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The weather has finally changed to fall as we leave September and enter October. Time for the leaves to change, football games and apple picking. Plus, it’s a perfect time to read on the deck after dinner. I’m looking forward to reading few ghost story books in October. September was full of some great inspirational books, historical fiction and fiction.

Here’s what I read:

Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales

I listened to Deep Survival as an audiobook. The book was fascinating as it explored the science behind why some people survive worst-case scenarios and why some people don’t. No one can be full-proof for every situation, but this book gives great tips on how to increase your own personal odds of survival. I highly recommend this book!

This Is The Day, Shaken and Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow

I was part of the book launch team for This Is The Day by Tim Tebow, so I read his other books to learn more about his life. Through My Eyes tells his story up through the start of his NFL career. Shaken tells about him dealing with being cut from the NFL. This Is The Day is more inspirational, giving life tips for people wanting to follow their dreams.

From Islam to Christ by Derya Little

From Islam to Christ is written for anyone who is either searching for or has faith. Derya Little’s conversion story is quite remarkable – to go from a Muslim to an atheist to a Protestant and finally, a Catholic. It is not a journey that you hear about often in the faith. Her story covers her early years and how her family’s struggles caused her to doubt her faith. Then, as a young adult, she started making decisions based on a world without a God. Her life started down a new path when she became a Turkish tutor for an American living in Turkey.

A Light So Lovely: The Spiritual Legacy of Madeleine L’Engle by Sarah Arthur

The author, Sarah Arthur, is a fan of L’Engle’s. She heavily researched A Light So Lovely, looking through books and speeches and interviewing friends and relatives. She takes the reader through L’Engle’s life, but not necessarily chronologically. Instead, she looks at specific areas of L’Engle’s life and shows the legacy she left behind because of the life beliefs she had. The chapters are titled “Icon and Iconoclast” and “Truth and Story” and so on. My two favorite sections are when she explored L’Engle’s views of Faith and Science and Religion and Art. I found myself relating to L’Engle and how she saw how to supposedly conflicting thoughts could actually share space and both be believed in. I learned a lot about L’Engle and plan to read many more of her books after this. 

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

My daughter had to read Bronx Masquerade for school so I read it along with her. The book was about a group of high schoolers who start writing poems for Open Mic Fridays in English class. They each show who they truly are in their poems and start letting down the masks they wear. It led to some interesting discussions.

The Brave Art of Motherhood by Rachel Marie Martin

I was on the book launch team for The Brave Art of Motherhood. Rachel’s story is from the heart and can reach every mother to give her inspiration on her journey. It is one of the better motherhood inspirational books I’ve read. I now follow her on social media and I don’t do that often with these kind of books.

The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin

The Aviator’s Wife was the September Online Book Club book. I really love historical fiction and Melanie Benjamin’s books have been great so far. I was not disappointed with this book. To join the discussion, join the Online Book Club!

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer

I did some painting in September as we finished our basement, so I needed an audiobook to listen to while I painted. I’ve had The Chemist on my to-read list for a while, so when I saw it was available, I checked it out. It has a very interesting storyline full of twists! I really enjoyed listening to it – it kept me on my toes. 

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

I finally got around to reading The Happiness Project and found myself very inspired when I finished reading it. The author takes a year to improve 11 areas of her life in a search to be happier. She looks at attitude, finances, fitness and decluttering. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to do any self-improvement.

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli

This fascinating, short books breaks down seven key lessons of physics that apply to our lives and universe. While the topics can be very abstract, the author does a great job of describing them in ways any reader can grasp them. Anyone who loves science would like Seven Brief Lessons on Physics.

I Hear You by Michael S. Sorenson

Many times, people talk because they just want to be heard. In I Hear You, the author talks about the idea of validating someone when they talk to you to improve relationship both at home and at work. He even covers friendships and customer service. A simple, but powerful, idea is presented in this book!

The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

I love personality books and The Four Tendencies is the author’s observation on how people respond to expectations, both internal and external. Those responses put people in four general categories. She goes over the strengths and weaknesses of each one, but then how to use the weaknesses as strengths in order to meet expectations.

What did you read in September?

Share on the blog – I’m always looking for books to add to my to-read bookshelf!

C U R R E N T L Y

This post was shared on Anne In Residence’s Currently Linkup.