Looking for "Nesting" Novels

[Serendi]

Hi-

I tend to like what I call "nesting" novels, where the protagonist, as a significant part of the action, is building a nest. Some examples include:

Tribute by Nora Roberts
Thornyhold by Mary Stewart
Owlsight by Mercedes Lackey

Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

[Liralen]

I can't offer up any novels, but if you're interested in memoir as well...

The Guynd: A Scottish Journal
All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling-Down House
Castles in the Air: The Restoration Adventures of Two Young Optimists and a Crumbling Old Mansion

[``Laurie]

Norah Lofts has written several novels of this type.

[Serendi]

Hadn't thought about memoir, but that's a good idea.

Also, haven't read Norah Lofts, at least not that I remember. Now might be the time...

Thanks!

[``Laurie]

I read all of Norah Lofts books when I was younger and now they tend to all run together in my mind so I can't recommend a particular book. She writes great books though and if you like Mary Stewart you will probably like Lofts.

[Hillary]

Three Sisters Island collection This series, another Nora Roberts, covers three women finding their home on an island. The first one in particular involves the woman falling in love with a little house, and wondering if she can find happiness there.

[Serendi]

I've read LOTS of nesting novels by Nora Roberts, including those. She keeps renovating properties in real life, too.

And I adored Mary Stewart in high school (a very long time ago) and still go back sometimes, so will definitely try Lofts.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

So nesting means renovating a house?

I always associate it with being a homebody/homemaker and popping out kids. (And later, the "empty-nest" syndrome.)

[Serendi]

I mean making a house into a place you love. Renovating or making curtains or putting all your stuff right where you want it, and so on.

While I agree that it usually implies kids (after all, a nest is for baby birds), I'm not that interested in that part. Just the making a house into your perfect home part.

I just figure Nora Roberts likes making places you want to be and can expand it to other places than just her home. She's enhancing Boonsboro one building at a time.

[Hillary]

There are lots of cozy mysteries with the nesting thing as a huge element of the setting and plot. My favorite place to start is this; http://www.cozy-mystery.com/Cozy-Myst...

Look under professions - interior design or home repair

Many cozies have home elements too, decorating for the holidays, hosting a party in the home, having a guest, etc. There are often long descriptions of the home of the main character, including the story behind inheriting that plate, finding that dressing table in a shop, or seeking the perfect decoration for a room. I suspect that this heavy nesting theme is drawn to make an invasion of the sanctity of the home (by the bad guy or gal) more forceful and something that makes the reader want resolution.

[Serendi]

Wow, a lot of work went into those lists! Thanks, I'll check it out.

[Hillary]

Look at the Bed and Breakfast cozies too. A lot of B&B characters are making a home for guests, and they describe and fuss over the rooms a lot! Killer Librarianis the start of a series where what is currently a B&B is getting made over into a bookstore. The Domestic Bliss series which starts with Death by Inferior Designfeatures a pair of decorators. The lead, Erin, both decorates and nests for others and decorates for herself.