fall reading: getting ready for december

a very brief interlude from staying present in autumn.

Key to living seasonally is staying present in the current moment - savoring the falling leaves until every last tree is bare, drinking apple cider all autumn long, and listening to autumn tunes straight through until the day after Thanksgiving (or whenever you switch to holiday tunes). I’m breaking my own savor-the-current-moment rule, so please forgive me for this morning’s very brief look ahead to December and the holiday season.

If you haven’t yet, here is your nudge to put any wintery or holiday books you’d like to read next month on hold with your library. Or, if you’re so inclined, place an online order or make a plan a visit to an independent bookstore (a.k.a. the perfect tradition to kick off the holidays).

I’ll share more detailed reading recommendations next month once we truly transition to the festive season but if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few suggestions from my tried and true favorites:

For a touching read about the difficulties of family and the holiday season that will work it’s way into your heart:

Flight by Lynn Steger Strong (and why I love it so much)

For all of your holiday baking needs:

Baking for the Holidays by Sarah Kieffer

For a little dose of coziness on your December coffee table:

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

For some much needed laughter, an audiobook:

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

For a festive locked door mystery to keep you guessing:

Hercule Poirot’s Christmas by Agatha Christie

For your Christmas romance needs, all set in the UK and overflowing with holiday cheer:

Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

Christmas on the Island by Jenny Colgan

One Day in December by Josie Silver

Ready to skip ahead to December and immerse yourself in the festive season? You can find more in-depth holiday reading recommendations in A Fluffy Holiday Reading Guide from The Seasonalist and All Things Holiday Reading by

Michelle Martin

(for paid subscribers only).

Nothing adds a little burst of excitement to your day like a library notification that your hold is ready. Do yourself a favor now and add yourself to the waitlist for a few anticipated reads. Now back to fall, cozy drinks, and squash season!

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also enjoy:

• winter reading: flight

• fall reading: chunky books to dig into in november

• fall reading: a spooky october reading list

Thank you for reading! If you’d like more nudges to live seasonally, please subscribe to seasonal things.

Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase of any of the books linked in this post at no cost to you.