It sure took long enough, but in New York, fall is finally here. For the first time, I needed a sweatshirt on my morning jog around Central Park, and as I rounded the reservoir, I noticed that the leaves were changing, and that the air smelled just a little bit like apple pie. This fall, we have quite an array to choose from in the Modern Library, both revisiting old favorites and bringing new titles into the American canon.

One title that's sure to make a splash in the classroom is our gorgeous edition of the Indo-Persian epic THE ADVENTURES OF AMIR HAMZA. Though this sweeping saga of magic and passion has captivated much of the world for centuries, this beautiful rendition by Musharraf Ali Farooqi is, unbelievably, the first unabridged English translation. A classic which Library Journal called "reminiscent of the tales of Homer and King Arthur and The Arabian Nights," this seminal Islamic text follows the prophet Muhammed's uncle, who must travel the world in the service of his emperor before winning his daughter's love. As Booklist said, it is "a must-have for serious Near Eastern collections and fans of epic literature from any culture."

On a much more modern note, but also groundbreaking as an academic text, the Modern Library is proud to present THE ESSENTIAL FEMINIST READER, which is the first anthology reflecting the entire scope of feminist history. Edited by acclaimed historian Estelle B. Friedman, it includes noted names like Susan B. Anthony, Simone de Beauvoir, Margaret Sanger, and Virginia Woolf, but also moves beyond the standard texts to include scholarship and creative work from feminist thinkers worldwide. It is truly an important collection and an invaluable resource.

Our featured chronicle this fall is Paul Fussell's THE BOYS CRUSADE, an unforgettable account of the American military experience in Europe during World War II, which we are re-releasing to coincide with "The War," a PBS series by Ken Burns airing this fall. Partly based on Fussell's own experiences, this harrowing narrative removes the rose-colored glasses through which we have come to view the war, and honestly addresses all that the very young generation of soldiers faced.

There's plenty of new stuff on the bookshelves this fall, too, including our future classic, AWAY, by Amy Bloom. This much anticipated Random House novel by one of our favorite new voices is a captivating American epic about a young woman forced to navigate the new world alone after her family is killed in a Russian pogrom. With humor and passion, Bloom's writing comes alive in a story that truly has staying power.

But even in these brisk, industrious autumn months, it's hardly fair to have all work and no play. As both a book lover and a movie buff, I can't help but be excited about the release of "The Jane Austen Book Club." Not only has it made for a great weekend afternoon at the movies, but it's also inspired me to get back to some of my old favorites— Modern Library paperbacks of the classic Jane Austen oeuvre, EMMA, MANSFIELD PARK, NORTHANGER ABBEY, SENSE & SENSIBILITY, and PRIDE & PREJUDICE. If you're like me, and you've read each wonderful detail a dozen times over already, it's a perfect time to curl up under a blanket with a mug of tea and reacquaint yourself with some old friends. And if you're a new member of the book club, well, it's never too late to meet Mr. Darcy...

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Whatever you decide to read this fall, in school or out, the Modern Library is sure to have an exciting title for you to crack open. Happy autumn, and as always, happy reading!

All the best,

Becca