On this third day of October I arrived at the Library with a pumpkin-colored sunrise and left in a darkening swirl of leaves (from the trees) and bats (from the sky). Stepping into the crisp air from my car was just like biting into a fresh-picked apple. And the lopsided moon that followed me home reminded me of a child's drawing - round on one side and unevenly sloped on the other.

Hard to believe that September's calendar page has turned, and October is already three days old. And yet, as happens every fall about this time, the youth books on autumn leaves and apples are checked out, the winter cookery books are looking more inviting and the gardening shelves are missing the native planting guides.

I'm starting my fall must-read list - as the days grow shorter and the nights stretch out. What's on yours?