My monthly recap vor November
Winter arrived early this year—right around mid-November, to be exact. But before snow and ice took over, autumn showed off one last time: glorious weather, endless sunshine, and surprisingly warm days. A beautiful way to say goodbye to the golden season and ease into the calm, reflective weeks ahead.
What I did:
The first half of November was unbeatable weather-wise, so we squeezed in all the autumn activities we could: long walks, little nature adventures, and the final gardening chores of the year. Then, by mid-month, the snow rolled in—and our activities shifted accordingly: sledding, building snowmen, and simply having fun in the crisp winter air.
November is also the perfect month to slowly settle into winter mode. More reading, more crafting, and plenty of cozy time at home—just how I like it.
What I wore
My outfits were as varied as the November weather itself: everything from trench coats and light dresses to snuggly knitwear and full-on winter coats made an appearance.
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What I read
After devouring the All Souls Trilogy in October—which I absolutely loved—I read the follow-up novels Time’s Convert and The Blackbird Oracle in November. They didn’t fully capture the magic of the trilogy for me, but I still really enjoyed them and would definitely recommend them. Just make sure you’ve read the All Souls trilogy first—otherwise the story will be a bit confusing.
After so much witchcraft, vampires, and the sudden wintery weather, I was in the mood for something more classically Christmassy. So I picked up The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan. It’s wonderfully relaxing and transports you straight to wintry Scotland. The vibe: snowed in over Christmas in a crumbling but grand old manor full of books. I loved the atmosphere, though it’s not exactly a nail-biter. Perfect if you’re looking for something cozy, lighthearted, and festive.
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My December Reading List
Since I usually crave a bit of suspense and magic, I’ve already reached my quota of cozy Christmas books for the year. For December, I’ve lined up a few spooky, ghostly reads. (I’m still searching for the right novel to go with them, but I’m sure something will find me.)
- The Dead of Winter: The Demons, Witches and Ghosts of Christmas by Sarah Clegg: A delightfully eerie collection of winter demons, ghosts, and witches that haunt the season around Christmas. From Krampus to Saint Lucia to modern Stonehenge rituals, it’s all in there. Note: It’s not a novel, but a fun, fascinating little nonfiction book about creepy winter creatures. I really like it—super interesting!
- Christmas Ghost Stories: These two anthologies revive the old Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas. Authors like Dickens, Lovecraft, Bowen, Harvey, D. H. Lawrence, and A. C. Doyle take readers into cursed manor houses, icy seas, and eerie London flats. Compact collections full of classic horror and ghost stories—perfect for dark winter nights and deliciously spooky reading sessions. Ideal for reading aloud by the fireplace on long December evenings. 😉
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What I bought
Naturally, November is Advent calendar season—so I bought two for myself, one for my husband, and made a handmade one for my daughter. I also picked up the first Christmas gifts, though I can’t reveal them here for obvious reasons.
December Moodboard
Cozy knit dresses, red lipstick, and festive decorations—December is when I embrace the classics. 😉
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