Firefight by Brandon Sanderson.
The majority of this book takes place in what used to be New York, now called Babilar, which has been taken over by an Epic called Regalia. For this setting, just picture New York but flooded with so much water that only the tops of the tallest buildings are left dry. The city is covered in fruiting vines and paint that glows in the dark. Wooden bridges connect the rooftops for the Babilar equivalent of streets.
It's been three months since I finished the book and I've finished over 30 books since then and it still sticks in my mind as fresh as when I read it.
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.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman.
I loved this book so much. It may even be my favorite book of the year. Time will tell.
This was such a well written book that I fell in love with the characters and their lives. So much so that it caused me to openly weep more than once.
I can't say too much because, well, spoilers and all, but A Man Called Ove deals with both loss and grief in such a human and relatable way that it struck a deep chord with me.
3. Fall is back to school season: share a non-fiction book that taught you something new.
I've read more non-fiction this year than I normally do. I have reading challenges and my wife to thank for that. And while there are many I could pick I Must Say by Martin Short, A Grown-Up Guide to Dinosaurs by Ben Garrod, and even Can You Ever Forgive Me? By Lee Israel but the answer has to be:
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida. This taught me so much about autism and while not all cases of autism are the same, it's a great eyeopening book to show the people behind the outward chaos you may see on the outside. This is a fantastic book and I'll tell you this, the reason he jumps isn't vaccines.
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.
This one was easier than I thought it would be. I'd want to be part of Dresden's inner circle from The Dresden Files series of books. It may be true that even knowing Dresden can be very dangerous but also, if you're part of his group, you're also protected.
You have wizards, werewolves, vampires, knights of the cross, faeries (kind of), an evil fighting temple dog, the embodiment of the archive of all human knowledge, a demon mercenary (again, sort of), an island spirit, and a fat cat on your side.
5. The colorful leaves are piling up on the ground: show us a pile of fall-colored spines!
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Technically Gaiman is telling us the stories that the Norse told each other. AND if you listen tot he audiobook it's exactly like he's telling you a story.
7. The nights are getting darker: share a dark, creepy read.
I was going to pick The Outsiderby Stephen King but after thinking about it I'm changing my answer to The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin.
While the Stephen King books I've read this year sure were creepy, The Stepford Wives was creepier because of the nonchalantness about the whole thing. Women changing overnight into a cookie cutter housewife that makes Beaver's mom look normal? A club of men who seem to run the city behind closed doors. And the feeling that even though you're in a sizable town, you have nowhere to run.
8. The days are getting colder: name a short, heartwarming read that could warm up somebody’s cold and rainy day.
Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes.
Though this is a 274 page book, my focus is just on the first story in this short story collection which just happens to be called Paris for One. It's a short story that made me smile and what better for a rainy day?
9. Fall (luckily, it’s my favorite season) returns every year: name an old favourite that you’d like to return to soon.
An old favorite from when I was a kid was the Bunnicula series. The first book is Bunnicula followed by Howliday Inn, The Celery Stalks at Midnight, Nighty-Nightmare, Return to Howliday Inn, Bannicula Strikes Again, and Bannicula Meets Edgar Allan Crow.
These books follow Dogs Harold and Howie and cat Chester as they deal with the potential evil of Bunnicula, the vampire rabbit. It's a cute series that I remember fondly as a child and I look forward to rereading them and one day introducing my children to the series.
10. Fall is the perfect time for cozy reading nights: share your favorite cozy reading “accessories”!
I don't really have many reading accessories. If it's cold out I'll have my big gray blanket and maybe a mug of tea or cocoa. If it's dark and I'm reading in bed I'll whip out my kindle.
11. Spread the autumn appreciation and tag some people!
Umm.. this is awkward. I don't know any other book bloggers besides Anne and she's already doing this. So.. no?
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