What is reading, if not an escape from the largely uneventful environment which constantly surrounds us? Is there a better time to get away than when the pressure of academics is weighing you down the most? When else to read, if not now?
More often than not, one faces the question of choosing the right book, the next one, and the one after that. Thus, a recommendations list acts as a beacon, lighting the way to a season of time well-spent reading.
Without further ado, I present a hand-picked collection of portals leading to a multitude of varying realities, spanning genres from adventure to historical fiction to horror to dystopia.
Horror: the perfect fit to the Halloween season
Tales of Terror and Mystery by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle- an assemblage of speedy thrillers which delight the mind with thoroughly-spun stories yet terrify it with plausible, real-world situations.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux- a well-known title with a lesser-known plot. Delve into the mind of our protagonist, Christine, and follow her on her journey which leads throughout the Paris Opera House and beyond, led by a shadow who is dangerously devoted to her.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde- a horrifyingly accurate novel which explores the lengths a man will go to, as long as he is guaranteed an unblemished soul.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson- a story which warns of the evil in all of us and recommends a well-balanced interior and exterior.
Adventure: chair-gripping tales for the most daring readers
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman- an angel and a demon, outcasts in their respective environments, join a few everyday individuals in a retelling of the apocalypse which leaves its readers hysterically laughing.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas- a telling of the darkest depths that human nature can reach, leaving its reader with the unsettling possibility that all the figures presented are altered reflections of humans in the real world. Protagonist Edmond Dantès lives a life filled with treachery done to him by almost all of the individuals in his life, and as a result gives himself a life built on lies.
Science Fiction/Dystopia: messages of warning to contemporaries, written allegorically
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley- a futuristic world, a man-made utopia complete with covered-up secrets and one who challenges the ethics of it all, leaves the reader to question whether such a place is truly desirable.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams- a carefree adventure through the craziest areas of the universe, a truly relaxing escape from reality.
The Stand by Stephen King- a well-balanced blend of as many genres as one can imagine. Taking place in 1990 (ten years into the future at the time it was written), a fifth person documents the lives of multiple protagonists who come together after an artificial pandemic wipes out 99 percent of the world’s population of humans and man’s best friends in an attempt to save the world from two colliding forces of good and evil.
Historical Fiction: where historical events impact protagonists, for better or for worse
Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer- a following of two characters as they reach success through entirely different ways–one by surviving a nearly deadly fall and climbing up from the lowest level of American society and the other through the inheritance of his family’s bank, New York’s most prestigious–and the aftermath, with a twist: they despise each other.
Good Night, Mister Tom by Michelle Magorias- a heartwarming tale of a physically abused child, Willie Beech, who finds love in the most unexpected of ways: through the hearts of an elderly, reminiscent man and his canine companion.
Still looking for things to do this Fall? Here’s our top 10:
1. Go to a farm.
A classic thing to do during fall months is to go to a local farm. They offer tons of fun activities like hayrides, pumpkin and apple picking, corn mazes, eating fresh food, and lots more. Hayrides are calming and nice to take in the scenery around you, and haunted hayrides give you a good kind of scary situation with something being so close to you. It is fun and rewarding to pick your own pumpkins and apples that you can put out for decorations and put into other recipes like pies. Corn mazes are fun to solve and can be scary if someone or something else is in there with you. The fresh food is delicious and really fits the fall aesthetic. It’s a great day out with friends and/or family due to the variety of ideas.
2. Watch horror movies!
A spooky thing to do to get yourself into the Halloween spirit. Getting scared isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you enjoy the hair-raising sensation, this is definitely something you need to do. From slasher to psychological to paranormal, there is a little something for everyone. Watching a scary movie late on a cold night is one of my favorite things to do in the fall. That rush of adrenaline with the slightest noise is the greatest feeling. Having a horror movie watch party with your friends is a great thing to do around Halloween.
3. Try fall flavors.
Something everyone needs to do during fall is to try “fall-flavored” things. The most popular of these is the signature pumpkin spiced latte. I’m not sure what all the hype is, but you need to have one to have the full fall experience. You should definitely try to have apple or pumpkin pie. Eating those with ice cream or whipped cream is the height of my fall. Other popular fall flavors are cinnamon, caramel, maple, and brown sugar. You can find all these seasonal flavors and more at any store.
4. Go on a nature walk.
A nice, calming thing to do is take a walk somewhere outside. Walking my dog in the fall is one of my favorite things to do. I put in some music and just look at all the scenery around me. This is something super easy to do and costs nothing. Walk around your neighborhood, go on a hike, even take a bike ride. It doesn’t really matter what you do on this nature walk as long as you enjoy it. This is something you definitely want to do in this cool weather.
5. Sit around a fire pit.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/IMG_8957-f9c90fef366f48899e1120235211a94d.jpg?resize=238%2C292&ssl=1)
I might be biased because I have a fire pit, but I absolutely love to use it in the fall, and this is something everyone needs to do. It is great to just sit around a fire with friends and family to spend time with them in the nice weather. The things I like to do while sitting around my fire pit are talk about my day, listen to music on a speaker, roast marshmallows for s’mores, and get warm in a blanket. It’s relaxing and minimalistic but still a really fun night out. So grab a blanket, s’mores materials, and some music and sit out for hours.
6. Have a fall foods bake-off!
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/5418786-bfd3d7ad3cd144b99e9bb1203706d524.jpg?resize=250%2C250&ssl=1)
The best way to honor the fall season is to bake a variety of delicious pies, apple cider donuts, and anything with pumpkin spice–and what better way to do this than in a bake-off! Grab a mixing bowl, spatula, and all the ingredients you need to start your bake-off! Whoever makes the best fall-themed goods takes the win! Some ideas of fall food themes could be pies, cookies, and muffins. Some food inspirations are linked in the images below–take a look!
7. Visit a haunted house.
Fall is known to be the spookiest season of them all, and haunted houses take the cake as the spookiest thing to do! One haunted house–Brighton Asylum in Passaic, New Jersey–was featured on the Today show, Cake Boss, and Buzzfeed. It is a massive walk-through dark attraction with horrifyingly scary live actors. There’s also local haunted houses that can pop up right next door or even in your town. Haunted houses are a great thing to do this fall because they are highly entertaining and can be fun to do in a group setting with all your friends. They are perfect for those seeking a thrill and scare and are a great experience to remember with your friends or family.
8. Carve pumpkins.
This has got to be one of the must do’s for fall this year. Get dirty and dig your hands into the gooey pumpkin seeds and map out your awesome pumpkin carving. There are lots of ways you could carve your pumpkin, too! Try a classic facial expression, an animal, a monster, or your favorite TV/movie character! This is such a fun thing to do by yourself or with friends, and it is a way to get creative and make something memorable to show those around you (before the squirrels get to it). Check out some cool inspiration below to get some ideas on what you could make!
9. Go to a fall festival.
Something that is overlooked but is one of my favorite things to do during the fall is to visit outdoor craft fairs and fall festivals. It’s a great way to get outside and take a breath of fresh air, but also shop and explore special homemade items. There are lots of great finds in festivals or fairs including clothing (I purchased an extremely comfortable knit sweater), jewelry, foods, and art pieces. It is also a way to support local artisans and give back to communities. You could spend a whole day or just a few hours exploring the many stands and what they offer, and it is perfect to do by yourself or with your friends. Some upcoming festivals include the Fall Festival in Chester, New Jersey on November 5th, and the Craft and Maker Fair in Rockaway on November 19th. With more research, I’m sure there are plenty more out there to explore!
10. Throw a Friendsgiving!
Something on my fall bucket list is Friendsgiving! This is where you and your friends celebrate Thanksgiving together on a date near November 24th. Everyone can bring a Thanksgiving dish, and you honor your friends and reflect on fun memories you have made throughout the year. You can reflect on the friendships you have made and enjoy lots of food and dessert! This can be a simple lunch or a large celebration depending on your preferences. Additionally, it doesn’t matter how many people there are as long as it is special to you and the ones you are with.
0
0
Average Rating