As the autumn breeze whispers through the changing leaves, it’s the perfect season to get lost in the pages of a book. Fall invites us to slow down, to savor quiet moments, and to wrap ourselves in stories that warm the soul. Consider diving into a classic mystery, something with a touch of magic, or a novel with rich, atmospheric details that match the golden light and deep shadows of the season. Whether it’s a beloved favorite or a new literary adventure, let the rhythm of falling leaves and the comfort of cozy blankets turn every page into a cherished memory. This fall, let reading be your invitation to adventure, self-reflection, and cozy escapes. Here are some recommendations if you are looking for some Cozy Fall Romance Reads.
Until Next Month!
Happy Reading! 🤓📚 🍂
The Life Impossible By: Matt Haig
If this wasn’t a library book, I would have been highlighter happy with so many quotes and life messages written throughout it. Grace, a seventy-two, widow and retired math teacher, is unexpectedly given a house in Ibiza. Not one for taking risks, she still decides to buy a one-way ticket to see what it has to offer. While there, she begins searching for answers into her friend’s disappearance while also coming to terms with her own past. If you like books with a bit of magical realism, filled with hope, and themes of living life to the fullest, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale and I know it will be one that sticks with me for a while.
The Book Swap By: Tessa Bickers
The Book Swap hooked me from page one and I devoured it in three days. Told in duel point of view, Erin is recovering from a recent tragedy and things go from bad to worse when she accidentally places her favorite heavily annotated book in a free little library. When she goes back to find it, she’s pleasantly surprised it’s not only there but it’s marked up even more in the margins. There is also a note on the last page to meet her in the pages of Great Expectations. The other point of view is told from “Mystery Man” (James) where we learn about his past life struggles and experiences. Throughout the book, Erin and James learn more about one another through various books put in the library until they finally meet. What could go wrong??If you like books told in dual timelines, about grief,forgiveness,and books about books, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale. (Trigger warnings for death, grief, loss, bullying, and mental health issues.)
Swan Song By: Elin Hilderbrand
After watching The Perfect Couple last month, I decided now was a good time to read my copy of Swan Song By: Elin Hilderbrand. This is her last novel she will be writing with her infamous Nantucket settings. When a new wealthy couple move to the island, social mayhem and a possible murder follow. This book is told in present time, with some chapters flashing back to a particular evening, when things go awry. In true Hilderbrand style, the cast of characters in this book will keep you wanting more, as you learn about their past and present situations. If you like books where the setting is part of the story, books filled with drama, and some intrigue, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩 🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
The Echo of Old Books By: Barbara Davis
The structure of this book is a very unique one. There are three books in one going on here. One book is told from the point of view of Belle during the 1940s while the other point of view is told from Hemi during this same time period. Finally, we have a more current day point of view (1984),from Ashlyn, who discovers the two previous books. She then pulls everything together as she unravels the love story of Belle and Hemi. If you like books about forgiveness, relationships, and books within books, then this is a book for you. I gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale.
Bonus Book Review - Strange Sally Diamond By: Liz Nugent
After reading this book last October, I devoured it in 6 days and gave it 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 on the devour scale. Told in alternating perspectives, we hear the story from Sally in the present and from Peter in the past. Sally is a "quirky" character right from the beginning, but as we learn why, we begin to see her in a different light. There are some pretty dark family secrets that are exposed but by the end we are rooting for Sally and all that she's conquered. If you like family secrets, quirky female characters, and books told from different points of view, then this book is for you. If you are looking for a mystery thriller to read this fall, I highly recommend this one.
Spotify Audio Books Free Listening Hours for Premium Subscribers
For all my bookish friends that love audio books. I just found out recently that Spotify Premium subscribers get 15 hours of free audiobook listening time per month. This time is available from a catalog of over 250,000 titles. (Unused listening hours expire at the end of each month and do not carry over.)
November In-Person Book Club
Book Club at King of Kings Church (47500 Schoenherr Rd.)
The November selection for the King of king’s book club is There There by Tommy Orange. This wondrous and shattering novel follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize.
Hailed as an instant classic, There There is at once poignant and unflinching, utterly contemporary and truly unforgettable. Due to many trigger warnings throughout the book, it is highly suggested that you check this before considering reading. If you live in the Shelby Twp., Michigan area and would like to discuss the book with others, consider joining me on Thursday, November 21st at 7:00 pm. I am the book club facilitator for the evening session. All I ask is that you let me know that you are coming, so that I can arrange for enough seating.
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
Emily in Paris follows Emily Cooper, an American college graduate in her late twenties with a Master's degree in communication who is from Chicago; she moves to Paris for an unexpected job opportunity. She is tasked with bringing an American point of view and social media presence to a venerable French marketing firm.
Shrinking - Season 2 (Apple TV+)
A grieving therapist starts to break the rules by telling his clients exactly what he thinks. Jimmy has lost his wife and wants to try a new approach to his loss, but it is unclear how this will help others. If you love Ted Lasso, this show has a similar vibe and deals with some of the same kinds of themes. Like, the importance of kindness and empathy and how setbacks can make us better people if we let them. New episodes out every Wednesday. Watch Season 2 Trailer Here
The Lincoln Lawyer - Season 3 (Netflix)
Hotshot LA defense attorney Mickey Haller will do whatever it takes to win as he navigates the criminal justice system from his trademark Lincoln.Manuel Garcia-Rulfo returns as Mickey Haller in the legal drama with 10 new episodes based on The Gods of Guilt, the fifth book in The Lincoln Lawyer series by Michael Connelly.
“This season is very exciting,” Garcia-Rulfo tells Tudum. “We see Mickey struggling with so many things at the same time — with romance, with the wives, with the cases. You never expect what’s going to happen, who’s going to be bad, and who’s going to be guilty.” Watch Season 3 Trailer Here
Murder in a Small Town (Fox- weekly on Tuesdays)
Karl Alberg moves to the idyllic coastal town of Gibsons to become the new police chief and soothe a psyche that has been battered by big-city police work. Unfortunately, the gentle paradise has more than its share of secrets, and Karl needs to call upon all the skills that made him a world-class detective in solving the murders that, even in this seemingly idyllic setting, continue to wash up on his shore. Cassandra, a local librarian, becomes Alberg's muse, foil and romantic interest. The show is based on the Edgar Award-winning, nine-book "Karl Alberg" series by acclaimed novelist L.R. Wright.
From our humble beginnings as a small chain of eclectic Southern California convenience stores, Trader Joe’s has grown to become a national chain of 552 (and counting) neighborhood grocery stores, employing more than 65,000 Crew Members. How? By being comfortable with being different. Every episode takes you Inside Trader Joe’s in a podcast series only Trader Joe's could deliver.
Are you a Trader Joe’s fan? Want to know what keeps people coming back? Hungry for all the new and exciting stuff coming to your neighborhood store? Let's go Inside Trader Joe’s. Listen to Current Episode Here
Restorative Reading
Wondering what restorative reading means? Stephanie Affinito states, "Typically defined, something that is restorative serves to restore us to consciousness, vigor, or health, such as restorative movement, yoga, meditation, art and/or creativity. And while these practices have served me well, I’ve realized I was overlooking one consistent practice in my life that had the power to change everything reading. Restorative reading is reading that soothes the body, awakens the mind and sparks inspired action to make life better."
By taking this self-paced course, I have been learning to lean in to what reading rituals fit me best, how to create a book apothecary, and even how yoga & aromatherapy can enhance my reading life. If you want to learn more about how you can do the same, here is the link to join.
https://stephanie-affinito-0cab.mykajabi.com/restorativereading. Still want to learn more, listen to the two podcast episodes below, as Stephanie gives more information on her learnings.
Sprouted Weekly Planner
I just purchased my 2025 weekly Sprouted Planner. This will be my fourth year that I will be using this planner and I absolutely love the design and layout of the pages. I use it to not only keep track of my daily activities but also to write a daily reflection, track my exercise habits, collect quotes and set weekly intentions. This planner has a ton of blank spaces, some with grids, some with dots, and some with fine lines. If you are looking for a planner that helps you set up systems and intentions vs. goals, then I highly recommend yo try this planner.
As our habit hero James Clear says:
“If you want better results, forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.”
It’s your systems - as long as they’re rooted in what matters most to you (your core values) - that will lead to days of satisfaction, peace, and motivation.
ALA Reading Planner
I received this Reading Planner as a birthday gift and I think it will be a great way to track my reading progress, discover new stories, and inspire a year of reading. I plan to use it starting in January but thought I'd share it this month, as it would make a great holiday gift for a book lover in your life.
From the world's oldest and largest library association(ALA) comes a 12-month undated reading challenge planner to grow your reading habits and inspire a love of reading! Filled with weekly book recommendations drawn from Booklist’s top selections and ALA awards, plus journaling prompts, this engagement calendar will challenge and delight readers of all levels and across genres. Complete with reading logs, planner stickers, habit trackers, and more, this undated planner is perfect for book lovers, as a gift for anyone looking to build their reading habits. https://alastore.ala.org/ALAplanner
