Cosy Autumn Recommendations | Including films, board games, video games & more!

[@EmmaOrgandie]

Yes to autumn! My favourite candles are Wickham's - they smell amazing, last ages and the scent really gets around the house! And as a bit of a bonus, they're based in Norfolk.

[@NiamhMD]

I love Jessica in the Kitchen for vegan recipes. Especially her chickpea curry recipe 🤤

[@_daniela_s]

Oh I love forest shuffle! Have been playing this with my DND group a couple times and I think they enjoyed it too. I still have everdell on my wishlist, it's time to finally play that!

[@zombie_likes_cake]

Loved these board game recs, it seems we have similar taste and I would totally love a video for each season from you :-)

[@alliebeesreading]

Loved this video so much, thank you! After my breakup this year, I started puzzling with an audiobook going just to get my mind off things. Recently had a mental health relapse in regards to that so had been thinking about starting puzzling again. It is very autumnal/winter vibes! This was my push and I’m excited to do that again.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Puzzling with an audiobook is such a great way to keep your hands and mind busy when you're going through a difficult time!

[@booksandpizza]

Oh my god I love Puffin Rock! It was my son’s favorite when he was 2-4 🥹 beautifully illustrated and also very well written ! One of the few “new” shows for kids that doesn’t irk me 🥲 I definitely need to watch song of the sea now ❤

[@tigerlily7641]

Huge fan of Everdell! Would love to see more board game content from you

[@parksch74]

Absolutely loved Payday as a kid! Completely forgot about it until you mentioned it.

[@marjoriebd3326]

I love board games so much! I would love to hear more about what games you enjoy!

[@jorjastonej]

Brilliant cozy recs. Life is good. TY!

[@Ghues]

Excellent video! Those soup recipes all look so delicious. I'd love to get into board games, but sadly I don't think I have anyone I could play them with. Based on the games you mentioned, I would recommend: Gris (platformer with a beautiful art style that explores the topic of grief) Stray (you're playing as a cat in a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world) Jusant (gameplay consists of climbing, nature exploration and puzzling, feels really calming) Sea of Stars (pixel art with a gorgeous colour palette) Kena: Bridge of Spirits (heartwarming game with both combat and puzzle-type elements that looks like a Pixar movie - however, I felt that the game had a handful of spikes in difficulty, but you are able to change the difficulty mode) The Last Guardian (a game about bonding with a fantastical animal companion that mostly relies on non-verbal communication to tell its story) I believe the last three should be included in PlayStation Plus. None of them are particularly autumnal though. I'm playing Astro Bot at the moment and the game has some spooky levels with immaculate autumn vibes.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Thanks so much for all the recommendations! My partner has been trying to convince to play Kena: Bridge of Spirits so you've given the extra push I need to pick it up. Gris looks so beautiful but I was worried it might be a bit boring but enough people have recommended it to me now that I should definitely try it! The Last Guardian looks so beautiful! We played AstroBot and absolutely loved it! I loved the spooky levels and the nature themed ones were so beautiful too!

[@CuriousReader]

So happy you decided to share all of these recs! Making a note of the games, and definitely want to try some of the recipes you mentioned. I also loved Song of the Sea and recently watched Wolfwalkers by the same creators, so so good!

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Glad you enjoyed the video :) Yes, Wolfwalkers is beautiful too!

[@hellololly9298]

One of my favorite videos you’ve done!🍁🍂🍁🍁 I’m slowly getting through Wychwood and loved the wild at heart. Love all the recommendations!! Thank you!

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Awww, thank you :) I'm jealous that you have more of Wytchwood to go!

[@martellc1008]

You are a valid gamer, and as reader and writer who let it take over everything else, you inspired me to get into video games again when you said you were playing them will be checking out the recommendations. I also love tv and film I just want to fall in love and analyze that form of media like I used to do for reading, I am going to be checking out the film recommendations! Thank you so much, Mercy I hope you reading gets even better too!🎉

[@MercysBookishMusings]

It's so lovely to hear that you got back into video games after hearing me talk about them :) I'd love to hear your thoughts on the films when you get to them.

[@katyfolk3433]

I love an Emma Bridgewater seasonal mug! Wait until January when they are often in the sales for really good prices! One of my favourite things is when my husband buys me Xmas/Halloween EB mugs in the sale and then I get them for my Birthday in April (and then I get the Easter mugs for Christmas lol). I'm always sending him the links when I see they are cheaper lol

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Ohhhh, that's such a great idea! I'll check after Christmas :D

[@cristina_azerty]

The last campfire and wytchwood are two of my favourite video games so I need to try your other recommendations! All those board games sound lovely, I want to try them all at my local board game cafe.

[@anikav3092]

Lovely video! So many recommendations! Puzzle wise I love the gallison puzzles - I have afternoon tea and Christmas in London ones and they are really good quality. I like to put the pieces back into zip lock bags before putting in the box to keep safe. Baking wise I love the Ms Cupcake book called The Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in Town! I have lost count how many times I have baked from that book and it never fails me. In terms of bread baking, just put a shower cap on the bowl -I use one that you get free in hotels

[@MercysBookishMusings]

So glad to hear that the gallison puzzles are good. Ziplock bags sound like a great idea! Ohhhh, I'll have to check that book out. Thanks for the recommendation :)

[@amylynnm324]

Thanks so much for the board game recommendations. While I was watching this I realized why I struggle with some mainstream games out there-have to do with money and stuff (monopoly or game of life). I get enough of that in real life-I want fantasy in my life and the games you mention sound so lovely. Cheers!

[@MercysBookishMusings]

You're right! I've never thought about that before but so many of them are to do with money! I hope you enjoy some of the ones I recommended :)

[@OrianaInWonderland]

Love so many of your recommendations. I have quite a few Elena Essex and Galison puzzles and found both to be good quality. I especially love Elena Essex ones and would definitely recommend them. Such beautiful illustrations but a bit on the pricier side. Also love the film recommendations, I have added all to my watch list and really interested to give a few of the game recs a try, especially the last campfire. I've been wanting to get into some video games and that sounds like the sort of thing I might enjoy as I am into the more puzzle vibe.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Yay, thanks for letting me know! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the films or video games if you give them a try :)

[@bookish.bulletin]

I just started baking this year and have started with bread as I’ve never tried cakes with icing and such. Would recommend starting with focaccia, it’s super easy and can be done without kneading. I loved the games you recommended and plan to check them out. I’m always here for more game discussion videos ❤ happy autumn

[@bookish.bulletin]

I use cling film instead of a silicone cap and the dough rises really well when kept inside a microwave (that’s not turned on) to proof

[@MercysBookishMusings]

@@bookish.bulletin Ohhh, thanks for the tip!

[@MercysBookishMusings]

That's great to hear. I love focaccia so starting there sounds perfect 🤣 I hope you enjot the games!

[@natadamscole]

Oh how I enjoyed this 🧡🧡

[@Ali-AvidReader]

I love this video and the fact you love Autumn and Winter as much as I do! Both Elena Essex and Galison are good quality jigsaw puzzles, I’ve just bought A Day at The Bookstore by Galison and am looking forward to doing that. I’m a real candle fan so will check out the brands you’ve mentioned.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Ohhhh, that puzzle loos great. I hope you enjoy it!

[@queenlucysroyalmaid1]

Those video games sound so good! Ive added them to my list. Im playing Garden Life, which you might like, but i also recommend hollow knight. Im also trying to remember the platformer that i played which resets every time you die... But i cant remember haha.

[@queenlucysroyalmaid1]

Also I ADORE Song of the Sea!!!

[@MercysBookishMusings]

I love the look of Garden Life but I'm worried I'll be rubbish because I'm not very good at the decorating aspects of games 🤣 I love the look of Hollow Knight - is it very difficult?

[@JennyKing]

I feel like with come into the season of Mercedes 🍂

[@senioritapolyester]

I think you would like these two games: "Gris" and "What Remains of Edith Finch" 🎮

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll try to give them a go :)

[@bmoforever5562]

The studio behind Gris are launching their new game Neva this month, it looks as beautiful as Gris 😢❤

[@HarrietRosie13]

I loved this video so much!! I also am such a cooler weather person amd a homebody who loves indoor hobbies so this was all really up my street. I have a few recommendations I think you'll really like: Beacon Pines is a story based video game with autumnal vives and anthropomorphic characters, beautiful art and great story. And board game-wise, have you heard of Flame Craft? It's my next fave after Everdell

[@HarrietRosie13]

Oh also, you and your partner might enjoy playing Knights and Bikes together? It's a co op with great art, not sure if it's on PS5

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Glad you enjoyed the video 😊 I tried Beacon Pines but found it a bit boring 😳 I don't think I'm a fan of games that are super story based where you just walk around and talk to people. We love Flamecraft! I was tempted to include it on this list but it was getting too long. The artist has illustrated a new game called Critter Kitchen coming out next year. We backed it on kickstarter cos it looks amazing!!

[@MercysBookishMusings]

@@HarrietRosie13 Thanks for the rec :) We defo need to try this one!

[@alicemannix]

Definitely try Spiritfarer if you haven't already - it's a good combo of platform and collecting, and the art style is gorgeous.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

I loved Spiritfarer 😊 I did consider mentioning it but I thought the other games were more autumnal 🍁🍂

[@Emma_S76]

Just a quick game recommendation! You might enjoy Cozy Grove. It's set on an island that changes with the seasons. It's a bit repetitive after a while, but I find it very relaxing to play.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

@emmas7045 thanks! I did try Cozy Grove. I loved the art and theme but I found the actual gameplay a bit frustrating. I kept being annoyed when I had to keep bringing the colour back 🤣

[@bookishbgg]

Stardew Valley is an amazing and cozy video game, but it starts in Spring. You can play it however you like but it's mostly farming, fishing, mining with some combat, and there's some magical elements related to nature. There's also a board game version I really enjoy, too. Some other cozy board games I'd recommend are Meadow and Fungi. And the Spirecrest expansion to Everdell really adds to the game. Another nature game I really love is Wingspan. Also, I often dream about games I'm obsessed with and my mind gets stuck in this kind of fantasy world, I used to love when that would happen with books I'm reading when I was a kid. But now it mostly happens when I play too much of the same video game. Another video game I just thought of that feels autumnal to me even though it's set in spring is Firewatch. It's very story heavy and very emotional. I think it feels autumnal to me because it's set in a forest and I remember it was very orange in hue... The story is almost like reading a mystery, it can feel uneasy and even scary at times even though it doesn't have any combat. I don't want to spoil it so I won't go into details but it's not a cozy game but I'm mentioning it because it feels autumnal to me. I really need to watch Marcel, I've heard so many rave reviews and it sounds like something I'd absolutely love. And I have to browse through Loving It Vegan, I'd love to try some new recipes and different kinds of food. For example, I recently tried out jackfruit and it was surprisingly tasty. I wouldn't eat it on its own but it goes really well with vegetables when it's prepared in a pan on some oil and it has a kind of crunchy texture. Slice + Dice sounds like an absolute dream. If I ever visit England I'm definitely going there. This was such a lovely video. :)

[@MercysBookishMusings]

I'm such an awkward cosy gamer because I don't like pixel art so I haven't tried Stardew Valley. I should maybe give it a chance though 😂 I love Meadow and have only played Fungi once but enjoyed it. We have all the Everdell expansions and love them :) Love Wingspan too although I do prefer the new dragon version (Wyrmspan) more. Have you tried it? Yes, that used to happen to me lots as a kid too! Sometimes I try to imagine a dream of a certain world before I go to sleep and hope it carries into my dream, haha. I definitely need to try Firewatch as it looks beautiful. I like the idea of a game being a bit unsettling. I hope you love Marcel when you get to it! I've never cooked jackfruit as I've had it a couple of times at restaurants and found it a bit sweet. I'm not sure if that's just the sauce they used with it though. Did you find it sweet? I'm so glad you enjoyed the video 😀

[@bookishbgg]

Definitely give Stardew Valley a chance. :) I don't particularly like pixel art either but SV is so cozy, has great characters and soundtrack and it's very comforting. Great game for when you're going through a difficult time although there are some heavier topics covered in cutscenes with the villagers like alcoholism, suicidal ideation, PTSD from war, death etc. I recently achieved perfection in the game which is an achievement that basically means I've seen all or almost all of the game. I then immediately started a new save where I took the Joja route for the first time just to see how it's different. I've been playing SV on and off for 5 years, I think? Just thinking of SV again really makes me want to play! Which Everdell expansions do you enjoy the most or play the most? I really like Pearlbrook for the theme and aesthetics but I've heard a lot of people say it's the worst Everdell expansion. We were thinking either Mistwood or Spirecrest but chose Spirecrest in the end. And now I'm thinking we should maybe add another expansion to the collection... I haven't tried Wyrmspan but I've seen lots of people praise it. I thought it was just a reskinned Wingspan? Now that I think of it, yes, jackfruit does taste a bit too sweet for me and it's why I'm not 100% on board with it. For example, I love tofu on its own once it's seasoned and pan fried but jackfruit I have to kind of camouflage a bit. Still, it's supposedly really good for you and very healthy so I'll eat some in a burrito once in a while because it can add to the texture more than the taste.

[@erichansen2860]

It might be too much on the difficult side, but you should give Ghost of a Tale a look if you like anthropomorphized animals and especially Redwall.

[@MercysBookishMusings]

Ohhh, it looks amazing! thanks for the recommendation :)

[@AthynVixen]

Must be something about the people who set up board game cafes as our local one which is one of only 2 owned by the same ppl and not in your area is also only vegan