Portobello Book Blog

Autumn is my favourite time of the year. As I’m writing this today, the sun is out, it’s warm, there are lovely red berries on the rowan tree in the garden and the trees are looking beautiful in the sunshine as the leaves change colour. The photo above is not the view from my garden of course but Edinburgh Castle from Princes Street Gardens. I took this photo last Autumn. I saw this booktag challenge on The Sassy Book Geek’s blog (and I hope you don’t mind I changed the title from Fall to Autumn!).

Apple Picking
A book on your TBR that looks so delicious you can’t wait to take a bite out of it.

How gorgeous does this book cover look? The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho by Joseph Paterson is due out early October. Its based on a real historical character, a slave who came to Britain but ended up free, campaigning for the abolition of slavery, meeting royalty and becoming the first black person to vote in Britain. It sounds amazing and I can’t wait to read it.

Corn Maze
A book that’s so much fun to get lost in.

I have to pick a thriller for this category as I rarely have any idea what’s going on and am easily mis-directed and mis-led by the author! One I read recently was My Other Husband by Dorothy Koomson. It was full of twists and surprises and I couldn’t put it down!

Haunted Houses
A book that scared you silly.

I have to confess that I don’t read many scary books – I’m a bit of a woose! However this one by CD Major was very creepy and again is inspired by a true story. It’s set in a very spooky house which really does exist and where dogs are rumoured to throw themselves to death off a nearby bridge!

Pumpkin Patch
The latest book you picked up (purchased).

Assuming I am allowed to choose a Kindle book, the last one I purchased is the Booker shortlisted title Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. I’ve heard it’s quite an accessible read which often I find the Booker list isn’t for me. It’s quite a short book but I’ve heard there is a lot packed into its pages.

Scenic Drives
A book that is lyrically beautiful.

I thought A Town Called Solace was just beautifully written and actually was also Booker nominated. You can read my review of it here: A Town Called Solace I thought the writing was so elegant, the author portrayed her setting brilliantly and the characters were wonderful.

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

I read The Magic Toyshop for my book group and I hated it. Sorry to my friend who chose it but to be fair, I don’t think she was that keen either! I found it rather disturbing, quite surreal and just weird really!

Hiking
A book that was a highly enjoyable romp.

A romp you say? Well it has to be one of the Bridgerton books then! I’ll pick my favourite from the series, An Offer from a Gentleman. This is a kind of Cinderella story and features Benedict and Sophie’s romance.

Drinking Apple Cider
A sweet book to curl up under the covers with.

I like to curl up with a good romance and one of my favourites this year is Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane. I have loved all her books! This one is about two people who meet at a time when they both are in need of a flatmate. It turns out they have more in common than they thought… You always get a mixture of serious issues, love and laughter in Mhairi McFarlane’s books and this was no exception.

Jumping In A Leaf Pile
A book that reminds you of your childhood.

Well that has to be anything by Enid Blyton really. I devoured The Famous Five, the Adventure series, Naughtiest Girl, St Clare’s and Mallory Towers. I know now that there is a fair bit of racism and sexism in the books but at the time I just found them exciting adventure stories – which they still are of course.

Scary Movie Night
Your favourite spooky read.

As I mentioned before, I don’t really read many scary stories. I read A House of Ghosts by WC Ryan a few years back when I was on holiday in an old converted Church. It wasn’t as spooky as I thought it might be, but was more of a Agatha Christie style murder mystery with some paranormal aspects thrown in. Good read for the darker nights!

Bonus! Costume Party
A book with an eclectic cast of characters.

I’m picking News of the Dead, James Robertson’s latest novel for this last category. It deservedly won this year’s Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. It most definitely has an eclectic cast of characters from an Ancient Pictish hermit and saint, to a 19th century antiquarian, from Scottish aristocrats to a traditional storyteller in the mid 20th century and finally to a young boy and old woman in the present day. I loved this one and the way the narratives were woven together using letters, memoirs, journals, academic records and storytelling.

Tag – you’re It! I’m tagging a few people I thought might like to do this book tag but please don’t feel obliged. If anyone else would like to join in, consider yourself tagged!

https://thesecretlibrarysite.wordpress.com/

https://booksonthe747.com/

https://bookwormbloggerweb.wordpress.com/

https://fictionophile.com/

https://damppebbles.com/