I wrote in this post about what I’m doing to rejuvenate and renew my thinking and my priorities.

Another one of my plans for this year includes catching up on my TBR list–that’s To Be Read list in case anyone doesn’t know, although I can’t imagine anyone reading this blog doesn’t have a TBR list that stretches across county lines.

Like most book lovers, I buy books faster than I can read them, which is wonderful because there are always so many wonderful new books coming out. Not too long ago I realized that I had a Kindle full of also-wonderful books that kept getting pushed to the back of the line because I’d buy newer and newer books. I’m sure I’m not the only reader who reads my most recent purchases first since that’s the book that’s foremost in my mind.

Looking over the many amazing books I’ve bought but haven’t read yet, I’ve put a moratorium on my book buying until I can catch up on some of the great books that seemed to stay on my TBR list forever. Of course, I’m still keeping an eye out for interesting books. If something pops up that looks interesting, as one does nearly every day, I’m keeping a wish list so I’ll be ready to go.

I don’t expect the moratorium to last more than a month or two since, like most book addicts, I don’t think I’ll be able to avoid the temptation of a shiny new book for too long. But I’ve already caught up on a few books that have been hanging out on my Kindle for a while, and that’s a good feeling.

Here are a few of the good books I’ve been reading.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

I adore Brene Brown. I love the work that she does to help us all feel like it’s okay to be human beings and no one can be perfect all the time. I appreciate her point about how it’s better to live an authentic life.

That is what I’m striving for, and I always turn to Brene Brown when I need a kick in that direction. In this post I wrote a bit about how life never feels fulfilling when you do what you think you’re supposed to, and that idea came from Brown’s book. This was one of those books I had on my Kindle for a while and I’m glad I finally read it.

I also recently finished Rising Strong, also by Brene Brown, and also a book I had had on my Kindle for a bit. I loved both books. My only suggestion would be to leave some time between Brene Brown’s books since they do tend to focus on the same themes, which is only right since vulnerability is her area of research.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

I put this book down the first time I tried to read it. I remember it was 2019 because I was writing Down Salem Way. I was looking for examples of epistolary novels since Down Salem Way is an epistolary novel. Gilead wasn’t what I was looking for at the time since the pace can be kind of slow. I read a few pages, didn’t find it helpful for writing Down Salem Way, and I slid it back into its slot on my Kindle.

Once I decided to focus on books I already own, I gave Gilead a second chance. I’m so glad I did. I caught everything in my second reading that I missed in the first.

Yes, the book is slow going at first, and I wasn’t sure why I should care about the narrator, an elderly minister writing his life story for his young son, but as the narrator’s story came together I could see the magic that won this novel the Pulitzer Prize. If you find the story slow going at first as I did, stick with it. You’ll be glad you did.

Covered Wagon Women by Kenneth L. Holmes

While I’m fitting together the pieces of The Duchess of Idaho (no release date yet, sorry), I’m still doing research on what life was like during and after the Oregon Trail.

Covered Wagon Women is a book of primary sources, letters and diaries, written by women both on the trail and after they arrived at their western destinations. This book has been incredibly helpful as I’ve been searching for authentic voices from the era.

The Oregon Trail is a good era for primary sources since there are a number of letters and diaries that have survived.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Okay, yes, I’m rereading this book because I want to be ready when the ninth book in the series comes out in November, but the current eight Outlander books are so big that I think it will take me more than two months to read them all. And I’m not even including all the novellas and short stories that go along with the series.

I’m also rereading this first book because Outlander is a bit of an inspiration for The Duchess of Idaho since there is a time-travel element to Grace’s story. And that’s all I’m going to say on that subject.

Autumn is a Wonderful Time For Reading

Did I say how much I love autumn reading? With a cup of Earl Grey and maybe a nice biscuit or two. It’s even cooling down here in Las Vegas, and that’s saying something. Of course, I also love summer reading, spring reading, winter reading, any reading. As I’m sure you do too.