A Spring Reading List

This post may contain affiliate links. 

My spring reading usually consists of books about local spring flowers and trees, birds, and spring themed poetry and novels. I fill my list with spring-like whimsical books that make me look forward to brighter days ahead. I enjoy fiction and non-fiction as well as quite a few classics and contemporary romances. Each year a few children’s classics also make my list. Anne of Green Gables is a particular favorite this time of year and anything by Beatrix Potter. Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Faeries of the Spring is inspiring. I love reading books that correlate with my current season. This year I have quite a few vintage books on my list including an intriguing book by the name of Lavender and Old Lace by Myrtle Reed.

If I cannot complete my list, I simply add those titles to my list for next year. I hope this spring reading list will inspire you to create your own list this season and to explore some new title that you discover in my list. Do you have a special book that you enjoy reading in spring? Share about it in the comments below. I have included a few links to the books on my list. Simply click on the underlined links in blue.

 

Classic Novels & Other Fiction

 

Daddy Longlegs by Jean Webster (1912)

I loved the 1950s film adaption of this book starring Fred Astaire and Leslie Carron. I had no idea it was based off of a novel written in 1912. I’m excited to read the original. It is about a young girl who is rescued from an orphanage by a mysterious benefactor. He pays for her college, room and board, clothes, and everything else she needs, but she has never met him (or so she thinks). His only request is that she writes to him and write she does! She writes to the man who gave her a new life and starts imagining who her hero really is. She has decided to nickname him “Daddy longlegs” as she does not know his name. I do not know if it is a love story like the movie version, but I have to find out.

Several vintage copies of this book may be found here and here. For a modern reprint with the sequal, click here.

 

Mary Anne by Daphne Du Maurier (1954)

This regency themed romance novel written in the 1950s is based off of the actor’s very own great-grandmother, a witty woman far ahead of her time. I love a strong female lead in a novel, especially a historically based one.

Several vintage copies of this book may be found here, here, and here. For a modern reprint, click here.

 

Lavender and Old lace by Myrtle Reed (1902)

This old romance novel has been described as being both beautiful and mysterious. The main character, 34 year old Ruth Thorne plans to visit her aunt who she has never met. When she arrives her aunt has left for a long trip and left a letter asking her to try on a lamp in a window each night. Ruth discovers a mystery, some old love letters, and friendships with some women in town. I have no idea how this story is going to end, but the author is notable for being witty. Mystery, romance, and friendship are the themes of this book. I’m intrigued.

A vintage copy of this book may be found here. For a modern reprint, click here.

 

The Lilac Girls by Martha Kelly 

The Lilac Girls is a book about strong women whose lives intersect during World War II.

“New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France.

An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.

For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.

The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.”

 

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Van Arnim

The Enchanted April is a classic that I sadly have not read yet. It was published in 1922 and is another book about four strong women. This time, they’re escaping the gloom of London and stay in a castle together on the shores of Italy for the month of April. It sounds like an enchanting read and perfect for spring.

 

Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

Set in rural England, Far From The Madding Crowd is a classic written in the late 1800s. Aagin, this is another book on my list that I have not read just yet. I’ve been told that Jane Austen fans would love this story.

“It deals in themes of love, honour and betrayal, against a backdrop of the seemingly idyllic, but often harsh, realities of a farming community in Victorian England. It describes the life and relationships of Bathsheba Everdene with her lonely neighbour William Boldwood, the faithful shepherd Gabriel Oak, and the thriftless soldier Sergeant Troy. On publication, critical notices were plentiful and mostly positive.”

 

Poetry & Children’s Classics

 

Joy of Spring by Mary Webb

Joy of Spring is one of my favorite spring classics! I read from it each spring. The poems in this book truly are joyful and will help you romanticize the season.

 

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables is a classic that is still greatly loved today by children and adults. I enjoyed wathcing the Anne With an E series on Netflix, so reading the book that it is based on is a real treat. You will love this darling story about an orphan named Anne who finds family and a community on Prince Edward Island.

You can find the entire boxed set here. 

 

Flower Fairies of the Spring by Cicely Mary Barker

The Flower Fairies of the Spring is one of my favorite childhood books. I loved reading them all, but the spring and fall books were my favorite in the series. The illustrations are beautiful and the poems that go with each one are very sweet.

 

Beatrix Potter Treasury

Perhaps the most important children’s classic on this list, The Beatrix Potter treasury is one my favorite books to reread in spring. Yes, it is a children’s book, but Beatrix Potter’s little stories revolutionized children’s books forever and her illustrations are lovely. Every spring I like to watch Miss Potter, a movie about her life and follow it up by reading some of her short stories, especially Peter Rabbit, which is perfect for the Easter season.

 

Love Songs by Sara Teasdale

This classic reprint of Love Songs is another one of my favorite collections of spring poetry. Sara Teasdale’s poems are often short and very sweet. They’re cute, not deep, but you will instantly connect with Sara Teasdale’s feelings and relate to her struggles and joys.

 

All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols

If you only pick up one book of poetry this spring I hope that it is this one. All Along You Were Blooming is an empowering collection of poetry and writing that can give you confidence and induces self love. This book is a warm hug from a kind friend. And Nichols’s illustrations also make this book a delight to read.

Romance

The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

The books of Kristan Higgins are what made me a romance genre fan in the first place. Her books are witty, fun, sometimes devastatingly sad, but also hilariously funny. The first book I read of thers was The Best Man and I laughed out loud ridiciously loud in public. I couldn’t help but wonder why her books have not been made into movies yet. They’re just so great. I picked up a book of hers that I have not read yet, this one, The Perfect Match. The second in her Blue Heron series, I don’t know how I missed it. I have not met a Kristan Higgins books that I have not loved.

“Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later— Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn’t easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fake fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn’t easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love.”

 

Paris Is Always A Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay

Paris is Always A Good Idea has been on my list since last year and on my bookcase for just as long. My to-read pile has been shaming me lately. Facing personal struggles and heartbreak the main character of this book returns to Paris, the scene of her younger happier days to try to recreate her happiness of the past. I’m sure it will be a real treat, especially for people who love to travel within their books like I do. Paris really is always a good idea.

 

Anne of Manhattan by Brian Starler

Since I already had Anne of Green Gables on the lost, I had to include this grown up version for you here. Also on my list and to-read shelf, Anne of Manhattan is a a book that follows the story of Anne of Green Gables as if she were an adult living in Manhattan today. A modern retelling for those who wish they could see Anne in the modern day setting. And of course, there is some romance involving one Gilbert Blythe.

 

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holten

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels is a book that just sounds ridiculously fun. The only historical romance on my list, this one sounds like an adventure. I’ll let you read the description yourself:

“A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Cecilia Bassingwaite is the ideal Victorian lady. She’s also a thief. Like the other members of the Wisteria Society crime sorority, she flies around England drinking tea, blackmailing friends, and acquiring treasure by interesting means. Sure, she has a dark and traumatic past and an overbearing aunt, but all things considered, it’s a pleasant existence. Until the men show up.

Ned Lightbourne is a sometimes assassin who is smitten with Cecilia from the moment they meet. Unfortunately, that happens to be while he’s under direct orders to kill her. His employer, Captain Morvath, who possesses a gothic abbey bristling with cannons and an unbridled hate for the world, intends to rid England of all its presumptuous women, starting with the Wisteria Society. Ned has plans of his own. But both men have made one grave mistake. Never underestimate a woman.

When Morvath imperils the Wisteria Society, Cecilia is forced to team up with her handsome would-be assassin to save the women who raised her–hopefully proving, once and for all, that she’s as much of a scoundrel as the rest of them.”

 

 

Non-Fiction

The past couple years I have definitely read more non-fiction than fiction. There is just so much to learn and reading is one of my favorite ways to learn it. Usually this category is filled with memoirs and travelogues, but I have been on an art and gardening kick lately. The titles are pretty self explanatory.

 

How to Grow Your Own Food: An Illustrated Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening by Angela Judd

How To grow Your Own Food is a book on my list because as a renter, I cannot use our yard for all of my gardening needs. It looks like I will be planting a lot of veggies in pots this year instead and I want to know the best tips for gardening this way.

 

Grow Your Own Vegetables in Pots and Containers: A practical guide to growing food in small spaces by Paul Peacock

This spring I definitely want to grow my own vegetables and in the book Grow Your Own Vegetables, you how to do it in small spaces. Just like the book above, I really feel that this book will set me up for gardening success this year.

 

Hill House Living by Paula Sutton

I have been following Paula Sutton for quite some time on Instagram and I am a big fan of her sweet personality and joyful simple lifestyle. Hill House Living is her new book and I cannot wait to dive into it. Paula lives in England and I love seeing the beautiful photos she shares of her home and gardens.

 

Landscape Painting: Essential Concepts and Techniques for Plein Air and Studio Practice by Mitchell Albala

Landscape Painting is something I want to try to get decent at. I’m not terrible, but I’m also not very good at painting landscape. I figure that practice will make it somewhat better and the best way to learn new techniques, besides taking a class, is with painting is to see it in step within a book.

 

The Oil Painting Course You’ve Always Wanted: Guided Lessons for Beginners and Experienced Artists by Kathleen Lochen Staiger

In the Oil Painting Course You’ve Always Wanted, you can learn all kinds of tips and techniques for handling, mixing, and painting with oil paints.

 

Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life by Marta McDowell

If you love reading about authors and enjoy Beatrix Potter’s sweet little stories, you may also enjoy Beatrix Potter’s Gardening life, about her own garden and how she used her garden for inspiration for her books.

 

The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

The Country Diary of an Edwardian lady is a reproduction of Edith Holden’s 1906 diary. She was a naturalist known for her beautiful paintings of plants and her diary has sweet notes about the plants and animals that she saw living in the country.