AJC: 9 Southern books we recommend this fall

6 novels, a memoir and collections of essays and poems on the list.

While summer book releases often tend toward frothy, entertaining fare, fall is the time for heavy hitters, and this year’s slate of titles do not disappoint. Here are nine substantive Southern books we look forward to curling up with when temperatures cool.

By Suzanne Van Atten, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

BECOMING MRS. LEWIS

Patti Callahan Henry

‘Becoming Mrs. Lewis’ Told from the wife’s point of view, New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan (she’s dropped the surname Henry) tells the love story of “Chronicles of Narnia” creator C.S. Lewis and his wife, Joy Davidman. Mired in an unhappy marriage, Davidman experiences a religious conversion from atheism to Christianity. Having read Lewis’ books and eager for intellectual discourse on spirituality, she becomes pen pals with the author. Ultimately, she would divorce her first husband and marry Lewis, transforming their lives forever. (Thomas Nelson, Oct. 2)