7 Novels for the Bleak Midwinter | The Home Librarian Series | COMMON MOM

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Before long, we'll be smack in the bleak midwinter, and we'll all need some novels.
Mentioned:
Anna Karenina, Tolstoy: amzn.to/3GRGx0h
Joy in the Morning, Wodehouse: amzn.to/3IDl4cN
The Awakening of Miss Prim, Fenollera: amzn.to/3Gp1j60
East of Eden, Steinbeck: amzn.to/3ZiDmWt
Mansfield Park, Austen: amzn.to/3jQRdTA
Brave New World, Huxley: amzn.to/3XhHm7K
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Clarke: amzn.to/3CxssT1
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[@tiffweilbacher6206]

Your videos are so great and inspiring! I actually force myself to wake up a few hours before my kids so I’m able to have time to read my Bible and mother culture books, work on preparing for the day, and have some quiet time…otherwise I would go crazy as a single, work from home, homeschooling mama! 😄 Side note: your wardrobe is simply the best!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thanks so much, Tiff! I hope that time continues to be fruitful for you! (Pst. Amazing that you are homeschooling while a single, work-from-home mom. What tenacity and clarity of vision to make it happen!)

[@Lowenergymom]

@Tiff Weilbacher, i agree with ^ commonplace... pretty amazing chica. I pray you are a master at making this work. God's favor.

[@kate3276]

Watched this video yesterday and found Brave New World at the thrift shop today! It was meant to be

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

If you don't read it immediately, you're ignoring Providence.

[@heatherscofield8474]

I've always thought Mansfield Park was Austen's most beautifully written novel. Jonathan Strange was an AMAZING book, I can't believe it was her first. It was the first time I had read urban fantasy and iIcouldn't put it down, I still think about it after all these years. I've read a few more of those, but not East of Eden. Its added to my TBR along with a reread of Brave New World.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I still think about JS and Mr. N too! Based on purely this comment, I think you will love East of Eden.

[@jessica_wood]

Outfit on point again. I love that you’re kind of matching the room and the chair. The aesthete in me can’t help but notice these things!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Haha! I buy complementary colors of the same sort which I think helps in this endeavor with a small wardrobe!

[@thujahillhomemaking]

Your content is so beautiful and refreshing. Thank you for sharing your gifts with this community.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Oh, thank you! Such an encouraging note. I'm really having a blast sharing my classical delight!

[@jesikaglenn4561]

Brave New World is such a good one! Steven Parker Audiobooks here on YT has an excellent version for those of us who are hands tied most of the time.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thank you for the audiobook note! I think BNW is terrifying insomuch as I see the underlying issues at work *now*. Woo! It's a read!

[@migdalahb]

Adding more than a few to my reading list this year!!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Then my work here is done!

[@ChildofGod1529]

I'm also reading and loving Mansfield Park right now! I have been so delighted with Jane Austen's novels.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Isn't it the best?! If you enjoy, Austen, let me recommend George Eliot to you. Middlemarch is one of my top five (six?!) favorite books!

[@keishak8780]

I spent the entire summer reading ALL the dystopian novels. Wouldn't recommend reading them all at once, but it was eye opening! 😆 Miss Prim is in my pile to pick up next and I'm really interested in East of Eden. Great video! 😀

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ha! Miss Prim will be a nice turn back towards delight-in-the-world-and-humanity. I fell into a dystopian hole in 2020 and CANNOT say I recommend that. Everything and everyone-outside of my home, of course-started to annoy me. You gotta be careful with those!

[@HMSmueller]

Thank you for being my mother culture guru 😄

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Anytime!

[@everywherejoy9019]

Dear Autumn! I just finished reading Joy in the Morning, my first P.G. Wodehouse. It was a hoot, I laughed out loud several times while reading it! I also read The Awakening of Miss Prim. I loved it so much that I purchased a copy for my own library! I’m currently reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. Thank you for your great suggestions!!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Such a good trio! Ah! Wodehouse cracks me up. He is my go-to whenever my literary life (or real life) feels too heavy! I'm so glad you've enjoyed the suggestions so far!!

[@rebeccaowsley7233]

I bought the Iliad this week because of you. Stop giving me more books to read. 😂

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Can't stop. Won't stop.

[@brentonangela]

I have been loving your videos. I'm a newbie to CM and living it however I was never an avid reader and learning with my kids. I am falling in love with reading for the first time. I'd love to hear books that you recommend for a newbie mumma easing her way into reading! Thank you so much for your video's, you have been such an inspiration. Angela

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Angela, thank you! As for getting into the swing of reading, I'd recommend (from my personal favorites list): The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; The Awakening of Miss Prim; Emma; and Hannah Coulter.

[@madeforthis1558]

I haven’t read any of these but they are now on my list. Love your suggestions. I remember from an earlier video that you have tea time as part of your homeschool. Maybe you could make a video about that? I was always so intimidated by preparing the treats, but you mentioned making a banana bread for the week and suddenly it seemed so possible. I was wondering all that is involved… how often, any logistics like mentioned above, and of course the why behind it all. Thanks for your content!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

We do! We have 10 minute tea midway through our morning lessons but I would love to talk about our afternoon tea time! It's very realistic and doable!

[@seasonsofwonder]

I really need to get rich fast, because my love of books is greater than my finances! But I still get to enjoy these lovely videos of great book recommendations, and so I will dream. I have exceeded my book buying budget for now, but that's okay. Little by little my library will grow! 💕😉

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I understand this deeply. Thankfully, the library fills in holes in the meantime!

[@britgauger5334]

I finally, FINALLY convinced someone else (one of my brothers) to read P.G. Wodehouse. He's now a fan, as anyone would be. Joy in the Morning is fantastic. I've read Anna Karenina several times and I find more to love with each reading. You are in for a treat. I'll give you a small spoiler: It's not all sad! I'm taking your book recommendations and here's a bleak midwinter suggestion for you, too: Winter's Tale (by Mark Helprin, not by Shakespeare). It's long, but beautiful and snowy.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Wodehouse is such a treat. I snort laugh throughout his books. Okay, does goodness come to Levin? I have such hope for him. But I'm so glad to hear it's not all sad. My college roommate was an English major, so I already know what happens to Anna and that's constantly swirling around in my head while I read. And thank you for the recommendation!

[@Mrs.ambermartin]

I have really enjoyed your channel and podcast over the past few months, Autumn, thank you for sharing consistently. P.S. LOVE your dress, where is it from?

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So happy to have you here! And my dress is from Not Perfect Linen!

[@RaeBehrs]

Definitely agree with you that this world is becoming more Brave New World than 1984.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Shocking how not-shocking Brave New World is when reading...

[@madeleinevantine4704]

Thank you so much for your delightful recommendations, I’ve enjoyed them so much! A book I rarely hear mentioned, but I think is also a lovely “bleak mid winter” novel, is Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset (winner of the Nobel in 1928). It’s set in 14th century Norway and tells a wonderfully rich, yet sad, story of virtue and wisdom (or lack thereof), consequences and duty….I could go on. Like many books, translation matters. I personally recommend the translation by Tiina Nunnelly. Thank you again for your content - it’s been such an inspiration to me!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Hi Madeleine! I have this book on my shelf and the most sincere intentions of reading it! It's recommended by people I admire and it feels as if I never make it a few weeks without it popping up again!

[@Yesica1993]

I had to look that up. It sounds intriguing. And, wow, over 1,000 pages! (I do love long books.) Thanks, will put it on my list.

[@akieffer]

Tolkien's essay on Faeire is awesome!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Yes, it is!

[@mishelly]

Great list! I’m reading Anna Karenina this January! I’m also reading The Snow Child and Game of Thrones

[@brookeparler7452]

I loved the snow child!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

AK has been wonderful! I've not heard of The Snow Child before!

[@keishak8780]

I'm just finishing The Snow Child- it's an enjoyable read!

[@kristianaivanova1806]

Thank you so much for recommending Miss Prim! I got it right after seeing this video and totally devoured it in two days! It is the first novel I've read...sadly since highschool(I know). Which is why I'm here to ask you, please could you suggest other light-hearted, delighful, inspiring novels or/and classics that aren't dark/sad for a mama that is just now discovering the love for the literary world. Thanks in advance Autumn! ❤

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Oh yes! So glad you read it and loved it. If you've read Little Women, you must read Little Men! I read it recently (and talked about it my Christmas books video a few weeks ago) and it is now my "inspiring motherhood read".

[@kristianaivanova1806]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool Oh that sounds really great! I haven't read either(said she shamefully), so Little men and Little women it is! Thanks, Autumn. (By the way it feels great to know we, the viewers of your videos, are connecting to the real person behind the scenes, thank you for taking time to get back to every comment!)

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

You are real persons to me too! Not just view counts. @@kristianaivanova1806

[@ObstinateHeadstrongGirl]

Love this list! I'd be interested to know what were the bad translations that you have of Dostoyevsky.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Middlemarch is the best! I was just telling someone I want to be Caleb Garth when I grow up. Let's see, I had some by Peaver (which after googling, I discovered people really dislike too) and then I had an old Penguin's Classic but I'm not sure who the translator was. I'm reading the Maude translation of Anna Karenina and am enjoying it immensely. (I don't know Russian and I know serious readers of the Russians will say that without some knowledge of Slavic languages, you really miss a great deal of puns, meaning, and what have you. But, doing the best I can here.)

[@Yesica1993]

I've wanted to read Dostoevsky. But it didn't even occur to me that there were multiple English translations until I began researching. It's overwhelming. I keep thinking, maybe it would be easier to learn Russian! (Which I would seriously have considered doing, if I wasn't already 50+ years old. Not sure that's realistic at this point in life. LOL!) @@thecommonplacehomeschool

[@yolandaacosta5759]

Thank you for the wonderful recommendations. This is so helpful. Would you recommend Jonathan Strange for a 16 year old ?

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I would!

[@jesikaglenn4561]

Farenheit 451 is another favorite dystopian novel. It was scary in as much as the loss of good literature is possible and would be a terrible way to continue as humans.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I like to think that in a dystopian novel, I'm the one with a hidden trunk full of the great books of the past. SOMEONE HAS TO BRING SHAKESPEARE.

[@carolynrunck9118]

East of Eden is my sister's favorite book, and after you suggested it too I decided to read it. I'm only about 100 pages in but it is so sad... I feel really bad but I don't think I can finish it.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ah, Carolyn! Did I mention that it's a painful picture of what happens in a life without love? East of Eden definitely isn't a happy read. It is, however, a deep look into human nature, depravity, hope, and the responsibility we inherit as people gifted with "timshel". Please. Keep. Going.

[@Yesica1993]

Oh, THAT WOMAN! You know who I mean. I have never hated a fictional character like I did that chick. I don't know how I made it through the book. @@thecommonplacehomeschool

[@taylorzieroth9824]

Can you share which color from NPL your dress is? 😍 Such a perfect color. Is this the valley style?

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Yes, it is! I believe it's the redwood colour and I swapped for wooden buttons!

[@taylorzieroth9824]

So adorable! Thank you for your content. I recently discovered you through Now That We're A Family, and you are feeding something in me that hasn't been touched since college (I was actually in a classical education program). @@thecommonplacehomeschool

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Oh, amazing! So happy to have you here!@@taylorzieroth9824

[@gem2278]

A lot of people talk about Mansfield Park... I attend a university with a great books program, and Mansfield Park is one of those books. People talk about it nonstop. There's also the Jane Austen Society. A bunch of people talk about it... Also, Anna Karenina is too depressing a read for the bleak midwinter. Anything Russian is too depressing.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Mansfield Park is popular in certain circles, yes! But for those who didn’t attend a school with a Great Books program and have had a more common literary journey (the moms who usually listen to me!), I think they’re more familiar with Austen’s titles through the movie adaptations so Pride and Prejudice, and Sense and Sensibility, and Emma get the most attention. Once you’re into the world of classic literature, the conversations are much different! Very true.