5 books not to miss: Ronan Farrow's 'Catch and Kill,' Elton John memoir, Ali Wong hilarity

Barbara VanDenburgh, USA TODAY

In search of something good to read? USA TODAY's Barbara VanDenburgh scopes out the shelves for this week’s hottest new book releases.

1. “Catch and Kill,” by Ronan Farrow (Little, Brown and Company, nonfiction, on sale Oct. 15)

What it’s about: The Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter shares his account of investigating and reporting on Harvey Weinstein and intimidation tactics he says were employed by the wealthy and connected to avoid accountability.

The buzz: Details leaked early from the book are staggering, including new information about Matt Lauer's 2017 firing from NBC and an accusation of rape against the former "Today" host. Lauer has since denied the allegations.

2. “Me,” by Elton John (Henry Holt and Co., nonfiction, on sale Oct. 15)

What it’s about: If anyone’s lived an interesting life, it’s Elton John. Now, the music icon is telling his story for the first time in what promises to be a revealing autobiography, charting the stumbles and triumphs on his path to enduring superstardom.

The buzz: “My life has been one helluva roller coaster ride, and it's still lumbering on. I hope readers will enjoy the ride, too,” John said of the book.

More: Adam Rippon spills on Sean Spicer, Mike Pence and 'The Masked Singer' ahead of memoir

3. “Wild Game,” by Adrienne Brodeur (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, nonfiction, on sale Oct. 15)

What it’s about: When Brodeur was 14, her glamorous mother embarked on an extramarital affair with a close family friend – and told her daughter all about it. “Wild Game” is a wild memoir, as Brodeur recounts how she was molded into her mother’s accomplice and confidante.

The buzz: “This layered narrative of deceit, denial, and disillusionment is a surefire bestseller,” says a starred review in Publishers Weekly.

4. “Your House Will Pay,” by Steph Cha (Ecco, fiction, on sale Oct. 15)

What it’s about: In 1991 Los Angeles, a Korean woman fatally shoots an innocent black woman and receives no jail time. It was an era of profound racial tension. But in 2019, little has changed, and as the city tumbles again toward violence, the two families of that long-ago incident are forced to confront their shared history.

The buzz: "Cha has taken care not to write a cynical book; indeed, she dives so deep into her characters because she believes that communicating their nuances across racial lines is essential to heal the wound," writes book critic Mark Athitakis in a ★★★ review for USA TODAY.

5. “Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, and Advice for Living Your Best Life,” by Ali Wong (Random House, non-fiction, on sale Oct. 15)

What it’s about: The actress and comedian pens heartfelt, hilarious letters to her two daughters containing all the advice they need to make it through life, covering topics like dating and how to succeed as a working mom in a male-dominated profession.

The buzz: “Comedian and actress Ali Wong's first book ... is everything her fans would expect: raunchy, real and uproariously funny," writes USA TODAY's Jennifer McClellan in a revealing interview with Wong.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New books: Ronan Farrow's ‘Catch and Kill,’ Elton John, Ali Wong
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