Little Escapes: Small Town Book Series Recommendations
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What’s better than a cozy book set in a small town? A whole series of books set in a small town! Read on for 6 small town book series, from cozy mysteries to medical series to rural nonfiction book series.
Small Town Series Books
Guest post by Kaitlyn Beck
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a person in need must be in want of a cozy read.
I read across multiple genres but my bread and butter, my favorite, are the cozy books. These types of books make me feel wrapped in a warm blanket, both a beautiful escape from the world and a reminder of its beauty. A common theme found in cozy books is the setting of a small town; they typically feature a fun and slightly kooky cast of characters, slice-of-life problems, and themes of community and love.
Small town series, I would argue, are even more wonderful because you can follow the town and characters over time. Soon it feels so real you could swear you’ve been there. You become invested in these characters’ hopes and dreams, rooting for them and mourning with them. I want to recommend some small town book series, both fiction and nonfiction, that I hope you can visit whenever you need a smile. So if you are a fan of Miss Read and James Herriot, read on!
Cozy Book Series Set in Small Towns and Villages
Teacher Series by Jack Sheffield
Fans of the Miss Read series will find themselves falling for Jack Sheffield’s Teacher series. This nonfiction series follows Jack to north Yorkshire in the 1970s, where he is appointed headmaster of a Ragley-on-the-Forest primary school. His life as a headmaster is filled with interesting characters–students, parents, and staff. His secretary Vera is particularly delightful, keeping him organized and helping him take on this new role. The students were especially charming and I could not help but chuckle at some of the things they said. It is one of those series where you feel the importance of community in the town. I have not personally finished the series (there are 9 in total) but I am excited to continue the journey!
First Book: “Teacher, Teacher!”
Mitford Series by Jan Karon
Normally, when it comes to a series, I try to prolong the end for as long as possible by taking pauses between books. The Mitford series, however, I DEVOURED as soon as I discovered them. This sweet series follows Father Tim, an Episcopalian Rector, who lives and serves in the fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina. At the start of the series, the bachelor rector has served for 12 years but is feeling a bit stuck. When a certain female neighbor moves in across the way, things seem to pick up and his life is never the same.
The town has so many lovable side characters like Sadie, one of the oldest residents, and 11-year-old Dooley who has had a tough life. The pace is slow, not in a dragging way but reminiscent of a peaceful stroll down Main Street. Naturally, Christianity is found throughout the books but never preachy, so non-Christians can definitely still enjoy this series. As the years go by, residents and readers alike experience great joys and deep sorrow with Father Tim including births, deaths, festivals, adoptions, natural disasters, and marriages to name a few. There are 14 books (not including a newer spin-off series) to keep you sucked into the small town spell.
First Book: At Home in Mitford
Bryson City Tales by Dr. Walt Larimore, MD
For fans of James Herriot, these next two medical (humans not animals) series are going to be right up your alley. The first series, by Dr. Walt Larimore, is autobiographical and I found the first two books during a random browsing at a used bookstore. I had never heard of him or the town of Bryson City, North Carolina. It follows Dr. Walt Larimore, a young and new physician, moving to the rural Smoky Mountain town to set up his first practice after residency. With his wife and young daughter who has cerebral palsy, they are soon woven into the fiber of the town. But it certainly has its challenges, including how he often has to adopt roles outside of family physician including obstetrician, ER doctor, sports medicine physician for the local football team, and coroner to name a few.
The best way to describe these books is warm; the town just exudes love for its community. Even when disasters strike, everyone is willing to pitch in and be the true definition of ‘neighbor’. This series contains 5 books but Dr. Larimore has written other novels and health related nonfiction.
First Book: Bryson City Tales: Stories of a Doctor’s First Year of Practice in the Smoky Mountains
Irish Country series by Patrick Taylor
The other medical series takes us across the pond to the beautiful country of Northern Ireland. Our protagonist is Barry Laverty, MD, who moves to the small town of Ballybucklebo in the 1960s to gain employment. What he doesn’t expect is the larger-than-life personality of Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, his employer. This veteran of medicine lives by the motto ‘never let the patients get the upper hand’ and Barry is unsure how they will get along. Nevertheless, Barry finds himself learning much from Dr. O’Reilly and what it means to be a country doctor. Along the way he laughs, cries, and even falls in love.
The residents are quite varied, demanding, and often silly. Nonetheless you want to know what happens to them through the years. This 16 book series (yes, you read that right) is perfect for rainy weather and many cups of tea. I did find myself confused at times with some of the Irish history and idioms sprinkled in there but it did not detract from my enjoyment. I have yet to finish the series but I definitely plan to visit Ballybucklebo in the near future.
First Book: An Irish Country Doctor
The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter series by Susan Witting Albert
Beatrix Potter is a well known name amongst children’s authors. Her whimsical books and illustrations fill the soul and bring forth a smile on all who read. Now what if she was the protagonist of the coziest, most gentle mystery series?
It’s 1905, Beatrix Potter has just moved to the town of Sawrey, Lake District. At first, she is mostly focused on setting up her home, meeting residents, and becoming a part of the town. But throughout the series mysteries come to the small town and it takes both Beatrix and her animal friends to reveal the truth.
First, I love that this series is partly historical–Beatrix did really live in Sawrey and various characters, including her animals, were real. Secondly, the animals are not just side characters but are active participants! We get to hear their comments on life and goings-on in the town, which I found just delightful. Lastly, it takes place in one of the most gorgeous areas of England (I bet you’d be surprised to find I am an Anglophile). If you want low stakes, gentle tales starring humans and animals, you must check out this 8 book series. Speaking of animals…
First Book: The Tale of Hill Top Farm
Shady Hollow Series by Juneau Black
If you love cozy murder mysteries and the children’s classic The Wind in the Willows, then I insist you check out the Shady Hollow mystery series. Shady Hollow is a quaint town filled with animals living together; it is known for its general tranquility…until a murder happens. Town reporter Vera Vixin cannot help but get involved, even when Deputy Orville Braun would rather her keep her foxy nose out of it. This fox and bear spend the series solving cases together, vowing to protect their beloved town.
Except for the murders, I desperately want to visit Shady Hollow! The town itself is very reminiscent of Stars Hollow (of Gilmore Girls fame), with its local coffee shop and eccentric but loveable residents. The fifth one just came out this summer and it is on my TBR list–I highly recommend you check it out!
First Book: Shady Hollow
There you have it! Six wonderful book series set in small towns. Life moves fast but I hope you find the time for a good book (or 57). Happy Reading!
Want more novels set in small towns? Have a look at this list of pastoral novels, or pick a book by L. M. Montgomery.
About the author
Kaitlyn Beck has been a lover of books for as long as she can remember. Her favorite authors are Jane Austin, Louisa May Alcott, and LM Montgomery. Genres she loves include classics, literary fiction, historical fiction, and memoirs. Besides reading, Kaitlyn loves research (especially history), knitting, musical theatre, cuddling with a blanket, and education. She has just took the plunge into book blogging with her site Lady Bookish. There, and on her bookstagram, she talks about classics, cozy books, and bookish companies. She currently lives with her husband and sweet daughter in Virginia.
Other posts by Kaitlyn on Tea and Ink Society:
A list like this one just can’t be complete without the Anne, Emily, and Pat books! Avonlea is one of the most beloved small towns in literature – Glen St. Mary and a few others take its place in the subsequent Anne books. Priest Pond and wherever the feverishly charming Pat books take place are similarly delightful.
I agree! I live within LM Montgomery books. Take me there! Let me be part of their towns!