D.E. Stevenson Books
Brenda at Coffee Tea Books and Me mentions these books here and here, and other places as well. Brenda credits and thanks our friend Kristi at Thoughts from Thicket House for telling her about D. E. Stevenson as do I. Kristi has never given up on the hope that I would read Miss Buncle's Book and Miss Buncle Married. I hope that this surprises and pleases her! 😊 You can find a fun post at Kristi's here about a play she attended based on the book Miss Buncle's Book. (A book with "book" in the title can get confusing.)
~how my library page looks~
It also helped that a niece gave me a gift membership to a public library and told me about an app called Overdrive. This app makes reading or downloading a book via the library so easy.
I love how the app works...I can check on my progress through the book and I can bookmark the page to easily return to.
These books were written some time ago. Miss Buncle's Book was written in 1934, the year my mother was born. It holds up very well if you enjoy a funny, endearing, cozy, descriptive book. This one had me on the first page.
The basic premise of Miss Buncle's Book is that a young woman, who says that she lacks imagination, uses the people who live in her town to create character studies for her book. She veils them very slightly...so slightly that they recognize themselves in her book. Then the fun really begins!
Miss Buncle Married provides a change of setting and circumstances and is also pleasant reading, though I am not as charmed as I was by the first. I am so excited to know that there are many more books by D.E. Stevenson to enjoy. All you Anglophiles out there will enjoy them for the descriptions of home, garden, tea time, and all things English.
So, as you can see, I must get reading for my time will run out. I did read the first book in a long afternoon and evening last Saturday and am taking more time to read the longer novel Miss Buncle Married.
So, am I the last person on the planet to read these? If you have read D.E. Stevenson, what is your favorite? Let's not limit it there...who is your favorite author for a cozy read?
Edited to Add: Brenda has a lovely list of cozy reads where you will find many of your favorites, I am quite sure. I smiled to see how many authors mentioned in comments below show up on her wonderful list. Check it out!
You aren't the last, I have never heard of these! I have Overdrive too so now I need to see if I can get these through the library. Thanks for the tip :) I think my favorite author is Jan Karon, but I also love the work of Gene Stratton Porter.
ReplyDeleteI love Jan Karon also, especially the Mitford series. I haven't enjoyed the Father Tim novels as much at all. But Mitford, now that's a place I can return to again and again. A while ago, Brenda at Coffee Tea Books and Me mentioned this thought, that it can be so comforting in difficult, uncertain days to return to familiar places and neighborhoods through books. I took that to heart and it really does help. Mitford is especially comforting to me.
DeleteI love checking ebooks from my library and reading them using the Overdrive app! So easy and FUN! I love the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear! And mysteries by Charles Finch. I love so many and when I find a good series, I want to read them all! Enjoy your day sweet friend. Happy reading! Oh...and no I haven't read these books! YAY! More good books to read! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have certainly heard of D.E. Stevenson and I'm sure I have seen some of her books here and there, but I don't believe I have ever read one. I checked out the list of her books and saw some familiar-looking titles, but none that rang a bell as having read them. So you can be sure that as I'm clearing out and sorting books at my parents' home (there were books in nearly every room plus the cellar and attic!) I will keep my eyes open for Stevenson books.
ReplyDeleteLove the teacup inside the candy dish at the left side of your header. Is that a little maple leaf garland strung across it? Very sweet! (No pun intended.)
And your featured post -- be still my heart! It is so lovely. I've not completed my trip through your archives yet, so this was a new one to me.
I need to learn how to do that featured post thing.
I am not familiar with these either but I would dearly love them! Thanks so much for the info. Wishing you a very nice day. xo
ReplyDeleteVee, I found it interesting that you need to pay for a membership in your library. I've not heard of that before. Thanks for your book recommendations. I've been meaning to read D.E. Stevenson. My latest book was by Maeve Binchy---Nights of Rain and Stars. I enjoy her character development and writing style. I also really like Kate Morton's writing as well. Enjoy your new reads. ♥
ReplyDeleteDid I say that? 😉 No, the membership is to a much larger library with easy access to many, many books. My library is free and, because it is such a small town library, all patrons are automatically eligible for interlibrary loans throughout New England. Haven't attempted borrowing from my own library system yet, but I will with this amazing free app.
DeleteVee, I think my brain ran with the wrong info. Seems to happen more these days.♥
DeleteI have read one Stevenson book I think. One of the Scottish ones, can't remember the name. I am always interested in the books Brenda recommends and have started reading Gladys Taber and Goudge because of her!
ReplyDeleteThis app looks interesting. If I had an ipad or tablet I would consider that for sure!
Oh Vee, I read these books years ago because a friend always was saying a quote or referred to them in a conversation, so I finally read them! Now to this day I want my own copies of them! Talking about descriptive and funny and filled with how sweet is that thought! Made me want to live in that village.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and enjoy these books! Roxy
miss buncle. hm. new to me and i've ventured over to amazon for a better looksee. it appears there's books 3 & 4 to that series as well. :) thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteI've not read any of these books but I'm going to check with the library. Sounds like I'd like them.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading the Louise Penny books.
A real book in my hands is still the way I read. I love holding the book. Books are easier on my eyes too.
My hands are so tired these days that I have welcomed reading on the tablet. I know that I could not have held a book for that many hours on my little reading marathon. And, yes, I still like to hold a book.
DeleteI'm another who has not heard of these charming books. More for my list of "someday." I'm surprised that a public library charges for membership - one thing I've enjoyed so much since returning to Canada is our public (for free) library system. I always thought Dale Carnegie initiated the concept in the USA as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend, Vee. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
I don't believe that public libraries charge for their own residents. Mine certainly does not. Are the books in Canada considered the country's property instead of the community's? Not sure that I understand how that would work.
DeleteMy favorite author since the mid-sixties. I'm so glad you enjoyed Miss Buncle's Book. It's up in my favorites, though it seems impossible to pick one most favorite....Thank you for mentioning her on your blog. Many of her books are being republished these days.
ReplyDeleteHi Vee~
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of these books - but I will certainly check them out, they sound very cozy.
I love my local library, but it is very small and does not offer every title. I know I can check out books online, but not sure about downloading them. What a great app though, I am definitely doing some research on it.
Have a wonderful week-end...reading...hugs!
Barb
I'm reading Donna Ball's series of Ladybug Farm. These do look interesting and I'll have to put it on my list...cold weather is coming:-D
ReplyDeleteOops, never heard of them before now. I'll check my library catalog to see if they are available. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading all Summer, but never heard of these. Will have to check them out. I've read several Alexander McCall Smith, 44 Scotland Street series, and also a series by Jeffry Archer. A friend loaned me a bag full of Anne Tyler...so I read...
ReplyDeleteI saw your post title over at Judy's and I had to pop over to read about D E Stevenson - she's one of my favourites! Although I wouldn't say every book is as lovely as Miss Buncle. I really enjoyed that one. Have you read Miss Read's Fairacre or Thrush Green books? More cosy British series.
ReplyDeleteThank you for recommendation of the author, Vee. The books sound like something that I would certainly enjoy. I really enjoy reading Rosamunde Pilcher's books and always fall in love with her characters. Also, thanks for the Overdrive app information. I'll be checking that out for sure. Happy weekend to you and happy reading.
ReplyDeleteWell,I am dumb enough to admit I have never heard of these books. lol I will have to look into them. I love a good 'story' (as you know). Take good care and enjoy the reads- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteYou know how I love them! Quite a few are now available in paperback and the Kindle. One of my favorite "series" of her books is not in a recent paperback (yet) but are available for the Kindle. Cheap. Go figure. They are Vittoria Cottage, Music in the Hills, and Shoulder the Sky. I recently read Celia's House and Listening Valley, both were wonderful stories which take place in the same Scottish town (mostly) that is also mentioned in the trilogy above. Miss Buncle's Book is where I started and probably the best introduction to DES.
ReplyDeleteI have been reading these books for some time and like them
ReplyDeletevery much. They take you in to a world that is a welcome change
to the one we are living in right now.
Enjoy!
I had not heard of D.E. Stevenson until my sister recommended her books recently. I went in search of them whilst in England, but didn't spot any. I recently found a Gladys Taber novel at our local Value Village (a great place to look for books. Will search for the Miss Buncle stories.
ReplyDeleteToday I found The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks at the library. Susan Branch is reading it while she and Joe sail across the ocean blue to England this week. I loved seeing all the sheep safely grazing in the English countryside, so I was taken with the idea of reading this delightful book as I remember the wonderful holiday we spent there in July.
Happy reading... thanks for sharing, Vee!
Brenda
xox
I have not read these books. I love when you give "book reports" and these sound wonderful. I need to read more!
ReplyDeleteI need to try the overdrive app. And though I've heard of DE Stevenson, I've never read one but want to now! I think Goudge is one of my favorite authors now. Though sometimes all I can manage is keeping up with book club reads. I enjoyed your flag post very much. I've noticed a lot more flags in our neighborhood this year and wondered if it is because of the election.
ReplyDeleteD.E. Stevenson is a new author to me. My sister-in-law works in the book dept. at our local Habitat for Humanity and is on the lookout for books Brett and I request. I think I'll add Miss Buncle to the list. It sounds right up my alley.
ReplyDeleteThat app sounds interesting too. I'll have to check it out.
For cozy reads I like Maeve Binchy, Rosamunde Pilcher, Jan Karon. I also have a shelf dedicated to old books like Gladys Taber that fit the category. I especially like the ones that follow the seasons.
Your flag post was a wonderful read this morning. Hard to believe it has now been 15 years. I liked reading about John's flagpole and how much it was enjoyed by the community.
When I had eye surgery this past winter I relied on our local library's online audio book link. It gave me something to do while I had to keep my eyes closed! I will have to see if I can get the Overdrive book app. I never heard of D.E. Stevenson --will have to put him on the list. I like Maeve Binchey's novels for a cozy read. I have many books waiting to be read--I just finished The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.
ReplyDeleteI love your flag story in the other post...
ReplyDeleteI am not much of a reader...Gladys Taber is a favorite..I've read several of her books...
You must check lifeawayfromtheofficechair.blogspot.com for her apple read. Her name is Lisa.....
Five Windows is another favorite as are The Blue Sapphire, Spring Magic, and the Sarah Morris books....I'll stop here!
ReplyDeleteI've read a couple of her books, but not the Miss Buncle ones. Sounds right up my alley! I just discovered Overdrive as well, but I'm on a wait list for the book I wanted, so haven't used it yet. I will also check out Brenda's list. And I agree with the idea that going back to favorite writers and their stories can be comforting in difficult times. I re-read many books just for that feeling of peace. xo Deborah
ReplyDeleteHi Vee,
ReplyDeleteYou'll be glad to know you're not the last person on Planet Earth to read these books because I had never heard of D. E. Stevenson. :) However, I really enjoyed looking at Brenda's list of cozy reads. I'm currently reading the Tea Shop Mystery series, by Laura Childs. I'm about to finish the second book. I love Rosamunde Pilcher; I think I've read everything she's written and have also read almost all of Jan Karon's books. I've also read "The Wind in the Willows" and most of Jane Austen's books. Books are such treasures; I can't imagine life without them. :)
Thanks for sharing, Vee, and enjoy your books. I didn't know about this option from the public library, by the way. Thanks for the info. and have a good weekend!!
Hugs to you,
Denise at Forest Manor