Sherwood Book Corner Column: Early Autumn reading

By Adam Bienvenu and Rebecca Nelson for the Sherwood Sun

SHERWOOD, Ore. — Say goodbye to summer and hello to pumpkin spice lattes! This month, the 22nd is the Autumn Equinox, the “middlest day of the year” as I like to call it. The days are getting noticeably shorter as the night creeps in earlier and earlier. Autumn is without a doubt my favorite season, because I feel like I get to start decorating for it once the first Halloween items are available at Costco (which is sometimes as early as June).

The beginning of autumn is the perfect time to stock up on books, stationary, and crafts to enjoy in the evening as it gets cooler and darker. It just so happens that we have plenty of all of that at the bookstore.

SherBoB 2026 may have come to an end, but the opportunity to test your book trivia skills is just beginning! On September 3rd at 5:30 P.M., the Sherwood Bookstore will be kicking off the first individual trivia session of the 2026-2027 season. Focusing on one title per month, attendees will have time before the quiz to share likes, dislikes, and other thoughts about the month’s read before answering 10 carefully cultivated questions written to challenge comprehension skills.

 “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro

September’s selection, “Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro, is a must-read for several reasons. First, the writing is absolutely stunning. Having first encountered Ishiguro’s novels during a time when I was feeling over literary fiction’s need to devastate readers, I was ready to hate his work. Yet I couldn’t help but be pulled in by the quiet strength of his writing. There is a reason he has won not only the 2017 Nobel Prize, but the Booker Prize as well. The writing is simple yet complex, often saying more than what is directly on the page. Another aspect I adore in his writing is his ability to spark discussion through the topics he explores, such as artificial intelligence and genetic editing.

In the novel, readers meet Klara, who is living under the care of a manager inside a store dedicated to providing individuals or families with an artificial friend. Though she is an older model, Klara is incredibly intelligent and observant; fascinated with the outdoors, from the people she sees to the effects of the natural world. When she is chosen by Josie, Klara finds herself adjusting to the complexities of human relationships and emotion while remaining grounded in her desire to support and care for Josie. 

What I love about this novel is the subtle way Ishiguro explores the ethics and morality of artificial intelligence’s role in care and observation. Further, the idea of genetic splicing to enhance a person’s abilities, and the hierarchy it creates, evoke similar ethical discussion. Is it care or is it policing? I think experiencing the world through Klara’s eyes leaves the reader with more questions outside of the story that will make for a fantastic book club discussion!

If thought-provoking writing, an award-winning author, and complex characters are not enough reason to read this book, here is one more: “Klara and the Sun” will be released on October 23, 2026 as a feature film, starring Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams. Ishiguro is listed as an Executive Producer on the film. 

“Fabulous Bodies” by Chuck Tingle

It’s always hard to know where to start when describing a Chuck Tingle book to someone unfamiliar with the author. Chuck is most famous for his surreal and bizarre short stories, but he is also quite the accomplished horror writer as well. “Fabulous Bodies” is his latest in his more traditional — I use that word loosely — fiction writing. 

Poppy Stringer is a single mother and aspiring fashion influencer by day, and by night she pays the bills by bodysnatching. One day, she’s sent to pick up the body of her favorite musician, the flamboyant Eddie Michaels, who has recently died in a freak accident. This is the last big job that will set her up for life, and everything is going to plan — until Eddie wakes up.

Set against the arid, art deco backdrop of Palm Springs, “Fabulous Bodies” is an absolutely wild ride. It reminds me a bit of Beetlejuice (the showboating undead part), but with significantly more gore and plenty of humor. It is campy and unpredictable, yet somehow nothing feels forced or out of place. “Fabulous Bodies” somehow makes all of the escapades and unusual encounters make complete sense in the world Chuck has created. In signature style, the book wraps up demonstrating that the power of love conquers all.

This is a perfect summer read if you’re looking for something that manages to be both horrifying, humorous, and oddly sentimental. Did I mention that we have signed stock available at the bookstore?