10.19.2017

Rainy Day Books

The 'Big Dark' has descended upon my neck of the woods, in the Pacific Northwest, and I kind of love it. I am a homebody and love nothing more than to sit with a hot beverage, under a cozy blanket with a book - bonus points if it's on a Friday night! My mom can attest to the fact that I was basically a Linus growing up and constantly wrapping myself in a blanket - and reading, of course. Fall reading is the best time for reading - here's an article from Bustle to back up my hypothesis. 
Since I've covered summer reads and winter/holiday reads, I figure it's time to pull together a nice list of 'cozy up with a blanket while the leaves fall and rain patters the window' kind of read. To be honest, for a long time, I thought that seasonal reading was sort of ridiculous. A good book is a good book, no matter what time of the year. That definitely still holds true, but I think you can certainly elevate your reading experience with certain books. I read Still Life, Louise Penny's first novel in her Inspector Gamache series, during the summer last year. I enjoyed it, but can't help but think I would have enjoyed the atmosphere of Three Pines a little more if I had saved it for a rainy fall day.
My thought process on this list was something atmospheric, perhaps a mystery, but nothing terribly gruesome. Gillian Flynn is perfect dark and stormy night reading, but far from cozying up with your blankie...

Might as well start off with some Louise Penny and the aforementioned Still Life, which is a perfect 'not too gruesome' mystery vividly set in this small town full of whimsical characters.

In my mind, Kate Morton is the perfect author for a rainy day read. Her novels are so intricately plotted and immersive. The Lake House is her book I read most recently, but I'd also recommend The Forgotten Garden. Now that I think of it, I have yet to read The Secret Keeper and may do that soon...

The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater is a series that all readers should experience, and fall is the perfect time of year. In this story about boarding school boys on a secret mission and the girl that befriends them, the author's character development, setting a scene and a FEELING is unparalleled. The whole series is gorgeous, unique, magical and unforgettable. Plus, boarding school and a magical forest, that figures prominently in the books, screams autumn to me.

Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan is a delightful adventure mystery that begins in a dusty old bookshop and is reminiscent of an Indiana Jones caper. It's a fast read and under 300 pages - perfect for a one day sitting in a cozy chair.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters: Dickensian England, plots within plots, and a fantastic love story. Yes.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is one of my favorite classics and it is perfectly brooding, romantic on the rainy English moors kind of a read.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness has the perfect October vibe: witches, vampires, Oxford university in the fall, dusty caverns of the library. If you haven't read this one yet, you're in for a treat. I have yet to follow up with Shadow of Night or The Book of Life, but plan to eventually!

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is one that I always recommend and then bite my nails wondering how it will go over. It's a real love it or hate it kind of book, heavy on atmosphere and magic. But it's uniqueness and sublime love story just blew me away.

Technically I recommended The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield as a winter read. However it is so good, and equally delectable on a rainy day, that I had to add it to the list. It is a perfect Gothic mystery and another must read, if you haven't already.

I am now reading the first Harry Potter with my youngest and it continues to be a delight. Normally, we offer up reading these to the kids over the summer (we finished Goblet of Fire with my elder this year) but my daughter wasn't into it, so I didn't push. A couple of weeks ago, I suppose she heard more talk of Harry at school or something and asked if we could give it a go. YESSSSSSS. I had just purchased the Kazu Kibuishi set (if you don't know who that is, click here) and I am realizing how wonderful it is to read about the troll on Halloween leading up to the actual holiday. We might just move our summer tradition to the fall...

FYI, links above are to reviews I've written here or to Amazon affiliate links if they predate the blog!




9 comments:

  1. My great grandmother on her death bed said, "All of my children are boring! they just want to sit home and read!" It appears this trait descended through my family's lineage. Bookworms and homebodies unite! I need to start a dating app, "I like to be at home and not at bars where I can't hear people." :)

    Love this list!

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    1. This tidbit about your grandmother is AMAZING. Hahaha!

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    2. Hahahaha...if I wasn't married that's EXACTLY the kind of dating app I would want.

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  2. Wasn't Penumbra so fun?! I didn't love his latest quite as much.

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    1. I think I remember you saying that, which is why I kinda put it off! It looks super short, though, so I'll probably read it eventually - if only to satisfy my curiosity about the random subject matter of bread...

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  3. Is it The Discovery of Witches that is about a married couple named Matthew and Diana? That's mine and my husband's names and I am always amused when I see reference to that book (even though I've never read it).

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    1. Yes! Well, they're not married - at least by the first book. Not sure how it progresses, but signs point to yes :) You should TOTALLY read it!

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  4. You have to read Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper. I've read all her books and it has the best ending ever.

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    1. Her endings are the best! The Lake House was a little nuts, but I admire her ability to weave such intricate plots. I definitely plan to read The Secret Keeper 👍

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