Leaves of Autumn: a nostalgic book haunt

A book shop for all seasons

There once was a bookstore on Main Street in my home town called Leaves of Autumn. All the trees changing color and that distinct fall scent in the air must have triggered this memory because that book shop’s name came to mind this morning.

Two sweet, elderly ladies ran Leaves of Autumn and I wish I could remember their names.

This was an old school book shop. Vintage leather-bound volumes, dim aisles of used books illuminated only by natural light from the windows, and that antique smell that would almost be described as “musty” but in a good way.

I spent many hours poring over the books in that store and chatting to the friendly owners. It’s been over twenty years since I was in that shop (and possibly almost as many years since it’s been gone). I don’t remember a single book I bought there—and I know I purchased many—but I certainly remember the atmosphere and the people who worked there.

Reading more into it

Autumn brings with it a unique atmosphere that seems tailor-made for reading, as the crisp air and golden leaves invite us to settle in with a good book. The gentle rustle of falling foliage and the soft, diffused light create an ambiance that encourages introspection and quiet moments of escape.

As temperatures drop and evenings grow longer, there is a particular comfort in curling up under a warm blanket with your favorite novel during this season (extra points if you actually light candles while you read!). The cozy rituals of autumn reading—steaming mugs of tea or cocoa at hand, thick socks on our feet—transform ordinary afternoons into cherished retreats from the bustle of everyday life.

In this season, books become more than mere entertainment; they are companions that enrich our inner world and help us savor the slower pace autumn offers. There’s nothing like it: fall’s inviting embrace makes reading not just an activity but a treasured experience.

How to carve out reading time this fall

Establishing a reading routine during this season can be both comforting and achievable, even amidst busy schedules. The key to building a realistic autumn reading routine lies in setting gentle intentions rather than lofty goals.

Start by assessing your daily rhythm—perhaps you have ten minutes with your morning coffee or half an hour before bed. Until January of this year (2025) I was reading maybe a single book per year… disgraceful! My day got going quickly and any time I considered reading I felt like I should be writing instead and that book I wanted to read just kept collecting more dust.

Then two things happened in the early part of this year.

First, we had a cold snap and I was making fires every morning.

Second, I had been slowly befriending a stray cat and we finally reached that stage in our relationship where he would hang out with me in the morning (after he had his breakfast of course). While the cat munched away, I started reading while I got the fire going. Then one day, my stray friend hopped on my lap while I was reading. That combined with a fire, well… like I was going to get up and leave, especially since I had my coffee in reach too.

This cozy ritual became the norm, and I’d spend anywhere from fifteen minutes to half an hour reading first thing in the morning. I prefer it when my feline friend is purring in my lap, but regardless of the situation I continue to read something as soon as I start my day. It doesn’t matter whether it is a Hercule Poirot mystery or a Spanish verb conjugation textbook, as long as I have a book in my hands before I let the issues of the day assail my mind, I start off on a better foot.

Finding your perfect autumn read

If you are looking for some inspiration for fall reads, I recommend simply searching “top autumn themed books” followed by your favorite place to either order books or read them online. For simplicity’s sake I tacked on Amazon to the above query just to see what would turn up (full disclosure: I do not have an affiliate with Amazon or any other company or author).

A cursory glance through the results stimulated some innovative reading ideas. The Book of Autumn by Molly O’Sullivan immediately caught my eye with it’s ornately decorated cover conjuring up a Halloween mood. For kids, The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming and Nicola Slater jumped out at me with its cute artwork. And to add random variety, Autumn Cocktail Recipes by Diana Morton turned my head too with promises of “cozy fall drinks”. I’m someone who actually likes to read those huge hardcover coffee table books. There is something about learning random information about topics I don’t even have an interest in that somehow inspires my brain.

My point is that it doesn’t matter what you read. As long as you pick up a book, it just does something positive to your mind, mood, and outlook that can only be described with the cheesy adjective of “magical.”