Play Book Tag discussion

Y'all, I have been dreaming about Christmas since....well, round about last Christmas, and it is finally my favorite time of year—READING HOLIDAY THEMED BOOKS!

We will once against be hosting our totally laid back, pop in and out as you would like, be creative with your holidays/seasons Fall Flurry of Holidays Challenge for October/November/December.

Some suggestions are:
October -- Halloween, scary, Canadian Thanksgiving, autumn setting, etc.
November -- Thanksgiving, Veterans' Day, Native American themed, etc.
December -- Christmas, Hanukkah, winter themed, etc.

Can you think of something else? We are open to that too! Especially for you southern hemisphere participants who are looking out onto summer weather.

Each month, I will start one thread under the 2017 Activities and Challenges Folder for all reviews for that month. It worked pretty well last year, but if it gets unwieldy then we will adapt.

For each review you post, you will get a participation point. BUT, be sure to cross post in the Monthly Tag or Monthly Other reads folder to get those participation points too. Basically, this is just a bonus :)

So, without further ado, let's discuss the books we plan to read! Because planning is one of the best parts.

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! SQUEEEE! I am ready! I have already done all of my research and here are the list of possibilities for me.

In general, I limit myself to books published this year, but may deviate from that in November if I get to a book related to Veterans Day.

And, without further ado....my list.

Halloween
A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty

Thanksgiving/Autumn/Native Americans
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
Future Home of the Living God by Louise Aldrich
Autumn by Ali Smith

Christmas
Candleglow and Mistletoe by Josie Riviera
Sugar Pine Trail by RaeAnne Thayne
The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman
Cowboy, It's Cold Outside by Lori Wilde
A Christmas to Remember by Lisa Kleypas
Christmas in Icicle Falls by Sheila Roberts
The Rancher's Christmas Song & the Cowboy's Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne
Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason
Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber
Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis

Nicole R wrote: "OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! SQUEEEE! I am ready! I have already done all of my research and here are the list of possibilities for me...."

LOL! You are excited! I will plan for this, as well, but I haven't done the planning yet!

I guess I should at least pick out something for October. I used to focus on Canadian Th'giving AND Halloween in October, but I will likely just do a H'ween read, as I've been finding Th'giving books trickier.

In November, as many of you already know, I will read something war-related for Remembrance Day.

And just to add, for those inclined to add their own books to the PBT bookshelf, I will start a "fall flurry of holidays 2017" shelf to add your books to. (I'll add that shelf now, before I forget!) I will also go through the threads and add any books that weren't added by the person who read them.

Too soon!

Jen wrote: "Too soon!"

NEVER!!!

October is just around the corner, my friend. Focus on that and leave Christmas for later down the road ;)

I have been planning and preparing for this for 9 months! I have a list of witchy books for October, am reading Autumn by Ali Smith for November, and have a total list of Christmas and Winter titles too! For some reason, I think I might choose Molly Sings for the Devil. I had planned to make sure all my other challenges are complete by this date, and I even want to see if I can finish Gone With the Wind by September 30th, so I am fresh and ready to go. Stairs are done - five of them. I have 5/6 for Stair Six; Paris. 8/9 High Notes are done. I just need Do Not Say we have nothing for 2016, and that and my final Paris book are in from the library. I say - bring it on. Let the leaves, and Magic, and snow fall. I have been waiting and I am ready!

Oo! Exciting! I've not planned yet but I shall. :-)

I just read about this one:199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die, supposed to be published Oct. 3. I think it would be perfect for Halloween. I'll read it if I can get it from the library.

Jen wrote: "Too soon!"

I'm with you, lol, only because I'm not ready for the holiday season. I guess it's time to start preparing.

I need to think of something to read for each of these. I'll do my best, lol.

Jenni Elyse wrote: "I need to think of something to read for each of these. I'll do my best, lol. ..."

Just take it one month at a time.... ;)

For those of you checking in here, please do not be intimidated by my list!

This challenge requires absolutely zero planning and you can totally participate as you fly by the seat of your pants (**shudder**).

I just love to talk about books almost as much as I like to read books!

This sounds fun! I will give it a try!

Nicole R wrote: "Jenni Elyse wrote: "I need to think of something to read for each of these. I'll do my best, lol. ..."

Just take it one month at a time.... ;)"

I need to take this advice in general, lol, except it'd probably be more like just take it one day at a time.

My planned reads:

A Catered Halloween - Cozy Mystery

The Harrowing - Ghost Story

Skipping Christmas- Satire

Maybe.....I have a lot to finish before the end of the year.

I've never participated in this challenge before but hope to give it a spin this year. Nicole's list has been inspiring.

October: The Story Sisters which has been lingering on my TBR

November: Autumn sounds like the perfect choice

December: The Kept is another book lingering on the TBR for years + also being an unread Daily Deal

I'll probably do this. It's always hardest to find something for Nov so I decided to do a search on Autumn and found a couple on my TBR. So, for now, it looks like:

Oct: The Rules of Magic -or-
The October List

Nov: Katherine -or-
The Dante Club -or-
The Forgotten Garden -or-
Emily of New Moon

Dec: Skipping Christmas -or-
The Christmas Box -or-
The Christmas Pearl

Much of this depends on what's available at the library or Overdrive when I want it. I like to have contingency plans! Besides, I'll also want to read the tag for the month - at least one.

I think Forgotten Garden is on my TBR too. Is it an Autumn or November book?

The only "plan" I've made so far is that my F2F book club will be discussing Bram Stoker's Dracula in October, so that month's taken care of!

I'd like to suggest Mr. Ives' Christmas by Oscar Hijuelos for December. It's a different kind of Christmas book; NOT the feel-good sappy kind, but really very good. You can find My Review HERE

No idea what I'll read for November ... maybe I'll read another Joe Leaphorn mystery ... or something for Veteran's Day....

Has anyone read The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman? Is is scary enough to count for October or not really?

Kelly wrote: "Has anyone read The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman? Is is scary enough to count for October or not really?"
I think it would work for October. I remember some scary parts and it's a good book.

Anything on "can't even begin to think about holidays until my kids have their college applications in" ?????

Karin, you need a four month never emptying glass of wine to get through this!

I've been reading kind of slow here lately, so I'm not sure if I'll get this one finished, but I'll give it a shot. Here are some of my options:

October
Stalking Jack the Ripper
Trick or Treat Murder

November
Thanksgiving
The Killer Wore Cranberry

December
Christmas at Tiffany's
Calling Mrs Christmas

Amy wrote: "Karin, you need a four month never emptying glass of wine to get through this!"

If only I liked alcohol :) ! Or marijuana now that it's legal, because I could make brownies. But I don't (those are the only 2 things I tried in high school; fear of drug-related problem campaigns were/are highly effective on me. I know people say they don't work, but they word for some. Had they known that toking was as bad as smoking for your lungs due to holding it in them, I'd have never done that, either.)

So, I escape to fiction when I can.

Karin wrote: "Anything on "can't even begin to think about holidays until my kids have their college applications in" ?????

"

Oh man do I feel you. My daughter's getting married next month. The maid of honor did something horrible and had to be removed from the wedding. I need to have a handyman come in and do some work before the relatives show up. My sister will be staying a week. I started back to work this month (sub special ed teacher). My oldest (Asperger's) is starting a new job after being unemployed a year. My youngest is applying to UC Irvine next month. Just trying to hold it all together.

Blueberry wrote: "Karin wrote: "Anything on "can't even begin to think about holidays until my kids have their college applications in" ?????

"

Oh man do I feel you. My daughter's getting married next month. The m..."

And my son's accompanist just CANCELLED so I have to find a new one!!! (for a recorded audition). Plus she has our piano score and lives about half an hour from our house. I just learned this this afternoon.

And my eldest lost her job.

Blueberry--my heart goes out to you, though

I just listened to the newest Jan Karon book -To Be Where You Are (No telling when I'll ever get around to reviewing it.) But for fans of the series, this one begins in October and pretty much ends at Christmas. You could do the whole flurry challenge with one book!

Jgrace wrote: "I just listened to the newest Jan Karon book -To Be Where You Are (No telling when I'll ever get around to reviewing it.) But for fans of the series, this one begins in October and ..."

I like the way you think!

Oh! I don't think I posted here what I'm leaning toward for October:

The Manhattan Hunt Club by John Saul

and I'm hoping to get my hands on the audio of:

It by Stephen King!

Book Concierge wrote: "The only "plan" I've made so far is that my F2F book club will be discussing Bram Stoker's Dracula in October, so that month's taken care of!

I'd like to suggest Mr. Ives' Christmas..."

I picked up Mr. Ives' Christmas after reading your review last year and have been saving it for this year!

I found this for October, so I'm wondering if any of these (not related to Halloween) would count. Since Halloween is my least favourite celebratory event (at my house I'm known as the Halloween Scrooge, although I do relent and buy candy for others to dole out) and I am living in the States now so Thanksgiving is in November. I realize there are too many and it would be too wide open, but have bolded some I think might count (well, since some are sort of related to Halloween, but others are religious holidays, etc)

I am planning to read Frankenstein so one of the ones I'm interested in is National Frankenstein Day.

October, 2017 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

1 National Homemade Cookies Day
1 World Vegetarian Day
2 National Custodial Worker Day
2 Name Your Car Day
3 National Boyfriends Day
3 Techies Day
3 Virus Appreciation Day
4 National Golf Day
4 National Frappe Day
4 National Kale Day - first Wednesday of October
4 Sukkot - begins at sundown, date varies
5 Do Something Nice Day
5 World Teacher's Day
6 Come and Take it Day
6 Mad Hatter Day
6 Physician Assistant Day
6 World Smile Day first Friday of month
7 Bald and Free Day
7 International Frugal Fun Day - first Saturday of the month
7 World Card Making Day - first Saturday of the month
8 American Touch Tag Day
8 Oktoberfest in Germany ends, date varies
9 Columbus Day - second Monday of month
9 Curious Events Day
9 Fire Prevention Day
9 Leif Erikson Day - after all, like Columbus he was a great explorer
9 Moldy Cheese Day
10 International Newspaper Carrier Day
10 National Angel Food Cake Day
11 Emergency Nurses Day- second Wednesday of month
11 It's My Party Day
17 National Fossil Day - Wednesday of Earth Sciences Week
11 Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day -Second Wednesday of month
12 Cookbook Launch Day
12 Old Farmer's Day
12 Moment of Frustration Day
12 National Gumbo Day
13 Friday the 13th
13 International Skeptics Day
13 World Egg Day - second Friday of month
14 Be Bald and Free Day
14 National Dessert Day - take an extra helping, or two
15 White Cane Safety Day
16 Bosses Day
16 Dictionary Day
17 National Pasta Day
17 Wear Something Gaudy Day
18 No Beard Day
19 Hindu Dilawi Day - date varies
19 Evaluate Your Life Day
20 Brandied Fruit Day
21 Babbling Day
21 Count Your Buttons Day
21 National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day - find a recipe, too.
21 Sweetest Day - third Saturday of month
22 Mother-In-Law Day - fourth Sunday in October
22 National Nut Day
23 National Mole Day
23 Tv Talk Show Host Day
24 National Bologna Day
24 United Nations Day
25 Punk for a Day Day
25 World Pasta Day
26 National Mincemeat Day
27 Frankenstein Friday - last Friday in October
27 National Tell a Story Day - in Scotland and the U.K.
27 Navy Day
28 Make a Difference Day- fourth Saturday of the month, neighbors helping neighbors.
28 Plush Animal Lover's Day
29 Hermit Day
29 National Frankenstein Day
30 National Candy Corn Day
30 Mischief Night
31 Carve a Pumpkin Day - no surprise here
31 Halloween
31 Increase Your Psychic Powers Day

If you can find a good book about kale, mincemeat, branded fruit, moles, candy corn or bologna, I say go for it!
I'm curious where some of these days come from- Hermit Day? Count your buttons Day? Be bald and free day? I hope that doesn't entail naked bald men running around! 😳

October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month ... read a book with a PINK cover!

Loved the list of days, Karin. I ordered three witchy books from the library today. One of them I will read in October, that is, should I ever finish with Gone With The Wind. I won't panic, unless by Monday Morning, October 2nd, I'm still miles away. I'm over 50%, and it's a weekend.... ready to dive in again.

Karin, I would say to just use your best judgment. We have already said that the book doesn't have to be about Halloween specifically, but several of those "holidays" on your list seem very random. However, if counting your buttons is important to you, then certainly read a book about buttons.

I love the idea of tying a book into breast cancer awareness month! That a wonderful thing to honor. Great idea!

Karin, I would say Frankenstein could certainly count for Halloween, as well!

Spell book of the lost and found just turned up in my library reserve. This may be my witchy book.

The Pale Blue EyeI think this is my October book. It's a mystery with Edgar Allen Poe assisting the detective, at West Point, in October .

All Hallows' Eve

I'd never heard of this book, but fyi, it's on sale today, $1.99,

Book Concierge wrote: "The only "plan" I've made so far is that my F2F book club will be discussing Bram Stoker's Dracula in October, so that month's taken care of!
.."

Well ... I finished DRACULA in September ... drats .... now to find another book for this month...

Book Concierge wrote: "Well ... I finished DRACULA in September ... drats .... now to find another book for this month... ..."

Oops! You got onto the Halloween reads a bit early!

Hmmm - I really really did not want to pick up another challenge for this year... but I just read this really scary book... and maybe it's time for a bit of lighter reading in between...

October -- Halloween, scary, Canadian Thanksgiving, autumn setting
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin - 4.6 stars
The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells - 4 stars
A Nomadic Witch by Debora Geary
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

November -- Thanksgiving, Veterans' Day, Native American themed
The Cat Who Talked Turkey by Lilian Jackson Braun - 3 stars
The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson

December -- Christmas, Hanukkah, winter themed
Return of the Magi: A heartwarming Christmas story by P.J. Tracy - 3.6 stars
Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany - 2.6 stars
In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming (no clue where and when I picked this one up...)
Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 by David Petersen

Sushicat wrote: "Hmmm - I really really did not want to pick up another challenge for this year... but I just read this really scary book... and maybe it's time for a bit of lighter reading in between...

October -..."

I like your suggestion of Cold Dish for November. If my hold on Autumn doesn't come through in a timely manner, Cold Dish is a excellent backup.

Well the next Outlander series book (at least for me) just came in at the library .... Drums of Autumn ... and since it has "autumn" in the title .....

I also recently finished The Three Weissmanns of Westport which includes a key scene at Thanksgiving.

Book Concierge wrote: "Well the next Outlander series book (at least for me) just came in at the library .... Drums of Autumn ... and since it has "autumn" in the title ....."

Oh! Very clever. I like it and whole-heartedly support your reading Drums of AUTUMN :)

Finally figuring out a plan!
October will hopefully hold
-Final Girls- horror
-Undead and Unemployed- paramornaml
Nightmares!- YA "scary"

Really not sure about November- last year I did a Veterens day.

December will hopefully have
-My New Crush Gave to Me- GR Giveaways win
-My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories- YA Short stories
Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days- Short Stories

Why are all my Christmas plans short stories?!

I read the 12 stories for Christmas book last season and I just adored it.