Fall Activities Book Tag

The fact that I was tagged in the Fall Activities Book Tag last year at the end of fall but am only now getting around to it this year at the beginning of fall should tell you everything you need to know about the state of my tags queue. Still better late than never right? I was tagged by Lauren at Lauren’s Page Turners and Kate at Reading Through Infinity. Thanks so much both of you for the tag, I had a lot of fun with this one so I hope you enjoy reading my answers just as much.

Apple Picking:
A book on your TBR that looks so great you can’t wait to get into it.

Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

I actually won a copy of this book in a WordPress giveaway, and I can’t wait for it to finally be released (not long to go). Forest of a Thousand Lanterns sounds amazing; everyone seems incredibly hyped for it and the pre-release reviews are all glowing. Also it’s a fairytale inspired book and that alone is enough to make me want to pick it up.

An East Asian fantasy reimagining of The Evil Queen legend about one peasant girl’s quest to become Empress—and the darkness she must unleash to achieve her destiny.

Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her. Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfil the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng’s majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high?

Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins—sorcery fuelled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.

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Corn Maze:
A book to get lost in.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Granted this is an emotional read, but it was a book I couldn’t put down. From the first page I was hooked; I wanted to learn everything about the world Adam Silvera created where people know what day they’ll die, and about the characters within that world. They Both Die at the End is a book I didn’t want to end for so many reasons, but mainly because they both die at the end.

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Haunted Houses:
A book that scared you.

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Normally you know the main character’s going to be all right. There are seven Harry Potter books so you know Harry isn’t likely to die halfway through the Philosopher’s Stone. There was no such feeling with Red Rising. I was convinced so many times the journey was up for Darrow, and my heart was in my throat throughout the entire trilogy.

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Pumpkin Patch:
The latest book you picked up/purchased.

Night of Cake and Puppets by Laini Taylor

This was a pre-order, and it was finally dispatched to me the other day. I’ve been so excited for the release of this edition ever since it was announced a good few months ago. Taylor is one of my favourite authors, her writing is so so beautiful, and although I’ve already read this short story having this edition is an excuse to re-read it and re-live the magic of Zuzana and Mik.

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Scenic Drives:
A book that is lyrically beautiful.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Laini Taylor is the author when it comes to writing lyrical stories, and as amazing as I thought the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series was it was nothing compared to Strange the Dreamer. This was a heavy book and it took me a while to work my way through it but each page, each chapter, was so beautifully written.

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Pumpkin Carving:
A book you didn’t like and wouldn’t mind cutting up.

All the Wind in the World by Samantha Mabry

Rest assured no matter how bad a book is, I’d never cut it up. I really enjoyed Samantha Mabry’s first book so I had high-ish hopes for All the Wind in the World. Unfortunately, although the plot was good and the world building was incredible, I couldn’t stand the main character which ended up ruining this book a little for me.

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Drinking Apple Cider:
A sweet book to curl up with.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

There are plenty of YA contemporaries I could have chosen for this answer, but The Unexpected Everything is a story that’s in a league of its own. There is a cute relationship between Andie and Clark, an incredible friendship between Andie, Palmer, Bri and Toby, a great dynamic between Andie and her father, and plenty of cute dogs.

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Jumping in a Leaf Pile:
A book that reminds you of your childhood.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Asides from Harry Potter, which I’m trying to avoid for these questions because it’s an obvious answer, A Series of Unfortunate Events was the defining series of my childhood. I was hooked on the stories and the unique way Lemony Snicket had of writing them. Every time a new book was released I’d look forwards to getting my hands on it and carrying on with the story.

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Scary Movie Night:
Your favourite spooky read.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

For me it was the pictures alongside the story that made this a spooky read. Alongside the strange powers the Peculiars have they give the whole series a kind of Victorian Gothic/horror feel. This is a favourite series of mine, and I can’t wait for Ransom Riggs to release more stories from the world of the Peculiars.

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Costume Party:
A book with an eclectic cast of characters.

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Eclectic is pretty much the perfect word to describe the characters in Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series. I’m only halfway through and already I’ve met four Shadowhunters – one of whom has only recently discovered the secret world of demons and magic – a centuries old warlock, a recently-turned Jewish vampire, and a handful of werewolves.

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My tags:

• Casey at adoptabookaus
• Michelle at Book Adventures
• Sophie at Sophie’s Corner
• Sydney at Fire and Rain Books

And if there’s anyone else out there who wants to take part, consider yourself tagged. Just send me a link to your post in the comments so I can see what your answers are.