The Books That Kept Me Cozy in October: Magic, Mindset, and a Little Bit of Love
There is something about October that feels like coming home to yourself. The air turns cool enough to invite sweaters and slippers, the evenings arrive early, and the world seems to whisper that it is time to slow down. I always think of October as a month made for soft blankets, gentle routines, and long conversations with myself through the pages of a good book.
This year, I leaned all the way into it. I made a little ritual of lighting my favorite candle in the evenings, pouring something warm into my favorite mug, and letting the world go quiet for a while. I stopped scrolling as much and started reading again with intention. There is something deeply comforting about the weight of a book in your hands, the quiet turning of pages, and the feeling of being transported somewhere entirely new while staying right where you are.
October, for me, has always carried a mix of introspection and imagination. It is the bridge between the high energy of summer and the cozy inward pull of winter. I often use this month to reset, both emotionally and creatively. Reading becomes part of that reset. It reminds me of what I value most when the noise of everyday life starts to fade.
Some nights I read to learn. Other nights I read to escape. But more than anything, I read to connect to my own thoughts, to the rhythm of storytelling, and to the quiet joy that comes from slowing down enough to let a book change you a little.
This October, I noticed a pattern in my choices. Every book I reached for had something to do with love, alignment, or magic in some form. Even when the topics were completely different, they all carried a common thread of transformation. It made me realize that the stories we are drawn to often mirror what we are craving in our own lives.
So I followed that pattern. I gave myself permission to read without pressure, to enjoy a mix of genres, and to let my reading list feel as layered as my mood. Some mornings I started with a mindset book that left me feeling grounded and clear. Other nights I was lost in witchy worlds or small-town romances that reminded me of warmth and possibility.
The combination turned into something special. Each story spoke to a different part of me: the dreamer, the romantic, the student, and the woman learning to stay present even when life is busy.
By the end of the month, I had read five books that somehow fit together like puzzle pieces. Aligned Abundance shifted my perspective on success and peace. How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You explored the art of connection and attraction. Hex Appeal gave me the fun, whimsical energy that only October can bring. A Discovery of Witches swept me into a deep, magical world that felt both ancient and familiar. And Lovelight Farms closed the month with the gentle promise that love, in all its forms, can feel like home.
These stories reminded me that reading is not only about what we take in but how it shapes the tone of our days. A good book can reset your mindset just as much as a journal prompt or a long walk can. It can teach you to notice beauty again, to feel inspired, and to dream a little bigger without even realizing it.
As I look back, this month of reading felt like self-care. It was restful, inspiring, and full of moments where I found myself underlining a sentence that somehow said exactly what I needed to hear.
So here is a peek into what I read this October and how each book brought something unique into my little corner of fall.
Aligned Abundance by Emma Mumford
I started the month with Aligned Abundance by Emma Mumford, and it could not have been a more peaceful way to begin October. This book felt like a gentle realignment, almost like someone handing you a cup of tea and reminding you that abundance begins with trust, not control.
Emma Mumford’s approach to manifestation is refreshingly calm. Instead of focusing on big, flashy goals or complicated spiritual routines, she centers everything around inner harmony. Her writing feels honest and relatable, full of warmth rather than perfectionism. It reminded me that abundance is not something we need to chase, but something we create when we stop fighting ourselves.
What resonated with me most was her focus on energy and emotion. She talks about aligning not only your thoughts but your feelings with what you desire. That idea really stuck with me. It is so easy to get caught in the loop of visualizing or scripting goals without actually allowing yourself to feel worthy of them. This book encouraged me to slow down, breathe, and check in with whether my daily mindset actually matches the life I say I want.
There were a few chapters I kept coming back to, especially the ones about self-worth and letting go of old scarcity stories. Emma blends spiritual wisdom with practical steps in a way that feels nurturing rather than preachy. I started journaling after each section, jotting down where I still felt resistance around money, love, and success. Over time, that small reflection became part of my morning rhythm.
Reading Aligned Abundance early in the month set such a grounded tone for everything that followed. It helped me soften my definition of success and appreciate the quieter forms of abundance that show up in daily life. A slow morning with coffee, a home that feels peaceful, or even time spent reading for pleasure all count as abundance in their own way.
By the time I finished, I felt lighter and more hopeful. The book did not try to sell a “secret formula” for success. Instead, it offered something far more sustainable: the reminder that alignment happens when you are kind to yourself, consistent in your habits, and open to receiving what life is already trying to give you.
How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You by Leil Lowndes
This book was such an unexpected joy. After the calm and introspection of Aligned Abundance, I wanted something completely different. I picked up How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You partly for fun and partly out of curiosity about human connection.
Leil Lowndes approaches attraction through psychology and communication rather than mystique or manipulation, which I appreciated. The tone is confident and conversational, full of small insights into how people connect, build trust, and create chemistry.
What surprised me most was how much of this book had nothing to do with romance at all. So many of the ideas apply to friendships, networking, and even family relationships. The advice about listening with genuine interest, mirroring energy, and being fully present was refreshingly universal.
There were definitely moments that felt a little old-fashioned, but the core principles still hold true. Love, at its best, comes down to awareness and attention. It is about seeing people clearly and letting them see you without pretense.
I caught myself smiling while reading certain sections that described early-stage chemistry or the power of laughter. It reminded me that connection is supposed to be fun. Whether we are talking about romantic relationships or everyday interactions, genuine curiosity and kindness never go out of style.
Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson
By the middle of October, I was ready for something lighthearted, a little magical, and just the right amount of romantic chaos. Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson turned out to be exactly that. It is one of those books that feels like curling up with a warm blanket and watching your favorite comfort movie.
The story follows a witch named Essie who lives in a small seaside village in England where magic and everyday life blend together in the most charming way. She is the kind of heroine you root for immediately: independent, funny, and slightly accident-prone. Her powers tend to go a little haywire, which only makes her more lovable. When her neighbor, a grumpy yet endearing blacksmith named Josh, gets pulled into her magical mishaps, the slow-burn chemistry between them becomes impossible to ignore.
What I loved most about this book was how grounded the magic felt. The spells, charms, and enchanted moments are woven into the ordinary rhythm of village life, which makes the world feel believable and cozy instead of dramatic or distant. There is humor on almost every page, but there is also heart. Essie’s struggle to embrace her gifts and stop hiding her true self felt quietly relatable. It is a story about finding your power and realizing that the right people will love you not despite your quirks but because of them.
The tone reminded me of a British rom-com with a dash of witchcraft and a lot of personality. The supporting characters add charm, the setting feels like something out of a storybook, and the romance strikes the perfect balance between sweet and swoony. There is also an underlying theme about belonging—the idea that we all need a place (and a person) where we can be fully ourselves.
Reading Hex Appeal during a crisp October weekend was pure joy. I found myself laughing out loud, then pausing to savor the tender moments that snuck up between the laughter. It carried all the autumn vibes I wanted without ever feeling heavy. By the time I finished, I felt lighter and more openhearted, the same way you feel after spending time with someone who always makes you smile.
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
This one had been sitting on my shelf for ages, and October felt like the perfect time to finally dive in. A Discovery of Witches is everything I want in a fall novel: academic settings, ancient secrets, and a slow-burn love story that unravels alongside history and magic.
The writing is lush and detailed, sometimes even scholarly. I can see why some readers describe it as “Harry Potter for adults.” There is so much depth to the world-building, from alchemy to old libraries to the subtle hierarchy of magical beings.
What I did not expect was how romantic it would be. The relationship between Diana and Matthew is both intellectual and intense. It explores the kind of love that feels fated but still grounded in mutual respect and curiosity.
Reading this book felt like stepping into another world. I read it mostly at night with a blanket and a cup of cocoa, completely absorbed. The pacing is slower than most modern fantasies, but that gave it a luxurious feel. It reminded me of why I fell in love with long, detailed stories in the first place.
More than anything, this book stirred a craving for mystery and study. It made me want to visit old libraries, light candles, and get lost in something that expands my imagination. It was the perfect anchor for the second half of my October reading.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
To close out the month, I picked up Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison, and it was pure comfort from start to finish. The book feels like the literary version of a warm blanket and a mug of hot cocoa. I had heard it described as a small-town romance with a Hallmark heart, and it delivered that in the best possible way.
The story follows Stella, who owns a Christmas tree farm that is struggling to stay afloat. She enters a contest to help bring attention and business to the farm but accidentally tells the contest organizers that she runs it with her boyfriend. The only problem is that her “boyfriend” does not exist. In a panic, she ropes in her best friend, Luka, to pretend they are dating. What starts as a little white lie quickly unfolds into something far more meaningful.
I loved the entire setup, but what made this book special was the slow burn between Stella and Luka. Their friendship is tender and believable, full of shared history, private jokes, and that subtle emotional tension that grows when two people clearly love each other but are afraid to say it out loud. The author captures that delicate balance so well. Every look, every almost-confession, and every quiet moment between them carries weight.
What stood out most to me was the realism in their hesitation. Stella is trying to hold everything together, and Luka is quietly waiting for her to see that he has been there all along. It is a love story that unfolds patiently, rooted in years of trust and comfort. Watching that friendship shift into something deeper felt so genuine that I found myself smiling through entire chapters.
There is also something deeply cozy about the setting itself. The Christmas tree farm becomes a character in its own right, full of charm, community, and hope. You can practically smell the pine trees and hear the crunch of snow underfoot as you read. The village around the farm feels like a place where everyone knows your name, and yet the story never loses sight of Stella’s personal growth.
By the time I reached the ending, I realized this book was more than a romance. It was a story about rebuilding faith in yourself and letting love feel easy again. Stella learns to accept help, to be vulnerable, and to see that she does not have to carry everything alone. Luka’s quiet patience and steady devotion reminded me that the best love stories are often the ones that grow naturally over time.
Reading Lovelight Farms felt like exhaling after a long day. It had humor, warmth, and emotional depth, all wrapped in the glow of twinkle lights and second chances. It was the perfect ending to my October reading month, leaving me hopeful and ready to believe in gentle love stories again.
October Reflections
Looking back on the month, I can see how these five books created a balance of themes that I needed. Aligned Abundance brought clarity and calm. How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You reminded me to stay curious and open. Hex Appeal added magic and laughter. A Discovery of Witches pulled me into deeper imagination. Lovelight Farms left me with warmth and hope.
Each book matched a different kind of October day. Some mornings were made for reflection and goal-setting, others for fantasy and escape. Reading this mix reminded me that there is no single kind of “good book.” Sometimes the best reading month is the one that feels like a conversation between different moods.
As November arrives, I find myself wanting to continue the balance. A little more magic, a little more personal growth, and always a story that feels like a cup of something warm in my hands.
