September Reads

As the daylight hours wane, I have been able to read more in the evenings, which feels so good.  I read a lot of interesting, fun, and thought-provoking books in September.



The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo: This book was simply delightful, and I'm so glad it fell into my lap.  (The story heavily features a cantankerous goat, so I didn't need much convincing.)  Themes include family, story, and the nature of love. Both heart-wrenching and heart-warming at times, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.


Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen: I've been a fan of Sarah Addison Allen and her distinct brand of magical realism since I happened to pick up one of her books many, many years ago, so I always keep an eye out for new releases.  I enjoyed the characters and the way their lives became interwoven in Other Birds, again bringing out the importance of story, secrets, and imagination.


The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer: A book about people who love books is always a win, in my opinion.  Lovely, uplifting, with such a satisfying ending, digging into what it means to hold on to hope even when it seems ridiculous and much too hard.  


The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton: This one was FUN.  Un-put-downable, with so many twists and turns and layers added in each chapter, time travel mixed with murder mystery mixed with Downton Abbey.  



The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White:  It has been a delight to watch my children grow into readers, and one extra benefit of that is that I get to revisit childhood favorites as well.  The Trumpet of the Swan contains so many beautiful passages.  One of my favorites: "I don't know of anything in the entire world more wonderful to look at than a nest with eggs in it."



Holy the Firm by Annie Dillard:  I read this short book in one day, both haunted and puzzled by the meandering language.  The author explores her questions about the nature of the world, God, memory, and place.  It's stuck with me.




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