Two novels following the intertwined lives of a pair of English families through the world wars, by the beloved author of the Fairacre series.Set in the quiet country town neighboring the village of Fairacre, The Caxley Chronicles follow two families, the Howards and the Norths, through the tumultuous first half of the twentieth century. The first novel, The Market Square, portrays the deep-rooted camaraderie of Septimus Howard and Bender North, wh...

A celebration causes trouble in the village of Thrush Green...A major, double celebration is planned in the Cotswold village of Thrush Green: the village school is in its centenary year; and exactly a hundred years ago, one of the village's most notable residents founded a mission school in Africa.But the preparations are beset with problems - Winnie Bailey's health is not what it was; the new headmaster doesn't appear to be entirely right for the job; and ...

There's no pleasing Mrs. Pringle—and everyone in Fairacre knows it. "Miss Read's novels are sheer delight" ( Chicago Tribune).Miss Read is certain of one thing—she won't be forced to hire grumpy Mrs. Pringle to straighten up her house. Mrs. Pringle of Fairacre chronicles the life of the beloved but curmudgeonly school cleaner through the stories of her fellow villagers. Readers will delight in the quirks of this favorite character, from the "flare...

The first novel in the beloved Fairacre series, Village School introduces us to the remarkable schoolmistress Miss Read and her lovable group of students, who, with a mixture of skinned knees and smiles, are just as likely to lose themselves as their mittens...Welcome to the English village of Fairacre: a handful of thatch-roofed cottages, a church, the school, the promise of fair weather, friendly faces, and good cheer––at least most of the time. Here, ev...

An enchanting story of village life from the bestselling author of the FAIRACRE series.January has been bitterly cold in Thrush Green. But at last the winter seems to be melting into a beautiful spring.But with the warmer weather comes a series of local dramas in the community: the future of The Fuchsia Bush tea shop is uncertain when its owner, Mrs Peters, falls ill; there are problems concerning Rectory Cottages, which prove hard to solve; the plans for t...

Enchanting and affectionate stories of everyday country life in the idyllic Thrush Green.'There is something profoundly consoling about a novel by Miss Read' The LadyContains: THRUSH GREEN, WINTER IN THRUSH GREEN, NEWS FROM THRUSH GREEN, BATTLES AT THRUSH GREEN, RETURN TO THRUSH GREEN, GOSSIP FROM THRUSH GREEN, AFFAIRS AT THRUSH GREEN, AT HOME IN THRUSH GREEN, THE SCHOOL AT THRUSH GREEN, FRIENDS AT THRUSH GREEN, CELEBRATIONS AT THRUSH GREEN, THE YE...

Two Christmas novels from bestselling author Miss Read - the perfect festive treat!CHRISTMAS AT FAIRACREFrom an unexpected visitor on Christmas Eve in 'The Christmas Mouse' to an unwelcome change of plan in 'No Holly for Miss Quinn', Miss Read recounts some of the traditional Christmas events where often, despite the most careful planning, things do not always go as expected. In his charming collection of Christmas stories Miss Read describes the season's ev...

A heart-warming tale of an unexpected Christmas visitor...Taken from CHRISTMAS AT FAIRACRE, a delightfully nostalgic festive tale from the ever-popular Miss Read.The last few years have been very difficult for Mrs Berry, her widowed daughter and two grandchildren. But with Christmas almost upon them, Mrs Berry hopes the festive season will work its magic and life will begin to improve for everyone.The last thing Mrs Berry anticipates are two unexpec...

‘I’m looking for two really trustworthy rabbits and six sensible clear-speaking frogs!’Young Anna Lacey has spent most of her life on a farm in Essex. But her first teaching position carries her to an unattractive, newly constructed suburb where she has to adjust to cramped lodgings, a skinflint landlady, overcrowded classrooms, and eccentric colleagues (‘a rum lot’). She must also adapt some of her idealistic theories of teaching to the realities of her ...

Taken from A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS, this is the perfect short tale for the festive season.When the Emery family first moved into the village of Fairacre, the locals were not entirely sure what to make of them. With three children, and another on the way, Mrs Emery didn't exactly fit the villagers' idea of a perfect mother.On Christmas morning, with the sunshine catching the frost on the thatched roofs, there is an unexpected knock at the door of the cottage whe...

Both the good and the bad find sanctuary in an English village— "You'll relish a visit to Thrush Green" (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author).It's spring again in the village of Thrush Green, and with the changing of the seasons comes change in the lives of many villagers. The Young family's tranquility is disrupted by the sudden arrival of Joan's father, while Molly and Ben Curdle consider putting an end to their wandering days in order to fin...

**Tongues are wagging in this charming novel of English village life— "If you've ever enjoyed a visit to Mitford, you'll relish a visit to Thrush Green" (Jan Karon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author).Gossip from Thrush Green returns readers to the delightful English village, neighbor to Fairacre, for a golden summer. But this sleepy, pristine setting conceals a flurry of activity amongst the villagers. Rumor has it that Mr. Venables is considering reti...