Ep 496: Warm and inviting stories of hearth and home

Sep 30, 2025

Jemima Welsh, an avid reader from Brisbane, shares her love for warm, domestic fiction and memoirs. She explores charming themes like rambling houses and found families, revealing how these stories provide comfort in tough times. Jemima discusses favorites such as 'Darling' by India Knight and the witty 'Excellent Women' by Barbara Pym. She also reflects on her current reading preferences, seeking immersive tales that evoke cozy domesticity. Listeners will find a delightful mix of recommendations to enrich their book collections.

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ANECDOTE

Home Library As Family Centerpiece

Jemima described building a library wall in her Queenslander cottage by roping in a builder cousin to help.
She contrasts friends' kids' toys with the family's books to show a lived domestic reading culture.

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ANECDOTE

Suburban Cottage Full Of Life

Jemima lives in a wooden Queenslander cottage on Brisbane's outskirts and wakes to kookaburras and cockatoos.
Her household includes a dog and four chickens named after the March sisters, illustrating domestic charm.

insights

INSIGHT

Microcosm Of Domestic Life Drives Reading

Jemima realized she prefers immersive, domestic novels focusing on homes and inner lives.
That microcosm of the family home became her defining reading preference.

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Guest Background and Home Life

03:37 • 3min

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How Reading Shapes Jemima's Life

07:02 • 2min

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Why Jemima Came on the Podcast

09:11 • 2min

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Selecting Books for the Episode

10:47 • 3min

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Favorite: Darling by India Knight

13:51 • 5min

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Favorite: Excellent Women by Barbara Pym

18:31 • 3min

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Favorite: Winter Solstice by Rosamund Pilcher

21:46 • 3min

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Not a Fit: When the Coffee Gets Cold

24:19 • 4min

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Recent Reads and Reading Challenges

28:10 • 2min

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What Jemima Wants in Books Now

Recommendation: Laurie Colwin's Domestic Worlds

37:44 • 5min

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Recommendation: The Light of the World (Memoir)

42:33 • 4min

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Revisiting I Capture the Castle

46:30 • 3min

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Recommendation: A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping

49:01 • 4min

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Picking What to Read Next

Rosamunde Pilcher's "Winter Solstice" follows the intertwined lives of several characters as they converge in a remote Scottish village during the Christmas season. Amidst the backdrop of snow-covered landscapes and cozy interiors, the characters grapple with personal challenges, grief, and the complexities of human connection. As they come together, they find solace, healing, and the possibility of new beginnings, ultimately discovering the enduring power of love and friendship. Pilcher's evocative prose and gentle storytelling create a heartwarming narrative that explores themes of loss, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Darling

India Knight

A Big Storm Knocked It Over

Lori Colwin

When the Coffee Gets Cold

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

#2360

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Klara and the Sun

Kazuo Ishiguro

Set in a dystopian future, 'Klara and the Sun' follows the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF) who is purchased by a mother for her ailing daughter, Josie. Klara, powered by solar energy, develops a deep bond with Josie and becomes obsessed with the Sun, which she believes has the power to save Josie's life. The novel delves into themes of loneliness, the nature of consciousness, and the societal implications of genetic engineering and artificial intelligence. Through Klara's observations and interactions, the book explores the human condition and the complexities of love, faith, and sacrifice in a world marked by social inequality and technological advancements.

#61542

Egypt the light of the world

Gerald Massey

Monk and Robot

Becky Chambers

Monk and Robot is a science fiction novel by Becky Chambers, part of the Wayfarers series. It follows the story of a monk and a robot as they embark on a journey together, exploring themes of faith, technology, and the nature of existence. The novel is characterized by its optimistic and hopeful tone, focusing on the importance of connection and understanding. Chambers' writing style is known for its warmth and humor, creating a welcoming and engaging reading experience. Monk and Robot is praised for its exploration of complex themes in an accessible and thought-provoking way.

#17300

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Moving the Mountain

Li Lu

This book chronicles Li Lu's life, from being a victim of the Cultural Revolution to becoming a leader in the Tiananmen Square protests. It provides a personal account of the events leading up to and during the protests, offering insights into China's political landscape during that period. Li Lu's story is one of resilience and transformation, as he later became a prominent figure in the investment world.

Excellent Women

Barbara Pym

Excellent Women is a novel of manners that delves into the life of Mildred Lathbury, a single woman in her thirties, as she navigates her relationships and societal expectations in post-war England. The novel explores themes of marriage, social roles, and the resilience of women often overlooked by society. Through Mildred's observations and interactions, Pym offers a nuanced critique of gender roles and societal norms.

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping

Sangu Mandanna

#5184

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Susanna Clarke

The novel is set in a world where magic once thrived in England but has since disappeared. It follows the lives of two magicians, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, who bring magic back to England. Jonathan Strange is a young, adventurous, and impulsive magician, while Mr. Norrell is a cantankerous bookworm who wants magic to be better regulated. Their differing approaches to magic lead to a series of conflicts and adventures, including involvement in the Napoleonic wars and interactions with fairies. The story explores themes of magic, history, and the complexities of human relationships.

#11099

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

THE PURSUIT OF LOVE

Nancy Mitford

#10758

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

I Capture the Castle

Dodie Smith

Set in 1934 England, 'I Capture the Castle' follows the journal entries of 17-year-old Cassandra Mortmain as she navigates her family's poverty and the arrival of two American brothers, Simon and Neil Cotton, who become entangled in their lives. The novel explores themes of love, class, and identity through Cassandra's witty and poignant narrative.

When the world feels heavy, many of us reach for books. Today's guest is looking for a specific style of comfort reads.

Jemima Welsh is joining Anne today all the way from Brisbane, Australia, where she lives with her family and her pets, including four chickens named for the March sisters.

Right now, Jemima is specifically looking for books that feel, quite literally, close to home. She's looking for stories that feature warm, rambling houses, complex but inherently lovable and perhaps found families, and scenes of cheerful domesticity.

Anne shares ideas for Jemima and other readers seeking a similar reading experience. Find the full list of the books discussed at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/496.

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