Fall is my favorite season, and it’s not really even a contest. There’s something about the cooling of the air—versus the warming of Spring—that just feels so dang refreshing. With a hot cup of coffee (for the morning) or a pumpkin beer (for the afternoon and/or evening), there’s just nothing better than sitting outside on a Fall day with a good book.
I don’t have much of a seasonal reading rhythm for Fall, other than tending to dig into something somewhat cozy—a mystery novel, a back-to-school setting (Harry Potter!), a long story I can lose myself in.
As I’m thinking about Fall reading, I’d love to hear from you! What are you looking forward to this Sept, Oct, and Nov? Are there genres or subjects you gravite towards in this season of changing leaves and pumpkin spiced everything? Let me know!
I like to reread the Sherlock Holmes adventures in the Fall or Winter. Foggy London makes me think of sitting by the fireside in Baker Street where some client brings Holmes an unusual story that sets him off on a new quest.
Certainly among the best single lines about a specific season in all of bookdom. Up there with "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" (Anne of Green Gables).
My book club last night decided on "Frankenstein" as our next read, followed by "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", both of which I have previously read. I am planning on reading "The International Brigades: Fascism, Freedom and the Spanish Civil War". Then again, I am auditing a course on 19th Century Europe (a history class offered at the local university) to learn more about this period and history in general, so I'm not sure how much extra time I will have to read outside of the book club and school.
A few months ago I read The Storm Before the Storm by Mike Duncan, and I really enjoyed it. It reads like more of a plot driven novel than a history book. He has a new book out on Tuesday about the Marquis de Lafayette which I preordered right after finishing his first book, and it will be near the top of my fall reading list. Are there any other new books coming out that anyone is excited about?
Good to know - I've been interested in reading The Storm Before the Storm, but wondered how readable it would be. Did you get the impression that he was trying to force connections to current events, or was he was letting the history stand on its own?
I remember in the very beginning of the book he noted some similarities between the Roman Republic and the United States today, but after that it was all history.
Really excited to read “The Guide”, which is Peter Heller’s newly released sequel to “The River”. I might also (finally) read something by Colson Whitehead and “Winter Counts” by Weiden. I’m not much of a horror fan, but I should probably read one of King’s masterpieces eventually.
Cloud Cuckoo Land is on my list. His last book was fabulous. Rules of Civility is on my TBR pile because Gentleman from Moscow may be on my top ten all-time in fiction. Great thread, Jeremy. Always nice to see what others are reading.
I have no book plans that are specific for fall, but I plan on finishing the last two books in the Dark Tower series and then finishing up the Cartel trilogy by Don Winslow. I was really excited for his new book coming out this fall, but it was delayed until next year I believe.
I still need to read The Border. The first two were excellent and I'm a huge Winslow fan. A very intelligent guy. . .his last book of short stories was excellent.
Just finished up Surprise, Kill, Vanish and thought it was really well done. Going to read through more of Annie Jacobsen, starting with her book on Area 51.
I usually try and check out a few football books to kick off the fall season. Last year, I read The Undefeated by Jim Dent. This year I am hoping to start When Pride Still Mattered by David Maraniss.
H.W. Brands, Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution; Allen Guelzo's Robert E. Lee: A Life; Barnett & Bernick, The Original Spirit of the 14th Amendment: It's Letter and Spirit; Roberts, The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of King George III; Moser, The Lost History of the Capitol; Ellis, The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents
Not fall-specific and definitely not cozy, but I've been on a big Dostoevsky kick lately and I'm hoping to make it through The Idiot in the next month or two.
Yeah, mostly Pevear translations. I've always loved Crime and Punishment, but I read Notes from Underground for the first time last month and was absolutely blown away, so that's probably the new favorite. But it was a little disconcerting to find myself identifying with Underground Man!
I'm currently wrapping up "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe: How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake" by Dr. Steven Novella. This has been a great read for me to start thinking more critically. I'm not one to buy into things easily but I do often accept things at face value, and this book has provided tools for me to start thinking more critically.
After I finish that, I am going to resume "Atlas Shrugged." Every time I pick this book up I enjoy reading it, however I find it difficult to consistently read due to the shear size of it. My goal for this fall is to finally finish it.
I read The Hound of the Baskervilles every year around Halloween. This will be year #4.
Great, gloomy choice for fall. Definitely the best setting that Holmes creates in his novels.
I am currently enjoying this part of my reading through the complete illustrated works of Sherlock this year
I like to reread the Sherlock Holmes adventures in the Fall or Winter. Foggy London makes me think of sitting by the fireside in Baker Street where some client brings Holmes an unusual story that sets him off on a new quest.
Love it. Great choice.
I always like to revisit "The Great Gatsby" in the autumn. After all, as Jordan says to Daisy in the book:
"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."
Certainly among the best single lines about a specific season in all of bookdom. Up there with "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" (Anne of Green Gables).
Typically fall means the return of football so I will either read a bio or juvenile sports fiction (Bee & Dawson are 2 of my fav authors in this area)
History Reading lineup for this fall-
September(9/11)- Rise&Fall: started this audio yesterday and thinking I will find it especially timely given current events
October (Disney): Oct 1st marks the 50th anniversary of Disney World opening- so I am looking forward to a history related to that park's creation.
November-Meachum's Death of a President
Always a great time to re-read Walden by Thoreau. Also digging into the fantastic bio on his life by Laura Dassow Walls.
Great choice! It's always the right time for Walden. I haven't gotten to the Walls bio yet, but it's on my bookshelf!
Superb choice. Walls is great; I'm hoping to read Richardson's next.
I’ve read all all of Richardson’s stuff. In particular, I think his bio on Emerson is one of the best bios I’ve ever read.
My book club last night decided on "Frankenstein" as our next read, followed by "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", both of which I have previously read. I am planning on reading "The International Brigades: Fascism, Freedom and the Spanish Civil War". Then again, I am auditing a course on 19th Century Europe (a history class offered at the local university) to learn more about this period and history in general, so I'm not sure how much extra time I will have to read outside of the book club and school.
How's "Midnight in the Garden"? Seen it a lot, but haven't encountered a reader who had done it.
I enjoyed it. Good read with some humor and some scenes which I still remember many years after reading it. I would recommend it.
A few months ago I read The Storm Before the Storm by Mike Duncan, and I really enjoyed it. It reads like more of a plot driven novel than a history book. He has a new book out on Tuesday about the Marquis de Lafayette which I preordered right after finishing his first book, and it will be near the top of my fall reading list. Are there any other new books coming out that anyone is excited about?
Good to know - I've been interested in reading The Storm Before the Storm, but wondered how readable it would be. Did you get the impression that he was trying to force connections to current events, or was he was letting the history stand on its own?
I remember in the very beginning of the book he noted some similarities between the Roman Republic and the United States today, but after that it was all history.
Really excited to read “The Guide”, which is Peter Heller’s newly released sequel to “The River”. I might also (finally) read something by Colson Whitehead and “Winter Counts” by Weiden. I’m not much of a horror fan, but I should probably read one of King’s masterpieces eventually.
The Guide is on my shelf too!
Three Fiction: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead; The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, and most of all, Bewilderment by Richard Powers.
Three Non-fiction: Resistance by Jennifer Rubin, On That Day by William M. Arkin, and most of all, The Afghanistan Papers by Craig Whitlock.
Harlem and Lincoln are on my list too, as well as Cloud Cuckoo Land. I recently finished Rules of Civility and LOVED it.
Cloud Cuckoo Land is on my list. His last book was fabulous. Rules of Civility is on my TBR pile because Gentleman from Moscow may be on my top ten all-time in fiction. Great thread, Jeremy. Always nice to see what others are reading.
I have no book plans that are specific for fall, but I plan on finishing the last two books in the Dark Tower series and then finishing up the Cartel trilogy by Don Winslow. I was really excited for his new book coming out this fall, but it was delayed until next year I believe.
I still need to read The Border. The first two were excellent and I'm a huge Winslow fan. A very intelligent guy. . .his last book of short stories was excellent.
His book The Force is really good as well. I haven’t read any of his early work, though. I started with Power of the Dog last year.
Just finished up Surprise, Kill, Vanish and thought it was really well done. Going to read through more of Annie Jacobsen, starting with her book on Area 51.
I've heard great things about her work!
I usually try and check out a few football books to kick off the fall season. Last year, I read The Undefeated by Jim Dent. This year I am hoping to start When Pride Still Mattered by David Maraniss.
I really enjoyed the Maraniss Bio of Lombardi
That Lombardi bio is solid!
I usually read something of a more academic bent consistent with the back to school. Some good history coming out.
Which new history books are you most looking forward to?
H.W. Brands, Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution; Allen Guelzo's Robert E. Lee: A Life; Barnett & Bernick, The Original Spirit of the 14th Amendment: It's Letter and Spirit; Roberts, The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of King George III; Moser, The Lost History of the Capitol; Ellis, The Cause: The American Revolution and its Discontents
Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes is always a good Autumn read.
Not fall-specific and definitely not cozy, but I've been on a big Dostoevsky kick lately and I'm hoping to make it through The Idiot in the next month or two.
Marvelous! Pevear translations? What's been your favorite?
Yeah, mostly Pevear translations. I've always loved Crime and Punishment, but I read Notes from Underground for the first time last month and was absolutely blown away, so that's probably the new favorite. But it was a little disconcerting to find myself identifying with Underground Man!
Harry Potter is always my cozy book. Although I’m in Lonesome Dove currently, and may explore the rest of that series!
Lonesome Dove series is ALWAYS good. Agreed on HP—I'm in the middle of book 5 right now!
My season of horrible reading begins in September. Horror and ghost stories through December culminating in a re-reading of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
Two books on my list so far: ONLY THE GOOD INDIANS and USHER’s PASSING.
Always open to suggestions.
That's a long time! Have you read Straub's "Ghost Story"? On my list for this year.
Ghost Story is my favorite horror book. I think I'm going to read it again this fall.
Oh awesome. Glad to hear it. I did very well last year with Misery, Head Full of Ghosts, and Survivor Song.
Here's what I read last fall...
1. The Haunted - Michaelbrent Collings
2. The House in Normandy Road - John Hennessy
3. Highgate - Shani Struthers
4. Colony of the Lost - Derik Cavignano
5. Head Full of Ghosts - Paul Tremblay
6. The White Devil - Justin Evans
7. A Good and Happy Child - Justin Evans
8. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
Fave of the bunch: The White Devil (mainly because it involved one of my favorite poets: Lord Byron)
Oh yeah! Did the "classics" years ago.
ONLY THE GOOD INDIANS is excellent! Just read it last month.
Autumn Light by Pico Iyer is a favorite that I've read the last two falls. I'm looking forward to it again this year!
I haven't heard of it! Looks wonderful and it's on my list.
I'm currently wrapping up "The Skeptics Guide to the Universe: How to Know What's Really Real in a World Increasingly Full of Fake" by Dr. Steven Novella. This has been a great read for me to start thinking more critically. I'm not one to buy into things easily but I do often accept things at face value, and this book has provided tools for me to start thinking more critically.
After I finish that, I am going to resume "Atlas Shrugged." Every time I pick this book up I enjoy reading it, however I find it difficult to consistently read due to the shear size of it. My goal for this fall is to finally finish it.