So, it's time to talk books. And book lists. And how I make a gentle reading list for the "ber" months.
First things first. In case you didn't know, the last four months of the year are often referred to as the "ber" months...SeptemBER, OctoBER, NovemBER, and DecemBER. These months could also be called the coziest time of the year, the most magical months of the year, or the most wonderful time of the year. It's all up to you. As for me, they fit into all those categories.
Creating book lists and making piles of books I want to read are among my very favorite things in all the world. There's just something about walking around my room, looking at my bookshelves, and seeing what catches my eye. I'm very much a mood reader, and I allow my mood to dictate what I read. So this often looks like pulling about a dozen books or so from my shelves, all with varying styles of writing, storylines, plots, and from different genres. It's all about what looks good and sounds interesting to me at the moment. That stack then comes to the coffee table in our living room, where I primarily do most of my reading on the couch before bed. I sometimes pick up two or three books to start and will read a bit from each one. Then I'll choose whichever one fits my mood at the moment and continue on reading it. Then when I finish that book, I do the same thing over again with a few other books from that stack. I will also, often at holidays or as new seasons begin, write a gentle book list of books that I hope to read during that time. These are a couple of the ways that make my reading fun, light, casual and delightfully enjoyable.
And today I want to share about making a gentle reading list for the "ber" months.
Before I begin, I want to say that this is how I do things. I am simply sharing my ideas and process and your ideas and processes may very well be different. Simply take what I write and use it to inspire you in creating your own reading lists. The main things I want to get across are:
1. Reading should be fun and enjoyable and casual. This is not about passing a test or reaching a goal or aiming to impress anyone.
2. Reading lists should be made gently. They are made primarily to give you ideas as to what you want to read at a given time.
3. With the reading life and with book lists, you get to be the one in charge. You get to make it whatever you want. Read what you want. When you want. Period.
So, with that said, let's begin, shall we?
As I said, I am 100% a mood reader. I am also a semi-seasonal reader. And by that, I mean that I like to read a few seasonal books during certain times of the year. For example, a beachy or travel novel in the summertime, a mystery in the autumn, and a Christmas novel in December. I do not read *just* seasonal books during their appropriate seasons, but I do like to include at least one or two. It just makes things extra fun and brings the story to life a bit more when you read it at the time the story is taking place.
Now, onto the "ber" months. I begin my "autumnal" reading in September, just as soon as I turn the calendar. This continues into October for me, as well. I like to choose a cozy mystery or two or five, a book where the story is set in the autumn, and a couple of books that just have the cozy vibe that I love. This year, I've really gotten into cozy mysteries, so I for sure put a few of them on my reading list. At the time of writing this, I have already read one and am nearly done with another. I am finding that I really, really enjoy this genre. My mom and sister were right! As for a book that is set in the autumn, I am working on completing a big chunker of a novel that I began a few months ago and set aside. The beginning of the book took place in the spring and summer and the second half takes place in the autumn. I purposely read until that point and then set it aside to finish once autumn rolled around. And for books that have that cozy feeling, I am trying out a cozy romance set in an English village, reading a delightful novel set in a North Carolina small town with a rector, a little boy and a dog (you may know which one I'm talking about), and a book set in Pennsylvania with an emphasis on a quilting circle. I may pick up another one or two if they interest me, but this is where I'm starting.
(I'm purposely not sharing book titles because I am not quite recommending these books yet. Though, I'm sure if you zoom into my photo, you will see titles. Once I read them, I'll share the titles and my thoughts. I hesitate to share titles of random books because I've learned the hard way that books are not always what they seem. And I would hate to "recommend" a title simply by mentioning it and it not be something I feel comfortable suggesting later on. However, there are TWO books that I've already finished and loved this autumn that will be featured in this month-long series! So do keep your eyes open for those!)
As November rolls around, I usually spend the first bit of the month finishing my autumnal reading. And by the second or third week, I'm diving headfirst into a usually large, tall pile of Christmas books. I always have a list a mile long of all the Christmas books I hope to read, and they carry me well into January. I have no problem carrying Christmas books into the New Year. In fact, I often plan that purposefully. I love to have that Christmas cheer, wintry coziness, and the warmth of the stories with me into January too. I don't often find "wintry" novels, so Christmasy novels seem to do just fine. {{smiles}}
Every Christmas reading list must include at least one Debbie Macomber book for me. Her books are (as far as I've read) sweet, funny, heartwarming, cozy, and are often set in a charming small town that you just wish you could live in. I have mentioned here in years past that I have ZERO tolerance for Christmas books that are sad, depressing, take you to a deep valley of despair only to bring you to light and hope in the last twenty pages. I'm not interested in that ever, but especially at Christmastime. So, I avoid them at all costs. Debbie Macomber books fit the bill perfectly for me. So, as I said, I always, always put at least one of them on my Christmas reading list. (This year I have two!)
This year, I am hoping to try out some new-to-me authors that I have been seeing about for several years. These books look and sound oh-so-cozy and festive and I so hope they are. Pretty please!! Don't disappoint me, dear books! Anyway, I have quite the selection on my bookshelves of a variety of authors. But I have chosen seven for this year. (Again, my Christmas reading carries over to January!)
Last year, thanks to my sister's recommendation, I tried a Hallmark Christmas movie that was based on a novel. Hallmark movies can be a hit or miss for me, but my sis has great tastes, so I trusted her. And she was so beyond right about this one! It was such a good movie and is now one of my favorites! Anyway, I got the novel last Christmas and planned on saving it for this December. So, it's on my reading list, too.
There is also a popular children's middle grade series about a family living in a New York City apartment building and the first book takes place at Christmastime. I've heard wonderful thing about this series, and my sister recommends it too. So, it's on the list. As well as a real classic that I've been wanting to read for longer than I can remember. I began it a couple years back but for various reasons didn't get too far. It's about four sisters in New England and their adventures through the years. You probably know which story I'm talking about. And finally, my Christmas reading list includes several collections of short stories by beloved authors such as L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott.
So, to recap...in September and October, I read autumnal books. And in November and December (and into January), I read Christmasy novels. I enjoy writing down an idea of the books I hope and wish to read during these months. It's fun for me to sit and go through my shelves and see what appeals to me at the moment. But, again, this whole reading list thing is done gently, lightly, and with absolutely no pressure. And in all honesty, if in the middle of winter, I feel like reading a beachy novel that I would perhaps think best suits summertime, I will. In fact, last winter I did, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of it. I firmly believe in reading what I want, when I want, and without any pressure or expectations. I am also not afraid and don't hesitate at all to put a book down if I'm not absolutely loving it. I have far too many books that I am interested in reading to read ones that I'm not loving. That's just my take on the reading life.
I'd love to hear your reading hopes for the "ber" months. When do you begin reading Christmas novels? What are your top 5 most anticipated reads on your reading lists? Do share...I'd be so delighted to hear from you!
See you tomorrow, dear readers!