As autumn approaches and the weather starts to chill, we often crave the “perfect” cozy night in. For some, that means curling up with a good novel, but for others it would include a dimly lit room, the main focus being a comforting film on your laptop or TV. Luckily, in this article, we entertain both interests! Below you will find a curated list of our favorite movies and books to sink your teeth into this fall.
To begin your autumnal literary journey, a thrilling high stakes mystery may be best to captivate your attention and keep you reading into the wee hours of the night. The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes follows 17-year-old Cassie Hobbes as she joins a program for gifted teenagers, at which mysteries arise and chaos ensues.
If you’re looking for something a tad more challenging, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley are the perfect classics to get you thinking. In that same literary vein, Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin are cozy and thought provoking literary fiction novels.
Finally, there’s a whole world of autumnal romances to delve into, but some of the best are Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, the Powerless series by Lauren Roberts, and When in Rome by Sarah Adams.
Sometimes, though, you’re craving a fall movie night. There are plenty of options for you to watch that span various genres.
First, horror. Nothing gives you that Halloween feeling quite like a thriller. Scream (1996) follows a masked killer named Ghostface as he terrorizes teens in the town of Woodsboro. Another option, Beetlejuice (1988), is about a spirit who attempts to scare a family out of their new home. Hocus Pocus (1993) is a more light-hearted comedy about three witch sisters who appear in the modern world. However, they still have evil intentions. All these movies have at least one sequel if you’re interested in a movie marathon!
Some may like spooky movies, but prefer them to be a little less scary than horror. That’s when you can turn to animated movies instead! Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005) has perfect fall vibes. The story details a man named Victor who is dragged by Emily to the land of the dead. Emily is a deceased woman who wishes to marry Victor in the underworld, but he has another bride waiting for him back with the living. Another choice, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), tells of a skeleton named Jack who wants all the Halloween creatures and monsters to control and celebrate Christmas. It serves as a perfect transition movie from fall to winter.
As the leaves fall, people can fall in love, too. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) involves an abrasive high school girl and her complicated relationship with a boy who was paid to date her. However, the money starts to mean less and less to him, and a real relationship eventually blossoms. Additionally, La La Land (2016) follows two individuals who each have great dreams in life. Mia and Sebastian work to help each other meet their goals, but are threatened to lose their connection along the way.
Perhaps you enjoy both reading and watching movies. Twilight and Harry Potter are two extremely popular book series that have fan-loved film adaptations . Additionally, some more classic stories such as The Notebook and Little Women have both films and novels that perfectly encapsulate the feeling of fall.
Regardless of what interests you, there is a plethora of media to enjoy this cozy season.