Hi friends! Oh, I am so beyond excited to dive into this post and share it with you all. I swear when I write these posts, I am doing it for myself as well. I love compiling all the goodness in one spot as a reminder to myself, as well.
Everything the autumn light touches turns to warm gold and that includes mundane tasks and things that we normally take for granted. I mean, you can make a cup of tea or you can take a cup of tea out in the crisp air and watch the steam billow. You can watch a movie before bed or you can turn on the twinkle lights, make some maple cinnamon popcorn, and cuddle up to watch You’ve Got Mail. Everything is just better and cozier this time of year, can we agree? Let’s make the most out of it together. Your bucket list can be a mile long or only a few things, but I hope you gain a few new ideas and activities from this list. Okay, off we pop!
Books to Read
1. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore – If a Hallmark movie was a book. If you read one book off this list for the ~vibes~ let it be this one. Local farmer meets upbeat new girl. Cute, quirky, spicy.
2. From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout – I can’t leave a romantasy off this list. I am usually harping on ACOTAR and Fourth Wing, but this is my other very favorite series of all time. From Blood and Ash has it all – romance, spice, dark themes perfect for this time of year, wolves, fangs, etc. etc. etc. It is a wild ride and the latest book comes out soon. So start catching up!
3. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab – A young woman makes a bargain to live forever but is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. This story is hauntingly beautiful and one of my favorites of all time.
4. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner: This book brings all the mysterious, moody vibes with a heavy dash of girl power. This one brought me so much joy about 2 years ago and I still think about it to this day.
5. The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore – Another Laurie Gilmore book because you can’t beat small town autumnal romances. This is a follow-up to Pumpkin Spice with another opposites attract romance. The bookstore vibes alone sold me.
6. Perfectly Wicked by Lindsay Lovise – I enjoyed this one way more than I thought going in. A magical realism story that takes place at an apple orchard and features ghost hunters. It is perfection. The enemies-to-lovers romance was done well.
7. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna –This is a light and fun witchy book! Our FMC is tasked with training three young witches to control their magic. Add in a handsome, brooding, prickly librarian MMC and things get really interesting.
8. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young – Disappearances, small town vibes, curses, romance, and magical elements. This one kept me turning the pages late in the night.
9. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross – This story blends magic, historical fiction, and romantasy all in one. The pace is great and it is very easy to read. Two rival journalists are connected in a way they never expected and come face-to-face with love and war together. The writing was exquisite.
10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Moody, atmospheric, dark, dangerous, and romantic. Go into this one blind. I really enjoyed the lush writing style.
Movies and Shows to Watch
11. Movie: You’ve Got Mail – If for nothing else, watch for Kathleen Kelly’s outfits. But seriously, the bookstore and the vibes are immaculate.
12. TV show: Gilmore Girls – If it wasn’t on the list, are we even discussing fall television?
13. TV show: The Vampire Diaries – This is my very guilty pleasure. I watched this for years on live TV and will binge episodes every autumn because it makes me so happy. If you haven’t been introduced to the Salvatore brothers, what are you even doing? lolol
14. Movie: It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown – Classic & comfort! No fall is complete without it!
15. Movie: Coraline – As far as creepy kids movies go, this is my favorite. I also recommend reading the book. The movie score is so haunting and beautiful.
16. Movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – I am so excited to watch with my kids now that they are older! They both love Harry Potter (we are currently reading the second book) and we will be watching the Chamber of Secrets this autumn, once we finish.
17. Movie: The Twilight Saga – New Moon in particular is my autumn comfort movie. The soundtrack. The moody atmosphere and colors. I don’t care how “bad” these movies are… so bad and SO GOOD.
18. TV show: The Great British Baking Show – This is our family TV show and a total comfort watch for me. It is so wholesome and cheeky and warm!! All four of us look forward to the new episode it every Friday night.
19. Movie: Casper – We introduced this one to the girls last year and it became a hit right away. It still captures my attention as an adult. It’s just a great movie.
20. TV show: Bridgerton – Not autumnal per se but I really love this as a background comfort watch. It has a cozy feel to it. If you haven’t watched this before, you’ll be hooked. Plus… Jonathan Bailey. Forever.
Rituals and Activities to Enjoy
21. Make yourself a warm autumn beverage. Hot drinks can feel so indulgent if you slow down and savor them. I don’t mean grabbing something on the go, but really stopping to breathe it in, smell it, feel it’s warmth, savor the flavor. Some favorites are mulled cider, hazelnut coffee, spiced chai, pumpkin spice lattes, or an apple pie latte.
22. Make a pumpkin and chocolate chip loaf! Or a butternut squash loaf! Never gets old.
23. Step outside and pay attention to the sounds and smells. Really let your senses take over. Close your eyes if you have to and simply breathe and listen. I love the earthy smells of fall. If you’re lucky, you may even see the birds during their migration. I love seeing hundreds of them land in our yard to fuel up for their journey. So magical.
24. Decorate your home with pumpkins and mums. I don’t go crazy with decor but I do have a few simple pieces that I pull out to add seasonal warmth to our home. This year I also grabbed these fake mums (affiliate link) for our front porch and love them.
25. Make a big pot of warm butternut squash soup. This is one of my favorites every autumn. It’s so easy, comforting, and buttery.
26. Go thrifting for a few new cozy sweaters or cardigans to freshen up your wardrobe.
27. Read fall stories to your children. Autumn picture books are some of the very best! There are so many titles that we take out from the library over and over. A few favorites: Pumpkin Soup, Strega Nona’s Harvest, Pumpkin Jack, Yellow Time, Pick a Pumpkin, The Scarecrow. See a full list of our favorites.
28. Find a local farm to go apple picking and bake a pie. Or a large pot of homemade applesauce. The smells in your kitchen alone is reason enough.
29. Start a simmer pot on the stove for a delicious fragrance. My favorite combination in the fall is cinnamon sticks, clove, and orange slices.
30. Have a bonfire/fire pit night with hot mugs of cider all around. Hoodies, blankets, stories, family and friends… the recipe for a beautiful night.
