I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

These are two books which I consumed in a frenzy this spring. I refuse to go another day without at least mentioning them
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (the author of 101 Dalmatians) was a delightful read. That's truly the best word to describe it -- delightful. It describes the antics of a family who has fallen on difficult times as recorded by the youngest daughter. It starts out with comic scenes galore and ends with some elegant romantic touchs. A great summer read, if you're looking for something entirely enjoyable and sweet.
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons is a classic to some -- I really enjoyed the story and the twists and turns of this crazy family. It's a contemporary of Castle, so if you enjoy that book, you'll enjoy this one as well. But Farm has a little bite to it -- it's written as a parody, so sometimes the reader might find themself wondering who the author is laughing at -- the characters, or you? But it's all in good fun, and the quotes from the outlandish characters are worth the read alone. For example, "There be no butter in hell" -- Amos Starkadder. Or perhaps more famously, "I saw something NASTY in the woodshed" -- Aunt Ada Doom
Good summer reading, both! Give them a try!