What a joy it was to be whisked away to the English Countryside in February! This was the most delightful read and it was wonderful to discuss it with Susan herself ❤️ In January, while I was scheduling our Zoom discussion for this book, I thought, “wait a minute…what if Susan joined us?” I quickly sent her an email about my idea and she said, “I won’t say a thing! Love a surprise!”
In case you didn’t get the chance to attend our Zoom discussion (and even if you did attend!), I invite you to exchange thoughts on A Fine Romance below. I’d love to know if you’ve been to the English Countryside before, which of Susan’s destinations was your favorite, and lots more! See discussion questions below and visit our Recorded Events page to watch our discussion with Susan.
2. If you could visit one of the destinations in Susan’s book, which would it be?
3. Have you traveled by boat before? If so, what was it like? (I would love to one day!)
4. If you could choose 3 books to bring with you on a trip to the English Countryside, which would they be?
5. How did you first discover Susan Branch and her work?
6. Feel free to share any other thoughts you have!
Jennifer Harris says
1. Have you been to the English Countryside? If so, tell us about your experience!
~I have not. My husband and I would love to travel there one day. I am a big genealogy fan and have been doing research into his and my family for over 20+ years and would love to see some of the places our ancestors were from.
2. If you could visit one of the destinations in Susan’s book, which would it be?
~I think I would enjoy seeing most of the places she went to. They all sounded so interesting.
3. Have you traveled by boat before? If so, what was it like? (I would love to one day!)
~I have taken a cruise before to the Caribbean so I think that counts. 🙂 It was great!! It’s like you’re in another place and have no concept of time.
4. If you could choose 3 books to bring with you on a trip to the English Countryside, which would they be?
~Probably three that I have started and need to finish currently!
5. How did you first discover Susan Branch and her work?
~I discovered Susan’s work around the time I was a senior in high school or just starting college. It’s been a little while! I found my first book of her’s at a little boutique type store and feel in love with it. I felt like I had found a friend that I had never met. After that first purchase and reading of her cookbook, I bought all that I could find of hers! I love books, quotes, and her thoughts felt like they mirrored mine. I met her and Joe in 2016 at a book signing. She was the first author I had ever met and, yes, I was nervous! Susan was very welcoming to all and it was appreciated by all, you could tell! Often times, I have heard that you don’t want to meet your hero because they tend to disappoint you. I, definitely, don’t think that is the case with Susan. I am always impressed at how much I admire her honesty and graciousness when I have had the opportunity to listen to her.
6. Feel free to share any other thoughts you have!
~I am glad to have found this book club and am looking forward to branching out into some other genres than I normally read. Thank you, Hayley, for all of your time and effort! It is a beautiful website, idea,club and offerings! Thank you!
Karen Hefler says
I received the book, A Fine Romance: Falling in Love with the English Countryside , about ten years ago when my daughter gave it to me for a Christmas gift. It was my first introduction to Susan Branch. She thought I would love reading Susan’s charming illustrated journal. Of course she was right! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it a second time for the book club. It brought back memories of my travels to England in July of 1992.
My husband and I enjoyed our first trip to London that year. As much as we loved London, we absolutely loved driving through the English Countryside, staying in quaint villages. Highlights included Stratford Upon Avon, Bath, Salisbury, and Chipping Campden in the Cotswold’s. There is so much to see and do. It’s still a dream of mine to visit the Lake District, and tour the home of Beatrix Potter. One of my favorite parts of the book was reading Susan Branch’s description of being alone in the rain to pick a rose from Miss Potter’s beautiful garden. I can only imagine what that experience would be like…heavenly.
I have not traveled by cruise ship, but Susan’s description makes it sound wonderful. Personally, I would prefer traveling by plane so that I could spend more time visiting my travel destination. Whatever method of travel, if you have an opportunity to go to England, you will fall in love! ❤️
Mary Beth Gale says
I was not able to join the book club discussion for A Fine Romance live, but I did enjoy watching the replay of the session. I was inspired by Susan’s book and would love to visit Sissinghurst and also Beatrix Potter’s home. I did make the recipe in the book for sticky toffee pudding and it was delicious! My neighbor showed me one of Susan Branch’s books about 7-8 years ago. We went together to her book signing for Distilled Genius last fall. I live in Falmouth, just a ferry ride from Martha’s Vineyard. I love her optimistic and cheery nature which shows in her writings and pictures. Whenever she posts a new blog post, it’s a treat.
Karen Hefler says
Hi Mary Beth,
I attended the book signing of Distilled Genius in Danville, CA. So fun to meet Susan and Joe! I totally agree with you about Susan being optimistic and cheery, as she brings so much light and positivity to all of her work. I always look forward to reading her monthly Willard newsletters. How wonderful that you live so close to Martha’s Vineyard!
Marcy Parsons says
First, I just have to say that reading this book was an enjoyable, uplifting escape for the the heart and soul. Each page was filled with beauty and enchantment. I loved getting lost Susan’s lovely handwritten descriptions and pretty watercolor illustrations. This was my first time reading a Susan Branch book and I am now a fan for life. I actually made the lemon butter cookies from her recipe and they were delicious! I have never been to the English countryside, but would love to one day. After reading this book, I would love to visit just about all of the places Susan mentioned but especially Beatrix Potter’s cottage! I watched a documentary about Beatrix Potter after learning so much about her in this book and now I have added her to my admired artists list. My husband and I went on a Caribbean cruise when we were dating after finishing high school and it was fun, but this sort of cruise sounds much more up our alley! Lastly, if I could bring three books with me on a trip to the English countryside, I would bring Pride and Prejudice, The Journal of Beatrix Potter (I’ve never read this one but now I have to!), and because it is a personal favorite, The 13th Tale, by Diane Setterfield. I was not able to make it to the Zoom discussion for this book but hope to attend future sessions and look forward to connecting with other Enchanted Book Club Members!