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13 In Books/ Lifestyle

15 books to read this fall 2023

15 books to read this fall 2023

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Autumn is the perfect time to curl up under a warm blanket with a cup of coffee and nestle in with a good book. I’m sharing 15 books for your fall reading list. Whether you’re looking for a cozy feel good story, a fall romance, or maybe a darker, suspenseful thriller, there is something on this list for you. Here are 15 books to read this fall 2023.  So grab a cup of pumpkin coffee (sharing my recipe for my pumpkin cold foam here) and get reading!

If audio books are your thing, click here to try Audible Plus.

15 Books To Read This Fall 2023

15 books to read this fall

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna – This story is great if you are a fan of Practical Magic. The story follows, Mika one of the few only witches in Britain who has been forced to hide her magic and is an orphan. The characters are well developed and this is a heartwarming read.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

A haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand- If you loved The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson or the Netflix series then this is a must read! A young playwright rents Hill House with her friends for her upcoming play. This is a great read for spooky season!

A Haunting on the Hill: A Novel

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham The main character, Chloe had her own father sent to prison when she was young after he confessed for being involved in the cases of 6 missing girls. Now years later, Chloe is a successful psychologist getting ready to walk down the aisle when another young girl goes missing.

A Flicker in the Dark: A Novel

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling This is a cute, witchy love story with some spicy scenes. Years ago, the main character Vivi puts a curse on the man who broke her heart. But then, he comes back, as a Welsh hottie and there is undeniable chemistry.  Grab a pumpkin spice martini and read alone 🙂

The Ex Hex: A Novel (The Graves Glen Series, 1)

Final Girls by Riley Sager Quincy becomes part of a group known as “The Final Girls” by the media after she goes on vacation with her friends and ends up being the only one alive. Years later, one of the girls in the group winds up dead, and the other ends up on Quincy’s doorstep  forcing Quincy to relive those traumatic events that happened years ago.

Final Girls: A Novel

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak Ok I finished this one in 2 days. Mallory is fresh out of rehab and takes a job as a nanny for a young boy, Teddy who loves to draw. Teddy’s drawings begin to get more and more dark and Mallory begins to think that there is a supernatural force at play and needs to save Teddy before it’s too late.

Hidden Pictures

Haunting of Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet) by H. D. Carlton- This one comes with a strong trigger warning. It is dark and touches on several sensitive topics and graphic sexual scenes. It was previously banned on Amazon so obviously I had to read it.

Haunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse Duet)

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – Two young magicians must battle it out but little do they know that there can only be one standing. However the duo soon finds themselves falling in love. The reviews on this one were mixed but if you like fantasy and magic this might be for you.

The Night Circus

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson – A story that weaves witchcraft, feminism, and religion. This would be great for fans of the Handmaid’s Tale.

The Year of the Witching

 

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore – a cozy romantic mystery that takes place in a small town and the author’s last name is Gilmore. Say no more. Add this to your fall reading list especially if you’re a Gilmore Girls fan.

The Pumpkin Spice Café

The September House by Carissa Orlando – Margaret and Hal are a married couple who just move into a beautiful Victoria house, what they think is their dream home. But suddenly they find out it’s haunted, and every September the ghosts that inhabit the home appear. Margaret is determined to stay as it is her house but her husband Hal suddenly leaves abruptly and can’t be contacted.

The September House

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V. E. Schwab  – Addie makes a pact on the eve of her wedding to live forever and ends up being cursed for 300 years with no one able to remember her. Centuries later, Addie falls in love with the owner of a book shop who has a story of his own.

The Only One Left by Riley Sager – This is Sager’s second book on this list. The premise of this one reminds me a little bit of the Amityville House. One night in 1929, a family is murdered in their house on the Maine coast. Lenora is the only one who makes it out alive and for years people assume she was the killer. Fast forward years later, Lenora is confined to a wheelchair and mute after a stroke. She decides that it’s finally time to tell her story to her nurse.

The Only One Left: A Novel

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig – the reviews say this is equal parts gothic and fairytale and for those who loved the series Yellowjackets. Annaleigh lives in a manor by the sea called Highmoor with her eleven sisters. Sister after sister suddenly dies, and Annaleigh begins having visions that what may have been thought to be an accident maybe wasn’t at all.

House of Salt and Sorrows (SISTERS OF THE SALT)

The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine by Kate Angell, Jennifer Dawson & Sharla Lovelace – The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine is a cozy little B&B in Maine. This book interwines 3 stories of 3 couples who come to the B&B for their annual Halloween party.

The Cottage on Pumpkin and Vine (Moonbright, Maine)

 

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black glass candle warmer    easy pie crust leaf cookies with crockpot apple pie dip rabbit fur sandals chunky knit gray blanket glass etched coffee mug with gold spoon

 

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15 books to read this fall

8 In Lifestyle

13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood

13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood. Sitting on couch, watching fall scene in When Harry Met Sally.

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As the leaves start to change and the weather gets a little cooler, it’s the perfect time to curl up in a comfy blanket and have a movie night or afternoon.  There’s no denying that autumn just evokes a certain feeling. I’m sharing 13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood.

Cozy up with a mug of my pumpkin spice hot chocolate (linking the recipe here) and get streaming.

13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood

You’ve Got Mail – Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” This one is sure to make you feel all the autumn nostalgia especially with Meg Ryan’s cozy wardrobe.

Danny Pellegrino on X: "👑Meg Ryan, queen of holding a single pumpkin. 🎃 https://t.co/BvnLGhY0Td" / X

When Harry Met Sally – Practically every scene contains the golden colors of fall foliage as Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal walk through New York. This movie is a whole autumn aesthetic with the smooth jazz in the background.

Hocus Pocus – this is a family classic featuring the famous Sanderson sisters in Salem, MA.

The Craft – a group of high school girls in Los Angeles form a coven and grow rich with their powers. Ultimately, their powers lead them to suffer some consequences.

The Craft (1996) - IMDb

Practical Magic – 2 sisters and witches (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) live in Massachusetts with their witchy aunts. The scene where they are drinking margaritas at midnight and dancing in the kitchen is my favorite.

Autumn in NY – the title says it all. This one stars Richard Gere and Winona Ryder and is a story about how an older man falls for an younger woman with a chronic illness and their affair lasts the season.

Twilight – Vampires, warewolves, a tale of romance and a darker aesthetic make this a great choice for a rainy afternoon.

Mona Lisa Smile – This one takes place at Wellsley College in the 1950’s, giving some true September back to school feels. This one stars Julia Roberts as the new art history teacher who brings along some progressive ideas that will challenge the girls about feminism.

Harry Potter – the Halloween feast at Hogwart’s with all the floating candles and jack o lanterns will put you in the mood for the Halloween season. Binge the whole series.

Good Will Hunting – Set in Cambridge, MA at an ivy league college, and the famous scene where Matt Damon says “how do you like them apples?” It’s only right to watch this movie as the leaves begin to change and during apple picking season.

12 classic autumn movies you need to watch - UtahValley360

 

Sleepy Hollow – Whether you’re in the mood for a spooky movie or just to stare at Johnny Depp, this one is about a police officer who is sent to Sleepy Hollow, NY to investigate a string of murders by the Headless Horseman.

Little Women – Between the fireside, snug tweed outfits and the bonds between the four women, this will make you feel all warm and toasty inside.

The Sixth Sense – If you’re in the mood for suspense and a psychological thriller this is a classic. Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist who helps Cole, a young boy who can see dead people.

The Village – this one is for lovers of a good thriller. An Amish style community doesn’t dare enter the woods that borders them for fear of “Those we don’t speak of”. But when a young girl becomes ill, the man who loves her takes a risk in hopes of getting her medicine.

If you have a favorite fall movie that’s not on this list, let me know in the comments!!

 

Must haves for the perfect cozy fall vibe

Monday must haves sherpa pumpkin pillow on amazon black glass candle warmer rabbit fur sandals chunky knit gray blanket glass etched coffee mug with gold spoon

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13 movies to put you in a cozy fall mood

Sign up below for my printable fall bucket list and free artwork!

 

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2 In Amazon/ Lifestyle/ Monday Must Haves

Monday Must Haves

Monday Must Haves - brown nail polish for fall, candle warmer, sherpa pumpkin pillow, vest and soup crock

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Happy Monday!!! And welcome to Monday Must Haves! A new weekly segment where I will share some things that I recently bought and am loving or things that are currently in my Amazon shopping cart.

It’s been in the 90s and muggy here but my finds are all fall inspired!

Monday Must Haves

This nail polish – I love this color for fall! The shade is called “That’s what friends are for.” Have I mentioned before that I think it would cool to have a job where you just come up with names for nail polish colors?

 

Monday Must Haves 0 brown nail polish by OPI "That's what friends are for"

Vest – This is such a great layering piece for fall or winter. A hooded vest lined with fleece and it’s reversible too! Available in several colors.

monday must haves long sherpa vest

Candle warmer – Not only is the really pretty, but you don’t have to worry about an open flame.  Creates a cozy ambiance on your counters, in your bedroom, on your desk, wherever.

 

black glass candle warmer

Sherpa pumpkin pillow – these are so soft and plush, and are so cute for decorating your home. Plus my furbaby loves to curl up right in them.

 

Monday must haves sherpa pumpkin pillow on amazon

 

These soup crocks – Bring on Souptember or Souptober, whatever you want to call it! These crocks are perfect for chilli, soups, mac and cheese and cozy comfort food. Sharing some of my favorite soups – Crock pot butternut squash,or my chicken noodle soup.

 

Monday must haves soup crocks for french onion soup

 

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Monday Must Haves - brown nail polish for fall, candle warmer, sherpa pumpkin pillow, vest and soup crock

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17 In Lifestyle

It’s August. Why don’t you

It's August why don't yo. Woman holding cup of coffee over outdoor rug patio

It’s August. Why don’t you…

There’s something special about August. It’s just the best of both worlds. You see, I love fall. It’s very much my favorite season.  But I am also a summer girl at heart. So to me, August is like having your cake and eating it too.  Perhaps it’s knowing that summer is winding down and that there are new beginnings around the corner with back to school, getting into routines, fall approaching and the -BER months. Around this time every year I try to cram in every last bit of summer, right up through Labor Day hanging out poolside, grilling while also getting excited for all the pumpkin spice that will be coursing through my veins, sweaters  and cozy recipes.

If you are like me. Here are some ways to enjoy every last drop of August.

It’s August, why don’t you…

Pick some sunflowers. (If you’re in the Upstate area, here are some of my fave spots).

Where to see sunflowers in the Capital District

Go to the beach. And bring back some sand and seashells so you can cherish your trip with this sweet memory box.

Have a lobster roll.

Hit up the farmer’s market and enjoy fresh summer produce like peaches, zucchini and corn.

This summer stonefruit and burrata salad has been on repeat all season.

Summer stone fruit and burrata salad - burrata, sliced cherries, sliced peaches and arugula drizzled with balsamic glaze

I also have my favorite zucchini recipes here.

Dry your hydrangeas. Now is a great time to start clipping them and drying them out to use all year round.

How to dry your hydrangeas

Get in the last of those books you wanted to read this summer and finish out the summer reading challenge strong.

You can check out my book recommendations here.

woman laying on couch on back deck reading on her kindle

August 9th is Book Lover’s Day. Get all of your bookie friends together and host a Book Exchange Brunch.

How to host a book exchange brunch

Gather the kids and all their friends together and hit up the Drive -Ins for one last summer hurrah.

Get ready for back to school with this fun back to school countdown or my back to school basket idea.

Start easing into fall decor and DIYs. Like this fall front porch decor idea.

Or check out these fall finds.

Fall front porch decor that isn't mums

Make your bucket list for fall.

Let’s enjoy every last bit of these lazy, sun soaked days shall we? Cheers to August!

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It's August why don't you. August bucket list