The Fairacre Festival

Discover these "novels about the gentle rhythms of English village life," as a community bands together to save their beloved local church (The New York Times). The first day of October brings an unheralded and violent storm, which whips through Fairacre, blowing down trees and telephone poles-and, worst of all, damaging the roof of St. Patrick's Church. The inhabitants of tiny Fairacre can't imagine how they will be able to afford the repairs, until Mr. Willett suggests a fundraising festival. Preparations for a food sale, a concert, a school play, and a gigantic Christmas bazaar are soon made-but will they be enough? With her customary humor and grace, Miss Read recounts a story of catastrophe and courage.