Slow Living In October: My New Book & Cosy Days of Autumn in the English Countyside

September came and went, and I find myself in mid-October, wondering how it is already time for Andrei to fill our candle studio with festive scents as we prepare for the weeks ahead. Am I the only one who feels Autumn is exceptionally short this year? How long do we have left before the trees are bare again and leaves turn brown under our feet? Did the intense summer heat rob us of autumn's golden days, or does time flow as usual, and has the fullness of recent weeks skewed my perception of it? 

It's been a busy couple of months since my last diary entry here on the blog, but it's the "good" busy, the slow-living busy, when your days are filled with meaningful work and simple pleasures that uplift your soul. So to answer the question from the previous paragraph - it's me. It's most likely me, feeling time slip through my fingers as I try to make the most of these precious Autumn days. I write, make my videos, bake with Rosa and revisit my favourite nature spots to see them at their most beautiful. I wish autumn would last a little longer, but don't they say that time flies when you're having a good time? 

Of course, not every day is smooth sailing, so let's catch up.

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My new book

I'm starting to feel ready to talk about my second book. I began writing in early September, when the days were still warm and long. One and a half months later, I'm 35 thousand words in. The weather has turned colder, the evenings draw in, and my new book is turning from an idea, a 20-point outline, to a very real manuscript. 

Although it's my second book, it's my first fiction book (aside from two short stories I published on the blog), so it feels very different. Right, so what am I writing?

It began as a thriller, but turned into romantic suspense, oops! Don't worry, the crime investigation is still a huge part of the book, and it has some very dark moments, too. Still, somehow the relationship between 40-year-old Detective H and 37-year-old Dr W has become more important than I originally planned, and, honestly, I love it. I giggle and get upset with my characters as I write, and I feel their struggles in my soul. Andrei says it's a good sign. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you in early 2027.

Although it hasn't been the wettest October so far, I feel like we're having a really good year for mushrooms/fungi? This, or I'm just paying more attention to them, because every time I'm in the woods, I come across a cute mushroom :D

I know you know, but I still want to remind you that no one's life is perfect. Last week we had to cut a hole in our brand-new kitchen ceiling because of a leak under the bathtub. The hole is still there as I'm writing this post :) No, it wasn't a dramatic leak, with water pouring down the kitchen. We simply heard a gentle "tap, tap, tap" every time someone had a shower. Over time, we noticed a discolouration on the ceiling, and Andrei got worried about mould and nearby electrical cables. 

Aside from the leak, the second Autumn in our countryside house is just lovely. I'm relishing our family Sunday roasts and baking with Rosa. My annual cinnamon rolls (recipe here) turned out great this year. I'm ticking off all the little pleasures of October, with a family visit to the pumpkin patch and carving a jack-o'-lantern still to do.

Shop Autumn and Halloween candles inspired by the English countryside

At the same time, let's not forget that Autumn & October aren't tick-box exercises. Please be careful with the romanticised Autumn to-do lists so generously shared online at this time of year. Creators will be like: you have to read this book, bake cinnamon rolls, re-watch Harry Potter and Gilmore Girls, visit the pumpkin patch, make pumpkin soup, and so on. When?

Every year since I started running my social media account, I've read comments from people who feel they've failed Autumn because they haven't managed to do even half the things on their list. I am not surprised. Time doesn't stretch in October; it actually shrinks as we get closer to November. Just choose a few things that feel most aligned, and don't try to do everything yourself. Seriously, there is nothing wrong with buying pre-made cinnamon rolls; they actually taste decent. 

The only thing that truly needs to be on your list is to go out and witness Autumn first-hand in nature, whether it's your local woods or a park in the city. And self-reflection. As the leaves drop, find time to consider whether there is anything you should let go of, too. Everything else is just extra, a pleasant fluff. 

Muchelney, Somerset, on the wet October morning. Living history.

Books

My very last read wasn't the best. I smashed the book on the table after I read the first sentence of the epilogue, which says it's been two months since the *book's events* and the main character still can't believe how much she's been through.

Let me tell you, the main character hasn't been through much!! As a small business owner, this book infuriated me, haha! I'm still upset. The main character literally becomes a shop owner in Bourton-on-the-Water (an expensive, tourist town in the Cotswolds that gets the London crowd, and renting a shop normally costs a fortune) and lives in a cottage (I forgot how long) for FREE. When the cottage sells, she moves in with a friend who's been conveniently looking for a housemate. When the roof leaks, a man she'll end up dating steps in and sorts it out for her. And when the shop's mortgage falls through, the same man who sorted the roof, who also happens to be a bank manager, "runs the numbers" and decides his bank will give her a mortgage!! Like what!! I'm not against any of it; I don't mind the plot. It's the "I've been through a lot" that got to me, because girl, sit down, you literally had people babying you at every step.

There are a few more irritating things in this book, but let's move on to two books I am actually dying to share with you!

I bought "Come Closer" from Frankie's Shelf recommendation - if you don't know them, start with the review of "Shy Girl"

I devoured the book in one evening plus an hour the next morning. The story follows Amanda, who slowly loses control over herself and her life, possessed by a demon. Honestly, nothing terrified me more than the idea that something inside could push me to reject or hurt Andrei (and children, although the character doesn't have any, so the focus is on the husband). 

"Hex" has been a random pick, but I really scored. The book officially lands as number two on my all-time favourite books list (after The Coffin Path). It has a slow start, but I was curious enough to keep on reading... until we met Griselda, when I got completely hooked. I need to get to know her and see where her story goes.

I did not see what was coming in Part Two. I want to say that my Andrei WOULD NEVER, but then... grief can do strange things to people. The epilogue left me staring into the void for like 10 minutes, just processing everything that has happened at the very end.

TINY SPOILERS

What I love is that both books share the same conclusion. Although the witch in "Hex" and the demon in "Come Closer" are very real, we, feeble humans, make the wrong decisions. The devil might tempt us, but we're the ones saying yes.

Let's close this post with some pretty countryside pictures :) 

Lustleigh village in Dartmoor drenched in October sun.

I also made new friends at Ullacombe Farm Café. Hand-feeding goats is absolute JOY, and I told Andrei I am ready to drop everything, get a few goats and spend entire days just passing them leaves in our garden, haha! The one in the picture was incredibly smart and cheeky. It was literally pointing its head at the nearby tree, asking for some leaves. 

We might be moving to bi-weekly blogs until I finish writing my novel. I hope that's ok. The best way to stay in touch is through my weekly slow living newsletter, which I send every Saturday morning. 

Thank you for reading. Have a beautiful second half of October
Adriana x