- Sep 1
- 13 min read

Ode to Autumn

Well hello September, I’ve been waiting for you!

So now that summer has faded, and we see the big yellow school buses passing by our streets we know the subtle fall crisp is in the air. The crickets are chirping, and gardens have yielded the last of their crops. Lawn mowers are being stored away and rakes are being brought out. What better time to fall into a good read?

Let’s talk about my fall reading list:

The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor. This book revolves around three sisters: Rachel, Margaret and Daisy McCrae. Daisy is the adopted sister who was abandoned by her mother some 30 years ago when she was 3 years old and left at the Union Bakery. She is taken in by the McCrae’s and brought up as their own in the town of Alexandria Virginia. Daisy flees to New York to begin her career in finance. But after her world of finance comes crashing down and is in ruins she must return home to Alexandria and her family’s Union Bakery business. She finds herself once again in the attic room above the shop starting over in the last place she wants to be. She discovers the bakery is barely holding on with more debts than revenue. She decides to take on this and other responsibilities to bring her family’s legacy back to the success it was years ago when it was opened by her family as well as her ancestors. She has to work with her sisters to make this happen. Oh and she shares her little attic room with a ghost named Susie and a not so friendly gentlemen ghost who lets her know he wants her to leave. After a patriarch in town leaves her a mysterious diary written by a slave girl named Sally, she along with her sisters begin to dig and unearth shattering secrets she can hardly bear. And who is Daisy’s birth mother? Why did she leave Daisy at the bakery 30 years ago? How could this all be connected? And to top it off her ex fiancé moves to Alexandria and opens a bike shop on the same street! Oh people it’s a good one.

Resurrection by Danielle Steel. This novel is quite interesting as it deals with another pandemic after the Covid-19 four years prior. Our main character is Darcy Gray. She has a husband Charles and 19-year-old twin girls. They are a family intertwined in the fashion industry across America, Asia and Europe. Darcy and Charles have grown apart with work, growing twins, travel deadlines etc… Darcy also writes a blog that takes up much of her time and energy. She is in for a shock when she decides to go to Rome to surprise her husband Charles on his business trip. She hopes that this surprise will rekindle their fading spark. This book touches on the devastating effects of another pandemic, a world shut down and too many losses. During a mandatory confinement in Paris Darcy licks her wounds and finds her true self. It’s an easy read with lively characters. I don’t want to give it all away. It’s available here at the library as a book or on audio.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles. This story goes back and forth from war torn France in 1918 to modern day 1987. Our characters Jessie ‘Kit’ Carson, a librarian at the New York Public Library goes to work for the American Committee for Devastated France. She aids in helping to rebuild the war torn towns in France while only being 40 miles from the frontlines. The task seems overwhelming and almost too much to bear. The looks on the people’s faces who have survived, the starving children and the hovels families have tried to turn into homes prove to her the enduring spirit of the human race. She establishes children’s libraries and bookmobiles. She knows if she can get books into their hands they can escape if only for a little while. After her efforts to help rebuild she disappears. Our second character Wendy Peterson, a librarian at New York Public Library works in the basement of the archives. She comes across an archive that holds letters written by the elusive librarian Jessie ‘Kit’ Carson. She becomes enthralled in her story and is determined to keep digging to find her fate. But what she may uncover are the things she has in common with Jessie Carson. They both discover in their own time the courage it takes to make a change. This book is quite fascinating.

The Touch by Colleen McCullough. This book is set in Scotland, America and Australia. Our main character Alexander Kinross is a born Scot who decided as a child to become someone. He left home early in life to become a boilermaker just as steam engines were starting to emerge. He worked as an apprentice developing skills and eventually running and owning his own golden empire. After traveling the world and accumulating more wealth than he thought possible he decides to take a wife. He writes to his relative to send over a cousin for him to marry. The cousin he had targeted was already spoken for so his relative sent him her much younger 16-year-old sister Elizabeth Drummond. Elizabeth gets one look at Alex and decides he looks just like the devil, with the dark eyes, pointed eyebrows and goatee. Her first opinion is total dislike but marry him she must. Alex gives her everything his money and riches can buy; jewelry, a new wardrobe of clothes and a mansion that sits overlooking the town of Kinross that bears his family name. But she is determined to never love him and only follow her duties as a wife. He doesn’t share much about his past or his present with her which includes his mistress Ruby. Elizabeth is also determined to hate Ruby the first time she meets her, but for some reason these two women are drawn to each other. How can a mistress and a wife become best friends? Will Elizabeth ever come to terms with her life and find the peace that eludes her for so many years? I cannot begin to share enough about this book. It is one of the most awesome novels I have read. She goes into so much depth with these characters that they jump off the pages. It’s a complicated world they are all trying to navigate and find their rightful place in. Remember the Midas touch? Well let’s just say Alexander Kinross has the Midas touch! Please don’t overlook this one. It’s an older book but I think you will love it.

For The Love of Summer by Susan Mallery. Our characters Erica, owner of Twisted, Seattle’s most successful salon and Allison, who is married to Erica’s ex-husband Peter who is pregnant with his second child. With and unexpected turn of events Peter lands himself in prison leaving his current wife with a toddler and a baby on the way. Their accounts are now frozen, Allison gets let go from her job and the landlord is selling their rental house. It seems all is lost until Erica’s daughter Summer steps in and asks her mom to take in her step-mom and her son Jackson. While Erica wants to say no she can’t help but feel bad for this woman’s plight. But can she actually open her home to a stranger especially the one married to her ex? I won’t give it all away but through this unconventional arrangement the women form a bond like no other. But what happens to Peter? And who is Killion? And Look out for Mara- she’s a feisty one! Oh folks this is a good one. I read it in record time.

Maria: a Novel of Maria Von Trapp by Michelle Moran. Ok so you have seen the Sound Of Music, right? This novel opens with Mr. Hammerstein in the 1950’s, who is working on the lyrics to the musical based on her life. He is interested in her background. That she was studying to become a nun and live quietly in Austria. But the mother superior sends her to care for a widowed baron’s sickly child. She is only supposed to be there on a trial basis for 10 months. But with a zippy turn of events, she finds herself with a marriage proposal. Maria loves to sing and teaches the children to use their voices to help them all escape the Nazis. Mr. Hammerstein is intrigued by all she endured and wants to portray this on stage. He however doesn’t want the story to just be about the war as so many are still recovering. So, in modern terms he decides to Hollywood it up for Broadway. But Maria inadvertently sees the script that is loosely based on her life and decides to take matters into her own hands. She demands a meeting with Hammerstein to set the record straight. But Hammerstein decides to hand her off to his assistant Fran. These two through many meetings begin to form a friendship. And as Maria unfolds her true story it will become the iconic “Sound of Music.” Doesn’t this sound good??

Collecting Confidence: Start Where You Are To Become The Person You Were Meant To Be by Kim Gravel. This book is the true story of former Miss Georgia and entrepreneur Kim Gravel. She shares her struggles with trying to be confident, beautiful, smart and perfect to an un-perfect world. She gives insight to her life and unwavering faith through the pages of her autobiography. She got knocked down countless times only to find she was right where she was meant to be. She’s a successful businesswoman, fashion designer, cosmetic developer, life coach, singer and pod cast host only to name a few of the hats she wears while always keeping it real and also keeping her faith. I loved this book and the inspiring story she weaves. I know I will find myself re-reading this one. It has given me so much perspective and offered ways I never knew on how to find myself and the guidance to navigate the big and small things. I knew I loved her on QVC, but there is so much more to this lady. Her book needs to be read ladies. Way to go Kim!

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. Do you remember the movie with Meryl Strep and Anne Hathaway? Small town girl Andrea Sachs is an aspiring young writer who is hoping to make it big by writing for the New Yorker. However, she takes a job as the new junior assistant to Miranda Priestly, the editor of Runway magazine. Runway is a fashion magazine and a far cry from Andrea’s dream job but apparently a job a million other people would die for. What will her job be exactly? To be Miranda’s beck and call girl. When Miranda snaps Andrea jumps. She fetches coffee, breakfast, special water with the exact amount of ice cubes, today’s newspapers and magazines. She is given every imaginable task no

matter how menial and all must be completed within a split-second window, or she hears the voice she dreads calling An-dre-ah! Miranda waits for nothing and no one and all tasks must be completed no matter how impossible. Andrea is to make it possible. She is exposed to all sides of the fashion industry, the good, the bad and definitely the ugly. Miranda is feared and revered, but can Andrea escape the clutches of her Devil boss and break free from the fashion prison to breathe again and focus on her own career? Who will get left behind in the wake of our Devil wearing Prada? There will be broken hearts people and plenty of drama. “That’s All” (Miranda’s signature phrase letting you know you have been dismissed and conversation has ended). I always loved the movie and still watch it when I can catch it.

The book gave me a whole new take. Pick this one up for a fun fall read!

Be on the lookout for Jenny Colgan’s new one, Close Knit. This story takes place on the northernmost part of Scotland. Our leading lady, Gertie McIntyre belongs to a knitting circle where the close-knit group of women feel right at home. Gertie ponders if there is more to life and takes an unexpected job as an air stewardess on the island’s little puddle-jumper plane. Follow Gertie and see if she finds her dreams among the friendly skies.

DVD Picks:

Love & Jane; Paging Mr. Darcy a Hallmark double-feature

If you love and are a fan of one of our most beloved author’s Jane Austen, you will so enjoy this double feature available here at the library. The movies follow the characters’ love of everything Jane Austen. Escape back in time to another era. I was both thrilled and enthralled with both these movies. Oh, my who doesn’t love Jane Austen?

These movies inspired me to check out a Jane Austen audio. So, my first choice Emma - she’s rich, single and content in her own life but can’t help interfering with the romantic lives of others she feels can benefit with a gentle nudge. So, she applies her matchmaking skills much to her father’s dismay. Everything seems to be going according to Emma’s plan, and she basks in the happy couples she is uniting. But soon her matchmaking plans go in an unexpected way. Listen to this witty clever and funny girl, she’s a delight.

We have a classic movie section in the main library, and I decided to start with a couple. I checked out Bringing up Baby with Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant. I also checked out Splendor in the Grass with Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty. My goodness what better time than fall to curl up with one of these classics? I see a large bowl of home-made hand turned popcorn and a cozy blanket in my future.

What am I listening to?

Elin Hilderbrand’s The Perfect Couple. This audio sets our scenes in New York and of course Nantucket. It revolves around the upcoming wedding of Benjamin and Celeste. We have a colorful cast of characters who all convene on the island to attend the proposed wedding. Benjamin hails from a successful couple from England while Celeste’s parents are the average middle-income Americans. The wedding is to take place during the 4 th of July weekend, which means the island is crawling with tourists. On the night of the rehearsal dinner however a tragedy strikes. Celeste’s best friend and bridesmaid Merritt is found dead on the beach. What mystery surrounds this girl from New York who came to Nantucket as part of the wedding party? Who would want her dead? Listen along as chief of police Ed Kapenash tries to sift through all the sand to bring her death to justice. This one has so many twists, secrets exposed and scandals that I don’t want to leave my car when I get to my destination. You got to listen to this one! It’s also available at the library in book form. Pick it up and give it a go.

Let’s do a fall craft:

Scarecrow Mason Jar Craft

You will need tan or beige color paint (you can use spray paint for this craft if you prefer)

1 clean and dry quart jar

1 lg piece cardboard

Paper towels

Buttons (2)

Orange felt or orange craft paint

Black felt tip permanent marker

Burlap Ribbon

Large artificial sunflower

Raffia (loose)

Directions

Lay your cardboard on the grass or a large craft table. Make sure your jar is clean and dry.

Paint the jar until completely covered with paint. Let dry completely.

Using hot glue or any bonding glue, add the buttons for eyes.

With the orange paint or felt make a nose in the shape of a triangle.

With the permanent marker make a mouth, make it a little crooked with small hash marks along to make it look like it’s stitched.

Take your burlap ribbon and carefully glue to the rim of the jar forming a base for a hat. After the glue is set, use more glue and attach the sunflower to the side of the burlap hat band.

Finish off by gluing strips of raffia inside the hat rim and along the underside of the hat for hair.

This craft really turns out so cute. We made it here at bookmobile for a summer program craft a few seasons ago and it was a big hit because you can use it year after year.

1. You can place a tea light in the bottom of the jar for a little Fall glow.

2. Use your completed scare-crow jar as a pencil holder on your desk.

3. Tuck him on a bench with other fall décor or use as a centerpiece.

4. Give it as a gift with the following:

(a) Mix candy corn with peanuts for a faux payday bar. Just fill a baggie with this mixture and tuck inside the jar for someone special.

I hope you enjoy this craft; it was one of our favorites.

Let’s go with a couple old school recipes for our back to school bunch!

Old School Cafeteria Pizza (recipe from The Good-hearted Woman)

Ingredients:

1 packet quick rise yeast ¼ ounce or 2 ¼ tsp

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup instant dry milk

3 tbls sugar

1 ½ tsps. Kosher salt

2 tbsl oil

2 ¼ cup hot water

Meaty Topping:

1 lb ground beef

½ pound mild Italian sausage (optional)

1 lg onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

1 cup water

8 ounces tomato paste

1 tbls brown sugar

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

Cheeses:

4 ounces American cheese grated

4 ounces medium cheddar cheese grated

4 ounces mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 475 Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper

Combine yeast, flour, dry milk, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl

Combine oil and warm water in a large measuring cup and then pour the liquid into the flour mixture and stir for about 5 minutes

(The dough will be thick, loose and very sticky)

Pour the dough mixture from the bowl onto prepared pan and spread evenly (set dough aside in a warm spot and let rest for 30 min)

Put the pizza dough pan in the oven and par-bake for 10 minutes or until the crust is set

Remove from the oven and set aside until pizza topping has cooled slightly.

Meaty Topping:

Prepare the pizza topping while the crust is resting

In a large skillet combine the chopped onion, garlic, sausage (if using), and ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat until browned and onion is soft. Add tomato paste, water, brown sugar, and dried herbs. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15-20 min. The mixture is done when it is no longer runny. Combine the 3 grated cheeses in a medium bowl.

Assemble Pizza:

Carefully spread the pizza topping over the par-baked crust, all the way to the edges. Top evenly with cheese blend. Return the pizza to the hot 475 degree oven and bake for 8-10 min until the cheeses are melted and the topping is heated. Allow the pizza to cool 5-10 minutes before cutting.

Amish Sugar Cookies (recipe from Taste of Home)

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup canola oil

1 cup sugar

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 lg eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, beat the butter, oil and sugars. Beat in the eggs until very well blended. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Drop by small tsps. onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 8-10 min. Remove to wire racks to cool.