BOOK CLUB Announcement + Baking Blueberry Cake + Favourite Books from the Week

[@MirandaMills]

I have now shared our Comfort Book Club choices, from August to Christmas on my community page: kzbin.infocommunity

[@teresaparkins1255]

Hello Miranda and Donna, well what a lovely surprise and as a fan of Rumer Godden I am very happy to join in with the Comfort Book Club. As always you have brought us such delights - new books to add to the to be read pile and, of course, a delicious recipe to try as well. Thank you both so much and have a wonderful week, Teresa 🏡📚🌻

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Teresa! Very glad you'll be joining in xxx

[@foxedfolios]

Hi Miranda and Donna. Delighted to hear about the book club. Your plan to combine the best of Tea Reads and the previous Book Club is just another indication of the thought and care you put into your content, including a genuine interest in making us viewers really feel like a part of your channel. I get 'comfort' from all the content you provide, so the book club is just a delightful bonus..the cherry on top of the blueberry cake, perhaps? 🤷🙈😂 Thanks for giving so much to the bookish (and baking 😂) community on YT and IG. 😊 🦊📚🤓

[@foxedfolios]

Oh, meant to add that Dean Street Press is great ( publisher of the Gibbons book). That looks like it might be part of its 'Furrowed Middlebrow' imprint? Either way, recommend that imprint - and Scott's blog of the same name - if you are not familiar with it. (Seemed from your previous video that DSP and FM might be new to you? That would surprise me given your reading tastes and prolific consumption of books, but we can't read everything I guess - more's the pity! 😂) I've read and enjoyed several books published by FM.

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment! So glad you like the idea of the Book Club, combined with baking! Oh yes, I do know the Furrowed Middlebrow books with Dean Street Press very well - I've got dozens of them 😂 I'm sure they'll be featuring within the book club selections!! Have a lovely weekend xxx

[@janelee4424]

How you manage to take just one bite of that fabulous looking cake is beyond me. I hope that immediately after finishing filming you finished it - the whole cake, that is.

[@lulua.653]

Trick for distributing the blueberries evenly in baking, lightly coat the blueberries with flour and you will have the perfect consistency. Love your videos from ottawa, Canada🇨🇦😁

[@monicamacauley3750]

You two are true gems. Your videos make my day.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@GinaHouse]

Yay! So happy the book club is back! What a wonderful idea and name - comfort reads is what I'm constantly searching for and to be able to share it with you and your mom makes me super happy! Thank you so much! I just ordered the book and can't wait to get started when it arrives. You both look so lovely in your dresses - I always want to dress up when I watch your videos, Miranda. You inspire style! Many hugs to you both! xoxo :)

[@teenabrown9786]

Lovely Miranda, I love your Tea Reads with Donna. I’ve missed them! I really love what ever pops up on your channel. Thank you! ❤️💐📚

[@janicemacdougall1844]

What a wonderful way to start my Friday evening, adding a new recipe to try this summer and the announcement of you and your Mum's Book Club announcement.

[@MirandaMills]

That's so kind, Janice - thank you very much! Hope you enjoy giving the recipe a go at some point xxx

[@pennymiller225]

Always a real joy to spend time with you and your lovely Mum. Thank you so much Miranda, this was a delight as always. I have ordered China Court. Love that you and Donna have called it the Comfort Book Club; just what we all need right now. X

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Penny! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and that you'll be joining in reading China Court with us xxx

[@Michelle-hu4gn]

What a lovely treat to be part of a cozy book club, thank you both ❤️. That cake is wonderful and I am just about to order the book, happy times xxx

[@MirandaMills]

Oh wonderful! Hope you enjoy reading along with us xxx

[@bookish_views]

Love the videos with your mum, they really bring me so much peace and joy. Super happy about the book club, have already China court coming my way ready to jump into it. Looking forward to your next video and bake! The blueberry cake looked delicious 😍

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoy our baking & book chat! Xxx

[@bookish_views]

It happens to be my birthday today so this is a nice little treat to myself for the occasion 😉 can’t wait for the book to get here and more videos, I also particularly enjoy your tours around the area. X

[@Michele-n2h]

Hi Miranda & Donna, I found your lovely channel about 9 months ago and have been charmed by your content. I am exited to get involved in your new comfort book club and want to thank you for your the comfort you have offered during the challenges of the pandemic. I find you both so authentic and warm which is a real tonic 💜

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Anne! So glad you're keen to get involved in the book club 😊 xxx

[@Michele-n2h]

Thank you Miranda 😊 I have downloaded a copy to my kindle whilst awaiting my book as I am keen to get started. I hope both yourself and Donna enjoy a relaxing weekend xxx

[@MirandaMills]

@@Michele-n2h That's wonderful! Thank you - enjoy your weekend too! xxx

[@karenburns5332]

Lovely video & great news about the book club Miranda & Donna! Also, blueberry cake is one of my favorites, so will have to make this recipe ❤️

[@MirandaMills]

Thanks so much Karen! Enjoy! 😊 xxx

[@madelinecedillos109]

Just downloaded china court from the library. Excited to join in!

[@lindahill5194]

Ordered my copy of China Court through my Library. Can’t wait!

[@flippinpages6550]

I ordered the book for the book club and recently got it in the mail. Started reading it and kept wondering what a knife boy was and a knife room. I found this description. In the 19th century one of the most junior and worst-paid male servants in a large English household was the boot-boy (also called ‘the Boots’), whose job it was to clean and polish all the shoes and boots of the family, and usually the senior servants as well. There were a LOT of shoes to polish, since people in high society changed their clothes and footwear several times a day (morning dress, afternoon dress, dinner dress, etc) and expected their footwear to be polished after each wearing. It was a dirty job too, as the polish was often home-made and was a lot stickier than modern polish, requiring much more hard work to get a shine. Sharing the bottom rung of the pecking order was the knife-boy, whose job was to sharpen the kitchen and carving knives, and polish the table knives. This was before the days of stainless steel, so the blades of table knives went black and squalid-looking if they weren’t polished after every use; and the kitchen knives, being made of softer steel than today, needed sharpening every day. (Inns and hotels also employed boot-boys and knife-boys.) If the establishment wasn’t big enough to need a full-time servant for each job, it was logical to combine the two jobs and employ a boot-and-knife boy.

[@april091965]

I just ordered my August book. Hoping it arrives soon so that I'm not too late to join this month. Miranda, it's so sweet of you to offer the book club. You and your Mum and your blueberry cake brightened my day!

[@rebeccawright1171]

Thank you for your lovely KZbin videos! I love watching you interacting with your Mum. I can’t wait for the book club discussion.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! Have a lovely weekend xxx

[@pamelapoet9]

Yay! Book club! And a rare-book plot thread to tie it all together--I'm so looking forward to it all. And, as always, what a treat to spend some quality time with you and your mum--thank you. xx

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Pamela! I love the rare book twist in China Court! xxx

[@janetdeja2098]

Just loved Swiss Summer! Not just her descriptions but the main character whom I could really relate to on a personal level.

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed the book too! Yes, Lucy was definitely my favourite character, although I also had a real soft spot for Astra by the end xxx

[@rhondadownes207]

I am so excited that you are doing your book club again!!! I found your channel earlier this year, subscribed, and binge-watched almost all of your videos (still working on watching the rest!) and was sad that I missed the book club from last fall. I was hoping you and your mum would start another one and I can’t wait for it to start!

[@MirandaMills]

Yay! Thank you so much xxx

[@clairedudan2521]

I so enjoy your videos Miranda! Watching you and your darling mum talk books and make lovely cakes while I sip my coffee is the way I love to start my day 💐

[@antigony8178]

Hi Miranda, thank you for the book club - I'll join you for 84 Charing Cross Road as been meaning to read it for ages! Just finished The Greengage Summer, which I thought was fantastic - thank you for the recommendation. Interesting how it was based on Rumer Godden's personal experience. I don't know if you've seen the film? I've ordered it on DVD to see how they recreate the story xx

[@joannebilsland3033]

Thank you so much for the Stella Gibbons recommendation. I've been transported to Switzerland for the last two days and I've never been. The passage you read out is one of my favourites. I'm dreaming of a trip to the swiss alps now where I can breathe in the air of an 'other worldly freshness', enjoy the alpine flowers and mountains and look out for friendly marmots! Thanks X

[@MirandaMills]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it too! I loved all the wild flowers and those marmots too! xxx

[@indydriven2596]

Book Club sounds wonderful and I’ve just ordered China Court and I look forward to reading it in August. It’s so nice to get your Friday videos as they are always a great kickoff to the weekend. Hope you and your mom have a great weekend.

[@MirandaMills]

So happy to hear that & hope you enjoy reading along with us! Have a lovely weekend too! Xxx

[@apriledward]

Wonderful idea! Look forward to joining.

[@MirandaMills]

Yay, thank you!

[@janetpinhorn803]

I just ordered my copy of China Court and cannot wait to begin. Your recommendations have never led me astray. I admit, I often steer away from book clubs (I hate having to say I didn't read something because I didn't like it from the beginning). I'm so glad that you & your Mom are here to kick off my weekend reading. Have a lovely weekend!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Janet! I hope you'll enjoy reading along with us xxx

[@lynbaines2756]

Very excited about the Book Club. I have CC on the tbr shelves so this is a perfect reason to finally pick it up.

[@MirandaMills]

Oh that's perfect then, Lyn! So glad you'll be joining in xxx

[@madeirateresa1624]

Wonderful news Miranda, what a lovely name and concept for a book club 📚 💕Wishing you and your mom a wonderful weekend 😍🌞

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Teresa! xxx

[@sandyokey7728]

I’m so looking forward to the Comfort Book Club. I always find comfort in all of your videos, so I think you e chosen the perfect name.💕

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much Sandy! Xxx

[@Emma_S76]

What a lovely name for a bookclub! I look forward to joining in. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your cake 😋. Wishing you both a lovely weekend!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much Emma! Enjoy your weekend too xxx

[@allsortsMichele]

The cake looks lovely! Great ideas for reads and I will try to join with the book club when I can. Recovering from major surgery (yesterday) so the timing of this is spot on! 👏🌺👏

[@MirandaMills]

Oh wishing you as smooth a recovery as possible! Take care of yourself, and yes definitely a lot of rest and comfort reading in order! xxx

[@juliavasquez82]

Hello Donna and Miranda! I am so glad you are doing the book club again! The cake looks delicious. Have a nice weekend!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! Have a lovely weekend too xxx

[@lucybalt7312]

What a great name for the Book Club! I’m currently reading Dear Mrs Bird and absolutely loving it - it was labelled as a ‘mood boosting book’ by my library which is very true. I shall certainly be adding Yours Cheerfully to my wish list. By the way, the flowers on your table and dresser are beautiful, the colours are gorgeous. Have a lovely weekend 💕

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! I’m really pleased you’re enjoying Dear Mrs Bird; Yours Cheerfully is a fabulous sequel! Xxx

[@laurac56]

The book club’s back! Yippee!!

[@Emmie4497]

The Comfort Book Club sounds just perfect :) can't wait to hopefully read along with some of the books

[@MirandaMills]

Wonderful! Thank you xxx

[@bettymaugeri7316]

Another enjoyable video with you and you mom - I am going to see if the book is available here at the local book store to rad along.

[@crystalthechurchmousestitc1888]

Hello Miranda and Donna. I can't tell you how excited I am about the comfort read book club. I have already downloaded China Court on my Kindle. I just got home from the hospital yesterday after having kidney surgery and this has brightened my spirits. I also want to read Cheerfully Yours. I so appreciate all of the reviews and recommendations you make as we seem to have the same reading preference that I have. Your blueberry coffee cake looked very tasty too. Take good care..... Crystal.

[@MirandaMills]

I'm so pleased you're joining in the Book Club, Crystal! Wishing you a very speedy recovering from your operation. Take care of yourself! xxx

[@GinaStanyerBooks]

Oh yes. I’m am soooo in for the comfort book club. That is right up my alley. I’m pretty sure I started breathing again just thinking about it…

[@MirandaMills]

Wonderful, Gina! xxx

[@blipereira5485]

What a wonderful idea! I am so happy and excited for this book club. Your videos brighten my days. Thank you so much!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! I'm so pleased! xxx

[@dawnscraftycreations2776]

Looking forward to the book club, just ordered on Kindle. Thanks Miranda for another lovely episode.

[@MirandaMills]

Wonderful! So glad you’ll be joining in! Xxx

[@ingertsvard6731]

Thank u. Looking forward to reading the book club book.

[@MirandaMills]

Hope you enjoy it! xxx

[@elizabethbrink3761]

I'm so excited about the book club! I have a copy of China Court from the library right now, so this is the perfect incentive to start reading. I made a similar sounding blueberry cake recently and overcooked the edges a bit, but I just cut them off and we ate the middle of the cake with whipped cream. It was delicious! The streussel topping sounds like a perfect addition. Thank you for this treat of a video, Miranda and Donna!

[@MirandaMills]

Oh that’s great you already have a copy out, Elizabeth! So glad you’ll be joining in! Haha that’s exactly what we do to burnt edges too 😂 xxx

[@shelley8897]

Hi both! I have just downloaded the bookclub choice for August on my kindle. I did it as soon as you mentioned it, lol. I'm so excited for this. You are my favourite to watch 💛

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re joining in! Xxx

[@Andihak]

So excited for the Comfort Book Club..absolutely brilliant idea. Thank you!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, I'm so happy to hear your book club announcement! I'll hop over and order China Court, so I can join in the fun!

[@MirandaMills]

Wonderful! Thanks so much! xxx

[@kathyblatchford3608]

Oh Miranda I have arrived home after a difficult afternoon with my mum …almost 93 and not so well. I am now watching today’s episode …balm for the soul. Thank you for your lovely content. Kathy

[@amandalavelle2638]

Sending you strength and best wishes for your mum. I totally understand your sentiment- I have 2 autistic children whom I cherish above everything. But meeting their needs is hard and draining. Miranda’s videos are just that little time I take back for myself to revel in the peace, calm, and general loveliness she and her mum create. I feel she needs a public service medal or something. Take care xx

[@MirandaMills]

@@amandalavelle2638 I'm just so glad my videos offer a moment of respite for yourself!

[@pamelapoet9]

I so resonate with this, Kathy. I have been having a difficult time with my elderly mum, too, and Miranda's content always makes the day better. I find it so comforting to watch the relationship Miranda and Donna enjoy. Sending you all good wishes.

[@kathyblatchford3608]

@@amandalavelle2638 Thank you so much Amanda …..to take time from your schedule to contact me is very touching Take care and may you enjoy many more of Miranda’s very lovely videos. Xx

[@lomazowr1]

The Comfort Book Club perfect name .So enjoy spending time with you&your mom baking and discussing books.China Court is on the way to my home❤️📚

[@MirandaMills]

That’s wonderful! So pleased you’ll be joining in with us! Xxx

[@gracetaylor7351]

The comfort book club amazing I have never heard of China court so will be interested to read it and I read want to read miss bird as well after you talk about yours cheerfully . Loved the look of the blueberry tea cake looks so good as well. ☺️

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! Glad you like the sound of the Book Club. I highly recommend Dear Mrs Bird & Yours Cheerfully - real comfort reads for me! 😊 xxx

[@joanaslittlelibrary9330]

Really happy about the book club, sounds lovely. I can't wait to read some books along with you both while sipping a cup of tea. ☕

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! I’m so glad 📚🫖

[@marisonata]

What a lovely vlog! Thank you Donna and Miranda. Very glad to hear about Book club coming back ☺💟.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much 😊

[@nancyfritz1827]

What a great idea for a bookclub! I just ordered "China Court" from my library and already have "Cheerfully Yours" on order. My mother and I loved "Dear Mrs. Byrd" and were hoping for a sequel. I'm glad you and your Mom were able to get out to dinner.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much Nancy! So glad you’ll be joining in & that you & your Mum enjoyed Dear Mrs Bird 😊💕

[@maureenstokowski5848]

Lovely ladies! ❤️

[@joysedgwick812]

How exciting, I love the idea of reading along with you both!

[@MirandaMills]

So glad! Thank you Joy xxx

[@BookZealots]

As an American, I think the first and last time I ever made a "coffee cake" was in middle grade school cooking class. LOL I wonder if it's a regional thing? I like your pink Kitchen Aid mixer! I like the idea of having a bookclub. Yes! Don't forget the cup of tea. =)

[@ScullyPop]

It's a wonderful looking cake.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you - it's very tasty! 😊

[@lizgodfrey7771]

Just purchased China Court and looking forward to getting started. The Comfort Book Club sounds perfect!

[@amandalillie4543]

Such a lovely vlog! The cozy comfort book club sounds delightful.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! 📚💕

[@VictoriaPichel]

so nice to have you back for tea reads! I've just got the book and am ready to join in the book club!

[@MirandaMills]

Yay! That’s wonderful xxx

[@michellepauline2759]

So excited! Thank you!

[@lanabrooks1554]

I just finished Swiss Summer (read it in two days) and thoroughly enjoyed it! It was one of those books that I just couldn't put down until the end. I also loved her descriptions of Switzerland, especially the mountains. Thank you for the recommendation, it was great!

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed it too, Lana! Her mountain scenes were so lyrically written! xxx

[@sebtamgeospa]

Adorable! Thank you ❤️

[@shanne6625]

Oh fun!! A book club is something I have never done because I don’t like the book choices. I know your book choices will be enjoyable. I’m going to see if my daughter will join me in the book club. Can’t wait!! Thank you😊

[@MirandaMills]

How fun! Hope you enjoy joining in! xxx

[@DianeC1975]

Enjoyed this latest vlog. Kind of wish I was a neighbor of yours especially when you do your baking . 🤭 Excited about your book club, just ordered a copy( used paperback), and looking forward to read it. My best to you both. 💐💕

[@MirandaMills]

Haha how did you guess we brought a slab round to our neighbours 😄🫐 So glad you got a copy of the book! Xxx

[@sue488]

I'm so excited for the book club! I've ordered "China Court". I also decided to order "Yours Cheerfully" as I love that era - of course, I then just had to order "Dear Mrs Bird" - I have busy reading time ahead! The cake looked amazing - I really look forward to your videos.

[@MirandaMills]

Oh wonderful! I'm so glad you're enjoying the A J Pearce books too. Have a wonderful weekend xxx

[@amandalavelle2638]

I’ve been meaning to try some Rumer Godden for some time now- I’ll check my kindle because I’m sure I’ve got a couple of hers to read and I’m pretty sure that’s one that I own. Serendipitous I think. That cake looks lovely, save a bit for me 😀 xx

[@MirandaMills]

Oh wonderful! I hope it is one that you have on your kindle! xxx

[@karenhaire5451]

Looking forward to your book club and have ordered the book. Coincidentally, I've recently read Joanna Trollope's Balancing Act, which also involves a pottery/china- making family!

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you'll be joining in! Now I want to read that Trollope! xxx

[@annieapple9395]

Love this, thank you so much. X

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you! xxx

[@Sherlika_Gregori]

China Court is out of stock. I wonder it’s because of your book club, Miranda?

[@MirandaMills]

Oh no! It was in stock from Waterstones when I listed it! I think there should be cheap secondhand copes available, and it's also on kindle xxx

[@catherinepatterson4720]

Hi Miranda and Donna. ‘The Comfort Bookclub’ sounds like a wonderful idea (as does the bookclub title). I belong to a local bookclub, which I enjoy attending. At the start of each year we are given a list of 12 book titles (one for each month). This is always helpful. I was wondering, would you be willing to give us a book list for the next few months (i.e. two or more books), so we can source and read the books in time. Thank you for considering this. I won’t be able to source and read your first bookclub read ‘The China Court’ by Rumer Godden in time due to a busy month ahead (with work + my own local bookclub book etc.), but I could start reading September’s book. Do you know the title of September’s bookclub title? If so, would you be willing to share this, to give me/the viewers time to source and finish reading the book in time. Thank you kindly for considering this suggestion. As always, I enjoyed your vlog, and the Blueberry cake looked delicious 🍰☕️

[@MirandaMills]

I couldn't provide a list a whole year ahead, I'm afraid. I don't know September's choice yet as I'm still debating a few titles. I need to be able to fit this book club into my own planning schedule, or it can't happen at all, and I do like to have some flexibility so I can change my mind! However, I may announce titles for two months at a time, as I can see that is helpful. But I haven't firmly decided on September's title yet, so I'll announce it once I've made up my mind which shouldn't be too long from now xxx

[@catherinepatterson4720]

@@MirandaMills Thank you kindly Miranda for your reply. Yes, I understand and respect your need for flexibility with the bookclub reading list. Announcing 2 books ahead would be helpful. Your bookclub idea is a wonderful one. It will be interesting to listen to your feedback and read viewers comments on August’s bookclub read. I look forward to September’s title announcement, and your next vlog 📚

[@MirandaMills]

@@catherinepatterson4720 I've been thinking hard and have settled on my choices up until December. These are now listed on my community page: kzbin.infocommunity Hope you'll enjoy reading along!

[@catherinepatterson4720]

@@MirandaMills Hi Miranda. What a wonderful line up of books. Thank you. I’ll source these books, as I don’t have these on my bookshelf. I’ll be a listener for August’s book, but thereafter I look forward to being a part of the discussion and hearing (and reading) your and the viewers comments, and contributing myself about the book for that month. Thank you once again for the book list 📚

[@aekorfker]

I’m so excited about you bringing back the book club! 📚🫖The trick for the blueberries not to sink is covering them with a bit of flour before adding them in.

[@MirandaMills]

Yay! Thank you! Will have to do that to the blueberries next time. I’ve started turning the slices upside down & calling it blueberry upside down cake - works surprisingly well 😂 🫐

[@aekorfker]

@@MirandaMills Haha I love that 😂 I may or may not have called a cooking failure ‘deconstructed’ in the past😁. Your cake looked delicious anyway😊 🫐