While all the seasons have their own loveliness, I think there are many of us bookish types who agree that there is something extra special about autumn. We delight in cosy days, pulling on a woolly cardigan and curling up under a blanket, book in hand and a hot drink close by. Feeling a thrill on a rainy grey days of staying indoors and turning up the heater. Sigh. I just watched Darling Desi’s YouTube video about celebrating autumn (or fall) and she expressed it perfectly, saying that autumn is “a doorway to this season of falling leaves, wearing oversized sweaters, watching Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls over and over again, reading books…it’s magic”. I am on a different side of the world in Australia where the landscape is quite different to Rhode Island in the US where Desi lives (not jealous at all) but I still find the cooler days are such a welcome relief after the relentlessness of the summer heat. Rain has started falling and I look forward to the burnt landscape drinking it up, ready to turn green again.
I am also enjoying this autumn extra hard for a few reasons that are making it even more cosy and magical than ever. First, my family adopted two kittens and goodness they are wonderful. Fluffy, affectionate, playful and they love a snuggle on the couch while I’m reading or doing something crafty.
Second, I have rediscovered knitting (badly) while listening to audiobooks. It is the best way to spend an autumn day. If you have ever considered trying knitting, I highly recommend it. I am quite likely the worst knitter ever but I persevere because I love it so much. There are many helpful YouTube videos to get you started, I especially like the ones by Sheep & Stitch with very simple and clear instructions for absolute beginners. Petite Knit also has some beautiful patterns for when you get the hang of making something you might like to wear.
Finally, another activity that has made the season for me has been binge watching Monk on Netflix. I know Monk is a TV show, not a book, but its predictable formula every episode is comforting and easy to watch. Something about it feels cosy and familiar and I love it!
But let’s get back to the topic of what I’ve been reading this autumn.
What I’m Reading
The books I’m sharing today are quite varied – a contemporary, cosy mystery, mystery/thriller and one about friendship. A couple are recent releases and some are older but they are all books I’d recommend.
Here we go, in no particular order:
Darling Girls, Sally Hepworth (2024)
Darling Girls is the fifth book I’ve read by Sally Hepworth and she knocked it out of the park once again. Hepworth’s books are generally a variation of domestic suspense and contemporary fiction, some more on the mystery side than others. What I love about them is that the mystery is always brilliant but so are the characters, and Darling Girls does not disappoint. This would be a fantastic read for the suspense element alone but the addition of in-depth, realistic and engaging characters their relationships to one another brings it to a whole new level. The story is told from multiple viewpoints (which admittedly does get a little confusing) and begins in the current day as adopted sisters Jessica, Norah and Alicia are contacted by the police regarding a body found under their childhood foster home. The story then flows between their childhood memories and the present day as they reveal the truth of what happened to them to the police and to themselves. Some of its success is that Jessica, Norah and Alicia are such distinct characters that fit so well together. My favourite is Norah, the feisty sister with some anger management issues and a quick wit, she is very entertaining. The story also perfectly captures the manipulation of a narcissist and shows the long lasting effects of living in such a relationship.
I give this one 5 stars for the story, protagonists and small town setting. A fantastic read.
Image by Claire Tuohy.
Summer Sisters, Judy Blume (1998)
Reading a book called Summer Sisters in autumn is an unusual choice, I know. But Judy Blume’s books were a significant feature in my formative years so when I came across this audiobook on Libby, I was filled with nostalgic memories and I couldn’t resist revisiting the favourite author of my teenage self. Summer Sisters follows the relationship between Victoria (Vix) and Caitlyn, who spend every summer together when they are kids at Caitlyn’s family Martha’s Vinyard home. Their friendship is complicated and evolves over the years, spanning from 1977 to the early 1990s. I need to be honest and say I was underwhelmed by the storyline, which centres largely around their early years and I think I’m too far past my teens to dwell in a teenage girl friendship. However, the plot gained traction as they grew older and I loved getting to know Vix and her family, particularly the complicated relationship between her and her mother. The friendship gave me Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah vibes, with one character being the calm, level-headed friend and the other the more adventurous but selfish one. As with all her novels, Judy Blume never shies away from the difficult and painful parts of relationships and in Summer Sisters these aspects are what makes the story. I recommend this to readers who enjoy books that are highly character driven – or those who remember reading Judy Blume many moons ago and are keen to re-visit her work!
Image is a screenshot from the Libby app.
Agatha Raisin – Devil’s Delight, M.C Beaton (and R.W Green) (2022)
I’m a long-time fan of the Agatha Raisin series and did not know until I picked up this book that M.C Beaton sadly passed away in 2019. Devil’s Delight is the 33rd book in the series but the first to be written by R.W Green. I am pleased to say that Green a stellar job! I genuinely could not tell the difference in the tone, characters or quality in the story from those written by Beaton – Green captured it all perfectly. In case you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading this series, protagonist Agatha Raisin is a retired business owner who moved to the Cotswolds in the first book in the series and now runs a successful private investigation firm in her small village. Agatha is the best character, strong willed with a fiery temper and a knack for finding trouble. Her mystery solving adventures take her through the wonderful Cotswold villages and include many colourful characters (some of whom are Agatha’s love interests). This type of mystery is for who-dun-it fans who enjoy the people in the story as much as solving the clues and even more so if you love a small village English setting. I can’t think of a more cosy autumn read than an Agatha Raisin book.
Image by Claire Tuohy.
What Happened to Nina? Dervla Tiernan (2024)
My thoughts on What Happened to Nina? may be somewhat controversial, I’m not sure. The first thing I have to say is that it is a gripping, engaging read with a brilliant plot. I completely get the hype around it and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see where this thriller would go. We learn early on that Nina has disappeared and that she was last seen by her long-time boyfriend, Simon. We also find out exactly what happened to Nina within the first few chapters, which was an interesting twist for a thriller. Much of the story shifts to how Nina and Simon’s families handle the truth of what happened and what their parents will do to protect their children. Like I say, it’s an excellent book.
However, I have some serious issues with this book and others like it. Ultimately (and without giving away any spoilers), this was a book about men’s violence toward women and creating a juicy story about where this predatory behaviour can lead. Of course, there are thousands of books in the crime/mystery/thriller genre that capitalise on a murder or other heinous act and these are incredibly popular. I enjoy some of these books, so it took some time for me to unpack what made me so uncomfortable about this one.
When I compare it to other books that use men’s violence in the plot, such as The Dry by Jane Harper or Sally Hepworth’s The Younger Wife, I feel that these books are rich with diverse and complex characters, all with their own intricate stories. The mystery element in these titles is excellent, but the books could also be enjoyed just for the characters and their own stories. This is not the case with What Happened to Nina?, which is almost entirely plot driven around unpacking how a young woman was victim to a violent man. I think this makes it a less satisfying read but more than that, it feels like it’s making a horrific crime into entertainment.
I imagine some people reading this thinking, honestly, it’s a book! Can’t we just read for the enjoyment of it? The same way we don’t expect romance books to be an accurate portrayal of relationships, mystery books can be escapism too. And sure, maybe. I can’t argue with that being anyone’s perception. But with around 47 000 women are dying at the hands of their partner worldwide each year, I feel very uncomfortable reading about it for a light hearted book. Nina’s story was devastating and I wanted more accountability and acknowledgement of how terrible it was and the appropriate outrage over this happening to yet another young woman.
Phew, that was a lot! I would be interested in talking about this with others who have read What Happened to Nina? and hearing your thoughts about it, even if you disagree with me! Please comment below if you have any thoughts to share.
Image by Claire Tuohy.
So this is what I’ve been reading this autumn so far. My TBR is growing and I am thrilled to have many more cooler months ahead to enjoy them all. Excuse me now while I go and make yet another cup of tea and bask in this rainy day.
See you next time!
