Ryanne Molinari

My reading tastes tend to follow a loose annual cycle. If you’re looking to structure your reading, perhaps this will be of interest to you.

• January: It’s always nice to start the year with ambition. I like to begin (or continue) a lengthy classic. This year it was Les Miserablés.
• February: February is the worst month. It requires something cozy and light-hearted to alleviate seasonal depression. This year, I delighted in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower—all eight of them!
• March: This month features a continuation of cozy reading, but turning toward literary fiction as spring draws nigh. Cold Mountain is a good choice, though I admit I actually read it in December. The Dearly Beloved was this year’s pick.
• April: April is for Jane Austen or, at least, Austen-adjacent novels. Having read all of Austen’s novels (most several times), I picked up The Other Bennet Sister and found it predictable but absolutely lovely all the same.
• May: As summer begins, I find that I crave tales of robots and first contact and other worlds. Previously, I’ve opted for an array of books like Contact or That Hideous Strength or I, Robot.
• June: My science-fiction taste turns speculative as summer progresses, often leading me back to Ray Bradbury’s short stories or dystopian fiction like Brave New World.
• July: The heat and sunshine of late summer point me westward. Lonesome Dove is enthralling, and True Grit is sheer fun. Really, any work of American fiction is usually a hit this time of year. I cannot recommend Andersonville enough, and I was captivated by East of Eden this year.
• August: Perhaps it is because everyone is preparing to go back to school, but August seems to require a return to my favorite children’s literature. This year, I reread all of the Harry Potter books. I also recommend the original Mysterious Benedict Society trilogy, though I refuse to accept the newest addition as canon because it was annoying. If I am not in the mood for children’s literature, a memoir like The Midwife is also a good option.
• September: As the season turns gloomy, so does my reading. Stories by Daphne Du Maurier or any of the three Brontë sisters are perfect for foggy, early-fall mornings. Rebecca, Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights are, of course, the clotted cream of the crop. Last year, I enjoyed Agnes Grey, and I am currently savoring My Cousin Rachel.
• October: Spooky season requires Agatha Christie mysteries. Fortunately, she wrote so many that I have yet to repeat any, despite having full shelves of them in my library. Dorothy Sayers’ novels are also a go-to, and I never tire of Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane. If you have not read it yet, I hereby command you to go procure a copy of Gaudy Night. You can thank me later.
• November: I usually continue to read mysteries throughout November. Most years, Billy and I visit his mom in Michigan for Thanksgiving, which means a visit to Baker Book House and an enormous haul of Christian books. I am always reading at least one Christian nonfiction book, so I’ll list a few recent favorites here: The Lord of Psalm 23, Precious Remedies for Satan’s Devices, and The Way of Repentance.
• December: Christmastime always seems best accompanied by Charles Dickens or a similarly hefty classic, ideally taking place in a chilly climate. Last year I enjoyed War and Peace. If Dickens intimidates you, try starting with his Christmas stories, which are whimsical, thought-provoking, and can be read in an evening.

Does your reading follow any sort of pattern? Let me know and feel free to share your recommendations. Happy reading!