September is quickly coming to an end (can you believe it?!). The leaves are turning beautiful shades of red and orange, children everywhere are eyeballs deep in homework, the nights are downright cold. Summer is going, going, gone.
 
Luckily, Autumn is my (and so many other’s) favorite time of year. Although I may not have any pencils to sharpen or notebooks to ready for classes, I do have a list of books that I can’t wait to dive into. The dark, chilly evenings are a great excuse to curl up with something inspiring, thought provoking or downright scary. Here’s what I’m reading this fall.
 


 
1. Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin
 
You may be familiar with Rubin’s last book, “The Happiness Project” (it only sold about a bajillion copies). Her newest one is all about making your home a happier place. In it, Rubin explores posessions, marriage, parenthood and time in relation to the home. Although Rubin can be a tad too methodical in her quest for happiness, she manages to hit on some important revelations when it comes to being a more contented (I like that better than “happier”) human being. As she rightly notes, “It’s enormously helpful, and surprisingly difficult, to grasp the obvious.” That it is, Gretchen. That it is.
 
 
2. Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
 
I read the last piece in this book–“Goodbye to all That”–a few years ago in a writing class and it remains one of my very favorite personal essays. Ever. I picked up the entire collection a couple of weeks ago and can’t wait to dive into the laser sharp, pitch perfect world of Didion’s words, curled up with a cup of coffee and a healthy does of envy. Serious writing crush material right here, folks.
 
 
3. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
 
Aspirations and intentions are all good and well. But it’s the procession of our tiny daily activities that really count when it comes to success. Habits shape our lives and determine who and what we will become, so it makes sense that we should play an active role in choosing them. In his book, Duhigg explores what habits are, why they exist and how we can modify them. He dissects the patterns of Michael Phelps and Martin Luther King Jr., drawing a definitive link between daily habits and greatness. The takeaway: “Habits aren’t destiny.” We can change them. And we should.
 
 
4. The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
 
There are, oh, only several million of us waiting with bated breath for J.K. Rowling’s first foray into adult literature. Are you one of them? Only six more days until we get a look at the non-wizarding town of Pagford and its warring inhabitants. One thing’s for sure: her timing is brilliant. Harry Potter-philes are all grown up and ripe for something mature.
 
 
5. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
 
My husband loved this book and it’s been on my must-read list for over a year. Now that a fantastic looking movie version is on its way (check out the trailer here), I need to get cracking, pronto. Described by many as a puzzle in book form, “Cloud Atlas” weaves together six stories from varying time periods and genres, ultimately uniting them in a universal theme.
 
 
6. Watership Down by Richard Adams
 
I’ve never read this classic tale about a band of rabbits fleeing the destruction of their home. I have to admit, I’m mostly reading it out of curiosity. Talking rabbits? How can that be anything but silly? The many five star ratings on Good Reads say otherwise so, okay bunnies, I’ll bite.
 
 
7. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
 
October deserves a spooky book. I’m opting for this classic 19th century detective story about, you guessed it, a woman in white. Other spooky ingredients, according to Amazon: “secrets, mistaken identities, surprise revelations, amnesia, locked rooms and locked asylums, and an unorthodox villain.” Did I mention it’s considered one of the greatest mysteries of all time? Sounds good to me!
 
 
What’s on your fall reading list? Any new releases you’re anxiously awaiting or good old classics you’re planning to give a go? I’d love to hear your picks.
 
And stay tuned. I’ve got a cool giveaway coming up next week. Check back  on Monday for details!