Have you wondered what to read after the Mitford series by Jan Karon? Or maybe you have wondered what books were similar to the Mitford books. Here are a few books, authors, and series that read a lot like the Mitford books.
Jan Karon first introduced readers to Mitford in 1994 with At Home In Mitford, the first book in the Mitford series. She went on to write fourteen books in total in this beloved series.
I was a little late to the Mitford books. I didn’t start reading them until just a few years ago, but once I started reading them I saw why they were loved by so many readers.
I have read all but the last few books in the Mitford series. I am holding on to the last few reading one each year to make the series last. It is a series of books that I can see myself reading again in ten years and again ten years after that.
It is a time and place that I can see myself going back to time and time again.
But what happens when you finish the Mitford series? Or when you want to take a break? Are there any other books like the Mitford series by Jan Karon?
It is hard to compare something to a series and author that is as loved as Mitford and Jan Karon. You won’t find something exactly the same, however, you can come close.
None of these are exactly like the Mitford books, but I think they are very similar. They all have that cozy, small-town, feel that so many love about Mitford.
Some of the books on the list are series, some of them are stand alone books.
Most of the books on the list are backlist books. They are books and series that have stood the test of time. That also means that you should be able to easily find them at your local library or used book store.
At Home In Mitford Movie
If you are a Mitford fan and have wondered what the At Home In Mitford movie is like, I shared a few thoughts on the At Home In Mitford book vs movie. Readers have strong opinions on this one so be sure to read the comments.
Books Similar To the Mitford Books By Jan Karon
These are all books that I have read or have read at least the first few in the series.
More Things In Heaven and Earth by Jeff High is the first book in a four-book series. Set in Tennessee, the main character in the book is a doctor. He could have gone on to do great things in medical research, but instead, he decides to take a job in Watervalley, Tennessee
Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson is the first book in a four book series. These were originally published in 1936. I discovered this series a year or two ago. Before I was even done with the first book I ordered the next two in the series. The series is set in England, so it has a different feel than Mitford, but if you love Mitford, I really think you will love these books.
The Elm Creek Quilts books by Jennifer Chiaverini. This series includes twenty one books, so if you love these books it will keep you reading for awhile. I read the first few books in this series years ago when my kids were little. They were a great read for me back then when I was an exhausted new mom and needed an easy relaxing read. I think I read the first five or six in the series. I keep saying that I need to go back and read them all.
The Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor is often compared to Mitford. The series is about a doctor who is fresh out of medical school, as he begins his life in a small village in Ireland. I think it is a bit like Mitford, but I will say that it is more PG-13 than Mitford. I am thinking that it might be the difference between America and Ireland. I think some of that may be cultural differences that come across differently in the book. If you love Mitford and don’t mind a little PG content this is one that you will probably enjoy. I have had a reader tell me that this series is great on audio because of the accent of the narrator.
The Scent of Water and The Dean’s Watch by Elizabeth Goudge are both books by Elizabeth Goudge that I think feel very Mitford like. They are stand-alone books and are not part of a series. They are both set in England, so the setting is different than Mitford, but they have that cozy, quaint, small village/town setting that so many love about Mitford. If you enjoy Mitford, I think you might really enjoy these two reads.
Cape Light by Katherine Spencer and Thomas Kinkade is a series I picked up at a library book sale years ago for fifty cents. It is an older series that was first published back in 2004. I had never heard of the series and decided to give it a try. I read the first two in the series and enjoyed them for what they are which are an easy pretty typical, somewhat predictable, Christian romance type book. However, they have that small village town feel. And it is not a perfect little town. The people have problems and issues and you walk through life with them. I will say that I highly doubt Thomas Kindake had much to do with this series. My guess is that Katherine Spencer is the one that did all the writing on these and Thomas Kindake’s name was used to sell them.
Mitford Like Books On My To Be Read List
These are books that I have heard are very similar to Mitford and I have them on my to be read list. Since I have not read them I can’t say for sure that they will read like Mitford, but I will say that I have bought the first book in all these series because I have high hopes that they will be.
All of these are series, but I have only listed the first in the series. If you have read any of these I would love to hear your thoughts.
Are they good? Do you think they are good for readers that love the Mitford series?
Harmony Series by Phillip Gulley
The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser
I have read the first of Gulley’s books. the Home to Harmony series. I think there is a second set of books as well. It was GREAT and for those looking for a religious aspect as well as a small town village, it fits that desire.
Our little church even had a book study about the Home to Harmony book!
I found your book site recently and have already taken some suggestions – thank you!
Thank you for the recommendation! I am going to have to move Home To Harmony up to be read stack. They sound like great books for fall! And I am so glad that you have enjoyed our book suggestions. Thank you for following along on our reading adventures!
I enjoyed reading the Harmony books. It’s been a while but my impression was that the town and its inhabitants are Mitford-like but the Quaker pastor has more of an edge than his Mitford counterpart. I thought he was quite funny but not as inspiring as Father Tim. But I did anxiously await the new releases in the series. I smiled at your desire to stretch the Mitford series out as I did the same. I bought the books as they came out because I knew that I’d want to revisit them, but I dragged my feet about reading them. I knew I’d devour them and then the waiting would start again!
I am glad to know that I am not the only one that is dragging out the Mitford series! I hope to read the first Harmony book this fall. I have it in my to-be-read stack but need to move it up to the top. I read the first in the Lumby series last month and really enjoyed it. There isn’t a pastor or minister as the main character in the Lumby books, but it still has that small town in the country where everyone knows everyone.
The Miss Read books are delightful, set on England and full of small town settings. There are two series, Fairacres and Thrush Green. Angela Hunt’s Fairlawn series has three fun books! Pam Rhodes’ ‘With Hearts and Hands and Voices’ is a stand alone good read set in England. Lilian Harry has a post war series that has a small village appeal, set in England.
Thank you for the suggestions. I have not read Angela Hunts, Pam Rhodes, or Lilian Harry. I read a Miss Read book years ago. I need to read one again!
I’m listening to the Jennifer Chiaverini Elm Creek Quilt Series. Very inspirational (I’ve even picked up quilting!). I love how her stories are intertwined through generations of women quilters. Simply beautiful. I miss Father Tim, and soon I’ll miss the Elm Creek Quilters, so I’m grateful for your suggestions.
I am so glad that you enjoy the suggestions. I read the first few books in the Elm Creek Quilt Series years ago. I can see myself rereading those and the Mitford books again in ten or even twenty years. They are my favorite kind of comfort reads.
Thanks for your suggestions. I re-read all of Jan Karon’s books every year. The characters are old friends and the spiritual aspect seems applicable to my life with each reading.
I have read all of the books in Patrick Taylor’s Irish Doctor series and keep an eye out for new ones.
I have not reread Mitford yet, but it is a series I can totally see myself rereading many times over the years. I have heard that Patrick Taylor’s books are great on audio. I read the first in the series and I liked it but didn’t love it. I have heard they get better. I might need to try book two on audio. I had no idea that he had written sixteen books in that series! It is a favorite of so many.
Do not watch the movie. You will very disappointed. Had I not read the series I’m sure that I would have absolutely loved it…but they are very different. (And I know EXACTLY what Father Tim looks like and it’s NOT Cameron Matheson) lol
I agree. If someone hasn’t read the Mitford books they will probably enjoy it, but if someone loves Mitford they should skip the movie.
Add to your list the Miss Budge stories by Daphne Simpkins. Start with Mildred Budge in Cloverdale. She’s a southern church lady in her retirement years. The stories are deeply reflective of her inner spiritual life, which is not at all what you might think.
Thank you for that book recommendation. I have not heard of the Miss Budge stories. They sound great.
The Ladies of Covington series was great. I binge read the series. I wanted to sit on their porch and eat Graces cookies!
I am so glad that you enjoyed The Ladies of Covington series!
Thank you. With all the trouble in the world today, I need something uplifting to listen to in the AM on the treadmill–start my day off in a better light.
I hope you enjoy the books. I agree sometimes we just need an uplifting easy to read book.
I enjoyed the Joan Medlicott stories of the Ladies of Covington. As an older reader, I appreciated finding a series about a group of women who wanted to continue living full lives.
I read and re-read the Mitford series and was so excited about the movie. Very disappointing.
The Ladies of Covington is a popular series for fans of Mitford. And Mitford is one of those series that I can see myself reading multiple times over the years.
Yes that’s EXACTLY what I’m looking for as well!!!! You said it perfectly!
Thank you for the suggestions. I have read all of the Mitford twice now and all of Joan Medlicott’s as well. Don’t miss her Three Mrs Parkers which is not one of the Covington series.
I have not read Three Mrs. Parkers but I will add it to my list. Have you read any of the Miss Read books? I am reading one now because it is one people often compare to Mitford. I don’t like it quite as well as Mitford, but I can why people compare them.
Missing Father Tim, I found your website. I’ve just finished the first in the Mitford series. I’m a writer with a deadline and will be dishing out #2 to myself one portion at a time, like dessert. Love what you’re doing here.
What a wonderful site you have here. Thank you so much for posting these fun reads. I’ve read all the Mitford books and so look forward to these as well.
I am so glad that you found our site! I love Mitford and hope you enjoy these reads too.
I really enjoyed Ann B. Ross books, all 22 of them. The titles all start with “Miss Julia etc etc
The first one is Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind and the 22nd one is Miss Julia Knows A Thing or Two. They are clean and funny and you get a feel for all the returning characters in every book.
I have read the first couple of books in that series. It is a great recommendation to read after Mitford!
I was going through a lot of stress last year and needed to read something that wouldn’t add to it. I was so happy to find the Miss Read collection of books, beginning with Village School. They are delightful and have that touch of British humor that I love. Set in the Cottswalds, the stories center around a primary school teacher and the memorable people in her village. Miss Read also has another series of books about the village of Thrush Green-more humor, memorable characters, and some (mostly predictable) romance. These books aren’t heavy on plot development, but they are about the characters, who will become people you feel like you know well and would like to sit down and have a cup of tea with. They are also about the setting-the weather, birds, and plants of the region place you right there in the story. The books begin in the 1950’s and are refreshingly clean reading.
Thank you for the reminder about Miss Read. I have heard great things about those books and need to read them. I appreciate you sharing about them!