Some September Books

September has kept me moving, but books are always my escape, even when it takes me longer than usual to finish one. Here’s what I’ve been reading lately.

The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). It’s a murder mystery, like all the other books in the Cormoran Strike series, and while murder mysteries are not my typical genre, I cannot get enough of this series. The books are long–this one was just over 1000 pages–but the story never dragged to me. This is probably because of the author’s brilliant ability to create a world and the characters in it with perfection. I am always swallowed whole by the stories. 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. It feels like fall in my mind, even if it’s 90 degrees out. I made potato soup and Chex Mix this week. It’s time to break out the fall-themed reads as well. I don’t always like witch stories, Harry Potter obviously excluded, but this one seemed very sweet and kind. I fell in love with it. My only caveat: I don’t mind strong language in a story, but the language in this one felt jarring sometimes.

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist. I’m trying to go through Shauna Niequist’s whole catalog from start to finish, excluding her devotional book. I’ve read them all but never in the order she wrote them. I am looking forward both to reading them very slowly and to watching the growth of her writing and themes through her beautiful books.

A Curious Faith by Lore Wilbert. It’s the tiniest of books, yet it has taken me forever, because every chapter requires savoring and reflecting. They are Spirit-infused words on questioning God, and on the importance of questioning for staying in faith. I am soaking it in.

In keeping with the thematic reading of the season, I also introduced my daughter to You’ve Got Mail and have been taking myself through Gilmore Girls again. Perfect watching for the season.

What are you reading and watching this September?