Closing out the Louisa May Alcott challenge for 2019

Readers and fellow challenge-participants,

The time has come to close down the 2019 Louisa May Alcott reading challenge. We're done!


Did you read everything on your Alcott challenge list?



This month I got to experience an intriguing mystery which (fictionally) starring as lead detective, Louisa and the Missing Heiress <--check out my review, and all of the following review links too. Then I had the chance to read The Little Women Treasury, which is an AMAZING resource, you guys! Everyone who loves Little Women should get a copy. My selection for the month of a book actually written by Miss Alcott was The Inheritance, her very first novel -- and it wasn't even published until 21 years ago, if you can imagine that! Lastly, I finished up with a quick read of Meg Makes a Friend, a children's tale that introduces young readers to the March family. All in all, I loved my reads this month... and I hope you enjoyed yours!








What did you read this month?


THANK YOU to EVERYONE who participated in the reading challenge. I appreciate you all for making this a fun and spectacular reading month. By the way, if you haven't finished your posts or reviews about the LMA books you got to read this month, that's okay — the link-up widget will still be open a while for any last words on the subject that you might have to share.


And in closing, I'll give you all some words of wisdom, from our literary friend...

"By gentle words and silent acts of kindness, he had won her reverence and her trust, which now had deepened into woman's truest, purest love."
- Louisa May Alcott, The Inheritance

See you next June! Or, perhaps in November & December... in which I'll be hosting the 4th annual Literary Christmas reading challenge!

Signing off from the 2019 LMA challenge,






If you'd like to learn more about the Louisa May Alcott reading challenge, visit this link to start at the beginning.

Book Review: The Inheritance

The Inheritance

by Louisa May Alcott

177 pages // published in 1998 // historical fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Here at last is the book 'Jo' wrote. Generations of fans have longed to plumb that first romance, hinted at so captivatingly on the pages of Little Women, Alcott's autobiographical classic. Now after nearly one hundred fifty years spent among archived family documents, Louisa May Alcott's debut novel finally reaches its eager public.

Set in an English country manor, the story follows the turbulent fortunes of Edith Adelon, an impoverished Italian orphan whose loyalty and beauty win her the patronage of wealthy friends until a jealous rival contrives to rob her of her position. In the locket around her neck, she carries a deep secret about her natural birthright. But an even greater truth lies hidden in Edith's heart - her deep reverence for the kind and noble Lord Percy, the only friend who can save her from the deceitful, envious machinations of Lady Ida.

Reminiscent of Jane Austen in its charms, this chaste but stirringly passionate novel affirms the conquering power of both love and courtesy. For the generations who grew up alongside Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy, a rich literary inheritance is restored at last.

There are two of Louisa May Alcott's novels that were published posthumously -- much to the delight of her modern readers. Both were released to the public in the 1990s -- ages after Louisa's death. As I had read one of those novels last June during the L.M.A. reading challenge (A Long Fatal Love Chase), I decided to read the other title (The Inheritance) for this year's challenge.

This one is, after all, Louisa's very first novel. While she didn't get it published, it is something we can relish in now. Perhaps the writing style has some ameteur moments, but I must say that it seems rather well put together. It's a bit like seeing tidbits of the infancy of Little Women -- and that being one of my favorite classic novels, this excites me.

It is such a sweet story, with some quality morals filtered in. We have good vs. evil. We have little twinges of romance. We have a decadently British setting, with some Italian flair thrown in. Plus a cast of peculiar characters akin to ones that Dickens himself might create. All this from an American 17-year-old who lived back in the 19th century! Louisa had an amazing imagination, even when she'd hardly begun piecing together stories.

Edith Adelon is one of my favorite new heroines. I adore her pure and pleasant spirit, and her servant's heart. (I say the latter not in regard to her position held in the Hamilton household, but spiritually, emotionally, in her she conducts her decisions. She thrives by pleasing others.) And she is a lovely girl that anyone should be happy to call on as a friend.

Minimum age to enjoy: 10 to Adult.

I'm so glad that The Inheritance was located by just the right people, even so much time after Miss Alcott's death, and shared for the world to enjoy. It is a pleasure to read.

BUY YOUR COPY!
hardcover // paperback

Book #3 completed // 19th Century




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.





COYER Read a book with hands and no face: 4

Book Review: The Little Women Treasury

The Little Women Treasury

by Carolyn Strom Collins, Christina Wyss Eriksson

160 pages // published in 1996 // Non-fiction

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Combining a short biography of Louisa May Alcott with a portrait of the era in which Little Women and its sequels are set, The Little Women Treasury provides a fascinating window into the lives of the beloved March family. Archival illustrations of Alcott's house from the first editions of Little Women and beautiful watercolor paintings created especially for this volume make this book an enchanting gift. Includes 2 maps.

A beautiful book. Every lover of Little Women should have THIS treasury in their house.

Many activities (crafts, gardening, cooking, sewing, etc.) are mentioned and illustrated. Along the way, you are reminded about the personality quirks of each March sister (or her real-life counterpart)... and then you end up learning new facts you didn't know before.

There's a whole chapter of delightful dishes to try from the Little Women era. It includes a recipe of Amy's pickled limes... which we are all supposed to be envious of, I believe. The recipe for French bonbons looks like a tasty treat I could see myself making for friends, family... and especially for myself. I love that some of the recipes actually came straight from the Alcotts, even written down by their own hands, preserved through time just for us. You can make and enjoy the very same thing that Louisa may Alcott ate or drank -- a terribly exciting notion.

One of the other big chapters that stands out to me is the timeline of events, spanning several years. It shows you what the Alcott family was doing that year, what was happening to the fictional Marches at the same time, in addition to notable events in American and world history. This timeline itself is masterfully and tastefully done. I'm so impressed by this feature alone.

Overall? This book is just perfect. It is quite a wonderful experience! Give it to any reader who enjoyed Little Women, and they'll love this one too.

BUY YOUR COPY!
hardcover

P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads.

Book Review: Louisa and the Missing Heiress

Louisa and the Missing Heiress
Louisa May Alcott Mystery #1

by Anna Maclean

304 pages // published in 2004 // historical mystery

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Long before she will achieve fame as the author of Little Women, Louisa May Alcott is writing stories of a more dark and mysterious nature. But nothing prepares her for the role of amateur detective she assumes when the body of her dear friend, wealthy newlywed Dorothy Wortham, is found floating in Boston's harbor.

It's well known that Dorothy's family didn't approve of her husband, a confirmed fortune hunter, but Louisa suspects that some deeper secret lies behind her friend's tragic murder...

This novel is so incredibly detailed, well thought out, well researched. It beats out a lot of other average historical fiction in that way. The research must have been extensive, and it only deepens and enriches the story for the better.

My first thought in reading this book was a bit of alarm, as I realized that Louisa's best friend and confidant is named Sylvia -- not one of her sisters, nor any person I know of from Louisa's history (though I could be wrong on that count?). I just longed for a bit more of familiarity with this stranger. However, once I realized/pretended that Sylvia perhaps represents the female version of Laurie Lawrence, I accepted her friendship better. (Sidenote: That may or may not have been the author's intention, but it sounded good enough to me.)

What I love is how the story weaves in elements of the Alcotts' lifestyle -- which in many ways was different than their neighbors -- and yet it feels natural, not like they are oddballs for their vegetarian choices and free thinking. The lifestyle seems actually manageable, not so strict as in other books, but perhaps by this point in their lives, Mr. Alcott has wisened, changed the strictest of his ways and mellowed. Whatever the case, the home as illustrated in this book is one that I'd like to live in.

I truly feel like Louisa's personality shone forth accurately too. It blends her writing work life with her family and social life seamlessly. I couldn't ask for a better fictional characterization than what is presented in this book.

Language level: 4 out of 5. Infrequent, but some highly distasteful words.

Content includes: Unwed mothers, childbirth, and adult conversations about such. Nude paintings are mentioned, as one of the characters is an artist of such work. A public autopsy is performed and intricately described, yet tactful enough. Also, the plot weaves in various ideas of men who are having an affair, or other illicit behavior. (It's not written in a lewd way, but it's in the whole story.)

Minimum age to read: 18 and up.

Overall? It's an intriguing mystery, centered upon one of my favorite authoresses. How could I not like it? And yet... some of the aforementioned content is fairly heavy, draining my overall excitement for this title.

"The professions of detective and author, I now know, have much in common. Both involve an attempt to understand the deepest nature of human beings, as well as the act of telling -- or uncovering -- their deepest, truest stories."

BUY YOUR COPY!
paperback // hardcover // e-book

Book #3 completed




P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads.

It begins today! ... Louisa May Alcott READING CHALLENGE

Have you ever sampled a good story from the charming Miss Alcott?

Is it time for you to finally read (or re-read) Little Women & the sequels?

Would you like to enjoy Miss Alcott's writings with me this June?



{Click here for the button code.}

Sign up HERE, if you haven't yet -- and that's where you find all the details of the challenge too.

"In a green park,
where troops of bright-eyed deer lay sleeping
under drooping trees and
a clear lake mirrored in its bosom
the flowers that grew upon its edge,
there stood Lord Hamilton's stately home,
half castle and half mansion..."

- Louisa May Alcott, The Inheritance

Not sure what to read for the challenge?
Check out my [List of published titles by Louisa May Alcott] for some literary inspiration this June.

// Calendar of events... //

May 18th ::: Sign-ups open. Tell everyone your reading plans for the challenge!

June 1st ::: Start date. Get to reading!

[all dates in between] ::: Read, review/talk about a book online if you like, repeat.

June 30th ::: End date. Final overview and link-up!


// Here's my own bookstack to conquer... //



(click the links to buy your own copies, if you're interested in these titles too)

The Inheritance (by L.M. Alcott, 1849)

Louisa and the Missing Heiress (by Anna Maclean, 2004)

Meg Makes a Friend (by Susan Beth Pfeffer, 1998)

The Little Women Treasury (by Carolyn Strom Collins, Christina Wyss Eriksson, 1996)



// Join the challenge... //

Click HERE to read all the details about the challenge.

After you come up with your booklist for the challenge, write up a post (on your blog, or your favorite social media, or comment below)... and add your link on the linky tool below.

All throughout June, submit your Louisa May Alcott blog or social media posts on the linky below. ANY and ALL of your posts about Miss Alcott are welcome.

If you decide to share a favorite quote, a book review, or any other thoughts... link up and take a look at some of the other participants' posts.

Thank you for joining us!

I'm simply delighted to be spending my summer sifting through the writings of Louisa May Alcott. And I can't wait to see which books you're going to read for the challenge as well! Get your sign-up posts online NOW, link-up, and dive into those wonderful books you've chosen!