My Favorite Autumn Books 🤩🧡🍁📙🍂

Happy Almost-Autumn Equinox, Book Friends! Before I leave for Prince Edward Island (yippeee!), I wanted to share my favorite books for autumn—by title, season and/or book cover. Autumn is my all-time favorite season (with spring being 2nd) and I love getting cozy and cuddly with these fall-ish books, movies and activities. 

Let's get started on the lists! (Note: See if you can spot the handmade crochet pumpkins and hand-carved fox in these photos—both such thoughtful gifts from my dearest friend Caro of Carosbookcase.com!)

Lots of lovely autumn books on my new kitchen tablecloth with pumpkin place mats!

AUTUMN-TITLED BOOKS: 

🍁 Autumn by Susan Branch 5🌟
🍁 Autumn Story by Jill Barklem 4.5🌟
🍁 Cranberry Autumn by Wende & Harry Devlin 4🌟
🍁 Quartet in Autumn by Barbara Pym 3🌟
🍁 The Autumn Rose by Fiona Hill
🍁 Tangled Autumn by Betty Neels 
🍁 The Autumn’s Brightness by Daisy Newman
🍁 Autumn Term by Antonia Forest (a gift from Caro!) 4🌟

Autumn-Titled Books in my Current Collection

AUTUMN BOOK COVERS: 

🍂 True to You by Viola Rowe 3.5🌟
🍂 Diana Takes a Chance by Catherine Christian 4.5🌟
🍂 Buttered Toast by Marjorie Stewart 5🌟
🍂 He Went for a Walk by Dorothy Evelyn Smith
🍂 A Flute in Mayferry Street by Eileen Dunlop
🍂 Scarlet Royal
🍂 September by Rosamunde Pilcher 4.5🌟
🍂 A Thousand Feasts by Nigel Slater
🍂 Golden Books' Trees of North America 

My Favorite Autumn Book Covers

FAVORITE COZY FALL ACTIVITIES: (not Halloween-related)

🧡 Picking apple and pumpkins
🧡 Cracking bonfires in the backyard
🧡 Sunset walks in nature
🧡 Hot apple cider
🧡 Homemade soups and stews (with oyster crackers!)
🧡 Chilly nights and snuggling with Ian
🧡 Colorful leaves and leaf pressing
🧡 Moonlight hot tub nights
🧡 Sitting my my comfy chair with tea, book and handmade blanket 

(If only someone made vegan-friendly apple cider donuts!! Maybe someday!) 

The end papers to The Autumn's Brightness by Daisy Newman—so pretty!

MY FAVORITE MOVIES/TV SHOWS TO WATCH IN AUTUMN: (not Halloween-related)

🎬 When Harry Met Sally
🎬 Wolfwalkers
🎬 Persuasion
🎬 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
🎬 Harry Potter Series
📺 A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
📺 Doc Martin 
🎬 Over the Garden Wall
🎬 Kiki’s Delivery Service
🎬 Mystic Pizza 
🎬 The Trouble with Harry
🎬 Mermaids
🎬 St. Elmo’s Fire
🎬 Coraline
🎬 Bedknobs and Broomsticks

My signed copy of September by Rosamunde Pilcher! Love!! 😍

Oops! I forgot to add a few books! The first is...The Willows and Beyond! I loved buddy reading this series by William Horwood with Caro last year! I hope we'll do this again soon (if only my TBR wasn't so huge! lol!) I was so lucky to receive three of these books as gifts from Caro. I love them! 

My William Horwood Book Collection...3/5 books gifted by Caro! 

These two books are also MUST READS for September and October! 

🍁 Tasha Tudor's Heirloom Crafts 5🌟

This is a gorgeous book, even if you're not a crafty person. It's SO good and very cozy!

🍁 October, October by Katya Balen 5🌟

A very touching book that had me crying at the end!

My vintage Sears Pioneer Woman kitchen canisters from the 1970s. I love them so much and I use them every day! 😄

I would LOVE to hear your favorite autumn books, movies and activities—please comment below!  Many, many warm and cozy hugs until my next post! 🍁🧡🤗🧡🍁

Christianna Brand—4 British Library Crime Classics Book Reviews! 🤩🌟

Are you completely hooked on the British Library Crime Classics? (You may not be surprised that my very favorites are the Christmas titles and the short story collections 😂)

I've always wanted to try more mysteries in their amazing collection, so I decided to dip into the Inspector Cockrill series by Christianna Brand! 

After reading primarily Agatha Christie books for 40+ years, it's been hard for me to love the work of other authors in this genre. But, I'm trying to branch out and these crime classic titles are definitely a fabulous resource for new-to-me mystery authors. 

BOOK REVIEWS

(in the order in which I read them)

Heads You Lose 3.75🌟

An entertaining and quirky crime novel! This was my first introduction to Christianna Brand's writing and I definitely liked it. Although this particular mystery seemed a bit repetitive and monotonous at times, it was fun to follow the story overall. The author seems to have a talent for creating interesting and lively characters (both positive and negative). I especially enjoyed the antics of the twins, Francesca and Venetia. 

The final reveal was a surprise to me, but I did have a tiny hunch it might go that way in the last chapter or two. It wasn't the best ending ever, but it had a satisfactory conclusion.

Green for Danger 4🌟

Interesting and suspenseful! This murder mystery centered at a war hospital truly kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the slow introduction of each of the medical personnel—both male and female, professional and VADs. Though, when reading both Heads You Lose and Green for Danger, I had to re-listen to (or re-read) the first chapter twice. (Perhaps it was because I wasn't 100% familiar with Christianna Brand's writing style yet?)

Following the twists and turns of the multiple murders (both in and out of the hospital)—as well as suspicious behavior from all of the medical staff—made the ending even more dramatic. I was sure it was a certain person until the very end and I was shocked at the final reveal of the murderer by Inspector Cockrill. 

 

Tour de Force 3🌟

 

An excellent choice to read during the summer months! This British Library Crime Classic has most wonderful, hot-weather Italian atmosphere. 
 

Now for a difficult truth...although I REALLY want love these mysteries (especially the Inspector Cockrill series), I'm having trouble enjoying them as much as the Agatha Christie mysteries. 

 

One reason is that I believe I've found a pattern in the mysteries (at least in the titles I've read so far) that doesn't 100% appeal to me. Here's the template—

1. An "everyday" murder occurs with many people present
2. Very chummy support between all of the people who are considered possible murder suspects
3. An unexpected murderer is "chosen" to investigate 
4. Events/conversations become confusing and repetitive with each main character in the book becoming a suspect for various reasons. 
5. At the very end (usually in the last chapter or two of the book), the "real" murderer is revealed. 

Even though the plot in Tour de Force was clever and the characters very well drawn, I found reading the story itself to be exhausting, confusing and hard to follow. I frequently found myself going back and re-reading multiple chapters over again or discovering that I've suddenly lost the thread of what is going on. For me, this particular crime classic was a frustrating reading experience.

 

London Particular 4🌟

This is my second favorite Christianna Brand mystery—the setting is wonderfully atmospheric! 

Although Green for Danger was good, I was a bit disappointed after all the hype and I think my expectations (after reading many reviews) were too high. But, now that I've read this London-based mystery, I started leaning more towards "yay", rather than "nay" when it comes to this series as a whole.

What I Loved:

• Mysterious London fog setting
• Interesting and charming characters (especially Rosie)
• Lots of domestic details and everyday routines (mostly involving Matilda, Rosie's sister-in-law)
• Discovering the often questionable pasts of the main characters (Rosie, Matilda, Tedward, Thomas, Raoul, and Melissa)
• Excellent and witty conversations

Two things that bother me about Christianna Brand's mysteries: 

1. Although Inspector Cockrill is supposed to be an unforgettable character like Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes, he is the opposite to me. No matter how many times he is described in each mystery, I can never remember him or why he is important. I keep wondering why that is...
2. It seems to me like every single book in this series is the same..or, at least it feels like that to me. The way the suspicion spotlight switches repeatedly from from one character to the next...and then explaining why each of them could be the murderer...completely exhausts my mind. When the murderer is finally revealed, it's usually someone who has already been suspected and then dismissed for some reason. Why does the pattern always have to be the same? Is it because the books each have the same Inspector? Instead of this template having a cozy feeling within the series, it sometimes feels monotonous and a bit irritating when reading another title. 

Suddenly at His Residence 4.25🌟

I must admit—this is my FAVORITE British Library Crime Classics title (so far)! Suddenly at His Residence bumped my opinion of Ms. Brand's mysteries from "good" to "great"!

Either the author's writing style and plot templates finally started making sense to me (after reading 4 previous books) or this mystery novel was particularly my style...either way, it was an awesome read! 

What I Loved:
💚 Setting of a manor house (with inheritance and wills involved)
💚 Charming (and also not-very-charming) characters
💚 Perfect pacing
💚 The descriptions of clothing, every day activities and servants
💚 Stunning ending!

The clever title is also the absolute best choice for this book—nothing could be more fitting. From the very first page to the last, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for someone to die and waiting for the murderer to be revealed. Inspector Cockrill does his "usual thing" (also see my thoughts in the template above)—attempting to soothe his friends while also trying to dig down to the truth at the same time. 

I almost never guess who the murderer is in mysteries like these, but this one did glimmer in my mind for a moment or two. When the person was revealed at the end, I was still a bit surprised. But, in a good way.  

Next on my Crime Classics wish list are the other two books in the Inspector Cockrill series, as well as starting off with one of the newer books I received—'Cat and Mouse' of the Inspector Chunky duology.

CHRISTIANNA BRAND TBR:

1. Death of  Jezebel
2. Three-Cornered Halo 
3. Cat and Mouse 

Many, many thanks to the British Library team for sending these books (and a couple of British Library Women Writers!) to me to read and review! I appreciate the chance to share my honest thoughts and discover a new-to-me mystery author to enjoy! 😍📚

Pink Sugar by O. Douglas👱🏻‍♀️💖🌸✨🏡

Oh, the beauty of this book!! I loved it SO much! 😍❤️

Rating: 5000🌟! 

I bookmarked at least 20 wonderfully cozy passages as I read—and it's a small book! This is hands-down my favorite O.Douglas book so far. I only wish I had read Penny Plain right before reading Pink Sugar...some of the characters from the first book in this trilogy were not quite fresh in my mind. But, even with that forgetfulness on my part, I absolutely fell in love with this wee Scottish novel about Kirsty Gilmour as she settles into her little cottage, named Little Phantasy, in the town of Muirburn (near Tweedside.)

A quote from Merren Strang (a character in Pink Sugar who is a writer): "I read a review the other day which began, 'This is a book about good, gentle, scrupulous people who live on the bright side of life.'" 

This is exactly how I feel about Pink Sugar. It's chock full of cozy descriptions (about food, clothing, nature, etc.), charming people (both good and bad) and simple, everyday life in a small village in Scotland.

WHAT I LOVED MOST:

💖 Kirsty herself (so thoughtful, motherly, sweet, kind and interesting)
💖 Endless cozy descriptions
💖 The warmth and loveliness of Little Phantasy
💖 Bright, light, family-oriented tone (with a subtle romance)
💖 Supportive little village community
💖 Blanche Cunningham (Kirsty's fabulous friend, though she isn't in the story very much)

FAVORITE SECTIONS/QUOTES: (Be prepared...so many!)

"...had first met Kirsty and her stepmother ten years before at an hotel in Mentone where she was recruiting after an illness in India. She had been interested at once in both of them, the pretty fragile mother and the young daughter with a cloud of pale gold hair and grave green eyes. They made a charming picture, she thought..." - thoughts of Blanche Cunningham

'Miss Fanny had now been a week in her haven, and sitting this afternoon by a bright fire (the April wind was cold), knitting one fleecy white shawl and wrapped in several others, she smiled happily to herself. She was really a very contented woman. Given a comfortable chair well out of draughts, a bright fire, good regular meals, plenty of light but pure literature for week-days and the life of a missionary or philanthropist for the Sabbath, she asked little more of life. All these she found at Little Phantasy.' 

'First, Aunt Fanny. Blanche, she's a dear. If I could have my pick of a world of elderly aunts I am sure I would have chosen her. She might be described as a perfect specimen in the Aunt World. I am remembering how we were once buying rugs the man said as he fondly stroked a choice one, "I assure you, madam, in the Rug World we consider this an almost perfect piece." What a delicious place a Rug World must be, so soft and warm and cosy!) But to continue, Aunt Fanny is the sort of person that makes a room look comfortable...by the mere fact of their presence make the place look home-like...' - Kirsty to Blanche Cunningham

She sat by her window, and saw the world all shining with dew, and watched when the sun first struck the ripples of Tweed as it flowed to the old grey bridge. She heard the first stirrings of life in the village—the tinka tinka tink from the smiddy, the lowing of the cows going to be milked, the clatter of cans as they were brought to the back door...all the cheerful morning sounds. She smelt the wood-smoke from the newly kindled fires, and the incomparable freshness of a May morning. The day seemed a long time begun when she went down to the nine o'clock breakfast.

'And he tells how every now and again he would rise from this book and pull aside the blind, and see the snow and the glittering hollies in the garden, and the moonlight on the white hills, then he would turn back to the crowded field of life on the page of his book.—Somehow that gives me a most happy feeling. It's so lovely to think of all the sunshine and laughter that can lie between two boards of a book.' - Kirsty to Robert Brand, the minister

'I don't know what it is, but even a book which I didn't think much of by the light of day, when read in bed reveals all sorts of excellences. I read in bed every night for half an hour by the clock, and every book I read seems a masterpiece.' - Kirsty to Merren Strang

'Few people have such a gift for living as Barbara. She just seems to fling herself headlong into the sunshine and joy of these summer days.' - Kirsty in letter to Blanche Cunningham

'Surely we want every crumb of pink sugar that we can get in this world. I do hate people who sneer at sentiment. What is sentiment after all? It's only a word for all that is decent and kind and loving in these warped little lives of ours...' - Kirsty to Colonel Home

She tossed about and thought of the blue and white room at home, with its wide windows letting in the hill air, the garden so gay with autumn flowers, the woods of Phantasy, still green but touched here and there with flame, the sound of running water which put her to sleep at night and welcomed her waking in the morning. 

September over, October burnt itself out in blazing trees and golden bracken, misty mornings, and still, star-filled nights...Every day as Kirsty wandered by Tweed and saw the trees shadowed orange and red in the blue depths she thoughts, "This must be the last: to-morrow the winter storms will break;" but day followed day in beauty...Every hour, from early morning until she wakened and watched the mist drift before the sun from the scarred face of Ratchell, to the drawing in of chairs in the lamplight and the scented blaze of the wood fire, seemed to bear something precious, precious and unforgettable.

"He describes a child wakening from a frightening dream, to find a mother's hand drawing aside the curtains and letting in the sunshine of a spring morning, and he goes on to say that death is like that, a morningwhen God's hand shall draw aside the curtains and we shall see the Sun of Righteousness. That is all it is, just sleeping to wake where everything that frightened us and vexed us will be finished with..." - Kirsty to Aunt Fanny

Kirsty was all sweetness and grace; she was like a flower garden, something fair and pleasant to delight all comers—something fragrant to be remembered. - thoughts of Rebecca Brand 

My O. Douglas Collection - I love it so much! 😍❤️

All I can say is that, the more O.Douglas books I read, the more I adore her writing and stories. Bundled with the fact that my pocket Nelson editions are extremely adorable and the perfect size to read from, I cannot be happy without an O.Douglas book by my bedside. Again, many, many thanks to Arpita (@bagfullofbooks) for recommending this author to me! She is always the best vintage book inspiration!

Although I chose this book for my Bookstagram Besties Facebook group for August (please join our group!), I was late starting the book and read most of it in early September. So, luckily, it also fit in with Nora's (@pear.jelly) Spinster September read-a-long. Yay!

I only wish I had an easier time reading the Scottish dialect sections (usually conversations between local servants/villages), but I hope that these will become effortless as time goes by. Otherwise, her novels are a JOY to snuggle down with at any time of day. 

Many thanks to Gina (@gina.stanyer.books), Michael (@michaelmccarty62) and Penny (@veganpen) for buddy reading this book with me!

Highly, Highly Recommended!! ☺️💖💓🌸

50+ Vintage Summer Books Extravaganza! 🤩💛☀️🌼✨

Hello Friends! Happy Mid-September! 

Before the summer comes to a close, I wanted to share all of my Books with Summer in the Title. This post is just in the nick of time because Summer ends in just a little over a week! As always, I'll try to update this book list as I find (and read) more summer-titled books! 

What I Love About Summer 

☀️ Bright golden sunshine
☀️ Farmer’s market flowers, veggies and fruit
☀️ Queen Anne's Lace, roses and wildflowers
☀️ Reading at the beach
☀️ Sound of the waves crashing
☀️ Daylight until late
☀️ Not having to wear a coat
☀️ Bird song
☀️ Watermelon, corn on the cob and garden veggies 

What do YOU love about summer? 

 

(Note: If you're on Goodreads, you can read all of my summer-titled book reviews! Also, a some of the books on this list are not shown—either they were from the library, audiobook reads, or I donated them.) 

Maybe someday, I will create a Summer Book PDF with notes and suggestions, too. Would you be interested in that? Let me know in the comments!

 

Until then, here is my Summer-Titled Book List by STAR RATING 😄📔🌟 

5 STARS 🌟

• The Solitary Summer by Elizabeth von Arnim
• Black Forest Summer by Mabel Esther Allan
• The Summer Book by Susan Branch 
• Summer Story (Brambly Hedge) by Jill Barklem 
• An Edwardian Summer by John S. Goodall

 4.5 STARS🌟

• Milestone Summer by Nicolete Meredith
• Holiday Summer by Decie Melwin
• Voices in Summer by Rosamunde Pilcher
• Stories for Summer by British Library Women Writers/Simon Thomas
• Barbie’s New York Summer by Cynthia Lawrence
• Showboat Summer by Rosamond du Jardin  
• Greengage Summer by Rumer Godden 

4 STARS🌟

• Summer Pudding by Susan Scarlett
• Summer at Fairacre by Miss Read
• Mrs. Lorimer’s Quiet Summer by Molly Clavering
• The Adventurous Summer by Mabel Esther Allan 
• The Tucker's Turnabout Summer by Jo Mendel 
• Summerhills by D.E. Stevenson
• The Summer House by Marcia Willett
• The Enchanted Summer by Grace Gelvin Kisinger 
• Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart
• Paris Summer by April Lynn Kihlstrom
• Blueberry Summer by Elisabeth Ogilvie 
• Sierra Summer by Doris Schroeder 
• Thimble Summer by Elizabeth Enright
• Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
• The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

3.5 STARS🌟

• The Swiss Summer by Stella Gibbons
• Barbie’s Candy Striped Summer by Eleanor K. Woolvin
• Showboat Summer by Rosamond du Jardin  
• Honey Bunch: Her First Summer on the Island by Helen Louise Thorndyke 
• In A Summer Season by Elizabeth Taylor
• The End of Summer by Rosamunde Pilcher
• Champlain Summer by Marjorie Vetter
• Summer of Surprise by Helen Reynolds
• Deadly Summer by Francine Pascal
• Perfect Summer by Francine Pascal
• Malibu Summer by Francine Pascal
• What to Look For In Summer by Elizabeth Jenner

Photo from Dean Street Press Ltd.

3 STARS🌟

• The Growing Summer by Noel Streatfeild
• Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shin
• Patty’s Summer Days by Carolyn Wells
• Summer by E. Wharton  

Sadly, I wasn't able to find the credits for this book photo. All other photos are my own.

 

 2 STARS🌟

• A Poem for Every Summer Day by Allie Esiri

ROMANCE TBR:

1. The Most Marvellous Summer by Betty Neels
2. Uncertain Summer by Betty Neels
3. One Summer's Day by Catherine Airlie
4. The Summer Wife by Flora Kidd 
5. Summer in December by Essie Summers
6. A Summer in the Country by Marcia Willett
7. Seven Days in Summer by Marcia Willett 
8. Summer on the River by Marcia Willett
9. Indian Summer by Marcia Willett 

  

VINTAGE/HISTORICAL BOOK TBR:

1. Midsummer’s Eve by Philippa Carr
2. The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
3. Summer Half by Angela Thirkell

MIDDLE GRADE TBR:

1. Laura’s Summer Ballet by Linda Blake
2. The Amethyst Summer by Bianca Bradbury
3. Fantasy Summer by Susan Beth Pfeffer 
4. Moominsummer Madness by Tove Jansson  

  

NON-FICITON TBR:

1. Mrs. Appleyard's Summer Kitchen by Louise Andrews Kent
2. My Summer in a Garden by Charles Dudley Warner 

If there are any wonderful summer-titled vintage books that you have enjoyed or can recommend to me, please comment below! I'm always searching for more! Thank you! 

 

I'm so grateful to all of my friends who gifted me summer books in the past five years...including Caro (@carosbookcase), Liz (@pony.books), Marjorie (@marjoriepaper), Beth (@littlebookbelle) and also my husband Ian (for the Barbie books!) and my daughter, Rose (for the Susan Scarlett books!)

 

Have a fabulous rest of the month and keep an eye out for a blog post including My Favorite Autumn Books. Many many hugs, friends! 💕🌸🤗🌸💕

 

Lucy Maud Montgomery Book Collection! ☺️💚📗🌿

Hello, Dear Book Friends!!

It's time for me to share another vintage book collection with you—woo-hoo! This time, I'm featuring books by (and about) L.M. Montgomery! (Also, there is a very special reason for this blog post—so keep reading! Scroll down to the EXCITING NEWS if you can't wait...lol!)

So, without further ado, here is my collection!  

Anne of Green Gables Postcard (top right) - gifted to me by Michelle (@myelecticshelf) 

First of all, please don't miss out on my Lucy Maud Montgomery Collab Instagram Post with Caro—you must see her gorgeous photos and her impressive book collection! You can also learn all about her introduction to the Anne of Green Gables series in this beauitful blog post!

1st Edition Postcards & Bookmark (first photo)—gifted to me by Caro (@carosbookcase)

When I was young, I didn't read many children's classics (except for Heidi by Johanna Spyri...which is still an all-time favorite book) and I regret that. Since my parents were both very busy working hard to support our family, they didn't have the extra time to introduce these books to me. Though I'm very happy that I'm able to read these lovely books at my advanced age (52!), I do wish I could go back in time and read them with a younger mind. 

One of the books on this "missed classics" list is Anne of Green Gables. I have a strong feeling that I would be loving this series even more now if the nostalgia factor was involved—as it is with The Little House on the Prairie series. But, better late than never, right? Thanks to my dear friend Caro, I'm able to make up for lost time and enjoy the enthusiastic, imaginative and romantic stories of L.M. Montgomery. Yay!

The list below show all of the books I've read so far (by and about L.M. Montgomery), including ratings and links to a few book reviews. (I'll try to update this list as I read more books.) What are your favorite titles? Which books would you recommend for me to read next?

BOOK RATINGS:

• Anne of Green Gables 4🌟
• The Blue Castle 4🌟 
• Jane of Lantern Hill 4🌟
• Emily of New Moon 3🌟 
• Among the Shadows 4🌟
• The Story Girl 3🌟
• Christmas with Anne 3.5🌟
• The Anne of Green Gables Treasury 5🌟
• Lucy Maud Montgomery by Alexandra Wallner 4🌟 

  I'M MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO READING:

• The Anne of Green Gables Christmas Treasury
• Pat of Silver Bush
• Mistress Pat
• House of Dreams by Liz Rosenberg
• Along the Shore
• The Doctor's Sweetheart (on my wish list!)

I can't wait to re-watch the Anne of Green Gables films! Although I loved the cinematography of the 'Anne with an E' TV adaptation, the original mini-series with Megan Fellows is still my favorite. How about you?

 

EXCITING NEWS!!! 

After meeting Caro (@carosbookcase) on Bookstagram 2 1/2 years ago, we became very close friends and, now, we're finally going to meet each other in person on Prince Edward Island!! Yippppeee! I am beyond thrilled and so happy to finally meet my Bestie. Luckily, for the past couple of years, we've been able to have weekly virtual crochet and movie dates (yippee!)—but, this is a whole new level of awesomeness! (Our current crochet blanket project is shown in the photos above!)

Beautiful Postcards—A Gift from Caro 😍

Stay tuned at the end of the month (or possibly early October) for another blog post—full of photos of our trip to PEI (including the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Center) and lots of L.M. Montgomery magic! 

I'd love to hear about your LMM book collection and how you started reading Maud's charming books. Please share in the comments below! Oh, and if you have visited PEI and/or the Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place, I'd be very interested to know your favorite locations and experiences!

Thank you so much for reading this post! I hope some of these sweet vintage book covers will inspire you to try L.M. Montgomery's books...or to re-read your childhood favorites!

Happy September, Friends! I'm thinking of you and hope you are well!! 🌻🧡🤗🧡🌻  

Much Love and Many Hugs,  

Gina

 

Quite Literally Books 😍❤️📚✨

Omg, I found new books to love! 😱

My current QLB book collection! Yay! Aren't they stunning?? 🤩

As you know, I'm primarily (90%+) a vintage edition book lover.  I make an exception for my favorite UK book publishers such as Dean Street Press Ltd., The British Library (Women Writers and Crime Classics), Persephone Books, Girls Gone By Publishers and Grey Ladies. 

But, I simply could not resist buying Quite Literally Books' Summer Reading Bundle after reading book-savvy Simon's Stuck in a Book blog post!

Gorgeous wrapping of the books and bag! Stickers, red tissue paper and so perfect!

When I read QLB's Manifesto, I just KNEW in my heart that this was a publishing company that I needed to follow and support:

    “𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭? 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴.

     𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘐𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵, 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘺𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺.

    𝘚𝘰, 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴, 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘹𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴." 

This bag is not only beautiful in design, but it's so well made! I love the fabric!

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT QUITE LITERALLY BOOKS:
❣️ 5🌟 Stories
❣️ Gorgeous graphic covers
❣️ French flaps
❣️ Easy-to-hold and flip through
❣️ Perfect-sized text (yay!)

For all lovers of republished books by American Women Authors —you definitely need to check out QLB! 🥰  

Two books I've read and loved! It's amazing having two editions of each!

My next read! I'm hoping Plum Bun is another 5 star read for me 😄

Although I'm not an expert on Quite Literally Books, I'm so excited to know more, read more and buy more of their books! How about you?

Please support this wonderful, women-owned NYC publishing company—the duo of Bremond and Lisa is 𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨!  💕🌸🤗🌸💕

It was so hard to open my QLB books...so beautifully wrapped! 

Look at all of these goodies! Card, pencil, book mark, stickers! 🤩

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read any of these titles! Both The Home-Maker and The Pink House are 5🌟 reads for me! Plum Bun is next on my TBR! 🥰❣️

Loving my new red QLB book bag so much! 😍

The World at Home by Ginny Kubitz Moyer 🥰❤️🧵

Omg, I LOVE this new novel by Ginny Moyer Kubitz! 🤩 

The World at Home is a tender and touching wartime romance that must be savored like a decadent chocolate truffle. I was enchanted by the very first page! 

How can Ginny Kubitz Moyer keep writing better and better novels? It blows my mind! 😱 I would love to absorb even a tiny bit of her sparkling creativity and novel-writing talent! 

When I first heard that Ginny was working on a third book, my first thought was..."When will I be able to buy a copy? I need to read it!" The themes, locations and times that she has chosen for all three of her novels (so far) are exactly what I love to read about:

Intelligent and creative women of the past who are making a life for themselves, discovering who they really are and what their place is in the world. 

There are very few authors that give me the feeling that I should read their novels slowly and experience each chapter in small, exquisite "bites". Two of those authors are Gladys Taber and Elizabeth Goudge. The third is Ginny Moyer.   

Ready for my rating and review? Let's get started! 

RATING: 10🌟! 

WHAT I LOVED MOST:

❤️ Orphan female protagonist 
❤️ Lovely, intelligent, talented Irene
❤️ Fascinating seamstress world
❤️ Sewing/clothing descriptions
❤️ Paper dolls and childhood memories
❤️ Living above a shop 
❤️ Captivating conversations 
❤️ Lost loves and wartime friendships
❤️ Cozy descriptions of clothing, food and everyday living

Once I became immersed in this wonderful world, I didn’t want to leave. Ginny is absolutely amazing at creating complex characters and gorgeous descriptions that are impossible to forget—in the very best way! 

Here are some of my favorite sections: 

'It was the first Friday in October, one of those glorious fall days in the city that make you willing to forgive the foggy overcast of summer. Buttery evening sunlight drenched the shop, and the vase of iris glowed like something in a painting. Benny Goodman was on the radio for the five o'clock hour, and I whistled along as I swept up snippet of thread and then pulled down the shades. '

'I've dressed it up with light green paint on the walls and violet-blue curtains around a three-way mirror and the storeroom entrance. There's a big folding screen hiding a dressing area, a screen which I painted the same violet as the curtains, with a design of gold and green scrolls. There's always a vase of iris on the counter by the door, and I added a framed picture of Paris and other tasteful knickknacks for a little cosmopolitan flair.'

'The fabric was exquisite, dark rose satin, the rich kind that looks like cool water rippling in a brook. It was a long evening dress with a high scoop neck and a fitted bodice, tight through the hips then flaring out gradually from there to the ground. The sleeves were long and full, falling gracefully to a band at the wrist.' 

'I lifted one of the bolts to my nose. It was kelly green cotton printed with tiny flowers in burgandy and navy blue, and it smelled clean, dry, and intoxicating, as new fabric always does to me.'

I wish I could share ALL of the parts that made me go back and read them again. But, let's face it...then, I would be sharing the entire book! lol. You'll just have to read it yourself. 😍

Don’t forget that The World At Home is available for pre-order now and I guarantee you’ll be 𝙎𝙊 happy you did!

Both The Seeing Garden and A Golden Life are absolute favorites of mine and, if you haven’t already read them, you need to! 😍 

Please consider signing up for Ginny Moyer's free newsletter (which is charming, lovely and everything you want a newsletter to be) and follow her on Instagram (@moyerginny, if you aren't already!). 

So many heartfelt thanks to Ginny for sending me this ARC for review!! I've been dying to read her new novel for months and it was an utter joy to have a chance to experience The World At Home a little bit early. 

I can't wait for early December when The World At Home will be on bookstore shelves! Yay! 🤩🌟📚

Hope you're doing well, my sweet book friends! Let me know in the comments if you've read any of Ginny's books or plan to! (You'll be very very happy you did!) 💕🌸🤗🌸💕