Liz Phair’s ‘Horror Stories,’ Jojo Moyes’ ‘The Giver of Stars’ and 4 other new books not to miss

Liz Phair at Riot Fest 2018 in Douglas Park Sept. 14, 2018. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times

Here’s a rundown on some of the hottest new books:

‘Horror Stories’ by Liz Phair

(Random House, nonfiction, $28)

What it’s about: Rocker Liz Phair is mostly known for her breakout 1993 album “Exile in Guyville.” Now, she reflects in print on key moments in a book that’s less a rock-star memoir than a memoir that happens to be written by a rock star — personal essays reflecting on everything from divorce to the birth of her son to climbing trees on her grandparents’ property. Prince’s death was one reason she decided to write the book. “When these great music legends die, you realize how much they meant to you and how much they shaped your career. … And it gets you thinking about your own legacy. I believe there’s a power to being open and connected to your emotions, acknowledging what’s happened to you.”

The buzz: “Phair unveils personal anecdotes, mistakes and flaws and connects them to universal experiences of pain, regret and guilt,” Entertainment Weekly writes. “There’s a layer of compassion and humanity that shines through. The singer, 52, has never been quite this exposed.”

Click here for an excerpt from “Horror Stories” by Liz Phair.

‘The Giver of Stars’ by Jojo Moyes

(Pamela Dorman Books, fiction, $28)

What it’s about: The best-selling author of “Me Before You” sets her latest story in Depression-era Kentucky, where five women deliver books to people who have never had any as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s traveling library.

The buzz: “Moyes celebrates the power of reading in a terrific book that only reinforces that message,” a USA Today review says.

‘How We Fight for Our Lives’ by Saeed Jones

(Simon & Schuster, nonfiction, $26)

What it’s about: The prize-winning poet bares his soul in this haunting coming-of-age memoir, which recounts the author’s sexual awakening as a young, gay black man in Texas and the tumultuous relationships that shaped him.

The buzz: “A memoir of coming to terms that’s written with masterful control of both style and material,” Kirkus Reviews says.

‘Grand Union’ by Zadie Smith

(Penguin Press, fiction, $27)

What it’s about: The celebrated author publishes her first collection of short stories, including 11 never-before-published tales. It’s a varied and modern collection, suffused with Smith’s powers of observation and literary prowess.

The buzz: Publishers Weekly calls the story collection “smart and bewitching.”

‘Movies (and Other Things)’ by Shea Serrano

(Twelve, nonfiction, $25)

What it’s about: The pop-culture and author of “The Rap Year Book” and “Basketball (and Other Things)” turns his attention to another of his loves: movies. Funny, colorful and beautifully illustrated, the book celebrates modern films and pop culture, posing such questions as “Who gets it the worst in ‘Kill Bill’?” and “Were the ‘Jurassic Park’ raptors just misunderstood?”

The buzz: “I want to treat things with respect, even when they’re silly,” Serrano said of his approach in an interview with the Houston Chronicle, which praised the writer’s “smart, funny and off-center observations.”

‘Ninth House’ by Leigh Bardugo

(Flatiron, fiction, $27.99)

What it’s about: Leigh Bardugo’s first fantasy novel for adults is set at Yale, where burnout Galaxy “Alex” Stern has been offered a free ride — due to her magical ability to see ghosts. In the hallowed hall of the Ivy League, Alex must confront the evils swirling beneath the deceiving surface of tradition.

The buzz: Publishers Weekly says, “Fantasy readers, particularly those who love ghosts, will hungrily devour this novel.”