Fall is the ideal season to get lost in a vibe making it more than appropriate to pair fall reading and self-care rituals that align with the mood you’re trying to create this autumn.
Why Fall Reading and Self Care Matters
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but this year has been a doozy. I swear 2025 feels like it’s been eons long. However, now that fall is slipping in complete with chilly mornings, seasonal favorites and the slow transition into the last few months of the year. It’s the perfect excuse to partake in cozy autumn routines that allow you to catch a vibe, read a book and take care of yourself.
Fall Reading and Self Care Vibe Check
First things first you have to set the vibes to ensure you’re focused on mindful reading habits that allow you to achieve your fall reading goals while ensuring your reading sessions are becoming an essential part of your self care routine for peak relaxation and stress reduction that appeals to the senses.
Cozy At Home Reading
Hone in on those homey vibes for peak comfort. Appeal to your sense of smell by lighting aromatic candles, using an aromatherapy diffuser with seasonal scents, or fragranced wall plug ins to diffuse the scents of fall. Think cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and apple cider. Next, create soft, ambient lighting by hanging fairy lights around bookshelves, or in your reading nook. This is guaranteed to transport you into your fall-themed books.
Comforting Spaces
Fall reading and self care are the perfect pairing because they’re all about comfort. So, when you’re sprucing up your reading spot don’t forget to include snuggly throw blankets in seasonal colors like orange, red and brown or fun designs that celebrate Halloween and autumn. Utilize home decor to enhance your reading nook and bookshelves for more seasonal flair. Consider fake flower arrangements or apt seasonal plants that provide the right autumnal touch. Lastly, finish strong with yummy, soft sweatshirts bonus points if they’re bookish.
If you’re venturing out of your lair ideal places to spend time lost in a book include cozy independently owned café’s with vibes for days. For an atmospheric reading session consider grabbing a blanket and heading to the park where you can read beneath the trees as they change colors and leaves rain upon your head as you turn the pages of your book.
Warm, Seasonal Beverages & Delectable Treats
The finishing touch for any good fall themed reading session is to have a nice steamy cuppa tea, coffee or spiced apple cider. One of my favorite fall drinks is chai latte I go crazy for this every fall. It’s the perfect blend of cinnamon and warm spices that burst on the tongue delighting your taste buds with an instant infusion of autumn. You can’t have a warm cozy beverage without a seasonal mug to set the right tone. Don’t forget to include a baked treat such as a muffin, cookie, pumpkin bread or cinnamon roll to truly set the scene.
Bookish Fall Self Care Rituals
While reading is an essential self care for book lovers you can improve productivity with habit stacking by pairing reading with another self care ritual that’s synonymous with fall and capturing the mood of the season.
Library Dates
Feeling stir-crazy at home but craving a bookish activity that requires zero money? Visit your local library! Not only do they have seasonal activities you may find interesting they also are a great way to get a dopamine hit by perusing their shelves and checking out books for free! Trust me there’s no better feeling than leaving the library with a stack of free books it’s like you’ve won the lottery.
You can also get comfy and read your book at the library for a bit. I find it so relaxing to read books at the library while I listen to atmospheric music like Classical, Lofi, or Jazz. I can lose literal hours of my life doing this. This is also a great way to journal and reflect on what you’re reading or get lost in annotating. I highly recommend using transparent sticky notes if you’re going to annotate in library books so you’re practicing good patronage.
Fall Themed Book Swaps
Another fun bookish autumn activity is to host a book swap with friends where you swap cozy or spooky books depending on what you’re all into. It’s another free way to get books and save money while also spending time with your friends. You can even make it an event and have seasonal favorites such as pumpkin bread, cinnamon rolls or other yummy goods. Finish the gathering with a silent group reading session and it’s the perfect day.
Seasonal Decluttering
Spend a day organizing your book nook or home library. Dust those shelves, unhaul those books you know you’re not going to read or that you truly disliked. And, if you haven’t already consider decorating your shelves with lights, maple leaf garland, plants or other home decor items. Don’t forget to do a digital declutter for your Kindle and Kobo libraries as well!
Read & Watch
This is the perfect time to enjoy all the book to film adaptations. Whether it’s a series or Hollywood blockbuster. Have fun with your friends buddy reading a book and watching the film or TV adaptation. Or, pair your favorite cozy mysteries or spooky horror books with moves or series that match that vibe. For example reading Blood Slaves by Markus Redmond and watching Ryan Coogler’s hit Sinners.
Fall Book & Self-Care Pairings
Looking for practical ways for how to match books with your mood to create the perfect seasonal fall reading and self care vibes? Look no further I got you!
Romantic Fall Picnic in the Park
Feeling romantic and crazing an atmospheric autumn experience? I can think of nothing better than a romantic fall picnic in the park with your boo thing. Think seasonal sides such as hearty sandwiches, harvest salads, stews and soups, apple cinnamon doughnuts, pumpkin muffins or apple bars. Don’t forget to pair with seasonal beverages such as hot apple cider, chai latte or pumpkin spice latte.
When it comes to the book that would pair well with this mood consider Deja Brew by Celestine Martin. This cozy fall romance that’s a fun combination of magic, witchy vibes and atmospheric fall vibes.
A Homemade Feast with Culinary Flair
What better way to have a comfy cozy night of reading than to cook a feast fit for royalty and curl up with a delicious cozy mystery? Here’s my recommendation for your top pick Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala. This is the ideal vibe to capture as it contains a quirky low stakes mystery. Plus, if you enjoy Mexican food you’ll get plenty of inspiration for dishes that pair will with your reading.
Treat Yourself to A Cozy Night In
Need to manage stress and stave off burnout? Why not plan the perfect at home reading retreat. Visit your local Bath & Body Works, Home Goods, Marshalls or TJ Maxx. Select your favorite seasonal candles, aromatherapy, body care and bath supplies. Post up in your bathroom with a delectable bath, glass of wine, complete with candles and aromatherapy and get lost in a good book. My suggestion Welcome to the Hyunum- Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo Reum. A slice of life novel set in a bookshop that feels like a healing warm hug.
A Horrific At Home Movie Night with Bite
Looking for something you can sink your teeth into? How about exploring the dark world of vampires? Pop up a bowl of kettle corn popcorn (because it screams fall) and watch the summer’s smash hit Sinners. Then dive into Markus Redmond’s novel Blood Slaves a fresh take on the vampire origin story blending American slavery with supernatural horror.
A Hike Through Nature
Ground yourself in nature while appreciating the beauty of the season. Take a hike at a local park or national park and truly enjoy the changing colors of the leaves and the beauty that is Mother Nature. Enjoy lunch at your favorite spot and curl up with Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. An intimate exploration into the ecological consciousness that exists between humanity and Mother Nature. And the beauty of this reciprocal relationship. Perfect for nature lovers.
However, you decide to spend your time this fall make sure to be mindful, remain present and be gentle with yourself. I hope you get lost in a book and soak up all this beautiful season has to offer. Happy reading, friends!
