That might be a slightly premature heading for a post, but I must confess that when I get to the start of September every year and am contemplating the return to work after the long summer break, autumn does seem just on the horizon – which is not necessarily a bad thing, as it *is* one of my favourite seasons. And let’s face it, the summer weather in the UK hasn’t exactly been brilliant…
I’m not sure that I actually got as much reading done over the summer as I usually do; partly because I was embroiled in “War and Peace” for so long, which did give me a bit of a book hangover. I seem to have found it difficult to focus of late, and as there are limited challenges I’ve set myself this year I’m not always sure what I want to read next. Hence, I suppose, the regular lapses into classic crime!
I had planned a summer re-read of these lovelies, but that didn’t happen. Nevertheless, rethinking things I can see that autumn would perhaps be a nice time to hunker down under a blanket as the evenings become darker and chillier, and get lost in such a big saga. Apart from that, what else is lined up?
Well – poetry, I hope, as I really have let my poetry reading slip and I have so many lovely volumes that I MUST TRAIN MYSELF TO DIP INTO MORE rather than just trying to read them all the way through. Then there’s Pessoa, who again I need to dip into.
Some potential autumn reads..
I have a number of review books lurking for when the moment is right, and there will be the Virago monthly reads which I may join in with if the author appeals, as well as a group guided read of “Agnes Grey”. And on the subject of Virago authors, I really want to read more of the marvellous Margaret Atwood (and perhaps revisit some favourites).
Also coming up in October will be the next of the ‘Club’ reads, hosted by Simon at Stuck in a Book and myself. This time we’ll be looking at 1968 and I have a really surprising number of books lurking for that year, after worrying that there wouldn’t be much that took my fancy.
So lots of autumn treats to look forward to – there *will* be classic crime, there *will* be Russians, but what else – well, that remains to be seen! What plans have you got for autumn reading? And have you any thoughts about any of my possible reading pile or any recommendations??
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Sep 01, 2017 @ 08:04:08
I’m not a big one for structured reading plans either. A little like you, I tend to have some ideas or particular writers in mind but prefer to keep things flexible depending on my mood at the time.
The Hog’s Back Mystery seems to be a favourite amongst BLCC readers, so you’re sure to enjoy that – it could be a good one for the autumn.
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:35:55
Yes, following the mood is definitely the way to go – I’ve learned I can’t do forced reading. Hog’s Back certainly does come highly recommended doesn’t it – I may try to pick it up soon!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 08:36:20
Happy reading! and thanks for the hint about 1968 – just been looking online to see what I might read and have a couple of ideas – I’ve love these year clubs, the only things I even join in.
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:35:11
They’re great fun, I think, because choosing a whole year gives us plenty of options reading-wise so everyone can find a book that suits them. A brilliant idea of Simon’s!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 08:59:16
I’ve got the Ginzburg as well. Would be fun if we read it close together.
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:34:24
Yes! I’m not honestly sure when I will get to it, but I like the sound of it a lot!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 11:34:35
Could I have the link for the ‘Agnes Grey’ reading – I’ve almost finished listening to it – I find AG a frightful prig – but would be v. interested to be persuaded otherwise.
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:33:44
Indeed you can – it’s part of the Virago Group Chronological Read and you can find it here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/268558
Sep 01, 2017 @ 23:57:08
Many thanks for the link, Peter
Sep 02, 2017 @ 13:48:28
Very welcome!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 12:01:38
I spy The Hog’s Back Mystery which I just read and enjoyed. Tolkein is someone I never got into despite virtually all my college friends devouring him.
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:32:57
Yes, I saw you liked it, and I’ve read several good reviews. I haven’t read Tolkien for decades although I used to be totally obsessed. It will be interesting to see how I get on with a re-read!
Sep 03, 2017 @ 16:59:45
theres always a risk isn’t there that something much loved in the past loses its appeal as you get older/wiser – and then that means you’ve lost the golden memory too
Sep 03, 2017 @ 19:05:57
Definitely – revisiting can be such a double edges sword. Fortunately, most of my re-reads have been successful….
Sep 01, 2017 @ 12:22:27
Some lovely reads lined up for you there! My reading also took a bit of a dip in recent months & I’m not sure why. I think you’re right, autumn nights will see me back on track!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:32:10
I must admit I’m not a fan of summer usually – nice crisp autumn nights and woolly jumpers and good books, that’s what I need!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 13:20:32
I’ll be looking forward to your review of The Hog because I’ve been so disappointed by the BLCC so far that I’m still waiting for a really good one to pop up. Persuasion is a perfect Autumn read, but I should keep Silas Marner for the Christmas break. I’m a desperate romantic !
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:31:29
That’s a shame – I haven’t actively disliked a BLCC although some have been less substantial than others. Anthony Berkeley, in particular, was a joy, and I’ve liked all the John Bude and George Bellairs titles! Yes, Persuasion is calling – I haven’t read it for so long!!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 14:17:48
Gosh, 1968 Club is coming up fast! I must start preparing – though need to unpack in my new flat first…
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:30:28
It is – not for some weeks but I want to plan ahead a little. Hope you get the books installed safely – always a traumatic part of moving, making sure the books are ok!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 17:38:52
I am looking forward to the 1968 club, I’m sure I had something set aside and now I have forgotten what it was. I have also put some books aside which might suit me in September. Golden age mysteries are likely to feature as well as Nina Bawden the LT Virago group’s author for the month.
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:29:30
I have a whole pile set aside, some of which I’ve already read – I didn’t expect to actually own so many books from the year! The hardest bit will be choosing. Yes, Golden Age crime is always good. I will probably sit out the Bawden read but I am determined to try and join in with Agnes Grey!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:50:52
Hello there!
I think that poetry deserves some attention. I’m also not as big a poetry reader as I’d like to be, but if I do read poetry I always feel very philosophical afterwards. So I’m going to try reading one poem per day before bed 😊 I have plenty to choose from, from Pushkin and Pasternak to Robert Burns and Rumi 😊 Happy reading!
Sep 01, 2017 @ 18:51:48
That’s a good plan! I may try to adopt that… especially since I have a whole poetry shelf to get through!! :))
Sep 01, 2017 @ 19:34:54
Great! I took out Rumi for tonight 😄
Sep 01, 2017 @ 22:13:16
Excellent!
Sep 02, 2017 @ 13:08:02
You’ve got a lovely selection of books there. I can read Tolkien at any time of the year. Ditto Jane Austen. Silas Marner is wonderful, and I always enjoy Agnes Grey, even if our heroine is irritatingly self-righteous at times!. I’ve just bought The Hog’s Back Mysteries (I’ve developed bit of a passion for the British Library Crime Classics), and I really, really want The Farm in the Green Valley – I’ve read such good things about it. And do I see a Christa Wolf lurking in one of those photos? Which one is it? I love her novels, but hardly anyone seems to have heard of her these days.
Sep 02, 2017 @ 13:29:29
They’re not a bad bunch, are they? Some lovely books and I don’t actually know what to choose. And yes, there is a Christa Wolf there – that’s some of my 1968 books, and it’s The Quest for Christa T which I read and loved previously. I don’t know that I’ll necessarily revisit it but I do have several other of her books (and she still gets attention on the Virago group at times!)
Sep 02, 2017 @ 20:24:27
Sappho of Lesbos, she surely should be on your list!
Sep 03, 2017 @ 13:52:23
I certainly have a volume of Sappho somewhere – like so many of my books, it’s a case of working out exactly where they are in the house….
Sep 03, 2017 @ 03:28:47
I just read The Farm in the Green Mountains and loved it. I hope you will, too.
Sep 03, 2017 @ 13:51:35
It sounds appealing, I must say!
Sep 03, 2017 @ 22:39:47
What a wonderful stack of books for fall! I have read about a new translation of Pessoa so he is on my list now. (Not on my shelf for quite a while, though.)
Sep 04, 2017 @ 13:49:59
Yes, I must admit I keep thinking I should search out the new, apparently complete Pessoa. If only I didn’t have so many books already….
Sep 06, 2017 @ 16:35:46
My reading has taken a dip, too, which I blame on work events,as well as those at home and work, and long for the routine and quiet of autumn and winter. My reading plan is to clear the decks of the many books I currently have on the go, and also to finish any books I was given last Christmas, so I can make a new festive book wish list with a clear conscience 😉
Sep 06, 2017 @ 20:01:56
Sounds like a plan! I’m longing for long quiet nights of reading!
Sep 08, 2017 @ 15:31:31
Having gotten a little sidetracked over the later spring and summer with a library reading list, I’m moving back into more deliberate reading of my reading porjects for the year, Mazo de la Roche’s classic Jalna series and Louise Erdrich’s book, both of which have at least 16 in their lists, so perhaps a little more than comfortably fits into a single reading year (with other reading alongside, as there always IS other reading, isn’t there) and the usual short stories and various pet themes.
More seasonally speaking, I’ve just started to reread Charles Palliser’s The Quincunx, which I got stuck in some other autumn, so I’m giving it another go and quite enjoying it on cool, dark evenings, and will be pleased to read beyond my original marker and finally see how it all plays out.
As for your stacks, I’m curious about all the little slips of paper – are they review copies, or do you have another means of note-taking there? I’ll be keen to hear about whatever you choose to read, but admit to being especially curious about which Atwood you might next turn to, as I have enjoyed your rediscovery of her immensely!
Sep 08, 2017 @ 15:48:36
I get sidetracked with books all the time but I’m learning to live with it! As for the papers, some of them are with review books, some of them are receipts and some of them are bookmarks! Notes are usually in the form of a post it with scribbles, unless it’s a book that’s generating a lot of thoughts in which case I scribble on the pad in the back of my trust Webster’s Pages Travellers Notebook, or type them into a document. I do hope to get to an Atwood soon – we shall see!