FAVORITE EPISTOLARY NOVELS ❤️✏️

[@lizlittle1641]

I teach Frankenstein to my students because it does discuss how to treat people and forgiveness. It's always a good discussion.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, I love it! Yes! It's such a great one for that discussion!

[@Nicole-Leigh]

I loved Dear Mr. Henshaw growing up. In college, I read 84 Charing Cross Road and loved it! Epistolary novels are wonderful and they have a way of touching your heart. It feels like stumbling upon a treasure chest of handwritten missives. The letters always feel like a bit of an adventure to me. Great video, Mitzi! 💕

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks!

[@northoftheequator2094]

I remember enjoying Where'd you go, Bernadette, which is an epistolary novel.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I've seen that cover somewhere- thanks!

[@MariaGutierrezCA]

I just finished Dear Mr Knightly by Katherine Reay. So many references to Jane Austen books and other classics and it is written in letter format.

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚❤️ I love Frankenstein and knowing Mary Shelley's story, a teenager when she wrote the story, is fascinating. I have the book Mary's Monster: Love, Madness and How Mary Shelley's Created Frankenstein by Lita Judge on my TBR.

[@christinaweiss-mj7tc]

Such a great video. I have read most of the books you mentioned and really enjoyed them. I need to read Diary of a Nobody. One of my favorites you may like is Daddy Long Legs. I read it in one sitting.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I found a copy of that one at an estate sale recently! Didn't realize it was epistolary!! Thanks!

[@Lisa_E.121]

Wonderful recommendations! I read and absolutely loved Last Christmas in Paris, and also really enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Screwtape Letters is a masterpiece, I’m always blown away by how wise and insightful C.S. Lewis was. I am planning on reading Dracula, but it’s a bit intimidating since I have such high expectations. My 17-year old read it and loved it so much, she’s asked for a really nice edition for her birthday in October. 🎉

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes for a beautiful book for your daughter's birthday!! It's actually a more accessible read than many of the Victorian classics, pretty fast paced, you may be surprised like I was.

[@barbaramanickas6580]

What a wonderful list of books. Many I’ve read or are on my TBR. Specifically, Frankenstein and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall are are my reading list for this Fall.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, those are perfect reads for the fall!

[@miriamelizabethreads]

Such a great video!! I love love love epistolary novels! Lady Susan, Dracula, Frankenstein, Tenant, Last Christmas in Paris, Book of a Thousand Days, all sooooo good!!! I have to read the others you have mentioned!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Same, so if you have any recommendations, send them my way!

[@kimberlycasey4105]

Great video, so many classics that I didn’t know were epistolary , now I’m more excited to read them😀

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yay! Happy Reading!

[@awebofstories]

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is my favorite Brontë novel! If you like mysteries, the books of Janice Hallett are all epistolary and they are excellent.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, thanks! I don't know those!!

[@ksilkey1]

I would at Meet Me at the Museum, Possession and Address Unknown. The last one throws a gut punch at the end. Possession is one of my all time favorites, but not for everyone.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks so much! I'll look for these!

[@thejournalhouse]

I’m planning on basing my 2024 reads around epistolary novels. I just finished reading the color purple and I’ve seen the movie so many times, but I never actually read the book after reading the book I looked up what the style of writing was called as a writer myself I consider myself writer, at least, I was really intrigued by how things were formatted and I began to realize that I’ve been reading a paries for so long and not realizing that I had been thank you so much for this video. I’m gonna have to add a few of these books to my reading list.

[@PoiemaLee]

That was a nice list! I have read most of the ones you mentioned and I think my favorite ones were the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and Last Christmas in Paris. Somehow I never have read Dracula! I will have to give it a try.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Just know the ladies are pretty helpless creatures. 😂Still, it's great to read to find out the "real" story. Let me know what you think!

[@lizziefayelovesbooks]

I loved Dear Mr. Henshaw, 84 Charing Cross Road and Guernsey. I hadn't heard of a few of the ones you mentioned and I've never read Frankenstein or Dracula. There is a Christmas themed book by Lorna Landvik that is epistolary called Tis the Season that I remember enjoying. Also, I think that Cecelia Ahern has one or two epistolary novels. Have you ever read Ella Minnow Pea? It's been on my TBR for years and I haven't gotten to it. I've heard good things about it.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I've heard of Ella Minnow Pea, but haven't read that one, either. I'll look for it and adding Tis the Season to my TBR. Thanks!

[@sandyokey1019]

I read Dracula for Victober last year and enjoyed it. I think my favorite epistolary book is 84 Charing Cross Road. I agree with you about Wildfell Hall. I liked this book more than Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes, it's so underrated!

[@glendaw5221]

Hi. I think my very first epistolary book may have been 84 Charing Cross. Although soon after that I discovered Thursdays ‘til 9 by Jane Trahey and loved that. Definitely vintage and it’s one of the few books I kept after downsizing and minimalizing. I find that I don’t love journal entries quite as much. Epistolary novels are my absolute favorite format.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I don't know that one! Thanks, Glenda!

[@ReadBrucey]

I have read the Guernsey Literary Society and just finished Authentically Izzy a couple of hours ago. If you haven’t read that one I highly recommend it.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks!

[@jenmoody485]

Frankenstein is one of my favorite books. I had to read it in college and it was nothing like I was expecting. It’s one of those books I try to get everyone to read. I need to reread Dracula. It has been way to long and I really enjoy it. I think reading it for Victober is a great idea.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Right?? I try not to hound people, but I want everyone to read it! 😂

[@kyang4208]

I just looked into "Last Christmas in Paris" by Hazel Gaynor and I'm going to read this one! Have you read "A Memory of Violets: A Novel of London's Flower Sellers" by Hazel Gaynor? This one seems so good, too! Thanks for sharing, Mitzi! ☺

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

No, I haven't. Thanks, I'll look for that one.

[@reddotreads2693]

So many good books here! I loved Wildfell Hall too and I like it better than Jane Eyre. I also really enjoy the letter format and wish we all wrote more letters nowadays. You can tell so much about the character from the style of writing within the letter. I need to reread Color Purple! Yes please to a Frankenstein readalong at some point; I listened to it a few months ago and really liked it, but I’m sure I missed lots of points. It would be a great one to discuss! 🥰📚

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks, Nikki! I'll plan a Frankenstein read along then!

[@littlehousema7162]

I am pretty sure I am the only person who read the Guernsey Society book and didn't enjoy it. 😂 I don't often like epistolary novels, but sometimes they work for me. I read The Last Christmas in Paris last year in December, too, and loved it. I need to read Dracula and Frankenstein. I have them, but haven't read either one yet.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

The Guernsey one didn't blow me away, but I enjoyed it. Maybe you could pick up Dracula during Victober!

[@Lu.G.]

Oh my gosh, so many of my favorites! I *love* Frankenstein, I've read both the 1818 edition and the 1837(?) edition - probably my all-time favorite book, if I had to choose. 🤓 Also *love* Tenent of Wildfell Hall and think it's underrated. SO good! Oh my gosh, The Diary of a Nobody is hilarious, isn't it? The Screwtape Letters is just amazing. Have not read The Color Purple, but I will at some point; I have seen the movie multiple times and cannot make it through without bawling my eyes out. Have been wanting to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society, and now I'll add The Last Christmas in Paris to my _list_ as well. 😬 This was great! 📚 Thanks for sharing! ❤️

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes, if you read The Color Purple get the tissues because you'll cry through the book, too!!

[@debbielee7940]

Loved this video! I'm a big fan of epistolary novels. I picked up a Christian fiction novel entitled Dearest Josephine by Caroline George, which is also epistolary. I have not started it yet, but it looks good! It's gothic mystery, suspense, romance, and dual timeline all in one. Just a suggestion. Thanks again!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

YES! Gothic, mystery, epistolary and its clean? Yep, I'm going to see if my library has that one! Thanks so much!

[@margaretroffel350]

What a fun video. I loved Dracula and Frankenstein even though I was scared to start them because I thought they would be too creepy. If you haven't read "Ella Minnow Pea" you should try it.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks! I haven't read that one!

[@gerrid9092]

I’ve been wanting to read Frankenstein too and have been looking for a good used copy. I liked Last Christmas in Paris. My favorite of the epistolary style books lately is Dear Hugo by Molly Clavering. But now that I have read Near Neighbors, I think that’s my favorite of her books so far (though not written in letter form).

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I've been wanting to try Molly Clavering- yay! I'll see if I can find these!

[@MsMaryLS]

I'm so happy that you talked about THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY! I was going to mention it to you if you didn't. I actually saw the Netflix movie first and loved it so much that I bought the book and now I love it, too! I think it's absolutely wonderful The BBC did a great adaptation of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, in case you haven't seen it yet.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

No, I haven't seen it!! I'll look for that one!! Yay, thanks so much!

[@theresas709]

I also loved Frankenstein.

[@books_and_bocadillos]

I love epistolary novels..I feel the same way about Dracula. 🙃

[@deborahborne4861]

This is not truly an epistolary novel but it does have a few letters that move the narrative along in significant ways. It is Secrets of a Charmed life by Susan Meisner. This is my first SM book and I got it from the library based on your recommendations and I love it. I plan to read more of her books. It's so fun discovering a new author and finding they have a long list of books waiting to be enjoyed. Feel like a kid walking into a candy store.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes! See if you can find The Nature of Fragile Things- that's my favorite Meissner so far!

[@katsnoveladventures1863]

I enjoy epistolary novels, too, for pretty much the same reasons you expressed. I’ll be reading one later in the month for GarbAugust (Bridget Jones’s Diary). Both Dracula and Frankenstein are my faves. Andrew had to read Dracula in high school. My oldest son had to read Frankenstein for high school. I absolutely love The Color Purple which I also read in college (not because of subject matter but so well-written). I want to reread Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret for my coming of age square for Summer Book Bingo. Some novels I have read that I would consider epistolatory are Carrie by Stephen King, Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, and Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple. I’ve added 7 of your suggestions to my huge list of books I’d like to read in the future. 📚 Awesome video, Mitzi! 😊

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks, Kat! Thanks for more books to add to the list, too!

[@Veronica.Roni.V]

Great list. Thank you!

[@debbifaust3106]

UH OH! My TBR just got a lot longer! I added 4 of the books you recommended. I have never read Are You There God but I did go see the movie. I don't know how much it followed the book but it is adorable. I hope you will watch it. I don't know if you have gone to your PO box lately but when you do go there is an Amazon pkg in your parcel box.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

YAY!!! I'll head to the post office then! woohoo!! And if you read Are You there God It's Me Margaret, get an old copy if you can find it. Someone told me that changed a few things in the new editions.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Debbi!!!! Just went to the post office and there wasn't a note, but I'm assuming it's from you- Love You Forever?? That's the sweetest gift and it's just perfect. He even looks my son as a grown man. 😭💙He will always be my baby.

[@debbifaust3106]

@@mitzireadsandwrites Yes, It was from me. When you talked about your son getting married and moving out I thought of that book. Do you already have it or have you ever seen it?

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

@@debbifaust3106 No, I didn't have it. I've read it years ago at a baby shower of all places! Thanks so much! It fit all the feelings I'm having right now. 💙

[@Angela-it2tb]

I enjoyed this ❤ I cant wait to read Diary of a Nobody 😊

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

It's so fun!

[@pbeck610]

I recommend Ella Minnow Pea and 84 Charing Cross Street

[@andeeheartsbooks7447]

I have not read it, but Love and Saffron is epistolary. Not sure how closed door it is. I just bought The Incantations as it was mentioned in the last Booktube Besties retreat. The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society was really good!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks! I check into these, too!

[@denisadellinger4543]

Evelina by Fanny Burney is good. Dangerous Liasons by Laclose, Rosamond by Maria Edgeworth. These are all epistolary.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks you so much! I haven't read any of these!

[@thejournalhouse]

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski are two you may be interested in I’ll be reading them as well in 2024

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I love epistolary novels SO MUCH!! I'm reading Clarissa by Samuel Richardson and Dracula right now and are both epistolary. Carrie by Stephen King is filled with news clippings and no letters and i do NOT recommend. Lol I've read Lady Susan and enjoyed it! I own Frankenstein but haven't read it yet. Same for The Screwtape Letters. I love The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I also really enjoy The Guernsey.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yeah, Carrie is a NO for me. 😂I tried reading it years ago and just couldn't make it through. 😂

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Yessss I read Are you there God so many times!!

[@MsBolinas]

84 Charingcross Road is my all time favorite!

[@gerrid9092]

@@MsBolinas I just got that and I’m looking forward to it. My TBR is stack is getting longer and longer!

[@Klongwell]

Evelina is another good one.

[@coffemuse]

Hi, I'm new to your channel, but dropping here to say, if you haven't read The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, you're in for a treat! I think his other best known book The Moonstone might be epistolary as well, it's been a long time since I read it tho so I can't be perfectly sure.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes!! I love those!! Those are the only books I've read by Wilkie Collins, but I do have a couple more on my shelf.

[@ChautonaHavig]

I need to reread Frankenstein and Dracula because I tried to read them when I was a teen and hated both of them. DNF'd. But since that was nearly 40 years ago... yeah. Tenant of Wildfell Hall was really good. It might be the only Bronte book I like. Diary of a Nobody... I'm still giggling about it! Screwtape Letters: GREAT book. Need to reread, as well. The Color Purple is one I know I can't read. I just can't. Guernsey. The friendships that are built in that one for me. So wonderful. I want to be Elizabeth or Mrs. Maugrey when I grow up. Either one. I loved The Last Christmas in Paris and I didn't connect that with The Last LifeboatThat Last Christmas in Paris had so much going on and it was beautiful. Book of a Thousand Days sounds interesting! I might have to try it. I haven't read Dear Mr. Henshaw that I recall. It sounds good. Funny that you're doing a video on epistolary novels. I'm writing a semi-epistolary Christmas novella and I decided to do an epistolary novel video and... most of what I have aren't ones you mentioned! So this'll be cool!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I need to read your books!! And yes, give Book of a Thousand Days a try- quick read and those short entries made it a real page turner, too.

[@sandra3616]

What a great variety! Some I've read, som I haven't. My son(s?) have recommended Frankenstein and Dracula. I pulled Frankenstein out recently, but Maybe I'll see if someone would like to read it with me. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Inthink I'll have to look into. Our family read The Screwtape Letters aloud together last year at supper time. I think I may have mentioned this before, but I'm not sure, so I'll mentioned it now . . . The Josephine B. Trilogy by Sandra Gulland is made up of three epistolary novels about the life of Josephine Bonaparte. I've read the first two. It's made up of diary entries, and quite extensive in the history, although it is fiction.

[@sandra3616]

And That's the exact copy of Are You There God? It's Me Margaret that my aunt gave me when I was twelve years old. Takes you right back, eh?

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

@@sandra3616 Oh, yes! takes me back every time!