Leaves crunch under my feet as a crisp breeze brushes my face. Fall has finally begun: A season of pumpkin spice lattes, UGGs, apple picking, and, of course, Halloween. As the days grow shorter and the food gets warmer, time seems to fly; so, here’s your fall starter pack of everything you need to have the most cinematic and memory-worthy fall. Enjoy!
For books that feel like a picnic in a cemetery, start with The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic. This atmospheric and haunting Regency-era novel follows two sisters fighting to protect their manor as deadly phantoms creep along its borders. With fog-filled fields, glittering balls, and bloodthirsty monsters, it’s a spooky take on Jane Eyre.
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen is perfect if you enjoy Westerns or fantasy. Or hopefully both. Inspired by You’ve Got Mail, it blends a light romance with macabre twists, graveyards at midnight, and, of course, mostly dead zombies.
If you wish to invoke candlelight seance vibes, pick up Phantasma by Kaylie Smith. Set in the time of carriage rides and flickering candles, the story follows a heroine who enters a deadly competition in hopes of winning a single wish. To survive, she strikes a bargain with a phantom who becomes both her protector and something more.
Slewfoot by Gerald Brom is for those who support women’s wrongs for the plot, of course. Set in colonial New England, it’s a tale of magic, mystery, and horror. When a young woman’s last scraps of freedom are threatened, she turns to the ancient spirit Slewfoot for help, sparking a battle between Puritans, pagans, witches, and the patriarchy.
If you’re craving a saga that will last you all season (and then some), dive into The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan beginning with The Eye of the World. This epic fantasy begins when Moiraine, a powerful Aes Sedai, travels to a small village in search of the hero prophesied to fight the Dark One. She persuades a group of young villagers to leave their home and step into a world filled with danger and intrigue.
On the sweeter spectrum of fall reads that conjure images of pumpkin patches and hayrides try Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hanna. This untraditional cozy mystery features a heroine who runs a lighthouse bakery, complete with a resident ghost. When her influencer friend hosts a ghost hunt inside, things take an unexpected turn.
Or pick up Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist, set in the charming town of Maple Hollow. After accidentally summoning the ghost of her ex-girlfriend, who refuses to leave until she finds new love, the protagonist begins to fall for the mysterious new girl in town. With vampires and ghouls lurking, it’s equal parts spooky and sweet.
No fall starter pack is complete without music. Taylor Swift is essential, with Red and Folklore being practically autumn soundtracks. Listen to the 10-minute version of “All Too Well” on a mountain drive or “Epiphany” while watching the rain from the library windows. Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” is basically a fall anthem. Phoebe Bridgers sets the mood with “Motion Sickness” for chilly walks and “Smoke Signals” while waiting for the bus. For nostalgic vibes, put on The Cranberries: “Linger”, “Dreams”, or Coldplay’s “Yellow”. Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us album fits any fall moment, while Hozier’s “Cherry Wine” and “Too Sweet” feels made for sweater weather. After you’ve chosen your autumnal read and queued up your playlist, you must find your next spooky film.
Gilmore Girls is iconic and brimming with autumnal magic. It’s the perfect show to binge while studying or pressing fallen leaves. Following single mother Lorelai and her daughter Rory in Stars Hollow, Connecticut, it’s cozy, witty, and endlessly inspiring for fall outfits.
Another must-watch is Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens. Born into a magical family they’ve long tried to avoid, the sisters are pulled back into witchcraft when Gillian’s dangerous ex mysteriously dies. Dramatic and enchanting, it’s best watched by candlelight with a mug of cocoa.
For a spookier twist, try Sleepy Hollow. Based on Washington Irving’s classic, it follows Constable Ichabod Crane as he investigates a series of mysterious beheadings in a small New York town. Atmospheric and chilling, it’ll have you clutching your popcorn and jumping at shadows.
Consider this your official fall starter pack. Light a candle, queue up your playlist, grab a spooky novel, and let the season do the rest. Happy fall, and may your cocoa always be hot and your sweaters extra cozy!
