Literature

These are a few of my favorite things...

Authors I adore:

Louisa May Alcott
Jane Austen
L.M. Montgomery
J.R.R. Tolkien
James Herriot
Elizabeth Gaskell
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Winston Graham
Beatrix Potter

Firm favorite recommendations:

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Howards End by E.M. Forster
Emma by Jane Austen
Emily of New Moon trilogy by L.M. Montgomery
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter
The Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

10 Classic Stories for Kindred Spirits to Read this Summer

Gracie Carmichael

Jun 30
6 min

10 Classic Stories for Kindred Spirits to Read this Summer

To aid you in your summer reading list-making, I'm sharing my own top ten classic recommendations to add to this season's book-plan.

A Return to the Poldark Perusal: Revisiting Book 1, Ross Poldark

Gracie Carmichael

May 31
14 min

A Return to the Poldark Perusal: Revisiting Book 1, Ross Poldark

Welcome back to a surprise return of the Poldark Perusal! I'm beginning the journey all over again with a much-awaited perusal of Book One.

How to be a Heroine: Finding Grace and Wisdom in a Literary Light

Gracie Carmichael

Apr 29
7 min

How to be a Heroine: Finding Grace and Wisdom in a Literary Light

In a society suffering from "main character syndrome," we're best off looking to the heroines to discover the wisdom of graceful endurance.

Gleaming Jewels of Alcott-ian Wisdom in "The Little Women Devotional"

Gracie Carmichael

Mar 1
5 min

Gleaming Jewels of Alcott-ian Wisdom in "The Little Women Devotional"

From bestselling author Rachel Dodge comes The Little Women Devotional, exuding the timeless biblical wisdom of Alcott's beloved classic.

The Tales of our Youth: A Return to the Children's Story

Gracie Carmichael

Feb 22
6 min

The Tales of our Youth: A Return to the Children's Story

If you’ve misplaced the door to fairyland, follow me through the looking-glass with a call to revisit the cherished stories of our youth.

Gracie Carmichael

Dec 29, 2021
6 min

The 10 Best Books I read in 2021

Join me in looking back on the best books of 2021, a year of discovering new stories that have come to join my list of lifelong favorites.

My Holiday Gift Guide for Readers | 2021 Edition

Gracie Carmichael

Nov 29, 2021
4 min

My Holiday Gift Guide for Readers | 2021 Edition

For the Anne-girl and the Alcott Enthusiast, Young Readers and Austen devotees, my holiday gift guide is here to help in the holiday bustle.

The Poldark Perusal - Book 12, Bella Poldark

Gracie Carmichael

Nov 20, 2021
12 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 12, Bella Poldark

It's the end of the journey! Join me in the last Poldark Perusal covering the twelfth and final book of the Poldark saga: Bella Poldark.

10 Life Lessons I learned from Alcott's "An Old-Fashioned Girl"

Gracie Carmichael

Sep 20, 2021
10 min

10 Life Lessons I learned from Alcott's "An Old-Fashioned Girl"

Polly Milton's timeless story is like a precious jewel that shines brighter with age, full of ageless wisdom more relevant today than ever.

The Poldark Perusal - Book 11, The Twisted Sword

Gracie Carmichael

Jul 31, 2021
14 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 11, The Twisted Sword

Welcome back to the Poldark Perusal! This time we're delving into the penultimate installment of the saga: Book 11: The Twisted Sword.

Gracie Carmichael

Jul 17, 2021
5 min

Afternoon Tea with "The Story Girl"

You are cordially invited to join me for Afternoon Tea with L.M. Montgomery's The Story Girl...with the promise of raspberry turnovers, too!

A First Meeting with "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"

Gracie Carmichael

Jun 30, 2021
5 min

A First Meeting with "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society"

Join me as I review Mary Ann Schaffer's powerful, poignant book about war, love and hardship from the lens of Guernsey Islanders post-ww2.

Entering the World of James Herriot's "All Creatures Great and Small"

Gracie Carmichael

Jun 18, 2021
5 min

Entering the World of James Herriot's "All Creatures Great and Small"

I've started a delightful trek into the heartwarming and hilarious world of James Herriot, a country veterinary surgeon of 1930s Yorkshire.

To be a Fanny Price in a world of Mary Crawford's

Gracie Carmichael

Jun 4, 2021
10 min

To be a Fanny Price in a world of Mary Crawford's

Mansfield Park, Austen's most controversial novel, is a hidden gem that deserves so much more recognition. Care to be convinced? :)

The Poldark Perusal - Book 10, The Loving Cup

Gracie Carmichael

May 12, 2021
9 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 10, The Loving Cup

Welcome back to the Poldark Perusal! This time we're taking a look at The Loving Cup, the tenth book of Winston Graham's 12-book saga...

The Poldark Perusal - Book 9, The Miller's Dance

Gracie Carmichael

Mar 26, 2021
9 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 9, The Miller's Dance

Welcome back to the Poldark Perusal! This time I'm unpacking The Miller's Dance: Book 9 of Winston Graham's marvelous 12-book Cornish saga.

Gracie Carmichael

Mar 16, 2021
6 min

Seasonal Stories and Signs of Spring

Join me for an early-spring ramble, on the joys of seasonal rereads and the nurturing of dear, fanciful daydreams so close to our hearts...

The Literary Heroine Release, with Free Downloadable Wallpapers

Gracie Carmichael

Feb 26, 2021
2 min

The Literary Heroine Release, with Free Downloadable Wallpapers

I'm so excited to announce a new line of products on the Austens & Alcotts shop — The Literary Heroine Collection, available today!!

Gracie Carmichael

Feb 24, 2021
7 min

Wuthering Heights was an... Experience

Emily Brontë's classic gothic thriller wasn't quite what I expected. As a relative Brontë novice, I had thoughts! Join me in unpacking them!

At the Breakfast Table with "Emily of New Moon"

Gracie Carmichael

Jan 30, 2021
6 min

At the Breakfast Table with "Emily of New Moon"

Join me for a New Moon breakfast as I unpack my personal favorite of L.M. Montgomery's beloved works, all with a spoiler-free guarantee!

The Poldark Perusal - Book 8, The Stranger From the Sea

Gracie Carmichael

Jan 15, 2021
11 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 8, The Stranger From the Sea

Welcome back to the Poldark Perusal! This time we're unpacking book 8 of Winston Graham's Poldark saga: The Stranger From the Sea.

Gracie Carmichael

Dec 31, 2020
6 min

My Top 10 Reads from 2020

From much-beloved classics to new discoveries made, join me in unpacking the Top 10 books I read in this most singular year!

Gracie Carmichael

Dec 11, 2020
3 min

The Anne of Green Gables Devotional - GIVEAWAY with Rachel Dodge

I'm thrilled to be partnering with Rachel Dodge, author of The Anne of Green Gables Devotional, for this Kindred Spirits giveaway!

Gracie Carmichael

Nov 30, 2020
3 min

My Holiday Gift Guide for Readers

With Christmas just around the corner, I've assembled my Holiday Gift Guide for Readers, from stocking stuffers to swoon-worthy editions.

Gracie Carmichael

Nov 11, 2020
4 min

8 Wartime-Lit Picks for Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day! In commemoration of today's holiday, I've compiled 8 Wartime Literature books that are sure to become fast favorites.

Gracie Carmichael

Oct 31, 2020
19 min

Reader, I finally read Jane Eyre.

Last month, I knew nothing about Charlotte Brontë's gothic masterpiece. Today, Jane Eyre is one of the greatest works of fiction I've read!

Gracie Carmichael

Sep 16, 2020
5 min

10 Must-Read Classics for Fall

Autumn beckons, and to the aid of all seasonal readers like myself, I've compiled a list of the Top 10 Fall Classics to enjoy this season.

Gracie Carmichael

Sep 4, 2020
5 min

#ReadChristie2020

An ongoing list of every Agatha Christie I've read in 2020, updated throughout the year.

The Poldark Perusal - Book 7, The Angry Tide

Gracie Carmichael

Aug 28, 2020
12 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 7, The Angry Tide

My journey into Winston Graham's 12-book Poldark saga continues! Join me in unpacking Book 7: The Angry Tide in this month's Perusal.

Gracie Carmichael

Aug 25, 2020
2 min

Collecting Vintage Alcotts

I've always dreamt of starting a vintage Alcott collection, and I've finally begun with these four beautiful editions of Jo's Boys, Eight...

The Poldark Perusal - Book 6, The Four Swans

Gracie Carmichael

Jul 25, 2020
8 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 6, The Four Swans

The deeper I dive into Poldark, the deeper I fall in love with Winston Graham's legendary saga. Join me in unpacking Book 6, The Four Swans!

The Poldark Perusal - Book 5, The Black Moon

Gracie Carmichael

Jul 3, 2020
5 min

The Poldark Perusal - Book 5, The Black Moon

As a major fan of the PBS series, I'm determined to read through Winston Graham's 12-book Poldark saga before the year is up. Join me as...

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes — In-Depth Book Review

Gracie Carmichael

Jun 15, 2020
7 min

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes — In-Depth Book Review

Suzanne Collins made a masterly move with her Hunger Games prequel, intricately woven with philosophy and the inherent state of humanity...

Gracie Carmichael

May 29, 2020
4 min

My Top 3 Reads for #MysteryBookMay

Have you heard? #MysteryBookMay is almost over, and today I'm rounding up my top 3 mystery books of the month (spoiler free!) to celebrate.

Across the 100-acre Wood: A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh"

Gracie Carmichael

May 7, 2020
4 min

Across the 100-acre Wood: A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh"

Every spring, I find my heart sighing to return to the 100-acre Wood, where Pooh Bear is counting his fourteen pots of honey, and Piglet...

Louisa May Alcott's Little Men - Book Review

Gracie Carmichael

Apr 29, 2020
5 min

Louisa May Alcott's Little Men - Book Review

With spring well underway and turbulent times distracting us from daily pleasure, I find myself turning again to the Bhaers of Plumfield...