How to read the Mitford series in order

The Mitford novels are a series of Christian-themed books by the American author Jan Karon. The series takes place in Mitford, a small town in North Carolina, and centers on the life of father Timothy Kavanagh as he guides the residents of Mitford on their journey toward faith.

Author of the Mitford books

Jan Karon was born Janice Meredith Wilson in 1937 in Lenoir, North Carolina. She spent her childhood on her grandparents’ farm in Hudson after her rather young parents split.

At age 12, she moved out to live with her mother, who had two more kids by that time, and at the age of 14, she married her husband Robert, a boy five years older than her. The following year, she gave birth to her first and only daughter. The marriage was turbulent, and it ended in divorce after a gun incident left Robert paralyzed.

Alone with her daughter, Karon moved from one place to another, working all sorts of jobs but dreaming of becoming a novelist. She found little success at first, so she worked in advertising, even winning the 1987 Kelly Award.

Her career as a successful fiction author began in the ’90s with the publication of her first book, At Home in Mitford. Since then, she’s published a number of New York Times bestsellers.

Exploring the writings of Jan Karon

Being Christian-centric, Karon’s books are usually heart-warming reads, driven by characters and their interactions that serve to build their faith and inspire them to persevere.

Much like the Mitford series, most of Karon’s stories are set in small towns and tight-knit communities, allowing the reader to join her cast of characters and feel right at home while exploring their own faith and attitudes towards family and community.

An overview of Jan Karon’s Mitford series

Karon has written a number of novels in the Christian fiction genre, but she remains most known for her Mitford book series.

The books take place in Mitford, a little town in North Carolina under the jurisdiction of Father Tim Kavanagh, who’s responsible for maintaining faith under the pressure of all small-town social dynamics where everyone knows everyone’s next door neighbor. Iconic residents include Dooley Barlowe, Tim’s son, and Cynthia Coppersmith, his wife.

In what order should I read the Mitford series?

The Mitford saga comprises several sub-series, including some children’s writings. The main bulk of the story, however, comprises the fourteen novels in the Mitford Years series published between 1994 and 2017. To experience the story in all its complexity and see how the characters evolve as they grow stronger and closer to each other, it is highly advisable that you read the book in their publication order.

Publication order of The Mitford Years books

The Mitford Years novels came out in the following order:

1. At Home in Mitford (1994)
2. A Light in the Window (1995)
3. These High, Green Hills (1996)
4. Out to Canaan (1997)
5. A New Song (1999)
6. A Common Life:The Wedding Story (2001)
7. In This Mountain (2002)
8. Shepherds Abiding (2003)
9. Light from Heaven (2005)
10. Home to Holly Springs (2007)
11. In the Company of Others (2010)
12. Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good (2014)
13. Come Rain or Come Shine (2015)
14. To Be Where You Are (2017)

Publication order of Mitford for children books

The two children’s volumes set in the Mitford universe came out in 2006 and 2007:

1. Violet Comes to Stay (2006)
2. Violet Goes to the Country (2007)

Publication order of Mitford companion books

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world and the lore the series built on, you can supplement your reading with some of the companion books that came out between 2001 and 2006:

1. Patches of Godlight (2001)
2. The Mitford Snowmen (2001)
3. Esther’s Gift (2002)
4. The Trellis and the Seed (2003)
5. Jan Karon’s Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader (2004)
6. The Mitford Bedside Companion (2006)

Publication order of Mitford collections

If you want more of Father Tim’s wisdom and advice, take a look at Karon’s 2018 guide, Bathed in Prayer (2018).

Bathed in Prayer features Tim’s sermons, prayers, and various reflections on a number of spiritual topics, as well as Karon’s own musings on faith and religion.

Audiobook collection of the Mitford series

Jan Karon’s books are international bestsellers available in bookstores and at online book retailers in physical, e-book, and audiobook formats. Listening to the uplifting stories of Mitford might be just what you need to feel at peace when relaxing, doing chores, or other multitasking activities.

Speechify

If you’re looking for the best way to enjoy Karon’s work and get familiar with all the residents of Mitford, you can check out Speechify, a fresh audiobook platform with a number of bestsellers available for download, including Christian works by authors such as Karen Kingsbury, as well as other Christian ministry and Christian life books.

Speechify is available on all devices, so you can download and feel uplifted at home in your bed, while you’re on your way to church, or when you’re working out. The app is intuitive, and the audio quality is excellent.

Download Speechify Audiobooks today and enjoy the first premium book for free.

FAQ

What is the order of Jan Karon books?

The order of the Mitford series is given above, but in addition to those novels, Karon has written another work in the same style, a parable titled The Trellis and the Seed: A Book of Encouragement for All Ages (2003).

What should I read after Mitford series?

If you want more Christian-themed fiction, you may like Karen Kingsbury’s Baxter novels.