Come Rain or Come Shine

  

I just finished reading the new Mitford novel by Jan Karon, "Come Rain or Come Shine".  This book is the latest in a long series of books about Father Tim Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest in North Carolina.  This series has followed Father Tim through many life experiences and chronicles life in a small NC town.  I discovered the books in the mid-1990's at Book Stop (remember Book Stop?) and asked for the boxed set of the first three for Christmas.  I was completely taken in from the beginning and have read, and own, each and every book.

The latest book, "Come Rain or Come Shine" chronicles the wedding of Dooley Kavanagh and Lace Harper.  Dooley and Lace were both "lost" children until they found love and nurture with two of the towns families.  Coming from such dire backgrounds and being old enough to know what was happening with them, they grew to adulthood with strong ideas of how they wanted their lives to be and they set out to make them that way -- together.

In this latest work, Karon takes the whole crew to Meadowgate Farm for the wedding of the year! There are kids, cows, chickens, the Flower Sisters, Choo-Choo, Harley's teeth, strong winds and the threat of rain.  There is music by the Ham Biscuits and dancing on the porch -- a pot luck reception in the barn.  It actually sounded, to me, like the perfect venue!

There were nerves, tears, fears, apologies -- accepted and not accepted -- and bride hysteria over the dress.

And there was Jack Tyler.

Enough said -- read the book and draw your own conclusions but I found it to be completely charming.  I will add that it is helpful if you read the series from the beginning because as this series progresses there are many references to prior books that you almost have to know in order to put the pieces together.  So, if you haven't read them, start at the beginning. These aren't long reads but so satisfying.

Tuesday Teaser

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Ok, I am currently reading "Come Rain or Come Shine" by Jan Karon.  Here is my teaser from page 87.

"Do not remove your dentures outside your room at any time."  She felt like a schoolmarm with a ruler."

Ah yes, it is Harley again -- but he is such a lovable old coot. 

Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good -- Jan Karon



I have just finished reading Jan Karon's latest instalment in the Mitford series  -- Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good.  Prior to this book, Karon had more or less ended this series and then  proceeded with the Father Tim books which dealt with Father Tim's youth and with a monumental trip to Ireland.  Both of those books were a little deeper and darker than the Mitford series, they showed a different side of the beloved Father Tim.

This latest work, however, brings us back to Mitford after Father Tim and Cynthia's visit to Ireland.  They don't have long to get settled back into their usual routine before the life in the little North Carolina town draws them in.  There is the family with the good news -- Dooley -- and the bad news -- Sammy.  There are the long time friends, neighbors and parishioners -- some we watch go from deep despair to great joy - Hope -- and the possible romance -- Helene and Harley maybe? Or perhaps the spray tan queen and the fly boy.  Father Tim is involved in all their lives to some extent and it is so interesting to watch him juggle these relationships with grace and the knowledge of when to get involved and when not to.  His wisdom would be a good lesson for anybody.


For anybody who thinks small town life would be boring they should read the Mitford books.  Are small towns really like this?  I wouldn't know but I like to think they are.  In any event, I enjoyed once more, being able to "live" in Mitford for a while.  I hope there is another in the series so that we aren't left hanging wanting to know what happens to Hope, Scott and Grace and Dooley and Lace and all the rest of the quirky yet loveable characters.  I don't think Karon would do that, however, as there is so much more story to tell.

I, for one, will be waiting.

29 September 2014


I haven't participated in the Musing Mondays meme for a while.  It is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.  Basically, it is a place for you to talk about your reading, with or without prompts.

I thought that today I would share what has caught my attention in the literary world recently.   Of course, I obtained my copy, the day it was released, of Jan Karon's new title "Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good".  It is the next in the Mitford series, the first in a while after her two fantastic reads in the Father Tim series.  I can't tell you how it feels to read Karon's Mitford series books.  You feel like you are going "home" or to a different time/place (although they are very contemporary).  The books all take place in the fictional town of Mitford and, like all small towns, it has a cast of very colorful, loveable and not so loveable characters and there is always one you can identify with or say you know somebody "just like that".  This is the sort of book you can settle in with and just lose yourself for a while.  Yep, they are that good. However, if you are just beginning with the Karon series please start at the beginning with the first one.  They will make much better sense that way!

I have also been reading M. C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin series.  I started out reading her Hamish MacBeth series and then started following her on Facebook and decided to pick up one of the Agatha Raisin series and give it a go.  I started at the beginning with the first one and was instantly hooked.  I am now on my third and don't see myself stopping anytime soon.  These are delightful little mysteries, quick reads, engaging and humorous.  They are being made into a tv show in the UK -- I certainly hope we get to see it here in the States!

Happy Fall!

The question for today's Musing Monday's, hosted by Should Be Reading, is what's the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn't put it down?

My clear and honest answer would have to be nothing.  See, I am programmed to turn into a zombie at 9 p.m. and if I am not in bed by 10:30  p.m. I  turn into a pumpkin.  So, I don't stay up all night for anything or anybody unless one of my grandchildren is being born.  I have been known to get up about 4 a.m. for royal weddings but I won't say the rest of the day is pretty.

HOWEVER I do have my moments of being caught up in books and have been known to read through dinner preparation time, in the car on the way to anywhere, and in the tub. 

As to what the last book I read that I couldn't put down was -- well, that is difficult because the last several books I have read have been page turners.  In the Company of Others by Jan Karon certainly comes to mind but I have also been really caught up in the Aunt Dimity series.  Right now I am reading Franny and Zooey and it is going quite slowly, not because it isn't good but because I have been really busy but I intend to spend time on it today.

So, there you go -- not very interesting, eh?

Booking Through Thursday -- 28 April 2011


If you could see one book turned into the perfect movie -- one that would capture everything you love -- the characters, the look, the feel, the story -- what book would you choose?


While there are several recent reads that I could see made into movies, the one that I would really love to see as a movie is In the Company of Others by Jan Karon.   Since it is set in Ireland, I could see the scenery being gorgeous, the story would make a great mystery and the characters have been strong yet lovable since the very first Mitford book.  In fact, if I had my way, the original Mitford series would make a really fun mini-series.
 

I started reading Jan Karon's works with the Mitford series published in the 90's.  The first three I read were a boxed set that I  received for Christmas.  I was hooked from the beginning.  I loved these books that involved this small town and all the characters that resided therein.  It was like coming home.  They were light books with the occasional heavy aside.  They were religious but not preachy.  They were like going home.  I hated to see the series end. 

Then along came the Fr. Tim series.  I was thrilled.    I looked forward to being back in Mitford but this book took Fr. Tim out of Mitford and back to Holly Springs, the town of his childhood.  It was here he had to face the things of his youth that he needed to deal with -- it brought out a darker side to Fr. Tim.  There was a bit of a mystery involved -- a complete new direction from the Mitford Series.  Karon's writing was deeper, more emotional, more involved than her earlier works.  It was Karon -- just better. 


Her newest work "In the Company of Other's" just takes her writing to new heights.  It is actually a book within a book, with mystery and family turmoil and emotion abundant.  Without giving anything away, it starts with Fr. Tim and Cynthia taking a long planned and well-deserved trip to Ireland.  Of course, the unthinkable has to occur and their plans get changed not once but several times.  They are caught up in the lives of the family they are staying with and become a part of the family drama and part of the solution.  All of this while they are reading the journal of one Dr. O'Donnell.  I can't say more for it would give away the story but let it suffice to say that Karon outdid herself with this one.  Her writing is so rich and the web is so tangled that she has created a page turner that can't be put down!

I am a slow reader but I really tried to pace myself on this one -- I didn't want it to end.  I was almost as teary eyed as Tim and Cynthia as they headed for their next adventure.  I hope there is another book.  And I hope it is soon.

Teaser Tuesday

It has been a while since I have done one of these -- trying to do better in the new year.  Teaser Tuesday is a challenge brought to us by MizB at http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com. So, here goes my  entry for this week.  It is from "In the Company of Others" by Jan Karon.







"She drew his hand to her mouth and kissed it.  'So when we grow old--what shall we do besides people and books?' 'We are old,' he said, rueful.'  She turned over and buried her face in the pillow. 'Speak for yourself, sweetheart.'"

Page 212.

Jeremy -- The Tale of an Honest Bunny







I chose "Jeremy--The Tale of an Honest Bunny" by Jan Karon as my ninth book in the Young Readers Challenge.

This book is a lovely book. The dust jacket is vintage looking with a window to the hard-cover. The hard-cover is a very nice on it's own. The book even has a sewn in bookmark. The illustrations, by Teri Weidner, are exquisite -- reminiscent of illustrations in books of the late 40's and early 50'. It reminds me of the books that I used to get from Joske's Department Store and Ann and Tom Brown's Toy Store.

The story is sweet, albeit predictable. Jeremy is a cloth bunny created In England for a recipient in America. He is alive and talks, a lot like Pinocchio. He doesn't want to be shipped in a box and prefers to "deliver himself" to Candace, his new person in his new home. Expectantly, Jeremy has many adventures and difficulties on his road to America. He resolves his difficulties by being "an honest" bunny which is what he promised Lydia, his creator. The object lesson is honesty and staying focused on the goal.

I would recommend this as a read-to-me book for 5-6 yr. olds. It is conveniently divided into short chapters that work well as a bedtime story to be continued the next night -- about a week's worth. An eight year old would enjoy reading alone. I think this one would top out at about 9 yrs.

It is a good book. A lovely addition to a child's library and a classic that can grow up with a child for a while.

Miss Read Challenge


I have an affinity for buying books, similar to my affinity for buying needlework/quilting paraphenalia and Poirot mystery DVD's. All of these things are lovely, in their own way, but need to be dealt with eventually because I am sure they have the ability to multiply themselves in the dark. So, here in the early days of 2008, I have been making time to participate in each of these activities -- at least a bit each day.

The Young Readers Challenge has been quite helpful in making me look at my collection of children's books that I have either never read or wish to read again. Unfortunately, it sent me to the bookstore to look for more which my one bulging bookcase can't handle.

As I looked at the bulging bookcase, the books resting there two deep, I became very aware of my reading "style". I tend to like books that are either historical fiction or that represent a cozy, homey sort of life that is found in a time or place that is different from that in which I live. The one notable thing about my selection of books is that they are mostly in series. Since I just finished the latest book by Jan Karon, "Home from Holly Springs", I was looking for something to follow it up with (while waiting for the next Karon) so I went to Karon's website and she suggested a couple of Miss Read books of the Thrush Green series. I went to my bulging bookcase -- noted as the BBC from here on -- and I found that I had a copy of the first Miss Read work from 1955. The title is "Tales of a Village School". Upon further review, I learned that there are two sizable Miss Read series -- the Fairacre series and the Thrush Green series. The book I have is the first of the Fairace series and that is where I will begin. (Note: www.fantasticfiction.co.uk has a listing of all the Miss Read books by series)

So, I have decided to begin my own reading challenge. I am going to challenge myself to begin the Miss Read books and see how far I go. If anyone would care to join me just let me know. There are no rules -- rules aren't fun -- just choose a book and have a go.

"Miss Read has created an orderly universe in which people are kind and conscientious and cherish virtues and manners now considered antiquated elsewhere...An occasional visit to Fairace offers a restful change from the frenetic pace of the contemporary world." ---Publishers Weekly

See, I told you I liked books from a different time and place than the one in which I live.

Happy Reading!

Home to Holly Springs

I have read the entire Mitford series by Jan Karon and enjoyed each book thoroughly. I have read many reviews that used words like predictable, sappy, etc. Are they predictable? Yes, but not always. Are they sappy? I didn't find them so but I guess in some peoples opinion they could be. Light? Yes. Preachy? In my opinion, no. To me, they are a welcome relief from a big city world where just turning on the morning news can incite fear for our very being. Mitford is a lovely place to escape to.

So, when I began "Home to Holly Springs" I expected more of the affable Fr. Tim and his host of Mitford characters. I was quite surprised to find a rather deep depiction of Tim Kavanaugh's childhood fraught with violence, deception, racial situations and fear. Karon does, IMHO, an outstanding job of presenting these concepts to her readers without Fr. Tim losing his "identity". She also recreates these events in Fr. Tim's life graphically enough to her get point across but not so much as to lose her tone and HER identity.

In the original Mitford series, religious faith is obviously the main storyline but takes a backseat to the characters and life in the small North Carolina town. Faith is underlying and referred to but it is still light reading. In the Holly Springs books, faith is viewed as deep, long time coming, sometimes difficult to understand and maintain but, in the end, something we all need to get us through the difficulties of life. I found the emphasis on religion between the two series to be completely different -- much more significant in Holly Springs.

Being of a religious mind myself, I was drawn to the original books because of their wholesomeness. They possess comedic situations, are upbeat, have likeable characters and picturesque settings. They show the vulnerability of the human spirit and aren't afraid to confess God in our everyday life. Holly Springs, however, is different. It, too, has great characterization, comedic episodes, and picturesque settings. However, the faith shown in this book is deeper, more urgent, the situations much more serious-- life threatening and life affirming. I found the original series to be faith building but not anything like Holly Springs.

"Home to Holly Springs" is a wonderful book. In my opinion is flows flawlessly, the characters are well developed and it draws you in from the first page. While I succumbed to the faith building aspect of the work, it could be read and enjoyed by anyone of any belief. It isn't preachy -- it just teaches by example, shows how people are really flawed and faith gets them through the tough things that life throws at us.

Predictable? To some extent. Sappy? Sure. Enjoyable? Absolutely. Recommended? Without a doubt!

Booking Through Thursday

"Who is your favorite male lead character. And Why"

I would have to say that my favorite lead male character is Father Tim, the main character in the Jan Karon Mitford series. Why? Well, he is so REAL. Even though he is an Episcopal priest, he has all the strengths, weaknesses, temptations, doubts as us regular folks. He isn't preachy and really shows the human side of life. He is kind and gentle, he has diabetes and loves food which shows his vulnerability. All in all, he is just a real down to earth character -- picture an aging Dan Aykroyd.

The second favorite would be Blackie in the Barbara Taylor Bradford "A Woman of Substance" series. He is another gentle, loyal soul that isn't afraid to show the frailities and strengths of the human spirit. I saw the movie before I read the books -- I enjoyed the books more -- but I have to say that when I read the character of Blackie all I saw in my mind's eye was Liam Neeson! That isn't bad either!