 rom my shelf of forever-loved books…I don’t keep every book I read because some of them don’t deserve it, but I make sure to keep the ones I love….they continue, sitting on my bookshelves, through osmosis, to fill my heart and mind with their brilliance, that’s why I keep them nearby. I need all the help I can get.
 ooks I’ve read, old and new; loved, and am happy to recommend (in no particular order). As I read new, really good ones, I’ll add them to this list.
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- Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell
- The Diary of Anne Frank
- Anne Frank, Beyond the Diary Ruud van der Rol (Intro by Anna Quindlen)
- West with the Night Beryl Markham
- Heartburn Nora Ephron
- Hawaii James Michener
- Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen
- The World According to Garp John Irving
- The Piano Jane Campion
- Everything Barbara Pym has written, start with Excellent Women
- Anything by Gladys Taber but most especially Best of Stillmeadow
- A Good Man in Africa William Boyd
- A Stranger in a Strange Land Robert A. Heinlein
- Einstein’s Dreams Alan Lightman
- Autobiography of Mark Twain Charles Neider
- The Passion of Ayn Rand Barbara Brandon
- Enchanted April Elizabeth von Arnim
- Elizabeth and Her German Garden Elizabeth von Arnim
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- The Help Kathryn Stockett
- Charms for the Easy Life Kaye Gibbons
- To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
- How to be Happy Anna Quindlen
- Schindler’s List Thomas Keneally
- Abigail Adams Charles W. Akers
- Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte
- Bridget Jones Diary Helen Fielding
- Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
- The Source James Michener
- Atlas Shrugged Ayn Rand (pronounce her name ein)
- The Accidental Tourist Anne Tyler
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
- East of Eden John Steinbeck
- A Woman of Independent Means Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey
- Love in the time of Cholera Gabriel
Garcia Marquez
- Of Human Bondage W. Somerset Maugham
- Little Women Louisa May Alcott
- The Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon
- Portrait of a Marriage Nigel Nicholson
- The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra
- All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
- The Great Santini by Pat Conroy
- The Prince of Tides Pat Conroy
- The Portrait of a Marriage Nigel Nicholson
- Postcards from the Edge Carrie Fisher
- Marjorie Morningstar Herman Wouk
- My Brilliant Career Miles Franklin
- Stieg Larsson series starting with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Pillars of the Earth Ken Follet
- Pollyanna (of course) Eleanor H. Porter
- A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle
- A Fire in the Mind Joseph Campbell
- Like Water for Chocolate Laura Esquivel
- Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys Georgia Morris
- The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
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Old books are fun to collect…
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Some old children’s books
have wonderful drawings… |
FAMOUS OLD BESTSELLING
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books, starting in 1889
The Poky Little Puppy 1942
The Tale of Peter Rabbit 1902
The Country Child 1931
Tootle 1945
The Saggy Baggy Elephant 1947
Scuffy the Tugboat 1955
Pat the Bunny 1940
All-of-a-Kind Family 1951
Green Eggs and Ham 1957
The Cat in the Hat 1960
The Littlest Angel 1946
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish 1960
The Very Busy Spider 1985
Good Night Moon 1991 |
 love old garden books, but if I could only have one, by far, this is the one! It’s called the “Western Garden Book” but the west includes Colorado and Lake Tahoe, snowy areas and deserts, coastal and inland…so limiting this book to the West is so unfair to everyone else in the USA! I have this book at my house in New England and in California; it has the best photos and descriptions; it’s a huge plant encyclopedia; everything is alphabetical; I give it 5 stars! Get it on Amazon… you will love it!
Art and Content for Susanbranch.com is protected by registered copyrights. Please ask before using. |
Just finished reading the Help and can’t wait for the movie to come out this summer. By the way, perhaps you could include a list of favorite movies too?
I’m working on it!
I discovered a little old Gladys Taber gift book in a used bookstore last winter and lo and behold, not long afterwards, you featured her and her books in your Willard newsletter! That began my hunt to find more of her books and I hit paydirt at another used booktsore about 20 miles from my home. I almost bought them all! I love reading her books in bed at the end of the day. They are so relaxing and and make it easy to drift off to sleep. Thanks for recommending her!
Oh Susan – I have a great suggestion for you. When I was small I found books of my mother’s. Josephine Lawrence wrote a series of Children’s book for preteen girls in the 1920′s. They are just lovely. My favorites are the Rosemary books, but Christine and The Berry Patch are pretty special, too. I still love to re-read them on a summer’s afternoon.
I’ve never known anyone else who knew of (and loved) the All-of-a-Kind Family series of books! How exciting to see that name on your list. I consider it a history lesson. And a wonderful read as well.
I am happy to say, as librarian, in my school library sits a copy of “All of a Kind Family”. My girls love it, the boys read it on the sneak (can’t be seen reading a “girl” book but they HAVE to know what it is all about), and I sit and read it sometimes when I need a bit of comfort.
I loved the penny candy and when coins were hidden to find during dusting. Happy to hear they still read it– they will remember their childhood someday and that old fashioned concept called “books.”
My best friend and I loved to read Butternut Wisdom in the Family Circle in the 1960′s. That is what inspired me to collect Gladys Tabor’s books back then. I have a shelf of her books and when I need an “escape”, I pull one down. The Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, and newer ones–the Miss Julia series by Anne B. Ross and the Mitford series by Jan Karon–also are wonderful reading!!! What would we do if we couldn’t read???
I LOVE all these series, too, Pat! The only one I have never read is the Miss Julia series.
LOVED both the Mitford series and the Miss Julia books. My husband has recently retired and I’ve gotten him to start reading. He loved the Mitford series and I almost have him talked into reading the Miss Julia books as well!
How darling!
I have brought my family to the Vineyard from Arizona this week primarily because of your cookbooks. Someone gave me Vineyard Season’s for my wedding in 1991 and I have been a fan ever since. Thank you – books can truly inspire. P.S your sugar cookie recipe (or should I say Miss Elaine’s) is everyone’s favorite.
Elaine will love to hear it, I’ll tell her!
Love All-of-a-kind family books and how about Betsy-Tacy books? As far as adult books, a new book set in England , is Major Pettigrew Takes a Stand. Has anyone read the books by D.E. Stevenson or Mabel Esther Allen from England? They are older but great reads.
I have to tell my Gladys Taber story…my Finnish grandmother passed away when I was 12. I loved to visit with her, but never paid attention to her books-I thought they were mostly in Finnish. I was able to choose any of the books I wanted to keep and as a 12 year old was draw to the Stillmeadow books. I didn’t read them until I was older, but I was so glad I had chosen them at a young age.
How I loved the Betsy-Tacy books as an 8 year old. You cannot imagine my joy when they were republished in the 1990′s, just in time for me to read them to my daughter. We were twice blessed!
One of my daughters has all the Betsy-Tacy books. We even made a summer trip from Texas to Minnesota just to see the houses where they lived! She is now 26 and a budding writer!
And how about the Miss Read books…set in a darling English village….they are wonderful!
Hi, Everyone – I’m intrigued with all the good things I’ve heard about Gladys Taber and would love to know which book of hers you would suggest for me. I’m afraid I don’t know anything about her, other than what I’ve read on site, but would love some guidance before I go on line to Amazon. I live in England and so will have to order from America. Obviously, I want to make sure the one I buy is the one I’m going to love most of all. Cookery/country/home are my main interests. Can anyone help me make the right choice, please? With many thanks. Bernie
If you can find Best of Stillmeadow, you’ll get a really good overview of what Gladys Taber is all about.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS BOOK SECTION….AND GOD BLESS ALL OF US FOR ENJOYING READING SO MUCH….
THANK YOU FOR THE LIST OF YOUR FAVORITES SUSAN….SOMETIMES I NEED TO STEP AWAY FROM DANIELLE STEEL…TO SOME LITERATURE..
HAPPY READING….
Have you ever read Elswyth Thane, Rosamunde Pilcher, Robert Nathan, Frances Mayes, Mary Kay Andrews, Curtiss Ann Matlock? Wonderful authors.
“Under the Tuscan Sun” (Frances Mayes) in particular is a terrific book. Part memoir, part travel, part cookbook… Nothing like the movie!
I love Rosamunde Pilcher!!
I haven’t heard if anyone is familiar with D.E. Stevenson. They are such great books.
I love D. E. Stevenson! She is my very favorite author. When I need comfort, need to feel nurtured, I turn to Dorothy Emily. She makes me so happy! You can read them in any order, but I’d start with Bel Lamington, and then read Fletchers End, the sequel. The Mrs. Tim series is wonderful too. Those you probably should read in order. I have enjoyed every one of her books that I’ve read. Highly recommended!
If you like Rosamunde Pilcher, try Catherine Alliott (my favorite is Rosie Meadows Regrets, and she has a new one coming out in March), or Rebecca Shaw (her village series is wonderful, similar to Jan Karon’s Mitford books, but set in England). Oh, and there’s Victoria Clayton, too (another British novelist) — you can find her books and all these others on Amazon.
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel is one of my very favorites. Hope you’ll enjoy it too!
Susan…I just discovered your website and blog…so glad I did. Your book list has inspired me to relax and read more. Your artwork and books are so beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
I am another Rosamunde Pilcher fan – especially loved “The Shell Seekers”. For newer books “The Help” and “Secret Life of Bees” are two that come to mind as favorites.
Susan, if you like Pat Conroy, have you read Beach Music? It was wonderful! If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.
xo
When Rosamunde Pilcher was mentioned I too thought of “The Shell Seekers” and how I had a hard time “getting into it” but once I did, I didn’t want it to end. Also glad someone mentioned “The Secret Life of Bees” Sue Monk Kidd. It’s a favorite. Also, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith. I try to encourage my grandchildren to read and one of them likes sitting up in my tree as a favorite reading spot. Thanks Susan for all that you share. I love to read anything in your handwriting and wish that there was a “Susan Branch” font.
I loved “The Shell Seekers” and the movie, as well!!
So pleased to have recently discovered your blog, but have enjoyed your cookbooks for years (as gifts from special friends and family.) Anyone who loves Gladys Taber (my mom was the original fan and I loved tracking down her Cape Cod house in Orleans), Anne of Green Gables, Rebecca, Marjorie Morningstar, A Year in Provence, All Creatures Great and Small, and Pollyanna is a “kindred spirit.” If you haven’t already read any of the “Miss Read” books (Fairacre and Thrush Green series) they are gentle, country, and so very British (and fun to listen to if you like audiobooks–CLAMS has several!) I’ll look forward to your blog any will keep my eye out for any of your book-signings on the Cape.
Laurie,
I know this is posted looooong after yours, but I had to say it….
I also LOVE the Miss Read books!!! Some of my favorites are Mrs. Pringle and of course the bittersweet ones, Farewell to Fairacre and A Peaceful Retirement.
~Chanda~
I also love Miss Read!!! Thanks for sharing!
Do look up Rebecca Shaw. Her “village” series (I think that’s what it’s called) is like a more modern Miss Read, or Jan Karon’s Mitford series, but set in England.
I spied The Country Child by Alison Uttley in your pile – she wrote a number of books of remeniscences of her childhood, my favourite being Ambush of Younger Days. You’d love them all Susan. In her biography she said she physically ached for her childhood home and family and reading about her happy life on the farm I totally understand it.
I just found your site through the article in Where Women Create Aug. edition 2011. I was so enchanted by all of your pictures, whimsical sayings, quotes, and bio notes, that I wanted more. Truly delightful blog, and so happy I have found you. So many of the books listed I have not heard of, so I have some reading to do. Thank you so much.
So pleased to see so many readers who are fond of Rosamunde Pilcher. I love her books, and I would find it difficult to name a favorite. I consider her books my friends, and I re-read some of them on an annual basis (just to visit with my friends again). Winter Solstice is , perhaps, one of my favorites. Although I must admit that I am still looking for my Oscar Blundell. Another favorite author is Joanna Trollope.
Have you read her (Rosamunde Pilcher) Christmas book? I love the peek into her home and traditions.
Love that book…pull it out every Christmas, and think of Rosamunde, and hope she’s okay (I know she’s getting older!) Wish she had one last book to publish!
I am drowning in books! I can see how convenient e-books are but not have stacks of books around would make a home so sterile. I noticed The Forgotten Garden in one of your photos. I have just become aquainted with Kate Morton. What a lovely writer. She takes you along on her characters journeys and you can almost feel the breeze. My granddaughter has developed a great love for books and she has become a fan of the poetry of AA Milne. I gave her 2 books that had been my mothers and each spring she calls me and recites the poem “Daffadandillys”. Now she is reading my copy of The Wind in the Willows.
What a joy to see young people reading. Your blog is my “first thing in the morning treat”, even before coffee! Thanks
I love your phrase, “I am drowning in books!” – that’s exactly how I feel, and I love it, too!! I have eleven bookcases in my smallish home, all full of books. And I still buy more! I just can’t help it!
Me too, Mary! “Drowning” is a perfect description, Suzanne, of what I feel as I look at my nightstand. Yikes!
Susan…Have you ever read Gladys Taber’s “Conversations with Amber.” It’s sooooo sweet. One of my favorites. My copy is tattered and worn from many years worth of reading since I was a little girl. Her name is not as well known as it used to be. Thanks for introducing her to everyone!
Just finished one of your favorite books – “Enchanted April” – then watched the movie the next night. What a treat!
Just have to comment here – Enchanted April is one of my favorite books, and my very favorite movie!! It makes me happy to see others enjoying it!! Yay!
Enchanted April is my second favorite movie ever…after Out of Africa. My favorite scene is when they finally get to San Salvatore, wake in the morning and open the shuttered french windows and gaze out upon the gardens overflowing with blossom, the sun and the heavenly sea….oh, sigh….
I know, you could smell it!
Growing up, I so enjoyed many of the books on your list. All of Louisa May Alcott’s books were on my shelf, and I enjoyed “Little Men” just as much as “Little Women”. As an adult, I discovered Rosamund Pilcher and Maeve Binchy (“Circle of Friends”). I am so glad to have discovered your website and look forward to exploring so many great recommendations.
Love the book selections. How about Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindburgh? It is a woman’s anthem to me.
Have you read her daughter’s Reeve’s writing? They are also beautiful.
What wonderful book suggestions! I’ve read many of those mentioned and look forward to reading those I haven’t. Marjorie K. Rawlings is one of my favorites.
Cross Creek Cookery is a classic (also an “old Florida” history lesson).
Unforgettable! Susan, love your website! You’ve made my life so much better. I have all your books and hope you will write another one in the future.
Marjorie Keenan Rawlings’ home in Florida is a museum! You can visit it, see her car, her typewriter, walk around her yard, and just invision the yearling walking out of the woods! It’s in Micanopy FL (or just outside it) and Micanopy is the place where they filmed the movie Cross Creek. (and also filmed Doc Hollywood
I’ve been there several times, very historic and lovely – graceful old town. When my father retired to FL I took him there since he lived only several miles away, after that he took all visiting guests who came to visit him.
I love both of those movies. cross creek and the yearling. cross creek is very inspiring.
If you are blessed to find any Miss Read books do grab them. Some libraries still have them on the shelves. They are wonderful stories about little towns in England and the people who live there. My favorites are Village Christmas and The Christmas Mouse.
I must add my very favorite books and author. Very difficult to find, for some reason. Bess Streeter Aldrich. Her best books are: SONG OF YEARS; A LANTERN IN HER HAND; A WHITE BIRD FLYING (sequel to Lantern); SPRING CAME ON FOREVER; MISS BISHOP. Wonderful books, with rich characterizations. I read them over and over and over
And Susan, you must read FALLING FOR A DANCER!!!
Good source for old books: http://www.abebooks.com
I love many of the books that you’ve listed as your favs, too, Susan! Betsy, I just checked out the 2 Miss Read books that you listed as your favs….can’t wait to read them! But, I have to mention one of my favorite new authors, Sarah Addison Allen. I happened upon her first book, Garden Spells, because I was attracted by the book cover artwork (see, Susan, art is sooooo important, isn’t it!). Took the book home and have been hooked ever since on her books. Am currently reading her new book, The Peach Keeper. Her books have a little romance….a little mystery and intrigue….a little fantasy. They just keep you hooked and I always find it hard to put down then am sad when I’m done reading it because I realize I will have to wait until her next book is published! I found Susan Wittig Albert’s “The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter” books that way, too….was attracted to the cover (a little shallow of me, perhaps?). They’re wonderful stories, too. Sooooooo much good stuff to read…so little time!
I just “discovered” the Southern Sisters mysteries this summer. (There are 8 books in the series and you should read them in order if possible!) by Anne George. These stories are good mysteries but not bloody or gorey–fun and laugh-out-loud at the interactions of the two very different sisters. Just good summer reading…also, found there is a new sequel to The Outlanders called An Echo in the Bone by Diana Galbaldon…And one of my other favorite books is And The Ladies Of The Club by Santemeyer (sp?)….
And Ladies of the Club is a great book! I have read it several times.
Wow! I just found this site and I love it! I hear/feel kindred spirits…I am a lover of books also and it makes my happy to know others feel the same.
I was going to suggest Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier but Laurie beat me to it! The movie is really wonderful too! Old black and white – wonderful! Love all the suggestions. Makes one want to go scouting in the book areas of antique stores!
My husband and I retired to Cape Cod after teaching for many years. I wrote a letter to Susan Branch many years ago and sent her a picture of our children and our best friends’ children jumping on a trampoline. I mentioned how we always had a Susan Branch Brunch on Christmas morning. We also spent 14 summers at Martha’s Vineyard and many days passing by Susan’s house in Vineyard Haven. I recieved a wonderful response letter which I will cherish forever.
Now I will respond about books. Geraldine Brooks, a local author, was at the Wequasset Inn in Harwich this summer and she has written some of my favorite books. Check out her latest called Caleb’s Crossing about a Native American who graduates from Harvard after being raised on Martha’s Vineyard. Her other books that I love are People Of The Book and Year Of Wonders.
Nancy Farrell
Thank you Nancy …. I think I’ve heard of Caleb’s Crossing . . . isn’t that more or less a true story?
Don’t forget March by Geraldine Brooks….it won the Pulitzer, and it’s a remarkable story about the father from Alcott’s Little Women that takes place during the same time frame as Little Women. A very well written insider’s take on the Civil War…..
I haven’t read that yet, but want to!
Just finished reading A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg which was recommended in one of the blogs by one of the “girlfriends” here. LOVED IT!!!! A wonderful, warm, heartfelt story that brings happy tears (and some sad) along the way. Thanks for recommending it (can’t find the blog so I’m not sure who it was!).
Me too, just finished it!
I have to tell you that as I scanned your favorites list my heart SkIPPED a beat when my eyes came to rest on Of Human Bondage!!! This is one of my all time favorite books I read it for the first time in 9th grade and fell in love! So few people these days seem to even know of it; but alas they that know of it most have not read it…It warmed my heart to see that you not only have read it but that it is on your favorites!! Here! Here! to favorite books that we can go back to time and time again!
I caught my breath when I saw “West into the Night” by Beryl Markham. A friend suggested I read it before taking a trip to Africa – it is one of his favorite books. At the Manyara Airstrip, we boarded a small, eight passenger plane. Entering from the back and squeezing our way single file and half stooped up to the front, my girlfriend and I were rewarded with front seats and a warm smile from our pilot, Rebecca. I commented, “You’re our modern-day Beryl Markham!” She beamed and replied, “You read the book?!”…Rebecca told us that we were in luck because the wildebeest had begun their migration just two days prior. As she flew, we could see the fog in Ngorongoro Crater and about 45 minutes later, she banked the plane and we got our first glimpse of the great migration in the distance. A circle over the Kogatende Airstrip, making certain it was clear of animals, then the bouncy landing and the start of our Serengeti adventure. I loved seeing this book on your list!
It is such a wonderful book, first book I felt compelled to get out a yellow highlighter, some of the words and phrases are too beautiful to ever forget. Your adventure sounds amazing.
In case you didn’t know–because not many people do, Anne of Green Gables is a series containing 8 books and they’re all great!
I love books too. When I was a child I read all the time. My favorite thing was to walk barefooted to the library. (I just loved the smell of the books.) I want a store like Meg Ryan had in ‘You’ve got Mail’. My favorite book is ‘The Wizard of Oz.’
If you get that store, I will come shop there!
Me, too! That is my 16 year old daughter’s favorite movie!
We cry every time she has to close the store and twirls in her memory with her mother…oh my…..
Love books so much, always have. It all started with Nancy Drew way back when and I have a small collection of her books from the 1960′s early ’70′s which were the ones I read. It’s amazing how much pleasure my books give me. One of my favorite authors is Marjorie Holmes. Her writing is so descriptive and beautiful. One of my favorites is “At Christmas the Heart Goes Home.” My favorite chapter, which I’ve shared with my siblings, is Ms. Holmes talking about sitting around the Sears Roebuck catalog making her wish list. The anticipation waiting for that catalog to come in the mail was almost as exciting as Christmas Day! She has many books and can usually be found in used book stores. If you haven’t read her, put her next on your list.
I love the range of your reading materials…. Thanks for the suggestions! I too love Rosamunde Pilcher, the Miss Read books, and all of Kate Morton. The best book of the summer was “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson. I loved everything about it….even the cover! I remember reading in one of your books how you liked to leave a little surprise in books that you loved reading for the next library patron…..a bookmark, a pressed flower, etc. That is such a small but wonderful way to spread kindness and joy to others. Thank you for all you do to make the world a happier place!
As a child in first grade, I read the most books of any student, and was gifted by my teacher with a book(what else!) called”Mugguns”, about a cat. I still own this book, dated 1946, and am amused that I mispelled my middle name on the flyleaf. perhaps that is why I became such a spelling demon all through school into present! I own many of the books on your lists, and enjoy Rosamond Pilcher, Anita Shreve, Maeve Binchy etc.. Christmases always brought gifts of books…I rec’d. The Bobbsey Twin series over many years, and my favorite in grade school was “Caddie woodlawn”. Seeing that you enjoy Mark Twain, I know you would enjoy The Diary of Adam and Eve, which I melieve he wrote as a gift to his wife. It is one of the funniest books I have ever read! You might add the movie,”84 Charingcross Road”to your list…all about books, of course. I still cry each time I watch it. Thanks so much for connecting all your girls on one site…it is MARVELOUS!
Love having everyone here!!! Thank you Anne!
How lovely to see some of my favorites on your list! I am a long-time fan of your work and treasure my much loved copies of all your books. It just isn’t a holiday at our house without spinach balls on the table! I definitely cast my vote for the Miss Read and Kate Morton books. Since you liked Peter Mayle, I thought I would suggest two other beautiful French-themed non-fiction books: “Words in a French Life” by Kristin Espinasse and “Paris to the Moon” by Adam Gopnick. Loved them both!
Thank you Crystal!!
Love the idea of a bookclub blog! I loved Charms for the Easy Life…Are you aware it has been made into a movie?
I thought I heard that . . . is it new? I always thought it would make a wonderful movie.
me again…just thought of something of interest. I’m a Southern gal and have been to Cross Creek, home of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings several times. You really can feel her presence there. If you go, look for the kitty bed on the back porch and an old quilt in it. I gave the quilt because it was so ugly that none of my friends wanted it, but I knew the cat would appreciate it.
I think it is wonderful how books can connect people…
Isn’t that the truth!! Beauty connects . . . words too.
I have read and loved the Elm Creek Quilters books by Jennifer Chiaverini. I have to confess to a slight obsession with old quilts. These books are easy reads and wonderful stories….especially the parts about the civil war and the role of quilts and the Underground Railroad.
And…Katrina Kennison’s Mitten Strings for God and An Ordinary Day….beautiful heartfelt books about motherhood…love them and keep them close by!
I picked up the most enchanting book today at a thrift store…”The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady” by Edith Holden. It’s a completely handwritten and watercolored diary of this woman who journal nature around her for a year…1906. Haven’t read it yet but it’s gorgeous. Reminds me a bit of your books, Susan, minus the recipes.
I have that book! But for some reason, I’ve never gotten around to actually reading it!
If you do, tell me how it is!
I think what I’m going to do, since it’s a diary, is start in January and read it as the days go by when I’m writing in my new “Days from the Heart of the Home” journal! It is such a sweet book. I read the first few entries…makes me want to take notice more of what is going on around me in nature….AND I went and ordered her other book “Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady” from Amazon last night!
Anyone who loves England will enjoy Susan Allen Toth’s books about her travels there. Joyce Dennys’s HENRIETTA books are a joy. Agatha Christie’s AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY is like visiting with my grandmother. The bookstores in London have Arnold Bennett in the “classics” section. Most people in this country have never heard of him!
Hello Susan,
I just love your blog!
Do you have a list of favorite films?
And
Films that make you laugh?
Thanks so much for all you share.
Connie
Are you reading my mind?
Hello Book Lovers,
Susan, your list is fabulous! I see many favorites and some I have always wanted to read and some I never heard of, but now am going to read! Definitely waiting for your new book to pore over. It is interesting, fun and revealing to see a list of someone’s favorite books as a child and as an adult. I am so glad I “found” you many years ago, and am happy for those just discovering you now. I do have a suggestion for a series I find that is a lot of fun. They are the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich starting with “One for the Money”.They are not heartwarming, but definitely laugh out loud funny! Enjoy!
May your New Year be filled with laughter, love, magic, abundance and books!
Lorraine
Love funny!
Susan I Love books just as you do especially vintage and antique Christmas books . I found a copy of “Once Upon A Christmas Time by George R Sims” @ma quaint book shop in Gloucestershire UK and was thrilled as a child in a candy store and to my amazement to see you own the very same book featured on your Christmas blog. I recently found a copy of “The Fireside book of Christmas Stories and Home for Christmas to add to my ever growing collection. Thank you for alway bringing a smile to face and for having this fabulous blog that I can visit everyday. Love your photos and just Love You. Your kitties are pretty
wonderful too!
Thanks so much Sherry, so glad to have you here!
Good Morning! I’ve just printed this wonderful list, thank you for taking the time to make it for us! I visited my favorite used book store last week, a nice young couple with young children & it was an amazing store (& they had a huge wonderful cat to pet while browsing!) – gone – closed – made me very sad! I’ll be looking for your fave books, elsewhere now, shucks! Have a great Monday! I get to go to lunch with the Bridgeless Bridge Babes & go see the “Iron Lady”! A great way to start the week!
Oh I just love all of the books you’ve listed Susan. I’ve been a fan for so many years and now I have the pleasure of reading your blog and following you on facebook. Isn’t it fascinating how we love the old stuff and thrive with some of the new.
I am very active on goodreads.com. It’s a free website where I keep of list of all the books I have read, want to read, or recommendations. Anyone can join. I have listed all of your listed books in a folder called Susan Branch Recommendations and I’ve listed all of the books everyone has mentioned in the replies here in a folder called Susan Branch Friends. Once you have signed up just look me up and you can see them all and LOTS of other books as well.
I also typed up your favorite movies into an excel file if anyone is interested. My husband and I are having fun going through the list and finding ones we’ve not seen and ordering from Netflix.
You bring such joy to all of our lives. And those kitties, my oh my what fun. I have a black kittie, Gracie, and just love her to pieces.
Thank you to all who have made comments here. I so love reading and love it when I find book titles I’ve never heard of but are recommended.
It would be fun if we started a book a month for all of us to read together.
Thanks Kathryn! I love your organization!
Anna Quindlen is one of my all time favorite writers too! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her twice at book signings following lectures, and she was quite like the voice you hear in her writing; down-to-earth & oh so smart
She is publishing a memoir in April called Plenty of Candles, Lots of Cake…..I can’t wait!
I adore her.
Dear Susan, if you love England and books , I am sure that you must have read the Lucy.m.Boston books, starting with the Children of Green Knowe, illustrated woodcuts by her son Peter. There are a few books in the series and you tube have the movie the Children of Green knowe by the BBC,
Its about a house and ghosts and stories, also read about Lucy Bostons house that inspired these books it fascinating.
I haven’t! — will look into them . . . thank you!
Well Sweetie, I’m aghast at your list, its so stellar. I’m throwing one back at you. ‘Old Herbaceous’ by Reginald Arkell. (A look into the life of a gardener in the 19th century in novel form). I have a feeling you will fall right into the story.
xx
julie
Always love recommendations — thank you Julie! I’ll look it up!
Hi. Just received my first Willard in my email. What a complete delight! I have since been clicking on your links and came upon this blog. I am a huge bookworm (work in a public library.) I have a couple of books I think you might like according to your romantic nature. You may have already read them but I didn’t find them on your list.
1) I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (written in the 40′s, very romantic, a GREAT read, but not many people seem to know of it) and
2) Illumination Night by Alice Hoffman (takes place in Martha’s Vineyard, great characters, magical).
Those are just the ones off the top of my head. If you find you like them I will send you more.
Well, thanks so much for sharing all this. I’ve always loved your drawings but was also noticing how great your photos are. May I ask what kind of camera you use?Even the pictures of butter in a bowl look unbelievably vivid!
Oh thank you so much! I’m familiar with both of those books, but haven’t read them yet. I have photos of the real Illumination Night in case you haven’t seen it and would like to. . . My camera is a Canon EOS and I have to say it does all the work. I honestly know about 5 things I can do with it (which is pitiful, but gets the job done to a certain extent!).