Favorite Bookcase

Favorite Bookcase
My favorite bookcase—Gladys Taber, Elizabeth von Arnim, Rosamunde Pilcher, Elizabeth Goudge, Persephone, British Library Women Writers, Virago Classics and more!

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Noel Streatfeild Book Collection! ☺️πŸ’πŸ“š

Happy March, Friends! 

I hope you're not sick of seeing another book collection post - lol! I couldn't resist sharing the (current) Noel Streatfeild books in my little home library. (Pssst...I'm hoping to share my Susan Scarlett book collection soon, too. I'm almost done reading all 12 Dean Street Press Furrowed Middlebrow editions—woo!) 

There's something very special about Noel Streatfeild stories...they're heartfelt, family-rich, cozy, real, and full of authentic characters you feel like you know (or want to know). Sometimes I feel frustrated with the "baddies" (usually selfish, pompous, close-minded individuals), but things always seem to turn out alright—and that's why I love her books. 

I would love to say that I know a great deal about this lovely, spirited and incredibly talented author, but I only know the smallest amount (at the moment!) You should definitely check out her Wikipedia page to learn more about her fascinating life!

Today, Liz (@pony.books) and I are so excited to do a collab post on Instagram sharing all of our updated Noel Streatfeild treasures for Book Friday Friday!

I really loved my collab last year with Sue (@myownbookjourneys) last year, too! She has the BEST vintage editions—I'm still drooling over them in a serious way! 😍❤️πŸ“š

I also wanted to thank Beth of Small Home Comforts for inspiring me to keep reading more NS books this year! Her hashtag of #yearwithstreatfeild2026 is so fun and includes a wonderful variety of titles. I'm following along this year and I hope you will, too!

BOOK RATINGS:

(These are listed in the order that I read them. Only one book I've read as a child. The rest were read in my late 40s until now. Also, you can also find my full reviews of these books on Goodreads!) 

Ballet Shoes 5🌟 (child), 3.5🌟 (adult)
Saplings 3🌟
The Bell Family/Family Shoes 4🌟
A Vicarage Family 4.5🌟
Caldicott Place 3🌟
Apple Bough 4🌟
Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories 4🌟
The Growing Summer 3.5🌟
Thursday's Child 4🌟
New Town/New Shoes 4🌟
Noel Streatfeild's Holiday Stories 4🌟
Christmas with the Chrystals 3.5🌟
The House in Cornwall 4.5🌟
Skating Shoes 5🌟
Theatre Shoes 5🌟
Movie Shoes/The Painted Garden 3.75🌟 
The First Book of Ballet 4.75🌟
Dancing Shoes 4🌟   

2026/2027 TBR:

  • Aunt Clara
  • Ballet Shoes for Anna 
  • The Years of Grace 
  • Circus Shoes
  • Tennis Shoes
  • Party Shoes/Party Frock 
  • By Special Request
  • The Children of Primrose Lane 
  • The Gemma Series
  • Birthday Book
 

WISHLIST:

  • Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Annual
  • Mothering Sunday 
  • It Pays to Be Good
  • The Winter is Past 
  • Noel Streatfeild: A Biography 
  • Judith
  • Caroline England
  • The Whicharts 
  • I Ordered a Table for Six
  • Tea by the Nursery Fire
  • The Maitlands 
  • Gemma and Gemma & Sisters 
  • Parson's Nine
  • Grass in Piccadilly  

NOTE ON FIRST PHOTO IN POST: The photo in top left picture frame was printed out from the National Portrait Gallery website. (Photo by Bassano Ltd.) The photo in the lower right gold picture frame was printed out from Getty Images website. This photo features Noel Streatfeild autographs a copy of her book 'The Years of Grace' for actress Barbara Murray (1929 - 2014), circa 1950. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images.)

HELPFUL LINKS: 

Wishing you the most wonderful weekend, sweet friends! Let me know your favorite book(s) by Noel Streatfeild in the comments below! πŸ’•❄️πŸ€—❄️πŸ’•



Monday, March 2, 2026

Audrey Hepburn: A Celebration! 🀩✨πŸ’–πŸŽ¬

Happy Publication Day to 4 NEW Dean Street Press biographies by Sheridan Morley 🀩✨

 "I decided, very early on, just to accept life unconditionally. I never expected it to do anything special for me, yet I seem to have accomplished far more than I had ever hoped. Most of the time it just happened to me without my ever seeking it. " - Audrey Hepburn from Audrey Hepburn: A Celebration

"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." - Audrey Hepburn

"I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another one, and I believe in miracles." - Audrey Hepburn

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of Audrey Hepburn: A Celebration

✨ Sparkling writing 
✨ Easy to read
✨ Addictively enjoyable 
✨ Excellent choice of chapter divisions/subjects 

This book was absolutely wonderful and incredibly charming! I adored Sheridan Morely’s tone and the way he described Audrey’s life. This is a MUST read if you love Audrey!

I’ve been a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn since I was a teen. But, it wasn’t until I was an adult (and learned more about her as a person) that I realized her incredible strength, generosity of spirit, humility, and deep love of people—especially children. 

Since then, she has been an inspiration and role model for me. I strive towards being as open-hearted, generous and brave as she was. Dear Audrey, I wish I could have met you!

MY FAVORITE MOVIES:
Roman Holiday
Sabrina
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Children’s Hour
Charade
The Nun’s Story
 
MY FAVORITE BOOKS ABOUT AUDREY: 
Audrey at Home
Audrey Hepburn: A Celebration
Just Being Audrey
The Audrey Hepburn Treasures
Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit
Audrey Hepburn: Portrait of an Icon

FAVORITE TV SHOW:
Gardens of the World

MORE BOOKS ABOUT/BASED ON AUDREY HEPBURN:
The Audrey Hepburn Estate by Brenda Janowitz
Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II by Robert Matzen
Enchantment by Donald Spoto

The other Dean Street Press biographies in this series include Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe and Oscar Wilde

Sprint to your local bookstore or online shop to order your copy today! You’ll absolutely love them! πŸ€©πŸŒŸπŸ“š

Thank you so much for sharing an advanced copy of this book to read and review, Dean Street Press! I'm endlessly grateful!

What’s your favorite Audrey Hepburn movie or book? πŸ€”πŸŽ¬

Happy Monday, Friends! πŸ’™❄️πŸ€—❄️πŸ’™

Furrowed Middlebrow Friday—Double the Fun! πŸ€©πŸ“—πŸ’•

Hooray for Furrowed Middlebrow Friday! πŸ₯³πŸŽ‰✨πŸ“š Today, I'm reviewing TWO Dean Street Press Furrowed Middlebrow books...isn't that ...