With September (my favorite month of the year!) starting tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to list a few books that I think would make ideal September reads.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
This delightful second book in the Penderwicks series takes place mostly in October, but it opens at the very end of September, which would make it a perfect read for the end of the month! (The Penderwick sisters’ plan to stop their widowed father from dating makes for a hilarious and heartfelt story.)

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary
Pretty much any of the Ramona books would be perfect for September with their back-to-school themes, but I think Ramona and Her Father is probably one of the best—it begins in September, when Ramona is already busily working on her Christmas list, until she learns her father has lost his job.

What Katy Did at School by Susan Coolidge
I’m going to be reading this story (one of my longtime favorites) in September—it’s such a fun book, featuring Katy and her sister Clover heading off to a strict boarding school for the first time.

Apple Bough by Noel Streatfeild
This lesser-known novel of Noel’s (often titled Traveling Shoes) has always struck me as just right for fall. It follows the Forum family as they travel from one country to the next so that second-eldest child Sebastian can pursue a career as a violinist—but all the siblings want is a home!

Around the Hearth by L.M. Montgomery
This recently-edited collection of short stories from L.M. Montgomery is absolutely lovely and has a wonderful autumnal feel–many of the stories are centered on home and family, as the title would suggest. My favorite story in this volume is Miss Curtis Comes!

What are you reading this September? Leave a comment below!