September is the coziest month for me. There’s something about the start of a fresh, new academic year that gets me super excited (I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address – one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies, You’ve Got Mail). The weather is starting to crisp up, it’s safe to turn on the oven again, and the days shorten dramatically – all of this creates the perfect reading atmosphere.
It’s been a long time since I wrote a post just about books, which is crazy because I used to consider this a book blog. So I’m very excited to focus on two things that make my heart sing: books and lists. Here’s a list of books that I hope to read in September!
Thornyhold by Mary Stewart
This is my favorite book to read in the fall. I used to read it every fall, but fell out of practice in the last couple of years. It is witchy, atmospheric, and full of the coziest details (cooking pies – not dessert pies – in an Aga!). I can’t wait to crack it open this year.
Jambusters by Julie Summers
I finished the second season of Home Fires last Friday and you all weren’t kidding when you warned me about the cliffhanger of an ending! I was shocked. But the opening credits say that the series is based off of Jambusters, so I’m planning to read it this fall. This book isn’t pictured in my banner above, but I’ve ordered it and am waiting for it to arrive. (Thank you to Sarah for suggesting it!)
A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L’Engle
This is the first book in L’Engle’s Crosswick Journals – a collection of her journals that were published. (Now I want to name my own collection of journals, but know that I can’t come up with a name as lovely as The Crosswick Journals!) I started this several years ago and it’s been lingering on my bedside shelf for a while. I’m going to give it an honest effort this month.
The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris
Another book that’s been lingering on my bedside shelf for a couple of years. I think I started this book in 2016 and about once a year decide, okay NOW. Now I’m going to finish it, but never quite succeed. But: okay NOW. Now I’m going to finish it. Its premise is the sort of thing I love: a meditation on the monastic life. Why haven’t I finished it?
A Place on Earth by Wendell Berry
My fondness for Wendell Berry is no secret. I bought this book after I finished Jayber Crow last fall. I’m looking forward to revisiting Port William and that lovely group of people. And I can’t wait to get another peek at Jayber and see how he’s doing.
Out of Sorts: Making Peace With an Evolving Faith by Sarah Bessey
To say that I have an “evolving faith” is an understatement. I was introduced to Sarah Bessey by an episode of What Should I Read Next?. She was the guest and I was taken by how similar our reading tastes were. Somehow I didn’t realize that she was practically famous! I bought this book after listening to that episode and am looking forward to it.
Long Life by Mary Oliver
Can you believe that I’ve read nothing by Mary Oliver? I almost read one of her books for summer bingo this year (a book by an author who died last year) but decided to go a different direction. This was one of the Amazon Deals of the Day recently and I snatched it up.
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
Another recent Amazon Deal of the Day and is billed as a super cozy series. I don’t know much about it, but I’m looking for cozy right now!
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
I bought this in June just as it felt like the world was exploding. I think the time is right to dive in — I’ve put off reading my anti-racism books because I wanted to put some space between the events of the summer and tackling them. I wanted to have the opportunity to internalize what I was seeing on television before thinking about some of these more personal narratives. Of course, the stories on television aren’t stopping. So it’s time.
When I Was a Child I Read Books by Marilynne Robinson
I purchased this collection of essays this winter. I don’t quite know what they’re about, but imagine it’s finding solace in words throughout her life. I hope to find out soon!
I think I can actually finish most of these if I don’t get any books from the library in September. But is that really possible?
Do you have any books that you reread every year? Or is there a book that you really hope to get to soon? Is there a certain season when you seem to curl up with books more often? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
The Cozy Burrow 
I used to love Mary Stewart and it’ years since I read any of hers. You’ve mentioned some here that look good, do hope you do a review when you have read them. I don’t re-read books every year, but have several that I re-read occasionally.
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Thanks Cathy! I will definitely plan to write about whatever I end up reading 🙂
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Ha, I’ve been stuck in the middle of A Circle of Quiet for three years. And it was really memorable and enjoyable- I’m not even sure why. Definitely not meaning to discourage you!!
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Hahaha – no worries! It’s been a tricky one for me!
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I think you need to name your home — and that will give you the name for your journals. Does that just complicate things more? 😉 Ambitious list here, but I am sure you’ll get through it!
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When we first moved in and installed a weather station, we DID name our home! Blackberry Bluff! And it’s also the name of our homeschool, haha. So maybe my journals could be Blackberry Bluff Chronicles. How fun!
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I loved the Mitford series! They were just to peaceful and homey. I’ll check if our library has Jam Busters. I know they have books by Wendell Berry, I’ll check those out the next time I’m there. Thanks for the suggestions! One book I started to reread this year was Great Possessions by David Kline, the foreword is by Wendell Berry. Another book, normally in the spring, is Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Neither one of these is a mystery, they’re true life.
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Oh yay! Now I’m really excited to read the Mitford series! I LOVED Animal Vegetable Miracle – I think I should reread that one next spring – thanks for the idea!
I hope you enjoy some of the suggestions in this post. I think you’ll really like the Wendell Berry novels, given that you own a farm. Berry is so good at narrowing down what’s important in life!
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Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey is read once a year … I haven’t read it this year yet, but I’m already looking forward to falling for Mr Tilney all over again. 😉
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Oh my goodness, how fun! I haven’t read that one!!
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Wuuuut??? You should, DEFINITELY! The beginning might be a bit slow, but he is the BEST of the Austen men! (I promise 😉 ).
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I don’t have books that I reread every year, but there’s a handful that I do reread every few years or when I’m in the mood for them. It’s been really fun in recent years to revisit childhood favorites by reading them with my daughter.
I hope you’re able to get through all of these books in September!
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I totally agree with how fun it is to reread childhood favorites! It’s definitely one of the perks of being a bookish parent 🙂
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On my September “hope to read list” is Caste, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Hamnet! Great list of books! I hope you can get through them all too!
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What a great list! Everyone seems to be loving Hamnet – I can’t wait to see what you think about it. Happy reading!
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I am not generally a re-reader but I could certainly reread Out of Sorts and was just yesterday thinking of retreading Cloister Walk.
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How interesting! Now I’m really looking forward to getting to both of those books!!
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I loved the Crosswick Journals. When you are done Google about them. Wait till you are done! I’ve also read The Virgin of Bennington by Kathleen Norris–I’m not sufficiently in-to poetry to have liked that one. I did not put me off her writing in general though. It was well written. I’m just not up for poetry. I was wanting more about Bennington
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Now I’m super intrigued about the Crosswick Journals. Oh no! How can I wait until I finish them??? Thanks for your thoughts on Kathleen Norris. I haven’t read any of her poetry, but I’m definitely poetry-shy.
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Just finish them so it will all go together right. 🙂
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I’ve read the Coates and it’s wonderful. So, so good.
I have never read Thornyhold but I’m intrigued!
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Thanks Laila! I’m looking forward to the Coates book, even though I’m sure it’s going to be difficult to digest.
I just love Thornyhold! It’s so low key and quiet, but I think it’s just wonderful 🙂
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Oh my. What a fantastic list! We have very similar tastes, Katie, and I’m waiting for Thoryhold from my library! YAY! 🙂 I love Mary Oliver’s poetry! I’ve never read this one. I really love A Circle of Quiet and I read some of A Cloister Walk and I really loved it, but set it aside because I had too.many.books at the time. Maybe I’ll dig it out.
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Yay! I love The Cloister Walk when I’m reading it, but it’s hard to convince myself to pick it up, if that makes sense. I hope September is a good month of reading for both of us!
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Wow, Katie – you are going to have an AMAZING month of reading! I just started Sarah Bessey’s latest Miracles and Other Reasonable Things … Out of Sorts is on my favorites shelf and I think you’ll love it! (I heard Sarah’s conversation with Anne and immediately picked up The Crosswick Journals and thought about re-reading Anne of Green Gables 🙂
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I hope I get to even half of these! Thanks for the encouragement!
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