Imagine. Your house is spotlessly clean. The kitchen is immaculate, laundry done and put away, not a speck of dust in sight. You are showered with freshly washed and dried hair; you’ve donned your most cozy loungewear. There’s still-warm cookies on the cooling rack. The kettle whistles so you can pour yourself a cuppa. The day is overcast and chilly, maybe a light drizzle is falling, the kind that pat pat pats against the window. You’ve turned on an ambient video of your choice of background noise such as rainfall, ocean waves, or (my favorite) a crackling fireplace. Next, you light your seasonal candle because you know the scent of your baking endeavors will soon fade. After making a plate of cookies and preparing a cup of chai, you grab your coziest blanket and your current read and settle into the best reading spot in your house (the couch for me) to read away an hour or two.
Book worms all over know what I’m talking about.
Everything above is exactly what I’d call my fall reading essentials. Fall essentials, specifically, because of the cozy blanket and the chai. We can talk again in spring when the snacks and beverages will change. (Come back in April.😉)
Reading is hardly ever this romanticized, but there are rare occasions when I do get to spend an hour or two exactly like this. Let me tell ya, it’s a true joy of my life.
First, we need a fall book. I’ve written about lots here. And here. I’m currently reading Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood and having the best time. It’s a steamy, STEM(ish) romance set in Italy. If this strikes your fancy, you can look for it at your local library, get it on Amazon, Pango, or Bookshop.
Next, we need a cozy blanket. Here are a few that I have, love, and can attest to their cozy factor. I have one very similar to this Better Homes and Gardens one from Walmart. This Barefoot Dreams dupe, also from Walmart, is stunningly comfortable and warm. I have this one from Ugg, and boy is it warm. Perfect for the winter months.
We couldn’t be feeling this good about cozy, fall reading time and looking a mess while doing it, so a matching pajama set is what I’d be wearing. I’m a long pants and long sleeve PJ girl, but so many of the brands I love have shorts and short sleeve options as well. Soma Cool Nights pajamas come in all iterations of lengths and styles, and while you can usually catch a sale, paying full price is worth it. They are my most favorite pajamas. Another tried and true brand of pajamas (and loungewear) that I love is the Joyspun line from Walmart. I love seasonal pajamas, and the price point is just right for something you won’t wear all year long.
If the rain is coming down naturally outside, I’m not going to have any background noise, but if things are quieter, I’m always going to find an ambient video for my TV. My favorite is a crackling fireplace. Nothing says “Let’s romanticize our reading time” more than a crackling fireplace. I also like the sound of water: waves, lapping against a dock, or rainfall. Sometimes, the quiet can just be too quiet, ya know?
Now I’m not always an eater when I read. It can be most distracting, but a cookie or two is the perfect small snack- minimal crumbs, doesn’t take any effort, no need to tear your eyes away from the page. I’m a sucker for a chocolate chip cookie, specifically this recipe, but any fall flavored cookie will do. I made this pumpkin oatmeal chocolate chip one this time and WOW!
As far as beverages go, I do love a hot one in the fall. I’m a relatively new convert to chai. I had my first one in the mountains of North Carolina, and I’ve never looked back. A chai latte is delicious and, quite frankly, fall in a cup. If you’ve never tried it, do yourself a favor and have one. I like mine with honey and sometimes a splash of half and half. If you’re feeling extra fallish, get the Chobani Pumpkin Spice creamer and add that. Extra delicious!
If I’m reading an ebook and sitting down to read, I’ve got my Kindle in hand, but if I’m feeling particularly loungy, I’ll break out the Kindle Clicker (not its official name, but it should be). This is a remote control that taps the screen for you so that you don’t have to hold the Kindle or take your hands out from under the covers. And if I’m feeling next-level loungy, I’ll use the Kindle Holder. (This one comes with a clicker, too.) The Kindle Holder clips onto any ledged surface, holds your Kindle in place, and allows you to be completely hands free. Great for eating a bowl of popcorn with one hand and clicking pages with the other. Are you laughing at the absurdity of this? Because I definitely am as I type. I have 100% used both of these and have no regrets.
If you’re a reader, you must leave your fall reading essentials in a comment. What am I missing? Am I doing something wrong? Don’t forget to let me know your current read. Building my TBR list is basically the only sport I’m good at.
Happy Reading,
