If You Like Jan Karon...
| Karon, Jan -- At
Home in Mitford (1994), A
Light in the Window (1995), These
High Green Hills (1996), Out
to Canaan (1997), A
New Song (1999) A
Common Life: The Wedding Story (2001). The series centers around Father Tim Kavanaugh, an Episcopal priest, and his friends in fictional Mitford, NC. Biblical references are passed between characters like most friends share private jokes. Unlike most Christian fiction, however, Karon's novels focus on the everyday nature of Christian life, offering solace that somewhere in America exists the almost perfect small town. The popularity of Jan Karon's novels "stems in part from their feel-good tone and spirit; they're well written but not overly crafted, and full of Karon's easy humor." (from "Jan Karon: the Good Life in Mitford" by Renee Christ. Publisher's Weekly, May 26, 1997, v 244, n 21, p. 60). |
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No one writes like Jan Karon. However, if you enjoy the Mitford series, you may enjoy any of these fine works.
Brown, Carrie -- Rose's Garden (1999). A visit from an angel changes the life of a grieving widower.
Dallas, Sandra -- The Persian Pickle Club (1995). Hard times hit Harveyville, Kansas, in the 1930s. The highlight of the week for young Queenie, a farm wife, is the Persian Pickle Club, a group of local women who get together to gossip and quilt. The club's new member has a penchant for investigation, and the Pickles face the revelation of a long kept secret.
DePree, Traci – Lake Emily Series (A Can of Peas, Dandelions in a Jelly Jar, Aprons on a Clothesline) This series takes place in rural Minnesota as it focuses on the lives of the three generation Morgan family who run a small farm at the edge of a small town. Love, joy, faith, and heartache are intertwined throughout the series to keep one turning the pages.
Duncan, Jane -- My Friends George and Tom (1976).
Edgerton, Clyde -- Walking Across Egypt (1987). Independent senior Mattie Rigsbee, 78, had as much business keeping a stray dog as she had walking across Egypt-which not so incidentally is the title of her favorite hymn. When young delinquent Wesley Benfield drops in on her life, he is even less likely a companion than the stray dog. Once Mattie starts taking in strays, there is no stopping her. Its sequel Killer Diller (1991) promises more laughs at Mattie's house.
Girzone, David F. -- Joshua (1983). "A parable for today" is the story of a quiet man whose benevolence and selfless work in the community prompts amazement as well as suspicions.
Gulley, Philip -- Home to Harmony & Just Shy of Harmony. Set in Harmony, Indiana, narrated by a Quaker pastor, and sprinkled with Garrison Keillor-style humor. A town to get acquainted with.
Harkness, Clare -- Time of Grace (1995). Best friends since adolescence in a restrictive convent school, two spirited women look back on their lives, travels and times apart while sifting through an attic full of memories.
Hassler, Jon -- A Green Journey (1985). Agatha McGee, retired from a career of teaching in Staggerford, MN, travels to Ireland in search of the romance she never had time for. Along the way, she allows herself to meet new people and discovers that love is unpredictable, unstoppable and never appears as we dream it will. Meet the other characters of Staggerford, MN, in Simon's Night (1979), Dear James (1993), Staggerford (1990), as well as the author's notes in My Staggerford Journal (1999).
Keillor, Garrison -- Lake Wobegon Days (1995). Learn about the statue of the Unknown Norwegian, why Lake Wobegon never made it onto the map and many other small-town stories. Visit Lake Wobegon often by checking out a few of Garrison Keillor's audiobooks.
Lindvall, Michael -- The Good News from North Haven: a Year in the Life of a Small Town (1991). A debut collection of mild-mannered, sermon-like tales of a Presbyterian minister's life in a small Minnesota town.
Miller, Hugh -- Ballykissangl: the New Arrival (1998). An English curate takes up his post in rural Ballykissangel, Ireland, where small-town life is anything but humdrum. Patterned after the extremely popular BBC series.
Mitford, Nancy -- Don't Tell Alfred (1960). Lady Wincham apprehensively accompanies her professor husband to his new ambassadorship to France. The Winchams arrive at their new residence only to find that the previous ambassador's wife has refused to leave. A tongue-in-check look at the love/hate relationship between England and France.
Purser, Ann -- Pastures New (1994), Spinster of this Parish (1995), Orphan Lamb (1996), New Every Morning (1996), Thy Neighbor's Wife (1997).
Miss Read -- Celebrations at Thrush Green (1992) and others. Life in the cozy Cotswold English village of Thrush Green endearingly chronicled.
Richardson, Bill -- Bachelor Brothers' Bed & Breakfast (1993).
Schaap, James Calvin -- The Secrets of Barneveld Calvary (1997). The pastor of Barneveld Calvary brings to life the joys and concerns of his parishioners.
Shaw, Rebecca -- The New Rector (1994).
Sheepshanks, Mary -- Picking Up the Pieces (1997). A recent widow comes to terms with her life, her daughter, secrets discovered, and a new romance.
Shepard, Roy -- The Latest Epistle of Jim (1997). Reverend Andres, pastor of a liberal church in a small Midwestern town, receives a mysterious letter which he dreads opening but cannot forget as he makes his rounds in the community.
Sullivan, Faith -- The Cape Ann (1988), The Empress of One (1996).
Wangerin, Walter -- Miz Lil & the Chronicles of Grace (1988). Twelve stories that re-create the author's youth and years of service as a pastor in a small inner-city church.
Wilder, Effie Leland -- Out to Pasture but Not Over the Hill (1995), Over What Hill? (1996). Hattie McNair reminisces and writes home about her fellow residents of a presbyterian retirement home in North Carolina.