What I’m Currently Reading

Something about autumn completely changes the way I read. Maybe it’s the chill in the air, or maybe it’s that warm-drink-in-hand energy that just begs for a good story. Either way, this time of year always pushes me to slow down and sink into books again.

I’ve been reading a little bit of everything lately — soft, magical, nostalgic, and spooky. It’s a weird mix, but it fits me perfectly. I never stick to just one book at a time (my attention span could never), so I like having options depending on my mood.

Right now, I’m finishing My Neighbor Totoro: The Novel, in the middle of The Witch’s Heart and City of Bones, and about to start Another to match the season. So here’s what’s currently keeping me company during these cozy, slightly chilly days.

My Neighbor Totoro: The Novel

I’m almost done with Totoro, and… It’s adorable. It’s got all the charm of the movie, but reading it gives me a different kind of calm. You get to linger in those quiet, everyday moments — the sound of the wind, the smell of the forest, the small magic of seeing something ordinary through a child’s eyes.

It’s the kind of story that makes you smile inside. That gentle pace feels extra special when the world outside is all rush and noise. I’ve been reading it first thing in the morning, still wrapped in my blanket, sometimes before I’ve even had my tea. It’s soft and simple, but it sets the tone for the whole day — calm, cozy, and a little whimsical.

There’s a childlike wonder to it that’s really comforting as an adult. Like, “hey, life doesn’t have to be huge or perfect to be meaningful.” Sometimes it’s enough to notice the sunlight through the window or the sound of rain on the roof.

The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

Now this one’s a change of pace. I’ve always loved mythology — especially Norse myths — and The Witch’s Heart retells them from Angrboda’s point of view, which I find fascinating.

It’s slow, emotional, and beautifully written. It holds a quiet strength, the kind that feels like a tale whispered beside a fire. It doesn’t rush… it lets the characters breathe. It’s tragic in places, but in that “this still matters” way.

Honestly, I think part of why I’m loving it so much is because it connects with my God of War obsession. I know, they’re completely different tones, but both feed my love of mythology. Reading it while the trees are turning orange outside just fits. I’ve been curling up with it in the afternoons, usually with tea and a candle lit, and it’s been the perfect fall companion.

It’s one of those stories that makes you think about identity, strength, and how we rebuild ourselves after being burned (sometimes literally, in her case).

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Ah, this one’s a throwback. I first read it years ago — peak teenage fantasy era — and recently I felt that urge to go back. I think autumn does that to me; it makes me nostalgic for simpler times, when staying up until 3 a.m. reading felt like rebellion.

Rereading City of Bones is like putting on an old sweater. It’s dramatic, a little over the top, but in a way that’s so familiar and fun. The dialogue still makes me grin, the worldbuilding still pulls me in, and I love realizing how different parts of it hit me now that I’m older.

There’s something comforting about revisiting a story you used to love. You see how you’ve changed, but you also get that tiny spark of “oh, I remember this feeling.” It’s like gaming nostalgia — when you replay something you loved years ago and suddenly remember exactly where you were the first time you played it.

I usually pick this one up in the evenings when I want something that doesn’t demand too much thinking. It’s fun, dramatic, and full of adventure… the perfect way to unwind before bed.

Another by Yukito Ayatsuji

Since it’s spooky season, I needed at least one book that would give me goosebumps. Another has been on a shelf for ages, and I finally decided October is the time.

I haven’t started it yet, but I already know it’s going to creep me out in the best way. It’s about a cursed classroom, mysterious deaths, and a girl who may or may not exist. Basically, all the eerie things that make me read with the lights on.

I love horror that’s more atmospheric than gory. Stories that slowly build tension instead of jumping out at you. And from what I’ve heard, Another is exactly that kind of haunting. I’ll probably start it one weekend evening when it’s raining outside and I’m feeling brave (or foolish).

My Reading Rhythm

Reading has become such a grounding part of my day. I start the morning with something light, like Totoro, and end it with something immersive, like City of Bones. If I have time during the day, I’ll read a few pages of The Witch’s Heart or whatever my current “serious” read is.

And soon, I’ll have Another waiting for my spookier moods. I love having books that match different vibes — soft mornings, mythic afternoons, moody nights. It keeps reading from feeling like a task.

Some days I only read a few pages. Other days I’ll look up and realize two hours have vanished. Either way, it always feels worth it. Reading, for me, isn’t about finishing books fast — it’s about creating small moments of calm throughout the day.

The Stack That Feels Like Me

Looking at my current stack makes me smile because it kind of sums me up. Whimsical, curious, a bit nostalgic, a bit spooky. Some stories I read slowly to savor; others I speed through because I can’t help it.

Autumn is the perfect excuse to sink deeper into these worlds, to read just for the feeling of it. The coziness, the imagination, the quiet moments between paragraphs.

So that’s where I’m at right now: sipping tea, surrounded by blankets, with my ereader balanced somewhere nearby and my brain split between magical forests, mythic tragedies, shadowhunters, and mysterious curses.

If you need me, I’ll be right here, reading one more chapter.