Welcome to Litsy!

#BookFifteenOf2025 and the last in the Anne of Green Gables series!

I have this blog where I don't post as often as I'd like. But here are some reflections on a scene from Rilla of Ingleside, with a little Pollyanna thrown in. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead-ers may be interested. Also: it‘s Christian-y. 🙂

https://commonplacehope.wordpress.com/2025/05/30/burning-coals/

#LMMReread #LMMAdjacent

The story of Anne's daughter, this novel describes in realistic detail the lives of Canadians during WWI. Despite the heavy themes, this story still has plenty of charm and humour. I especially liked reading about the 1917 federal election as we were going through the 2025 federal election.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread @BarbaraJean
#52bookclub25 (Has a moon on the cover)
#gottacatchemall (Emolga: cute character) @PuddleJumper

Dog Monday. Every single time. 😭😭😭

#SundayFunday
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

Another catch up post and another reread. I enjoyed this much more than I did the first time, in 2023. I've been reading LM Montgomery's journals with #kindredspiritsbuddyread. They give so much more context. Susan seems to echo LMM's concern over WWI. Also, the Anne books have been better in publication order, rather than chronologically. I still have the same gripes as last time (too little about Avonlea favorites), but oh well.

It‘s been a whirlwind week/weekend, but I made time today to finish my #reread of this wonderful book on audio. I had forgotten just how solemn and sad the entire story is. It is truly a novel of WWI on the Canadian home front with all of the stress and grief that includes. Yet, it also has those signature moments of pure beauty and humor that LMM writes so wonderfully. I loved revisiting this story.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #WWI #audiobook

“Miss Oliver dear, you are all tired out and unstrung—just you go upstairs and lie down and I will bring you up a cup of hot tea and a bite of toast and very soon you will not want to slam doors or swear.“
“Susan, you're a good soul—a very pearl of Susans! But, Susan, it would be such a relief—to say just one soft, low, little tiny d—“

😂 😂 I‘m with Miss Oliver on this one…
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

Is there anything else you‘d like to discuss from Rilla of Ingleside?
Was there anything that bothered or frustrated you about the book?
Do you have any favorite passages or scenes you‘d like to share?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

On this umpteenth re-read for me, what struck me as new (more than just the “new” passages that I discovered had been excised from my old faithful Bantam paperback!!), was seeing so much of LMM‘s WWI experience on the page.

If you‘ve been reading LMM‘s journals, what did you notice in Rilla of Ingleside that echoed LMM‘s thoughts and experiences during WWI?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

“No, I don‘t like you and I never will but for all that I‘m going to make a decent, upstanding infant of you. …If I can‘t love you I mean to be proud of you at least.”

Rilla ambitiously takes on the care of an infant—a “war-baby”—in spite of the fact she does NOT like babies.

What did you think of this storyline?
How does Jims contribute to Rilla‘s own growth?

Posting #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead Qs early—I have a very long day tomorrow!

LMM weaves in a number of female characters who contrast with Rilla—in age, in maturity, in personality—and who together offer a full, rich picture of women on the “home front” in WWI.

What did you think of the way women‘s roles were portrayed in the novel?
Which characters besides Rilla were you most drawn to?
Which attitudes toward the war did you most resonate with?

This is one of my all-time favorite books and I have read it probably 25-30 times over my lifetime. The characters, the setting, the fact that a few of the moments in this book still make me choke up even after all these rereads - this book is close to perfect to me.

SO IT WAS A COMPLETE SHOCK to find out that in the 1940s random sentences/paragraphs were edited out!!! The edition I grew up reading, despite clearly saying it was “unabridged“ ⬇

Happy Sunday! These are a couple of books I‘m very much looking forward to for May.

I‘m going to listen to Rilla on audio since I‘ve yet to start, and after yesterday‘s posts compare passages to my print copy.

As for Lamentation, I read most of Heartstone in ebook, and I may have to do the same for this one so I can fit pages in when and where I can without carrying this hardback around.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread #ShardlakeBR

@BarbaraJean - this is my edition that has the missing passages. Interestingly, I was able to buy the entire series in these editions... except the infamous Anne of Windy Poplars! I think it's interesting that this edition apparently went back to the original text.

I found something very puzzling while reading Rilla this week. I often switch between print and ebook when I have both and one is more convenient. I was reading the ebook over lunch and was mid-chapter when I switched back to print. In scanning through to find my place, I discovered sections in the ebook that aren‘t in the print version. I checked it against both print copies I have—both are missing the highlighted passages above. What?!? ⤵️

Never did read these but somehow managed to keep them safe for 35 years (and 6 moves!) #kindredspiritsbuddyread going to give me that push

This is how I feel about Irene Howard.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

A little #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead check-in for Rilla of Ingleside:

How‘s your reading going so far?
What has caught your attention in the first half of the book?
What are you enjoying (or not enjoying) in Rilla of Ingleside?

#LMMReread

Repost for @BarbaraJean

Calling all Kindred Spirits! We‘ll be continuing the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead with an #LMMReread of Rilla of Ingleside, then an #LMMAdjacent title: Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (a contemporary of LMM and a fellow author who published with the nefarious L.C. Page Co.).

See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2859954

Calling all Kindred Spirits! We‘ll be continuing the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead with an #LMMReread of Rilla of Ingleside, then an #LMMAdjacent title: Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter (a contemporary of LMM and a fellow author who published with the nefarious L.C. Page Co.). The schedule is above—all are welcome! Please comment if you‘d like to be tagged for either or both books.

Reposting for @barbarajean #kindredspiritsbuddyread
Upcoming schedule. for more information and to join in see original post : https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2856056

Here's the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead schedule for the next six weeks, with #LMMJournals, #LMMReread and #LMMAdjacent choices. We'll read the last section of Volume 4 of LMM's Complete Journals over the next two weeks, then Rilla of Ingleside, then Pollyanna.

I've tagged the schedule/announcements list for the group, but all are welcome. If you'd like to be tagged for any/all of the above, please comment!

I haven't read many WW1 books, let alone from a teen Canadian girls perspective. In this book Rilla is left at home as her brothers and friends leave to join the fight. The book is half journal and is an insight into her day to day life during the war.

I may still read The Blythes Are Quoted & the Chronicles of Avonlea books at some point, but I think I'm done with Anne for a little while. This one was SO much better than the last 3 books! But there were so many things I wish had been included that weren't. How did things go for Diana during WWI? Or the girls from Anne's Patty's Place days? Davy & Dora aren't even mentioned! It struck me as tragic that Marilla died between books with no fanfare.

Thanks for the tag @Eggs @TheSpineView
1. I'm not sure about “the most“ but I have read this book probably 20 times and it does make me cry every time.
2. This is tough - I read all over the place. Romance, I guess??
3. There are so many that I love and revisit. LM Montgomery is on my mind, though, so at this exact moment I may go with The Blue Castle 😂
#WondrousWednesday
Want to play @eeclayton @Kimberlone @swynn ?

Up until now the books in the Anne series have been great escapist reads into a world where nothing bad can happen. All that changes with this book. Despite the seriousness and darkness of this book, I liked following Rilla and see her grow.

I guess I was more prepared for hardly any Anne in this book

#KinderedSpiritsBuddyRead

A late #BookReport

Finished Invisible Women #SheSaid and read the other ones.

6a: What do you think about this book as the last volume in the Anne series? Is it a good conclusion? Or with its complete focus on Rilla (and so little Anne), do you feel it belongs in the series at all?
6b: Thinking back on the series overall, how does Rilla stack up for you against the other books? Which are your favorite and least favorite books in the series?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

5a: There are so many memorable characters: Susan, Baby Jims, Little Dog Monday…and of course, Jem & Walter. What stands out to you about these “side” characters? Which were most compelling to you?
5b: How do you feel about the ending—and Rilla‘s romance with Ken overall? From the promise of romance at the dance, to its realization at the end—does the romance provide nice bookends to the novel? Or is it even needed?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Rilla acknowledges how the war has shaped her: “I expected that these past four years would be the most delightful years of my life and they have been years of war—years of fear and grief and worry—but I humbly hope, of a little growth in strength and character as well.”
4a: What contrasts did you observe between Rilla at the beginning of the book and Rilla at the end?
4b: What do you see as key turning points for her?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

We‘ve got another orphan storyline in Rilla!
3a: What are your thoughts on 15-year-old Rilla‘s taking on the responsibility of raising a baby?
3b: How did you feel about her initial attitude toward babies (“I don‘t like you & I never will but for all that I‘m going to make a decent, upstanding infant of you” and “If I can‘t love you I mean to be proud of you”)? What did you think of how it changes as she cares for Jims?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Although the book portrays a range of attitudes toward the war, I found myself cringing a little at the harshness most characters displayed toward any pacifism or reluctance about the war.
2a: How did these passages feel for you, reading the text through your own modern lens?
2b: What do you think patriotism & national pride should look like—especially now, when there may be even more need for nuance in these areas?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

1a: This is a female-centric look at WWI, written by a contemporary. What do you think of the book‘s portrayal of female roles during wartime, and its characterization of female attitudes toward the war?
1b: Is this a war novel, with its emphasis on the experiences of women on the “home front” rather than soldiers in battle? What makes a war novel?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

“I shall never be able to get a husband but I am not going to be cheated out of everything and a honeymoon I intend to have.”

Susan is a delight. I love that her idea of a honeymoon is going to stay with her married brother 😂 #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Just a reminder that our last 😱 Anne of Green Gables #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead discussion is on Monday! I've so enjoyed reading with all of you, and am looking forward to discussing Rilla. (AND looking forward to reading Emily with everyone who‘s joining the next chapter of our buddy read!)

Since this falls on a Monday, I'll post questions over my lunch hour. Be looking for our discussion mid-day Pacific Time, and jump in when you are able!

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead-ers: we've been talking about reading more L.M. Montgomery after we finish the Anne series, so I put together a little poll to see what there's most interest in reading next, as well what schedule people might prefer (continue chapter-a-day? switch to one book/month?). If you're interested in continuing on (or joining for the first time!), please follow the link in the comments and send me your feedback!

Here's our final (!) #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead schedule...can't believe we're almost done with the Anne series! It has been such a delight to re-read, and to read along with everyone. Hope you're enjoying it, too! I haven't been great about keeping up with my daily chapters lately, or with posting as much (I keep bingeing & then getting behind), but I have THOUGHTS and I'm looking forward to our discussion on July 19!

I know a few of us had been talking about reading other L. M. Montgomery books after Rilla—but it turns out my edition has a bunch of short stories. Would anyone be interested in reading those? #kindredspiritsbuddyread

“I wonder,” [Rilla] said to herself, “if I am, or am not, engaged to Kenneth Ford.”

I suppose at least Montgomery is aware of how ridiculous this world, where people don‘t tell each other things or say what they mean out loud, can be sometimes 😅

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Finally finished my reread of the Anne of Green Gables books!

This final book is a departure from the rest of the series in several ways so I have a hard time seeing this as an Anne book. But it was nice to revisit and be reminded of how different in tone & content this is.

Here's the next section of our chapter-a-day #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead of Rilla of Ingleside. It feels like this last book is just flying by--but I'm REALLY enjoying it. How's everyone else doing?

This is my second week back in the office since March 2020... and I‘m so happy to be reading Rilla in my old lunch spot in the gorgeous courtyard of my office building! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Time to play catch-up with the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead!

Shall I read 1940s Rilla or 1920s Rilla? 😄

@BarbaraJean

Last night‘s chapter was kind of stressful. The war stuff is bad enough, but with a newborn baby… I was having flashbacks to when my son was tiny and needed to be fed around the clock 😅 And then as I was falling asleep last night he woke up and screamed and needed comforting which, at 3, he almost never does. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Have we really come to the last book of our #kindredspirits readalong? What a joy it's been to revisit some and experience others for the first time. Not sure I want to give up a regular fix of LMM, so thinking I might reread some others after this. I remember loving Emily and Jane just as much as (if not more) than Anne ...

I was just adding Rilla of Ingleside to my StoryGraph. I was browsing through various editions to find the actual edition I'm reading... and I found this. (Which is NOT the edition I'm reading.)

Cover design checklist:
Beanie? ✔
Camera? ✔
Blonde model? ✔
Denim shirt worn over a t-shirt? ✔
Absolutely no connection to the content or even the right era for this novel? ✔

Just: no. I can't. 😩 #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

I am SO looking forward to reading Rilla of Ingleside. I remember so little about the book, other than a couple of plot points--and that I loved it. Our #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead chapter-a-day for Rilla starts tomorrow, and the wrap-up discussion will be July 19. Hoping you can all join in for this last book in the series!

My favorite one since Anne of Green Gables. I‘m finally done with this series. I enjoyed the ride even though I think LMM was getting a bit tired there in the middle. #HeyCarrots #CrushTheRush #WinterGames2020 #ReadYourWay #LittenListen #ReadNoseReindeer #LittenListen #BookspinBingo

I love this book so much. The characters are relatable, real, and likeable. I feel like I have grown and matured as Rilla did in the book. When I first read it, in my teens, I only noticed how romantic young love was during a war. How sweet was Una when Walter started to appreciate her, except it was too late. Now, I read it as a mother, and I relate more to Anne and Susan who sacrificed so much. #heycarrots @thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Flingogal

He must go - her beautiful Walter with his beautiful soul and dreams and ideals.

I already have a lump in my throat.