It’s that time, the day that is very quickly becoming my favorite day of the week.  Why? Because of this meme.  When I started thinking about doing this I wondered if there would be any way I could come up with material for week after week.  I had a general idea of what to do for this week but was worried about the week after.. and the week after that.  And then, this week, ideas began to flow and I got so excited and well – let me just say I had to choose from at least a dozen different two-sided ideas to give you todays.

Have you heard of the Mitford books?  I hadn’t until a few years ago.  Then I became obsessed with them.  This is a story centered around Father Tim in the tiny town of Mitford.  It’s touching, poignant, funny and altogether endearing.  I loved the entire series – except for one thing.  After a bit the characters seemed to become a little “too much” of the same.  Now that doesn’t mean I don’t love the books or that I don’t recommend them, I do.  It’s just at times the series seemed to get a little too heavy.  I’m interested in knowing whether those of you who have read the series understand what I’m talking about.  Visit the Mitford website here. Now, if you are looking for something similar I’d like to introduce you to a fairly new read: Gail Fraser’s The Lumby Lines.

I loved this book from beginning to end.  I loved that it showed a steadfast marriage, even through troubled times.  I loved the monks, the quirky town characters, the touch of romance, the small-town atmosphere.  This book also reminded me of one of my dad’s favorite t.v. shows Northern Exposure.  Fraser does a marvelous job of offsetting the more serious messages and themes with completely off-the-wall hilarious excerpts from the town newspaper, The Lumby Lines.  I highly recommend this book if you love the Mitford series, and if you’ve never read them, then you have two great series recommended here to read!  Visit The Lumby website here.

Buy on Amazon: At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon

Buy on Amazon: The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser

So – do you have a recommendation to give? Let me hear about it! Sign up on Mr. Linky and let’s see what’s out there!