Moms Vibe:
By Krystle J. Bailey
Summer reading lists tend to garner most of the hype as we lug the same book back and forth to the beach, pool, and birthday party with big plans to check a few titles off of our reading list. Kids’ required reading lists take priority as we hustle and bustle our way through the hottest months of the year, only to look up and see that September is already here.
Summer comes, and summer goes, and while some moms managed to find ways to squeeze in reading time, a lot of us are looking forward to a few moments of peace as the little ones head back into the classroom. Whether you find yourself with some extra free time this fall or plan to packing some reading in on your lunch break, allow this list of titles to inspire your fall reading.
Timeless classics
You can’t go wrong with a timeless classic, whether you’ve never gone back in time to see what the hype is all about or you’ve flipped through the same pages for years. There is something heartwarming and comforting about cozying up to the fireplace, wrapped in a blanket, with a classic tale in hand.
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The seven-book series written by fantasy novelist J.K. Rowling follows the adventures of young wizard Harry Potter and his friends as they navigate the world of witchcraft and wizardry at Hogwarts. The series is filled with awe-inspiring magic, a world of mystery, relatable and loveable characters, and deeply rooted friendships. Follow Harry and his friends, Hermione and Ron, as Harry’s struggle against Lord Voldemort intensifies with each passing school year.
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
In a similar fashion, The Lord of the Rings tells the epic story of Frodo Baggins, his friends, and their adventures across dangerous lands. The young hobbit who inherits a powerful ring from his uncle Bilbo faces unexpected enemies and allies, including orcs, elves, dwarves, wizards, and humans, on his quest to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom before Dark Lord Sauron gets ahold of it.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
This legendary classic novel, originally published in 1820, has been a literary masterpiece for generations. The story journeys into a haunted town in New York known as Sleepy Hollow, where Ichabod Crane, a lanky schoolteacher, is the new kid in town. His undying love for the beautiful, rich girl named Katrina Van Tassel leads him to his fate, though nobody knows exactly what happened to him following his encounter with a headless horseman. With only his hat and a smashed pumpkin left as clues, some people think he ran away, while others wonder if he was killed by the horseman.
All the feels
Fall is a time for rejuvenation and fresh starts. These titles will keep the warm fuzzy feelings flowing and help set your intentions through the rest of the year.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
This one is worth the re-read time and time again. Glennon Doyle encourages every woman to break free from the cages the world once put them in and learn how to live “untamed.” Doyle shares how she learned to trust her “inner knowing” and create her dream life where people-pleasing, suppressed emotions and traditional gender roles don’t exist. Through her captivating stories, Doyle inspires readers to reclaim their power and voice and start living for themselves, even if it means completely rewriting their stories.
The Joy of Less by Francine Jay
We all love a good Spring cleaning, but there is something to be said about the purging that comes with fall. Get rid of last year’s “stuff” and create an atmosphere of peace in your home with The Joy of Less. Francine Jay is the pioneer of the simple living movement, inspiring readers across the globe to tidy up with three simple steps that help cultivate a minimalist mindset. Her streamlined methods are easy to follow and work in any living space.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
Described as “uniquely charming” and “whimsical,” this feel-good fantasy romance novel is set in a magical world. The story follows Hart, a lonely Marshal responsible for patrolling the wilds of Tanria, and his penpal love affair with Mercy, a busy undertaker who runs her family business. Full of humor, love, and adventure, this book is perfect for a cozy fall read.
Local author 2023 releases
The Edge by James McCusker
Royal, the veteran male revue dancer, has spent years working in the mob-owned nightclub but is ready to move on to a less chaotic lifestyle off-stage. Throughout the story, he is faced with the delicate balance between the life he lives and the one he craves. Royal is a regular guy surrounded by the wrong people in a town where he is perpetually faced with a series of moral dilemmas. Readers are taken on a journey that will have them on “the edge” of their seats as they follow Ricky Royal’s thrilling adventures.
Mommy, There’s a Shark in the Pool by Anne and Lydia Dice
In this co-authored book, Anne and Lydia Dice tell their stories of Lydia’s debilitating childhood anxiety and their journey to healing. When seven-year-old Lydia expressed that she knew there wasn’t a shark in the pool, but her brain was telling her that there was, Anne threw herself into workshops and research to equip herself with the tools she knew her daughter would need. Combined with their Christian faith, Anne used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy to help Lydia retrain her brain and find peace in her life in the face of nearly debilitating anxiety.
Black Resilience by Braeden Anderson
Black Turtle Coffee and Kook Burger owner Braeden Anderson released his book Black Resilience in June of this year. In it, Anderson shares his stories and experiences as a young, Black man who immigrated to the United States from the metropolitan city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Based on his own story of childhood abuse, homelessness, and countless encounters with racism, Anderson shares how he paved his own road to success with a few replicable tools.
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
