Essentials for Springtime
Books, movies, and music to bring a breath of fresh air
It’s Tuesday, March 18th, which means that the first day of spring is only a few days away! *squeals*
I’m a girl who loves all four seasons for different reasons (unintentional rhyme there), but I’ve really been hankering for spring after such a cold and snowy February. I’m so excited for the sun to be out more, the days to grow longer, and all the windows to soon be thrown open.
Spring is not only lovely for the weather but also because it is a time of blooming, literally and metaphorically. It’s when all the buds begin to burst and leaves begin to grow, and it’s also normally the time we all do our spring cleaning and mental resets. We take the time to tidy up our physical spaces and our minds, so that we feel as fresh as the earth does after a good spring rain shower. It’s a time of rebirth, whether that be for the natural world or for ourselves.
With this in mind, I wanted to share some of my favorite things to read, watch, and listen to this time of year. Whether it’s because they feel as carefree, gentle, and joyful as a blue-skied spring day, or deal with themes of growing and learning, these are some of my favorite recommendations for springtime.
Novels and Poetry
Jane Austen novels
If you read
’s reading syllabus for spring, you’ll see that her first line is “Spring is here—aka Jane Austen month.” I couldn’t agree more! I will always find an excuse to bring up Jane Austen, but spring is the perfect time to read her books. Austen’s witty, character-driven stories about love, social expectations, and personal growth offer a delightful, uplifting escape that complements the spirit of the season.The Real Jane Austen: A Life of Small Things by Paula Byrne
Speaking of Jane Austen, if you are looking for something that is on the nonfiction side, this is a fantastic biography. Each chapter is dedicated to items that either belonged or would have belonged to Austen, and how all these things, whether it be art, furniture, or personal possessions, once studied, can help us see her inspirations for her stories and characters. I love nonfiction that doesn’t feel like a textbook and reads more like a story, and this definitely falls in that category.
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa
As a person who has a grandparent with dementia, this really hit home. A tender exploration of human connection, Ogawa’s story follows a brilliant mathematician whose memory lasts only 80 minutes, and his unlikely bond with his housekeeper and her young son. It is the perfect mix of warmth and melancholy and it delicately reflects on how love and connection, even in its simplest forms, can endure despite the limits of time and memory.
The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman
The Matchmaker’s Gift follows the lives of Sara, a Jewish matchmaker in early 20th-century New York, and her granddaughter, Abby, a modern-day Manhattan divorce attorney. Abby, who doesn’t believe in fate, uncovers her grandmother’s hidden legacy within her diaries, and learns of Sara’s special, innate ability to see when love forms between two people. The novel explores the impact of family traditions, love, and sacrifice across generations. This book felt like a warm hug, and has the perfect sense of optimism for the season of spring.
The Essential Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson with an introduction by Joyce Carol Oates
This, in my opinion, is the best collection of Emily Dickinson’s poetry because it highlights her most impactful poems. Dickinson’s poetry is perfect for spring because of her reflections and keen observations of nature and transformation, which echo the season’s themes of growth and change. Her vivid imagery and introspective musings invite readers to embrace the beauty of the natural world, making her work feel especially resonant as the earth comes back to life.
The Wild Iris by Louise Glück
The Wild Iris is a poetry collection that won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1993. It explores the connection between nature, humanity, and the divine, and focuses on themes of life, death, and renewal. The collection is centered around a garden and a gardener, where flowers, plants, and the gardener speak, reflecting on their growth, struggles, and interactions with the seasons. Glück’s language is both lyrical and stark, making the collection a deep, contemplative exploration of the cycles of life perfect for spring.
Movies
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
The movie musical of all movie musicals! Taking place in the 1920s, it follows silent film star Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) as he navigates the challenges of the industry’s shift to sound pictures, all while falling in love with the charming Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). The film is full of show-stopping dance numbers and gorgeous, vibrant Technicolor, and it’s perfect for spring (or, frankly, any time of the year) due to its lighthearted and cheerful energy. You can’t help but smile like an idiot the whole time watching this!
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Based on the Truman Capote novella, this charming romantic comedy follows Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a free-spirited New York socialite with a complicated past. This movie and it’s wistful, romantic soundtrack by Henry Mancini is sophisticated, warm, glamorous, and hopeful, and the shots of New York are beautiful.
(TW: Breakfast at Tiffany's features a portrayal of an Asian character by Mickey Rooney that includes harmful stereotypes. To quote the top comment on Letterboxd, “can you imagine how perfect this film would be without all the racism?” It’s still a beautiful movie, but don’t be afraid to approach it with a critical eye.)
Midnight in Paris (2011)
In this whimsical romantic fantasy, Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) mysteriously finds himself transported back to the 1920s while visiting Paris with his fiancée. Each night when he is sent back in time, he meets and befriends iconic figures like Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Picasso. As he navigates this enchanting era, he grapples with his present life versus the imagined life in the past. This film has everything; Cole Porter music, the picturesque streets of Paris, nostalgia, love, and one of the best rain showers I’ve ever seen in a movie. This film feels like spring when magic is beginning to stir in the air. <3
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Listen, if Wes Anderson has one fan it’s ME and if he has no fans I’m dead. I love talking about his movies any chance I get! Set in 1965, Moonrise Kingdom follows two young misfits, 12-year-olds Sam and Suzy. Having fallen in love with each other, they run away together, sparking a search party across a small island off the coast of New England. As the adults around them scramble to find them, the film explores themes of love, adventure, and the innocence of youth. So much about this movie screams spring to me, from Anderson’s signature quirky, offbeat humor to the vibrant color palette. If you’re having a downer day, put this on and you will definitely feel better.
Cinderella (2015)
The 2015 live-action Cinderella, directed by Kenneth Branagh, is a beautifully reimagined version of the classic fairy tale. I’m pretty sure we all know the story; the beautiful girl who is in the care of her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, the fairy godmother, pumpkins turned into carriages, the fitting of the slipper, etc. It’s all there in this version, but it turns many parts of the story on its head, and I think it’s the best live action that Disney’s ever made. And much like the season of spring, Cinderella, with it’s lush visuals and sparkling magical elements, is about new beginnings and the beauty that can arise from challenges.
Jane Austen adaptations
Much like what I said about the novels, Jane Austen movie adaptations are just as perfect for the season. Whether it’s because of the shots of English countryside, the beautiful costumes, the sweeping musical scores, or the warmth and wit of the stories, these movies tend to be a great pick when the weather is beginning to get warmer. My personal favorites are Sense and Sensibility (1995) and Emma (2020). And if you’re down for a miniseries, the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice is very faithful to the book and (in my opinion) is the best version of the story.
Any Studio Ghibli movie
Studio Ghibli films, with their stunning animation and heartfelt storytelling, are perfect for spring! These films often emphasize the rejuvenating power of nature, the quiet magic of the world around us, and the journey of personal transformation, perfectly mirroring the arrival of spring. Some specific films that I think are perfect this time of year are My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004).
Also, for those who want to have something quiet on in the background, I discovered this Studio Ghibli Nature Loop which essentially is a bunch of nature scenes from Studio Ghibli movies playing for 30 minutes. I’ve loved having it on while doing my work or even writing my Substack posts!
Albums
Close to You by Carpenters
The Carpenter siblings’ lush harmonies are as bright and beautiful as a sunrise. Every song on this album makes my synesthesia go crazyyyy. And the upbeat 70’s charm feels like you’re about to go have a picnic in the park on a patchwork quilt with flowers in your hair. “(They Long to Be) Close to You” is their most famous track, with good reason because it’s great, but my other favorites are “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Love is Surrender,” and “I Kept On Loving You.”
Feels Like Home by Norah Jones
Does anything else feel like easy mornings with your mug of coffee or tea on the porch like Norah Jones? Her voice is like a warm hug! “Sunrise,” “Those Sweet Words,” and “Don’t Miss You At All” are my favorite tracks, but really this whole album is one of my favorites to have on when I’m making breakfast. When listening, I can just picture the warm, sweet spring mornings where the morning dove is cooing and the dew is still on the grass.
Eye to the Telescope by KT Tunstall
I listened to this album a lot between January and February this year, which is probably why I associate it with that transition period between winter and spring. This album feels like shaking off the cold and watching melted ice and snow dripping off the tree branches. Some of my favorite tracks are “Stoppin’ The Love” and “Heal Over,” but if one song embodies spring the best it’s “Under the Weather.”
In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson
I grew up, like many people, knowing Jack Johnson’s voice from the song “Upside Down” from the Curious George movie, so his voice is very comforting. This entire album feels like morning walks with sunshine and birds singing. It feels carefree and easy, and makes me excited to put on my summer clothes and sandals. “Better Together” is definitely the most famous song from this album, if not his most famous song period, but my favorite tracks are “Never Know,” “Banana Pancakes,” “Do You Remember,” and “Constellations.”
Betcha Bottom Dollar by The Puppini Sisters
One song I love to listen to in spring is “Side by Side” from the Kit Kittredge movie soundtrack (yes, the American Girl doll movie), and it is performed by the Puppini Sisters, a trio modeled after the Andrews Sisters. Their debut album “Betcha Bottom Dollar” is one of my favorites to have on in the car, and their cheerful, tight-three-part harmonies are perfect for the first sunny days in spring. Personal favorite tracks are “Mr. Sandman,” “Wuthering Heights,” and “Heart of Glass.”
Solar Power by Lorde
My favorite spring cleaning album! (Seriously, I associate putting this vinyl on to dust around the house.) To this day, I don’t know why everyone collectively slept on this album. Just because it didn’t feel like her previous two doesn’t mean it’s bad! This album feels like opening up all the windows to let fresh air in after a good morning jog, or like going on a coffee run with your girlfriends on a Saturday morning. I love the title track, but my other favorites are “California,” “Stoned at the Nail Salon,” “Dominoes,” “Leader of a New Regime,” and “Mood Ring.”
Everything I Know About Love by Laufey
This list would be incomplete without my jazzy queen! Laufey’s debut album is beautiful from start to finish. This album is my quintessential stroll-down-the-street-sipping-my-chai-with-my-earbuds-in-on-a-sunny-day album. It’s so hard picking favorites tracks because they’re all lovely, but if I had to pick a few I’d say “What Love Will Do to You,” “I’ve Never Been In Love Before,” the title track “Everything I Know About Love,” and “Falling Behind.”
Happy spring! I hope you’re taking care of yourself :)
Just a heads up: I am going to be out of town this weekend and won’t have time to write next week’s post. So there will be a mini-break where you won’t hear from me, but expect to see another post starting in April! Thank you all for understanding <3
- Lillian
LAUFEY MENTIONED!!