What I am Reading March 2023

As this world becomes increasingly ugly, callous and materialistic it needs to be reminded that the old fairy stories are rooted in truth, that imagination is of value, that happy endings do, in fact, occur, and that the blue spring mist that makes an ugly street look beautiful is just as real a thing as the street itself.

-Elizabeth Goudge

What I am Reading March 2023. March 1, 2023.

The beginning of March sees the last remnants of a late winter storm in the PNW melting away. The Narcissus is popping up outside our door. Our roses have new green leaves. And a newly purchased rhubarb plant waits inside the laundry room for its new forever home in the garden. The winter season threw one final act of desperation at us and is now retreating while the warmer air moves in. Spring is beginning to course through my blood and my hands are eager to dig in the soil. My mind is spinning with plans and a new garden map sits out on the coffee table. How much can I get done in the next few months I wonder? My evenings are still occupied with lots of reading though. I must wait for the longer days to garden.

This month my evenings are committed to starting the Eliot Family Trilogy by Elizabeth Goudge. Elizabeth Goudge is a beloved English author who wrote lovely, clean, Christian books. Her writing career spanned from 1934-1978. She was a well-loved author who even influenced JK Rowling with her book “The Little White Horse”. Goudge was a writer who sought to bring English beauty and charm to the literature landscape as her quote above beautifully expresses this desire. And it is that spirit that draws me to her books. She has written a number of books that I plan to read, but this month I will focus on the Eliot Family Trilogy.

What I am Reading March 2023

The Eliot Family Trilogy by Elizabeth Goudge including:

The Bird in the Tree

Family matriach, Lucilla, has spent years building a legacy at the Damerosehay Estate which she intends to be a family refuge from the world. Her intention is to bequeath it to her favorite grandson, David, whom she is confident will keep it going. However, it all threatens to crumble when her grandson falls in love with his aunt, and they plan to marry. Lucilla must convince the pair to first think of their obligations to the others around them. And then Lucilla has her own dark secrets as well…

Pilgrim’s Inn

David and Nadine have gone their separate ways and are working to move forward with their lives. Nadine is rebuilding her life with her husband and children whom she previously left. They have purchased a remote inn to run which brings great healing and joy to their family as well as the strangers who seek refuge there. Meanwhile David is still healing from heartbreak and the war, but then he meets gentle and big-hearted Sally who loves him completely. But can he overcome his struggles and embrace this new love?

The Heart of the Family

Lucilla is still at the helm of her family estate as they continue to move forward when they receive another war survivor, Sebastian, who’s own struggles are greater than any they’ve ever faced. The family members face their own personal struggles as they work through their relationships.

Read all three books for free here with a free internet archive account.

Have a beautiful day!