The Finally Fall Book Blog Tag

As the Christmas decorations go up, let's take one more moment to appreciate fall! (I may or may not be listening to Christmas music as I write this, I will neither confirm nor deny.) This neat blog tag comes to you courtesy of Ryan Elizabeth Writes--check out her answers to the tag and her cool website here: https://ryanelizabethwrites.com/2020/11/25/finally-fall-book-tag/

P.S. If you have a blog and are interested in participating, consider yourself tagged!

With formalities out of the way, let's begin!

1. In fall the air is crisp and clear. Name one book with a vivid setting.

You all had to know I'd bring this book up at some point. Fawkes by Nadine Brandes is one of my all-time favorite books and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Some of the depth and the magic of this book is rooted in that vivid setting. Not only did she do such a creative and real job showing me 17th century London, but add in the color magic and the secret wars fought in its streets? Brilliant.

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.

*surveys shelves and cringes* I can think of quite a few, so I'm going to cheat and put down a couple. First off, Healer's Bane by Hope Ann. This little book is one of my very favorites, as it follows a girl gifted with mysterious healing powers as she attempts to save the entire world. The question it asked--"If you had a chance to take the pain of the entire world away, would you do it?--was so thought-provoking and really made me consider how I would answer.

I also want to mention Dust by Kara Swanson. Amidst the beauty and magic of Neverland, one still had to acknowledge the dark of London's streets. She addressed so many hard topics--depression, anxiety, suicide, self-harm--in a non-threatening way that pointed to the light.

And to finish it off, Roseanna White's Codebreakers trilogy handles those themes in all three in unique and meaningful ways.

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

Honors for this one will have to go to Better by Jen Wilkin. I'd never done any of her studies before, and her method of studying passages was very unique. It made me reconsider my studying methods and implementing them into my personal Bible study.

Honorable mentions to Love Riot by Sara Barratt and Crazy Love by Francis Chan. While they weren't so much teaching me something new, they reminded me of things I should have never forgotten. Things that could change my life.

4. In order to keep warm, it's good to spend time with people we love. Name a fictional family/household/friend group you'd love to be a part of.

The family of Roseanna White's Shadows Over England trilogy. Okay, well, I wouldn't exactly like to be a thief, but the way the various members support and look out for each other always makes me smile. Even though they are no blood relation. Even when hurt accosts them. Even when they themselves change. Their devotion always amazes me. The world could use more of it. (Reminds me of my own family. *grins*)

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

Okay, so . . . I actually don't do creepy books. Because why? However, a fantastic series that I've read that could classify on the creepy side would be Dreamhouse Kings by Robert Liparulo. This. Series. Is. Epic. I mean, they can travel through time through doors in their house, people! Now if only they could go somewhere where there wasn't imminent death or danger waiting . . .

One of the best things about Dreamhouse Kings though, is that even though it has those creepy moments (and let's be clear--the villain is a creep), that's not the focal point of the series. It's really a story about two brothers growing closer together as they battle to save their mom. It's always pointing to the light, even when it's not immediately clear. (P. S. Frenzy is the best, but you have to read the rest of the series to get there!)

(Honorable mention to Jaime Jo Wright's books!)

6. Fall is the perfect time for some storytelling by the fireplace. Share a book wherein someone is telling a story.

Would you like to hear the story of how Anastasia Romanova actually escaped the Bolsheviks and saved her family name? Look no further than Romanov by Nadine Brandes. This is another of my very favorites--it's so beautiful and heartbreaking, all wrapped up in a magical Russian adventure.

7. The days are getting colder. Name a short, heartwarming read that could warm up someone's cold and rainy day.

Upon further perusal of my shelves, I have decided upon A Drop of Mercy by Becky McGurrin. While I haven't read this one in a while (*adds to reread list*), I remember it as a story that spoke volumes about forgiveness for its short size.

8. Fall returns every year. Name an old favorite that you'd like to return to soon.

You've heard of a lot of them! Fawkes, Romanov, Dust, Healer's Bane, Codebreakers, and Shadows Over England would all make that list. I'd also add Jocelyn Green's Between Two Shores, Lynn Austin's Where We Belong, and Melanie Dickerson's The Princess Spy to that list.

Now to tag some bloggers!

Allison Grace: https://allisongracewrites.com/
Hannah: http://www.precariousbookstacks.com/
Hope Ann: https://authorhopeann.com/blog/

What about you? How would you answer these fun fall questions? Share your adventures in the comments!