“Go back to your books, to your armchair. Plant your trees, watch them grow. If more people valued home above gold, this world would be a merrier place.”

— Thorin Oakenshield

Latest Posts


  • Cures For ‘Gardening Hands’

    It’s June, and the year is half gone, so I think it’s time we took another look at Mrs CW Earle and discover what advice she has on offer for the month in her 1897 lifestyle guide, Pot-Pourri from a… Continue reading

  • More Oxfam Goodies

    Just look what I found in the Oxfam shop! This…  And this… I do love book hunting, especially when I strike literary gold! I’ve been looking out for a copy of Nicola Beauman’s A Very Great Professionfor quite some time,… Continue reading

  • The Runaways – Not A Runaway Success!

    The Runaways, by Elizabeth Goudge: so sweetit should come with a government health warning. Right, back to The Runaways, by Elizabeth Goudge, as I promised some time ago in my post on Edith Nesbit’s The House of Arden. Let me… Continue reading

  • In Which I Discover A Podcast!

    A short and sweet post for anyone who hasn’t already come across the wonderful Simon T at Stuck in a Book and the equally excellent Rachel at Book Snob(though I’m sure most of you have). The pair of them have… Continue reading

  • An Irrelevant Woman

    Janet did not know which way to move or what to do. ‘God,’ she prayed, ‘help me! Please, please help me!’ She put out a hand and stirred among the grapefruit for some clue which might indicate her next move.… Continue reading