We are definitely a reading family. We always have a few books going, the kids read to themselves, and we also do family read-alouds. Here are some recommendations for some cozy books to fall for this season. (I hope you noticed and appreciated the pun)

• The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien. This is such an excellent book. I started reading it on my own but decided to wait and read it with the kids as our next real aloud. I’m imagining cozying up with the kids on the couch, snuggled under a blanket, reading about hobbit holes and dwarves and trolls.
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, by Agatha Christie. Murder mysteries are our new favorite. This one is a great one to start with. And did you know that Agatha Christie is possibly the best selling fiction author of all time? Because there are so many of her books out there, it is easy to find them at used book stores and thrift stores.
• The Civil War: A Narrative: Fort Sumter to Perryville, by Shelby Foote. This might not be for everyone, but for history fans, this is the definite work on the history of the civil war. Shem has slowly been working his way through it, and it’s been a great read. If you're not up for such a hefty read, try out the Ken Burns documentary The Civil War. We just started it again for the third time.
• Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis. This book is compiled of a series of radio talks that Lewis did in England during WWII. He was asked by the BBC to present the generals of Christianity to the public and he does it in such a logical and elegant and understandable way. Definitely a read we would recommend to everyone.