Wow Dee - what a busy, full life you have. The Metford Series - are they a mystery?

No, the Mitford Series of books is about a fictional town "Mitford" and centers around Father Tim and the "town folks". They are filled with love, laughter and life in general. There are 9 books in the series, however, Jan Karan has also printed a Mitford cookbook and others relating to the series. Check them out...they will obsorb you and take you to a place you want to live "Mitford".

Oh...forgot to tell you, the 1st book is titled "At Home in Mitford:.

The Mitford series is one of my favorites too, Dee. It's nice to have a sweet, wholesome story to relax with at the end of the day. I also enjoy a little Karen Kingsbury now and again.

just finished bel canto by ann patchett
worth reading - a story (totally fiction) about the development of friendships between kidnappers and kidnappees. brings out how what we could do with our lives if we only suspected we knew how.

kk - I really liked that book! I'd really like to see it done as a play... I recently read "The Magician's Assistant" by the same author - she definitely has a gift for prose.

Dick - It would make a beautiful play. Could even infuse some comedy in it with all of the translations going on!!
Next book that I'm going to start is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. An old classic that somehow I've missed. Hope I enjoy it.

Just finished a biography of a remarkable couple - Miles and Beryl Smeeton. The book is entitled "High Endeavors" and is written by Miles Clark, the couples' godson. They were born in England just after the beginning of the 20th century. They met in India while Miles was in the army and Beryl was married to his commanding officer. They were two of the most adventurous people I have ever read about - climbing mountains with little or no training, traveling in extremely remote areas, often on foot - deep water sailing in a 46' ketch with little experience and attempting to round the horn of South America and being dismasted twice, once being upended by a huge following wave. They ended up in Canada after WWII living on a farm on Saltspring Island and after an unsuccessful attempt at farming, established a wildlife refuge outside of Calgary where they lived out their days. A remarkable story, a remarkable couple - well worth the read, especially for those of us whose adventures these days are mostly vicarious.

has anybody read any other books worth mentioning lately? I need to recommend some books for my 2 book clubs for next year. I am recommending so far: 1) Mercy Among the Children by David Adams Richards; 2) A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth; 3) Where River Turns to Sky by Gregg Kleiner; and yes Dick, 4) High Endeavors. Any other suggestions?

Those are great recommendations, kk. Sounds like your book clubs might be fun! I'm not familiar with "Mercy Among the Children" but I'll try to find it.

I'm reading "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand at the moment. I really enjoy her style of writing, she describes the characters so well, I feel I know them.

For those who like historial fiction, read "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follet. I am reading two books right now, "Moloka'i" by Alan Brennert and "A Gesture life" by Chang-rae Lee. The first is a book that my daughter gave me because she loved it so much and the second is for my book club. I go to a local community college for this continuing ed course which is run by a real life book editor. Our discussions are fabulous!

Pillars of the Earth was a really great book if you like long stories! Very absorbing. There are so many books today that a person can read in a short time but Pillars took a bit longer and what a treat!
Just got hold of another "interesting" book (as described to me) - "World Made by Hand" by James Howard Kunstler.

I just finished a good one for the fans of non-fiction/inspirational - Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I have to say, reading this thread and finding titles that I've read in the past is like a walk down Memory Lane. Atlas Shrugged was one of my favorites - would also recommend The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand **but don't read them back to back - spread the love around. And Pillars of the Earth made me a Ken Follett fan for life.

Thanks for the advice, jdpandcmp. The Fountainhead was next on my list, I'll slip something else in before I start it!

Just finished the sweetest book - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - series of letters so it would be a terrific vacation book where you sneak 5 - 10 minutes of reading in between other things. Good one for those who love the Mitford series.

jdpandcmp - I just picked up the 5th book of the Miford Series at a used book store and hope to eventually find them all per your recommendation. Does the story end with book #5?

kk - I think there are officially 9 books in the Mitford series. If you search amazon for Mitford series, it should pull it all up for you. But I would definitely check garage sales, used book stores, and especially church yard sales - those are the best places to add to your collection.

jd - I think I'll have fun with this one! Take my time and scout things out like you suggest. I'll read the series when I'm old . . . . or older . . .

My all-time favorite book is Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionnavar Tapestry trilogy. If you like Tolkien-esque fantasy, you'll adore the books.