beach-goers ready to read Big Serious Fiction again. But this first fall month is a particularly huge one, with a slew of modern masters (Chabon, Smith, Díaz, Rowling, Rushdie) publishing meaty books that we can’t wait to get our hands on. If you’re feeling that wistful back to school reading urge — or just looking for something to hide in the jacket of your chemistry book this fall — we’ve got just the ticket. Click through to check out our list of the books we’re most excited about this month, and let us know which ones are calling your name in the comments.

Mortality, Christopher Hitchens (September 4)

During his life, we loved Christopher Hitchens for his sharp criticism, his quick wit, and his honest, incisive way of looking at the world. And it seems that his cancer, just another subject for him to lay into the light, only made his writing shine more brilliantly (if such a thing were possible). Funny and exhilarating and yes, sad and moving, this is a must for any fan.