I just got the first one, At Home In Mitford from the library. I have started it but am finding it a bit hard to get into.

Is it worth carrying on with the series ? I am hoping they are like the Thrush Green books by Miss Read.

Exactly right, Miss Read with a Christian message. Not much happens. Quiet lives being lived in routine fashion, friends move, friends fall ill, petty jealousies, small kindnesses, babies are born, people get married. Ordinary lives being lived as best people can.

I tried three times to read the first book and thought - blah, blah, blah, who are all these people and why should I care. They just did not hit me in the right spot. One night I came home from a very challenging and disappointing situation, my wife was traveling for business, and there wasn't a darned thing in the house to read. I picked it up again, hoping it would put me to sleep. For some reason, a light went on and I was hooked. The first 4 books are the best, I think, and then they get a little repetitive, but for some people, that's part of the charm, like Miss Read.

Give it the 50 page try, and if it's not for you, take it back. Life's too short to be spent reading books that aren't enjoyable.

I loved the Mitford series! Don't give up yet! Father Tim and the rest are just wonderful, lovable characters. Try listening to the books on audio cassettes if the reading gets tiresome. Sometimes a great audio reader can really make a book come alive.

I enjoyed the books.  Felt like a restful place to me.  The each book felt like a catch up chate with an old friend.

 These books are extremely popular, and I grew up very close to where they suposedly are set.

 But I did not like them at all. WAY Too treacly, too cutesy.....I'm not sure I found it boring, as much as it was that everyone was so nicey-nice, and the ones that weren't made it seem like the author realized the flaw, tried to correct it, but just didn't have the heart.

  But again, that's just my opinion. I know there are many people who view them quite differently, and their view is just as valid as mine!

I have read the first four books and have really enjoyed them.  I tried the first one out just to see how I would like it since it's not the type of book I would typically read and I found myself falling in love with the quirky characters.  It was nice just to get "lost" in the town of Mitford and leave the stress of my day behind.  :)

Don't give up yet :)

Since it's not a large read (is it?) maybe see if you like the book and then decide.  I think I remember starting one of these years ago..and putting it down... to fluffy I guess.

One of the most boring things I've ever read.

I enjoyed the ones I read but I burned out since I read them so close together. I read another trilogy that reminded me of these - Robyn Carr's Grace Valley books-but with a bit more sadness/drama going on.

When my life gets too hectic and the world is spinning out of control I go and spend time with Father Tim in Mitford. The books are very calming for me.

While I really enjoyed them overall, I found each succeeding book slightly less charming than the one before...I was slowly losing interest BUT then I read the first book in the new series "Home to Holly Springs" and wham! I fell in love all over again and found it to be her best book to date and now I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

I agree with Kathy A. Spending time with Jan Karon is a calm place to be -- a refuge from modern hustle and bustle.

I did try to stick to the first one but just gave up. I just found it hard to get into.

I'm afraid that the Miss Read books have spoiled me for anything similar. Thanks everyone for your opinions.

I have read the whole series and loved all of them, especially the last one "Home to Holly Springs"..It explains Father Tim's childhood.  These are "nice" stories and  I always felt the characters were so fun to be around.

Jan Karon is my very favorite modern author. She reminds me of all those wonderful post WW2 English authors like Elizabeth Goudge. And she knows how to evoke emotion like very few other authors I have read.

Yes, it's well worth it! I thought the first book was sloooowwww.... but after I got into it I felt like I knew all the characters personally.