Why We Love Fall
It’s October and it seems like Autumn vibes are everywhere. From pumpkin themes, to hardy mums, to sweater ads – fall has been unleashed. It’s not feeling much like fall here in the Midwest as we’re have temps in the high 80s as if Mother Nature is not ready to let go of summer just yet. Though I’m sure I’ll be complaining in a couple of months when the really cold weather hits, I have to admit that I am so ready for cool crisp mornings, the glorious colors of autumn leaves, and maybe even a little pumpkin spice. It seems I’m not alone.
According to Kathryn Lively, a professor of sociology at Dartmouth College, our obsession with fall is a social construct that starts when we’re children. She says, “As children, we come to associate fall with going back to school, new school supplies, seeing friends. It’s exciting, for most. We still respond to this pattern that we experienced for eighteen years.” I don’t know about you, but I loved, loved, loved school supplies. In fact, you might still find me wandering the aisles at Office Depot, excited about a new notebook or pen.
We also associate fall with comforting and cozy things – a warm fire, a soft blanket, tasty soups or stews. She calls these temporal markers and says, “From a sociological lens, our emotions are tied inextricably to the meaning that we make about ourselves, others, events and times of year.”
The bottom line is if we love fall what we really love is we love what the season has come to represent to us. And I, for one, am all in. Bring it on! How about you? Do you love fall? Or are you ho-hum on the season change? My latest book in the Sugar & Spice Mystery series is set in fall. And I loved bringing all that entails into the storyline.
Comment below for a chance to win a copy of NIGHT OF THE LIVING BREAD. And have a fabulous fall!
“Night of the Living Bread was a sweet read. So well-plotted, the story moves at a lively pace. A fine mystery, entertaining characters that feel like good friends, set in an Iowa small town, complete with yummy recipes, delivered everything I needed for a perfect escape”—Lori Caswell, Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book
“The mystery unfolds like delicious layers of a croissant. The pace is perfect, the dialogue sparkles, and Ms. Ashford doesn’t skip a beat.”
“Clues are sprinkled throughout for the quick armchair detective to catch, and there were a few twists I didn’t see coming. The author does an admirable job bringing all the elements together into a scrumptious read that kept me turning pages.”
“Night of the Living Bread was a sweet read. So well-plotted, the story moves at a lively pace. A fine mystery, entertaining characters that feel like good friends, set in an Iowa small town, complete with yummy recipes, delivered everything I needed for a perfect escape”
Mary Lee Ashford is the author of the Sugar & Spice mystery series and also half of the Sparkle Abbey writing team. She is a lifelong bibliophile and public library champion. Prior to publishing Mary Lee won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is the founding president of Sisters in Crime – Iowa, a member of MWA, and Novelists, Inc. She lives in the Midwest with her family and her feline coworker.
Ah, fall! Who doesnt love a season that brings out cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and the delightful excuse to eat more? As for *why* we adore it, well, the article nails it – its all about the representation, right? We love fall because it feels like the perfect backdrop for a warm, comforting mystery with characters who feel like old friends and maybe even some killer recipes. It’s the literary equivalent of a perfectly baked apple pie! Bring on the crisp air and the fictional shenanigans. Now, where’s that comment box for that prize…? 😉Grow a Garden plant list
The cover of Night of the Living Bread fits with the fall theme of your post. A great time to curl up with warm, buttered bread and a great mystery to read.
I am so ready for cooler days, but here in TN, we’re also still dealing with temps in the mid to high 80s. After more than four years of living here, I still can’t get used to it!
I love fall. I love the beautiful fall foilage in ky. I am ready for some hot spice tea and homemade bread.
There is something invigorating and peaceful about fall.
Helpful post — could you also share examples for beginners?
I love that review of your latest book. “Unfolds like delicious layers of a croissant” is delicious in itself. I love autumn, except for the allergies that come with it for me. But overall, it feels more restful with a slowing down of nature. The quiet before the holidays come storming in.
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