Upon the arrival of autumn, I spend some time gathering my companions for the season at hand. I go through my bookshelves, my movie collection, my magazine stash and such and find the companions that I want to accompany me throughout the coming months. I'm all about things that bring on the cozy and seasonal vibes this time of year. And while I've shared my Halloween favorites before, I have a slew of autumn favorites which I will be sharing today. For me, many if not most of these are also perfectly suited for wintertime as well.
So, go ahead, make yourself a mug of something deliciously warming and settle in with your comfiest blanket, and let's find some wonderfully delightful autumn companions...
. . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . .
My Favorite Autumnal Movies/TV Shows
Gilmore Girls
I watch this series all year long, but come autumn's arrival, I start it all over again and it feels special and brand new and like its own little celebration of all things cozy making their official return.
Mysteries (TV series and movies)
I'm going to keep my ramblings on mysteries to watch in the autumn quiet for now, because I have an entire post coming this month about all my favorite mysteries. So much fun!
Call the Midwife
This show feels cozy and comforting to me, and I always associate it with autumn and wintertime. I don't know why really, perhaps it's because that's when I first watched it and when I am most drawn to it.
Road to Avonlea
I haven't watched this one in years, but I remember it feeling autumnal. Maybe I need to pull this one out again and rewatch some of it? After all, who doesn't love a trip to Avonlea?!?!
All Creatures Great and Small
My newest and latest obsession and love is All Creatures Great and Small on PBS. I recently watched this series for the first time and I fell in love immediately. It feels like such the perfect show to cozy up with...at least that's what I did.
Anne of Green Gables
I've read that some folks associate the Anne books and movies with springtime, but I, personally, feel they are much more suited to autumn and winter. That's when I love watching them and am most inspired to pick up the books, too. And, of course, I stick with the Megan Follows versions. No others for me, please and thank you.
Little Women (1994)
Just as I will gladly stick to the Megan Follows version of Anne, I'll gladly stick with the 1994 version of Little Women. This movie is one of my all-time beloved favorites and I adore the filmography, the costumes, set designs and scenery...all of it just says "cozy season" to me. Oh, and the soundtrack is a masterpiece all its own! I listen to it ALL the time! The PBS miniseries is also enjoyable, but I feel it's more springy or summery.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
As much as I love the book in the autumn and winter, the movie is the same. I love the book chats around the fire and all the candles lit. Perfect for chilly evenings curled up on the couch.
The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings
Such movies about hobbits and whatnot must be watched in the cozy season. There's no way around it.
Harry Potter
Same goes for movies about wizards and magic...if these don't scream autumn, I don't know what does.
You've Got Mail
"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to but school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." Okay, what more convincing do you need to watch this movie? Books and bookshops, cozy clothes, gentle romance, New York in the autumn, twinkle lights...it's all there.
Nanny McPhee 1 & 2
These are fun, feel-good, uplifting movies for the whole family. They are magical and delightful and hopeful...all the good things movies should have.
Under the Tuscan Sun
While I often think of summertime with this movie because of the whole "armchair travel" thing, I really also think this movie is suited for autumn. So much of it feels autumnal to me and it is, indeed, a very comforting movie.
Julie and Julia
This entire movie, from start to "The End" is just so comforting it makes me want to make a really delicious meal and eat it under a blanket on the couch whilst watching this film. Yes. I think I may just do that.
Miss Potter
This is another comforting movie...which automatically says cozy to me. While it does go through the seasons and such, it has a very heartwarming feel that just suits this time of year.
. . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . .
My Favorite Autumnal Books
Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem
This series isn't just for children. Trust me, even as a "grown up", you'll wish you could jump right into the illustrations in these adorably charming stories. Especially make sure to read Autumn Story during these fall months.
Paddington series by Michael Bond
Same as above...so not just for children. The Paddington books are so heartwarming and touching and funny. You can't help but love them.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
I'm currently in the midst of reading the first in this series and let me just say, it has all the perfect October vibes. Period.
Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery
Old-fashioned charm, sweet stories, gentle romance, inspiring, feel-good, hopeful...all the good things.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
If you want to read a book that fills you up, this is the one. I really can't say how much I love this book!
Village School by Miss Read
This book has back to school vibes and goes through the year, so it has lots of seasonal happenings. I enjoyed the way this story took me back to a bygone era.
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
If you've been around here in past Octobers, you well know that this is my go-to, favorite October read. I can't get enough of it! I just love it so much!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Annie Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer
I loved this epistolary novel...and it makes me want to find more to read. This has lovable, quirky characters and lots and lots of talk about books. Being set post-World War II also makes me love it even more.
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister
I simply cannot love the sentimentality and romantic style of writing in this book anymore. It has such a "cozy season" feel to it.
The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake
This book is set at the end of autumn, if I remember correctly. And it is just a feel-good, light, fun, comforting sort of read, which tend to always be my favorites.
Ivy Lane by Cathy Bramley
This book takes you through all four seasons, though because of the cozy style of writing and storytelling, I feel it fits the autumn season perfectly.
The Telephone Box Library by Rachael Lucas
I shared all my thoughts on this book in our September book club gathering. But I feel that this is a lovely autumn/cozy read due to the writing style, the setting and all the talks of staying warm and toasty by the Aga and sipping cups of tea in front of the fire. Cozy and comforting, indeed.
. . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . .
My Favorite Cozy Mysteries
The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series by Susan Witting Albert
I have only read book one in this series so far, but I can say that it is one of the most comforting mysteries I've read. And I know that sounds strange to say about a mystery, but just trust me on this one. Another story you just wish you could jump right into.
Agatha Raisin series by M.C. Beaton
So I'm obviously a huge lover of the TV series that was inspired by this series. I've read only one book in this series so far, but I've got several on my shelf waiting to be read. The book I have read was so, so hilarious. Like, laugh out loud funny. It's completely nuts and quirky and everything that makes a mystery so not dark and heavy and gruesome...it's the total opposite.
An Enchanted Garden series by Bailey Cantrell
Again, I've just read one in this series so far. I tend to just jump around to different cozy mysteries instead of reading one series straight through. Anyway, this series is magical and fun and well, enchanting. I really loved book one and have book two ready and waiting.
A Magical Bakery series by Bailey Cates
This series is written by the same author as the series above, she just used a different last name. Again, very magical, fun and enchanting. I loved the witchy aspect of this series, and especially the bakery setting.
Evenfall Witches B & B series by Auralee Wallace
Obviously, this is the book club pick for October. I'll save my thoughts for our chat later in the month, but I will say...I loved this mystery. I love witchy characters, especially in October and in cozy mysteries, so that made this book even more fun.
My mom also heartily recommends the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke and the Lucy Stone series by Leslie Meier. Both of these series have lots of books, many of which are seasonal or holiday themed.
. . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . .
My Favorite Nonfiction for Autumn
Gladys Taber's Stillmeadow books
These books, and there are quite a few, are filled with beautiful writings about a woman's simple life centered at home and rooted in nature and I just love them to bits.
The Private World of Tasha Tudor
This book spoke to bits of my soul. So much of this book resonated with me and felt like a hug from a kindred spirit.
Martha's Vineyard, Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch
This, hands down, is perhaps the most kindred spirit of a book I've ever read. If I go on about this book, I'll just ramble on and on forever.
Cosy by Laura Weir
And finally, for my autumn reading selections, I really loved this quick, small little book sharing all the comforts of a cozy life. It's the perfect book for an afternoon and makes for a sweet coffee table feature, too.
. . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . .
My Favorite Autumnal Magazines
As far as magazines go, I'm not a huge magazine reader. Oh, I do enjoy perusing the magazine selection at Barnes and Noble, but I don't find that many that I feel to be worth the money in buying or subscribing to. But...there is one. And that would be the beautiful Victoria magazine. I have been a reader and subscriber to this magazine for a handful of years now. And I have quite the growing collection of past issues in my bookshelves. At this time of year, I love pulling out all the issues from autumn months of years past and flip through them here and there. These magazines, while there are many beautiful articles and essays to read that I love and greatly enjoy, I must admit that I most love just sitting down and spending a good bit of time just flipping through the pages. I love the gorgeous locations and scenery that are often featured, as well as the home-loving inspiration, and seasonal touches throughout each issue. Each issue feels like a little celebration, and they are simply delightful to flip through and read.
. . . . . . . . . . ♥ . . . . . . . . . .
Other Autumnal Favorites
Be sure to check out my list of Halloween favorites, which I linked above. Those are the things that I fill my October evenings with.
I also love having a knitting project going to accompany me during my evening chill out time...usually just a simple cowl project. Though, I am hoping to learn to crochet granny squares this autumn as well. Wish me luck!
And finally, I always go through my recipe collections and cookbooks at the start of the season and choose recipes that I wish to make during the cooler months. These include dinner recipes, healthier baked goods, homemade breads, tea blends and even, this year, trying a nourishing pumpkin spice latte...decaf, of course. Doing this really gets me excited for the autumn and winter months! As if I'm not already beside myself like a little girl on Christmas Day!
What are your favorite autumnal companions? Do share your lists with me!