Unlike in beautiful New Hampshire (top photo), where I was vacationing last year around this time, or in the stunning Columbia River Gorge (bottom photo), where I was reared, here in the Phoenix area we don't really have Fall.  Sure, the temperature will retreat back into two-digit range sometime around November, but the leaves don't really change color, there's no briskness in the air, and the homey sight of smoke drifting out of chimneys into a bright Autumn sky is not something you see here in our desert.  I miss real Fall, the kind I adored while growing up in Washington and going to college in Utah.  Since I can't experience it without taking a drive, I'll have to do it vicariously through books (like I do a lot of things).  That's where this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic—Top Ten Book Covers That Give Off Fall Vibes—comes in.  My list is a mix of titles I've read and enjoyed, Fall books I loved as a kid and had fun reading to my own children, and a few that I'm looking forward to reading sometime soon. 

If you want to join in the TTT fun, hop on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.

Top Ten Book Covers That Give Off Fall Vibes   

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  How are things going?  Did you do anything fun for Memorial Day?  We had a small family BBQ/swim party to celebrate the holiday and my daughter's graduation from high school last week.  Warning, proud mom bragging ahead:  The little smartie ended up 10th in her class of 730 seniors.  We're super proud of her hard work.  She'll be attending a state university on a four-year, full-ride, Arizona-based scholarship.  Anyway, having a crowd of people at my house sitting elbow-to-elbow (social distancing is tough while playing game after rousing game of Dilbert Corporate Shuffle) was a little weird, but it was also good to be around family again. 

Speaking of family, I always take a moment on Memorial Day to remember the men (we haven't had any female soldiers, although our military wives definitely deserve a shout-out) from my family who have served and sacrificed for this country.  My ancestors have served in nearly every war involving the U.S., with deaths in all, but this is the guy I've heard the most about throughout my life:


My 22-year-old Uncle Joe (the man on the left) was killed in action in Vietnam on March 5, 1967, when he saved several members of his platoon and took the most direct hit from the land mine that threatened them all.  His bravery and sacrifice deserve to be remembered and honored.  R.I.P. to my family's favorite hero.

On a lighter note, it's time for Top Ten Tuesday, my favorite bookish meme.  It's always a good time, so I definitely encourage you to participate.  Click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl for all the details.  Today's topic is a fun one:  Top Ten Opening Lines.  You can talk about book openers that you love or hate; those that made you laugh, cry, think; or whatever.  I love a great opening line as much as the next reader, but my memory is terrible so the only one that comes quickly to mind is "It was the best of times.  It was the worst of times."  So, I decided to use Google to check out the first lines of ten of my all-time favorite novels.  Funny enough, most of them aren't that intriguing, profound, or memorable at all!  Some of them you will no doubt recognize; others not so much.  Hint:  half of them are from traditional American or Canadian classics, while the other half are more modern. 

How'd you do?  How about you—what are your favorite (or least favorite or whatever) first lines?  I'd truly love to know.  Leave me a comment on this post and I'll return the favor on yours.

Happy TTT!