Over a century after her books were written, Grace Livingston Hill’s books continue to be popular among avid readers of Christian fiction—but why? And if you haven’t read any, where on earth would you start? The woman wrote over a hundred books!
I’ve brought her up in two of my other episodes: Episode 1 and Episode 7. You can find those HERE.
Well, I’ve chosen six of my favorites, and in this episode, I tell you what they are and why!
6 of the Best Grace Livingston Hill Books You Should Read
After reading The Angel of His Presence, I doubted I’d ever pick up another one of Grace Livingston Hill’s books. That one didn’t grab me, as I explain in the episode. However, dear friends got me to reconsider my opinion on the books when they shared their favorites. As a result, I can recommend six of them to get started with (or to read—either again, or to discover new delights from this prolific author!)
Counting down from least to most favorite (almost…) of Grace Livingston Hill’s books we have:
Cloudy Jewel—the story of a beloved aunt whose kind heart and love for her nieces and nephews save her from a life of drudgery. A sort of Cinderella story. (Free at the time of posting)
Aunt Crete’s Emancipation—another Cinderella-ish story about another aunt who received the love and affection of a beloved nephew who arrived to lavish it on both his aunts and his cousins but wasn’t met with a warm reception by all! I mention a link to a website while I was talking about that book. It’s HERE.
A Daily Rate— A young woman in a miserable existence receives an inheritance that she uses to brighten the lives of others in a similarly miserable situation. (More of a romance than the others)
The Enchanted Barn— The Hollister family needs a place in the country, and the only one they can afford is an old barn, so they fix it up into a lovely home. (Another more romantic story).
The Obsession of Victoria Gracen— One aunt invests in the lives of her nephew and his friends, against the advice and to the shock of the town, resulting in beautiful things. (only available for Kindle in that box set right now)
Found Treasure— Euphemia Martin doesn’t have a very good reputation—nothing sordid, just a girl who is known for being careless, boyish, and flighty. A chance encounter with the town darling shows her the meaning of her name, Euphemia, and over the next years, she becomes the personification of who the Lord meant her to be.
Our Sponsor:
So, instead of a sponsor today, I wanted to point out that all or most of the Grace Livingston Hill books are in the public domain and can be read FREE at Gutenberg.org. They are also available on Amazon.com and other websites, often free or for just a dollar or so on Kindle. In fact, here’s one collection of twenty-six of her books, including FOUR of the books I talked about today (doesn’t include Found Treasure or A Daily Rate.
I even found a few on Kindle Unlimited.
Often the hardback copies are inexpensive on sites like eBay.com.
Amongst my mom’s belongings was a Grace Livingston Hill book titled Beauty for Ashes. It was scripted on an inside page as a gift to my mom from her mother Christmas, 1951. My mom would have just turned 13 the month prior. I’ve decided to “unplug” on this rainy summer weekend and read this book that has been calling out “read me” for quite some time. Hopefully, in some odd way it will soothe the ache of missing them both.
The Enchanted Barn is my favorite. Many of her books don’t have the man in them much. In this one, you get to know him. I love it!
You can listen to many of her books on librivox for free. Here is the Enchanted Barn: https://librivox.org/the-enchanted-barn-by-grace-livingston-hill/
I have about 30-35 of Grace Livingston Hill books. My mom collected them for many years. I did sell locally over 50 books. If anyone here is interested in buying any let me know. Or if anyone knows a place (other than a thrift store) that would be interested in them let me know that as well. I am moving and just can’t keep all these books.
I think my first Grace Livingston Hill book was The Red Signal. I seem to remember large pimply Nazis. You named my favorite – The Enchanted Barn really stands out for me.
I need to check out some of your favorites. I don’t remember a couple of them. I always liked her books that ventured out a bit and yours seem to vary a bit from her formula of rich girl or man falls in love with poor man or girl. (And when the male love interest was rich, the mean rich girl wore red lipstick. The female protagonist never wore red lipstick. ?)
Right! The lipstick. Reminds me of that book with Ron Howard as a little boy and he’s convinced the girl is “bad” because she has “skinny eyes” and all the bad girls in movies and comics have “skinny eyes.”
My high school (Sentinel High School – Missoula, Montana) in the early 60’s was the only public high school in the US to have a chapel in the school. Our Bible Club was run by Miss Clark, Miss Simmonton. and Mr. Lawerence. (Moody Bible schooled) I saw them 30 years later and they were about the age I thought they were 30 years before. In our chapel was a Holiness Table. Inside of the table was a library of all of Grace Livingston Hill books. I don’t remember when and how we discovered them but “what a find”. I spend many an hour reading them. You have inspired me to see if I can find them and reread them.
Thanks!
My Mama got me started on Grace Livingston Hill and I have greatly enjoyed her books for many years. As you said, plenty to chose from. Every book cannot be a winner for any author but she usually pleases me. I am thankful to be directed to you by way of my daughter and granddaughter. I haven’t been disappointed yet. Blessings to you Chautona
Joy Hamilton
Aside from the Schuyler books and Angel of His Presence, nothing I’ve read by Hill didn’t have something I really liked. Even if they weren’t absolute favorites. They ALL can’t be favorites,right?