Sunday (not-so) scaries - September 17

Books for the cozy season and a new blog post.

Hello, friends! Autumn is swiftly rolling in, and while I love the long, sunny days and silly drinks in a warm beer garden, I also like curling up with a good book and a roaring fire. Throw in a glass of Malbec, and that’s my perfect night in.

With that in mind, let’s jump in with a few book recommendations perfect for this time of the year.

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📚 Books for the cozy season

While I’m not too excited about the 4 p.m. sundowns and cold mornings trying to will myself out of a warm bed, I do love autumn. The world slowly changing colours, the fireside chats with red wine or hot chocolate. And reading a good book under a soft blanket. So in the spirit of September, here are 5 reads for the cozy season:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This enchanting novel weaves a magical world of a mysterious circus that appears only at night. With its atmospheric descriptions and intricate storytelling, it's an ideal read for a cozy autumn evening.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Classic literature is perfect for autumn, and Jane Austen's timeless romance set in the English countryside offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a great choice for autumn reading.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This campus novel follows a group of eccentric classics students at an elite New England college and explores themes of friendship, obsession, and murder. It's a dark and captivating read fit for this time of the year.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman's fairytale-for-adults takes you on a magical journey to the enchanting realm of Faerie. It's a whimsical and beautifully written tale that pairs well with a cozy autumn evening.

Autumn by Ali Smith

The first book in Ali Smith's seasonal quartet, Autumn is a beautifully written novel that captures the essence of the season through the story of an unlikely friendship between a young woman and an elderly neighbour.

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💬 New blog post: Implied dialogue

My latest piece is about the power of implied dialogue vs. direct dialogue! If the relentless stream of ‘she said’ and ‘he gasped’ and ‘she mumbled’ and ‘he growled’ (ick) bother you, this one’s for you and your writing.

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🙏🏻 Thank you to my first paid subscribers!

I just wanted to round off this newsletter with a big ‘thank you’ to my first set of paid subscribers. The Kelly Edit is still available to read for free, but it’s a very motivating and affirming thing to know that there are people out there willing to support my Substack in that way.

That said, I appreciate every single new subscriber, every share, and every comment—it’s all support to me!

What’s the difference between paid and free subscribers?

Everything on here is free to all subscribers. For the time being, the main difference is that paid subscribers do get the added perk of being able to ask me questions or for advice around the kind of topics we talk about here.