Best Selling Books by Elizabeth Enright

In "Return to Gone-Away," Elizabeth Enright crafts a rich narrative that explores the themes of nostalgia, childhood rebellion, and the complexities of family life. Continuation of the beloved "Gone-Away Lake," this novel invites readers back to the enchanting landscape of a vanished summer retreat, allowing them to traverse the blurry lines between memory and reality. Enright employs her signature lyrical prose, interspersed with vivid imagery and humor, to evoke the innocence and wonder of childhood adventures, all set against the backdrop of an ever-changing world. The story unfolds through the eyes of the spirited protagonists, Portia and Foster, who navigate their feelings of belonging and alienation as they embark on memorable escapades in their mystical environment. Elizabeth Enright (1909-1968) was a distinguished American author and illustrator, whose experiences as a child in a close-knit family informed much of her writing. Growing up in the suburbs of New York City, Enright was deeply influenced by her connections to nature and the vibrant community around her, themes evident in her narratives. Her ability to weave together humor, sentiment, and a pinch of wistfulness can be traced back to her own childhood memories and her keen observations of the world. I wholeheartedly recommend "Return to Gone-Away" to readers of all ages who seek to rediscover the magic of youth and the echoes of past joys. Enright''s enchanting storytelling resonates not only with children but also offers profound insights for adults reflecting on their formative years. This book is a delightful exploration of the eternal quest for adventure and the significance of familial bonds. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work''s timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era''s events and influences that shaped the writing. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work''s messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

A silver thimble and a new friend make a girl''s summer magical in Elizabeth Enright''s Thimble Summer. A few hours after nine-year-old Garnet Linden finds a silver thimble in the dried-up riverbed, the rains come and end the long drought on the farm. The rains bring safety for the crops and the livestock, and money for Garnet''s father. Garnet can''t help feeling that the thimble is a magic talisman, for the summer proves to be interesting and exciting in so many different ways. There is the arrival of Eric, an orphan who becomes a member of the Linden family; the building of a new barn; and the county fair at which Garnet''s carefully tended pig, Timmy, wins a blue ribbon. Every day brings adventure of some kind to Garnet and her best friend, Citronella. As far as Garnet is concerned, the thimble is responsible for each good thing that happens during this magic summer—her thimble summer.

Portia and her cousin Julian discover adventure in a hidden colony of forgotten summer houses on the shores of a swampy lake.

From a Newbery Award winner, this classic story of the adventures of four siblings who befriend an orphan "will leave you with a warm and pleasant glow" ( Kirkus Reviews). With Father in Washington and Cuffy, their housekeeper, away visiting a sick cousin, almost anything might happen to the Melendy kids left behind at the Four-Story Mistake. In the Melendy family, adventures are inevitable: Mr. Titus and the catfish; the villainy of the DeLacey brothers; Rush''s composition of Opus 3; Mona''s first rhubarb pie and all the canning; Randy''s arrowhead; the auction and fair for the Red Cross. But best of all is the friendship with Mark Herron, which begins with a scrap-collection mission and comes to a grand climax on Oliver''s birthday. Here is Elizabeth Enright''s classic story of a long and glorious summer in the country with the resourceful, endearing Melendy bunch. Praise for The Melendy Quartet "Enright has a quick eye for the unexpected, the amusing and the beautiful in what might be just ordinary experiences." — The New York Times "The Melendys are the quintessential storybook family . . . [their] ardent approach to living is eternally relevant." — Publishers Weekly "Delightful . . . entertaining for any age." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

In the third novel of this charming children''s series, the Melendy family take the plunge into country life, moving from NYC into a most unusual home. The Melendy family have just moved into an odd-looking house with a confused architectural history—what you might call a Four-Story Mistake. The four children, their father, and their housekeeper are all disappointed to leave their old brownstone in New York City. They''re also apprehensive about living the country life. But the Melendy kids soon discover the many hidden attractions of the Four-Story Mistake. And with their accustomed resourcefulness, they find themselves getting absorbed in new kinds of adventures . . .

"Enright has a quick eye for the unexpected, the amusing and the beautiful in what might be just ordinary experiences. . . . [A] highly diverting tale." — The New York Times Meet the Melendys! The four Melendy children live with their father and Cuffy, their beloved housekeeper, in a worn but comfortable brownstone in New York City. There''s thirteen-year-old Mona, who has decided to become an actress; twelve-year-old mischievous Rush; ten-and-a-half-year-old Randy, who loves to dance and paint; and thoughtful Oliver, who is just six. Tired of wasting Saturdays doing nothing but wishing for larger allowances, the four Melendys jump at Randy''s idea to start the Independent Saturday Afternoon Adventure Club (I.S.A.A.C.). If they pool their resources and take turns spending the whole amount, they can each have at least one memorable Saturday afternoon of their own. Before long, I.S.A.A.C. is in operation and every Saturday is definitely one to remember. First published in 1941, The Saturdays unfolds with all the ripe details of a specific place and period but remains, just the same, a winning, timeless tale. The Saturdays is the first installment of Newbery Award–winning author Elizabeth Enright''s Melendy Quartet, an engaging and warm series about the close-knit Melendy family and their surprising adventures. "The Melendys are the quintessential storybook family . . . [their] ardent approach to living is eternally relevant." — Publishers Weekly "A delightful family story . . . entertaining for any age." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Discover the beauty of less and focus on what really matters The minimalist lifestyle promotes peace and intentionality through the act of decluttering. This indispensable manual uses inspiration, positive reinforcement, and an efficient room-by-room guide to lead you from cluttered living to clarity of purpose. What sets this book apart: The fundamentals of minimalism—This life-changing how-to book illuminates the principles and benefits of minimalism, and provides a blueprint for realizing a less stressful life by prioritizing relationships over objects. Simple steps to declutter—With easy, actionable strategies, Minimalism Room by Room eases you into the process of eliminating the excess, so tidying up is a manageable and rewarding experience. Tips and resources—This book provides organization tools to make embracing minimalism easier, such as checklists, sorting guides, and guidance to help get past inevitable emotional and physical obstacles. Learn to live a life of purpose and calm by owning less and appreciating more with Minimalism Room by Room.

Reminiscences ranging from childhood to adult experience, plus ten varied short stories.

In this sequel to "Gone-Away Lake," eleven-year-old Portia and family with cousin Julian return to the site they visited the previous summer, this time to take possession of a large Victorian house, unoccupied for fifty years and full of treasures and secrets.