What's Dawn Devouring Lately?

September greets us with cooler mornings, golden light, and that unmistakable crispness in the air that signals a new season. The pace of summer begins to fade, replaced with cozy evenings, warm drinks, and the perfect excuse to curl up with a book. As the days grow shorter and the leaves start to turn, it feels like the ideal time to settle in, refresh your reading stack, and let stories carry you into the heart of autumn.

Until Next Month!

Happy Reading! 🍂🍁📚

This month I dove into a mix of reads—a heartwarming romance, a layered family drama, and a thought-provoking audiobook on self-compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff. The standout for me was My Friends by Fredrik Backman, an unforgettable story about the true meaning of friendship and love—two things I think the world needs more than ever right now.

My Friends By: Fredrik Backman

Holy smokes—Backman has done it again! I couldn’t put down this 400+ page novel, and I’m already calling it a Top 10 read of 2025. At its heart, the story centers on a painting, four teenagers, and the bonds of friendship. Fast forward twenty-five years, and we meet Louisa, an eighteen-year-old determined to uncover the truth behind the painting. Backman masterfully shifts between past and present, slowly revealing each character’s secrets and struggles. The result is a tender, unforgettable story about the meaning of friendship—and the lengths we’ll go to protect the people we love. If you like character driven stories about friendship and love, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale. After reading the book, you will want to call all your friends and tell them, "I love you and I believe in you".

The Homemade God By: Rachel Joyce

This novel follows four siblings who are unexpectedly reunited after their father’s sudden death. To their shock, they discover he recently married a much younger woman—one who may have played a role in his untimely passing. As the siblings spend the summer under the same roof, old wounds resurface and long-buried secrets come to light. If you enjoy stories filled with family drama, simmering mystery, and hidden truths waiting to be unraveled, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.

Promise Me Sunshine By: Cara Bastone

Lately I’ve been drawn to romance books, and this one did not disappoint—plus it introduced me to a new author I’ll definitely be reading again. Here’s the setup: Lenny (short for Helen) is barely holding it together after losing her best friend to cancer. Miles, a grumpy but oddly endearing guy, keeps showing up at the house where she’s babysitting. When an unexpected proposition arises, the two strike a deal: Miles will help Lenny tackle her “live again” list, and in return, she’ll help him build a bond with his niece—the very child she’s caring for. This story beautifully explores how love, in all its forms, can light the way through life’s darkest chapters. If you enjoy slow-burn romance, themes of self-discovery, and learning to savor life’s small moments, this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 1/2 on the devour scale.

Self-Compassion By: Kristin Neff (Audio Book)

As I continue learning about self-compassion, I came across Kristin Neff’s book Self-Compassion—which I was lucky to find free on my Hoopla app as an audiobook. Neff explains, “Self-compassion is a powerful way to achieve emotional well-being and contentment in our lives. By giving ourselves self-compassion we avoid destructive patterns of fear, negativity, and isolation.”

I especially appreciated the chapters where she dove into the three main components of self-compassion: self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness. That last one sent me down a whole rabbit hole about mindfulness (more on that in the “Learning” section below).I gave this book 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.

The Thursday Murder Club By: Richard Osman

This book came out in 2020 but I didn't get around to reading it until 2022. I remeber enjoying the book and was glad to see that Netflix was adapting the book into a movie. Here's the set-up, "In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case. As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it's too late?" After recenty watching the movie, it convinced me to add the second book in the series, The Man Who Died Twice, to my TBR pile and I hope to read it sooner than later.

Pencil Pouch

This month’s tip comes from the Get Lit(erate) podcast, where Stephanie Affinito shared the idea of keeping a pencil pouch filled with all the little tools that make reading and writing more enjoyable. I loved this suggestion so much that I created one of my own—and it’s been a game changer. In my pouch you’ll find my favorite pens, a highlighter, sticky notes of all sizes, a bookmark, and book flags for marking favorite quotes. Having everything within reach keeps me from breaking my reading flow, and I hope it inspires you to create a pouch of your own. I have also included the link to the specific podcast episode, so that can hear all about her inspiration in doing this.

What I’m Watching This Month
On a recent road trip, I downloaded two Netflix movies and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed them. The Thursday Night Murder Club, based on a book I read a few years back, had a fantastic cast that brought the story to life. My Oxford Year, also adapted from a book (one I haven’t read yet), turned out to be a charming romantic escape.

And for something lighter, after finishing all the episodes of Leann, I started the sitcom Mom. With eight full seasons, it’s proving to be the perfect binge-worthy replacement.

The Thursday Night Murder Club - Netflix Movie

At Coopers Chase, a retirement village, psychiatrist Ibrahim, former trade union leader Ron, and ex-spy Liz are members of the Thursday Murder Club (TMC), which meets weekly to discuss old cold cases. They are soon joined by Joyce, a retired nurse and new resident, whose medical knowledge proves useful. The group is inspired by a case once handled by Detective Inspector Penny Gray, now in hospice, involving the unsolved murder of Angela Hughes. Police Constable Donna De Freitas, recently transferred from London, visits the village and strikes up a friendship with the TMC. She confides that her work feels tedious, and the club eagerly draws her into their investigations.

While these four irrepressible retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but their causal sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands. Based on Richard Osman’s bestselling novel. Watch Trailer Here. BTW-I just heard that the second book is in the works on also becoming a movie sometime in 2026.

My Oxford Year -Netflix Movie

Set amidst the breathtaking beauty of Oxford, this sparkling story tells the unforgettable story about a determined young woman eager to make her mark in the world and the handsome man who introduces her to an incredible love that will irrevocably alter her future. Watch Trailer Here

Mom - Netflix

Anna Faris plays Christy, a single mom whose newly found sobriety has given her the ability to see her life clearly...and she does not like the view. Now she must try to untangle years of reckless decisions in order to make a better life for her and her kids. But she discovers that just because you want to be a better person doesn't mean it's going to be easy. Everywhere she looks there are challenges: She is trying to stop drinking in wine country, have a healthy romance with her unavailable boss, raise her young son to be a good man despite his father's influence, convince her troubled teenage daughter to make better choices than she did, and - perhaps the most difficult task - forgive her estranged mother, Bonnie (Janney), for not giving her any of the tools she needed to handle life in the first place. Watch Trailer Here

Gays Reading Podcast

Host-and gay reader-Jason Blitman is joined each week by bestselling authors, VIP gay readers, cultural icons, and other special guests for lively, spoiler-free conversations. Gays Reading celebrates LGBTQIA+ and ally authors and story tellers through fun, thoughtful, and insightful discussions. Whether you're gay, straight, or somewhere in between, if you love great book and great conversations, Gays Reading is for you. Link to Podcast

Mindfulness Matters

This month, I have been leaning into one of the three key elements of self-comapssion- MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness is the simple yet profound practice of bringing your full attention to the present moment. Instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, mindfulness invites us to notice what is happening right now—our breath, our thoughts, our emotions, and the world around us.

Research shows that regular mindfulness practice can reduce stress, sharpen focus, and improve emotional well-being. It helps us respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity and calm rather than reacting out of habit or overwhelm. Even just a few mindful minutes each day—whether through meditation, a mindful walk, or pausing to take a deep breath—can shift how we experience our lives.

Mindfulness doesn’t require special tools or hours of practice. It’s about weaving small moments of awareness into the fabric of our daily routines, creating more peace, balance, and presence along the way. I've included two short videos links below to help you learn more about this topic.

All Things Tea

Don’t get me wrong—I still love my two cups of coffee each day. But lately, I’ve found myself winding down in the evenings with a cup of tea and a good book. There’s something about tea that feels different: it’s not just warm and comforting, it’s a small act of self-care. A cup can ease stress, lift your mood, and even give your body a gentle boost. Each type brings its own little gift—green tea for fresh energy, black tea for a rich pick-me-up, and herbal blends for quiet, calming moments before bed. But the best part might be the ritual itself: slowing down, sipping slowly, and creating a pocket of peace in the middle of life’s busy rhythm.

My scented tea coaster

One of my favorite flavors

My Tea Box Organizer

Spiced Mug Mat - Lavender Sprigs

Perfect for morning tea on the patio or in the garden, this tasteful mug mat would also make a sweet housewarming, Mother's day, or birthday gift for anyone who enjoys a warm drink! Place a warm cup of tea, coffee or cider on the mat to release the scent of cinnamon and allspice. Protects table tops and is perfect for the home or office. Product Details: Filled with 100% All Natural Cinnamon Chips & Allspice Machine washable Dimensions: 5" x 5" Made in the USA.

nature-niche.com

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Past Issues

Did you happen to miss a month or two? Wish you could go back and find that show or book that I reviewed months ago? Now, you can go back to past issues of What's Dawn Devouring Lately? I will continue updating this section each month, so you can always go back without having to search on social media to find a past edition.

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