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What I Read & Loved in September 2025
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items Stories to Savor. A curated collection of books that filled my September — stories of creativity, courage, and connection. From French kitchens to Tudor courts, each one reminded me that reading (like wine) is best enjoyed slowly and shared generousl...
Sections
3
Standouts of the Month
4 Star Club
Stories of Resilience & Reinvention
Standouts of the Month
Powerful Stories That Stayed With Me. A trio of unforgettable reads that lingered long after I turned the final page — full of artistry, ambition, and transformation. These are the books I’ll be talking about long after September ends.
A lush, introspective novel about a woman reclaiming her creativity after loss. Steeds paints the inner life of her heroine with both precision and tenderness. Perfect for those who love Elena Ferrante or Claire Keegan.
The Artist and the Feast by Lucy Steeds
Historical fiction at its finest — an enslaved girl raised by a white family in the antebellum South grapples with identity, belonging, and love. Haunting and beautifully written.
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
A literary triumph that demands attention. Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell is cunning, brilliant, and surprisingly human. Dense but rewarding.
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
4 Star Club
Well-Written & Worth Reading. Books that blended beautiful prose with meaning and momentum — thoughtful, satisfying, and the perfect companions for a cozy evening in.
Part memoir, part masterclass in living graciously. Ina’s warmth radiates through every page, with reflections on risk-taking, friendship, and good food.
Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten
Bruno, my favorite French police chief, returns for another mystery in the Dordogne. Food, wine, and crime — the ultimate French comfort read.
The Crowded Grave by Martin Walker
An inspiring business read focused on heart-centered entrepreneurship. As someone in the retreat and wellness space, I found Dora’s approach affirming — it’s about connection, not conversion. I also have been on retreat with and taken workshops and c...
The Heart Sell: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs Seeking Financial Freedom by Dora Rankin
Stories of Resilience & Reinvention
Memoirs & Classics That Explore Becoming. These reads trace the courage it takes to step beyond what’s expected — whether rebuilding a dream in Paris or daring to live authentically in a world that resists change.
A timeless feminist classic that I admired more than I loved — but essential reading for understanding the roots of modern women’s fiction.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Memoir of building a cooking school in Paris, full of charm and challenges. It reads like a love letter to resilience (and beurre blanc).
The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time: A Memoir by Jane Bertch