JQ Rose's 3 favorite reads in 2023

I read this series when it first came out and fell in love with the many quirky characters and the small town of Mitford. So, I vowed to re-read the entire series this year. A Light in the Window is one of my favorites. Although it is hard to choose just one.

The main character is an Episcopal priest, Father Tim. This life-long bachelor’s life changes in many ways, especially when a lovely woman moves in next door to the parsonage. First, his life turned a bit when he acquired a huge dog, Barnabus, who, for some reason, calmed down when Father Tim recited Bible verses to him.

So much wit, wisdom, and warmth in each of these books in the series. Jan Karon is a fabulous storyteller, bringing readers into the scenes and developing characters that feel like old friends and some that remind me of my Aunt Ruth! If you need a feel-good story to settle down with this fall and winter, choose one or all of Jan Karon’s books in the Mitford Series.

In the 1930s, life is hard for families living in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky. With such tough times, there is nothing to brighten their lives until Honey Lovett fights for a chance to carry on her mother's work as a bookwoman who traverses creeks, circles round boulders, and avoids wild animals and crazy husbands to deliver books to the isolated residents.

She is looked down on because of her blue-colored skin; the librarian did not want to hire Honey for the job. Honey wins the struggle to continue her mother's book route and finds joy in riding her old mule through treacherous territory and opening up new worlds through books for the folks on her route.

I cheered Honey on with every page I read! This book opened a new world to me as I learned about the blue-skinned people and the work of Roosevelt's Kentucky Pack Horse Library Project.

 I was “stung” by this true story of Meredith May’s difficult life as a child.

She was raised by her grandparents because her parents divorced. Her mother suffered from mental illness. Her grandfather raised honeybees and used their lives as examples of how a family can care for each other and work together.

This is a powerful message for all readers. I loved this gentle story not only because of the connection portrayed by her grandfather and Meredith but also because of so much information about the life of bees. Fascinating to read and learn.