If you love reading and you want an escape into idyllic, village life,
then you can't do much better than to pick up a book by
'Miss Read'.
I've just finished reading, ' Christmas at Fairacre ' , an omnibus which includes
''No Holly for Miss Quinn'' ; ''Christmas at Fairacre School'' and
''The Christmas Mouse''
And... I have many more lined up!
I've read these books time and time again !
They come in a variety of forms but the best ones are the lovely, older
hardback versions, with beautiful illustrations by the late
John S Goodall.
He was the most fabulous artist and illustrator
who produced books such as these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edwardian-Christmas-John-S-Goodall/dp/0333220781
Simply gorgeous!
You can read about him here:
http://www.brown-studies.co.uk/page6.html
Miss Read and John S Goodall ...what a combination!
Enchanting stories and most charming illustrations.
There's quite a choice as you'll see from the lists here:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/miss-read/
And if you want a 'taster' paperback set for £9.99...here's the place to buy them:
http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&productId=92363
And now, I am off on a little journey to Thrush Green...and do you know,
my luck is in...it's Christmas there as well!!
Happy reading!
;-)
ooh, I think I mentioned in my comment the other day how much I love Miss Read books, didn't I ? It was such a lovely trip down memory lane to see all those book covers - I used to devour these books when I was a teenager. I'm hoping to get to the library tomorrow, snow permitting and have been wondering what to look for in terms of light read - something for late in the evening when my little brain can't cope with too much, and I think you have just provided me with the answer, especially if I'm lucky enough to score any of those christmassy ones. That deal from the Book People looks great too - sadly my Mum got rid of all my books when I left home, so my cherished collection is probably rotting in landfill somewhere :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the timely reminder though and I hope you are enjoying reading them all and getting into the festive spirit. Hope the snow is affecting you too bad either. xx
I adore those books - have managed to read lots of them over the years. They remind me so much of the little village primary school I went too - our headteacher lived next door in the school house and the whole place sounds so similar to Fairacre school.
ReplyDeleteme too. I've only read a couple, they are very hard to come across and our library doesn't have a one!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
xx
oh lovely enjoy your readying, and hope you and your family have a lovely christmas! fliss xxx
ReplyDeleteI discovered these books about 16 years ago when I found one in the library. I've now read the all & have brought the £9.99 deal! I love them :) Thanks for reminding me Sal, I'm off to dig out the Christmas ones.... always so much nicer then our Christmases!!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Sal
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
Clare x
I once wrote in an article there were times when only a Miss Read would do ... they are the literary equivalent of Horlicks, to be enjoyed when snuggled under a patchwork quilt in front of a log fire.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm also glad you've mentioned John S Goodall. For those unfamiliar with his work, he was a marvellous illustrator, and his books are books WITHOUT WORDS, the stories evolving through his paintings. My favourite just has to be An Edwardian Christmas, always on a table at this time of the year, and next in line would be The Story of an English Village, which shows the development of a village from the 14th century to the 1970s.
Goodall even 'wrote' his autobiography in pictures: Before the War: 1908-1939, and for those who enjoyed Downton Abbey and who are looking forward to the new Upstairs Downstairs (on BBC TV over Christmas), there is Goodall's Above and Below Stairs.
(There is even a pop-up book for children, Lavinia's Cottage.)
Happy Christmas one and all!
Margaret P
Pure escapism Sal - easy, gentle, love them.
ReplyDeleteI've worked in libraries for 30 years and when I first began work there were shelves and shelves of Miss Read books. Today, we have very few...but they are such comforting books to read, especially at this time of year and they still do get issued. Oh dear! I've mentioned books - my boss will think I'm being negative again!
ReplyDeleteTracey
Miss Read books are still very popular here in NZ, I pick them up from the 2nd book shops all the time and the library still has a full array. I've been listening to them on CD while going to work, sets me up for the day. Merry Christmas Sal.
ReplyDeleteHave the most wonderful of Christmases Sal and Terry. Stay safe and warm. :O)
ReplyDeleteI've read many of Miss Read's books in the past and enjoyed them very much. She was my mum's favourite author too. I think I shall revisit Thrush Green and Fairacre again.
ReplyDeleteHave read almost all of them now. What ever shall I do when the last one is read? Is there something equivalent?
ReplyDeleteHelp ;)
Lisa xo
And wishing you the very best for the new year!
How I enjoy escaping to Thrush Green! I have Christmas At Fairacre to enjoy this week too....
ReplyDeleteMarie x
I hope you and your family have had a very happy Christmas. Thanks for the book recommendations , I read a Thrush Green book years ago but had forgotten about them. They sound just the the thing for curling up on the sofa with on a wintery evening.
ReplyDeleteAnn x
I think I had all her books and gave them all away years ago because I didn't have the room to store them. How I regret that now!!! I loved them and would love to read them again, enjoy for me.
ReplyDeletex Sandi