Welcome to the fourth day of Five Fall Favorites 2025! How many books have you added to your booklist so far? Think you can squeeze in a few more?
Today, I’ll be sharing five books that I love. Please note that while I enjoyed each of these books, my listing them here does not mean that I agree with everything in them. Oh, and this is my second time participating in FFF, and I tried not to repeat any books I chose the first time, with one exception on Wednesday’s post.
Okay, let’s go hunting for more new stories together!
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
1. Miss Dee Dunmore Bryant by Isabella Alden
Times are hard at the Bryant home. With Christmas just weeks away, the family is preparing to celebrate without any presents for the Bryant children, including little Daisy. But practical Daisy can weather a Christmas without gifts if she knows that somewhere, a more fortunate little girl got a new doll and named it Daisy Bryant after herself.
Before long, Daisy’s wish is known to the entire town and one act of kindness begets another . . . and another! Soon, Daisy’s home town is alive with the spirit of giving, and the Bryant family is about to have a Christmas they will never forget.
My Mom, sister, and I enjoyed listening to this story on audiobook. As you may have gathered by now, we’ve listened to audiobooks together quite a bit! This is such a cute and sweet story, and we loved it so much! It has a sequel which is great too.
2. Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Little orphan Heidi goes to live high in the Alps with her gruff grandfather and brings happiness to all who know her on the mountain.
When Heidi goes to Frankfurt to work in a wealthy household, she dreams of returning to the mountains and meadows, her friend Peter, and her beloved grandfather.
I grew up on an abridged version of Heidi that had lots of great pictures. And now I enjoy the unabridged too! The atmosphere of this story is amazing and makes you feel as though you are there with the characters and would love to have goat’s milk and bread with them and climb the mountains with the goats.
3. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sydney
Polly and Ben Pepper are full of secret plans to surprise Mamsie. But it’s hard to come up with ideas for presents when there isn’t even enough money for the children to go to school. Since their father died, the five Pepper children and their mother have been living in poverty, with only potatoes and brown bread for supper. But from measles to monkeys, through bad times and good, the cozy kitchen in the little brown house rings with laughter and hope.
Then, just when a misadventure nearly leads to tragedy, a boy named Jasper King tumbles into their lives. Can good fortune be far behind?
This is another favorite story. The sibling relationships and how the children made the best out of the little they had while still having so much fun is one of my favorite parts. I enjoyed other books in the series as well, but this is probably the best one.
4. The Lost Jewel by A.L.O.E.
Not following one particular protagonist, The Lost Jewel is a story that highlights, not an individual person, but an object—a jewel!
This lost jewel passes through the hands of numerous characters, and each time it is lost because of the lure of sin and ease of foolishness.
The author draws a compelling comparison between this jewel of great value and our own souls.
I already mentioned my favorite book by this author, The Haunted Room, in a post I did last time I participated in FFF. So this time I decided to share this unique story! With a wide cast of characters and events and a great theme, there is plenty to love about it. It was a long while back when I read it, so I may need to plan a re-read sometime soon.
5. Probable Sons by Amy LeFeuvre
Being a confirmed bachelor, Sir Edward Wentworth is horrified when his young orphaned niece arrives.
Yet gradually over the coming months he becomes very fond of Milly, as he listens to her bright chatter about her life at his house and the people she meets, particularly the Maxwells who live in the forest.
Through Milly’s complete trust in God, Sir Edward is made aware of how far he has grown away from Christianity, and he reflects on this further when recovering from an accident.
The older sister of some of my childhood friends recorded herself reading this book. They gave us a copy, and my sister and I listened to it over and over. Like the rest of Amy LeFeuvre’s children’s stories, it is great for all ages, filled with humor and cute moments, and has a good lesson.
It’s giveaway time! A lot of the bloggers participating in FFF have contributed books. Since there were so many books donated, this year we have not one but two giveaways! And yes, one of the books in the second place prize is Willow, by yours truly. (Please note that I have not read all of these books, so this is not an endorsement of their content.)
Are you ready to continue the party? There are a lot more books being recommended today! If you’d like to find links to guide you to all of the participating blogs, you can do that at Kate’s blog, where she is co-hosting FFF. And please check out the other blogs on my team and see what books they’re recommending! I’ll be joining you over there.
Let’s Chat!
Have you read any of the books I mentioned in today’s post? Was there one that you think you’d like to read?
Until next time, keep trusting in the Lord and letting Him direct your steps!
In Christ,
Bethany
Lovely books, Bets! The only one I haven’t read on here is The Lost Jewel. My TBR thanks you. 😀
That’s great that you’ve gotten to read most of these, Bekah! Those four are such sweet stories.
My husband has told me about Probable Sons and I have wanted to find it somewhere for the longest time.
That’s neat because Probable Sons doesn’t seem to be all that well-known. I hope you get the opportunity to read it, Hannah! It’s cute.
[…] Team Oak: Rhys-Marie, Hannah, Savannah, Ellie, Cate, Bethany, and Rebekah […]
I loved Five Little Peppers growing up! It actually helped inspire my upcoming book. 😉
That’s so neat, Kate! I have a story idea inspired by the Peppers too. I’ll have to be keeping an eye out for yours!
Great list! We should listen to Miss Dee Dunmore Bryant again sometime!
The idea!!! I mean, of course we do! The sequel too!
Heidi and the Peppers are SO good, but I DESPERATELY need to read the other 3!!!!
You do, Kats! They’re such great stories. And yes, those two are both so sweet and good!!
I LOVE Five Little Peppers. Very, very much.
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed spending time with the Peppers too, Rose! It’s such a delightful story.
Dear Bethany,
Isn’t Miss Dee Dunmore Bryant a delightful book? I hope you have read or listened to the sequel too.
I haven’t read Five Little Peppers and How They Grew or The Lost Jewel, though. Thank you for the wonderful book suggestions.
Yes, it’s such a delightful story, Luba! We listened to the sequel too. I remember it very much right now. Maybe we’ll listen to both of them again this winter!
I hope you get a chance to read them! Five Little Peppers is such a sweet story that you would enjoy. You’re welcome! Thank you for following along and commenting!
I enjoyed Heidi and Five Little Peppers! Haven’t read the others.
Heidi and the Peppers are both so good! Hopefully you’ll get the opportunity to read some of the others sometime!
Thank you for sharing so many public domain books!!! 😍 I love Heidi, but that’s the only one I’ve read here. I’ve heard of Five Little Peppers often – maybe it’s time to read it. 😁And I think I have the Lost Jewel, but I really need to read it, it looks sooo interesting!!
You’re welcome, Lyds! That’s a lot of what I read before finding the indie world, so I have plenty to share! 🙂 Yes, you need to read the Peppers!!! You’ll love them! And The Lost Jewel too but definitely the Peppers!
The Lost Jewel sounds very intriguing!
It’s such a unique story and very good! Hopefully you’ll get the opportunity to read it, Virginia!