GREAT BOOKS THIS WEEK!!

[@insidethefishbowl]

I always say that D.E. Stevenson writes good books about good people trying to be good. She’s always a breath of fresh air for me, balm for my soul when I get too weighed down by the world. The trilogy you read is one of my favorites! And it’s always hard to talk about books you love. Simply summarizing the plot is never sufficient. It’s how they talk to your heart that makes you love them-and that can be really difficult to explain!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes!! I think I just want everyone to love the books as much as I do!! 😂

[@littlehousema7162]

I read the one Tessa Afshar wrote about the story of Ruth and Boaz and loved the way she wrote that story, too. I also read Land of Silence recently.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, wow, I'm sure she did a wonderful job with that story!

[@MorgansEndlessBookshelf]

I think I've read every Tessa Afshar book except her newest release, and I love her writing so much! Merchant is my favorite Shakespeare! Portia is so great! Another Shakespeare woman like her is Cordelia from King Lear.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, thank you! I haven't read King Lear yet, to that gets me excited for it!

[@faithtrustandpencildust13]

I tried Tessa Afshar for the first time recently too, In Fields if Grace. I loved her book. I can't wait to read more by her!

[@Dinadoesyoga]

I recently read Miss MacKenzie by Trollope and adored it! It's my favorite of the ten I've read of his so far. Highly recommended!

[@mizsuzee]

I sure like D E Stevenson - I did it, I got Vittoria Cottage for my kindle! I want to read all three! :) I still remember reading The Merchant of Venice back in junior high - it was my first Shakespeare experience.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

It's the perfect time to read Vittoria Cottage!!

[@denisadellinger4543]

I love Trollope. I'm reading the Barchester chronicle. Read the Warden and Barchester Tower. I will read this one.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes!!! Looking for to that series!!

[@millymollymrst3537]

Love love love your accent. Great video Mitzi😊

[@miriamelizabethreads]

I love Tessa Afshar! Land of Silence is so good! I hope to read Miss Buncle's Book this month, I need to read DE Stevenson already. I love Anthony Trollope! I need to finish the Barsetshire series then I hope to read some of his standalones before reading the Palliser series.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Miss Buncle's Book is a great place to start!

[@ChautonaHavig]

Ohhh... I need those! EEEP! I didn't realize Vittoria Cottage was part of a "series." Definitely need to snag them! And Tessa Afshar. I have one of hers and have been eager to try it. I've been told she writes Biblical fiction really well. The Merchant of Venice is one of my all-time favorites. I do love how Trollope addresses the reader. It's a lot of fun. I'm over half through with the Barsetshire series. I'll finish in June. Right now I'm yelling at one of his characters for being an idiot. LOL

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

😂I've only read The Warden, but I've been gradually finding the others at thrift stores, etc. so plan on continuing that series, too.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I'm reading Barsetshire Chronicles too! I'll be reading Doctor Thorne in May. I just loved the first two books!

[@ChautonaHavig]

@@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD I want to be Mr. Harding when I grow up.

[@LauraR00]

You should do some author spotlight videos on your favorite authors, like where to start with D.E. Stevenson, etc. Great video!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

great idea! thanks!

[@sandyokey1019]

Land of silence sounds very interesting and I’ll be on the lookout for it. I read the merchant of Venice in high school and I’ve been meaning to do a reread of his works for awhile now. I’m getting excited already for Jane Austen July and Victober😊

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I was just thinking about Jane Austen July this morning!! so ready for it

[@gretchen6475]

Sounds like a great reading week! I am such a mood reader too. I have picked out a TBR and then totally abandon it for books that are not on the list. You are so right about the more you read Shakespeare or Victorian Lit or just classic literature it becomes easier. I haven't read The Merchant of Venice yet. I have read The Taming of the Shrew. It's a good one. Our area does a High School Shakespeare came every summer and my boys were involved in it when they were in High School. One of my sons was in the Merchant of Venice so it is very memorable to me!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, that's so cool!! I wish we had something similar here- maybe I'd been more interested in Shakespeare!

[@elizabethbrink3761]

You've been reading so many great books! I've been reading more Shakespeare this year too, and I'm finding it so rewarding. I just finished Henry IV, Part 1. I was nervous to read a history play but I enjoyed it. The Trollope Society is reading Is He Popenjoy? in June/July, and I started it now to get a head start. It's so fun! Great characters, great plot.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I need to find that Trollope then! Thanks!

[@robinkirk1821]

One of my all-time favorite books is by Tessa Afshar and it’s called Pearl In The Sand. 🥰

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks!

[@MLLatUtube]

I am a big Shakespeare fan, and I have also found the No Fear editions to be helpful. I love Anthony Trollope but I am blanking on titles to recommend. Did you read The Way We Live Now for Victober last year? That was really good.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes!! I loved it!!

[@Angela-it2tb]

I wish more people would read Tessa Afshar I love her biblical fiction books❤ Pearl in the Sand, In the field of Grace, The Thief of Corinth, Harvest of Rubies are just some I have loved by her😊

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Well I'll be one to read them then! So enjoyed this first one.

[@gerridauer9092]

I’m just finishing up Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D. E. Stevenson. It’s so enjoyable and funny, especially the second half. Apparently, this book started out as two books and were then combined into one. The second half is set in Scotland and there are so many funny parts. The first half of the book reminded me of Diary of a Provincial Lady. Thanks for setting me straight on the order of the Vittoria Cottage series.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I haven't read the Mrs. Tim series yet!!

[@gerridauer9092]

@@mitzireadsandwrites I think you will love Mrs. Tim of the Regiment!

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚❤️ I haven't read any Tessa Afshar books, but I do own Pearl in the Sand and need to read soon now. Thanks for your reviews. I'm glad it was a fun week of reading!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes, give it a try. Someone just commented that Pearl in the Sand was a favorite!

[@starlasell5698]

@@mitzireadsandwrites Thank you!

[@cassandra3399]

Hi Mitzi, those titles of DEStevenson, one is the English title and one is the American title. I wish they didn’t do that but I’ve collected all the vintage hardbacks, love❤❤❤❤

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

ooh, I'm jealous!! I love the vintage hardbacks!!

[@bobbiesuedavis5406]

Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar is really good and has some very memorable funny moments.😎📚

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Thanks!!

[@amyofhearthridge]

I love Vittoria Cottage and subsequent books. I’m due for a reread. 😍♥️

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

It's so good! I'm ready for a reread already. 😂

[@glendaw5221]

Good morning! I’ve not read Anthony Trollope but I think I’ll start with Wortle!

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Yes, perfect place to start!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Tessa Afshar is big in the Christian book side of Booktube. I hear about her all the time. BookloverAmanda reads some and there's lots of other Christian book booktubers. I LOVE that Trollope breaks the 4th wall and talks to the reader!! (George Eliot does that too occasionally). His writing is so good!!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I'm reading through all of his short stories this year with a group on IG. And currently reading through the Barsetshire Chronicles (starts with The Warden). I've read The Belton Estate by him too and I think you'd like it too. He's become one of my fav authors.

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I've never read George Eliot!!! I do have a couple, though, so maybe this Victober I'll start.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

@@mitzireadsandwrites which Eliot do you have? Her writing is beautiful by she can be very dense and philosophical. It's definitely a workout for my brain. 😆 I'm reading through most of her works this year too. Lol

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

I have Middlemarch and Silas Marner.

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

@@mitzireadsandwrites I'm reading Silas this month... I'll let you know how it goes.

[@user-km7fu7su1d]

Estherjane here. You have talked me into my next read. I’ve been looking for something different. I will read the D E Stevenson series you suggested. Thanks😊

[@mitzireadsandwrites]

Oh, I hope you enjoy it! Keep me posted!

[@user-km7fu7su1d]

Will do