This reader certainly thinks so! I love the idea of embracing whatever season I’m currently in in my reading life too.
It adds another layer to life and the reading experience. By choosing books based on the mood of the current season, it’s a way to fully immerse myself in the atmosphere, weather, and even flavors of that time of year!
Though some seasons may feel longer than others, each is temporary and often fleeting so it’s fun to soak up the present one. Three months per season is just enough time to appreciate one before transitioning to the next.
On the other hand, you can use books as an escape if you aren’t loving the season you’re in. Find the summer way too hot? Cool down by immersing yourself in a winter story or better yet an arctic adventure. Have a case of the winter blues? Try escaping into a book set on a tropical island or where the characters take a vacation.
Factoring the seasons into your reading life can keep things from getting stale and help you stay engaged in your books.
What Seasonal Reading Looks Like for Me?
Every reader will have a different definition of what seasonal reading is to them and how different genres fit into each season. With only a few exceptions it can be incredibly variable depending on readers’ tastes, mood, and what they’re needing from their reading life at that time.
For many people summer usually signifies a beach read or something light and contemporary. Fall with Halloween can have readers craving something scary, spooky, or paranormal. The transition into winter brings holiday reading vibes. Some readers crave heftier books and subject matter in the spring.
Seasonal reading is something I’ve played around with for a long time. Next year I’m even considering taking on a seasonal reading challenge. Or perhaps I’ll come up with short TBR lists to add to my enjoyment of each season.
While some genres are strongly associated with a certain season, what story elements or atmosphere I’m in the mood for can change even within seasons. Often the genres that I’m pulled towards overlap. There are no rules!
Seasonal reading makes it easy to embrace whatever is calling to you in that short time frame.
Winter
I live in the Northern Hemisphere so for me, winter reading takes place between December and February. Give or take a little overlap if you’re really using the weather as a mood indicator.
Winter often puts me in the mood for a dark, cold, or stormy setting. It makes me thinks of blues, grays, and white. Rain or snow add to the atmosphere.
It can also be a time to embrace sleep or to rest and recharge. Winter makes me think of getting cozy and reading something by the fire. I enjoy the safety of being warm inside while the long nights wrap around us.
Genres and Categories that Feel Like Winter to Me:
- winter holiday
- thriller/mystery
- self help (especially year long project memoirs)
- historical fiction
- romance
- science fiction
- books about books
- rereads
Spring
Spring reading falls between March and May.
It’s a time of renewal and rebirth. Things are growing and starting over fresh. There’s a subtle warmth when we emerge to spend time outside again.
Spring showers bring up that clean refreshing scent of earth. It makes me think of greens, pinks, and purples. It’s a time of hope and excitement.
Genres and Themes that Feel Like Spring to Me:
- anything with a strong sense of nature in the setting
- magical realism
- nonfiction (especially topics covering the environment or health)
- memoir
- comics
- literary fiction
Summer
Summer reading often overlaps with spring in the month of May but I would count the season from June to August.
Our summers are very hot and dry with an abundance of sunshine. I associate summer with the search for a cold body of water to submerge in. Pools, lakes, rivers, and tubs are all fair game.
Summer makes me think of primary colors with shades of yellow, red, and blue. It can be a time of relaxation, growth, abundance, or busyness depending on your lifestyle.
Genres and Categories that Feel Like Summer to Me:
- beach read
- women’s fiction
- contemporary romance
- travel books
- shorter books
- young adult series
Fall
Fall is my favorite season! Though the weather is usually still hot for us in September, I’m always ready to embrace autumn as soon as possible. The fall reading season runs from September to November.
It’s a magical season where I yearn for crisp air, changing leaves, and cozy mornings. Fall is a time for letting go. It makes me think of yellows, oranges, reds, browns, and purple.
I associate specific flavors and scents the most with fall. It’s the season for all things apple, pumpkin, and cinnamon.
Genres and Settings that Feel Like Fall to Me:
- paranormal
- set on a campus
- atmospheric novels
- cozy mystery
- some thrillers
- fantasy
- holiday
Where I Find Seasonal Reading Recommendations:
Summer reading is definitely the most covered season for reading. It seems like everyone has a summer reading guide. My favorite ones to check out are:
Fall is also pretty well covered with book recommendations especially if you’re looking for witchy reads, campus novels, or cozy mysteries. Some favorite posts that I’ve stumbled on include:
- The Perpetual Page Turner Ultimate Fall Reading List
- The Uncorked Librarian Books About Witches
- Booktube: Darling Desi – A Big Cozy Book Haul
- Podcast: Novel Pairings has several fall reading episodes covering classics
I recently became a patreon member of the What Should I Read Next Podcast from Modern Mrs Darcy. One of the exclusive content benefits I was most excited about were her fall and winter reading guides!
The above mentioned Sarah’s Bookshelves offers a book preview podcast episode for each of the seasons plus more book recommendations on her blog.
Spring reading season seems to get the least amount of love among my bookish sources. Let me know below if you have a great source for Spring reading recommendations!
Are you a seasonal reader? What kind of mood or genre do you look for in each season?
