Finally Fall Book Tag

I love book tags and I love fall, so when I saw this one around booktube, I decided to do it. The tag was created by Alina at Tall Tales.

In fall, the air is crisp and clear: Name a book with a vivid setting!

I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 1: Madly Ever After by Skottie Young (illus.)

I decided to take  this question literally and chose a comic book — I Hate Fairyland, which because of the bright colors used in the illustrations, has a vivid setting. The comic book is dazzling and filled with such an abundance of bright colors that they are almost overwhelming. Many readers have enjoyed reading this story about a girl who is brought to Fairyland and is stuck there for over 20 years because she can’t find the key to the way out, but it didn’t appeal much to me . I think the hype spoiled it for me making the funny portions a bit stale. I went in expecting too much.

Nature is beautiful…but also dying: Name a book that is beautifully written, but also deals with a heavy topic like loss or grief.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

I’m currently reading this one. The writing is beautiful. The voice immediately pulls me into the story and keeps me reading, but every now and then I notice and admire the writing. I love the comparisons to simply things in nature often overlooked. These comparisons usually pop up when a character is enduring or reflecting on a traumatic event. The heavy topic the story tackles is slavery and how its effects trickle down through history affecting African descendants.

Fall is back to school season: Share a non-fiction book that taught you something new.

When Hitler Took Cocaine and Lenin Lost His Brain: History’s Unknown Chapters by Giles Milton

Despite the heavy topics sometimes discussed, this was a sometimes delightful, but quick, read. Milton maintains a light tone throughout as he shares facts about historical figures not commonly known as well as historical figures not often mentioned, like Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier who conducted guerilla raids in the jungles of the Philippines for 29 years after World War II had ended. It’s a good read that I recommend.

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.

Rat Queens, Vol. 1: Sass and Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe, illus. by Roc Upchurch

I was going to answer with Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames because if I was in a fantasy world, I’d like to be in a band of badass warriors who happen to be my closest friends. But then I remembered that I read a comic book that has a band similar to the warriors in Kings of the Wyld. Rat Queens is a comic book series about a band of female mercenaries who love to fight and party, similar to how the band in Kings of the Wyld was when they were young. If I was in a fantasy world, I’d like to be in with those ladies.

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

Well, that’s a bit difficult at the moment because a) I’m lazy and in bed right now and have no intention of moving anytime soon; b) doing spines on a blog would require formatting stuff which I’m not in the mood to do; c) it’s Saturday and I intend to take the easy way out of everything so; d) I’ll just do book covers.

All together, these lovely covers make me think of the colors of fall leaves. The books are:

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, which I’m currently reading and enjoying. I think it will be a favorite of the year and Gyasi will be my new favorite author.

Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide by J.K. Rowling, which is part of the trio of Pottermore Presents e-books that compiles Rowling’s supplemental writings on Hogwarts’s history. It was interesting.

The Door in the Alley by Adrienne Kress is the first in a middle-grade series called The Explorers. I tried reading an ARC of it earlier this year and was too bored by the story to complete it.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire has received lots of praise since it’s publication last year. It’s the first in a series about kids who have returned from visiting fairylands and are deeply affected by it and would like to return. I enjoyed the story. It’s a story I didn’t know I wanted until I read it.

A Green and Ancient Light by Frederic S. Durbin has a creepy-looking cover, which is why I bought the book. Otherwise, I don’t know much about it.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Hufflepuff edition) by J.K. Rowling might look odd in this lineup of autumnal colors because it’s bright yellow but in fall, my favorite trees are those random ones that are vividly yellow, partly because yellow is my favorite color and also because it’s a color I don’t expect to see among the scarlet and rust and brown and russet of autumn. Btw, I just learned there’s a word to describe this yellow color — gamboge.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne, John Tiffany, and J.K. Rowling is considered to be the 8th Harry Potter story and was a disappointment for many fans. I, however, enjoyed it but agreed with some critiques that the characterization of some characters didn’t make sense considering their development in prior books.

Everfair by Nisi Shawl is a steampunk, alternate historical fantasy of the Congo which puts a twist on slavery. That’s about all I know.

The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma is a literary fiction novel set in Nigeria about how the prophecy of a madman affects four brothers. That’s all I know. Really want to read it though. This cover isn’t scarlet, but it’s here to represent it.

The Diviners by Libba Bray is a historical fiction, supernatural novel set in New York City, which is about all I know. Oh! And also that it’s well written. I included this book because the colors make me think of creepy Halloween nights.

Fall is the perfect time for some storytelling by the fireside: Share a book wherein somebody is telling a story.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

I chose The Princess Bride because the movie is celebrating a 30th anniversary this year and I plan to go see it in the theater! 😀 The story is foggy in my mind because it’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie or read the book, but it is a favorite — both the movie and book — and in it, I believe a grandfather is relaying the fantastical story to his grandson, who sometimes interrupts him. I enjoyed it. Can’t wait to see it again AND in a theater this time!! 😀

The nights are getting darker: Share a dark, creepy read.

The Shining by Stephen King

I think the creepiest stories are those where one can’t tell what is real and what’s not, which is the basis of The Shining. Sometimes the characters can’t tell if what they see and experience are supernatural occurrences or just a figment of their mind. Though I wasn’t scared by reading The Shining, I was creeped out by it because I sometimes think my house is haunted. 😯

The days are getting colder: Name a short, heartwarming read that could warm up somebody’s cold and rainy day.

Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki by Mamoru Hosoda, illus. by Yu

This is a manga adaptation of the anime about a mother and her half-wolf kids, whom she raises on her own. The manga is a quick read, but it is heartwarming to see how the kids grow and how the mother found ways to give them a great, safe childhood.

Fall returns every year: Name an old favourite that you’d like to return to soon.

Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley

Perfect question because I was just thinking that I’d like to read a McKinley book soon and would love to reread her Spindle’s End by audio book because I miss the magic-infused world it’s set in.

Fall is the perfect time for cozy reading nights: Share your favourite cozy reading “accessories”!

Pumpkin spice latte

I don’t usually have accessories for my reading other than a highlighter and a bookmark. However, I do enjoy drinking more tea as the weather gets warmer and LOOVVEE the pumpkin spice latte at Panera. It’s so rich! Speaking of which, I think I’ll get some today. 🙂 Also, at my favorite restaurant I-Hop, I love the gingerbread hot chocolate and the French toast hot chocolate. 😀 I swear that place loves me! ❤

Spread the autumn appreciation and tag some people!

I tag EVERYONE!! 😀

Or rather, all who are interested in doing this tag.

(Sorry y’all but I’m mad lazy. It’s my first real un-busy weekend in a while.)