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You actually remember what season it was in some of these? I'm impressed. My brain is not that computer-like.

To the extent that atmosphere is central to a book's plot, I'll almost always have some general image in my mind (mostly along the lines of "For the Sake of Elena" -- chilly weather and fog over the River Cam, or Goethe's "Werther" -- oppressive, overcast skies, etc.). With some books I was absolutely certain when they are set; with others, I had to double check.

Well, it's the most "multilayered" (or if you will, ambiguous) of all seasons -- arguably, even more so than spring, which is typically associated with birth, rebirth and renewal; i.e., forward-looking concepts, whereas autumn looks back to the "golden" days of summer -- and summer heat -- as well as foreshadowing the cold, rain, snow and ice of winter (which is figuratively often associated with death). No wonder autumn is a favorite with mystery writers ... and more generally, as a backdrop for everything involving gloom and doom! ;) Then again, there's harvest season, and the idea of things coming to fruition -- the age-old concepts of Demeter, Mother Earth, and all those other mother goddesses.

As a kid, I didn't particularly like autumn -- I am born in October, and often the weather was no longer warm enough to have an outdoors birthday party when I was little. Also, I need a lot of sun in my life; I lived in Southern California for a few years, and weather-wise I felt perfectly at home there! But I've more and more come to appreciate autumn as well ... the colorful leaves and "milder" sunlight especially. Enough, in any event, to celebrate the season with the creation of a list of related books! :)

Fall jewelry?! That sounds intriguing ...

I'm a libra -- a sign as ambiguous as the season! ;)

Do I dare admit to having been a teacher's pet in elementary school? (Most of my class was, though, incredible as it sounds.) That all -- predictably? -- changed in high school, but in elementary school vacations actually didn't make too much of a difference to me, because we were still getting plenty of time to play in the afternoons anyway, and I liked learning, so I didn't mind being stuck in a classroom all morning. Except, of course, on really sunny days, when I would have preferred to be outside! Ah, the good old days ... :P

Themis-Athena wrote: "Fall jewelry?! That sounds intriguing ...

I'm a libra -- a sign as ambiguous as the season! ;)

Do I dare admit to having been a teacher's pet in elementary school? (Most of my class was, though..."

I was also for part of second grade and sixth grade but I went to 13 schools in 12 years as an Air Force brat so it was very hard.

Here in Colorado we have to wear aspen leaves. Its de rigeur...is that right?
Denver gun show this weekend so I can pick up some more (shame on me).

I sort of -- vicariously -- know what you are talking about re: "Air Force brat;" I have an uncle (husband of my mom's sister) who used to be with the military as well. We were pretty close with this part of my mother's family when I grew up, so I saw a fair share of what my cousins had to go through in terms of finding new friends, getting used to new schools, etc., when they were growing up. It must have been very difficult for you!

Aspen leaves de rigueur?! That sounds like a lovely tradition ...

Themis-Athena wrote: "I sort of -- vicariously -- know what you are talking about re: "Air Force brat;" I have an uncle (husband of my mom's sister) who used to be with the military as well. We were pretty close with t..."

It was very difficult and I do feel the scars inside. It was easiest on military bases where most everyone was in the same boat. However, I was hooked on it too and today I am ready to PCS! (permanent change of station which means to move as you may already know) I have a book called Military Brats with a forward by Pat Conroy. Its extremely helpful for us to understand ourselves. It might be helpful to them also.

Subtitle "Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress?" I'll have to take a look at it ...

My uncle's family lived mostly "off base" (I think he made a point of this), but even so, when my cousins got close to graduating from high school, he refused a number of assignments to new posts to make sure his daughters could stay in the same school -- and the same home environment -- until they had graduated. Didn't do much for his career, but sure did wonders for his daughters!

Themis-Athena wrote: "Subtitle "Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress?" I'll have to take a look at it ...

My uncle's family lived mostly "off base" (I think he made a point of this), but even so, when my cousins ..."

Yes, I am sure that is it. I looked around for it but my books are very disorganized more than usual. I have them stacked here and stacked there as I put some into storage. I only managed 4 years of college at the same school as Dad had retired.

I think some of these books took place in snow. That doesn't spell Autumn to me.

Jan C wrote: "I think some of these books took place in snow. That doesn't spell Autumn to me."

Which ones are you thinking of?

A Place Of Execution by Val McDermid.

I thought there were others but I can't recall right now.

Bookwise, I got nuthin', but I can at least toss in a nice autumn shot

Jan C wrote: "A Place Of Execution by Val McDermid.

I thought there were others but I can't recall right now."

The initial 1963 investigation is set in December, yes, but Part 2 (where the mystery is finally solved) is substantially set in October and November of 1998. That's clearly "autumn" to me ...

Will wrote: "Bookwise, I got nuthin', but I can at least toss in a nice autumn shot

"

Beautiful image, thanks for sharing!