This week Shanah @bionicbookworm has been inspired by Greg who’s been raving about fall and temperature drop making for incredible reading afternoon all cozy inside.
She wants us to recommend our top 5 cozy fall reads.
As you know me I love spicing things up * I know this is the season calling for spice like nutmeg and cinamon and …* and my brain was free wheeling this afternoon about fall and all the little pleasure we enjoy at that time of the year.
I don’t know you but when I am cold I love drinking warm drinks and it made me think of the personality of coffee drinkers versus tea drinkers and ….
I came to the conclusion that I could guess what book would work for each drinker!
Wanna bet?
See what your guilty pleasure in fall is and look at what I am recommending.
Then …tell me if I am right or wrong! 😉
If you love Pumpkin Spice Latte you love something gooey but not boring. With a little bit of kick some slight surprise just to keep you interested but not to throw you off completely!
I would recommend Bossman by Vi Keeland because here is the description of all the requirements Chase Parker had to meet:
Wanted : Book Boyfriend
Requisite:
-Must be funny and imaginative as making a girl laugh is the quickest way in her pants;
-Must be smart as I don’t want to explain twice how to iron shirt or reheat the pizza;
-Must know women’s needs like foot massage, moisturizing of the legs, …;
-Must be protective and look twice in the closet, below the bed, behind the shower curtains to check for robbers;
-Must be easy on the eyes as I’ll look at him every day for years;
-Must be good in bed, attentive to my wants but not afraid to take the reins and be thorough;
-Must have a good size …leaving this one to your imagination.
Or you could totall fall for Win Some Lose Some by Shay Savage because Matthew was so adorable autist or not!
Matthew was sometimes lost in life, did not dare hope living a “normal “ life with a girlfriend but wishing for it really hard anyway.
Every new situation he could encounter, every change has to be prepared. He has to be guided through it, repeating and rehearsing what might happen countless times. He is with his aunt Bethany: ”Do you remember when you couldn’t order pizza over the phone? Can you do that now?” “Yes but I have to work up to it a little”. “So we’ll work on getting you ready to ask Mayra out the same way we worked on ordering pizza. I’ll be Mayra and you ask me. We’ll keep doing it until you think you got it.” “But…” I hesitated. “What is it?” “But the pizza place never says no!”
If you are a Chai Latte lover you love adventure and exotism. Mysterious broody heroes are your kryptonite. Pirates or captains your downfall. You need someone with secrets to uncover, an enigma to solve or a quest.
You need The Cruel Prince by Holly Black because It was simply enthralling. You have murder, secrets, betrayals and even more plot twists. Your friends will backstab you. Your own family will be deceitful. Your enemies will become allies around a common cause. You will do things you never thought you would have done. You will become someone you won’t recognize. Because Faerie is a cruel place you have to survive.
Or Mists of the Serengeti by Leylah Attar because It was grand! Not because it was a big book only 360 pages but because it was grandiose, packed with so many messages, intense moments, grief, heartbreak, rebirth, hope, utter despair and gorgeous backdrop. Cherry on top you have a VERY male and VERY handsome hero. Jack has been broken by his daughter’s death. He’s failed her.
“Lily. Oh God. I failed you. As the world fell to its knees around him, walls torn, roof blown off, blood and bone everywhere—Jack felt himself rip into two. Before-Jack, who loved black coffee, blue skies, and driving into town with all the windows down, and After-Jack, whose daughter’s sweet smile and cotton-candy ponytail swam before him in the heated, five-alarm blaze of the afternoon.”
Now a shell of the man he once was he’ll follow Rodel in her quest and find that spark again. It will be a rebirth. Have you ever had a guide gently washing and combing your muddy hair under the starry sky of Africa? Ready to kill everyone to protect you? Soothing a wounded calf and still looking Oh so male? No? Well me neither but it will be part of my “need to have” on my next travel. I’m certain my husband would not be jealous…
Or One Foot in the Grave by CC Hunter because with CC Hunter’s stories there is a mystery behind the death and Riley embarks on a thrilling even dangerous adventure. I was immersed in the story, following all her drama and complicated life *what with seeing ghosts and helping them without people knowing it because she would have seemed bat sh@t crazy*. I really rooted for Hayden even if my heart broke as I knew that a ghost could never really be a boyfriend. Riley knew this and yet…
Then everything accelerated by the end with a huge stressing and threatening event when CC Hunter dropped THAT bomb on us (something I had guessed) and LEFT US HANGING DRY!!!!!!!!
Is Hot Chocolate your craving in fall? Then you are looking for something sweet and warm. Something to remind you of the security of your childhood. When you still believed in Santa Claus. You want the known, the expected. A feel good book.
My top recommendations would be The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Why? Because this story simply is a little gem. Essentially character driven, the writing is light, charming, funny and just right. Everything worked for me.
Special mention to the dialogs! Stella being unable to lie and quite “direct” it gave some little gems, especially as Michael had no idea she was Asperger!
Here is one excerpt to give you an idea:
“You smell really, really good. What is it?”
Where was that scent coming from? It seemed to be everywhere on him, but too light. She craved a more concentrated dose.
“Michael?”
A funny look crossed his face. “It’s just me, Stella.”
“You smell this good?”
“Apparently. You’re the first to comment on it.”
“I want it all over me.” As the words left her mouth, she worried she’d said the wrong thing. That statement had sounded a little too personal, a little strange. Would he notice how strange she really was?
Or you could read Wolfsong by TJ Klune because this book is about love in all its complexities and variations. The love of a mother for his child, the love of a young Ox for his mom wanting to care for her because he was the man now that his Daddy left them.
It was the love of non-blood related brothers with Rico, Chris, Tanner and Gordo at Gordo’s garage. A love and connection between hard working guys so deep they had each other’s back when things went south. They helped a slower Ox with schoolwork.
It was the love of an adopted family: The Bennets. So tight with each other, needing to touch the members of their “pack”. Ready to do anything to ease the suffering of one of them. Ready to move to help little Joe recover after the horror that happened to him.
It was the love of friendship, the love of lovers…
If love could have a name it would be Ox.
If you have a weakness for Hot Wine you are looking for something to lose your head. Get drunk on life. Be swept off your feet damn the consequences. Today is must be enjoyed you will deal with the consequences tomorrow. You need recklessness and foolishness.
You need Lifel1k3 by Jay Kristoff because it’s packed with action upon action and mixes old tales with new world*how Jay Kristoff succeeded in writing Moby Dick in a sci fi story shows how the man must be crazy yet talented*
Because nothing is as it seems and everyone has secret. Sometimes they even don’t know they have BIG secrets. So you are following everything and feel like a wrecking ball going from one side of the pinball machine to the other. Sometimes hitting a big target and you earn 1000 points. These are usually when you had guessed right but these are scarce moments. In other words: extinct like the Dodo.
Because the characters are fantastic.
Hot wine drinkers would also fall for Playing with Monsters by Amelia Hutchins because Amelia says” I don’t write love stories: I write fast paced, knock you on your ass, make you sit on the edge of your seat wondering what happens next books. If you’re looking for cookie cutter romance, this isn’t for you. If you can’t handle the ride, un-buckle your seatbelt and get out of the roller-coaster car now. If not, you’ve been warned. If nothing outlined above bothers you, carry on and enjoy the ride! “
Or Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton could be your next fix! This is a world where “ Djinn who fell in love with worthy princesses and gave them all of their hearts’ wishes. Pretty girls who lured Nightmares straight on to men’s blades. Brave merchants’ daughters who caught Buraqi and rode them to the ends of the earth” and I loved everything about it! It was fast paced. The storytelling was compelling, the plot solid without any filler or dull moment. The characters are very well portrayed and I could relate to Amami as she wants to be someone worthy and not “just a girl”. She wants to take matters in her own hands and not be ruled by men. I could never live under other’s thumb and could only cheer each time she did something reckless to save someone else or escape by the skin of her teeth. I loved the banter and her sarcastic remarks. I’m always admiring girls with wit and she had it in truckload! I swear you’ll also root for her.
Finally if your drink of choice is Eggnog it means thatyou are recovering from an illness or a broken heart. You need something nurturing. To take you by the hand, you want to leave your broken body and soul in trusting and capable hands. You need a doctor of the body and or the soul.
You need Lukas by Carian Cole because Like Ivy, my “heart soared from cuteness overload” charmed by such “sexy adorableness”. Lukas made me swoon, Lukas made me cry, Lukas gives the best hugs and kisses and I’m certain you’ll also want your own Lukas but not this one because he’s mine (when Ivy will be done with him but fat chance, I know)!
”Do you believe in soul mates?” His voice is low and soft, with a hint of hesitancy, like he’s afraid of what I might say. Lukas doesn’t belong her, I realized right then. He’s a Knight. A prince. A warrior. A Viking. He’s one of those men that fight for love ‘til the end of time. One who would carry a woman away on his horse and make mad passionate love to her on the grass. A man who takes what he wants and make it his forever. A man not afraid to dream or believe in what can’t be seen, but only can be felt. His heart is lost in this time, where people no longer live to love or believe that love can transcend time.”
or Beau from The Outpost by Devney Perry would be the perfect “doctor of the soul” because what’s not to love in a man:
-built like a lumberjack tall, muscled with long and thick thighs (I love muscled thigh for all the power they contain LOL);
-with stormy eyes and a strong jaw;
-able to win Koh Lanta as he loves hiking and sleeping in the woods, camping and has mastered the trickiest survival skill;
-with shoulders so wide literally and figuratively he is saving everyone all the time. Extinguishing forest fires, rescuing lost hikers, raising a fatherless nephew, manning his mom’s Fourth of July barbeque and hiding our hunted heroine;
-strong, kind with a gentle nature and calming essence;
-never ever pushing a woman to do what he thinks is best if she does not want to but rather supporting her in what she thinks is best;
-admiring and respecting strong women;
-who is a dog lover.
Now do tell me if I was right about you? And what would be your cozy fall reads recommendations?
Thanks for reading!
‘Hot wine’ is known as mulled wine & it’s wonderfully warming. Even better is a hot port! That’ll put the glow in your cheeks and is perfect for when you’re standing on the sidelines cheering on your local rugby team on a freezing, damp November day!
Hahaha Kate thanks for correcting me! And yes when you are freezing out watching your rugby team I can guess it would be most welcome!
aaaah this is such a fun and cute post!! I love it!!! Also Chai Latte all the way for meee!!
Hahaha thanks Aditi 😉
Loved this post! I love hot chocolate and I’m so looking forward to read Kiss quotient. I haven’t read cruel prince yet but It’s on my December TBR list. The mortician’s daughter makes a good Halloween read. I’ll definitely give it a shot.
Thanks for these recommendations!
Thank you Raven and you are so welcome! ;-))
I’m not a coffee or tea drinker. I’ll take hot chocolate over those any day. Love wine, but never had it hot. I’d have to choose Lifelike or The Cruel Prince. I know – I’m totally skewing the curve.
Skew all that you like Teri LOL
What a fun post, Sophie! I love a chai tea latte – and I did love The Cruel Prince – so I guess you nailed it. 🙂 Hot chocolate is a close second, and I love The Kiss Quotient, sooo… nailed it again! Also, one of my favorite writing duos (Krista & Becca Ritchie) raves about Wolfsong and recommends it often so there’s that. I think you’ve cracked the drink:book code! LOL
Hahaha thank you Tanya! I am happy to know I was right LOL
Pumpkin spice all the way for me! Guess I’ll have to try Win Some Lose Some. This is a really fun post!!
Thank you so much Nicole! 😉
Ahh what a fantastic idea for a post, I love it – especially fitting given that it’s getting way too cold here already haha 🙂 I’m a tea kind of person, but given that tea wasn’t an option, I’d go for the hot chocolate and…. oh well, The Kiss Quotient IS on my TBR already. You are SO good at this hahaha 😀
Thank you so much Marie! And I am a tea drinker too 😉
Aww, this was fun, Sophie! I love hot chocolate, though I suppose I might like Chai Latte? I’ve never tried it, but I do love a good mystery to uncover sometimes (I think I prefer cute more though.).
Thank you so much Sophia !!! ;-)))
Where is BLACK COFFEE Sophie!!! I wanna know what my destined book is too!!
I promise to add something on my Sunday post for black coffee drinkers Ari! ;-))
I love hot chocolate so The Kiss Quotient it is for me. This is such a fun post!
Hahaha thanks Shruti! <3
What an awesome idea for a take on the topic!! The only one of those drinks I like is Hot Chocolate (I am super picky) and The Kiss Quotient is on my TBR! So you are right!!!
Hahaha Thank you Brittany! I am happy to know I am right LOL
Wonderful post, Sophie! I am a lover of the PSL!
Hahaha glad to know Kayla and I hope the books I mentioned would please you 😉
I love this post, especially the hot chocolate recs 🙂
Hahaha sweet tooth much Suzanne ? 😉
Vanilla Latte is my favorite drink but I did add few of these to my TBR. Hot Chocolate is very good too but I already have The Kiss Quotient in my TBR thanks to one of your earlier posts.
Haha I did not think of Vanilla Latte drinker Jamsu 😉 I hope you’ll read the Kiss Quotient one day and will end loving it!
I loved both The Boss Man and the Kiss Quotient…both were fabulous.
Oh yes I am still swooning just thinking about them 🙂
I adore this post! And you nailed me with Hot Wine! Got to stop and get me some so I can curl up with something thrilling this weekend.
Haha Laura I hope you don’t end up too drunk to enjoy your read 😉
I love this. I am a hot chocolate lover so that would work. I would like to try hot wine. Now I want to try some of these just because. =)
Mary
Hahahaha just because is a good excuse as any Mary so be my guest 😉
Love this list so much! I can totally see drinking chai and reading The Cruel Prince. Great pairings!
Oh another Chai lover 😉 Thank you so much Alicia!!
I’m totally the pumpkin spice latte drinker !! not sure of the first one, but I could see “win some, lose some” being a good one for me ;”but the pizza place never say no” aaaaw !!
Nice post! I quite love how you gave atleast two books for each autumn drink, quite original !
oooh added “or one foot in the grave” on my virtual tbr too !
Thank you so much Kristina!!! And I hope you’ll get to read One Foot to the Grave 😉
Ahhh what a wonderful spin you put in this week’s list, I love it!!
But where is the tea!?!? It’s my favorite fall/winter drink, for sure
OK Vanessa I promise to add something for tea drinkers these coming days!!
Tee hee hee! I’m totally a pumpkin spice coffee drinker in the fall and my house smells like cinnamon from September to November! And yes…I FLOVED Bossman though I haven’t read Win Some Lose Some. But, I totally added it to my TBR so great job Sophie!!!
Thank you so much Trisy!!! And for the rec I love cinnamon :)))
Ha! Ha! A drink and a book recommendation for every occasion and fall day, almost!
I know Alexandra someone told me I forgot tea drinker LOL
As always, your post is so unique and amazing!!! Now I want a hot chocolate……. but, hot wine?? is that really a thing? I don’t know about that…….
Also, Kristoff! Sorry lol
Yes hot wine does exist in Europe you add spices like cinamon and nutmeg (I think) or ginger. Spicy much LOL
This is a mean post Sophie! Now I want every single drink on this list… plus the books you’ve matched with them. Terrible!
Bwahahaha sorry if I was mean to you Nina! Thank you <3