September Roundup
Everything I've read and loved this month
Even though fall starts on September 1 in my house, yesterday was the first official day of fall and I’m SO happy. It was rainy and chilly (okay, it was 75 degrees but that feels much better than 85) and I lit a fall candle and put pumpkin creamer in my coffee and it was perfect. Bring on the sweater weather, please!
Fall also means my birthday is right around the corner (Sunday, to be exact) and I’m excited to eat some of my favorite food, make a trip to the bookstore, and just relax. I’m still staying mostly at home thanks to Delta, but I’m trying to make the most of this birthday because I just love birthdays so much. Do you like birthdays? What do you do to celebrate yours?
Okay, now for the books!
What I’m reading…
Under the Rainbow by Celia Laskey – I read this on the recommendation of Sara (@fictionmatters) and Hannah (@booknerdnative) and wow, I loved it. It deals with some heavy topics, but still feels fun and heartwarming. If you enjoy books about small towns, novels made of interconnected short stories, and quirky characters you really care about, put this on your TBR. For fans of One Two Three.
Bookshop | AmazonThe Last First Kiss by Walter Bennett – The romance novels I’ve read tend to feature characters in their 20s and 30s, but this story centers around Ace Sinclair and J’nelle Reade, high school sweethearts who are now in their 70s. During a long weekend in the Outer Banks, J’nelle visits Ace at his beach house where a hurricane is headed their way. Old feelings and distant memories come rushing back, causing them to reflect on their past and reconsider their future. I found myself invested in what would happen between these two and absorbed in their story. At just over 200 pages you can easily read this in an afternoon. For fans of The Royal Holiday and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand.
Bookshop | AmazonThe Heart Principle by Helen Hoang – THIS BOOK. I adored The Kiss Quotient and was sure nothing could live up to that reading experience but the third in Hoang’s series blew me away. It’s nuanced and complicated while still being heartwarming with plenty of steam, and I could not put it down. Will definitely be in my top 10 books of the year, and maybe one of my favorite romance books of all time. (There are quite a few hard subjects tackled so make sure to check them out before reading.) For fans of Talia Hibbert.
Bookshop | Amazon
Latest book purchases…
Since my birthday is Sunday, I’ve been keeping a list of books I want and slowly purchasing one or two to gift myself. Here’s what I’ve grabbed so far:
Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman – I absolutely loved The Rules of Magic so I had to get the next in the series to read this fall.
Bookshop | AmazonThe View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta – I keep hearing great things about this new release, and when I heard it recommended for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo I was sold.
Bookshop | Amazon
Others on my wish list: The Charm Offensive, The Love Hypothesis, and Heartstopper books #3 and #4.
Books on my preorder list…
I know I said I’d be keeping this section to my monthly Release Love edition BUT, if you haven’t heard by now, the many supply chain issues are impacting book production for the rest of the year. This means if you want a physical copy of an upcoming book, you need to get your preorders in now! These are some I absolutely cannot wait to have in my hands:
Podcasts I’m loving…
My podcast listening has been slow this month, mostly because I’ve been inhaling audiobooks. However, I absolutely loved episode #163 of the Feel Good Effect about establishing a fall morning routine. I’ve been trying to create some time for myself in the morning as a way to better transition into the day, and this was the perfect listen.
Do you have any podcast recs for me?
Things I’m loving…
My Birthdate birthday candle! One of my very favorite candle scents seems to be discontinued (Voluspa in NEED) and this comes VERY close to replicating it. (Get 10% off your Birthdate purchase using READWITHKAT10.)
Birthday week! I love my birthday and doing one small thing every day this week has helped make the celebration feel longer, especially since this year’s birthday looks much like last year’s (aka, a little lonely since I’m still stuck at home).
What I’m watching…
Modern Love Season 2 on Amazon Prime – This season was just as good as the first and gave me all the warm fuzzies. Plus the episodes are short (just under 30 minutes for most).
Jeopardy – Mike and I have watched this for years (we record it… nerd alert!) and love trying to answer the questions ourselves. Anyone else big Jeopardy fans?
Links I’m clicking…
Speaking of what to watch, I love this list of literary film and TV to stream in September.
I should probably take some of Book Riot’s advice…
Might need to add these to my bucket list for when I’m finally able to travel again!
What I listened to while writing this newsletter: the rain. And Salvage the Bones on audio.
What I ate while writing this newsletter: Sweetarts Ropes.
ICYMI…
Olive & June launched two new collections: their fall colors (which are so good, and back-to-school themed) and a collaboration with Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere (I’m currently wearing ES which is the perfect red). Use katharines20 for 20% off a mani set.
My bff Katie, formerly of @thebooklyclub and now of @shecoversbooks, went live to talk all things fall, and it was super fun. You can watch it on my IGTV if you missed it!
My September edition of Release Love went out on the 7th and there are SO MANY good books out this month.
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