Leaves crunching under your feet, the perfect chilly winds which are neither too cold nor too warm, the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans, your favorite winter coats, woods lighting up the fire place, and that calming silence in the air. The fall season is here! And we are all geared up to set your mood for it. Be it reading a book in your comfy blanket with sound of the rain in the background, watching TV shows or movies on your cushy couch, or even cooking some comfort food for you and your loved ones. We’ve got recommendations for all of it. (PS. It’s all tried and tested to give you maximum autumn feels.)
So come one, come all as we have curated a list for the fans of anime, K-drama, romance, horror and much more for the setting fall season.
Books (Because we know that paper is more patient than people:’))
1. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Dark academia fans gather around, as this celebrated Tik-Tok book is here with the mystic magicians, a cult secret society, power and hunger for knowledge. Olivie Blake did a great job with the book and if you are looking to pick up dark academia, contemporary fantasy fiction, you know what to pick. It will lead you to the elite Alexandrian Society where only five of the extremely talented six magicians can go. The book is a part of duology and has several cliffhangers throughout the book. Pick this book up if you love mystery, dark academia and adult fantasy fiction.
2. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
If you are looking for some halloweeny feels, this is the book for you. Mexican Gothic is the creepy, unputdownable, feminist horror novel which sees the protagonist unveiling the claims of her cousin who indicates that her husband is trying to murder her. Basically, take Jane Eyre and but make it mysterious, intoxicating, gut-wrenching and eerie. This period drama and historical young adult fiction has abandoned mansions, challenges masculine authority, and is for anyone looking for creeps to be up late-night turning pages.
3. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Autumn and classics never go wrong, right? If your answer is no then this is the book that you need to pick up this fall to change your mind. Oscar Wilde did a phenomenal job with this one. It’s just perfect for anyone looking to start a classic for the first time or even for veterans who have read classics before. It follows our protagonist, Dorian Gray, who is an extremely handsome man and whose picturesque beauty does not fade with time, the author beautifully explores beauty and morality and the connection between them. This moral fantasy dream of a book touches crime, sensuality, evil, horror, suspense and many other emotional aspects and is sure to take away your breath this fall.
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Love a book that takes you away to a fantasy land with its vibes? You, my friend, need to read this book. The Night Circus is actually about a night circus (no points for that), which is magical and can travel all around the world. This is an adult fantasy novel demonstrates a loved-by-all night circus which appears without a warning, but that is just the top layer. Behind the scenes of this fantastic night circus with breath-taking views, is a competition. The fierce competition sees our two protagonists, who are also young magicians, competing against each other head-first. They have trained for this very purpose since their childhood. This is a good book for anyone looking for a quick trip to wonderland without having to put a lot of mind into it. Seriously, just pour yourself a cup of coffee and pick this book up – and in no time you will be there in the magical and mesmerizing night circus.
5. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
If you are someone who loves action and thrill, but also the autumn rains and your bed, The Silent Patient is just the book for you. It is an award-winning psychological thriller which is sure to leave you silent and amazed. The book shows our protagonist, a famous painter, living a perfect life with her husband until one day when her husband comes home, she shoots him multiple times. The story also sees a criminal psychotherapist who thinks he can make our protagonist, who did not utter a word since that incident, break her silence. If you are intrigued to know what happens next, you know what to do!
6. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Morally grey characters your thing? Well then, need I say anything else? Six Of Crows is the book for you. It is an action-packed criminal fantasy novel which has six main characters who go for heist to save a very important character. It is just the book you need to pick to give you the mystical vibes of the season. The hyped book is popular for all the right reasons – it has plot, it has characters who are morally grey, it has action, it has thrill and it has the heist adventure.
Movies (To take your mind away from the chaos)
1. The Dead Poet’s Society
This 1989 film is here to give you all fall vibes that you could ask for – rich boarding school, a secret club, an English teacher profoundly loved by his students but no much by other teachers, and it is even shot during the fall season. It hits you with a wave of nostalgia as it takes to your high school days when every teenager is ambitious and full of dreams but not always in the state to pursue them. Dead Poet’s Society has the legendary Robin Williams playing the best English teacher you could ever have as Mr. Keating. He, in a way, leads this bunch of students to a former club which was the dead poet’s society, and what happens next has created history. It will make you cry, it will make you ponder and most of all it is something that teaches you a great and invaluable lesson.
2. Harry Potter
We would be wrong to talk about Halloween, mystery, magic and not mention the cult favorite Harry potter. For those who haven’t yet explored the Harry Potter series, this fall is the exactly the time to let your minds wander into the mystic nooks of Hogwarts, meet the brainy wizards – some wicked, some lovable, participate in some magical inter-school competitions, and feast upon the oh-so delicious delicacies of the Hogwarts dinners. This series is a really good option even for a family movie marathon. You just need butter beer, sticky chocolate pudding and of course the chocolate frog and your snuggly blanket and you’re all set.
3. Coco
If you love animated movies, Coco should be your pick this fall season. This has ghosts which exuberate emotion better than humans. The Pixar movie will make you sob, smile and sing along to the tunes when our little protagonist, who wants to be musician, gets stuck in land of the dead and can only come back at a certain time. The storyline is so heart touching that you will certainly ‘remember’ it and thank us once you finish watching it.
4. Spirited Away
This one needs no introduction for the fans of anime. One of the most loved movies by people of all ages, Spirited Away can be your fall pick as it has a witch, an abandoned amusement park, and a 10-year-old Chihiro – all enveloped in the eerie atmosphere present throughout the movie. The movie is based upon dealing fears and anxiety even when it is almost impossible to, but the direction is so good that an important message like this is conveyed in a manner that a touch of horror and thrill but is also at the same time very comforting.
5. When Harry Met Sally
People who believe in love, we picked out our love for you. When Harry Met Sally is an all-time favorite romantic feel good movie. With the brilliant star cast, this romantic comedy is something you could pick up when you want to get the cozy vibes, with the scented candles lit in the corner of your room and mood lighting matching with the vibes of the movie. The movie is wonderfully written and depicts great character building where all the characters are filled with emotions like love, angst, and humor. The best part? It is all set in an autumnal background.
6. Don’t Worry Darling
HARRY STYLES’S fan club give a cheer! How could I not mention Don’t Worry Darling in the fall movie list. This psychological thriller is for the people seeking out the eerie side of the fall season. The movie is set in the 1950s where a housewife’s life goal is to be the perfect wife to her splendid husband who have an out-of-the-world intimacy between them with the steamy parts. But cracks in this dreamy life appears as the wife begins to notice something unfamiliar and sinful in their otherwise normal and ordinary life in the utopian experimental community where they live along with other residents. This movie is a very new release and was highly anticipated, so you need to watch it to find out if it really is your type.
Tv Show (So that you have at least one companion who stays for a longer time)
1. Gilmore Girls
This series is the most recommend one when searching for something to watch in fall. Let me tell you – it never disappoints. Like NEVER. The whole series depicts the fall time throughout. You can see our protagonists – Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, the mother-daughter duo, wandering on the streets of the fictional town Stars Hollow. This is a series which never gets old or boring. It has very wholesome and warm and cozy vibes to it. Stars hollow is a small-town where all the members live like a one big family and just like it have very distinct characters. The series demonstrates all the human emotions really well as it sees young Rory growing up. You just need to watch it to know how beautiful it really is.
2. Teen Wolf
A romantic thriller series packed with action. There is a lot of supernatural interference as our protagonist, Tyler, turns into a werewolf after being bitten by one. This award-winning series sees our protagonist going through the teenage college life along with fighting demons. The series keeps you engaged from the start till the end as it has everything that you could expect from a series – romance, thriller, horror, friendship, loyalty, and what not! The fall season is the right time to get friendly with the werewolves and other supernatural creatures.
3. Goblin: The Lonely and the Great God
This is for our K-drama fans waiting in line for their recommendation. Goblin is one heart-touching series which has drama, action, and romance. It will definitely leave you sobbing in the end – whether with happy or sad tears, you need to watch it yourself to know the answer. It follows a 940-year-old Goblin who is in search of his wife, to remove a sword from his chest and finally get redemption. The story has a lot elements and will keep you hooked till the end. Remember to a keep a box of tissues ready and also fall in love with more than one character.
4. Jujutsu Kaisen
The most hyped-up anime, and for all the good reasons. Jujutsu Kaisen is for all those anime lovers who are looking for something to watch this season. It follows our ordinary high school boy, Yuji Itadori, who is strong but leads a simple life and respects his grandfather’s wishes until one day he has to save his classmate from curses. While doing this Itadori is attacked by a curse himself, and swallows Ryomen Sukuna’s finger. Thus, begins the quest of the boy for all the other curses or ‘fingers’ under the very best sorcerers guide. It is must-watch for the anime lovers, this will give you chills but will also comfort you in the oddest of the ways. And boy, can we ever forget the legendary Gojo Saturo, he will make you go gaga over him, instill a fear of him in your mind, but will emerge being one of the most loved characters in the end.
5. The Haunting of the Hill House
If rains have forced you to stay in and you are missing the chilly air outside, The Haunting of the Hill House is just the one for you. This horror movie is there to send chills down your spine. It follows two-timelines –one where a family of four moves to Hill House and spooky things begin to happen, and the other when the two kids grow up. It is terrifying yet amazing and worth every praise that it’s been receiving so far. There is great character development and the storyline deals with childhood trauma. It will surely keep you guessing and hooked until the very end. But beware, as the haunting doesn’t stop even after you leave the Hill House.
Food (Having to give a reason to eat should be an offensive crime, no?)
Books, movies, or TV shows are incomplete without having something to eat or sip at your bedside table. So, here’s a list of easy to make delicacies for you to savor:
1. Ramen
Who doesn’t love a fulfilling bowl of ramen with some spicy tteok-bokki and other delicious toppings. Quick to make and takes no effort to eat. Just dig your chopsticks and enjoy.
2. Pumpkin pie
Is it even autumn if you do not eat a pumpkin pie? With the middle of the pie jiggling and the flavors mingling in your mouth, you can never go wrong with this. Are you also smelling pumpkins and cinnamon or is it just me?
3. Pastitsio
As fancy as it sounds, it is equally easy to make. Pastitsio is a Greek dish which consists of baked pasta, with ground meat with the star ingredient – the bechamel sauce. It is fulfilling, and something that your tastebuds will thank you for.
4. Zucchini Lasagna
For the those of you who are health conscious but don’t want to miss out on taste, yours truly has got your back. This again, is a very easy to make, low-carb, keto-friendly and has got cheese! This needs ingredients which are almost already there in your kitchen – zucchini (of course), meat, cheese –as much as you like it, egg, parsley and ricotta. You just need to know your layers and you’re done.
5. Eggnog
Autumn without whiskey? Never in a million years. Eggnog is a classic holiday drink made with eggs, creams, milk, sugar, spices and whiskey or brandy.
6. Hot Chocolate
Saved the best for last! Hot chocolate is something that just completes you fall mood setting. It has chocolate, it is hot, it smells amazing, it is easy to make, well the list could just go on. Nowadays, you even get ready to drink packs, or even pre-mixed powder to make hot chocolates. But it is also never a bad idea to go all traditional and make it from scratch.
With this, I hope your mood is all set for the fall season. Waste no time, put on your trench coats, pull up those furry socks, tuck yourself inside your blanket and pick a book or a movie or a tv show to enjoy immerse in the autumn weather.
