Cozy up with these November ‘can’t miss’ books, shows, albums and eats

Frosty mornings and a leaf-strewn Lowry Mall signify the transition from fall to winter at the University of Missouri. As we start to prepare for finals season, escape to these cozy books, movies, albums and cuisines for a moment of rest.

Read

Royston: “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V.E. Schwab has been on my mind since the moment I set it down back in June. It’s one of those books I heard about years ago, added to my to-be-read shelf and shoved to the back of my mind, long forgotten and collecting dust. Truthfully, I was intimidated by its length and hype. When a book circulates that much hype, I tend to stray away from it. But let me tell you. This book is worth every ounce of hype that it gets.

In 18th-century France, a young woman named Addie LaRue, desperate to escape an arranged marriage, makes a last-resort bargain with a mysterious figure. In exchange for her freedom, she’s cursed to live forever but to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

For the next several centuries, Addie travels the world, discovering the lengths she will go to leave her mark on the world. But everything changes when after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore, and he remembers her name.

This is everything you need to know before delving into the story and not looking back. It’s aesthetically perfect for November, often reminiscent of the dark academia aesthetic — decaying crunchy leaves, gothic fashion, classic literature, self-discovery and a hunger for knowledge. It makes you think about what you would do in life-altering scenarios and has just a tinge of romance that leaves you wanting more.

Listen

Royston: Lizzy McAlpine’s “Older (and Wiser)” album, released on Oct. 4, is giving me all the sad girl autumn vibes. Some might know McAlpine from her TikTok hit: ‘ceilings,’ which has nearly 100 million posts. However, my love for her runs deep. Back in 2021, I discovered her song ‘doomsday,’ and was instantly hooked. Since then, I’ve followed her journey to stardom.

“Older (and Wiser)” explores themes of longing, heartbreak and maturing with age. Its melodies are hauntingly chilling and the accompanying lyrics are utterly mesmerizing. McAlpine bears her soul to us as if we’re lifelong friends, and her honesty, especially when it comes to relationships, is refreshing. 

“Soccer Practice” particularly highlights the emotional complexities of a relationship as McAlpine reflects on what could’ve been but acknowledges the weaknesses preventing her from achieving it in said relationship. The song conveys a bittersweet, melancholic mood, creating a sense of yearning for something that seems just out of reach.

“We could’ve had it, but then again, we never could’ve done it, I was weaker then /

I hate to say it, I know it’s true, I’m waiting for someone who will make me say no to you.”

Levine: When I first heard Shawn Mendes was releasing a new album this month, I was ecstatic. The timing of the release could not have been more perfect, as I recently revisited Mendes’ entire discography from the past decade. 

Mendes’ fifth album, “Shawn,” was released on Nov. 15 and consists of 12 songs that showcase the artist’s vocals in an entirely new way. The album opens with “Who I Am,” an acoustic tune that sets the tone for the remainder of the album. After canceling his Wonder tour in 2022, Mendes uses this song as an opportunity to apologize to his fans across the world. 

“And it broke my heart when I cancelled tour, had my soul and my head goin’ back and forth (Oh) /And I don’t know how I’m gonna face you now, sorry, gotta do it, gotta let you down (Ooh).”

“Nobody Knows” is a song off the album that I’ve had on repeat since its release. The song reminisces about a past relationship that seemed to suddenly end, despite the strength of the pair’s love. Once again, Mendes’ solemn lyricism pairs perfectly with acoustic instrumentals. 

“When you’re so in love and your souls touch, but it’s still not enough / Where does it go? (Woah)”

As the album reaches a close, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a beautiful rendition of “Hallelujah,” featuring Mendes’ warm, yet powerful vocals. Of the many covers Mendes has performed throughout his career, this is one of my favorites. The somber nature of this song encapsulates the entirety of “Shawn.”

Watch

Royston: As we enter the final stretch of the semester and begin to feel the weight of assignments, exams and deadlines, it’s important to take a break from academic burnout and seek comfort in movies. “Dead Poets Society” is a cult classic I find myself gravitating toward during the colder months. 

Starring beloved actor Robin Williams, this film is set in an all-boys preparatory school where a group of students are challenged to break free from the traditional expectations placed on them by their teachers, families and society. Williams plays John Keating, a charismatic and unconventional English teacher who encourages his students to “seize the day” –Carpe Diem– and think for themselves despite the pressures of society and their families.

“Dead Poets Society” is timeless. Just one search on Pinterest reveals that each scene is invitingly warm, set with golden-toned visuals and evocative poetry, making it the perfect film for November.

Levine: Last school year, my friends and I established an ongoing tradition: “Movie Night Mondays.” The tradition is exactly as it sounds. Every Monday evening, we settled into a Mark Twain Residence Hall lounge, gathered an array of movie snacks and turned on the television to watch our favorite films.  This year, however, we’ve taken this beloved tradition to the next level by assigning a theme to each month. 

This month was deemed “Nutcase November.” 

Naturally, we kicked off the month with “Donnie Darko,” which features Jake Gyllenhaal and Drew Barrymore. Throughout the movie, Gyllenhaal’s character, Donnie, is harassed by visions of a large, threatening bunny, Frank the Rabbit. Frank antagonizes Donnie by manipulating him into committing crimes.  By the end of the film, I was left with a sense of unresolved tension and an intense fear of bunny rabbits. 

The following Monday, we celebrated the work of Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo in “Shutter Island.”  The psychological horror film takes place at Ashecliffe Hospital, an insane asylum located on a remote island. Throughout the film, DiCaprio and Ruffalo’s characters are tasked with tracking down an escaped patient. The film closes with a devastating truth that is revealed through an unexpected twist, leaving audiences with a sense of uncomfortable satisfaction.  

My friends and I closed out “Nutcase November” with a Christopher Nolan film, “Memento.” Guy Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, an insurance investigator who is determined to track down his wife’s rapist and murderer. While doing so, Leonard struggles with a rare form of severe memory loss, unable to remember anything that happened minutes prior. Similar to “Shutter Island,” the final scenes of “Memento” revealed a shocking twist. This movie was the perfect way to end a month of anxiety-inducing psychological thrillers, each of which left me thankful for my sanity.

Eats

Royston: In classic ‘Eater fashion, this month’s recommendations wouldn’t be complete without some fall food and drink delicacies. I have been loving trying some holiday-flavored drinks all around Columbia. 

One of my favorites is Shortwave Coffee’s Autumn Spice Latte. Think pumpkin spice, but not as sweet. Drinking it feels like a warm hug, with the comforting blend of creamy milk, espresso and a dash of fall-inspired spices like cinnamon and nutmeg – it’s the perfect drink for this fall season.

Levine: In the spirit of Thanksgiving, sweet potatoes have become my vegetable of choice. Typically, I’ll slice half a sweet potato into fries and season them with onion and garlic powder, which makes for the perfect side dish. However, this versatile vegetable would taste just as delicious with sweeter seasonings, such as cinnamon and sugar. 

If you’re interested in incorporating this vegetable into a sweet treat, I would recommend experimenting with a sweet potato coffee cake recipe – shoutout to MOVE staffer Sabrina Pan for sharing this @sokos.kitchen recipe via Instagram.

Whether you’re preparing to run the Turkey Trot with your family or settling in front of the television for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, this dessert is perfect for a Thanksgiving-day breakfast. 

Lastly, I’ll leave you with a classic sweet potato recipe: sweet potato casserole. A dish often found at most Thanksgiving tables, sweet potato casseroles are relatively simple to put together for your family’s festive meal or Friendsgiving gathering. Below is a recipe I found on Spend with Pennies, an online platform that shares simple, everyday recipes.

November is a time to slow down and express gratitude for the small things in life. Maybe that means spending the afternoon cooking a sweet potato dish with family or taking time to crack open “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.”  Whatever this month may be for you, take it as an opportunity to celebrate gratefulness and thanks. 

Edited by Ava Mccluer | amccluer@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Avery Copeland and Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com