Hey everyone!
Phew what an absolute f**king week. What started out as a blissful three day weekend turned into a mad-dash at work to get all my tasks done in less time.
Not only did the short week throw me off workwise but Bennet, my five-year-old Berner, took a trip to the emergency vet for an obstruction (don’t worry he’s okay and no surgery was needed!). I wish I could say this was a one off but we’ve been through this before and are now in the process of getting a handle on Bennet’s diet and anxiety. The poor baby just had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.
Let’s just say I have never been more grateful for a chill weekend at home with a crisp *almost* fall breeze in the air.
While we still have two more weekends left of summer, it’s slowly begun to feel like fall is on it’s way. With that I’ve found myself in this weird reading limbo where I’m not quite ready for thrillers/mysteries but wanting to set my beach reads aside.
It got me thinking about transitional summer to fall books I’ve read and loved from years past. Of course, I didn’t stop at the recs, I’ve got outfit pairings + moodboards to go along with them to really set the mood.
Pair this newsletter with the following playlist and let’s dive into the inbetween-ness!
1. All the Colors of the Dark
A small town serial-killer-kidnapper mystery that spans three decades. With gorgeous writing and short chapters it’s the perfect bingeable book that isn’t too creepy. It bridges the gap of summer-in-the-woods mystery with fall-gasp-worthy-suspense.
Best enjoyed: outside wrapped in a blanket, watching the sun slowly dip in the sky with the sounds of cicadas to keep you company.
2. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
If you’re craving back to school vibes, TTT will scratch that itch. With a Harvard backdrop and old school video game nostalgia, it’ll have you reaching for your infinity scarf and riding boots. But, don’t be fooled! This book will tug on your heart strings, too.
Best enjoyed: playing Overcooked or The Oregon Trail (IYKYK) with friends preferably on a rainy day.
3. Business Casual
The *feel* of a beach read with the back drop of a small town fall festival. Borison knows how to write a small town romance filled with quirky characters, charming bakeries, and the hottest men. A black cat tattoo artist FMC and the biggest gold retriever book boyfriend you’ll ever meet.
Best enjoyed: with a brown sugar latte bundled in a worn flannel or buttery soft leather jacket with Gilmore Girls playing in the background.
4. The Rachel Incident
Another school adjacent setting. This time an Irish University with themes of first loves and how they shape us. But even more importantly those early adulthood friendships that were more impactful than romantic relationships. Imagine lush green quads, a bookstore on a rainy day, and plenty of time spent binging and debriefing the night before.
Best enjoyed: drinking (cheap, if you want to be authentic) wine in your pj’s surrounded by cozy blankets while it’s raining outside and The Cranberries crone about dreams.
5. Divine Rivals
An enemies to lovers romantic fantasy with the underpinnings of You’ve Got Mail. In the middle of a war spurred on by the gods, Iris and Roman report from the front lines with their magical typewriters in tow. Imagine misty fields at dawn, copious amounts of tea, and the most wonderful pining between two characters.
Best enjoyed: with a cup of tea, a stack of books, wearing a flowy nap dress and thick cardigan as you pack your bags for an epic adventure.
6. Bright Young Women
A true crime retelling of the Ted Bundy murders from the perspective of the women closely effected by his crimes. It’s creative, eye-opening, and flips the serial killer obsession on it’s head by giving the voice back to the victims. A good ease your way into spooky season (and don’t worry it’s scaredy cat approved) read.
Best enjoyed: driving down a free-way blasting The Eagles in your comfiest pair of wide leg jeans *with the doors locked*, sunglasses on and a diet coke in the console.
7. Other Birds
Set right off the coast of South Carolina on a fictional island with magic in the air. A darling found-family number with vividly drawn characters that come together and learn to give, love, and overcome loss. All with the backdrop of a an unexpected death that brings our cast of characters together.
Best enjoyed: strolling around a local park with a sweet tea in hand keeping an eye out for darling little blue birds.
8. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
One of the coziest books of the bunch that’ll give you (me) major Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School feels. Mika Moon is summoned to a remote town to teach three young witches how to control their powers. A lighthearted hug of a book, prickly handsome librarian and all.
Best enjoyed: while shopping for flowers and fresh fruit at the farmers market wearing a trusty pair of flowy pants, sipping on a chai or jasmine tea.
Alrighty friends! If you made it this far, THANK YOU. Do you have a favorite book and a look??
Want a different fall-to-summer book rec? Ask me below and I’d be happy to get you sorted.
P.S. Before you go, please click the heart 🤎 on this post, comment, or restack! It helps others on Substack find Mostly Sunny.
XO, MacKenzie
Such a creative concept, MacKenzie! I'd wear that Other Birds outfit in a heartbeat!
PLEASE MAKE THIS A SERIES AND PLEASE MODEL THE FITS