My Autumn TBR + How I Organize My Reading Lists
The 30(ish) books I plan to read this fall
I love to sit down every quarter or so and plan some of the books I want read over the next few months.
I gather recommendations from trusted sources like podcasts and reading guides on Instagram (like this favorite). I read book summaries and reviews, write my list in my journal and check it twice.
I include symbols next to each title to help me keep track of where I have access to each book. My sources include: our local library, Libby, Everand, Audible, Kindle Unlimited, and of course books we already own on kindle or physical copies.
Once I finish the book I add my star rating next to the title.
The list I’m sharing today will probably take me until the beginning of December, or maybe all the way to the end of the year, to get through. I consistently read 10-12 books a month, so this list doesn’t feel like overkill to me.
Planning ahead doesn’t interfere with bookish serendipity or my ability to pick up another book that strikes my fancy, I have no qualms about pushing off a planned book in favor of one that comes along unexpectedly.
I generally have one or two books on my list each quarter that I don’t connect with and I feel zero guilt about setting aside either temporarily or permanently.
As a seasonal reader, autumn is my favorite time for spooky (or spooky-ish) reads, as well as character-driven stories and magical elements. You’ll definitely see those tastes reflected below.
Here’s what’s on my list for Autumn
Fiction:
The Long Way to A Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (I’ve already finished this a loved it. My husband has read 3 of the 4 books in the series in the last few weeks)
Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet. This is a quiet, character-driven novel that I could not put down.
A Sorceress Come to Call by T. Kingfisher (and probably Nettle and Bone as well)
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker (this was heartbreaking and a definite five stars for me)
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean (I’m about 80% done with this and it’s creepy and so creative. I can’t stop talking/thinking about it)
Chances Are… by Richard Russo
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (this will be a re-read for my book club)
Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Book of Cold Cases Simone St. James
Non-Fiction
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (This was fascinating!)
The Small and Mighty by Sharon McMahon (Started this week and it’s fabulous as we all knew it would be).
Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown (I’ve sloooowly been working my way through this one and I’m determined to finish it in the next few weeks)
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
Almost Everything by Anne Lamott (finished this last week. It’s full of powerful insights, but is not my favorite of her books.)
I’m also participating in Little World Wanderers A Mother’s Education- Autumn Edition. I won’t share the details of that booklist here, but Beth has great taste and I always end up loving her book recommendations.
On My Desk:
Stitching the sample of my Christmas Redwork pattern (sneak peek above),and hoping to have it ready to sell in the next week or so. It’s coming along well and I’m loving the simplicity of working all in one color. The first in this series was my Halloween Blackwork pattern/kit.
Around Here
Reading:
Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World. This was surprisingly fascinating.
Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet. This is a quiet, character-driven novel that I could not put down.
Watching: Nothing, really. The last few weeks have been so full that we haven’t sat down much.
Dabbling in: I’m nearly finished with my Lake Powell Quilt. I spent some time this week finishing up the quilting and sewing on the front of the binding. Now I need to hand sew the back of the binding and I’ll be done!
On YouTube: Sketchbook Flip-through
In the Shop: Felt Autumn Leaves Kit
Here’s to making the time for the things we love to do!
Heidi
My book stack has several of these including, The Unmaking of …….., and Atlas If the Heart.