Remember my post about reading? I recently realized that I neglected to mention one of my favorite “escapist reading” authors: Grace Livingston Hill. I love reading her books, and there are many. She wrote around 100 books from the late 1800s through the 1940s.
Many of her books are available online. Here are some excerpts to clue you in as to why I love them.
“Patricia Merrill, richly clad in gray duvetyne with moleskin trimmings, soft shod in gray suede boots, came slowly down the stairs from the third story, fastening her glove as she went. The top button was refractory and she paused in the middle of the stairs to give it her undivided attention. The light from the great ground-glass skylight gave a vivid touch to the knot of coral velvet in her little moleskin toque. “ -opening paragraph from The Tryst, 1921
“There had been a whole year of preparation: spinning and weaving and fine sewing. The smooth white linen lay ready, packed between rose leaves and lavender. There had been yards and yards of tatting and embroidery made by the two girls for the trousseau, and the village dressmaker had spent days at the house, cutting, fitting, shirring, till now there was a goodly array of gorgeous apparel piled high upon the bed, and chairs, and hanging in the closets of the great spare bedroom.” -description of a bride’s trousseau in Marcia Schuyler, 1908
The details really make these books. And they’re not just about clothes and sewing -there are just as many details about housekeeping and cooking. I love reading about the old-fashioned homemaking practices. The vocabulary is often difficult because many words are obsolete (duvetyne?). Looking them up is a treat.
The plots are pretty simplistic usually, but the books are downright inspiring. Most make me want to sew. The Honor Girl sent me on a cleaning frenzy. I love how the books remind me of the value of a beautiful, cozy home, good food, and good company.
I recommend these books to the homemaker who loves her job.
Oh, but usually the cover art makes me feel embarrassed at the library. lol.
