Things | Autumn Reading Challenge

I think I’ve been ready for October since last October… In the spirit of autumn – and of winning a certain reading competition I got myself into, I decided to read six books this month… I have created an Autumn reading challenge, in which each category is inspired by one of my favourite things about this time of year:

1 - The Colours

 “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower” Albert Camus

In October, the trees are full of colours… Browns, yellows, reds and orange (most of all, orange) are everywhere, from the dry leaves piling on the ground to the pumpkins on the kitchen table, waiting to be carved… Read a book with an orange cover

The book I chose for this category is Gone with the wind, by Margaret Mitchell.  I have watched to the film a few weeks ago and learned about the fuss everyone made about the adaptation when it was anounced. This book was a best seller and the "hunt" for the actress that would play Scarlett kept the interest of everyone in Holywood. To her last day Bette Davies couldn't believe she had not been chosen for the part. Anyway... I really want to read the book and find out what the fuss was all about. 

2 - The weather

 “There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been.” Percy Bysshe Shelley

When autumn arrives, it puts the summer to sleep, and the weather begins to get cold again… There is wind and rain and it’s time for jumpers and scarfs again. Read a book that takes place in a cold environment.

I think the perfect book for this category is North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I have been meaning to read this one for a while, ever since I first watched to the adaptation by BBC a long, long time ago. It's the story of Margareth Hale, a young woman whose family must move from their home in the agricultural south of England to one of the industrial towns in the North. The North is colder and harsher and is where her future is... The TV series is amazing, I expect the book will be even better than that. 

3 - The flavours 

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the Earth seeking the successive autumns." George Eliot

Autumn is a season of flavours. Cinamon, pumpkin, chocolate, apples… And most of those flavours leave a sweet taste in one’s lips… Read a sweet romantic story.

This is a difficult one... I am not a fan of Tolkien's style and I have started this book in the past and failed to finish it... Be that as it may, Beren and  Luthien was first brought to my attention when I read "The Gift of Friendship", a book about the relationship between Tolkien and C S Lewis... The book touched briefly on how Tolkien and his wife used to call each other Beren and Luthien... That's an impossibly romantic notion. That's what makes this book perfect for this category. 

4 - The rain 

“Notice that autumn is more the season of the soul than of nature” Nietzche 

… And there’s nothing quite like putting on a comfy jumper, making a cup of hot chocolate, grabbing a book and watching the rain outside…. It is a season to be cozy and warm, in every possible way… In that spirit, Read a book that makes you feel warm inside

Mind meld is a Star Trek book... I read this one before, but I guess there's no way to fill this category except with a book you have already read otherwise you have no idea what it does to you. Anyway... In order to lend credibility to the efforts of reunification between Vulcans and Romulans, both sides (representatives of both sides) agree to unite a Romulan boy to a Vulcan girl in marriage. If they undergo Pon Farr in the seventh year of their adult lives, if will prove that the two species are not so dissimilar after all... The girl is Teska, who happens to be Spock's niece and a the book follows their mission to escourt the girl to her destiny. It's a lovely book and I look forward to reviewing it here... 

5 - The sounds

"Wild is the music of the autumnal winds amongst the faded woods." William Wordsworth 

Autumn sounds like leaves crackling in the ground, like wind and rain and a fire in the fireplace... There is music everyore, if you stop long enough to listen. Read a book that has to do with music.  

Admitedly this book has little to do with music other than the title, but it counts... It's actually about the history of genetics, and I have been meaning to read it for a long long time... 

6 - The holiday: 

"Have you come to sing pumpkin carols?"— Linus, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

And finally, of course, October is the month of Halloween. Vampires, werewolves, witches and various undead creatures wander out and about. Read a book about one of the creatures of Halloween.

I found this book in a book fair in Porto Alegre when I was there a few months ago... I was very drawn to it and today, when I started reading it, after finishing the photos for this post, I understood why... I love the style of the writing. It's the story of the Last Werewolf alive in the world. I am generally more of a vampire girl, but I guess I can try thsi new flavour for a while... 

Well this is my autumn reading challenge for 2019... Wish me luck ;)