Oh girls, have you noticed how certain books just feel RIGHT for specific seasons? We’ve been chatting about this phenomenon lately, and we’re convinced that matching our reading choices to the seasons—both natural and personal—has completely transformed our reading experiences!
Remember when we used to grab whatever book was on sale at the airport before vacation? (And inevitably ended up reading something totally inappropriate for a beach setting, like that Russian historical tragedy that had us sobbing into our margaritas? Susan still hasn’t lived that one down!) Well, we’ve gotten much more intentional about our reading choices, and it’s been absolutely GAME-CHANGING.
There’s something undeniably magical about reading a cozy mystery during the first snowfall of the year, curled up with a blanket and hot chocolate. Or devouring a sweeping historical romance during spring when everything feels possible again. Our reading experience is heightened when the world inside our books resonates with the world around us.
But we’re not just talking about matching books to the calendar seasons (though that’s delightful too!). We’ve discovered the joy of matching books to the seasons of our LIVES as well:
- For those weeks when work is absolutely INSANE, we reach for light, comforting reads that don’t demand too much emotional labor.
- When we’re feeling stuck or in a rut, we dive into inspirational memoirs from women who’ve overcome obstacles (Michelle Obama and Glennon Doyle have gotten us through some TOUGH times!).
- During vacation, we indulge in those thick historical novels or literary fiction that require more dedicated attention than our normal scattered lives allow.
- And during personal milestones—kids leaving for college, career changes, milestone birthdays (hello, fabulous 40s!)—we’ve found comfort in books that remind us we’re not alone in these transitions.
Our personal reading seasons don’t always align with each other’s, of course. Jennifer has been on a “grief literature” kick since losing her mom last year, while Maria can’t handle anything too heavy right now with everything going on with her teenagers. And that’s perfectly okay! The beauty of seasonal reading is that it’s deeply personal.
We’ve also discovered that being deliberate about our reading choices doesn’t mean being rigid. Sometimes that summer beach read just doesn’t hit right, and we find ourselves craving something with more substance. We’ve learned to listen to those instincts rather than forcing ourselves through books that don’t match our current emotional landscape.
Our bookshelves have become organized not just by genre but by mood and season. “Winter comfort reads” occupy their own special section, as do “books for when you’re questioning everything about your life” (a surprisingly well-stocked shelf for all of us!).
There’s a certain mindfulness to this approach—a recognition that reading isn’t just about checking titles off a list but about finding the right stories at the right time. In our busy lives, where we’re constantly responding to everyone else’s needs, choosing books that truly resonate with our current season feels like a radical act of self-care.
So, dear friends, we’re curious—do you match your books to your seasons? What are your go-to summer reads? Your cozy winter companions? The books you turn to when life gets messy? We’d love to add your recommendations to our seasonal collections!