Mitford Books In Order
Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.Publication Order of Mitford Years Books
| At Home in Mitford | (1994) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| A Light in the Window | (1995) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| These High, Green Hills | (1996) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Out to Canaan | (1997) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| A New Song | (1999) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| A Common Life | (2001) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| In This Mountain | (2002) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Shepherds Abiding | (2003) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Light from Heaven | (2005) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Home to Holly Springs | (2007) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| In the Company of Others | (2010) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good | (2014) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Come Rain or Come Shine | (2015) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| To Be Where You Are | (2017) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of Mitford For Children Books
| Violet Comes to Stay | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Violet Goes to the Country | (2007) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of Mitford Gift Books Books
| Patches of Godlight | (2001) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Mitford Snowmen | (2001) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Esther's Gift | (2002) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Trellis and the Seed | (2003) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader | (2004) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Mitford Bedside Companion | (2006) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
Publication Order of Mitford Collections
| Bathed in Prayer | (2018) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
The stories will often seek to engage readers in terms of the personal intricacies of the different characters, not only presenting their flaws and struggles but daily routines, pets, what they tend to have for lunch and so on and so forth, with the aim of generating a lively and wholesome image of each character. The Mitford years officially begins with ‘At Home in Mitford’; published in 1994, the novel introduces the original players and the lives they lead, continuing to add and subtract characters as the series progresses, finally ending with ‘Somewhere Safe with Somebody good’, the last novel in the series, published in 2014.
Being Christian themed, The Mitford years presents what many have referred to as a light offering of theology, scattering the story with Bible themes in as organic a manner as possible, but typically avoiding a heavy handed and preachy approach, Jan Karon instead allowing the story to drive the means with which the different themes are introduced. There are seven novels in the series, this not including Jan’s companion works to The Mitford years such as cook books.
While The Mitford Years series officially ends with the seventh book, the story doesn’t quite come to a close with this final novel. Numerous other works such a ‘Shepherd’s abiding’ and ‘A Common Life’ tell stories centered on the town of Mitford and even utilize some similar characters. Jan Karon’s other series, ‘The Father Tim Series’, also strives to advance the adventures of characters already introduced with The Mitford years. While often read by a wide variety of persons, The Mitford Years series is, on a whole, geared towards female readers.
Jan Karon
Janice Meredith Wilson was born in the foothills of North Carolina in 1937; the American author was named after Janice Meredith, a popular novel by Paul Leicester Ford. Jan actually wrote her first book at the tender age of ten; her life and choices, however, guided her towards advertising. And it wasn’t until she was 48 that Jan saw fit to leave the security of her attractive advertising job to pursue her writing career in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Jan Karon has admitted to enduring a less than idyllic life, in fact far from the carefree world of the fictional Mitford; abandoned by her father at the age of three, Jan and her sister were raised by their grandparents on a farm. Jan’s school life ended in eighth grade, at which point she sought to enter the workforce; continuing down this rather rapid path through life, Jan Karon was married and pregnant by seventeen.
Faced with the prospect of single motherhood soon afterwards, Jan entered the advertising world a year later as a receptionist, her charisma and determination guaranteeing her quick ascension to the top. Jan Karon, raised in a Methodist church, began her relationship with Christ at the age of 42, after years of difficulty and tragedy; and it was after this faith commitment that the thought of pursuing her writing career first seriously occurred to Karon, the decision to finally quit her job coming seven years after.
Three of Jan Karon’s books have clawed their way to the top of New York Times’ Bestseller list, despite the fact that they are free of sex, violence and profane content; her characters have been described as surprisingly believable, her focus often revolving around the relationships in her stories. Central to her Mitford series is the Episcopal priest, Father Tim Kavanaugh, whose job it is to minister to the people of his parish.
Jan’s stories bring to life faith as it manifests within daily life, often including smatterings of the Gospel Message alongside silly humor and an earthy tone. The success of her Christian themed series comes down to the fact that readers do not feel preached to. Two million of Jan’s books are in print, and have been translated into Spanish.
At Home in Mitford
Mitford is an idyllic home, with its green hills, pure air and lovable people. Yet when father Tim asks for more, he gets far more than he bargained for; first the dog, then an attractive neighbor, an unloved boy and a decades old secret revolving around a mysterious jewel Theft. The first Mitford novel is pretty warm in its approach to the sunny little town, introducing a bevy of characters that are simply too likable to hate, no matter their role, and a delightful story to engross oneself into.
At home in Mitford is largely populated by adults, but most of whom bring a child like persona to the table, making for a first book that is not only charming but almost too nice for its own good, at least as far as a select few readers are concerned.
These High, Green Hills
Once only married to his parish, Father Tim finds that his union with his vivacious next door neighbor is anything but dull. And the surprises only continue to pour out, with the heart shattering decision of the mountain boy Father Tim has loved so dearly and the difficulties of gaining mastery over the church’s new computer system taking a back seat to the drastic change Father Tim undergoes when he returns from a wilderness camping trip.
Jan’s charming cast of characters continues to engage in ‘These High, Green Hills’, with stories that somehow manage to remain fresh and exciting. The humor isn’t lost here either, and indeed continues to thrive through Jan’s words, making for a sweet calming read. As with most of the series, the novel doesn’t really demand much from the reader beyond simply sitting back and having a good time. It is a feel good novel that knows exactly what it wants to be, and that allows the book to truly sparkle.
Book Series In Order » Characters »
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Absolutely love this series! Wish I could live in Mitford with these lovely characters. A teacher friend, Joanna B shared them with me many years ago, and I’m reading them again.
Thank you, Jan Karon 🌺
I am a minister with the United Church of Canada. Some years ago a member of a former congregation lent me the first four volumes of the Mitford series to read. I now own the whole set for myself and have lent them to many people in the congregation I now am part of — they have been read by many from my village now and I love each and every one at least once.
. I read these years ago and loved 🥰 them but did not save them. I got them on Audible and Get to listen to them being read by a wonderful reader.
I am going through a rough time, a trial, a test . My only daughter moving to another state after graduation 👩🎓. I feel the Lord brought these to my attention again and I thank Him, praise and love Him. I find them to be a comfort.
This is my third reading of the series. I have both paperback and hard cover = some repeats. I was given the first volume by a teacher friend about 2010 . I just pulled down the correct listing of the series in order. I tend to read the paperbacks more than hardcover because of the portability of paperbacks. I also have the Cookbook and Mitford Bedside Companion. Gave an interim pastor a copy of the Mitford Bedside Companion. I knew she had been reading the series with books on loan from a friend. Would love to have her do a sequel as a catch-up tp Dooley and Lace. Sending her a Merry Christmas with love and prayers and a huge Thank You for giving us the Mitford Series.
I read the first 5 books many years ago as a much younger pastor’s wife and enjoyed them. Out of curiosity I just recently discovered them again and found out there were more! My husband is getting close to retirement from the pastorate and the Mitford books mean soo much more to me now! I don’t have to be Episcopalian to be able to relate 100%! God bless you Ms. Karon for continuing the delightful story of Father Tim’s large “family” in both his home, his parishes and his friendships.
I was given “At Home in Mitford”on audio by a wonderful friend. She told me these stories were like coming home and she was absolutely right! I have listened to #1 “At Home In Mitford” clear through to #14 “To be Where You Are”. Then started all over again, many, many times. I use to do a lot of driving and these wonder books have been so special to me. I still laugh and cry through the same parts and now I’m enjoying them with my husband. I have all the books as well and when I have the time I read where I left off in the car. I absolutely love every one of these stories and tell people all the time “try them, you won’t regret it!” Thank you Jan Karon, you’re books are truly like coming home.
i’ve smiled thru 8 mitford books, especially love Barabus as i had an Irish woldhound (& grieve for him still) i have recommend this wondrerful series to many. thank you Jan for the smiles
I have read the seriers 3 times. I want more!!!
I have enjoyed all of Karon’s series and was sad to see it end. As a Catholic I enjoyed the simple theology and passed the books to my mother-in- law and a friend. They become a good way to close down the day and gave me something to look forward to without stress the next day. I would love to find another similar type series.
Try the Irish doctor series by Patrick Taylor
Also the books by “Miss Read”, cozy life in England, but less religious themed.
I’ve just finished To be where you are and could not put it down what book follows I’m so excited to keep on reading .God bless you Jan Karon
Loved them all and introduced them to my daughter and she agrees!!!
I have been married for over 40 years to an Episcopal/Anglican priest. We’ve been I a number of parishes. Reading the Milford series has brought the many events and happenings reminds me of our colourful parishioners we’ve known and loved over the years! I laugh out loud every few pages! Thank you Jan Karon! I am in my 3rd reading during Covid! Such a blessing to bask in the life of Mitford!
I read all the books every Autumn. They were a comfort when my husband died nearly 10 years ago and are a comfort now as one best friend just died and another is dying
I love this series! Since my beloved husband died 6 months ago I have been searching for a way to purchase the series and the CDs.
The Mitford Series got me through the death of my husband. Spiritual as well as light reading. Thank you, Jan Karon!
Thankyou Jan for a wonderful series of books.
I have read them all. My sister in Victoria British Columbia also hooked on them, we were just discussing them a few minutes ago. She has a neighbour hooked on them also.
We pick copies up whe we see them to give to friends.
Take care
Helen Taylor in Toronto Ontario
This is a series I absolutely love. I have read the books at least
twice. This past year I have really needed the messages these
books deliver in a real and sweet way. God bless Jan Karon!
This series was a balm to the soul.
This series is probably my favorite reading for all time. I have collected most of them and am reading them again from the beginning. Wonderful writing, wonderful concise stories, and yet without garbage talk or activities.