The beach isn’t the only place for a good book. When it’s fall, it’s officially reading season. Whether you’re going back to school or not, it’s a great time to hop into the academic energy of the moment. At KIM+ONO, we’re curling up with books that spark reflection, motivation, and always the right amount of magic and ritual. And because we believe in making meaning out of even the smallest moments, reading becomes a ritual for us. Each book shared below pairs perfectly with one of our kimono wraps or silky robes. After all, why not let your fall reading list double as an excuse to lean into a little daily luxury? Whether you’re a lover of self-reflection, a seeker of practicality, or a fan of mystical ideas, our staff’s To Be Read pile is filled with favorites you’ll want to borrow. Stop by your local library, grab a copy at our kimono store in Chinatown, San Francisco, and consider this your invitation to discover your next intellectual obsession.
Photo by Maria Del Rio
101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest
Sometimes you want a book that feels like an extended coffee date with your wisest friend. Brianna Wiest’s 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think is that kind of read. It’s a collection of thoughtful reflections on self-worth, boundaries, purpose, and the quiet revolutions of everyday life. One line we’ve dog-eared: “Your new life is going to cost you your old one.” It’s the kind of sentence that stops us in our tracks, reminding us that life is always balanced. You’ve got to give something to get something, and that is okay. Make reading this book a little more meaningful. Slip into one of our floral kimono wraps, grab a steaming cup of tea, and let yourself melt into the couch. Bring your highlighter and don’t rush through these beautiful essays. When you need to look up from the page and let the words settle, let the silky drape of your kimono robe anchor you to the present moment. It’s in the present moment where there’s true magic.
Photo by Miranda Tillinghast
The How: Notes on the Great Work of Meeting Yourself by Yrsa Daley-Ward
Yrsa Daley-Ward writes prose like a poet (because she is one), and The How is equal parts meditation and manual. It encourages the reader to take an honest, tender look at themselves and address life head on. She writes, “Keep reminding yourself that you are one of one, a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece.” We love that line because it’s an easy affirmation to adopt. And once you do, you’ll start to truly feel it. Reading The How feels like journaling under a weighted blanket. The themes can sometimes be heavy, but Daley-Ward somehow makes those themes comfortable, like you can return yourself in every line. We love this book paired with one of our softest silky robes, to make the reading experience feel as tender as the book itself. Curl up, light a candle, and let Daley-Ward’s words remind you of your own brilliance.
Photo by Ashley Streff
The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler
For anyone who has ever been told “you’re too much,” this book offers a huge sigh of relief. Schafler redefines perfectionism. She says it’s no flaw, it’s a misunderstood strength that, when channeled, can be deeply empowering. One favorite passage: “The opposite of perfection isn’t imperfection, it’s wholeness.” With that reframing, the book feels less like a self-help manual and more like a gentle exhale. Reading this one wrapped in a structured, elegant kimono outfit, is a way to transform what folks have called “too much” into wholeness. We hope every kimono robe makes you feel confident in your own skin. And this book itself invites you to reimagine the edges of your identity. Wearing something that makes you feel grounded in your self expression only deepens the process.
Photo by @mariacalderon.art
The Book of Answers: Trusting Your Inner Oracle by Carol Bolt
This book is available at our kimono store and it’s more of an interactive experience than a traditional read. The Book of Answers is exactly what it sounds like: you hold a question in your mind, flip the book open, and land on a response. Think of it as an oracle in book form. Crack it open and you might land on a phrase like, “Be practical,” or “Proceed with confidence.” Sometimes, a phrase like that is exactly what you need. The perfect pairing here is a playful kimono wrap, something that feels a little magical and fun. We love pulling this book out during cozy evenings with friends. You can pass it around like a modern day magic 8-ball for adults, while lounging in silky robes that make the whole night feel like an old school sleepover.
Photo by Ashley Streff
The Golden Book of Fortune Telling by K.C. Jones
Staying on the magical and ritual theme, this one’s pure whimsy in the best way. The Golden Book of Fortune Telling is filled with old-school divination methods: palmistry, astrology, dream interpretation, and more. It encourages you to lean into all your curiosities. We use color when designing our kimono wraps and robes, so one of our favorite entries is, naturally, on color symbolism: “Blue stands for loyalty, peace, and wisdom.” With this book, you can make that blue ink silky robe you slipped into feel less like a style choice and more like a subtle spell. Gather your friends, pour a little sparkling cider, and let the book set the tone for a night of mystical fun. Reading from it in your kimono outfits transforms the whole experience into a salon-style evening, becoming a ritual you’ll want to repeat.
Photo by @thejoanadias
How to Get Sh*t Done: Why Women Need to Stop Doing Everything So They Can Achieve Anything by Erin Falconer
Let’s be honest: fall is a season of lists. Grocery lists, work to-dos, holiday prep. It’s lists on lists on lists. So Falconer’s book is a rallying cry against burnout, reminding us that productivity doesn’t mean doing it all. She writes, “You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do the right things.” Reading that once, your whole body relaxes. So the best way to read this? With your hair in a messy bun, a notebook nearby, and a relaxed kimono wrap that makes you feel put together without trying too hard at all. This book is for the multitasker in all of us — the one who needs a reminder that rest is part of the hustle. Wearing a silky robe as you outline what actually matters for your week makes the reading feel both luxurious and practical.
You can find all our TBR pile favorites online or in our kimono store if you’re strolling through Chinatown, San Francisco this fall. But promise us one thing: you’ll read them while wrapped in something that makes you feel like the masterpiece you truly are.
