…for the first time in five years.
If you knew me in Small Meadow Press days, you might recognize this one. It is the 2009 calendar redesigned to work with the paper I had on hand and my old printer’s quirks (the dates are the same!). So instead of the book-style ribbony binding of old, there are binding rings and an adornment of vintage silk cream ribbon instead. But the thick, flecked recycled paper, vintage images and large spaces to write in are all there.
I would love to give one away…to celebrate my Etsy shop…to express my appreciation for your visits and comments.
And since the theme of the calendar is Books and Reading, all I ask in return is that you leave a book recommendation for me. Anyone who leaves a comment will be entered in the giveaway and I will announce the winner next Wednesday morning, the tenth of December.
“Fiction is like a spider’s web, attached ever so slightly perhaps, but still attached to life at all four corners.”
-Virginia Woolf
I read all sorts of books, but my favorite ones are those that set in fairly realistic, everyday life and full of domestic detail. Rosamunde Pilcher, Miss Read and Elizabeth Goudge come to mind…
…more than come to mind, actually. I haven’t really gotten over the fact that Rosamunde Pilcher stopped writing, and after her best book, in my opinion, Winter Solstice. I’ve tried Marcia Willet, Angela Thirkell, so many others. But they just haven’t satisfied or rung true to me. So if you have a book of that sort to share with me, I will be thrilled! But please tell me about your favorite books lately, whatever they may be…
The calendar (and some bookish bookmarks) will be added to my shop in the next few days. But that will be all the newness I can create for this year! I am making sure that I leave enough time this Advent to read all those good stories…and light lots of candles…and bake and honor and sew and celebrate. December 11th will the last day for ordering.
But there will be so much making to look forward to in the New Year…and reading. I am trusting you will leave me many lovely breadcrumbs to follow in the comments below…
Susan Lee December 5, 2014 at 6:44 am
Merry Christmas, Leslie! I am reading Stone Mattress, by Margaret Atwood. It is a collection of short stories, but whose characters in each story are connected. Not domestic in nature, a bit ascerbic (sp.?)….enjoy her writing very much.
Deanna December 5, 2014 at 7:40 am
So many favorite books. Like you, I too love books that give details about domesticity! I just finished Me before You by Jojo Moyes. It’s terribly sad. A few of my favorites: Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
victoria December 5, 2014 at 8:35 am
Leslie…How lovely and generous of you…I loved the journals I bought from you years ago…and one of your calendars would remind me of them.
I hope I win…I am reading… Lunch in Paris …by Elizabeth Bard…it is a love story but also has recipes.
Happy Holidays
Patricia December 5, 2014 at 8:37 am
Have you read any Gladys Taber books? Her writing is lovely, warm, domestic and witty. I love all of her books, but if you haven’t read any you might start with The Book of Stillmeadow. I’m really looking forward to seeing what book suggestions your other readers will have- I’m always on the look out for a good book!
Gwyn December 5, 2014 at 9:03 am
I have found a love of cozy British mysteries this year. I especially like Rhys Bowen. I read the ‘Evan’ series this year but have also read the first in ‘The Royal Spyness’ series too.
I am looking forward to a new calendar this year!
Laurie December 5, 2014 at 9:08 am
I loved the mix of writing papers from Small Meadow Press I purchased when I first found you online, which was about the time you closed shop. The calendar would be a treat, I am sure. Though not a domestic type book, I am currently enjoying Untamed by Will Harlan, the true story of a woman who fights to save the wild spaces of Cumberland Island, GA.
Julie December 5, 2014 at 11:19 am
Recently I finished a book beautifully written by Anthony Doerr, ‘All The Light We Cannot See’. Other favorites lately have been ‘The Name of the Wind: Kingkiller Chronicles Day 1’ by Patrick Rothfuss and ‘The Lost Sisterhood: a Novel’ by Anne Fortier. But I always go back to the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. ‘Cranford’ and ‘North and South’ are yummy too! Happy Christmas!
jenni December 5, 2014 at 1:40 pm
i have always loved seeing your calender pages, thanks for the generous chance to win one of them. Its been hard for me to find any good books lately but one that i did like reading even though its pretty long is The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.
I still can’t get over rosamunde pilcher not writing anymore either, i’ve lost count of how may times iv’e read winter solstice.
kim s. December 5, 2014 at 1:53 pm
Your shop is destroying my Christmas budget because I want & love everything! 🙂 I cannot wait for the Calendar, and the bookmarks are beautiful! My recommendation will seem odd, but I love the same authors you do, and I devoured these books: the Harry Potter series. My daughter turned me on to them in October, I finally read them, and I still get teary-eyed that the journey is over. I’m not a fan of fantasy, but these are so much more…just classic, excellent literature in my opinion. I also read an excerpt of a book recently that made me think of you and W&S: The Heroine’s Journey. I haven’t read it, but it sounds like a rosehip journey.
sarah December 5, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Don’t enter me in the contest Lesley dear as I am so far away, the postage cost would be hideous. But I wanted to ask if you had read The Country of Pointed Firs, by Sarah Orne Jewett, as it may appeal to you. Another recommendation from a completely different genre – and I’m sure you must know it already – is Anam Cara by the late great John O’Donohue.
I’m sorry these are not domestic stories, but I think you might appreciate their gentle and loving tone.
Julie December 5, 2014 at 7:15 pm
I do love your blog, your artwork, your spirit. I’ve just finished “the Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. A beautiful book, full of hope.
Louisa Hennessy December 6, 2014 at 6:31 am
Do you like Rebecca Shaw? She has a whole series of village books. They are very readable but can be silly sometimes. I also like Elizabeth Goudge, I like to re-read The Dean’s Watch at this time of year 🙂
x
Julie December 6, 2014 at 6:38 am
I too love the Stillmeadow books by Gladys Taber. You might also like the Mrs. Appleyard books by Louise Andrews Kent. These books are fictionalized accounts of real life if that makes sense.
As far as fiction goes, Joanna Trollope has written some good books that deal a lot with everyday life.
Your work looks beautiful, Lesley!
Jillayne December 6, 2014 at 12:07 pm
My favourite book of the sort you describe is one my mother-in-law suggested to me when my husband and I were first married. It was her favourite book of all… “papa’s Wife” by Thyra Ferre Bjorne is a beautiful story of a Swedish bachelor preacher living in Lapland and the young maid that falls in love with him and decides the way to his heart is through cooking and home-keeping. It’s likely out of print but if you can find it, get it – you won’t be disappointed…
Susan December 7, 2014 at 12:13 pm
One of my favorite books ever is Oswald Wynd’s The Ginger Tree. I think you would love it.
vicki dodds December 7, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Your work is sumptuous and I’m trying to make individual journals for my 8 grandkids using vintage paper pens and their our photos. Also sewing together witb beads and button. So cool
vicki dodds December 7, 2014 at 3:48 pm
How can I learn more
Wendy December 8, 2014 at 10:58 am
I love Gladys Taber also and just finished a book of letters called Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge. Also love Lark Rise but I wonder if I didn’t hear about these from you!
Carroll December 9, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Your artwork is so lovely, Lesley! I just finished “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, and I also highly recommend anything by Elizabeth Berg. The last book I read by her was “The Year of Pleasures.” Wishing you a beautiful holiday season.
Ellie December 9, 2014 at 9:38 pm
The book that never fails to spring to mind when someone asks for a reading recommendation is In This House of Brede, by Rumer Godden. A favorite since I was sixteen ….
Wishing you a peace filled and gentle holiday season.
Kortney December 10, 2014 at 12:59 pm
This is not a fiction recommendation…but I really think you might like A Monk’s Alphabet By Jeremy Driscoll. He is a monk + a poet. The book is a collection of very short reflections that are thoughtful, evocative, carefully observed, expansive. It’s well worth your time even if you only dip into it occasionally.
Kyce December 10, 2014 at 10:42 pm
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is my latest joy.
beverly December 14, 2014 at 7:55 am
Lesley,
The calendars arrived right on time and they are so very lovely and are greatly appreciated. Thank you. Peace and Joy to you this holiday season.