The Comfort Book Club / A Home for All Seasons by Gavin Plumley

Welcome to November's Comfort Book Club discussion! My Mum, Donna, and I are chatting about this month's book club choice, 'A Home for All Seasons' by Gavin Plumley. There are spoilers in this chat, as we're assuming you have read the book if you watch. Special thanks to the readers who sent voice messages for this video, which were included in our discussion: Sarah, Myriam, Laura, Madeleine and Silvia.
—

SUPPORT: No pressure at all, but if you would like to support my work by making a donation to my channel, you can do so by clicking the 'Thanks' heart sign, just under the title of this video (in the same bar where you find the 'like' button)
—
LINKS:
(affiliate links used for Blackwells)

BLACKWELLS: If you order a book from Blackwells using one of my affiliate links, I may make a small commission from your purchase, at no additional cost to yourself. I like to support Blackwells by linking to their website, as I’m a big fan of their flagship Oxford bookshop, and they offer reasonable overseas shipping. You in turn support my work by shopping through my affiliate link. Thank you!

[Catherine-]

I love how your book club brings people together from all around the world! Thank you, Donna and Miranda!

[sarahevans]

So lovely to hear everyone’s thoughts on this wonderful book and thank you for featuring my voice message ❤

[inlaterdays]

So glad to see you back! I am sorry that you have both been ill, and I hope you continue to feel better. I really enjoyed this book. The mix of memoir, history, art history, and nature writing was just fascinating. Thank you for recommending it.

[eileennielsen]

So sorry both of you were so sick w/ the flu😐. Take care of that cough Miranda. Really enjoyed this even though I did not read the book. It is now on my TBR list! Sounds delightful! I often think I was born in the wrong century because I am SO drawn to and desire, old houses, books, towns, clothing; the atmosphere that enveloped in those things. I lived in A house in Massachusetts (New England) that was built in mid 1700's. Also a house in Romeo, Michigan that was built in the early 1800's. Quite the privilege and experience. My father was a historic reproduction builder. All the homes I lived in growing up in Massachusetts were built by him. He truly was Master builder, an artist. I am thankful I grew up steeped in history! Thank you both for the discussion

[maryfilippou]

Glad your Mother is well now too and looking Good!

[NadineTouzet]

Hello Miranda and Donna, I’m glad to see you are feeling much better. 👏 I listened to Gavin’s book twice! The first time I wasn’t concentrating enough and once I’d finished listening, started all over again. I thoroughly enjoyed the hidden history of English country life, and the book inspired me to look for a print of Brueghel’s winter scene to hang in my house, soon. Thank you both for that treasure. ❤❤

[Rainydaylily]

This book was a lovely companion (for me) to two television series: The Victorian Farm and the Edwardian Farm. Having had flu recently myself, you both have my deepest sympathy (LOL) and I'm very glad you're feeling better!

[brandyward]

Donna, I LOVE your hair!!! So pretty!!!

[jillizzard]

A wonderful book indeed. I now have to visit Pembridge! Thank you Gavin for sharing the reality of the past - I learned so much...both history and art! Your writing is exquisite - incredible to think this was your first book. I look forward to your next.

[ingaurban]

I loved this book and it planted the wish in me to one day go there and see this area for myself. And I have to go to Vienna again to see Breughel's paintings. Last time I went, which was also my first time, I solely focussed on Dürer's drawings and paintings. I love it when books give you new travel ideas. Thank you for choosing this book for the comfort book club. I'm so looking forward to the interview and the December issue of Seasons of Story to read Gavin Plumley's text and hear his voice! Have a lovely week, dear Miranda and Donna!❤😊

[judiruckstuhl]

I love your Moms hair cut. So stylish.

[cerridwencottagediary]

I haven't read the book yet but I drive through Pembridge every time I pick up my daughter from University in Oxford. After hearing the discussion I think it is a must read for next month

[thomasceneri]

Hi Miranda - so glad you and your mum are feeling better Just wanted to, again, say how amazing Wintercombe is. It’s such a page-turner! I mentioned it before, in my comment from another vlog, that it’s the first of a four-part book series. I’ve ordered the second one (Herald of Joy) and look forward to reading it. I’m also going to start soon Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night! Your book recommendations have really made a difference in my life. Thank you!🙏

[dorislong]

Miranda and Donna, so very interesting. I must get busy and order this book. It sounds positively delightful!

[junee]

Thank you for the lovely videos, I really enjoy them. Donna, your new haircut is so very flattering!

[janebowell]

Thank you both so much for this video. I haven’t had the time to actually read the book :) but I am definitely adding it to my TBR list. It sounds very interesting indeed. So, thank you again and I am glad that you are feeling better 🎉

[glendaslanina]

Hello Miranda and Donna…another insightful video for The Comfort Book Club. I really enjoyed this book as I learned so much about history, art and society. This is the type of book in which I stop frequently to research something that is noted that I know nothing about. I love books that lead me off on different tangents. As always, you have opened my eyes to a new author. Thank you 🍂

[joysedgwick]

This is the first time I come to CBC having only listened to the audiobook, however as it was read by the author I felt it was a good second best! I love Breughel paintings (there was a great exhibition in Birmingham last Winter) and I was fascinated by his use of these to describe the English landscape of the 16th century. His writing is lyrical, his life enviable, his home sounds very desirable…..I’m going to have to buy the book at some point. Look after yourself in your recovery period. Now onto “Little Women”, read several times but this time I already have a beautiful edition bought second hand in Concorde, Mass.

[clutterbugsattic]

Thank you for another enjoyable discussion. I am sorry that you have both been ill and hope that you are feeling better and continue to do so:)

[juliequick]

I only finished this this morning and loved both it and your video! Looking forward to Gavin’s interview and essay too. There is so much scope to expand my knowledge of cultural history and a fledgling interest in art history. So happy you are both much better now and that you can track down the elusive vegetable xx