Pam Webb

Reader Roundup: September 2026

September. Ah, September. It’s the month of summer ending, fall beginning. Vacation stops, school begins.

For some.

For me? September continues to be my vacation time. As the school bus rolls by the house, and as I pass that packed parking lot at school on my way to the library, I can’t help but reflect on the question put to me when I bumped into a couple of (still) teaching friends:

“Am I living my best life?”

My big grin was answer enough.

Oh, yes. There is something extra special about being a retired teacher when September rolls around.

For one, as the days roll up sooner, I don’t have to fret about missing my quality hammock time since anytime is hammock time in September. Loving those warm mornings reading in the sun and then catching some warmer rays as the afternoon comes along. Book, sun, hammock—it is indeed a very good life.

And here are the top ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ reads of September:

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.

Read the series ages ago, enjoyed the original series, and am learning to like the new PBS adaptation. Throughout all these versions there is a certain tension of how much James is taken advantage of by people, be it stubborn clients, the irascible Siegfried, or other vets, that somehow creates an edge lessening the enjoyment of the story. It seems so unfair because James is so likable. Nevertheless, there are still great tales, whether read, watched, or listened to. This time around I tried out the audiobook with Christopher Timothy (the original Herriot) performing the stories admirably. It was quite the treat.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

The book was read ages ago and revisited as an audiobook in tribute to Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19.Frederick Davidson does an admirable reading of Stevenson’s classic tale of adventure, providing appropriate voices to the characters.

Shiver me timbers but it were quite a jollying good listen.

SIDE-NOTE: I decided to go all in and watch various versions of the classic pirate story. Everyone knows the 1950 Disney version, but the 1983 adaptation with Charlton Heston and a young Christian Bale truly captures Stevenson’s tale of treasure and treachery.

I am finding unexpected enjoyment revisiting old favorites through audiobook. I tap into either Libby, which is a free perk from my local library, or use one of my monthly “coin points” through Hoopla, another library perk. I pick up aspects of the story I might have missed when the words are spoken, or rather, performed. The only problem I have is the tendency to doze off while listening, unless I am doing something mindlessly active, like crocheting a hat or working on the latest jigsaw puzzle.

I still can’t cozy up to e-reader versions of books. I used to only tap into audiobooks for my solo car trips, but I am finding they are fairly handy when I just want to hang out in the hammock or snuggle in bed before committing to the day.

Do you have a preference: paper book, audio book, or e-book?

Until next month’s roundup…