Zafnah Unaisah ’26

Six letters, two syllables, and a season for cozy knit sweaters and cinnamon-scented candles: autumn. Funnily enough, I’m typing this up on the first official day of fall, at 1 in the morning, wrapped in my green fleece blanket with my laptop perched on my knees. 

It’s the time of year when the air feels crisp, colors falling like confetti to make leaf-shaped prints on the ground. The world morphs into a canvas that the breezy winds paint a scenic portrait of reds, golds, and browns on. There’s something so warm and loving about the months from September to November. As we say goodbye to sunbathing sessions and pistachio ice cream we welcome the charm of pumpkin patches, drinking hot chocolate, and binge-watching Gilmore Girls under the covers. The days grow shorter and the nights cooler. The scent of nutmeg wafts through homes as families and friends gather together to bake cinnamon rolls and apple pie. 

I personally like to spend my autumn visiting bookstores, drinking pumpkin spice lattes, and taking long walks around the city with my friends. One of the best parts of fall is that the season is the perfect backdrop for reading, and I LOVE reading. One of my all time favorite rom-com novels to read during the fall is The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. It’s about a ghostwriter who goes back home to attend her father’s funeral, only to bump into her editor as a ghost. It’s a giddy romcom and the first and only paranormal romance that I’ve ever read. The plot is so unique and the build-up between the characters is immaculate. I highly recommend it as your next fall read! Here are some more options:

The Secret History by Donna Tart - This one is a classic for the fall, but I have yet to read it. I’ve heard it’s about a group of students at an elitist England college who are involved in the murder of a classmate. If you’re into murder mysteries, this could definitely be a great read.

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore - I recently came across this rom-com, which was released last year. The author is creating a series with new books: The Cinnamon Bun Book Store, The Christmas Tree Farm, and The Strawberry Patch Pancake House. 

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - I started this novel but unfortunately never finished it because I was busy studying for finals. However, it’s perfect for anyone who likes thrillers. To briefly sum it up, it’s about a group of teenagers with special abilities who are in a classified program that helps solve cold cases. I enjoyed the hundred pages I was able to read, and I can’t wait to finish it. 

Books are just a perfect way to harmonize with the ambiance of fall. My typical fall day is curling up on the sofa with a book on my lap and a warm drink in hand. Speaking of warm drinks, let’s talk about the TASTE of autumn. Unfortunately, I do enjoy my fair share of pumpkin spice lattes. In my defense, I was initially not a huge fan of them. I used to dislike the spicy aftertaste but it’s grown on me over the years. Though I do still prefer hot chocolate! Regardless, sipping on either, I love talking to my friends as we walk through a park with the leaves crunching beneath our feet. 

These are just some of my favorite fall traditions. Autumn has a way of slowing things down making you savor each moment and memory. Whether it be falling on leaf piles or spending time with loved ones, it’s a season that invites comfort and reflection. This year, I’m looking forward to apple-picking and painting pumpkins!