Finally Fall Book Tag

1. In fall, the air is crisp and clear: name a book with a vivid setting!
I honestly debated this for a good while and the only book that came to mind was The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. Set in Alaska, this coming of age/survival story is something that will stick with you, good or bad, I personally found it both unrealistic and the characters rather grating. But I can see why one might enjoy this slow burn of a story. In the same style of Where The Crawdad's Sing by Delia Owens and Educated by Tara Westover, this is a book that will either grip and demand your attention or get a little lost in the scuffle. For me it was sadly the latter. But nonetheless, the setting was so vivid and I truly did feel as isolated as our main characters. If you didn't know, this is a book about a young girl and her parents who move to Alaska to hopefully aid in the dad's recovery as he tries to live with a sever case of PTSD after a war.

2. Nature is beautiful… but also dying: name a book that is beautifully written, but also deals with a heavy topic like loss or grief.
My go-to answer for anything mental health related is always The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky. It's my favourite book of all time, and I think it deals with it's multitude of heavy topics with surprising grace. But to be a little original with this post, I'm going to go with It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. Not only this a novel about a young man who commits himself to a psych ward after struggling with thoughts of suicide a story based on true events, the author actually committed suicide after this book was released. It's a terribly sad story and adds to the overall beauty that was his writing about such a heavy topic. You cannot read this book without weeping for the young man.

3. Fall is back to school season: share a non-fiction book that taught you something new.
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida. Though written when he was a child, this tiny book packs a heap of information and emotion. I've read a few fiction books with an autistic protagonist but nothing that truly teaches like a non-fiction, this was an eye-opener and I will forever say that I think it ought to be taught at schools. Written in a Q&A style, it is impossible to not get at least a few questions we all have answered.

4. In order to keep warm, it’s good to spend some time with the people we love: name a fictional family/household/friend-group that you’d like to be a part of.
Though they aren't family by blood, I would absolutely love to be a part of the neighbourhood in A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman. They're a kind of makeshift family built around the grumpy old man and it's so pure you can't help but want to be involved. This is translated from Swedish and tells the tale of a man as he contemplates ending his life after losing both his wife and job. Though it sounds heavy, it is also the most warming book for your soul.

5. The colourful leaves are piling up on the ground: show us a pile of fall-colored spines!

6. Fall is the perfect time for some storytelling by the fireside: share a book wherein somebody is telling a story.
For this I'm going with one of my favourite reads from last year The Seven Husband's Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This is a story about a Hollywood scarlet who is telling her story for the first time to a young reporter through the topic of her seven marriages. Everyone wants to know if she'll answer the most sought out question surrounding her career.. who was her true love? This is a beautiful book with characters who will stick with you long after you turn the final page. Will forever recommend.

7. The nights are getting darker: share a dark, creepy read.
I really could not think of a thriller or horror book that I've found creepy. So, I'm going a little outside the box and am instead answering with a book that was creepy purely for the writing. Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman. Truth be told, I never wanted to read about a guy masturbating into a peach that then sits there looking "battered and bruised like a rape victim". That's basically a line in the book. Um, no.

8. The days are getting colder: name a short, heartwarming read that could warm up somebody’s cold and rainy day.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Funny, heart-warming, and a true page turner. What better book could I choose for this question? Telling the story of a young autistic boy who sets out to solve the murder of his neighbours dog just like his hero, Sherlock Holmes.

9. Fall returns every year: name an old favourite that you’d like to return to soon.
I've been itching to reread The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I read it early last year and it has since been on a weird sort of replay in my head. It would be enjoyable for me to go back into it with a clearer vision on the woman she was and, hopefully, gain more from the story as it's most certainly a layered read. For a fun reread I'd like to give The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon another go to hopefully continue with the series as I put down the second book The Mime Order a few years ago and have yet to pick it back up.

10. Fall is the perfect time for cosy reading nights: share your favorite cosy reading “accessories”!

☑ Wine

☑ Roaring Fire

☑ Cats

☑ Fluffy Blanket

11. Spread the autumn appreciation and tag some people!
I'm going to be corny (and slightly lazy) and tag you! Whoever is reading this, if you love books and write about them, I officially tag you to take part in this. Go for it. Be sure to also read my husband's answers over on SomewhatNerdy.