
Hello everyone, and happy Five Fall Favorites! Before we get started, I just wanted to say I’m so happy you’re here, and I know our fabulous bloggers have some really good book recs to share with you. ๐ Have fun browsing and don’t forget to check out the giveaway and daily FREE ebooks!
I also wanted to be clear that anything I link out to is not an across-the-board endorsement from me. ๐ Each blogger is responsible for their own recommendations.
All right, all that housekeeping out of the way… PARTY TIME!
Fall is my favorite season. Something about the melancholy lighting, cooler temperatures, earthy foods, and cozy, cozy sweaters just bring my creativity and bookishness alive, and I’m never happier than when this happens. ๐งก

Today we’re all sharing our top 5 books that have inspired us, feel like home, and make us who we are today.
Go meet your new bookish friends!
Katja ๐ // Abigail ๐ // Kelsey โ๏ธ // Lillian (her book is FREE today!)๐
Sarah๐งฃ// Bella ๐ฅง // Jana โ๏ธ // Ryana Lynn๐งฃ// Mac ๐
Sophia Ellen ๐ // Heaven ๐ // Hannah ๐ฅง // Mikayla ๐
And I’m Kate! Your main host, home base for the giveaway and #details. ๐

My Top 5 Favorite Books That Make Me Me

1. The Shield Ring by Rosemary Sutcliff
I’ve mentioned this book a couple times here on my blog, but it’s always one I come back to. The copy I grew up on was so worn it didn’t even have a dust jacket anymore, but eleven-year-old me was obsessed with the medieval setting, loyal characters, hope in a hopeless place, and platonic but absolutely shippable main characters. ๐ It pretty much became a core part of my personality (and teenage crushes, oops) and is the reason I still adore writing medieval stories. ๐งก (Read my review.)

2. Evangelists in Chains by Elizabeth Wagler
If you’ve been here a while, you might recognize this one too. *smile sheepishly at my predictability* This book was incredibly inspiring to me as a teen. The strong Christian love shown in the Moravian Anabaptist community, their strength and trust in God as they were asked to go completely against their nonviolent convictions, and the way God used their trials to spread the Gospel. ๐งก I *believe* this is based on true events, but whether or not it is, it’s still definitely worth the read.

3. Red Rain by Rachel Newhouse
This book (the first edition, that is) was one of the first ever indie books I experienced, and I’ve been in love with the genre and the creativity it allows ever since. I’m so excited to see the series rebooted and continued this year, and I can’t wait to read more about these compelling characters and their complicated world. ๐๐

4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I experienced the movie first and fell completely and utterly in love with the setting, characters, message, and ultimately just the bookish vibes. ๐งก I bought the book without knowing much about it, and when I read a (censored for language) it just brought all the tears, sank into my soul, and both broke me and inspired me. (Yes, I have made it part of my personality. Yes, I adore Max. ๐ฅบ) Truly one of the most beautiful books ever, and the writing style showed me how there really are no limits to creativity. (Read my review.)

5. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
I wasn’t lucky enough to grow up with this book, but I decided to try it as an adult when I heard all my Goodreads friends raving about it. I could not have enjoyed it more. ๐๐ The brilliant puns and puzzles, the wonderful, dear characters, and hopeful themes just wrapped me up and felt like home. ๐งก
I also rarely relate to fictional characters, but I felt a kinship with Reynie, and I loved watching his growth. I also got to buddy read the rest of the series with Mikayla and then buddy watch the show too, so I like to think it’s been a big, important part of our friendship. ๐งก (Read my review.)
Grand Prize giveaway!

The Five Fall Favorites giveaway includes…
- Decorative fall items (pumpkins, gnomes, and blanket scarf)
- A fall mug (there will be tea!)
- Annie’s Life in Lists by Kristin Mahoney
- Hedgehog journal
- Kiera by Kate Willis (hardcover)
- Brothers and Betrayal by Sarah Holman (paperback)
- Should We Tell Her? by Lillian Keith (paperback)
- The Road to Bremen by Kelsey Bryant (paperback)
- Anthology including a story by Abigail Harris (paperback)
Most books are contributions by participating authors. Ships to contiguous US only. Winner will have 48 hours to respond after being contacted.
Today’s FREE ebook is…

Happy Five Fall Favorites! We’re going to have so much fun. ๐๐งก
So excited to see FFF starting!!
I’m not in the US – does that mean I can’t enter? I know all the years before, the non-US winners just got ebooks and the others stuff was given in a second prize – does that apply this year too? Or can I not enter at all? ๐
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Yay!!
Unfortunately, we do not have an international option this year, but I hope the daily free books are enjoyable. Sorry about that! ๐ฅ
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Aww, okay. Thanks ๐
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Yay, FFF! ๐
I love reading about books that influenced people. ๐
I’m not the biggest fall-fan ever, but I do love pumpkin cookies, hot choc and all the good things you can enjoy while reading. :))
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๐๐
Aw, yessss. Hot chocolate makes it all worth it. ๐
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Favorite thing about fall–cool weather and all the wonderful spices!
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Oh, mmmm, I agree! I had tea boiling on the stove today and my whole house smelled like cinnamon. ๐
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Wow! That’s a lot of bloggers to check in on! ๐ So many books!
Lovely giveaway too!
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I know, right?! Thanks for coming!
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You’re welcome! I’m glad I could!
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Ohh I’ve got to read these books!!! They all look incredible!!
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Haha, and my favorite thing about fall is the gorgeous weather and especially the leaves – when it’s sunny, at least! ๐
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Ah, niiiiice.
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Yesssss. You definitely do! ๐๐
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My favorite thing about fall is the cooler temperatures,especially this year after the hot summer we had.
Oh, Evangelists in Chains! I really enjoyed that book too!
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It’s such a nice change, isn’t it? I live in the desert southwest so we’re still waiting some but every day is better. ๐งก
High five!
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Yay, Five Fall Favorites! The best part of Fall is books, is it not? ๐ Lately what I have been especially enjoying the opportunity for clothing variety (layers, etc.) that comes with cooler weather.
CutePolarBear/Hanna Kraft
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Absolutely! Ooo, I love that. ๐ I have a new sweater I’m waiting for it to get just a bit cooler before I bring it out.
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My favorite thing about fall is the lovely weather that makes it easier to spend more time outside! I also am happy for boot weather and pretty fall decor. I absolutely love fall!
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I love all of these too! ๐งก My wedding was fall last year, and I actually wore boots with my dress. ๐
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Wup wup!! I’m so excited to be a part of this year’s Five Fall Favorites!
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So happy to have you! *does a happy dance*
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This was really fun! My favorite thing about fall are the changing leaves.
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Gorgeous! ๐
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Ahhh, how fun!!
My favorite thing about fall is the vibrant, beautiful foliage and how it makes me think deeply about death and life.
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What a cool, much deeper answer than I was expecting. ๐งก
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Ahhh, thanks for hosting, Kate! Iโm soooo glad we get to do this again. Great list, tooโฆ I havenโt read any of them but theyโre all on my tbrโฆ I need to find a censored copy of Book Thief lol. And SutcliffโI specially need to read that one! I loved the first 3 books in the seriesโฆ
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You’re so welcome!! It’s been a ton of fun so far! ๐ Oo, nice. I know, I wish they were sold places. ๐ฅ Ah, then you are going to love it!
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My favorite things about fall are the cooler weather and the changing leaves.
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I love it. ๐
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One of my favorite things about fall is the cooler weather. : )
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High five and agreed!
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I am SO excited for this fall! Can’t wait!
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๐๐๐
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Oh, those look like such cool books! I remember reading The Mysterious Benedict Society a few years ago *hugs all the kids*. I thought the show did pretty good. Thank you for sharing these books; can’t wait to check them out! ๐
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*hugs them with you since I adore them all* Aw, cool. I thought the casting of Reynie especially was spot on. You’re welcome!
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I absolutely adore The Shield Ring. Bjorn and Freya are โค โค โค It's my favorite Sutcliff novel, hands down, because I love how Freya is such a strong and central presence throughout the story.
I'm excited for this party! Thanks so much for hosting, Kate!
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Yesssss. Baby Kate was like, this, this is the one. ๐๐งก
Aw, you’re welcome! Thanks so much for coming. ๐
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So excited for fall! The sights, the smells, the cozy warm feelings that come with candles and warm blankets. Iโm so excited to be following along with this!
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You win coziest comment. ๐ Thanks for coming!
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Lol, aww thanks! ๐ Glad to be following along! ๐
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My favorite thing about fall is being able to bake all those wonderful fall treats that one can technically do any other time of the year, but for some reason it just feels so much more blissful doing it in fall.
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Ooo, yes. What is your favorite thing to bake?
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I love baking breads. Yeast bread, pumpkin bread, muffins, etc.
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I love it! I recently made a ton of banana chocolate chip muffins and it was the best thing. ๐งก
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Eeeeek, I’m so excited for FFF to be here again! It’s one of my favorite things about blogging. So happy to be joining in again.
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Aw, yay! I’m so glad you can participate!
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Me too, thank you for inviting me to take part!
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Iโve never read The Mysterious Benedict Society, but itโs on my TBR! If you like kidsโ novels with lots of puns and wordplay, I recommend The Phantom Tollbooth. Itโs one of my favorite books, and itโs so fun and cute and sweet!
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Oo, you have much to look forward to. ๐ The whole series is pretty amazing! Oh, I love that one! It’s been a while, but thanks for mentioning it!
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My favorite thing about fall is the beauty of all the colorful changing leaves! So excited to explore FFF and get allll the book recs!
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Ahh, I love it! ๐งก And so glad you’re here!
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My favorite things about fall are the changing trees and cozy blankets. The leaves give me a whimsical, restless vibe, while the blankets are cozy and feel like home. Just enough to balance me out. ๐ The Shield Ring looks interesting! I’ll have to check it out.
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I love this. If you’re not a writer already, maybe you should be. ๐
Enjoy!
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EEE!!! So exciting!! My favorite thing about fall (apart from everything else XD) is the foods and drinks! Pumpkin pie, apple cider, etc.!!
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High five! The best food is this time of year (sorry, Christmas, you’re runner-up)!
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Haha, absolutely!
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This post just makes me so happy! Fall and books are my two favorite things!! My favorite aspects of fall are the beautiful colors, warm sweaters, and hot apple cider! I haven’t read Book Thief or The Mysterious Benedict Society, but I seriously need to because I’ve heard so much about them!
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Aww, yay! I’m so glad you’re here, then! Yessss, you just might love them!
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Aw, this is so fun! My fav things about fall are the crisp mornings and vibrant colors of creation.
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I love it! ๐งก๐
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EEP The Book Thief is really good. *sniff* My favorite thing about fall…uhhh…the family memories (including the ones we have yet to make!). But pumpkins, chai lattes, campfires, and the beautiful colors are also amazing.
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*cries softly with you* Who is your favorite character? (Or multiples because they’re all so well written.) Those are all lovely!
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So exciting! My favorite things about fall are going to the cabin with family, drinking tea and wearing hoodies! ๐
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I love it! Those all sound amazing.
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Finally getting caught up on commenting! This was such a fun list! I really enjoyed reading about your special reads!
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Aw, well thanks for reading!
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These are so fun! I’m not a big fall person in general, but I’ve really been enjoying it this year. I’m loving fall instrumental music and nice sweaters. And all the colors. ๐
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That’s pretty cool. ๐ Yesss, all those things sound lovely, especially the music. Any recs?
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I still need to read the Mysterious Benedict Society… I’ve heard a lot of people recommending it! ๐
My favorite thing about fall is the leaves changing. Driving along the streets edged by red, yellow, orange trees is just… *happy sigh* I don’t really like the cold weather, though. *burrows in blankets and sweaters*
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Ooo, yes! If you have access to a library, they’re usually there. ๐
Ahhh, sounds gorgeous! ๐ Haha, but at least blankets and sweaters can be fun, right?
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Oh man, favorite thing about fall?? I guess the mild weather and pumpkin everything. ๐ ( oh– and that we’re getting close to Christmas. ๐)
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Oh, yess! I think of how close Christmas is getting every once in a while, and it makes me so happy. ๐
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I’ve been eyeing The Book Thief for years but have always been worried about the language warning. I’ve been thinking about giving it a try now that I’m older. ๐
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That’s cool. ๐ It’s really up to you! I think most of the language is in German anyway and then what’s in English seems more on the milder side? (You got me Googling, lol.)
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