April Book Pick 2023

April Book Pick 2023, April 1, 2023.

The Eliot Family trilogy from March book picks ended up being a wonderful read that I highly recommend. Much of the conflict was internal, but refreshingly and brutality honest with our own humanity and spiritual condition- what I loved best about the book. The characters are far from perfect but evolving. The pace is slow and thoughtful as they process relationships, emotions, and tragedy as well as how to cope. Elizabeth Goudge is an author close to my own heart in many ways. Consequently, I am now adding her books to my rotation. You can read more about the Eliot Family trilogy books here. Likely, I will pick up another of her books for April. This month though I will focus on Miss Read and her Thrush Green series set in the pastoral village of Fairacre.

In my never-ending search for more feel-good, English village, pastoral literature I came across Miss Read. Miss Read fans praise the simple story lines, beautiful writing, and the village cast of characters in their village setting. This all sounded wonderful! However, before picking up any book I always find it helpful to look at what authors the author was inspired by as well as who the author inspired. At this point I am tired of wasting time on books that I wouldn’t have bothered with if I had a better idea of the content. In this case, Miss Read was inspired by Jane Austen. Miss Read herself influenced Jan Karon the author of the Mitford Series. Okay, that closed the deal for me. I am reading the first of Miss Read’s books for April and maybe more.

April Book Pick 2023 is Thrush Green

Miss Read’s first book in this series is Thrush Green which is free to read here at Internet Archive. In Thrush Green we are introduced to the inhabitants of Fairacre as the annual carnival has come to town and people are in a bustle for the celebration. The story takes place over a single day and is a snapshot of life with its ups and downs. Readers love its sweet and simple storylines, finding it a good escape from the now. Having started it already, I am finding it to be full of country charm as well as beautifully written and language-rich. And yet the story is simple as we follow characters around in their everyday lives. Some are quirky, some are young, and some are old. Many reviewers love these old books and read them again and again. And the best books are those we keep going back to!

Happy reading and have a beautiful day!