I am enjoying Jan Karon's Mitford novels more than I have enjoyed a series in many years.  I am only on book #3 but eventually,  I will get to book #9 and...wham...no more Mitford books.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding a series that is similar to these books?  I have the first book in the Harmony series and it is OK but nothing like Jan Karon's books.

Thanks!

Louise

Have you read the Miss Julia series by Ann B. Ross? www.annbross.com

How about Adriana Trigiana's Big Stone Gap series? http://www.adrianatrigiani.com/index.htm

Or Joan Medlicott's Ladies of Covington series? http://www.joanmedlicott.com/

I think one reason I so enjoy the Mitford series is because Mitford reminds me a lot of my home town where I grew up almost 60 years ago.  Also, I would love to again live in a Mitford type town instead of one of the largest cities in the USA.  Maybe when I retire.....

Thanks for the suggestions for new series.  I will check them out!

God bless each of you,

Louise

I just finished the last of the Mitford series (and that book is now in the hands of a PBS'er!)...She is starting a new series that has Fr. Tim in it. That's all I'm going to say. Also, she does have a website. If you google her, it will come up (i don't remember the address).

Also, Cold Sassy Tree is very good and similar to Mitford. However, the sequel was only half finished when the author died, and her family finished it but it really fizzled out after that part. But the first book is great.

I enjoyed Cold Sassy Tree also and got the sequel, not knowing the family had finished it, and didn't enjoy that book nearly as much..sorta wish I'd stopped after the first one! I also like the Miss Julia series though haven't read all of them yet.

Thomas Kinkade ,,,,Cape Light series

I liked Philip Gully's Harmony books. I met him at a book signing and got an autographed copy of one. He's from this area.

It took me a little while to get into the Mitford series but them I loved all the books. Felt like I knew the characters personally.

I haven't read alot in this genre, but one book that I remember is called "The Island (Isle?) Of Heavenly Daze" or something like that!  I think it's by 2 Christian fiction authors...I want to say Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt?  Agh!  Wish I could remember more details!  I think there were 2 or 3 books so far.  It was a good story about small town people, a church, and such a FUNNY misunderstanding!  If you liked Mitford, I think you'd enjoy this series just as much! 

Also, anything by Janette Oke or Lynne Hinton.  Lynne Hinton wrote a gentle read called "Friendship Cake" and I believe she followed that up with two more. 

If you are interested in "Friendship Cake", I have a lady on my Buddy List who MIGHT have that and the follow-up.  Look in the Member Directory-her name is Eleanor, and her profile name is Churchlady.  I'll double check to make sure!

Hi again Louise!  I just checked-her name is Eleanor W. (churchlady).  She doesn't have "Friendship Cake" anymore, but she does have "Hope Springs", which I believe is another one in that series.  Sorry I don't know more! 

Have you tried any of the "Miss Read" books (Dora Saint is her real name) Her books are set in Britain, and they are all about village life. She has two different series, the Fairacre series and the Thrush Green series. I've read all of her books that I can find.

This shows all of her books:

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/r/miss-read/

You'd probably like the "Dearest Dorothy" series by Charlene Baumbich set in (the fictional town of) Partonville, Illinois.

I  love Thomas Kinkade's  Cape Light series. I am reading the fourth in the series now. They take place in a wonderful small New England town  and the characters are great. There are seven books in the series I believe.

You might like Jon Hasslers books. His books are set in Minnesota. The first one is Staggerford.

I, too, am reading the Mitford series.  I am on book #2.  I want to live in Mitford. 

A very interesting small-town series (though farcical) is by Alisa Craig, who is also Charlotte McLeod.  The titles begin with "The Grub-and-Stakers..."   Move a Mountain, and Quilt a Bee are 2 of them.

An author with the same "gentleness" as Ms Karon is D. E. Stevenson.  These books are older.  You may have better luck finding them at the library; though I have found some in paperback.  Most are standalone; there are a few connnected pairs or triplets. 

Just ran onto this in somebody's shelf:

Sounds lke it might have some of the Mitford flavor. 

Out to Pasture: But Not over the Hill (But Not Over the Hill)
Author: Effie Leland Wilder

This is apparently the first book written by an author then in her 80s, who has gone on to write at least 3 others.  Sounds interesting.

The Island of Heavenly Daze (Heavenly Daze Series #1) (Paperback)
by Lori Copeland (Author), Angela Elwell Hunt (Author)

I've read all of the Heavenly Daze books (5 of them, I think), and I LOVED them!

The Ladies of Covington was a great series also

I just finished reading "THE LUMBY LINES", The first in a new series by Gail Fraser,

Back Cover:" Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home.  With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby has the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state.  And though it's hours from the nearest city, you'll always find Lumby close to your heart..."

The second in the series will be published in Sept. '07. and the third book coming in Jan. ;08.

I found the series charming but with out the religious theme's in Jan Karon's books, but with strong values and lots of warm hearted humor.

My copy is on someone's wish list and should be streaming out of my door soon..

This is more of a mystery series, but it takes in a small southern town with a series of characters that develop and change over time.  It is a series written by Patricia Sprinkle and they are called "Thoroughly Southern Mysteries". 

thanks for the thread....   more books to put on my tbr list. gee thanks. really.

;)