Fall means more opportunity to snuggle up on the couch with a good book. This year, I set a goal for myself on GoodReads to read 24 books and I hit 27 books this month. Here are a few I’ve enjoyed this year, in case you’re looking for suggestions:

Top of the list: “The Willpower Instinct” by Kelly McGonigal.

I have never enjoyed a self-improvement book more. This delightful, easy to digest book gives us tools to use right away, accompanied by scientific studies to back up the advice. I am now applying what I learned in this book to my life on a daily basis, and am a stronger person because of it. The only complaint I have with this book is that the audiobook is read by a man. Suggestion: read this book with a friend or three and get together for a book discussion to learn even more from each other.

All the books by Sarah Addison Allen. I particularly liked “Garden Spells” and “Lost Lake.”

They’re light, charming, sweet with some sadness, and each novel holds a different type of magical realism within their pages.

When I finished all the lovely books by this author, my friend Athena recommended the book “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, which I couldn’t put down.

I had read Anita Diamant’s book “The Red Tent” in my late teens, so was excited to revisit this author recently with “The Boston Girl.”

Diamant is an incredible story teller. You didn’t want to say goodbye to this character as the book ended. I love books that educate us in the way life used to be, while telling a compelling personal story.

“Landline” by Rainbow Rowell. A bit of magic comes into play in a sweet story about a marriage on the rocks. Surprise, surprise, more magical realism caught my interest! That seems to be my go-to style for novels these days.

I also love the sweet young adult novel “Eleanor and Park” by this author. Thanks to Alida for introducing me to this author!

I fell in love with “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio.

This young adult novel centers around the life of a 5th grader who has a facial deformity and his challenges of going to school after being homeschooled for years. It’s a beautiful story that I think should be added to classroom reading lists everywhere and especially be read by kids who are demonstrating bullying behavior.

What have you read lately that you’ve loved?