Loved the animal stories too. When in England, one of my planned stops was Harriot's vet hospital. It was wonderful, fascinating...everything was just as it was when he practiced there and even had the original TV setting where they filmed. The people in the little town loved visiting Americans and would repeat that we were the reason his books become popular. A book I recommend to many is Mrs. Chippy's Last Expedition (tis a "he" though). It is about the cat on Shackleton's Antarctica expedition, brought aboard by the ship's carpenter. Written with the cat's view, has wonderful pics of the expedition, ship, men and history story of this sad event. Although a teen level book, highly read by adults and found in the adult section. Be ready for a very sad ending, but truely a worthwhile read.

I just got my copy in the mail today and that's all I've been doing is reading that book. I can't tear myself away from it. It's gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!!! The text is plentiful and well worth reading. The photos are to die for. It's very much about lived-in, eclectic houses, not rigid or styled within an inch of their lives. Each place has a ton of heart and soul and are beautifully photographed. Love, love, love. It is now my #1 decorating book of all time, tied with Bunny Williams' "An Affair with a House".

I really enjoyed the Stone Gap books, and I have read several others that I like. I don't remember titles, but why not go to Amazon and read the descriptions there?

@phyllis mn - There is a lot to be gained from participating in a book club - reading a variety of authors is certainly one of them! Here is another way I might fill in the blank: You know you should be in a book club when... everyone is raving about the book you just read, but you didn't understand a word of it! You just might learn what you are missing by attending the discussion - this has certainly happened to me.