Five Fall Favorites Day 6

 

This has been a busy year for me outside of the reading andwriting life, but I’m on track to read my average of 50-ish books this year,albeit most of them are shorter than in previous years. These are my favoritesof 2025 so far. There are still three months left to change that, but I have afeeling most of them will stay put.

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The Book of Stillmeadow by Gladys Taber – This cheerfulbook, published in the 1940s, follows a year at an old Massachusetts farmhousethat Gladys Taber and her family restored and turned into a homestead. Eachmonth is a chapter full of their experiences, notes on the natural world aroundthem and their bevy of cocker spaniels, and Taber’s humorous remarks on all ofit. Thankfully, she published several more books like this, and I can’t wait toread them.

Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature by Linda Lear – I’vebeen on a Beatrix Potter kick this year (it started late last year with BeatrixPotter’s Gardening Life). This comprehensive biography solidified her as aperson I admire and respect. I learned many interesting things about her variedlife; she wasn’t only a children’s book author and illustrator. She took all herroles seriously: naturalist, farmer and landowner, businesswoman, daughter, wife,and more, excelling in everything she put her hand to.

The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter by Susan Wittig Albert –This series of eight cozy mysteries are addictive. Taking place in the LakeDistrict in Northern England where Beatrix Potter bought a farm with theproceeds of her books, they’re classic cozy mysteries with a cast of villagecharacters. But they’re unique in a few ways. There’s a fantasy element withanimals who talk to each other and fairies and dragons making appearances in afew of the books. There’s also a historical element because the author tried tobe as accurate as possible to what we know of Beatrix Potter’s life. It’s aninteresting mix, and certainly never boring!

The White Witch by Elizabeth Goudge – While not myfavorite of Goudge’s books, it’s almost impossible for a Goudge novel not to beon a list of my general favorites. Taking place during the English Civil War (mid-17thcentury), it’s fully in her typical style: beautifully descriptive writing, afascinating cast of deeply developed characters, and far-reaching spiritualtruths that resonate with me and quiet my spirit. Note, however, that Iwouldn’t recommend this Goudge novel to everyone … a few scenes dip intothe dark, disturbing side of the spiritual world. I did not like that aspect.

The Iron Ring by Lloyd Alexander – This YA fantasynovel is inspired by India. With a tight, well-written journey plot and plentyof twists, a wonderful cast of memorable characters, and a surprisingly deeptheme about identity, honor, humility, and kindness, this is the kind of book thattypifies how reading can be the best kind of escape—fun yet thought-provoking.

Here are the links to the other bloggers on my team, Team Walnut. Be sure to check them out for more recommendations!
bookslesstravelledblog.wordpress.com
inspirationalskai.blogspot.com
madismusingsblog.wordpress.com
authorabigailkay.wordpress.com
www.vintagevolumesblog.weebly.com
kelseysnotebookblog.blogspot.com
onceuponanordinary.wordpress.com/blog

And be sure to visit the hostesses' blogs by clicking on the links below:
[image error]  Kate
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Rebekah


Lastly, here is the link to the giveaway for all these fantastic books shown in the graphics below: