Our September 2026 Reader of the Month is Kate, a licensed marriage and family therapist and published poet (under her maiden name, Kadleck). You can often find her sipping on a cold brew or cuddled up with her husband and dogs on the couch.
Learn more about Kate and her reading habits below and find her full list of recommendations here.
- What book(s) are you currently reading?
- Crux by Gabriel Tallent. I devoured his debut, My Absolute Darling, and when I caught a glimpse of the gorgeous sunset-colored cover of Crux, I knew I had to read it.
- What is the best book you have read within the last year (or ever)?
- Heart the Lover by Lily King. From the poetic writing style to the perfect pacing to the rich character development, I couldn’t put it down.
- What is your ideal reading environment?
- I love sitting on our deck and sipping on a refreshing beverage while the birds chatter in the branches above me.
- What book are you most excited about reading next, and what about it is most exciting?
- All Fours by Miranda July. I haven’t read a book by her yet, but I saw her film Me and You and Everyone We Know years ago now, and I fell in love with her quirky humor. My childhood best friend recently informed me that she read All Fours last year and has been dying to talk about it with someone, so that got me even more hyped!
- What format do you prefer and why?
- I’m a physical book girlie all the way. There’s just something magical about holding the whole universe of a story in your hands. Also, I love bookmarks!
- What book has been the most challenging for you to read?
- How did it challenge you? Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller was a necessary but really difficult read. For those who don’t know, she is a writer, artist, and sexual assault survivor who was raped on the Stanford University campus in 2015. I found it very painful but important to read her story.
- Do you remember when your love for reading began?
- As a little girl, before I actually knew how to read, I would flip through the illustrated pages of a children’s book and “read aloud” by making up my own stories to go with the pictures. So I actually fell in love with books before I could even read a word!
Thanks, Kate, for sharing your reading journey with us! Be sure to check out all of Kate’s recommendations on our catalog. Inspired to be the next Reader of the Month? Fill out the application form here.