Are there books you would live in? Of course there are! I have chosen a few – which, either because of their location, atmosphere, or events (likely all three!) – really appeal to me, and when I close my eyes, I can imagine I’m there.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Who wouldn’t live on Prince Edward Island given the chance? Who wouldn’t live in Anne’s wonderful world of positivity? The books are full of nature, friendships, humour, mishaps and quirks. A perfect home for me.
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Botswana! I’d never thought of going to Botswana before I started reading the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books… Ah, but Alexander McCall Smith describes the country so wonderfully, and his main character, Mma Ramotswe, has such a splendid life and career. They are just some of those perfectly written, perfectly depicted, oh so lovely books that evoke such a cosy feeling, that you just want to fall straight into the pages.
Five Have a Wonderful Time by Enid Blyton
I longed to be in the Famous Five books when I was younger. What adventures they had! How wonderful to be free of parents and left to your own devices! How I wanted to go off in a caravan with them and eat food blagged from a friendly farmer, after stumbling on a plot to kidnap the local vicar who turned out to be a spy, and saving the day, naturally. A true childhood dream.
Marrow Jam by Susan A. King
Beattie Bramshaw’s life is all baking, village fêtes and WI. Sounds great to me already, but chuck in Susan A. King’s delightful humour, sense of adventure, and obvious love for crime capers, and I’m sold. I’d have a load of fun in these pages!
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
I really loved this book, and it surprised me how much I really wanted to get in there! Who would’ve thought I’d want to live in a retirement village? But, why wouldn’t I? You have a lovely apartment, beautiful surroundings, plenty of friends around you, an abundance of activities to choose from, and eateries on site. Not only this, but there is a murder or two to be solved. That’d keep the brain cells ticking over! This book gave me such a sense of cosiness and positivity that I wouldn’t hesitate to pack my bags and get down to Coopers Chase to live with the old folk.
The English Girl by Katherine Webb
After reading this perfect book by one of my very favourite authors, I was a bit obsessed with the Empty Quarter – that vast sand desert on the Arabian peninsula. Of course, I wouldn’t want to live in the Empty Quarter – but I’d definitely visit the edge of it… And I’d definitely live in this book! It’s so exotic and historical and adventurous. Katherine Webb’s descriptions and prose are truly evocative and enticing to me. I’d live in any of her novels.
The Visitors by Caroline Scott
Cornwall in summer anyone? It’s the 1920s and life is slow and easy for the residents of Espérance, as Esme, the main character, finds when she visits four friends who have come together to help each other heal after the traumas of the Great War. This is the first novel I’ve read by Caroline Scott and her descriptions of the Cornish countryside are so dreamy and idyllic, and I just want to follow in Esme‘s footsteps and get a train down to this beautiful part of England. The Visitors is a book full of nature appreciation and friendship – reading perfection for me.
The Lights of Riverdell by Marianne Rosen
The eagle eyed amongst you would have noticed that most of my chosen books for this post are not just single books, but are literary series. Marianne Rosen’s intricate Riverdell saga stretches over four chunky books and focuses on a wealthy, dysfunctional family from the rural English county of Shropshire. The location is idyllic, the setting is contemporary, and the attitude is fierce. I could very easily jump in and spend my mornings in the luxurious kitchen of Riverdell drinking coffee after coffee with Kate, and having a good old gossip. I could easily imagine myself having money to throw around and flying off to India whenever the mood takes me. Yes, I’d definitely put up with a flawed, defective family for this extravagant life.
Tell me – what books would you live in?
A Little Bright Corner 