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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Golden Road Discussion part 5

What did you think of the book overall?

What favorite escapades or particular passages stand out to you?

Anything else you‘d like to discuss from The Golden Road?

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks I did enjoy this one overall, but didn't connect with it as much as I did The Story Girl. It didn't feel like the characters made much progress, and for some reason this book just felt sadder to me. I enjoyed revisiting it, but it's still not one of my favorites. 2y

BarbaraJean I loved the chapter where “Great-Aunt Eliza“ comes to visit. The comedy of Dan's sarcastic commentary (because he thinks she can't hear)...the cat tracking molasses all over her coat & hat...the tooth-powder rusks...it all felt very Anne-ish. It not being Aunt Eliza after all was just the icing on the cake. Hilarious! Then Bev & the Story Girl's walk to the school in the middle of the night, and their ramble with her father were just beautiful. 2y

Jerdencon I really liked this one - and the Great Aunt Eliza story was hysterical. I liked Story girl and bevs relationship too - kind of wish they ended up togetherw 2y

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Daisey The Great Aunt Eliza story was absolutely the most entertaining! 2y

quietjenn That was was my favorite escapade by far - very classic Montgomery misunderstanding and just hilarious. Overall I liked this, but didn't love it. 2y

BarbaraJean @Jerdencon I felt like they should have ended up together, too! I loved their camaraderie in this book. 2y

sblbooks I agree with everyone here, the great and Eliza's story was the best. 2y

Bkwrm7 The Great-Aunt Eliza story was indeed a hoot! I also enjoyed the Peg Bowen stuff in this one (I think it was in this one at least) - especially when she comes to church - although was startled when she basically disappeared for the second half of the book. 2y

BarbaraJean @Bkwrm7 Oh, Peg Bowen at church was so amazing. I could relate to the kids' embarrassment, but how satisfying must it have been to have someone say out loud all of the unspoken inappropriate things you know everyone else had thought at some point!! You're right, though--there was a lot of Peg early on and then she disappears. But I think I remember one of the kids mentioning that she would regularly disappear for months at a time? 2y

21 likes9 comments

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Golden Road Discussion part 4

What did you make of the Story Girl‘s “prophecies” toward the end of the book?

Did the glimpse into Cecily‘s future surprise you?

Do you prefer it when an author gives you a glimpse of what lies ahead for their characters, beyond the ending of the book, or would you rather imagine it for yourself?

What would you imagine for these characters‘ futures?

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks I don't mind the glimpses of the future as long as they match what I want to have happen 😂 I wasn't too surprised about Cecily since I felt like there was a lot of foreshadowing about her being not very strong and such. I can see the characters lives playing out the way The Story Girl thought, but I hope Peter doesn't marry Felicity. He deserves so much better! 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Fortune-telling is all fun & games until Peter up & marries Felicity...😂 After all the “prophecies“ I was surprised Bev didn't give a “here's what happened to everyone“ at the end! I usually prefer imagining characters' futures for myself, so I liked the hints rather than everything being spelled out (except poor Cecily's fate was pretty clear). I agree about Peter & Felicity, but I do think he could be a good minister! 2y

Jerdencon @BarbaraJean I wanted to know what happened to them all too - we get clues about some but want e to know what happened to all of them! 2y

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TheAromaofBooks You're right, it does seem weird that Bev didn't go ahead and let the readers know what happened considering he frequently references himself as an adult throughout the narrative. Maybe he decided the Story Girl's hints were enough! @Jerdencon 2y

Daisey I liked just the hints and I think there had already been enough foreshadowing about Cecily to make it expected. It‘s sad, but I also think it‘s one of the realistic aspects of this story. 2y

quietjenn I don't think we needed The Story Girl's premonitions to know what would happen to poor Cecily - it was telegraphed pretty handily throughout the text. But I enjoyed the predictions about the others and sort of take it for granted that it's pretty much what happened to them. And I'm okay with Peter and Felicity ending up together - but I liked her more than other people did. She's prissy, but she had a good heart and just needs to chill out a bit. 2y

BarbaraJean @quietjenn I could definitely see Felicity softening as she grew up. A lot of her unpleasantness was friction with the Story Girl, which I read as Felicity feeling threatened/needing to compete. I think with the Story Girl's departure, Felicity may have felt more secure and confident in herself, and would let go of her need to prove herself to everyone else. I loved her tearful response to the Story Girl leaving! 2y

quietjenn @BarbaraJean she's a lot like I imagine Rachel Lynde being as a child 😄 2y

BarbaraJean @quietjenn Hahaha—YES! I love that comparison! 2y

sblbooks I prefer to imagine for myself what's going to happen. 2y

Bkwrm7 I wish I could like comments because @quietjenn - yes, to the Rachel Lynde comparison!!! Spot on! 2y

Bkwrm7 I agree with everyone else that Cecily's future was very much foreshadowed - between that and "Our Magazine" I was really feeling the Alcott similarities with this one (Beth! *sob*). I was kind of relieved Cecily's death happened off-page at least. I like the glimpses into the future; some of them surprised me at first and then seemed exactly right. 2y

BarbaraJean @sblbooks I feel that way, too--especially when the events aren't really part of the story at hand. That's one of the things I loved about the ending of The Giver by Lois Lowry... it left it for the reader to imagine what happened next. (And then I kind of resented that there were more books in the series that spelled out what happened next...) 2y

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Golden Road Discussion part 3

There‘s a bit of romance here, with “The Love Story of the Awkward Man” in chapter 25, and the long-awaited revelation about the mysterious locked room at Golden Milestone.

How did you feel about that room and the part it plays in the romance—was it romantic or creepy?

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

BarbaraJean I have to say I was torn between feeling the romance of the Awkward Man's fanciful imaginings about “Alice“ and feeling it was creepy. I don't know which detail pushed it over the line for me: the dress & shoes, the name written in all the books? But all of those details put together... well, I think I would have edged away uncomfortably if I'd been Alice finding out about the room... 😳 2y

Jerdencon It was a bit creepy - if I have to be honest. I understood it but think I would have run for the hills! 2y

quietjenn Eh, I could've done with out it. I'd rather have just had the Awkward Man and Ms. Reade get together without the weird premonition and creepy room. 2y

Bkwrm7 Definitely edging toward creepy for me. Especially since, once again for Montgomery, we're looking at a pretty big age gap. At least it didn't turn out that the Awkward Man had seen Alice as a child and had been waiting for her! I half expected that to be the twist and this was at least better than that would have been! Interestingly, this was a plot I didn't remember at all from previous reads. 2y

BarbaraJean @jerdencon @quietjenn @Bkwrm7 And we have a consensus on the side of creepy! This really toed that line for me. If it had backed off from just a few details, I might have found it romantic. @Bkwrm7 I hadn't even thought about the possibility of him having seen her as a child!! Ack! Given Montgomery's track record that wouldn't have been surprising. Disturbing, but not surprising... 😁 2y

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Golden Road Discussion part 2

The title of the book refers to childhood: “the golden road of youth,” as Montgomery calls it in her Foreword, saying that “its memories are the dearest of our eternal possessions.” Introducing the book this way gives it all a bit of a rosy nostalgic glow.

Do you agree with Montgomery‘s idealization of childhood?
Do you feel a similar fondness about your own childhood memories?

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Many people do not have happy childhoods, but mine was honest amazing, so I definitely have a rosy glow over my memories of growing up. I think in some ways she's also just referring to the general innocence of being a child, when we still assume the best of people and think that everything is going to work out fine. There is definitely something precious about that time in our lives that can never be revisited. 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Montgomery's idealization of childhood seems a bit saccharine, but I do find the childhood adventures & friendships in these books to be lovely & comforting. I have a fondness for my childhood memories, but as an introvert who usually had individual friendships rather than a happy little band of compatriots, there's some wistfulness over their adventures together! Montgomery's foreword made me curious about her own childhood. 2y

Jerdencon @TheAromaofBooks I agree that it was a bit too idealistic but I too have good childhood memories - I never had a big group either but a nice group of close friends with good memories. 2y

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TheAromaofBooks I've always been a bit jealous of the family “home places“ that Montgomery creates - I want a family orchard so much! I think that concept of having a home base/touchstone is an important theme in this story. Even when everyone is heading different directions in the end, there is this strong sense of ROOTS and knowing that that place will always be there - something so few of us really have, I think. @Jerdencon 2y

quietjenn I do think that it's a very idealized take on things. Which is something it's super easy for adults to do and probably a natural tendency. I had a lovely childhood and some of my memories are tinged with a bit of that rosy glow, but certainly not all of them. 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Oh, I was jealous of the orchard, too!! I agree, the idea of home is a strong theme in these two books--and honestly, I think that's a common theme for Montgomery in general. There is such a strong love of place in most of Montgomery's novels, that coupled with her gorgeous descriptions of nature, makes me want those places for myself. It also makes me wish for such deep roots in a place--something I haven't had in my life. 2y

sblbooks While I did not have an idyllic childhood, I to have some found memories. I sometimes Wish I Could Turn Back Time, mostly to see loved ones that have gone on. 2y

Bkwrm7 I had a pretty idyllic childhood and my parents have even lived in the same place since I was 3 (they talk of moving soon, sigh), so I have some feeling of place roots although not generational like the Kings. We read enough Montgomery in my family that I actually wonder if our way of telling stories and thinking about childhood has been influenced by her style! 2y

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Golden Road Discussion part 1

Which did you enjoy more—Story Girl or Golden Road—and why?
How do you feel the characters changed or grew between the two books (or did they)?

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks I definitely enjoyed The Story Girl more. The Golden Road felt a lot more bittersweet/end of childhood vibe. 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks I enjoyed The Story Girl more, as well. I liked most of the characters better there! As you said the other day, their negative qualities were all a bit “more“ in this book. I did think both Bev and the Story Girl grew up a little in this one, though--some of their conversations and musings on themselves and the future seemed very perceptive. (As well as Bev the narrator reflecting on the past.) Bittersweet, though, as you said! 2y

Jerdencon I may be in the minority here but I liked the Golden Road better - I think it‘s because my son is at the same age as the kids in the story and I saw a lot of similarities…. And it made me resonant with what they were going through as I see the changes Connor is going they. 2y

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TheAromaofBooks @Jerdencon - I can definitely see that. It's a complicated time of life!!! 2y

Daisey @Jerdencon I also liked this one better than The Story Girl. I think I appreciated that they seemed a bit more grown up, and I thought it felt more like a connected story rather than very separate short stories. 2y

Daisey I also felt this one had a bit more of the description of nature that I truly love in Montgomery‘s writing. 2y

quietjenn I read them pretty much one right after the other, so it's difficult for me to think of them as two separate books. But I think this one felt more cohesive and a little less twee, which I definitely appreciated. So, if forced to choose, I'd go with this one. 2y

BarbaraJean @Daisey @quietjenn Yes, this one really did feel more connected than The Story Girl did. I also felt like it pulled together some threads from The Story Girl and connected them here, which was nicely done. 2y

sblbooks The Golden Road was my favorite. 2y

Bkwrm7 @quietjenn Like you (and I suspect many of us), I read these back to back so I struggle to remember which stories were in which book. I think I liked The Golden Road a little better mostly because I found "Our Magazine" amusing. 2y

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

pick

I never got around to post a review for The Story Girl, so this is for both books.

Two books about the King cousins and the 1,5 year they all spend together. Focusing on their daily life, going to school, going to Sunday School and church, and most importantly how they spend their summer vacation.

The Story Girl reminded me of Anne Shirley, how they both like to tell stories and aren‘t friends with the kitchen.

AnneCecilie Sometimes this felt like how the story about Anne would have been told from someone else view point. There were also a lot more talk about religion that in the Anne and Emily books. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead 2y

Jerdencon I have to say I really liked these two books - maybe even more than the Anne Shirley books (edited) 2y

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quietjenn

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

pick

A low pick. Finished last night, for the #kindredspirits discussion today. I'm glad to have read this - and reread The Story Girl - but I didn't love them. While some of the exploits were enjoyable, the charm and balance found in other Montgomery books was missing. I was annoyed by both Felicity and TSG and liked an the other kids better. Hated all the Cecily Will Die Young foreshadowing. But that scene with the Governor's wife was classic 🤣

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#BookReport

I finished the tagged one #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and continued Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid

I finished Bibliophile.

I‘m currently reading Lot and To Paradise

Cathythoughts I have ordered To Paradise ... I hope you‘re enjoying 2y

Cinfhen 💜😁 2y

sarahbarnes I‘m reading To Paradise right now and loving it. I feel like I‘m flying through it. 2y

65 likes3 comments

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

pick

I finished this earlier in the week in anticipation of our #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead discussion tomorrow! This felt a little less episodic than The Story Girl, and I was drawn into reading larger chunks at a time—but I think I enjoyed The Story Girl more. There were some endearing adventures, and some beautiful reflections (which felt more natural than in the first book) but several of the characters felt less developed or more disagreeable here.

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

BarbaraJean I'll plan to post discussion questions around mid-day... looking forward to talking about the book with you all! 2y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! I agree with your overall assessment. There were a lot of stories I enjoyed here, but I felt like the characters in this one were just “more so“ from the first book... Felicity was a little snobby and cranky in the first book, SUPER snobby and cranky in the second book... Sara Ray cried some in the first book, cried a LOT in the second book... it just didn't feel like anyone went anywhere! 2y

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TheAromaofBooks

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

pick

Finished February's #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead yesterday. I enjoyed this reread, but don't like this one as well as its predecessor, The Story Girl. Honestly, Felicity brought down my enjoyment of this one. It felt like every time everyone was having a nice time, she had some bitchy comment to make, and she was so much snobbier in this one than the first one. Still, I enjoyed many of the episodes and adventures, even if this isn't my favorite ⬇️

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) Montgomery.

@BarbaraJean
#MtTBR
#SeriesRead2022 @TheSpineView
#BookSpinBingo
#Sharreadathon @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Professional_Book_Dragon
#KicktheSlump - 1062/3000pgs @Dieareader @GHAB14ROSES 2y

DieAReader 🎉🎉🎉 2y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️🕯 2y

81 likes3 comments

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#WeeklyForecast

Finish the tagged #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and continue Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid

Continue my slow reading of Bibliophile

Start Lot.

Finish To Paradise. I think this will take up most of my reading time and I don‘t think I will get to anything else.

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Daisey

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

pick

I listened to this yesterday and today while working around the house. I enjoyed it more than The Story Girl, in part evidenced by listening for several hours today. I think this one felt more like a connected story which may have helped me listen longer at a time. It still doesn‘t come close to my favorite Montgomery characters, but I was more invested in the characters than in The Story Girl and enjoyed it.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #audiobook

53 likes

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#BookReport

I continued the buddy reads of the tagged one #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid

I read The Adventures of China Iron and Winter

I continued Bibliophile

I‘ve started Fictions and To Paradise

Liz_M Still a great looking book stack! 2y

Cinfhen What are your initial thoughts on

To Paradise

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen when I posted, I had read only 2 chapters, but now I‘m a little further in. While I still don‘t know where Yanagihara is going with the story, I‘m interested to find out. 2y

Cinfhen That‘s how I felt in the beginning. It begs a lot from the reader, in a good way. Enjoy 2y

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

Just a little reminder that our discussion of The Golden Road will be next weekend—Saturday, Feb. 26th. How is everyone‘s reading coming along? I‘ve been taking my time and am almost halfway through. It‘s not quite pulling me in as much as The Story Girl did, but at the same time I like a lot of the little stories in this one better. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Dan‘s way of handling Felicity is consistently cracking me up, though! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

quietjenn I'm enjoying this one more, perhaps because I feel like I know the children better. These will never be my favorite Montgomery's, but I'm glad to be reading them. 2y

Jerdencon I‘m about 1/2 way done but really enjoying it. 2y

TheAromaofBooks I'm enjoying this one, although Felicity seems a lot brattier in this one than she did the first book! 2y

AnneCecilie I‘m on schedule. I‘m liking it so far. 2y

Daisey I finished it today and like @quietjenn I think I enjoyed this one more than The Story Girl but it does not come close to my favorites. 2y

32 likes5 comments

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#WeeklyForecast

Continue reading Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and the tagged #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

I want to continue Bibliophile and start Fictions

I want to read The Adventures of China Iron and Winter

If I‘m having a really good reading week, I want to start To Paradise.

Cinfhen I can‘t wait to hear your thoughts once you start To Paradise!!! 2y

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#BookReport

Continued buddy reads Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and the tagged book #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Finished Things We Lost in the Fire and read Intimacies.

I‘m almost done with Dead Girls and halfway into Still Life.
I‘m slowly reading my way through Bibliophile.

Cinfhen It‘s l👀king good 2y

Cinfhen Are you watching the Olympics??? 2y

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen Off course I am 😊 The Norwegian team is doing OK so far, Norwegians are hard to please when it comes to winter sports. 2y

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Cinfhen Hahaha 🤣 I see Norway is doing very well on the medal count 🎊cut them some slack 😁 2y

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen We are demanding and expect them to win everything, and when they don‘t, we get a little disappointed. And no double or triple wins either, yet. 2y

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen The experts were predicting 20 golds in this Olympic and that won‘t happen. 2y

Cinfhen It‘s been a weird Olympic Games/ lots of “upsets” 2y

63 likes7 comments

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#WeeklyForecast

Continue Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and the tagged book #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

I want to continue reading Bibliophile

I want to finish Things We Lost in he Fires and start Dead Girls

I want to read Intimacies and get a good start on Still Life

I want to do audio again.

61 likes

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#BookReport

I finished Wuthering Heights #WanderingThroughWutheringHeights #PemberLittens. Started the tagged book #KinderedSpiritsBuddyRead and Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid

I finished The Fortune Men, read The Man Who Died Twice

I‘ve started Things We Lost in the Fire, Bibliophile and Lara

Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories

Cinfhen I‘m thinking of reading this one too for #FoodAndLit

Cinfhen Did you like

The Fortune Men

Cinfhen I loved

Man Who Died Twice: A Thursday Murder Club Mystery

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen I loved the The Man who Died Twice too. I‘m really enjoying Things We Lost in the Fire so far. I had some troubles getting into The Fortune Men, but once I did I enjoyed it. 2y

Cinfhen All good to know 💜😁thanks 2y

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LitsyEvents

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

Reposting for @BarbaraJean #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

BarbaraJean Thanks for sharing! 🤗 2y

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The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

Next up for #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead! The Golden Road is the sequel to The Story Girl, and I‘m looking forward to returning to these characters again in February. 😊 Read at your own pace throughout the month, post as you go, and we‘ll discuss together on Saturday, Feb. 26th.

All are welcome to join! I‘ve tagged the list from Story Girl, but please let me know if you‘d like to be added to the tag list (or removed).

quietjenn, Daisey, Jerdencon, catebutler, Bkwrm7, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, StayCurious, sblbooks, jewright, TheAromaofBooks

catebutler Looking forward to it! 2y

Jerdencon Me too! 2y

StayCurious I‘m going to also rewatch Road to Avonlea - I‘m so in the mood now haha 2y

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BarbaraJean @StayCurious I‘ve never watched it and I‘m really tempted to put the DVDs on hold at the library NOW… but I‘m thinking maybe I should wait till I finish Golden Road! 2y

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! This is another one I haven't read in years, and didn't own a copy of, so another great excuse to add to my library 😂 2y

TheAromaofBooks I can't remember... is there a book picked out for March? I'm slowly gathering my books for next month! 😁 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Thanks for the reminder! We were talking about Blue Castle… I haven‘t done a poll or anything but I suppose I can make an executive decision…😂

The Blue Castle

TheAromaofBooks haha sounds great!! I think we all pretty much wanted to read all the books, so it's probably hard to make a bad choice 😂 2y

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Jerdencon

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

Is this up next for #kindredspiritsbuddyread ?
@BarbaraJean

BarbaraJean Yes!! I need to post an announcement—thank you for the reminder! 2y

40 likes1 comment

The Golden Road | L. M. Montgomery

#WeeklyForecast

Finish Wuthering Heights #WanderingThroughWutheringHeights #PemberLittens. I‘ve just started Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and I think the tagged book is next up with #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

I want to finish The Fortune Men

I‘m going to start Things We Lost in the Fire and Bibliophile

I also want to get to The Man Who Died Twice and get a good start on Lara.

I also want to get back to my audio again.