a blanket + a cup of tea + books to get lost in and series perfect for binge reading
Yes, please!
These suggestions come from my bookish friend, Tina. Also my partner in crime for creating Lit Kits. {The shop is open!} I added a few recommendations of my own too.
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FOR KIDS: (but adults will enjoy them too!)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
After the death of her grandfather, sixteen year old Kit travels from her home in tropical Barbados to live with her aunt and uncle in Connecticut. She finds herself immersed in a whole new world; she experiences snow for the first time, has to learn how to care for herself and others instead of having servants to wait on her, and struggles to learn how to live in a Puritan community in the 1800s. My daughter is in the middle of this one right now and is loving it. An excellent historical fiction read for ages 13 and up.
Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
The last of the Anne books, this one focuses on the life of Anne’s youngest daughter, Rilla. The story begins as war is declared and Rilla’s whole world changes as her brothers and friends go to war and she has to take on new and unexpected responsibilities. A wonderful read of a young woman who learns to let go of her dreams and accept the changes in her world (with some trademark L. M. Montgomery humorous moments along the way). [12 and up]
This YA novel is a retelling of a less familiar fairy tale: “East of the Sun, West of the Moon.” It is a wintry tale of Rose and the bear who promises health and affluence for her family if she will come and live with him for a time. A tragic mistake compels Rose to take a long and arduous journey to the four corners of the wind to rectify it. Beautifully written, this is a long book (over 500 pages) but one that keeps you turning pages to find out what comes next. The follow-up book, West, has just been published and I’m looking forward to cozying up with it this winter.
(Also, Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George is fantastic and is based on the same Nordic fairy tale as East. I, Stephanie, just re-read it, my daughter is reading it, and Tina’s daughter is reading it as well.) [10 and up]
FOR ADULTS:
Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilts Series
The first book in the series, The Quilter’s Apprentice, is the story of a young married woman, Sarah, who moves to a new town and struggles to find a place and relationships for herself there. Sarah ends up working for Sylvia Compson, who is both eccentric and a master quilter. When Sarah asks Sylvia to teach her to quilt they slowly build a friendship that changes both of them. I particularly love this series because each book in it is so different. Some are set in the present, some journey back in time, some are a mix of both so, unlike many long series, each book feels fresh and new.
Pamela Aidan’s Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman series
If you’ve already read Pride and Prejudice too many times to count try this trilogy. It’s the story of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Unlike many Austen knockoffs this series is wonderfully written and stays true to the tone and historicity of Austen’s writings. But make sure you have some serious reading time set aside. Once you start the first one you won’t want to stop until you’ve read all three! (book 2 // Duty and Desire & book 3 // These Three Remain)
(I, Stephanie, have read no Jane Austen spin-offs better than these three books.)
Anne Perry’s Thomas and Charlotte Pitt novels
I stumbled across a reference to Anne Perry’s books in another excellent novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, and have enjoyed my foray into this mystery series set in Victorian England. Anne Perry’s writing transports you to that time and place in such a vivid way that these books must be read with a cup of tea and a box of biscuits. However, these novels are quite often very sad, as they usually explore cases that are brought on by class struggles and issues of poverty. They are so worth the read but their tone will fit a gloomy winter day far better than a bright, sunny one.
Two picks from Stephanie:
Here Burns My Candle and Mine is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs ~ It is my opinion that any book set in Scotland can be considered a wintry read. Gray, rainy-sky settings feel just right cozied up on the couch. Liz Curtis Higgs writes historical fiction spectacularly. Set in the highlands of Scotland in the 1700’s, this two book series is a re-telling of the Biblical story of Ruth and Boaz. It is nearly impossible to pause after finishing one before heading straight to the other. Be sure to have both on hand for reading!
EXTRA THREADS
- Welcoming Winter ~ 5 Favorite Picture Books from STORY WARREN: Allies in Imagination (A favorite resource of mine ~ I look forward to their newsletter!)
- “Forgiveness is the best gift we can give this time of year” ~ books to read aloud this Christmas season. They all have one thread in common ~ forgiveness.
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