This is wonderful stuff, Matthew. The perfect accompaniment reading for my own still, silent morning. What you write about the way mornings give you "the feeling that the world has been washed clean overnight", and how "silence feels different in autumn—thicker, more present, more contemplative", reminds me of what David Wolpe writes about the particular silence of a quiet morning in Jerusalem:
“As the light stretched through the streets, striking windows and rooftops and doors, it began to coax people from their homes. Cars pulled onto the streets, and the sounds of the city, harsh and insistent, made the rose-glow silence of an hour before seem like a dream. Yet the silence and the stones and the soft gleam of the sun were real, and indeed they still lay beneath the bustle of the city. I had seen them; I had been there. They left a gentle mark on my memory.
The question for me that day — and in a different form every day — is whether I can retain that moment of magic as I go about my work, when the sun is bright, the stones are bleached from the heat of the day, and all the harsh sounds of the city surround me.”
Beautiful piece, Matthew. Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday for all the reasons you cite: no gift-giving stress, no religious beliefs that can divide, no competitive decorations inside or outside - just wonderful food shared among close friends and family, with gratitude. Reading this brought a welcome start to my day.
Oh how I loved your post this morning. Fall is my favorite season although it comes a bit late here in Florida 😉. Anxious to try some of your suggestions for reading. Happy Fall!
A wonderful piece, Matthew. Makes me wish we had thanksgiving in the UK. I enjoyed your book choices: East of Eden is a favourite of mine too and I had planned a reread for this year. I still haven’t got to it though and the year is dwindling. Piranesi is also on my list. I enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by the same author.
Invitation accepted. I need a book to carry me away, and you’ve served a Thanksgiving feast of suggestions. I might just pull The Little Stranger off the shelf for a second read. Sarah Waters is a marvel of craft, mood and originality.
What a beautiful, beautiful read, Matthew. I was right there with you with the sights and sounds and smells of the season. Here in the Pacific Northwest is much like what you describe where you are.
Your book list is long and varied, and had some of my favorites as well; Gilead is among them.
Thank you for sharing your quiet, inviting words with us.
A lovely essay, Matthew. Autumn is my favorite time of year, for all the reasons you note.
Like you, I rue the day Halloween candy began appearing in late summer and Christmas lost its meaning. I had hopes that post-pandemic people would see begin to see that what they had worshipped at the altar of the malls was not worth pursuing. But, no, that hasn't happened.
I've read a number of the books you highlight, though a few others are "new" to me. You write some of the best short reviews I've ever read.
Thank you for ushering me so beautifully into my favorite season! I also prefer Thanksgiving and never decorate for Christmas before the Thanksgiving feast. A novel that I often read in Autumn that seems perfect for the season is Jane Austen's Persuasion.
A fabulous essay, Matthew. One that invites slow reading while feeling the breeze of coolness in the air and the scent of decaying leaves. Yes, hold off you Christmas loving folks, let us who enjoy the transformation of autumn have the time. These are the weeks of the year when I feel the biggest shift, a rekindling to write after the hurry of summer, and the shorter days allow (ah hem, invite) that possibility.
A delightful slow read Matthew, much appreciated as I have yet to find that moment where time weaves its way around the clock face with more meaningful minutes to hand... it will come but not this week!
I especially loved your reading list, so filled with books I have either already read or are waiting to be read (or read again in the case of East of Eden - thank you for the reminder!) Sarah Waters is an extraordinary teller of tales, I loved Tipping the Velvet and The Little Stranger equally.
I hope you are enjoying the last of autumns colours this weekend.
Thank you
This is wonderful stuff, Matthew. The perfect accompaniment reading for my own still, silent morning. What you write about the way mornings give you "the feeling that the world has been washed clean overnight", and how "silence feels different in autumn—thicker, more present, more contemplative", reminds me of what David Wolpe writes about the particular silence of a quiet morning in Jerusalem:
“As the light stretched through the streets, striking windows and rooftops and doors, it began to coax people from their homes. Cars pulled onto the streets, and the sounds of the city, harsh and insistent, made the rose-glow silence of an hour before seem like a dream. Yet the silence and the stones and the soft gleam of the sun were real, and indeed they still lay beneath the bustle of the city. I had seen them; I had been there. They left a gentle mark on my memory.
The question for me that day — and in a different form every day — is whether I can retain that moment of magic as I go about my work, when the sun is bright, the stones are bleached from the heat of the day, and all the harsh sounds of the city surround me.”
(I wrote about this need for stillness and silence if you're interested: https://www.volumes-lit.com/p/david-wolpe-the-secret-and-the-mystery )
Thank you again, Matthew, for sharing this with all of us.
Beautiful piece, Matthew. Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday for all the reasons you cite: no gift-giving stress, no religious beliefs that can divide, no competitive decorations inside or outside - just wonderful food shared among close friends and family, with gratitude. Reading this brought a welcome start to my day.
Oh how I loved your post this morning. Fall is my favorite season although it comes a bit late here in Florida 😉. Anxious to try some of your suggestions for reading. Happy Fall!
A wonderful piece, Matthew. Makes me wish we had thanksgiving in the UK. I enjoyed your book choices: East of Eden is a favourite of mine too and I had planned a reread for this year. I still haven’t got to it though and the year is dwindling. Piranesi is also on my list. I enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by the same author.
Invitation accepted. I need a book to carry me away, and you’ve served a Thanksgiving feast of suggestions. I might just pull The Little Stranger off the shelf for a second read. Sarah Waters is a marvel of craft, mood and originality.
What a beautiful, beautiful read, Matthew. I was right there with you with the sights and sounds and smells of the season. Here in the Pacific Northwest is much like what you describe where you are.
Your book list is long and varied, and had some of my favorites as well; Gilead is among them.
Thank you for sharing your quiet, inviting words with us.
A lovely essay, Matthew. Autumn is my favorite time of year, for all the reasons you note.
Like you, I rue the day Halloween candy began appearing in late summer and Christmas lost its meaning. I had hopes that post-pandemic people would see begin to see that what they had worshipped at the altar of the malls was not worth pursuing. But, no, that hasn't happened.
I've read a number of the books you highlight, though a few others are "new" to me. You write some of the best short reviews I've ever read.
Thank you for ushering me so beautifully into my favorite season! I also prefer Thanksgiving and never decorate for Christmas before the Thanksgiving feast. A novel that I often read in Autumn that seems perfect for the season is Jane Austen's Persuasion.
That happens to be the only Austen novel I like.
Agree 💕
Lovely article. Two of my favourite books synopsised so well - Olive Kitteridge and Gilead.
Thank you Lucy.
A fabulous essay, Matthew. One that invites slow reading while feeling the breeze of coolness in the air and the scent of decaying leaves. Yes, hold off you Christmas loving folks, let us who enjoy the transformation of autumn have the time. These are the weeks of the year when I feel the biggest shift, a rekindling to write after the hurry of summer, and the shorter days allow (ah hem, invite) that possibility.
Kudos for the reading list.
A delightful slow read Matthew, much appreciated as I have yet to find that moment where time weaves its way around the clock face with more meaningful minutes to hand... it will come but not this week!
I especially loved your reading list, so filled with books I have either already read or are waiting to be read (or read again in the case of East of Eden - thank you for the reminder!) Sarah Waters is an extraordinary teller of tales, I loved Tipping the Velvet and The Little Stranger equally.
I hope you are enjoying the last of autumns colours this weekend.