Sad Girl Autumn Collection

Autumn. The season when green turns to brown and the leaves float down like days. The sudden farewell of summer's heat. The season of reading books, watching movies, and listening to lots of music in our cosy bed, with our cardigan. The emergence of our inner sad girl and our Bella Swan energy. A true depression phase that shares in our feelings and adds even more sorrow. If you’re also a victim of sad girl autumn, I present to you the books to read, the movies to watch, and the music to listen to this season. Voila!

Arkada Yaylılar Çalıyor by Melikşah Altuntaş

In April, I had the chance to meet Melikşah. I waited in line with many others to meet him along with the book I bought as soon as it came out. While he was signing my book and offering me his best wishes, I mentioned that I hadn’t read his book yet because I had just finished A Little Life and, knowing the weight of his words, I was almost certain this new book would broke me as well. Upon hearing A Little Life, he agreed with me and advised me to save his book for autumn. Of course, I didn’t listen and read it anyway. I wish I had listened. It’s a book where you will embark on a journey through narrator's memories, guided by his writing, and cry a lot.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

As a writer, this is the author I feel closest to, and this book perfectly mirrors my own experience with writer's block. It's a memorable novel where the narrator shares her mental struggles and life, both as an editor and as a woman. If you haven't read it yet, it's definitely a must-read for autumn.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

It's a humour-filled book about our unnamed narrator, who sets out to sleep as much as possible for an entire year, essentially going into hibernation. It reflects the transition of people in the early 2000s to modern life and their mental health struggles. Believe me, you're going to love it.

The Twilight Saga

Even though it's filled with cringeworthy acting and plot holes when watched nowadays, it's still an inevitable series for autumn. After all, it's the 'whoa hoa hoa' season.

The Harry Potter Series

Lumos. Well, obviously. The Harry Potter series is definitely one of those film series to watch in autumn and even into winter. In my opinion, the Half-Blood Prince is the movie you absolutely need to watch in autumn. Nox.

The Worst Person in the World

A movie I watched based on my best friend's recommendation. His words exactly: 'It made me lose all interest in relationships, and I definitely decided not to get married. At the time, I was going through a fresh breakup, so I thought it made sense to watch it. It broke me. If you’ve recently gone through a breakup, definitely don’t watch it, but it’s a must-watch film for autumn. I won’t spoil the plot by talking about it—just trust me.

Red (Taylor's Version)

Tswizzle’s album that owns autumn. The red scarf you left with your toxic ex and your “fck the patriarchy” keychain. The 10-minute All Too Well universe. The heartbreak of your early twenties. Genius, mind-blowing lyricism. Enjoy listening—and crying.

evermore

Even though it's technically a winter album, for me, it's an autumn essential. Forgetting the existence of masterpieces like champagne problems and coney island is nearly impossible in the fall.

Bon Iver

The band's latest EP, released on October 18, is filled with songs you'll definitely want to loop in autumn. Since S P E Y S I D E came out, I haven't been able to listen to anything else. Bon Iver is, for me, the very essence of autumn wrapped in music. You should definitely check out the discography.

The Smiths

The song I Know It's Over is one of the saddest songs of all time, making it an essential for sad girl autumn.

Other artists that reflect the remnants of autumn, and whose discographies you should definitely spend time exploring this season, are Noah Kahan, The National, Mitski, Manchester Orchestra, Phoebe Bridgers, and Elliott Smith.