Spring and summer seem to be about fast-paced activities for my family and I found myself reaching for books with similar adventures in mind. I wanted page-turners, wild tales, loud characters. Racing through the first five Percy Jackson books was perfect and I loved every minute. But as we have been heading into fall and winter, something else is calling my name. Fall, trees, and books–can there be anything better?
Fall, Trees, and Books
The truth is, I am addicted to trees. When I was young, I remember being afraid of an upcoming family move. What if there weren’t enough trees to satisfy me? What if the wind didn’t move the branches and whisper through the leaves like I had grown to love? I am happy to report that I came to love the trees in my new neighborhood. There were blue firs that shook like a jolly santa laughing when the wind would blow and white birches with their golden leaves and pale, peeling bark. Trees everywhere, inviting me to come and walk and dream. I fell in love with autumn in the suburbs of Chicago, succumbing to the wonders of a four-season climate for the first time in my life. But there was something missing . . . mountains.
I no longer live in the suburbs of Chicago, but I look forward to this time of year. I live in the Tennessee River valley and our family is constantly driving over the mountains that surround us. They are heavily wooded and during autumn, the blaze of color is breath-taking. It’s no wonder that trees and mountains have come to play a prominent role in what I reach for to read and what I love to write. As I find myself looking for great books to recommend, I want it to be something thoughtful, something that speaks to my love of creation and how the setting is more of a character in the book than a simple backdrop.
Books with Trees
Usually, I will recommend young adult fantasy books to you, but this time I’m going to head a different direction. Let’s discuss one of the most underrated historical fantasy writers of our time, Stephen R. Lawhead. “Wait!” you might exclaim. “How can someone write history and weave it together with fantasy?” Well, let’s just say the man spends his time studying myths and legends in Oxford and then recreates them with such detail that they are titled “mythic history.” Did you hear my happy sigh?
In the King Raven Trilogy, Lawhead takes the legend of Robin Hood and sets it much earlier in Wales just as the Normans are conquering it. As in most of his novels, he depicts bards as those trained as druids who have been enlightened by medieval Christianity. Peasants hide deep in the wood to save their families from the plight of all conquered peoples. A spoiled noble, Bran, loses all he has in order to grow into the savior, the Robin Hood, his people need.
My eldest daughter, who received the books from me for Christmas one year, couldn’t stand Bran at first. It took a great deal of coaxing to convince her that the author wasn’t going to allow him to remain a scoundrel for the whole series. I love that about Lawhead. While some of his books have more mature themes than I typically recommend, he is all about boys shedding their immaturity and immorality in favor of becoming men who use their strength and resources to defend the weak and helpless.
My Favorite Parts
Life is brutal and messy, so if that bothers you, then this series will not be for you. But if you like new life breathed into old legends and lovely prose mixed in with clever strategy (King Raven is a master at trickery!) then I highly encourage you to find yourself a copy or two of the whole series. It won’t be fast reading, but something to savor. Expect Will Scarlet to make you cheer, Maid Merian to be wise and sassy, and of course, Friar Tuck to crack you up.
Possibly my favorite character is Angharad, a wise bard who teaches Bran to become the king he should be. She seems as old as the trees they hide among and her stories weave their magic throughout the books, calling each character to live the life they were created for.
After rereading the entire series, I see how profoundly these books have affected my own writing. No wonder Rapunzel keeps getting called back among the trees, enthralled by the cascade of colored leaves swirling to the ground. It’s fun to think of what might have happened had Lawhead’s version of Robin Hood met my Rapunzel. Fall, trees, and books, can there be anything better? But wait, what about the mountains? Well, they make their appearance in Within the Spell and I found inspiration for that book in another series . . . but that’s another blog.
Bookworm Fun
My dear bookworms, Within the Spell, the third novel in Rapunzel’s Journey, will be published in December in time for Christmas. Want to be notified as soon as you can order your copy? Click here now! You will receive the origin novella as my free gift to you and get monthly updates about all things journey-related. I promise to keep you in-the-loop without overloading your inbox.
Let me know what books sound good to you as the weather grows chilly here in the Northern Hemisphere. Where are you in the world? Does the weather affect your #TBR pile? If so, what’s next on your reading list?
About JacQueline
As the author of The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.
If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.
Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.
Photo Credit: Sebastian Unrau, Ricardo Gomez Angel, and Brigitte Tohm.
Graphic Design for Social Media: JacQueline Vaughn Roe. Contact her for help with graphic design or other author services.
