Books I Read In September

Between preparing for our book sale and life with a new puppy, I didn't get as much reading in last month as I normally would have. Books don't get read very quickly when you're reading two pages, stopping to correct a 4-month-old dachshund, and moving on. But the books I did read were amazing, and I can't wait to share them with you.

Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger. I had seen good reviews about this post-Revolutionary War book, and it didn't disappoint. Just when you think you know a little bit about history ... plot twist! I knew nothing about the war in North Africa, and the story of these amazing sailors and marines was riveting. It put a new spin on Jefferson and his presidency for me, too.

If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name by Heather Lende. This was a book sale find last year, and I'll admit the moose caught my attention. It's written by a small-town Alaska obituary writer and is full of people stories, death stories, life stories, and just-for-fun stories. I loved this one for all these reasons, plus, dogs.

Autopsy by Milton Helpern. My mortuary book for the month was the memoir of the famous New York medical examiner Milton Helpern. The author's photo on the back cover is a full wall-sized painting of three examiners performing an autopsy, if that's any indication. He is mentioned and quoted in several of the other books I've read on the subject, so I was thrilled to find this one. Helpern was a pioneer in the field, testified in landmark murder cases, and had a fascinating life. This one's definitely a keeper.

Power Sales Writing by Sue Hershkowitz Coore. What can a marketing book written in 2012 teach you about emails and social media in 2025? I was surprised at how the basics never change and that online etiquette is still absolutely necessary. She has some great ideas about counteracting negativity in correspondence, selling without being sleazy, and going beyond just treating clients and potential customers with respect. Some things in the business world never change, and this book was a refreshing throwback.

The Substitute Guest by Grace Livingston Hill. I've saved the best for last. This book, along with four others, came through the book sale donation line. The dust jackets had been taken off, replaced with brown paper covers, and the pictures cut out and turned into cover art. This cover photo of the man stuck in the snow, along with the fascinating title, reeled me in. It was written in 1936, so I was expecting the early 20th century language and references, but I wasn't expecting to be one of the best books I've read all year. It's actually an inspirational romance, with such a strong salvation message that I cried repeatedly, smiled often, and rooted for the guy to get the girl in the end. I don't know what the other books have in store, but I'll definitely let you know next month!

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