Hello Folk of the Hollow!

Listen, I know it’s only August 1st. I know that technically fall doesn’t really start until sometime in September. But what I also know is that this is my blog and I decide when the fall content starts.

Okay, I came in kind of hot there for a second—but that’s about as hot as I got all day because as the bless-ed day of August 1st dawned cloudy and gray, I was greeted with the nicest and coolest breezes that actually made me cold for the first time since . . . well, I can’t really remember anymore. Time has become a mire of hot, humid air and sweat and summer-based seasonal depression so it feels like it’s been much, much longer than it actually has. An eternity, in truth.

But today was gorgeous and single-handedly erased the misery of the past several months and completely tricked me into forgetting that we’re due for a few more hot days before we are well and truly freed of this quagmire. Also, I just really want to talk about fall!

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. It’s not just because it was when I was born (October 3rd, in case you’re interested ^_~ ) but also because I feel the most alive during the fall. I saw the leaves beginning to change outside ever-so-slightly and I cannot describe how much joy I felt in my heart, even though I’m 85% sure I was just deluding myself. Our little cottage in the Hollow always gets such beautiful fall foliage every year, it’s like something out of a movie!

I’m determined to make this fall the best ever, and I’m so excited to get to share that with you guys! That’s a little bit why I’m starting so early—I want time to be able to do everything I want to do, and there’s a lot! Especially considering a lot of it I have to wait for other people to get the memo that fall is absolutely here!

So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

First up, we have the books I want to read this fall!

I’m one of those people who really overestimates how many books she can read in a single season (looking at you, mental list of summer books I was going to read but never did) but the important part is not to put too much pressure on yourself when it comes to a seasonal reading list. They’re more like guidelines anyway.

Not all of these books are recommendations exactly. They’re really just books I want to read this year, rather than exclusively ones that I have. Some of them I have read, though, and plan to read again because they just completely embody the fall vibes—but a few of them I have to pick just the right days to start or they won’t hit the way I want them to.

Let’s get started!

Dark Harvest by Norman Patridge

“A Midwestern town’s boys are locked up for five days, and now they’re hitting the streets armed with weapons to face a legendary butchering nightmare on Halloween night”

I’ve had this book on my TBR for *years*. Problem was, I just kind of kept forgetting about it, or I found other books that I felt were a more immediate necessity to read at the time. This fall, however, I’m determined to get my hands on Dark Harvest! (A task made easier, by the way, because I realized this one is on Kindle Unlimited, so I can literally pop on over to my kindle and read it whenever I gosh dang please)
What drew my attention was the cover, I’m not going to lie. It gives off . . . quirky Midwest gothic vibes mixed with Jack Skellington when he’s in his scarecrow outfit at the beginning of the movie (the one they set on fire, and then he jumps into the fountain in the opening song).
Also the fact that this one is a Bram Stoker award winner is a definite selling point for me. For those who don’t know, the Bram Stoker award is like one of the highest (if not *the* highest) award a horror writer can achieve.
I can’t wait to read this one, and do an immediate review on it!

Don’t Let the Forest In by CG Drews

“High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairytales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality.”

Don’t Let the Forest In is a queer YA novel that definitely has goblincore / dark academia vibes that I feel like are more perfectly suited for autumn than any other time. I got this one way back at the end of the spring, intending to make it my Summerween dark academia pick—but it was only after I got halfway through that I realized I wanted to save the rest of it for autumn. I’m going to save the second half for a cozying up with a fluffy blanket (of which we just got a new one and it’s very fluffy) pumpkin scented candles, cold breezes, and golden autumn afternoons with the fireplace crackling.

Although I already have some opinions formed about the first half of the book, I’m going to save it until I’ve finished the whole thing and am in a position to do a full review! (Also, if you guys have read this one, don’t tell me anything!)

Something Wicked this Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

“When the carnival comes to town, two boys unearth the terrifying and horrible secrets that lurk within Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show and learn the consequences of wishes, as a sinister and evil force is at work in Green Town, Illinois.”

Much like *Dark Harvest*, this book has been on my TBR for *ages*. I mentioned it on my Spooky Books to Read for Fall post about a million years ago, from back before I got better at this whole blogging thing. I’m a die-hard Ray Bradbury fan so I’m going into this expecting it to be great! Also like Dark Harvest, I found out that this is also on Kindle Unlimited so that’s another one I’m going to add to my library.

Quick Bookish PSA that No One Asked For:

I’m just going to say it right here: I don’t prefer one method of reading over another, and yes I’m counting audiobooks. Some types might not work out for everyone (for example, I can’t do audiobooks because my mind tends to wander if someone is talking to me for too long. That’s not the fault of audiobooks as a whole, just a personal thing that keeps me from enjoying that medium) and everyone is allowed their own opinions, but this is mine: no one method is better than another. Physical copies aren’t inherently better than digital, and as someone who has a lot of books, I feel like being able to digitally keep them has allowed me to own even more than before. I’ll always be surrounded by my physical copies, but sometimes its nice to be able to save on a finite amount of room by having some books digital. So we don’t shame anyone for how they choose to consume stories, dear Hollowfolk. We’re just happy they’re enjoying themselves!

Bookish PSA That NO One Asked For Over.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

“Two star-crossed magicians engage in a deadly game.”

Remember when I said I was going to include novels I’ve read before, but absolutely plan to read again every year? The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is one of those books for sure. My copy (which has the same cover as the picture, by the way) is so well loved that the plastic covering is peeling really badly around the edges. I love, love, love this book and I love the immaculate vibes. Morgenstern does my favorite thing in this novel: experiments with non-traditional storytelling formats, so it was destined that I would love this novel.

I read this one every single year, without fail, and usually I try to wait for a day when we’re having our first cold rain. I love to snuggle up in my thick plaid blanket with a cup of tea and just sink into the absolute perfection that is this novel. Morganstern said once that she wrote this as her “autumn novel” and that The Starless Sea is her “winter novel” and that absolutely comes through in every bit of this piece.

Anyway, long story short: Book good, you should read it.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, embarks on an adventure with Gandalf the wizard and a company of dwarves to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug.”

I mean, need I say more? *The Hobbit* and *The Lord of the Rings* universe in general are the perfect autumn reads if not just for the vibes!

When I was picking out the kinds of movies I wanted to showcase here, I tried to keep in mind movies that I like that have more muted color palettes and / or take place in autumn. Also, I wanted some that just exuded the fall vibes to me, and that I was excited to watch at some point this autumn. There were quite a few that I thought of, but I narrowed it down to the crème de la crème that I think you guys will like!

Dead Poets Society (1989)

“A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.”

This option might be a touch cliché because I feel like everyone who talks about their favorite fall-themed movies always includes Dead Poets Society. It’s practically a staple in anyone’s fall-themed viewing if they’re not watching something spooky, and I can’t even argue because there’s good reason! This show is the epitome of autumn viewing—it takes place in a very dark academia coded boys’ school during the prettiest time of year to be anywhere that exudes dark academia vibes, the fall!

I’m sure that everyone has seen this movie (sometimes I feel like, any more, people are born having seen it) but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it. It’s one of Robin Williams’s most notable roles and is definitely a movie that you will absolutely fall in love with! This movie is especially great if you, like me, enjoy the dark academia aesthetic while being of a literary persuasion. The way Robin Williams’s character talks about poetry and writing and how we need these things to make life worth living is one of the most moving things I’ve heard in a long time in a movie regarding literature.

Little Women (2019)

“Little Women is a coming-of-age story set during the American Civil War, following the lives of the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. The story explores their journeys from childhood to adulthood, highlighting their individual personalities, dreams, and challenges as they navigate love, family, and personal ambitions.”

Did you really think we would get out of the movies section without me mentioning a novel adaptation? Little Women absolutely belongs on this list (I’ve only seen the 2019 Greta Gerwig version, which is pretty darn great. I love Greta Gerwig, and Florence Pugh is a perfect Amy). Because of it’s warm, autumnal color palette and focus on family, which I think makes it the perfect fall movie because fall and winter are the months when most of the family-centric holidays take place, encouraging a sense of togetherness that his film really drives home.

The Craft (1996)

“After transferring to a Los Angeles high school, Sarah (Robin Tunney) finds that her telekinetic gift appeals to a group of three wannabe witches, who happen to be seeking a fourth member for their rituals. Bonnie (Neve Campbell), Rochelle (Rachel True) and Nancy (Fairuza Balk), like Sarah herself, all have troubled backgrounds, which combined with their nascent powers lead to dangerous consequences. When a minor spell causes a fellow student to lose her hair, the girls grow power-mad.”

This movie is a good one for if you’re looking for something a little more on the Halloween side. As you could obviously tell based on the name, the movie is about a group of ‘90s teen girls who get into witchcraft (what’s more autumnal than witches?) and I feel like is another one of those movies that everyone recommends for the fall. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for something on the spookier side!

Another way I’m going to romanticize autumn in 2025 is playing autumn and Halloween themed video games! Spooky, fall-coded games are kind of one of my favorite things and I feel like they’re the perfect way to make the most of the season if you enjoy gaming! I can’t imagine anything more relaxing than curling up with a blanket, a bunch of Halloween candy, turning all the lights off (except for a fall scented candle for ambiance!) and getting invested in something good and spooky!

Here are some games that I have either tried before and definitely recommend, or haven’t ever even heard of before and am excited to experience for the first time this year!

Night in the Woods

I had this one recommended to me literally today and just based on the cover alone I feel like it’s a must-play. It gives me sort of Cult of Lamb vibes based just on the cover art, but I’m sure it’s a whole different thing. I can’t wait to give this one a shot! I don’t really know what else to say about it since I have zero idea what to expect going in, but it looks like one I might enjoy! I might even do a review of it when I’m done, so you guys who haven’t played it know if you want to give it a try or not! (You’d like that, right?)

Firewatch

Bully

“Set in the fictional town of Bullworth, the single-player story follows juvenile delinquent student Jimmy Hopkins, who is involuntarily enrolled at Bullworth Academy boarding school for a year, and puts his efforts to rise through the ranks of the school system to stop bullying.”

I have been playing this game every fall since I was a freshman or sophomore in high school, and it will always be one of those games that is so completely against my normal aesthetic that it makes people go “seriously?” but if you stick with me, I promise it’ll make sense:
The whole game is basically a satirical dark academia game before dark academia was a *thing*. The school of Bullworth is designed in an old world style that you would imagine for a place like Harvard or Yale, but is much more run down because the school is populated by delinquents. You go through the full school year, including autumn (which is so pretty in game, despite the 2006-era Playstation 2 graphics) and the quests you can take on change based on the time of year. Like you only get the Halloween based quests on Halloween night, and same with some of the Christmas ones.
I think it’s time to break this little gem back out and take a walk down memory lane!

There’s so much I want to do this year, it’s good that we’re starting early! The first two are dependent on other people getting with the program, however, so they will likely have to wait until later on in the season when people start putting out pumpkins for purchase. However, not all of it is dependent on others! Those are the ones that will likely be done earlier and more frequently, and I want to center as much of it as possible around spending time with my loved ones.

Over the last several years we didn’t do nearly as many fall activities as I would’ve liked, so this year I want to try and remedy that. I don’t know if it was the lingering heat from the summer or what but it’s almost like we kept forgetting that it was fall (can you believe it?!) But this year, I’ve got an informal itinerary of stuff I want to do to get into the autumn spirit!

Go To A Pumpkin Patch!

Pumpkin Carving!

Of course the natural next step is to *actually* carve those pumpkins! I have to emphasize “actually” because we have, over the last couple of years, routinely bought pumpkins with the intention of carving them but then both Danny and I totally forgot! In-tact pumpkins are still a good decoration, for sure, but nothing quite like a creepy pumpkin face peering out through the dark with a flickering light within to give it that extra spooky ambiance!
Carving pumpkins used to be one of our favorite couples activities when we were younger. October is our favorite month (my birthday, Halloween, our dating anniversary and our wedding anniversary are all in October!) so we liked to pack as much couples activities into it as we could. This year, we’re not going to forget to carve them! We won’t, we won’t, we won’t!

Actually Decorate For Fall!

Much like the pumpkin carving, decorating for fall and Halloween has mostly just kept slipping our minds in years past. We think about it—we plan to do it—we swear up and down that we’re gonna do it by God—but then when the time finally comes we totally space and before we know it it’s time to decorate for Christmas!
We won’t be doing that this year. We’re going to go all out, so stay tuned for the decorating post!

Eat More Smores and Drink More Hot Chocolate!

This one was Danny’s idea, and I’m absolutely all for it! We love smores and hot chocolate, but for some reason we never partake in the fall when they would taste the best. I know, weird right? But one of the things he said he wanted to do this year was make sure we ate more smores and drank more hot chocolate. We’re probably going to try and build some sort of fire pit or something in the back yard so we can sit outside as the air gets colder and warm up by the crackling fire, toasting our marshmallows and sipping at our mugs!

We might even have our friends over periodically to join us in the smores and hot chocolate festivities! This is one of those things I mentioned earlier that I’d like to include our loved ones in, because that kind of stuff is what life is all about. Plus, this is exactly the kind of thing hygge (it’s the Danish concept of being cozy and calm and happy. I’ll talk about it in another post!) is all about!

Fall BBQ

This is another something I’d like to do with our friends, but also with just me and Danny. We didn’t end up using our grill at all this year because it was way too hot for our fall-coded bodies to stand outside next to something even hotter. But as the nights start getting cooler, Danny and I want to have a fall BBQ for ourselves and our loved ones!

Whew! This post is a beast!

I’m realizing now that it’s a good thing I’m starting now in August—otherwise, I’d never have the time! But having written all of this out and put some deep thought into each point, I’m so excited for fall this year! I’m really going to make the most of the season and I can’t wait to take you guys along with me as I do!

But for now, I’m going to go ahead and end this here. Let me know if any of this inspired you to romanticize the season too!

I’ll see you next time!

Bye! 💚

🍂 How I’m Romanticizing Autumn in 2025 🍁 Book List, Movie Recommendations, Activities, ect.