cozy december novels ♥ my list of favorites

Hello, dear readers!

I am back...a little later than originally planned...with a bookish post for December. Reading Christmas stories are one of the best ways to spend December and I have a handful that I'd love to share with you today.

Before we begin, though, I want to lay out a few things...

I am admittedly a very picky person when it comes to Christmas novels and such. You see, I learned this even more just recently. In late November I began what I had thought was going to be about five weeks full of Christmas stories and novels and fun. I had every intention of reading every book in a quite large stack that I had pulled from my collection...Christmas stories of all sorts. And I was so looking forward to this and ever so excited to begin. I had ordered two new novels for this festive reading marathon and it literally took everything I had not to crack them open at the start of November and just dive in.

But I did end up holding off until the week of Thanksgiving, which is typically when I begin tip-toeing into Christmas celebrations. And those two books were awesome! They were exactly what I love in a Christmas novel and everything I had hoped they would be. Then...

I began another Christmas novel, and it just didn't cut it for me. The writing was horrendous and it felt as though you were walking right into the middle of a story when in fact the book was just beginning. So I began another, and it was the most depressing thing I'd read in a long time. On to another...this time the story just didn't vibe with me. It wasn't bad or depressing or anything like that, but I just couldn't get into it. None felt particularly cozy or Christmasy or how I feel a festive novel should be. And I do NOT like depressing, heavy, dark stories any time of the year, but especially at Christmas when it's supposed to be cheery and fun and magical. So I fell into a bit of a reading slump. My December reading dreams were crushed and it honestly put me into a sort of a funk.

I have since picked up a delightful cozy novel...not 100% Christmas, but definitely, 100% cozy and my cup of tea and I have also picked up a couple new-to-me Christmas novels that I'm cautiously trying out. I learned that finding a Christmas book with a good story that is well-written with light, funny, quirky characters and moments, that feels, truly feels like Christmas is actually a hard thing to do. Who would have thought?!?!

With that said, these books I'm sharing here today are on my list of favorite cozy December Christmasy reads and they are exactly what I just described...perfectly festive and delightful and magical and cozy. None of that other junk that I ran into earlier this month.

Rambling aside, let's get started!

A Match Made at Christmas ♥ A Cross-Country Christmas 

by Courtney Walsh

Let me begin with the two new Christmas books that I purchased this autumn. This is what got me so excited for Christmas reading...these two books right here. Both by Courtney Walsh and both utterly festive and just plain fun.

Both of these books had a similar feel and yet the stories were different so it didn't feel like I was reading the same thing twice. They are two totally separate stories with no relation to each other whatsoever. Courtney Walsh writes romantic stories with a wonderful sense of place. You feel like you are in one of her books when you read them. I've read one other book by her before and I do notice, at least with these three, that all her characters tend to be sort of the same type. Her male characters are definitely stereotypical and I personally don't care for that. That's not exactly what I'm into and it honestly gets old reading only about male characters described as so stereotypical. And her female characters are a little more sarcastic and mouthy than I prefer and all her characters tend to fall into the trendy category. So as far as characters go, hers aren't my favorite. I find it really hard to relate to them, and I find that I prefer stories with characters that I can see myself in.

 But as for place and story, she is great! These books both felt so Christmasy and festive and like you sort of walked into a Hallmark movie...the older ones when they were actually good. And they were light and fun stories with quirky, hilarious moments tucked in here and there. They had sweet romance, sentimental and heartwarming moments and just made you feel warm and Christmasy inside. So I'd definitely give these a winning recommendation!

 

Finding Father Christmas ♥ Engaging Father Christmas ♥ Kissing Father Christmas 

by Robin Jones Gunn

These next three stories are a trilogy and should definitely be read in order, in my opinion. They have that cozy Christmasy feel that I think is a must for this sort of book. And being set in a quaint English village complete with a charming tea room is just the cherry on top. My favorite kinds of stories, particularly this time of year, but honestly all the time, are the kind of stories that make you want to curl up with a cup of something warm and comforting, perhaps with the fire lit or candles flickering, cuddled under a thick blanket and just live in the story for a while. These are exactly those kinds of stories, so definitely highly recommended. But again, do read them in order.

And yes, these books were made into Hallmark Christmas movies. I haven't seen all three but the first two that I have seen I did actually quite enjoy. I'm not too keen on the actor and actress they cast for the main roles and there were some changes here and there, but overall, they were fun movies and did show a good bit of the book's content.

Christmas at Fairacre by Miss Read

Miss Read became a favorite of mine this past autumn when I finally read the first of her Fairacre novels. I had tasted just a bit of her writing a few years back when I read the first story in this Christmas collection of hers entitled Christmas at Fairacre. But this autumn just sealed the deal...now I must get my hands on all the Miss Read books I can. Her writing is the cozy, gentle, comforting type that whisks you away to a quaint little English village where you meet some delightful characters each truly celebrated for their special uniquenesses and qualities. She does that all while settling you down right where you are, causing you to become ever more aware of the beauty right before your eyes. Her Christmas stories are no different. She is a one-of-a-kind writer in my opinion and truly shouldn't be missed. Her stories will make you smile and warm your heart to overflowing...and this Christmas collection is no different.

Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon

This was the most heartwarming, charming story that one could read at Christmastime. Truly, I was entirely engrossed in the story and my heart grew attached to the loving characters of Mitford. The story is one that will bring warmth to your heart and remind you of both the magic of the season and what is the true celebration of this time of year...the love of family, close friends and community, and home are vividly painted throughout this book as well. Though this book is part of a series, I read it as a stand-alone, and you most certainly can too. But, I'll bet you'll want to read the others in the series once you finish this Christmas story. Just as I do. Why not spend your December in Mitford? 

There you have it, my friends! I had intended on having so many more books to share, but alas, I did run into a dead-end with some real duds this month. Because I had such a hard time with Christmas books this month, I'm hoping the ones I'm reading now are enjoyable. And hopefully, I'll avoid meeting any more duds in the future. 

I would love to know what types of Christmas books you enjoy and what titles are filling your baskets and bedside tables this month, so do feel free to share below!

Until next time, happy and cheery reading to you!

♥

 

a cozy teatime ♥ thankfulness, the blessing of home, & apple cake

Happy Tuesday evening, lovelies!

Today is another festive seasonal teatime, so I invite you to grab a cup of something warm and delicious and perhaps a little treat and settle in for awhile...let's get cozy!

This past week has absolutely been gorgeous! It seems at though all the leaves in town decided to turn color at the exact same time. Driving down the streets is quite like driving through an autumnal postcard...trees on either side of the road bursting with leaves of gold and crimson and sometimes even pumpkin orange, though that is the least common color. As soon as I think I like one color best, another color becomes my new favorite, only to happen again several more times before I return home again. Leaves are piling up on the roadsides and the sidewalks are basically a carpet of crunchiness.

For my tea today I'm enjoying a mug full of blueberry tea, one of my absolute favorites. I love the gentle flavor of this tea and the beautiful color inside my mug getting deeper as it steeps makes me smile. Of course, with most herbal teas, the scent is blissful, too! And I'm using a bright and colorful mug in the Pioneer Woman's line. I received this mug in a teacup and mug exchange that I participated in numerous times hosted by a dear blogger. Sadly, she is no longer blogging but that event is such a fun memory of mine. {{smiles}}

Seeing as how this was "apple week" in the teatime series I had already planned on making an apple dessert this weekend, so the timing was perfect. Our tart apples were sitting on the counter just waiting to be included as the star ingredient in a scrumptious seasonal dessert.

This apple skillet cake recipe was found in a cookbook that I dearly love for several reasons. Honey and Jam by Hannah Queen is a gorgeous cookbook that can easily be read from cover to cover. It is divided up into four seasons with all the recipes featuring ingredients that are in season at that specific time of year. I love sitting down with this book at the start of each season and choosing one or two special desserts to bake during the upcoming months to truly celebrate that season. I first made this apple skillet cake our first autumn here at Shady Cottage, three years ago. It was such a fun cake to make because it is baked in one of our cast iron skillets...these things are so versatile and useful, we just love them! 

The cake is soft and filled with apples. I always use tart apples and I really think it makes the flavor really stand out. The crumble topping is perhaps my favorite part as I am a lover of anything with a crumble on top. Though I must say, I think that the next time I make this recipe instead of using cold butter like the recipe calls for in the crumble, I'm going to use melted butter. I think that will give more of the texture that I prefer in a crumbly topping. Also, I left out the rosemary in the topping...I just wasn't in the mood for that flavor. Next time I’ll also add some spices, too! 

This week's theme is thankful hearts and home blessing. While I could write about gentle homemaking rhythms that we incorporate in our home or how we are preparing our home for Thanksgiving or share the things I'm most grateful for, I thought I would combine the two themes into one. And how I wish to share that is through a few specially selected excerpts on the blessing of home from a couple of my favorite novels. These passages that I've chosen are, in my opinion, absolutely beautiful descriptions of home and of the blessing that home is. These words warmed my heart and I found a kindred spirit within their message, and I hope you do, too.

The two books I'll be sharing from in this blog post are:

Pilgrim's Inn (I shared about this novel here.)

The Tale of Hill Top Farm (I shared about this novel here.)

And both of them I heartily recommend!

In Pilgrim's Inn, this is how the author described the home in the story...

It looked immensely strong, as strong as a fortress, glowing and safe, friendly and warm and most deeply alive...The beauty of this place had laid a spell upon them. It seemed too good to be true...It seemed gathering them in, holding them close...It was like a strong stone fortress and it welcomed you with a mighty laugh.

It was wonderful driving home with the last glow of the sunset lingering in the west and the hedges black and mysterious on either side. There were lights in the cottage windows, and sometimes they had forgotten to draw the curtains and one saw the flicker of firelight, the bright heads of children sitting round a table munching their 'cooked tea', a man reading a paper with a pipe in his mouth, or a woman with head bent over her darning. This, too, was new to Caroline, used to the years of blackout. It was lovely and most magical, like turning the pages of a storybook, each fresh window a fresh story.

~ both excerpts taken from Pilgrim's Inn ~

Here are some of my family's favorite apple recipes...

Apple Herb Roasted Chicken

Apple Spice Bread

Autumn Apple Granola Muffins

Apple Spice Scones with Cider cinnamon Glaze

Simple Apple Butter 

Instead of the lap of the water against the river wall, they heard the whisper of the flames, and instead of the flowers in the garden they smelled the roasting chestnuts, burning apple logs, coffee, the oil lamps, polish, all the house smells. This intimacy with the house was deepening; when winter came it would be deeper still.

There were some fine bits of Bristol ware upon the mantlepiece, flowered chintz curtains at the windows, strips of plain matting upon the floor, and pots of geraniums upon the window sills. The table was laid for tea with a blue-and-white-check tablecloth, willow-pattern china, a homemade cake, scones, and honey. The room was gracious, lived in, warm, glowing, and altogether glorious...And extraordinarily familiar...Standing there in the sunlight and firelight George and the children felt as though they had come home. They looked at each other, but they could not speak.

~ both excerpts from Pilgrim's Inn ~

What Beatrix loved more than anything else were tiny cottages with crooked roofs, their stone-flagged floors brightened by rag rugs, the ceilings hung with braids of onions and fragrant herbs, the rooms furnished with old-fashioned oak sideboards and grandfather clocks and chairs with woven rush seats. Farm houses with no pretensions to grandeur, with mullioned windows and thick walls and narrow passages turning and twisting every which way...Homes that made her want to reach for her pencil and draw.

Perhaps it was her artist's heart that coveted the warm glow of firelight reflected from copper-bottomed pans, or her artist's soul that longed for shafts of dusty sunlight falling through windows bright with blooming flowers. She sketched these whenever she could, and in a way, these sketches of cozy rooms and sunlit windows and comfortable furniture, peopled with cats and mice and little dogs, substituted for a home of her own and a family that didn't sulk and glower at her. But Beatrix knew that she could never be entirely happy until she lived in her own house, a real house, exactly the right house.

~ both excerpts taken from The Tale of Hill Top Farm ~

Some of my previously written posts on gentle homemaking...

Homemaking & Domesticity ♥ An Artist's Life

Mission: Making a Cozy Atmosphere

Cultivating a Haven of Peace & Comfort

Gentle Homemaking Rhythms & Routines

Slow & Simple Homemaking ♥ Gently Tending to Your Home

She could make Hill Top into her own domain, a house of her own, with everything in it just as she wanted it. The house would be the house of her dreams, the house where she belonged, where she could imagine herself leading the kind of life that would make her, at last, content. And all around her would lie her own land, fold and fallow, garden and green meadows and pretty patches of woods. And on it she would have own animals: cows and pigs and chickens and sheep, yes, Herdwick sheep, those sheep who instinctively knew their own heaf.

~  taken from The Tale of Hill Top Farm ~

I don't know about you, but those passages remind me of the beauty, importance, and most of all, the blessing of home. I am reminded of just how thankful I am for home and family and for the life lived within our four walls. I'm grateful even for the tasks done in order to make a house a home and for the creativity and art that homemaking really, truly is. How warm, comforting, cozy, snuggly and settled in our home feels...I hope you have that, too.

May your week be a blissful one, dear friends! 

Savour the beauty of November and cherish the world of home...today, tomorrow and forever! 

♥

the bits & bobs of a book girl's life...

Hello, fellow book lovers! 

I am back yet again with another bookish post...these are seriously the most fun to write and I love getting to share about one of my most favorite things in the world. Since this is the last week of October and therefore, the final week of this October series, I am going to post on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, that way I can end on Halloween. I invite you to pour a cup of something warm and comforting and get comfy as we chat about some more bookish things...

Are you ready?

What books do you remember reading that kick-started your bookworm habit?

The very first books I remember reading myself are the Junie B. Jones and Amelia Bedelia books. I read these when I was six years old and I just devoured them. We still have these series in our collection and it's fun to look back on the first books that introduced me to the reading life.

What genre, or genres, do you normally choose?

My go-to genres are contemporary (clean) romance, magical realism, and village/small town series...I'm not sure what the exact "genre" would be called. I've only read fiction for a few years now after a decade of heavy nonfiction reads, so I still feel like I'm discovering what books I like. I do know that I would like to explore some older books next year, possibly a classic or two, and also some historical fiction. I do also love a cozy mystery...nothing that's going to scare me so bad I can't sleep. Hee!

Do you eat while you read, and if so, what exactly?

Absolutely not. I don't know why, but eating and reading just don't seem like they go together for me. A cup of tea or hot chocolate...or just a mason jar of water...that's more my thing when reading.

Were there any least favorite reads?

In the world of fiction, I would say the worst book I read was an Aurora Teagarden mystery called A Fool and His Honey which I read over the summer. It was dreadful and not well written in the least. In the world of nonfiction...well, how long do you have? My tastes in nonfiction have changed dramatically over the last few years...see this post for my favorites.

As you're a bookworm, what are you currently reading? How's it getting on for you?

The book I've got going at the moment is Sarah Addison Allen's First Frost. I read it last year and absolutely fell in love with it. It takes place during the last week of October, so this is literally the perfect time to be reading it! And I'm getting to love it all over again!

Do you have a liking to indie or traditional books?

Honestly, I don't mind either. I have noticed that many of my favorite authors have switched over to independent publishing over the last few years, so that does tend to be what I buy if it's a new book.

 Do you have a large bookshelf, or do you plan to?

I admit that my bedroom here at Shady Cottage has huge bookshelf space...and I am very thankful for that. In our old house, I had a couple shelves in my room which is where I kept my absolute favorites. All my other books were kept in my closet, under my bed, or in our attic in boxes. 

I've been pondering the idea of sharing a bookshelf tour and wonder if you all would like that? If so, would you prefer a blog post with photos or a video tour? I'd appreciate your thoughts here!

What is your favorite book series?

I'm loving Miss Read's Fairacre Novels series which I just began recently. Considering I haven't read many series in their entirety yet, I've just tiptoed into several of them, I don't have a huge list to go from. But Miss Read's series is becoming a favorite very quickly.

What is your favorite book of all time?

I couldn't pick just one? Really, tell me any bibliophile who could?!?! If you want to see some of my favorites, I keep an updated list here.

How do you choose your next read?

I am sort of in-between just winging it and going with my mood and then making a plan. I do select a few books that I wish to read at the beginning of each season and month, and then I also leave room for on-the-whim choices that look good at the moment.

How do you decide your book ratings?

This is how I rate books...and the meaning behind each raring...

***** If I give a book 5 stars, for me that means that I really loved it and would most definitely read it again. A real all-time favorite.

**** Four stars mean that I liked it a lot and will read it again. Close to favorite, but not quite.

*** Three stars mean that it was just okay but I probably won't read it again. It stays on my shelf, though.

** Two stars mean that it was pretty close to awful, but not quite. Definitely not a reread and probably getting donated.

* One star means that it was horrible and one of the worst books ever. For me, this means that more than likely it went into the garbage- not even worth passing onto Goodwill for someone else to read.

Do you DNF or finish all the way?

I have no shame in admitting that if I do not like a book, I will not finish it. I spent too many years reading books that I didn't really enjoy and there are too many books that appeal to me to read anything that I don't love. This is the reason why most of my books get a four or five-star rating...I really don't read anything where I would need to give a lesser rating.

 Would you rather be a librarian or a bookseller?

Honestly, either one sounds like oodles of fun. But only in a small town or village setting...and it would have to be an independently-owned and run bookshop if I was going to work in one. I have no interest in working in a large chain corporation. But with those conditions, I would say either one and most happily, too.

What are some of your favorite book covers?

The photo above shows some covers that I think are the most beautiful. I prefer book covers with color and an artsy design as opposed to a cover with real humans on them. Those are never my favorite. The ones above are all different in style and design, but they all have my favorite things...color!, art and not photography and they all look incredibly pretty.

What are your favorite book settings?

I realized recently that all my favorite books take place in small towns or villages or in places that I'd love to visit or could see myself living. Quaint and charming and a bit quirky.

Do you reread books?

Absolutely. Yes. If you love a book, why only read it once?!?!

What book do you wish had a sequel?

I really wished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society had a sequel; this book really stood out to me and I wanted it to go on and on.

Do you read seasonally?

Yes, oh yes. I select a few seasonal reads for each month, holiday, etc. And that is seriously one of the most fun things about reading.

Do you have a special reading place?

Reading must take place in a cozy place, in my humble opinion. For me, that is either my bed with fluffy pillows and a warm comforter or in my comfy chair with feet either propped up on the ottoman or tucked beside me. I prefer softer lighting and not such bright white light...usually a few lamps and fairy lights, too, of course.

How do you mark your pages?

While I will be the first to admit that I sometimes fold down the top corner of my pages or stick a Kleenex or piece of scrap paper to mark my pages, most of the time I use a bookmark. And, yes, I do collect them. Some are ones that I have made, which reminds me that I want to make some new ones soon, and others are from shops, travels, gifts, etc. I do love a pretty bookmark. {{smiles}} I keep them in a tea tin on my bookshelf.

Do you write in books?

Sometimes, yes. If I see a quote or excerpt that I really love, I will underline in my books. Usually with pencil nowadays and very lightly.

How long does it take you to read a book?

It really depends...on my mood and mindset, how long the book is, how much time I spend reading each day and what else I'm spending my time on. Typically, an average length book takes me about a week, give or take a day or two.

Do you read newspapers?

No, sadly newspapers aren't really common around where I live, and the ones that are available are just full of news which I try to avoid.

Do you read magazines?

Indeed, I do. The four I always subscribe to and read (with much delight) are Bella Grace, Willow and Sage, Victoria and Tea Time. These all bring me such happiness and I love it when a new issue comes out!

Do you read in bed?

Oh, yes. The above photo shows my book basket which I shared about in this post. I keep the books that I hope to read during the month in here as well as a few extra bookmarks...I love having these things all in one place and on my bedside table. Easy to get to and also seeing them makes me want to read more!

Do you read in the car?

I absolutely cannot read in a moving car, or boat, or plane, or train. I tend to be very motion sick if I read while moving. I even have to be careful not to read too many billboards or street signs and can't look at my phone too much either. This was especially bad when I was younger, but I don't take any chances now either. I'd rather listen to music, have a conversation, or just admire the scenery when in a car.

Are you a fast or slow reader?

This depends on the book. It can depend on if I'm really into a story or if the story is written in a slower way. I can speed through some books and others take longer.

Reading outside or inside?

Mostly indoors, simply because when I'm outside I'm either doing something or sitting under the trees having a chat with my mom and sister.

Series or standalone?

I love series more probably. Though some of my favorite books are standalone...but I do so dearly wish they were made into a series.

What are your top five books this year?

In no particular order, from 2021, so far, here are my top five favorites...

~ The Tale of Hill Top Farm 

~ Pilgrim's Inn

~ Village School

~ A Bear Called Paddington

~ Brambly Hedge stories

What is your favorite book to movie adaption?

I adore The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. While I love other literary movies I haven't read the books yet, but this one I loved both the book and movie.

How do you arrange your bookshelves?

My bookshelves are arranged by author then series. I have a special shelf for mystery books and another one for children's literature as well as a shelf for Amish fiction...complete with two dolls from Lancaster County. My cookbooks live on a bookshelf all their own, and my nonfiction is also in a separate section.

Do you prefer heavier or lighter topics?

Light topics, hands down. I do not like reading heavy books. For me, that takes away the pleasure of reading and makes it a burden and that's not why I read. I don't mind if a book has something heavy in it as a sub-topic, but I won't read it if that's the main topic.

Who are your favorite authors?

I love books by Jan Karon, Miss Read, Katherine Reay, Sarah Addison Allen, Susan Wittig Albert, Liz Johnson, Kara Isaac, and Courtney Walsh.

Do you prefer pre-owned or new books?

I love both! They both have their charm and excitement. New books are exciting because they are usually just-released titles, and pre-pwned books already come with a history and I love how they already feel worn and loved and comfortable.

Hardcover or paperback?

In general, I prefer paperback, though some memoirs or nonfiction are lovely in hardcover. For fiction reading, though, I prefer the lightness of a paperback. It's easier to hold in bed, easier to carry around and you can fit more in your shelf, too. {{winks}} Oh, and cookbooks are so much better in hardcover!

Reading in summer or winter?

Either. I love reading all times of year.

E-book, print edition, or audiobook?

Only printed books for me. I have some quite perhaps controversial or slightly offensive opinions on e-books and audiobooks which I shall keep to myself. Hee! Printed books feel so good in my hands and have a comforting scent within their pages and they look gorgeous on shelves, tables, in baskets, wherever!

Collecting or clearing out?

Considering that I am in no way a minimalist and despise that trend, I am all for collecting books...and other things, too. One can never have too many books, that's something I firmly believe. 

Internet or bookshop?

Because we have no other bookshops near us besides Barnes and Noble, which is just okay, I'd say the internet. I do love the library used book shop in our town, though. But most of our books are bought online from secondhand shops.

Backlist or new publications?

Most of the books I read are older; very few are new publications. So mostly backlist titles...I pretty much only read new publications from authors I already know I love.

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I invite you to share your answers to these questions, too! Share in the comments below or on your own blog! Be sure to let me know if you make your own blog post...

May your Tuesday be a beauty!

♥

more comfort reads for your soul's delight

Morning, bibliophiles!

Yesterday, I shared a list of all my comfort books. They were stories of all sorts and kinds and all beloved favorites of mine...along with some that are on my reading list for this autumn. Today, I wanted to add a few more titles to that list. However, instead of fictional stories, these are nonfiction favorites.

Up until about two years ago, I read almost all non-fiction books. Pretty much all of the books I read were serious and heavy as heck. Religious topics and subjects were the majority of the things I read about...lots of messages that had some troublesome consequences for me, and lots of healing that has needed to take place since. Perhaps lots of healing that will take a lifetime to go through. Needless to say, I don't read those sorts of books anymore. And for a while, I had bad associations with nonfiction books...but, thankfully, I have found that doesn't need to be the case. There are tons of fun and delightful books out there that I have really enjoyed going through. And today I'm happy to share that list with you. 

I have gone through my bookshelves and written down every title that stood out to me. In this post, I have separated them according to their main subject or topic written about in these books...though some of them could certainly fit under a couple or even a few categories. Regardless, these are wonderful books to read straight through, or just a specific section here and there, or even to keep on your coffee or bedside table for a bit of perusing during a teatime or moment of free time. I hope you find some titles on this list that tickle your fancy and maybe even add to your library as well.

And as always, please do share your favorite nonfiction comfort reads below...I am *always* looking for more to add to my list. (Some of you have mentioned Gladys Taber to me recently and I have just barely looked her up, but her writing does look like my cup of tea...so thank you for sharing that!) Keep the awesome recommendations coming!

Home, Domesticity, & Natural Living...

Hands-on Home by Erica Strauss

Down to Earth by Rhonda Hetzel

Simply Living Well by Julia Watkins

Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme

The Art of Gentle Domesticity by Jane Brocket

Little House Living by Merissa Arink

Heart of the Home by Susan Branch

The Made from Scratch Life by Melissa Norris

Hand Made by Melissa Norris

Seasonal Pleasures & Celebrations...

Celebrate by Pippa Middleton

Mrs. Sharp's Traditions by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Cozy Cookbooks...

The Mitford Cookbook by Jan Karon

So Much to Celebrate by Katie Jacobs

Eat Like a Gilmore by Kristi Carlson

Little Women cookbook by Wini Moranville

Anne of Green Gables cookbook by Kate MacDonald

Taste of Home (some of my all-time favorites for every season, holiday, ordinary day. etc)

Gooseberry Patch (I feel the same about these books as I do Taste of Home)

Mary Berry cookbooks (about as cozy as you can get; she also has an autobiography that I want to read)

Honey and Jam by Hannah Queen

Memoirs & Biographies...

The Fairy Tale Girl by Susan Branch

Martha's Vineyard, Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch

A Fine Romance by Susan Branch

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 

Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear

Home by Julie Andrews

Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham

Slow & Gentle Living...

Slow by Brooke McAlary

Romancing the Ordinary by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Something More by Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

Food Memoirs...

Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard

My Life in France by Julia Child

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg

Hygge and the Like...

Live Lagom by Anna Brones

How to be Mindful by Anna Barnes

The Book of Hygge by Louisa Thomsen Brits

The Cozy Life by Pia Edberg

How to Hygge by Signe Johansen

comfort reads to delight your soul

Autumn evokes a desire to read comforting stories. Stories of home and family and of gathering together. This time of year also has a spooky feel which inspires mysteries to be picked up and enjoyed. Sometimes you're in the mood for a story to whisk you away to a faraway land, sometimes real and other times make-believe, for an adventure. And other times, you wish to become grounded right where you are...at home in your own little corner of the world, treasuring everyday moments and flourishing on your own soil. I know all of that is true for me. Autumn invites me to pick up a book stack, most often bigger than I can realistically conquer in a few months' time, but nonetheless, delightful and comforting. These are some of the stories that I have enjoyed in years past as well as the ones that are on my reading pile for this year. 

Do settle in and get cozy as we share some comforting bookish delights...

Cozy mysteries are our cup of tea in this home. We don't like gory, gruesome scenes and details, nor do we want to be scared out of our wits. But a good cozy mystery is just the ticket. My mom has loved Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series and Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone series for years now. I'm just starting my own collection of these authors and am excited to enter the worlds of these two amateur sleuths as they solve mysteries in their own charming small towns. And a mystery series that I've heard of and am wanting to try for myself is Laura Childs' Tea Shop Mysteries. These come highly recommended by some trusted bibliophiles and they look just wonderful. The best thing about all of these series is that there are *many* books in each series...you can enjoy them for a long time.

Last winter, I discovered the absolute delight of Susan Wittig Albert's Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series. I loved the first book of the eight in the series and book two is on my list for this season. The stories are heartwarming and endearing and sweet as can be. The mysteries are fun and not at all scary or gory. And the little critters and pets of the townsfolk even help solve them...along with Beatrix Potter, of course. 

Anne of Green Gables and Little Women, along with other books by both L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott are always on my list for comforting cozy reads. I've not read but just a bit of either author so far, but what I have, I do so love and enjoy. Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series is one that is best read on cozy days, in my opinion, too.  While I certainly did not like all of the harsh parenting methods in book one, I do have book two on my list for this season and still enjoy the stories. And if you like books set on the prairie, Janette Oke's books can't be beaten if you ask me. I first began reading her Love Comes Softly series as a young teenager and have enjoyed other books and series of hers, too. They always remind me that valuing the important things in life is always worthwhile, good and right.

The Penderwicks is a lovely series with a sort of Little Women feel to it. And the Betsy-Tacy books are some that I am looking forward to delving into for the first time. Then, sometimes you're just in the mood for a sweet children's storybook, and for that, I heartily recommend the Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem, which includes four seasonal stories and four other stories with various adventures and such. Beatrix Potter's stories are also on that list of "must-reads". They are ever so adorable and I've just had the best fun reading them for the first time this summer...and I'm continuing on with the rest this autumn.

For a bit of magical fun, I have fallen in love with the magical realism genre. So far, I've only discovered Sarah Addison Allen's novels, but they are some of the best I've ever read. First Frost simply must be read in October, and a couple others I've heard are best read in the wintertime or summer, depending on the story. I always think it's extra fun reading them at their appropriate times as it makes the story come alive even more. 

Harry Potter, The Hobbit (and Lord of the Rings), and The Chronicles of Narnia are series that you can totally get lost in. I've read some of the books under these series here, but some of the others are on my list for this season, as well. As with the Anne of Green Gables and Little Women books, these series also have movies that were inspired by the books. And that's always good fun, too!

Some books are based on TV shows, and some shows are based on books. Home Fires is one of my beloved shows, but it only had two seasons. Major bummer! Fortunately, there are a few books that follow and continue on where the series left off. Keep the Home Fires Burning is the first novel starting where the series ended, and I sure hope it's as good as the show. Virgin River is a show I came to really love this summer...and I was elated when I discovered it was inspired by a huge series of books. I just recently got book one and can't wait to dive in! If it's good, it will be a fun, long series to get lost in.

Some other books that I have on that extra special "comfort reads" list include the Paddington series by Michael Bond- perfectly whimsical for any age; The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society- one of my all-time favorites and so enchanting; Jan Karon's Mitford series- charming, heartwarming and also a bit quirky; any books by Miss Read- English villages and sweet stories make for the best combination; Lark Rise to Candleford- one I'm hoping to start soon; the Elm Creek Quilt series- a long series of books by Jennifer Chiaverini- I've only read a bit so far, but so far, I'm loving it; and finally, absolutely any book by Elizabeth Goudge, though I must say Pilgrim's Inn is a great place to start and, in my opinion, best read in the autumn time.

Well, friends, there you have it. All the comfort books that will delight your soul that I personally love or am hoping to read this year. I'd love to hear your favorite comfort books, and even what you're reading at the moment, so do share below!

Happy reading, dear book lovers!

♥ ♥ ♥

a dozen ways to read more

Greetings, my fellow bibliophiles!

Today I have compiled a list of a dozen (plus one!) ways to read more. These are all the ways that I have personally found to be helpful in my own reading life. And I think they would be beneficial to any reader, whether you are a fast or slow reader, read 5 books a year or 50, or are old or young. If you love stories and want to add them to your daily life more, here are some simple ideas to get you going.

Most of all...just have fun with reading! 

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1. Read before going to sleep

This is by far, hands down my favorite way to read. I've been reading before bed since I was a young teenager. There's nothing quite like cuddling into layers of blankets and squishy pillows for a bit of reading before drifting off to dreamland. I like to keep a small basket on the table beside my bed with a selection of books that I want to read for the next while. I keep a small selection of bookmarks and a pencil in a jar as well in case I want to mark or underline any sections that stand out to me...last winter I found myself underlining numerous quotes and selections from Pilgrim's Inn that were particularly beautiful. In order to keep things cozy and bed-friendly, I use a small lamp instead of bright overhead lighting and I even have a book lamp I use at times, too. That is especially handy when travelling. Thirty minutes (at least) every night is a good way to get a good bit of reading in. And it is a wonderfully calming way to settle down right before bed...much better than having a phone in your face.

2. Books before TV

I have my set shows that I like to watch regularly and my favorite movies that I can never get enough of. But, in all honesty, I do think that books are an important part of life that are getting extinguished from too many lives. Prioritizing books over TV is a way to strike a balance and enjoy both. You can simply choose to read one chapter or for, say, thirty minutes, before watching any TV. I am by no means anti-TV...don't even get me started on that kind of thing. {{winks}} However, I seriously think that books are vital to our wellbeing, shaping of our imaginations and minds and of offering adventure and fun as well as peace and calm to our days. Don't neglect your books in favor of always turning on the TV. There is a way to enjoy both!

3. Take books everywhere you go

Simply packing a book in your purse or bag is a way to ensure you have something to do if you're stuck in line somewhere or in a waiting room or at some appointment, etc. Oh, and if you're like me, books help ward off unwanted conversations with random people in crowded places. {{winks}} Seriously, though, this is a fun and great way to get more reading in. It is especially nice if you aren't prone to motion sickness and can read in the car. I cannot, but I still take books with me. When I am out and waiting for some reason at a place, I just pull it out and read a bit. If you want, you can even pull off at a park and get a bit of reading and nature at the same time.

4. Read on commercial breaks

A couple winters ago, I learned this little secret. When you are watching TV or streaming something online, you can read a heck of a lot during the commercial breaks. I read an entire book almost strictly during commercial breaks whilst watching a Korean drama last winter. It was marvellous! We always mute on commercials here, fast forward where we can, and set our DVR as often as possible, so reading on commercials is a no-brainer.

5. Keep realistic goals

While reading 100 books a year sounds awesome, it may not be practical for you. Setting goals is fun and I enjoy them as much as the next person, but it's important to keep them realistic. Think of your daily schedule and tasks that you must do each day as well as the realistic amount of time you have set aside for reading. Don't forget that in different seasons of life you will have different amounts of time you can devote just to reading...and that's okay. It may be better to set the goal of 12 books a year; that's just one a month. Or even 24 books a year is just 2 a month. Reading really shouldn't be about the number of books you read but whether you are having fun and reading things you love instead. 

6. Make fun challenges for yourself

With that said above about keeping realistic goals, setting fun challenges can be a great way to keep reading exciting and fresh. There are literally so many different challenges online you can choose from or simply use them as a guide as you make your own. I like to do this every now and then just to mix things up a bit...especially around seasons or holidays. My sister and I came up with a "21 in 2021" challenge for this year and even though I've deviated from it quite a bit, here is my personal list if you want some inspiration.

7. Make reading fun...and keep it that way!

Reading should be fun. Period. I think that should be the goal for reading of all ages...including school children. I'm not a believer in required reading lists because I do not at all think that's how to get a child to fall in love with books or reading. Offer them the choice of what they enjoy and you offer them the world of reading! Keep a book log of all that you read in a year or a reading journal to keep track of your thoughts on all your reads. Decorate them all cute and pretty and use them regularly. Read what makes you happy, and keep things light and fun!

8. Read with the seasons

I love living in tune with the seasons in various ways and reading is just one of them. While I don't read only seasonal books, I do love including several seasonal novels in my book stack at different times of the year. Winter always must include a snowy story; December is reserved for Christmas novels. Spring and summer need to have some sort of travel adventures and maybe a beach read, too. And autumn calls for mysteries and stories set around harvest and pumpkins and feasting. I think that including even one seasonal book each season, it makes reading all the more special and sets apart both the time of year and the books you chose for then. And you'll probably develop a small circle of books that you just simply must read each year during different seasons. 

9. Make a cozy atmosphere

I am of the very firm belief that wherever you read should be of the utmost coziest place to be. For me, I have two places I read. The first is in my bed...I like to make my bed each day and rearrange the pillows and straighten the blankets. This makes it more inviting for me at night to cuddle in for some reading time. I use soft lighting and even keep an extra pillow for comfort when sitting up to read. Then I also have a comfy chair that I read in. I keep a throw blanket and small pillow along with an ottoman to prop my feet upon. In both places, I will almost always have the diffuser going with some calming scent and occasionally light some candles. Cups of tea or a jar of fresh water also are a must. Along with pencils, bookmarks, and ample table space for my book stacks at the moment. Making a cozy place that makes you want to read there isn't hard at all, just a few simple things and a bit of personalization make it perfect.

10. Read whatever appeals to you...no matter what

Maybe I'm the only one, maybe I'm not. But over the last few years I've noticed that almost every time I see a movie or show or book or even music that seems to be all the rage, I just don't like them. So reading what appeals to me is sometimes not what's most popular and I have to look a bit harder to find books that I like. It means that I search online used bookshops until I find a place that sells the books on my list. Sometimes I like what everyone else does, but most of the time I don't. Reading what appeals to you is crucial to reading anything at all. If you don't like what you read, you're not going to want to read anything. Trust me on this one.

11. Stop reading books you don't enjoy...just move on

This one goes along with the one above. It took me several years to learn this one but once I did, boy was it a game changer! Stop reading a book if you aren't enjoying it. My sister laughs at me because all of my GoodReads ratings are either a 4 or 5 like 95% of the time. And that's because if I'm not absolutely loving a book, I just put it down. There are far too many books out there that I want to read to waste my time on the duds.

12. Don't pay attention to age brackets, etc.

One of the most detrimental things about reading is the boundaries we place on ourselves. We shouldn't stop reading children's books, even picture books, or middle grade or young adult novels because we no longer fit into those age brackets. As C.S. Lewis said, No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally- and often far more- worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond...and A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest. This is something that the conventional school systems really burden and brainwash children with. They must read on their grade level and according to their age, above that is okay. But if they enjoy books underneath that, that is simply not acceptable. I know this because that is what my experience was in a conventional school setting. And it flows right into adulthood. Adults cannot enjoy, much less, appreciate a children's story when in fact, it may be the most beautiful story imaginable. Just this year, I've begun reading some "children's" stories and have since fallen in love with the tales of Beatrix Potter and Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge. I'm 27 and have never read them before. So as I discover these worlds for the first time as an adult, I am thoroughly grateful to be invited into these magical worlds of mice and hedgehogs and bunny rabbits. Quite frankly, we "grown-ups" would do well to step foot into these magical worlds more often.

BONUS: Grow your personal library always; keep good books in easy to reach places.

I know that for me, personally, one of the best ways to make me excited about reading is to have a constantly growing personal library. We are always buying books in our house...and nearly all of the books on our shelves are either used or bought at bargain shops for just a few dollars. Checking thrift shops, library used book shops, bargain stores and even certain places online can be a real treasure trove. I love full, overstuffed bookshelves and am of the belief that there is never too many books. And, along with growing your personal library, always keep good books in places you can see them. When you finish one, you can automatically pick up another. I don't know about you, but seeing a stack of four or five books on my bedside table really, really makes me want to read...just one more chapter before I turn out the lights. Keep track of authors you enjoy and genres you find delightful as well as recommendations from folks online who share your similar tastes. I have also found that signing up for newsletters from my favorite authors is a great way to learn about new-to-me authors when they share the books they're reading. All of these things help with growing your personal library. 

a bookish farewell to summer

and just like that...

summer fell into autumn.

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The cheeriest hello to you, my reader friends! Are you as excited as I am that today is the official first day of autumn?!?! I am even giddier because yesterday's rainfall brought in some delightful cooler weather and so it truly feels like the beginning of autumn. Last night whilst we were out running errands, I opened the car window, stuck my head out like a dog, breathing in the fresh air...and smelt autumn dancing in the breeze. It's really, truly, seriously, finally...here.

I thought today was the perfect day to bid summer farewell with a bookish post...and share with you the books that were my companions through the sticky summertime months. As I've mentioned in the past, over the last couple of years, I've really gotten out of my reading rhythms, but this summer was the first time in probably four years that I read consistently...and happily. I found a wonderful selection of novels and stories to dive into each evening and, my, oh my, did it feel so good to find the beauty in reading again.

So, without further ado...shall we begin?

One of my dreams for this year was to read some children's stories. In the winter, I read the entire Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem. They were beyond dreamy in the illustrations and the stories were sweet and charming. I found myself wishing I lived with the mice in Brambly Hedge...and still have that wish to this day.

Another author that I wanted to get to know through story was Beatrix Potter. I don't remember ever reading any of her books before, so I picked out this gorgeous hardcover book...a full collection of all her stories...for my birthday in July. I haven't read all of them quite yet; I shall continue on this autumn. But so far, I've read the following...the little heart beside the titles mark my absolute favorites.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit ♥

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin

The Tailor of Gloucester

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny ♥

The Tale of Two Bad Mice ♥

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle ♥

The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan ♥

Beatrix Potter is by far one of the most talented artists and storytellers of all time...I think many would agree. Her stories are sweet and charming, with humor and fun thrown in for good measure. While I loved most of the stories I've read so far, I think my most favorite (so far) would be the story of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle; it was the cutest tale and the illustrations were adorable beyond imagination. I'm excited to continue on with the rest of her stories...and eventually, I want to read a biography of her that I have sitting on my shelf. And...I'm thinking that I need to watch Miss Potter again soon because I just love it so. The soundtrack gets played more than I should admit and I've got a wee Peter Rabbit living on my bookshelf. He popped into the photo above, though, as you can see. He wanted to be sure to get his photo in this post. {{winks}}

My children's story reading continued on with a short, but oh-so-well-done, story about Tolkien. John Ronald's Dragons is a quick read, even for children, but it is such a whimsical book. The illustrations are so magical and the story is a fun one to introduce young kiddos to Tolkien. I'll admit that I've yet to read any of his novels so far...though, I'm hoping to change that very soon. This was a fun one!

Summer began for me with The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. This first novel in the series of five was a sweet story of four sisters and their father as they went to stay at a house on a grand estate. They befriend the boy who lives on the property and throughout the book, have many adventures and mishaps with him...and their dog and a couple of bunnies, too. My sister recommended this series to me after she fell in love with them last autumn. I've only read book one so far, but it was an absolute delight. It's just the ticket for a cozy night in, curled up with a blanket...or for reading on a blanket sprawled out under the sun on a spring afternoon. It just had that cozy feel to it.

Pilgrim's Inn was my very first Elizabeth Goudge novel to read and that was another dream of mine for this year. I cannot even begin to say how much I loved this story. It was about home, family, legacy, and all the important things in life. I had learned about Goudge from three fellow bibliophiles and all of them suggested that this be the first Goudge novel you should read. They were right! I think it was the perfect place to start...and now I've got two more on my shelf to delve into. While a good book is wonderful at any time of year, I would heartily suggest reading this one in the autumn. It really is the perfect read for this time of year! (Those fellow bibliophiles say this, too!)

Another of my bookish dreams for this year...yes, I have quite a few...was to finally read an Amish novel. In the spring, we found a huge selection of Amish books at Ollie's for super cheap so I picked up quite a few. The Fiddler by Beverly Lewis was the first one I've read. My mom has loved Lewis' books for years, so I knew I could trust her writing. And this one was a winner. It had drama and dilemma, a slow romance and sweet friendships, as well as dreams and picking what's most important to you. The setting was gorgeous as well...having been to Amish country in Pennsylvania several times and loving it, I could easily picture the farms and landscape and even recognized several of the towns mentioned. It felt like I was really there. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Last autumn, I read one of Sarah Addison Allen's novels and fell head over heels in love. So this summer, I read yet another one...Garden Spells. This book was the first of two...the second of which I read last year. They can be read separately, though I must say you will understand so much more if you do read them in order. While this one did have a couple of scenes with content that I don't particularly like to read about and the use of a word I'm not a fan of, I really enjoyed this book. It felt almost as magical as the second in the duo, though I do admit to loving First Frost just a bit more. This is an author that I especially enjoy and a genre that is quickly becoming a top favorite of mine.

My sister was a bit surprised when I mentioned that I wanted to read a trilogy by Jenna Evans Welch, simply because I've never read YA books before. They sounded fun and light and good for summertime...just what I was looking for. So I read two! The first one, Love and Gelato, was my favorite. I read it in just a few days as I could NOT put it down. I fell in love with the Italian countryside and little villages and the characters, too. In Love and Luck, I went to Ireland...and let me tell you, the author described it perfectly. Having been there twice, and having visited most of the places in the book, it felt like I had returned. While I enjoyed this one a lot, it did start out a bit slow for me. The first third of the book had a boatload of teenage drama and I'm just not into that. I didn't have teenage drama myself, and now at 27, I don't really care to read about it either. After that, though, the story was fun and kind of quirky and totally hilarious. I found myself laughing at several points because the author brought the Irish holiday experience for an American to life perfectly...all the way down to driving on the opposite side of the road...with narrow dirt roads and stone walls on either side and the foggy weather on cliffs. Yeah, it was all there in absolute perfection.

 Earlier this year, I picked up the entire set of Paddington books for a great price at Ollie's, and just a couple weeks ago, I read the first one. Friends, let me tell you...I don't think you could find a sweeter story. I am now an official Paddington fangirl. I honestly didn't know what to expect, but whatever my expectations were, this book far exceeded them. Funny, heartwarming, and cute as a button...that's what Paddington books are made of. Oh, and marmalade, lots and lots of marmalade. We watched the movie last week for the first time, and while it was magical all on its own, the book was even better. This is one series I'm so excited to continue...also, if you're looking for a cozy series for bedtime reading, whether you are reading for yourself or to littles, this is it. Trust me on that one!

And, finally, I saved the worst for last. No kidding, either. My mom, sister and I enjoy watching the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries on Hallmark, so I thought why not try out one of the books. Boy was that a mistake! I read A Fool and His Honey which the movie A Bundle of Trouble was based on. And this book was such a huge disappointment. I rated it a one out of five on GoodReads, and honestly, that was being generous. The writing was so juvenile. Seriously, a second-grader could write better than that! The characters...Aurora and her husband, Martin...were so unlikable. Like, they were absolutely horrible. He was such a jerk and she was so selfish and immature. In the movies, Aurora is likeable and intelligent and kind, and Martin, whom she does not marry in the movies, is a great guy...a gentleman, helpful to those around him and caring and protective. (We did so wish she ended up with him in the movies!) This will definitely be my last book by this author; it was terrible. 

My summer was filled with so many good stories...some took me far away for adventures and others grounded me right at home. I met so many enchanting characters...some were even bunnies, mice and an adorable bear. Reading is so much fun when you find books you really love reading...ones you wish would never end and places you wish you could really go. I would so love to have a Paddington in my home, or to know a Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, or even have a Peter Rabbit rummaging through my garden. 

My autumn reads have already been selected, with room for on-the-whim book cravings, should I have any. This time of year inspires me to read mysteries, books with autumnal scenes or settings, home centered stories and the like. I can't wait to delve into my reading list and find some more stories to love and store up in my heart. 

 Dear bookish friends, have you read any good books lately? I would be so delighted to hear all about them, so please share, share, share...

And, I'd also love to know what's on your reading list for autumn. 

Happy reading, lovely ones!

♥ ♥ ♥