Under the Rainbow by Susan Scarlett 😍❤️🌈📗

Happy Furrowed Middlebrow Friday, Friends!! 🤩🌟📚

So excited to share this review of Under the Rainbow by Susan Scarlett! 

Book Rating: 5🌟

Sheer delight!! Susan Scarlett (aka Noel Streatfeild) does it again with another wonderful light and cozy romance novel. From the very beginning of the book, I was invested in this head-in-the-clouds vicar, Martin Richards, and his new parish in the village of Saltings. Everything about Under the Rainbow is appealing (even horrible Aunt Connie and the very clingy widow Lady Blacke) because of the sunshine-y personality and practical goodness of the lovely Judith Griffiths.

It was a joy reading about Judith's integration into the Richards family as a caretaker for Martin's newly orphaned niece Polly and nephew Andrew. She's the type of person who would bring peace, happiness, good sense and organization to any home. Seeing how she maneuvers her way around the nasty mind of Aunt Connie and the jealous tendencies of the wealthy Lady Blacke is brilliant (although, also sad in some ways, too).

I don't want to say too much because the journey from the beginning to the end of this charming book is such a treat. Though I felt anger at the meanness and frustration for selfishness, I found myself mostly surrounded by the warmth, love and understanding created by the rest of the characters. There is a level of depth to this seemingly light novel that really stays with you long after you finish reading.

I adore books that leave me with a feeling of  hope and inspire me to be a better person—and also to seek out more friends like Judith. Under the Rainbow was <i>absolutely</i> this type of book.

I'm very grateful to Susan of the Girls in White Dresses blog for inspiring me to finally read this book that I'd been saving on my shelf for months!! This is definitely a new favorite Susan Scarlett book!

Many, many thanks to Dean Street Press Ltd. for republishing so many of Susan Scarlett's books. I've been loving them so much! I can't wait to read (and buy!) more of her books on my DSP shelf—yay!

SUSAN SCARLETT BOOK RATINGS: 

(Click on each title to read my full review—more to come!)

Babbacombe's 4.5🌟

Clothes-Pegs 4🌟

Sally-Ann 4.5🌟

I'm off on a trip down south for a family celebration and I'm extra excited because I'll be able to visit one of my very first Bookstagram friends, Marjorie (@marjoriepaper)! Yippppeeee!! 

We've only met in person once, but it was such a fun day of lunch and book shopping that we're going to do it again this time. 🥳💜🍽🛍📚 Even though we chat at least once a month about so many fun things (books, crafts, kids, oracle/tarot, fountain pens, etc.), it'll be amazing to see her beautiful face in person. 😍

Marjorie and I in January 2023

Wishing you the loveliest and most enjoying book-reading week, friends! Thinking of you and thank you for all the comments and love on Instagram. It means so much to me!!! 

P.S. I'm hoping to reach 2K followers by the end of the year 🤞🏼🤞🏼 If you have other bookish friends that might like my account, please consider sharing it with them. Thank you!!! 🥰❤️📕

 

 

 

Vintage Barbie Book Collection! 👱🏻‍♀️🎀💙📚✨

This Christmas, I finally completed my vintage Barbie book collection thanks to awesome Ian and my parents! Yay!! 🥳💜

My Vintage Barbie Book Shelfie!

Ian found me a very affordable (and lovely) edition of Barbie's Easy-as-Pie Cookbook on eBay and it’s SOOO cute! The illustrations and recipes are adorable. This is one of my new favorite vintage cookbooks and, bonus, the cookbook actually has a mini story as an introduction to each recipe section. They're super fun to read!

My 2025 journal, knitting and this sweet Easy-as-Pie Barbie Cookbook!

Breakfast Tips!

Love the duotone illustrations!

Such cute chapter intros!

Sounds like a yummy punch!

Also, I’d been searching for the Ghost Town Mystery book for at least a few years. Even if I glimpsed a copy somewhere out in the wacky world wide web, it was snatched up before I even had a chance to look at the listing. 😭

Yipppeee!! The Ghost Town Mystery is finally in my hands!

When I DID manage to find copies of this book (or the Easy-as-Pie Cookbook) for sale, vendors were asking no less than $100-$150 (even in terrible condition) 😩

But, one day after the holidays, I just happened to be on Thrift Books and I saw this hard-to-find book listed for only $25! I couldn’t believe it (whaaa???? 😱), but I bought it immediately (using Christmas money from my mom and dad). I seriously did not think it would axtually arrive, but it did! And, it was in great condition. BEST DAY EVER! 😍❤️

Even though I’ve only read a few books in my collection so far, they’ve all been really good—with much better writing than you’d expect from a middle grade chapter book based on a popular doll of the time. 

Vintage Astronaut Barbie, Barbie Comics and Barbie Books!

I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally have them all! Woooo! 🥳💜

BOOK RATINGS:

• Here's Barbie 3.5🌟
  
• Barbie's New York Summer 4.5🌟
  
• Barbie's Candy-Striped Summer 3.5🌟
  
• Barbie's Easy-As-Pie Cookbook 4.5🌟

It's funny because I've not only been to New York in the summer (at least a few times), but I was also a candy striper when I was young and, now, my work is writing articles (and occasionally creating recipes) for a very popular vegan food blog (which is essentially an online cookbook). Isn't that cool? Maybe someday I'll have a fashion success, solve a mystery, visit Hawaii and perhaps be on television (though, if you count YouTube as television—like this What's in My Purse video—I already am!) 😂😂

9/13 Barbie Series Book Collection

VINTAGE BARBIE SERIES LIST: 

Characters include: Barbie Millicent Roberts, Ken Carson, Midge Hadley and Allan Sherwood. Published from 1962-1965.

1. Here's Barbie by Bette Lou Maybee/Cynthia Lawrence
2. Barbie's Fashion Success by Bette Lou Maybee
3. Barbie's New York Summer by Cynthia Lawrence
4. Barbie & Ken by Cynthia Lawrence
5. Barbie Solves a Mystery by Cynthia Lawrence
6. Barbie's Hawaiian Holiday by Bette Lou Maybee
7. Barbie's Secret by Eleanor K. Woolvin
8. Barbie in Television by Marianne Duest
9. Barbie, Midge & Ken by Cynthia Lawrence
10. Barbie's Candy-Striped Summer by Eleanor K. Woolvin 
11. Barbie and the Ghost Town Mystery by Eleanor K. Woolvin
12. Barbie's Easy-as-Pie Cookbook by Cynthia Lawrence
13. The World of Barbie by Cynthia Lawrence/Bette Lou Maybee (this is a compilation of the first three books in one volume)
    

Although I don't own The World of Barbie, I do own the first three books. I'm very undecided whether I should purchase this last book or not. What do you think? 

The eBay vendor sent me this vintage peignoir as a surprise gift with my book!

Many thumbs up to Random House for publishing such fantastic books in the 1960s! I think Lil of @lilsvintageworld would really love these books, too!

Let me know if you loved Barbie growing up (my little sister Kim and I did!!) and if you collect any vintage Barbies or Barbie books!

My little sister, Kimberly, and young ME! (approx. 1977 or 1978)

Many January hugs!! 💕❄️🤗❄️💕

Here are more pics of my vintage Barbie/Barbie Book collection! 🤩

Vintage Astronaut Barbie and Comics! I loved Astronaut Barbie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of astronauts...did I tell you that I went to Space Camp when I was 15 and also first attended college with a major in Aerospace Engineering? I switched to Mathematics, but I still loved my time at Space Camp/Academy. Here I am wearing my flight suit from 1988—it still fits!

Love this vintage Barbie case I found on Facebook Marketplace!

Not a great story (lol), but really fun to listen to and such a great cover!

Victorian Elegance Barbie I found at a flea market for $5!

Vintage Barbie Book Stack!

Favorite 24+ Books of 2024! 🤩🌟🎉📖

Happy January, Friends!!! 

I wish I could give you all the biggest New Year's hug 🤗🤗 Grab a cup of tea (or fav beverage) and a little treat (wish I could share my homemade cranberry orange scone with you!) and let's get caught up with favorite books!

I had another awesome reading year with 241 books under my book belt - woo-hoo! 🥳 Here are the books that brought me the MOST JOY last year 🥰   

Find all of my Goodreads reviews HERE! 

REPUBLISHED BOOKS

🌟You know how much I love out-of-print books that are brought back to life by amazing new publishers. These Dean Street Press Furrowed Middlebrow, British Library Women Writers and Manderley Press books stole my heart this year! Every single Ruby Ferguson book I read was a 5 star rating and I can't wait to read the last two Molly Clavering books in my collection.

NON-FICTION BOOKS 

 🌟 I love reading memoirs, almanacs, nature journals and finding favorite quotes. These books were absolutely wonderful and lovely to read before bed. Month-by-month books are my favorites—The Shape of a Year by Jean Hersey is now a new all-time favorite! (I'm currently reading her first book, A Sense of Seasons, each month during 2025.) The Elizabeth Goudge memoir touched my heart so much and, after reading this book, my admiration for her has grown even more! (Note: The Elizabeth Goudge Book Club, hosted by Julie, will be reading The Joy of the Snow this June 💚)

🌟 Unearthing the Secret Garden by Marta McDowell was also amazing!! I had no idea that the life of Frances Hodgson Burnett was so fascinating! She is definitely a person (along with Agatha Christie, Gladys Taber and Elizabeth Goudge) that I wish I could go back in time to meet. I'd also love to add a few more Susan Branch books to my collection this year! (I think I'm only missing a few...)

VINTAGE BOOKS
🌟 I enjoyed SO many Kathleen Norris (loved buddy reading this author's books with Andrea @sorrythankyou79 😍) and Marcia Willett books (thanks to Caro @carosbookcase 😁) this year. Kathleen Norris writes vintage romances (primarily set in California) that are full of cozy and descriptive details, twists, turns and (usually) thrilling endings. Marcia Willett is a new favorite of mine with her compelling family dramas. You can really get lost in her stories! Also, it's no surprise that another Ruby Ferguson and DE Stevenson title are also featured here! (Blow the Wind Southerly is alternate title for Charlotte Fairlie.) Dear Mad'm was definitely a surprise—rustic, humorous and very charming!

VINTAGE CHILDREN’S BOOKS
🌟 More brilliant books by Ruby Ferguson and Frances Hodgson Burnett! I plan on reading at least a few more children's books by BOTH authors this year. Yay! Also, The Maida and Mary Jane series are adorable, refreshing and so fun to read. Thanks to Caro (again!) for recommending Castaway Christmas and for our lovely buddy read in December 🥰🎄

 

BONUS A: CONTEMPORARY CHILDREN’S BOOKS
📘 I loved reading the entire Willam Horwood's "Tales of the Willows" series with @carosbookscase 🥰  I'm so excited that we'll be doing a re-read this year - yes!! I was so happy to find more vintage childrens/middle grade lighthouse books that have become favorites. I'd love to read more. Do you have any suggestions for me? (I might look into getting a lighthouse shaped bookcase for my lighthouse books!)

The two Bushel & Peck books are so beautiful (both in construction and story) and they now have a permanent place on my favorites book shelf! Pansy Goes to Paris was absolutely adorable (especially after my trip to Paris this year with Beth and Liz!) I'd love to read Clarence Goes to The Chelsea Flower Show next 😄

BONUS B: CONTEMPORARY BOOKS
🌼 These six books were fabulous!!! Even though I accidentally shared a photo of the wrong Laura Wood book (I meant to share a photo of A Season for Scandal), this first book was awesome, too! I'm impatiently waiting for A Game of Scandal (due out mid Feb 2025!) Dying to read more books by Valerie Perrin (especially Forgotten on Sunday), Ginny Moyer, Barbara Matteson and Lynda Marron 🤩 If you haven't read any books by these talented authors, it's time!! You'll love them!

MY TOP FAVORITE VINTAGE AUTHORS THIS YEAR
💓 Ruby Ferguson
💓 Kathleen Norris
💓 Molly Clavering
💓 Gladys Taber
💓 Frances Hodgson Burnett
💓 Jean Hersey

Dean Street Press Furrowed Middlebrow Favorites!!! Love!

Love and thanks to all of my 2024 buddy reads with Bookstagram friends! ☺️📚💚
@carosbookcase
@sorrythankyou79
@beth.bonini
@pony.books
@marjoriepaper
@elizabethgoudgebookclub
@bagfullofbooks
@gina.stanyer.books
@sabines.literary.world

Such vibrant and brilliant books! I just love the Women Writers series!

Many thanks to The British Library for sending so many books for me to review this year!! ❤️

Love the gorgeous books published by Manderley Press!

Rebeka has been so kind to send me postcards and bookmarks for each of the Manderley Press books the past year or so! She's thoughtful, generous and so talented!! 🥰💕

Warm wintery hugs to you! 💕🌸🤗🌸💕 Let me know what you're currently reading and loving! (Stay tuned for a personal blog update in the next week or two!) Much love 😍

DSP Book Review: Bloody Instructions by Sara Woods 🤩📕

Happy Dean Street December, Friends! 

 

As you know, I absolutely adore the Dean Street Press Furrowed Middlebrow collection (I've read at least 34 books and counting so far...wooo!), but I'm also starting to sample some of their amazing Crime Fiction books. So far, my favorite author from that series is Moray Dalton (dying to read more of her golden age mysteries in 2025!)

Now that DSP has added Sara Woods (a new Crime Fiction author) to their list, I thought it would be a great opportunity to try out one of her books. (I always get excited about a new author, don't you?) Also, I have to give most of the credit to Caro, who recommended the first Sara Woods book to me. If you want to see her beautiful, in-depth and addictive reviews, make sure to start HERE! (don't forget to check out her gorgeous Instagram posts, too!)

So, here's my (as usual) very informal review of Bloody Instructions by Sara Woods:

I'm not a huge fan of crime dramas on television, but mystery books are sometimes different. To me, they are a lot more interesting and less stressful in book form. (Also, reading a mystery book that was written in the 60s makes it even better, in my opinion!) It took me some time to get used to Sara Woods' writing style, but it's mainly because courtroom dialogue and lawyer language sometimes make my head spin.

The characters in this crime fiction novel are distinct, intelligent and interesting. I especially appreciated the parts in Bloody Instructions in which Antony updates his uncle with the details of the murder (and investigation). This rehashing of the situation reminded me of how Poirot would share his thoughts to Hastings in Agatha Christie's books. It really helped me when my brain was working below its normal efficiency—lol. 

I was also grateful for the drawing of the layout of the office where the murder occurred because I sometimes have a hard time imagining crime scene details in my head. Although I had no idea how this murder was going to be solved, it was a lot of fun trying to figure it out.  I was really surprised to find out who the killer was in the end. Seriously unexpected!

The relationship and conversations between Antony, his wife Jenny, and his uncle Sir Nicholas Harding were my favorite parts. This little family in their unconventional London dwelling are highly amusing (also with a hint of coziness) and I looked forward to every evening dinner discussion with glee. 

Although I didn't have an immediate connection to Sara Woods' writing as I did with Moray Dalton, I'm still very interested in reading the rest of the series. (Especially after reading Caro's last post on the Antony Maitland series...she found that the books in this series just got better and better!)

To sum up... If you're highly entertained by mysterious murders with missing motives, complex courtroom conversations and a slew of suspicious characters, you will LOVE this crime classic by Sara Woods! 

Let me know which DSP Crime Fiction authors (or books!) are your favorites so far!

Many bookish hugs to you! 💕🌸🤗🌸💕

My 200+ Vintage Christmas Book Collection 2024! 😍📚❤️🎄✨🎅🏼

Happy December, Friends!!

 

First, I can't wait to share a pic of my newly acquired vintage bookcase—now the permanent home for all of my (mostly vintage) Christmas Book Collection! Yay! 🥰🎄💚📕📗 What do you think?? 

It took me a while to figure out how to decorate it and I still think I want to add a framed vintage Christmas card/photo above the bookcase. I've always wanted to have a special place for these books since Christmas is my favorite holiday 😍 Now, my dream has come true—wooo!

Don't forget...you can still receive my FREE Christmas Book/Movie PDF (not quite as updated as this post, but still pretty accurate), simply email me: babsbelovedbooks at gmail dot com! Includes a fill-in sheet for favorite Christmas books, Christmas activities, TBR and holiday gratitude 🥳🌟

Also, click HERE to see my Christmas Book Collection on Goodreads (including full reviews) 🤩 

Check out this wonderful Christmas TBR collaborative post with the lovely Caro on Instagram!

Are you ready to see a few pics of my Christmas book collection??? (Hope you said yes!)  To see even MORE of my Christmas books, take a peek at my Christmas Collection Instagram posts/reels:

• Christmas Book Highlights!
  
• Christmas Cookbooks
• Christmas Non-Fiction
• British Library Crime Classics
• Christmas Favorites
• Christmas Children's Favorites
• Christmas Short Story Book Collection (reel)
• Christmas Middle Grade Books (reel)
• Christmas Classics & Novels (reel)
• Christmas Children's Books (reel)
• Christmas Non-Fiction Books (reel)
• Christmas Mysteries (reel)
  

FINALLY, here's a list (with some photos and ratings...if I read the book!) of the current books in my Christmas collection (if not pictured, they have been donated, on e-book/Audiobook, or borrowed from the library):

CLASSICS:

• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 5🌟
• The Quiet Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott 4.5🌟
• How It All Happened by Louisa May Alcott 5🌟
• The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry 5🌟
• The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson 5🌟
• Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies 4🌟
• The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffman 4🌟
• Christmas: A Story by Zona Gale 3🌟
• The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens 3🌟
• The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon 5🌟
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis 5🌟
• The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum 5🌟
• The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore 5🌟
• Christmas at Thompson Hall 3.5🌟
• Kitty's Class Day by Louisa May Alcott 

 VINTAGE DOMESTIC FICTION:

• Christmas at Fairacre by Miss Read 4🌟
• The Christmas Mouse by Miss Read 4🌟
• No Holly for Miss Quinn by Miss Read 4🌟
• Christmas at Thrush Green by Miss Read 5🌟
• Christmas Tales by Miss Read 4.5🌟
• Ten Days of Christmas by G.B. Stern 2.5🌟 
• Edwardian Christmas by John S. Goodall 5🌟 
• The Thirteen Days of Christmas by Jenny Overton 4🌟
• The Old Peabody Pew by Kate Douglas Wiggin 4.5🌟
• A Christmas Card by Paul Theroux 4🌟 
• The Well of the Star by Elizabeth Goudge  3.5🌟
• The Dean's Watch by Elizabeth Goudge  5🌟
• Miss Plum and Miss Penny by Dorothy Evelyn Smith 5🌟
• The Waiting Game by Elizabeth Cadell 4.5🌟
• The Romance of the Christmas Card by Kate Douglas Wiggin 4.75🌟
• Four Midwestern Sister's Christmas Book by Holly J. Burkhalter 4.5🌟
• Christmas with the Savages by Mary Clive 4.5🌟
• Merry Christmas, Mr. Baxter by Edward Streeter 3.5 🌟
• The Lost Angel by Elizabeth Goudge
• Christmas at High Rising by Angela Thirkell
  

VINTAGE MIDDLE GRADE:

• The Sister of the Angels by Elizabeth Goudge 5🌟
  
• I Saw Three Ships by Elizabeth Goudge 5🌟
• Noel Streatfeild's Christmas Stories 4🌟
• The Bird's Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin 5🌟
• Albert's Christmas by Alison Jezard 5🌟
  
• Christmas with the Chyrstals by Noel Streatfeild 3.5🌟
• The Tuckers: The Cottage Holiday by Jo Mendel 4🌟
• Maida's Little Shop by Inez Haynes Irwin 5🌟 
• The Lion in the Box by Marguerite de Angeli 5🌟
  
• Sally's Family by Gwendoline Courtney 4.5🌟
  
• Castaway Christmas by Margaret J. Baker 5🌟
• How Six Found Christmas by Trina Schart Hyman 3🌟
• The Christmas Dolls by Carol Beach York 4🌟
• The Mystery House by Carol Beach York 4🌟
  
• The Magic Christmas Tree by Lee Kingman 4🌟
  
• Noel's Christmas Tree by Amy Le Feuvre 3🌟
• Christmas at Nettleford by Malcolm Saville 3.5🌟
• The Willows at Christmas by William Horwood 3.5🌟
• Tell a Tale of the Tuckers by Jo Mendel
• The Little Colonel's Christmas Vacation by Annie Fellows Johnston
  
  
  
      

VINTAGE CHILDREN'S: 

• Letters from Father Christmas 5🌟
• Santa's Surprise Book by Joan Potter Elwart 4🌟
• The Christmas Box by Alison Uttley 3.5🌟
• At Home with Christmas Gnomes by Erik Foreman 3.5🌟
• A String of Blue Beads by Fulton Oursler 4.5🌟
• The Happiest Christmas Day by May Greenwood 5🌟
• A Pint of Judgement by Elizabeth Morrow 4.5🌟
• Dolly and Molly on Christmas Day by Elizabeth Gordon 4🌟
• The Christmas Dolls by Elvira Woodruff 5🌟
• Becky's Christmas by Tasha Tudor 5🌟
• Mother Makes Christmas by Cornelia Meigs 4🌟
• The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown 4🌟
• Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry 4.5🌟
• The Tale of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter 3🌟
• A Child's Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas 3🌟
• The Dolls' Christmas by Tasha Tudor 4.5🌟
• Buddy's Favorite Christmas Stories & Poems by Weekly Reader Books            
  

 LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS: 

• Christmas Mice (Mini) by Richard Scarry 5🌟
• The Nutcracker by Rita Balducci 3🌟
• Walt Disney's Little Toy Shop by Al Dempster 5🌟
• Raggedy Ann and Andy Help Santa by Polly Curren 4🌟
• The Twelve Days of Christmas by Mike Eagle 4🌟
• ABC is for Christmas by Jane Werner Watson 5🌟
• My Christmas Treasury by Gale Wiersum 3.5🌟
• Uncle Mistletoe by Jane Werner Watson 4.5🌟
• The Christmas Tree That Grew by Phyllis Krasilovsky  4🌟
• Jingle Bells by Kathleen N. Daly 3.5🌟
• The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore 5🌟
• Santa's Surprise Book by Joan Potter Elwart 4🌟
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Barbara Shook Hazen 4🌟
• The Biggest, Most Beautiful Christmas Tree by Amye Rosenberg 4🌟
• Frosty the Snowman by Annie North Bedford 3.5🌟
• I Can't Wait Until Christmas by Linda Lee Maifair 4🌟 
• The Chipmunks' Merry Christmas by David Corwin 4🌟   

 

 

MYSTERY:

• Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie 4🌟
• A Christmas Party by Georgette Heyer 4🌟
• Who Killed Father Christmas by Martin Edwards 4🌟
• Silent Nights by Martin Edwards 4.5🌟
• The White Priory Murders by Carter Dickson 2🌟
• The Mistletoe Murders by P.D. James 3.5🌟
• Christmas at the Grange by T.E. Kinsey 4🌟
• Dramatic Murder by Elizabeth Anthony  
• A Surprise for Christmas by Martin Edwards
• The Twelve Crimes of Christmas by Carol-Lynn Rossell Waugh
  

SHORT STORY COLLECTIONS:

• A Christmas Book by Elizabeth Goudge 4.5🌟
• Country Christmas by Miss Read 4🌟
• Round the Christmas Fire by Vintage Classics 4🌟
• The Child's Christmas by Evelyn Sharp 4.5🌟
• Journey into Christmas by Bess Streeter Aldrich 4.5🌟
• A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote 4🌟
• A Literary Christmas by British Library 3🌟
• Christmas Every Friday by Charlie May Simon 3🌟
• Miss Read's Christmas Book 3.5🌟
• Stories for Christmas by British Library Women Writers 4🌟
• Stories for Winter by British Library Women Writers 3.5🌟 
• Louisa May Alcott's Christmas Treasury 3.5🌟 
• Christmas with Anne by L.M. Montgomery 3.5🌟
• The Christmas Store by Ray Sipherd 5🌟
• Pearl S. Buck's Book of Christmas 
• Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson
  
• The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories by Jessica Harrison

 

NON-FICTION:

• Forever Christmas: Tasha Tudor by Harry Davis 5🌟
• Our Christmas Book by Linda Campbell Franklin 5🌟
• Christmas from the Heart of the Home by Susan Branch 4.5🌟
• Christmas at Home by Country Living 4🌟
• Christmas with Rosamunde Pilcher 5🌟
• Home for Christmas by Susan Branch 5🌟
• Dorothy Wordsworth's Christmas Birthday 3🌟
• Cosy by Laura Weir 5🌟
• A Very Vintage Christmas by Bob Richter 4🌟
• Especially at Christmas by Celestine Sibley 2🌟
• The Philosophy of Christmas by Caroline Taggart 4.5🌟
• Christmas Joy by Susan Branch 5🌟
• 1981 50th Edition of the Holiday Wish Book by Sears 4.5🌟
• Take Joy by Tasha Tudor
  
• The Complete Christmas Book by Franklin Watts
• 1942 Sears Christmas Book by Sears
• The Christmas Book 1922-1962 by Good Housekeeping

 

CONTEMPORARY: 

• Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher 5🌟
• An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen 4🌟
• A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton 4🌟
•  Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor 4🌟
• The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon 5🌟
• The Women in Black by Madeline St. John 4🌟
• Christmas in Cornwall by Marcia Willett 4🌟
• The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman 4🌟
• The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson 3.5🌟
• A Costwold Christmas by Kate Hewitt 3🌟
• A Christmas Journey by Ann Perry 3🌟
• A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg 4.5🌟
• The Perfect Mrs. Claus by Barbara Matteson 4.5🌟
• The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig

 

ROMANCE:

• A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews 4🌟
  
• Lady Osbaldestone #1 Christmas Goose by Stephanie Laurens 3.5🌟
  
• Lady Osbaldestone #2 Missing Christmas Carols by Stephanie Laurens 4🌟
• Lady Osbaldestone #3 Plum Puddings by Stephanie Laurens 3🌟
• Lady Osbaldestone #4 Christmas Intrigue by Stephanie Laurens 3🌟
• Victorian Christmas by Patricia Gaffney 4🌟
  
• Miss Davenport's Christmas by Marion Chesney 3.5🌟
  
• A Regency Christmas by Anita Mills
• A Regency Christmas #2 by Mary Balogh
  
• A Regency Christmas #9 by Sandra Heath
• The Fifth Day of Christmas by Betty Neels

YA:

• Special Christmas by Francine Pascal (Sweet Valley High) 4🌟

 

GHOST STORIES:

• The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories by Tara Moore 4🌟

 

COOKBOOKS:

• The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater 5🌟
• Happy Vegan Christmas by Karoline Jonsson 5🌟
• The Christmas Cookie Book by Virginia Pasley
  

 CONTEMPORARY CHILDREN'S:

• Dragon's Merry Christmas by Dav Pilkey 5🌟
• The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson 4🌟
• Snow White's Christmas by  Walt Disney 3.5🌟
• Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Christmas by Joy Cowley 3🌟
• Christmas on Exeter Street by Diana Hendry 4🌟
• Lighthouse Christmas by Toni Buzzeo 4🌟
• On Christmas Eve by Peter Collington 4🌟
• A Little Women's Christmas by Heather Vogel Frederick 4🌟
• A Treasury of Family Christmas Poems by Union Square Kids 4🌟
• Silent Night by Will Moses 5🌟
• One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell 3.5🌟
• I SPY Christmas by Walter Wick 5🌟
• A Christmas Dress for Ellen by Thomas S. Monson 4🌟
• Cat Family Christmas by Lucy Brownridge 5🌟
• The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet Ahlberg 4🌟
• Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht 4🌟
• The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden 5🌟
• Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck 3🌟
• The Nutcracker (adaptation) by Janet Schulman 3.5🌟   
• The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg 4🌟
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss 5🌟
• Franklin's Christmas Gift by Paulette Bourgeois 5🌟
• Cranberry Christmas by Wende & Harry Devlin 4🌟
• Arthur's Christmas by Marc Brown 4.5🌟
• Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad by Mercer Mayer 4🌟
• A Christmas Like Helen's by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock 4🌟
• Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Christmas by Melanie Watt 5🌟
• Merry Christmas from Betsy by Carolyn Haywood 3.5🌟
• Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins 4🌟
• The Best Christmas Stories Ever by Apple Classics 5🌟
• The First Christmas Stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop 5🌟
• The Legend of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy 3🌟
• The Christmas House by Ann Turner 4🌟
• A Christmas Like Helen's 4🌟 
• Christmas on Sesame Street by Jon Stone
• Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas by Russell Hoban
• Little Sparkly Christmas Sticker Book by Fiona Patchett

 

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MOVIES:

• A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott) 
• Miracle on 34th Street  
• 84 Charing Cross Road 
• The Bishop’s Wife (1947) 
• The Grinch That Stole Christmas 
• Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
  
• Rudolph 
• Frosty
• The Year Without a Santa Claus
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town
  
• Little Women (1949 and 1994) 
• Christmas Eve on Sesame Street
• The Holiday 
• Holiday Affair (1949)
• Remember the Night (1940)
• The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
  
• Twas the Night Before Christmas
• Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas
  
• A Charlie Brown Christmas 
• Christmas Vacation 
• Scrooged
  
• Klaus

 

 

 VINTAGE CHRISTMAS ALBUMS: 

• Andy Williams Christmas Album
• Merry Christmas by Johnny Mathis
• Merry Christmas by Bing Crosby
• Merry Christmas by Andy Williams
  
• Have a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
• Favorite Christmas Songs by SINGER
• Barbie's Christmas Party
  
• Home for Christmas by Henri Renee/Dynagroove
• New England Sleigh Ride by Mobil 
• December by George Winston
• Silent Night by CBS Records
  

 

 

 

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS FOODS/BEVERAGES:

• Cinnamon Rolls
• Candy Cane Smoothie
• Gingerbread Smoothie
• Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and Peppermint Marshmallows
• Soft Peppermint Puffs
• Candy Cane Peppermint Bark
• Decorated Gingerbread Men
• Candy Cane Pretzels
• Vintage Christmas Cookies (with red and green sprinkles)
• Garlic Green Beans with Cranberries
  
• Christmas Eve Chinese Take-Out (I always get Spicy String Beans and Steamed Rice)

(Note: These are all vegan Christmas recipes or vegan-friendly brands. World of Vegan is where I work, too!)

Now, it's your turn!! In the comments, let me know YOUR Christmas favorites! Give me your recommendations, please 😁

• Books (of any genre) 
• Movies
• Food/recipes
• Music

The past few years, I've decided to start reading from my Christmas TBR in mid-November so that I don't have to rush (and also so that I can read as many Christmas-y books as possible!) 😂

This plan been working out really well and also gives me more time for Christmas Book Buddy Reads and Read-a-Longs! Here are my goals for this season:

With my book bestie @carosbookcase:

❄︎ Castaway Christmas by Margaret J. Baker

❄︎ The Waiting Game by Elizabeth Cadell

❄︎ The Willows at Christmas by William Horwood

❄︎ The Perfect Mrs. Claus by Barbara Matteson

 

With my dear friend @gina.stanyer.books:

❄︎ Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher 

 

With the 'Queen of Christmas' Cosy Club @bagfullofbooks: 

❄︎ Village Christmas by Miss Read

❄︎ Taken by the Hand by O. Douglas (January)

 

With the lovely and inspiring Julie of the @elizabethgoudgebookclub:

❄︎ Sister of the Angels by Elizabeth Goudge

 

 

A Betsy-Tacy Countdown to Christmas by Al R. Young from the Storybook Home 2004:

 

❄︎ Excerpts from the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace and Emily of Deep Valley from Dec 1st-21st, then A Christmas Carol's Cratchit Christmas Dinner on the 22nd, and Twas the Night Before Christmas on the 23rd. (The 24th has The Gospel of St. Luke, if you would like to read that as well.)

Will you be participating in any Christmas read-a-longs or buddy reads this season?

 

Make sure to keep following my blog posts (enter your email on the home page using your desktop browser) and my Instagram @babsbelovedbooks 🤩✨💕 

 

Sending much sparkly holiday spirit, good health and warm cozy almost-Christmas hugs to you, friends!!! Keep an eye out for an upcoming post of my home Christmas decorations and menu for this year! I love celebrating all things Christmas with you! 🥰💚❤️