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My favorite book growing up was Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. It’s still one of my all-time favorite books. I have to confess that the first time I tried to read it, I thought it was boring. I’d seen the movie somewhere and grabbed the book at the library, and I think the language was just a little too difficult for me at the time. I couldn’t have been ten years old.
But I tried once again, and that time I fell in love. I wanted to be friends with “Anne-with-an-e” and the ever-loyal Diana and share in their adventures. If I’m honest, I still want to be friends with them! They just became real to me.
My family used to go to the beach every summer, and there was this one little bookstore that always had a big selection of L. M. Montgomery books. My library only had the first two Anne books, so it became a tradition for my mom to take me to that bookstore so I could get one or two more of Montgomery’s books to read. I was always impatient for more, but now I’m glad I got to stretch all those books out over such a long period of time. The anticipation was delicious. One of the books, Jane of Lantern Hill, was actually out of print, so I didn’t complete my collection until I was somewhere in my twenties and my husband bought that one for me online. I was thrilled!
I don’t have any new-to-me L. M. Montgomery books to look forward to now, but I’ve re-read everything she wrote countless times, and I get something new out of them every time. I’m thinking it’s getting to be time to do another re-read.
Synopsis from GoodReads:
As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever. . . but will the Cuthberts send her back to the orphanage? Anne knows she’s not what they expected – a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she’ll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anybody else, the Cuthberts agree; she is special – a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables.
9 Comments
I never liked Little Women when I was little. I keep thinking that I should try it again, but I just can't bring myself to. I'm thinking I got pretty far and just got upset at something that happened. I won't say what in case someone is unfamiliar with the story. I have read Little Men several times though! Go figure.
IceJewel, The Forgotten Garden just recently made it onto my list, but I haven't picked it up yet.
Anne was my constant friend as a kid. And teen. And adult. I love her, and every now and then I need to just read (and reread) my favorite parts, followed by the whole book, followed by my favorite parts again.
Little Men was another like that. Everyone knows Little Women, but they don't read LM, and though it's much less serious and less a "great book" I like it more. It's one of my 'comfortable' books. And of course P&P, and I just pushed Persuasion on you. Northanger Abbey is up there too, for sheer fun level.
Also, An Old Fashioned Girl, also by LM Alcott. There was definitely a trend there for awhile where all I read was Montgomery, Austen and Alcott.
I love 'Anne of Green Gables' totally !!
Hmm.I have read The Forgotten Garden by kate morton which I loved ! I would recommend it to readers who love to read adult fiction and big books 🙂
I'm always surprised when I find readers who haven't read this. I guess I love it so much I assume everyone else does too! You guys really should read it!
Jan, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who just needed some time to warm up to a favorite!
PolishOutlander, it's been ages since I've watched the movie! I wonder if I can watch it instantly on Netflix? My hubby and I are looking for something to watch tonight.
Jess, what can I say? You have great taste in books! 😉
Believe me this one is totally great! I read this a few years ago and really enjoy this one.i think i going to re-read this one soon!thanks for the recommendation!
By far, one of my all-time favorite books. I've read this book so many times. And I have to say that it's the first three books that I've reread the most. The movies are such comfort-viewing for me as well. Everytime I rewatch the movies, I end up reading the books again. Oh how I love Anne to this day too. And Diana and Gil!
I've heard about this book a lot of times, enough to make me want to read it. Like you, I'm just worried about "getting into it". I know I'm being unreasonable, so I should just go and read it!
I have a few books that I consider favorites, but the first time I read them I didn't like them either. Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle is one that immediately comes to mind. I had a hard time getting into it then later it become one of my favorite books to teach.
I have never read Anne of Green Gables so I am going to put this wonderful classic on my list of must read this year. Thanks for sharing.
I have heard many positive things about this book, but yet failed to borrow it from the library to read it for myself. When I have lots of free time available i will give it a try. Thanks for sharing the book.