Reading Vlog | Bookcase Tour + Making Welsh Cakes!

Today I'm sharing a tour of one of our living room bookcases, which I reorganised over the weekend. I also share some books set in Wales that I've been reading in celebration of St David's Day on Monday, and Mum and I make Welsh cakes for the first (but definitely not the last!) time.
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My blog is: mirandasnotebook.com/​​
You can find me on instagram at:
@mirandasnotebook - / mirandasnot...​
@mirandasbookcase - / mirandasboo...​
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Video Mentions:
The Chalet School Books by Elinor Brent-Dyer
Girls Gone By Publishers: www.ggbp.co.uk/
The Blakes Come to Melling by Margaret Biggs (out of print)
The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown: uk.bookshop.org/a/4369/978178...
Masha by Mara Kay (out of print)
In Pursuit of Clarinda by Mabel Esther Allan: www.greyladiesbooks.co.uk/page...
The Wyndhams Went to Wales by Mabel Esther Allan (out of print)
The Owl Service by Alan Garner: uk.bookshop.org/a/4369/978000...
Welsh Cake Recipe: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/w...
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ABOUT ME: I'm Miranda Mills, a freelance writer / photographer / content creator living in Yorkshire.

[@michelled.3849]

Love your mum…she’s just seemingly sweet…how lovely is the relationship you two must have!

[@melanieandbookstacks]

Gorgeous books. When I grow up I want to be as organised as this. I’m currently 48 so it’s not looking good 🤣. Lovely video, thank you. Melanie. 🤍🧡

[@MirandaMills]

😂 thanks so much! Hope you’re having a good week!

[@melanieandbookstacks]

@@MirandaMills we are thank you. Same to you.

[@Tracywhited2]

Lol. Lol. Lol.

[@elizabethbrink3761]

I'm watching this again over a year later because I am finally in my own space with beautiful oak bookshelves. I knew just who to turn to for inspiration. It's surprisingly a challenge (but a fun one!) to decide how to organize everything. :)

[@muhlenstedt]

One of the very few shelf tour videos that I coul watch without getting sea sick.Thank you both for such beautiful moments.

[@MirandaMills]

I’m glad you could watch it! 📚💕

[@kimesch9698]

What a lovely home you have. My granddad was from Wales and it’s a family tradition to make Welch cakes every Christmas. Even my nieces and nephews do it every year. Thanks for the wonderful book recs.

[@booksandbabble6847]

Oh Miranda, you have done a wonderful job with the bookshelves. It must feel like a cozy bookshop or library in your own sitting room, such a marvelous collection. 💕💕

[@pennymiller225]

Loved the tour of your bookshelves Miranda. All your sets are stunning. What your mum said about favourite books meaning ‘home’ really rang true with me. Although I have been to Wales many times, and eaten welsh cakes many times, I have never made them, and I really don’t know why! I must remedy that soon. X

[@pamelapoet9]

There is something so soothing about walking into a room lined with orderly and colorful rows of books. Not to mention sitting among them! Your curated shelves are works of art. Spring is a good month away for us, so the sneak peek was lovely. I'm enjoying your vlog before I head off to bed early to make up for the hours Laura Purcell's The Silent Companions stole from my sleep last evening. I couldn't put it down. "The mirroring" between Mrs. Bainbridge and Sarah haunted me all day. Your vlog was so lovely. I'm sure I'm going to wake up tomorrow wondering why I'm in the mood for something "scone-like" for breakfast...

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much Pamela! I did have fun reorganising these shelves. I remember being so gripped by The Silent Companions too!! It definitely keeps you turning the pages. Hope you’re having a good week! Xxx

[@barbarabook8461]

What a wonderful bookcase ! And a perfect accent too. I wish you were my English teacher !

[@MyLocsareREAL]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! Your book collection is MY DREAM!!!! And just to know that it’s ONLY ONE of your BOOKSHELVES, has me with strong book collection envy🥰🥰.,, The Story Bookness (🤨🤔I don’t think bookness is a word) of it all makes me smile, Donna waiting with TEA!!!! (She’s such a Beautiful Mom💕) the amazing home, and the outside with the daffodils 🌼) ... I try not to comment on all your videos BUT I WATCH THEM ALL because I always sound the same or super hyperbolic but when I saw all those different collections..I couldn’t help it....You are my favorite BookTuber🥰..

[@MirandaMills]

I always love getting a comment from you Kiki because you’re always so lovely and enthusiastic about books - it’s a joy! Thank you. I hope you’re having a wonderful week 😊📚❤️

[@bethanpalmer3295]

Tip from my Nanna for Welsh cakes is to add a little bit of marmalade to the mix to stop them becoming too dry, she’s from a big family originally from Snowdonia and her Welsh cakes are the best. 💛

[@deannab9511]

You both are just so sweet! The bookshelves are amazing!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! 💕📚

[@lev3021]

Hi Miranda. You have an impressive collection! Your mum said, referring to some book, that it was like home. I totally agree. I love your vlogs, they are such a treat ! Let

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! I’m glad someone else feels the same way about books - that your collection feels like ‘home.’ Home is definitely where my books are, for me! 😄📚

[@DianeC1975]

This was so much fun to watch. You have a beautiful collection. I'm sitting at my desk in my own library and I have to say I still have shelf envy. The collections all together look so good. I drooled at bit at all those wonderful books and the welsh cakes. I'm so silly. 😂. Thank you for sharing. 💕

[@MirandaMills]

Haha thanks so much, Diane! I’m really glad you enjoyed it 😊📚💕🫖

[@CAROLINAPARISLONDON]

Miranda your library is out of this world and those welsh cakes looked delicious!!! It felt a bit like a Friday afternoon.☺️✨✨✨

[@megreads9]

I like the idea of mother participation in your books vlogs, your mom is absolutely supportive and very kind, long live to you and her, and may God bless you both. Such a library you have, I really envy you because I only have six English books in my library because we are a country that is speaking the second language which is french. Rarely you can find English books here and if you find them, they are not affordable prices, they are so so expensive. Hugs and Kisses from Lebanon.

[@toddbelanger1923]

Awww...you and your Mom are just the cutest..so sweet...Love your collection...Stunning !!..I just found your channel today for the first time and ive been watching lots of your video's...there all so well done..Amazing job !! Im hooked..Hahaha..Awesome channel

[@lucybalt7312]

Such a treat after a busy few days to sit down and watch your lovely video. Your Chalet School books are absolutely stunning! Also seeing your P D James’ books reminded me it’s many years since I last read her books - must have a re-read.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! That sounds like a fun rereading project 😊📚

[@GinaHouse]

Your bookcases are beautiful!!! I love all of the individual collections and vintage children's books. Looking at them all lined up so lovingly must bring you a lot of happiness. I know it would make me smile every time I went by! Thank you so much for sharing! xoxo :D

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Gina! My books to indeed bring me a great deal of joy 😊📚❤️

[@teresamadeira3665]

Beautiful bookcase Miranda! And it's so wonderful to see the first signs of spring:) I visited Cardiff many years ago and I still remember the Welsh Cakes, so delicious! It's always a pleasure to "spend" time with you and your Mum, see you on Friday! 🌿🌸😘

[@teresaparkins1255]

Hello Miranda and Donna. You really have such a clever Mum, Miranda!! I, too, made Welsh Cakes for the first time on Monday and burnt the bottom of several - if only Donna had been here to say "use that last piece of mixture as a test" it would have saved the day. I must say, though, that they are are quite delicious homemade and I had mine with butter and honey, yum. As a book lover there can be nothing more exciting than someone showing you their shelves (sorry I've gone a bit Frankie Howerd 🤭) and what a treat to see some gorgeous sets of books and your re-organising, just wonderful, thank you. Can't wait for Friday and I hope you enjoy the rest of the week, Teresa ❤️📚🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

[@MirandaMills]

Haha she is indeed a very clever Mum, Teresa! Very handy to have by my side 😄 I bet yours were delicious with honey too! I also adore seeing other people’s shelves. Hope you’re having a better week this week! 📚😘

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you! 📚💕

[@jennieweston6767]

I always make Welsh cakes on St. David’s day. I am not Welsh but love the country, the traditions, the music and everything about Wales. I usually burn mine, but they remain edible and we enjoy them. Now for my dear husband they must be gluten free!!

[@BookishPrincess]

Your book collection is beautiful! 😍 I think we have almost exactly the same set of titles from PEL paperbacks - those spines are so lovely and colorful. I have the Bourbon Street Books editions of Dorothy Sayers' Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane novels, but your gorgeous Sayers editions are making me feel I need to rethink that. 😂 The Welsh Cakes look delicious too!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! I just love the PEL paperbacks too, and I was so pleased when Hodder did such a nice set of the DLS books 😊📚💕

[@donnawilson7486]

Some really books on those shelves. Thanks for sharing.

[@priscillareads]

Oh my gosh I love that ring you have on!! It’s beautiful!

[@maureenstokowski5848]

I am envious of your beautiful book shelves!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you - I do love my books! 📚💕

[@jesslokuge920]

Well done Miranda, you have nicely organised the book shelves. Welsh cakes are looking delicious. Lovely video xx

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much, Jess 😘

[@juliavasquez82]

What great bookcases and books you have Miranda. Thank you for sharing them with us!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you Julia!

[@tuppenceandbobneedlearts]

Loved seeing the tour of your bookshelves. I have to say that I am like your mom....I like to have my books in order too! :)

[@moriartyandherbooks6011]

Your bookshelves are so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing!

[@MirandaMills]

So glad you enjoyed having a look at them! 😊📚

[@harmonicdistortion1]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching you make and eat the Welsh cakes. I will have to try making some here in the states. You are so interesting to listen to as you share about the books you love. Thank you for posting such wonderful content in your channel.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I definitely recommend giving the Welsh cakes a go; they’re delicious 😋

[@bookprincess612]

Such a wonderful video - thank you both so much for having "me" 📚😊📚

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! 😊💕

[@elizabethirvine9091]

Loved this, thank you! And I’ve ordered the Clarinda as I love Mary Stewart!! And Donna, I love putting book sets in order too - utter bliss! Recently did it with my Georgette Heyers!

[@MirandaMills]

Oh wonderful! I hope you enjoy it too. Ordering books is a lot of fun! 📚❤️

[@janetsmith8566]

How many GH do you currently have?

[@bittersweetmc]

i'm having a bookcase envy right now!

[@Karen-ve6ds]

Really interesting vlog, Miranda and Donna. Honestly, you make me feel like I want to move in with you!! (I won’t try, don’t worry 😆) but what a wonderful area you live in and your library is amazing. Thank you both.

[@angelam5943]

You have some truly lovely editions on your book shelves- a lot of envy over here! I love during your recipe videos when your mum shows off her baking know-how by just touching or looking at the mixture- a true master! You two are such a joy to watch working together, so thank you for sharing another video, Miranda.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much for your lovely words! My mum is indeed the master 😂 Hope you’re having a lovely week 💕

[@ramimnasim8367]

Thank you soo much for sharing your beautiful bookshelf tour🌹💕you are wonderful person inside out..

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much! 💕

[@daveymcteer6804]

I got two new shelves and am about to tackle re organizing all my books. Such a good video. I love your videos. The relationship w your mum and how you share what inspires you as to what you read at a given time. I also enjoy your positivity and true love of literature. I am mum to special needs boy so I’m home a lot and I know when I pop on your video it will be uplifting and positive. Such a joy to watch.

[@shelley8897]

Hi Miranda. I'm from South Wales. Your video is wonderful! Thank you so much. I have really broadened my reading since following your recommendations.

[@jennieweston6767]

My only vintage book is Pat of Silver Bush by LM Montgomery who wrote the Anne of Green Gables series. It is an original copy published in 1936 by Hodder and Stoughton and is autographed with a little note by Montgomery. She sent it personally to my aunt who had written to her to say how much she enjoyed her books. It is now treasured by me.

[@enjoyyournextchapter]

That's amazing! A signed copy is such a treasure! (My mom gave my daughter this book to my daughter last year for her birthday, I rarely see it referenced by anyone)

[@sewsarahstitch]

Oh I remember reading The Owl Service as a child and being thrilled by it!! I bought it for my daughter who didn’t seem to love it as much as I did but I think I’d like to read it agin now as an adult!!

[@MirandaMills]

It’s well worth a reread! I so enjoyed returning to it last summer (it’s a great summer heatwave read)

[@gracetaylor7351]

The welsh cakes look good!! Love to try the owl service book as well! 🙂🌻

[@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641]

Such a lovely space for all your precious books! I guess we all wish we could sit there for a bit and enjoy them... as long as the cakes! 🤣👌🏻😉

[@MirandaMills]

Hehe thank you Julie!! 😄💕🫖🍰📚

[@sandyokey7728]

What a lovely video. I loved the tour of your bookcases and especially Donna’s and your remembrances. The books themselves are precious. Thank you for sharing with us.💕 daffodils are some of my favorite spring flowers too. Such a beautiful setting.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you so much, Sandy! It’s so lovely to see daffodils 🌼

[@lindseymoore1292]

Wow, what a wonderfully packed vlog for today! Thanks for sharing this taste of Wales, both on the plate and choice of books. I've just ordered a second-hand copy of In Pursuit of Clarinda, sounds very much to my tastes. It's always such a pleasure to browse other people's book shelves, so thank you for giving us such generous access to yours! I am very envious of the shelving you had built, it's beautiful. At the moment I just don't have the wall space, and the book collection is rather out of control. Hoping to get more organised soon. Thanks for the inspiration 💛

[@MirandaMills]

Oh I hope you enjoy the Pursuit of Clarinda; I found it such a fun read! I’m always struggling to manage book space better so I know how hard it is!!! 📚❤️

[@norfolkreads]

I have never clicked so fast on a video! I loooove seeing other people's bookcases :)

[@MirandaMills]

Haha thank you! Same here! 📚❤️

[@karenbrowne7233]

Your Welsh cakes looked so delicious 😍 I have a Welsh friend who regularly makes these, they’re very tasty, but I have to say yours looked right up there with my thoroughbred Welsh friend 💫 I could spend hours running my hands along your bookshelves, what a treat to be able to have so many on display ☺️

[@britaccent4352]

I’m enjoying this so much and living vicariously through you! How dear your mother is, standing in the kitchen with two mugs of tea to the rescue after your cold spring walk! You have such a special collection, with so many memories for you both. Loved the baking and sampling as well, and I’m taking your recommendations for The Owl Service and Mable Esther Allen’s books as I’ve been a Mary Stewart fan since I was a girl! I feel like a kid in a candy shop since I’ve found your channel! Best wishes to you both!

[@RichardFarley1976]

Loved the bookshelf tour and the welsh cakes look lovely. Hope you both are well and thank you for sharing.

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! So glad you enjoyed it 📚😊

[@juliebradby3225]

Wonderful video thankyou Miranda and Donna. May i indulge and share a bookie girl reminisce? Your beautiful books reminded me of my favourite book as a ten yr old, The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy, based in Eastern Europe. As a child I attended an inner city school in my later primary years and frequented the town's library waiting for my mother to finish at the Private Hotel she ran with her eight sisters close by and the children's librarian steered me gently away from my Enid Blyton fixation towards Kate Seredy books. I lost myself in those books which led me into another world which stays with me to this very day! Are you familiar with this author Miranda.

[@michaelibk418]

I have never heard of Chalet School and did a little research. I was surprised that the setting in the first books was in my state in Austria. Now I am curious and want to read the first book.

[@corinnemckenna9215]

Loved this vlog Miranda, such a delight to watch! xx

[@MirandaMills]

I’m so glad! Thank you! 📚💕

[@laurac56]

I have a tiny little clump of daffodils in my garden (usually about 4 or 5 flowers), so when you showed the daffodils in your video, I went to check on mine. They are peaking out of the ground about an inch here in western NY state. I doubt very much that we will not still have a bunch of snow this month and maybe even in April. I’m jealous of your early Spring, and your beautiful books. I have a small collection myself, but my “reading copies” tend to be ebooks if possible.

[@MirandaMills]

Ebooks definitely help save on space!! Hope your daffodils are blooming soon 🌼

[@Noortje-hm3ov]

This is again a beautiful video. I love your bookcase and you have a beautiful collection of books. It is also nice that you talk about the special days of your country, because as a Dutch follower they are not always known to me😄. Greetings from 🇳🇱

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you very much! I’m so glad you enjoyed this video 😊🌼📚

[@vanessawood-hopps6298]

As a kid, I used to collect Enid Blyton books from jumble sales at my school. Lovely old hardback books. Enid Blyton was head girl at my school, but her books were not recommended because she started her sentences with "and"!!

[@MirandaMills]

Oh I remember devouring every Enid Blyton book as a very young child! 📚❤️

[@andraste6746]

I have all of my Enid Blyton books that I read in the 1970’s.

[@janebaily3758]

Love the naughiest girl series...

[@sandrawoodall6545]

Loved this vlog and the cakes looked wonderful, mu dad was a baker in his youth and used to make these cakes a lot,I think he would of approved of yours.❤

[@janetsmith8566]

What fun 💕💕

[@takeflightinreading863]

Every time I see your book collection, I wonder where did you keep it when you lived in a flat in London? No way you had space for it 😀 Anyway, I,always, enjoy watching your vlogs!

[@MirandaMills]

I crammed them in somehow, all bibliophiles know the tricks of double stacking etc 😄📚

[@sinta5660]

Books + Welsh Cakes🤤

[@foxedfolios]

Lovely vlog as usual Miranda! I am obsessed with Welsh Cakes - I feel I may even need an intervention! 😳😂 Have you ever seen the old TV series of The Owl Series - it’s genuinely disturbing! 🦉🦉 Alan Garner is such an amazing writer of “children’s books”. There is that golden period in the 70s when a group of authors such as Garner, Hill and Wynn Jones were writing really meaty and clever books that were marketed at a young audience but are rich in reading and immersive for anyone. Best wishes to you and Donna . 🦊📚🤓

[@deirdrehennessey5192]

Hi Miranda. I can’t believe you mentioned The Swish of the Curtain. My friend sent me a copy last year for my birthday as she remembers me recommending it to her when we were younger ( 50 years ago ! ) I always make Welsh cakes for St.David’s Day but they never make it to the table as waiting mouths eat them straight from the bake stone 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@leeh4343]

I’ve only just come across your channel - when I saw Welsh cakes in the title I was sold 😊 I’ve never seen anyone eat them with a knife and fork though! 😊

[@theresabeach8379]

I believe T.E. Kinsey may mention Welsh cakes in his Lady Hardcastle series. Florence is, after all Welsh! And I seem to remember that she makes Welsh cakes. 🧁

[@Sherlika_Gregori]

I passed in front of PD James’s house in Holland Park a few weeks ago, Miranda. I love when I see author’s houses. I’ve seen Thomas Hardy’s in Tooting Bec, Virginia Woolf’s in South Kensington and the site where Charles Dickens lived, closed to the medical library ( I forgot the correct name, but it’s near the British Library). Ah, British Medical Association I think.

[@crystalthechurchmousestitc1888]

Hello Miranda and Donna. I loved your video today. Your bookcase looks wonderful and so well-organized. I would love to read the Blakes series. They sound right up my alley. I have never had Welsh cakes but have seen them at several Celtic festivals I have attended. I have always wanted to buy some but just never did. They look delicious. Have you ever made crumpets? I love them but have never made them, only ordered them. Looking forward to visiting with you on Friday. Take care..... Crystal.

[@MirandaMills]

I definitely recommend giving Welsh cakes a try sometime, Crystal! They’re delicious! I haven’t made crumpets- maybe one day! ‘See’ you on Friday 💕

[@Tracywhited2]

I’ll have to look up the Biggs books. I think for that age I was reading the Happy Holisters series. Never too late !!!

[@ruthlloyd1163]

Ohhhh loved them when I was a kid.

[@angelaspielbusch1237]

Lovely video!

[@MrBoyuki]

Lovely video. Scrummy Welsh Cakes ☺️ Have you managed to visit Wales yet? I live in North Wales and it's beautiful. Lovely countryside (obviously!) but stunning towns such as Llandudno too. Well worth a visit!

[@MirandaMills]

Thank you! Sadly, not yet, but hoping to make it this year! 🤞

[@emily_robinson]

Can I ask, how do you keep track of your books, knowing which ones you would recommend for St. David's Day, or for any of the other specific recommendation videos and reading excerpts? Do you keep your own catalog of sorts or notes, or do you have a very good memory? Thanks again for your videos. I so enjoy them!

[@MirandaMills]

It just comes from reading a lot and, yes, having a good memory. I have started making notes on books, but that’s really for review purposes. My ‘lists’ are all in my head! But it’s fun to browse my own shelves & pull out the relevant ones whenever I need to 😊📚💕

[@lulua.653]

Beautiful library, is there a special reading area or nook that you prefer?

[@kelleyk1320]

Where could I find books by Margaret Biggs? Your collection is amazing. How do you come by your vintage books? Any recommendations of where to buy books?

[@MirandaMills]

I collected all of my Margaret Biggs as a child, but I find that eBay and ABE are the best places for buying vintage books 📚💫

[@itssammierose]

You inspire me. You are just lovely. What tea were you drinking?

[@yorkshirerose6334]

When the world opens back up again you could do weekend b & b at your place and would be booked up for years ahead.

[@michelled.3849]

How long do you take to read an averaged length novel around 350 pages or so? I take forever to get through them due to time constraints. But I do love reading, and I have a stack of books to get to!

[@janebaily3758]

who are Angela thurkel and Elizabeth Taylor?

[@priscillareads]

Oh my gosh I love that ring you have on!! It’s beautiful!