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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

Valancy strikes me as a particularly subversive heroine, and so many of her actions feel very progressive for her time—yet the ending of The Blue Castle leaves Valancy in a very traditional, conventional role.

How did the ending land with you?
Does it feel conventional? Predictable?

#LMMReread #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

rubyslippersreads, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, Sparklemn, julieclair

JenlovesJT47 I like that her goals, while conventional, are also relatable, and she found the perfect person to complement her. I love that she doesn‘t play by society‘s rules anymore and is happy as a lark! 2w

BarbaraJean For me, I think this is a case of the journey mattering more than the destination. Valancy decides to live her life on her own terms, rather than according to others‘ expectations. The fact that in the end, she‘s in a situation that measures up to society‘s expectations doesn‘t matter, because it‘s not the expectations that mattered to her—it‘s her own. I do think the ending is predictable, but I don‘t care because I love the book so much! ⬇ 2w

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) I wonder how much Valancy embodies what LMM *wanted* to do & say, but felt too constrained by convention to actually live out. The freedom Valancy feels to flaunt convention & live unburdened by expectations is liberating to me, and I have a feeling it was a bit of wish-fulfillment for LMM. It feels like LMM let loose a little here, freeing her character from the worry of what others will think—a freedom it seems LMM couldn‘t attain. 2w

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rubyslippersreads @BarbaraJean I agree that Valancy can do and say what LMM (especially as a minister‘s wife) couldn‘t. Valancy could also have the romantic, passionate love story that LMM sadly didn‘t. 2w

TheAromaofBooks Valancy's ending is conventional in the sense that she ended up married, but not remotely so when you consider WHOM she married. To me, an actual conventional ending would be Valancy marrying Edward Beck and becoming a stepmother/drudge. Instead, she went out and found romance on her own terms, ending up with someone who would take her around the world and continue to broaden her horizons instead of keeping her confined to the kitchen. So the ⬇ 2w

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) ending is predictable, but I think it is still in line with the rest of Valancy's journey. And Valancy herself says at the very beginning that she does want to be married, to have her own house, her own husband, and even her own “sweet, little fat babies“ - so I love that she decided to go out and find her own fate. 2w

TheAromaofBooks Also, I wrote my comment on the other post about this being LMM's dream book before I read your comment here - we are on the same track! 😂 LMM allowed herself to be tied down by all THE RULES of society, and I think she found real joy in creating a character who was able to shed those fetters and sneeze whenever she wanted to. 2w

rubyslippersreads Maybe Olive should end up with Edward Beck. 😂 2w

lauraisntwilder I'm going to go a little off topic, but your framing of this question in terms of heroines of the day and the mention of the Rubio bio reminded me of Mazo de la Roche. This one feels so similar in tone to Jalna, but I didn't put that together until just now. Jalna came out the next year! And it totally steals Mr. Harrison's foul mouthed bird. No wonder LMM didn't like her! 2w

lauraisntwilder Just makes me wonder what other books she could've written if she hadn't been married to a pastor and been shoe-horned into only writing for children. 2w

kwmg40 I think most readers want happy endings in LMM's books and this one does it to excess -- the heroine ends up illness-free, married to the man she loves, and incredibly wealthy too. So to me, it wasn't very realistic, but as others had mentioned, it was the journey to that point that mattered. 2w

rubyslippersreads @lauraisntwilder This makes me want to reread the Jalna books. Was it Adeline who had the parrot? 2w

lauraisntwilder @rubyslippersreads Yes, Adeline has Boney, the parrot. I've only read one of them, the first (in publication order). One day I'll get around to the others! 2w

rubyslippersreads @lauraisntwilder I read most of the series when I was a teenager, because my mom loved them, but I don‘t think we could ever find a copy of the first one. 2w

julieclair I didn‘t get to read this one in time for the discussion. 🙁 2w

BarbaraJean @JenLovesJT47 @TheAromaofBooks I agree—what makes Valancy‘s story so compelling is that she goes after what she wants. Even though it‘s a “conventional” happy-ever-after ending, it feels so empowering because she chooses her own third path. In her family‘s view, she had two acceptable choices: fade into the old maid role, or marry whoever will condescend to have her. The irony of her unconventional choice is how it ends up both fulfilling ⬇ 2w

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) ...Valancy‘s dream and satisfying her family because of Barney‘s money! 🙄 The final exposure of hypocrisy... 2w

BarbaraJean @rubyslippersreads Yes, I think there was wish-fulfillment for LMM in the romance here, too. @TheAromaofBooks Great minds think alike! I kind of want an inspirational picture/sign that says “The greatest happiness is to sneeze when you want to.”

@lauraisntwilder @rubyslippersreads I‘ve never read any Mazo de la Roche! Maybe we should put Jalna into the #LMMAdjacent reads for next year. 2w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder I SO wish she‘d been able to write freely, without worries over conventions and expectations. In her journals, she comments more than once about how she would write something differently if it weren‘t for _____. I would love to read more along the lines of Blue Castle. And I‘m so curious how she would have written Emily differently. 2w

rubyslippersreads @BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder I would love to add Jalna to the #LMMAdjacent reads. They all seem to be available on fadedpage.com and the first book in the series is

The Building of Jalna

(edited) 2w

BarbaraJean @julieclair Oh, that‘s a shame! Well, the discussion will still be here if you do have time to read it in the coming weeks! Do you still want to join in for Ladies of Missalonghi? 2w

julieclair @BarbaraJean I probably won‘t get to read Missalonghi in time either, but please tag me just in case. Both of these are books I have wanted to read for a long time. 2w

BarbaraJean @julieclair 👍 If you only have time for one, read Blue Castle. So far, Missalonghi is basically discount Blue Castle 😆 2w

29 likes23 comments

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

One of the things I love most about this book is its humor—it‘s filled with hilarious situations, comments, and descriptions. What are some of your favorites?

#LMMReread #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

rubyslippersreads, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, Sparklemn, julieclair

JenlovesJT47 When Valancy first comes out of her shell, and they are having a family dinner and she tells everyone exactly what she thinks (and she‘s not wrong!), I find it SO gratifying as well as hilarious. She is now my favorite book character after Phryne Fisher. 2w

BarbaraJean @JenlovesJT47 Right?! I always lose it over that ENTIRE family dinner scene. But especially when Aunt Alberta says she was bitten by a dog “a little below the Catholic church” and Valancy says “Is that a vital part?“ 😂 😂 Also later when Uncle Benjamin is spluttering about Valancy marrying Barney and she says: “Say ‘damn‘ and you‘ll feel better.” 😂 2w

rubyslippersreads I just love the way Valancy suddenly has no filter. I also love seeing Olive put in her place. And the way the family is much more careful of Valancy‘s feelings once they find out she‘s married a millionaire. (edited) 2w

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TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean - I lose it over the Catholic church every time 😂 Also Valancy sassing Abel about how not everyone should sing at their work haha 2w

lauraisntwilder @BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks I was listening to the audio on a walk with my husband (we can't talk easily when exercising so he listens to music and I usually have a book going) and I laughed out loud at the Catholic church line so hard I startled him! 🤣 2w

kwmg40 I found Uncle Benjamin's blatant hypocrisy hilarious, when he completely changes his attitude toward Valancy after finding out who she married. 2w

22 likes6 comments

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

The Blue Castle is set in Muskoka, where LMM traveled with her husband & children (and our old friend John Mustard & his wife) in 1922. She recounts this trip in her journal. The above passage made me laugh—hard—given how I feel about “Barney Snaith” as a name for a romantic lead!

What names in The Blue Castle did you find particularly evocative?
What role does naming play in the narrative?

#LMMReread #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

rubyslippersreads, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, Sparklemn, julieclair

JenlovesJT47 Barney Snaith IS quite the interesting name for a romantic lead! 😆 I had totally forgotten about the Redfern angle but the whole thing is so hilarious. 2w

rubyslippersreads The name Barney Snaith just grates on me. I also had forgotten the Redfern angle, which I suppose explains it. Speaking of names, does anyone know why “Doss” is a nickname for Valancy? (edited) 2w

TheAromaofBooks Barney! I cannot BELIEVE that one of my favorite romantic heroes is named BARNEY. I try not to think about it 😂 Can we publish our own edition where the only thing we change is Barney's name??

@rubyslippersreads - I've often wondered the same thing! https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/doss Apparently it is a slang word, but I'm not sure any of these meanings would really apply to her?? Maybe the “little effort“ aspect? 2w

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TheAromaofBooks Speaking of Muskoka, I always forget how much of this book is really just a love song to nature and natural beauty. I don't know how LMM manages to just write sentence fragments (“Great silences, austere and searching. Jewelled, barbaric hills. Icy-grey twilights, broken by snow-squalls“) that convey SO much description. Every word in this book is perfect. 2w

rubyslippersreads @TheAromaofBooks Maybe “they sleep in a place which is uncomfortable, usually because they have nowhere else to live.” The whole family thinks that Valancy, as an “old maid,” has no choice but to live with her mother. 2w

lauraisntwilder Doss is the worst. I actually love the name Barney...but not Snaith. 2w

rubyslippersreads I had another thought about Barney‘s name. LMM was passionately in love with Herman Leard, not exactly the name I‘d give a romantic leading man. 2w

kwmg40 Ever since the purple dinosaur was introduced to the world, I've had a hard time taking anyone named Barney seriously! However, as I live in Ontario, I hear the name “Muskoka“ frequently so it didn't seem strange. I agree with @TheAromaofBooks that LMM's descriptions of nature are among the highlights of the book. 2w

rubyslippersreads I guess we‘re not the only ones who have pondered the meaning of Doss: https://wormhole.carnelianvalley.com/what-is-the-impact-of-the-nickname-doss-in-... 2w

BarbaraJean @JenlovesJT47 @rubyslippersreads @kwmg40 I had also completely forgotten that his name isn‘t actually Barney Snaith. And that‘s a good point about “Herman Leard.” It makes me think about Anne‘s idolization of “Walter and Bertha Shirley” as such beautiful names. My grandmother was named Bertha and I always felt sorry for her over it! I‘m certain that some names just sound different to different generations. ⬇ 2w

BarbaraJean (Cont'd) Plus there are the inevitable cultural associations that ruin a name. I can‘t separate the name Barney from Barney Rubble, Barney Fife, and Barney the Dinosaur—but LMM would have had none of those problematic associations! 2w

BarbaraJean @rubyslippersreads @TheAromaofBooks The “Doss” definitions are fascinating! The “nowhere else to live” one makes a lot of sense. I wonder if LMM considered that, or if she meant to convey that the family intended it…? Or if we‘re reading into it! I‘d always assumed it was a “baby name”—some association that emerged in her childhood that just stuck. Kind of like Dickens‘ son, Plorn—the fact of which is an ENDLESS source of amusement to me ⬇ 2w

BarbaraJean Citations for Plorn, because WHAT?!
https://www.reddit.com/r/tumblr/comments/kz85i5/what_the_dickens/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Dickens 2w

BarbaraJean There is so much about naming here that's interesting to me. A mistaken name (Stirling vs Sterling) kicks the whole thing off. Both Valancy and Barney cast off names they hate (Doss and Redfern)—and their reasons are somehow simultaneously very different, but also similar due to the hated name's association to their respective families. And then “Cousin Stickles” has always felt like SUCH a fitting name!! 2w

JenlovesJT47 Cousin Stickles always sounds like Cousin Prickles and I think that‘s very fitting! I‘m with you on the name Barney. Not my first choice of name for a romantic lead. I had remembered most everything from the first time I read it minus the fact that he was a Redfern. Valancy really lucked out with that lol. I love how her family is equal parts in awe and fear of her after they find out she‘s married to a millionaire. 🤑🤑🤑 2w

TheAromaofBooks @rubyslippersreads - Oooo thank you for sharing that article! 2w

TheAromaofBooks It's definitely true that popular names change over times AND that certain names pick up cultural connotations. My husband's grandpa's name was Kermit, and I actually LOVE that name objectively, but it's awfully hard to separate from the Muppets at this point! 2w

24 likes17 comments

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

How does The Blue Castle strike you when read within the chronology of LMM‘s other books?
Did you find it surprising?
What feels similar or different from her earlier books?

#LMMReread #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

rubyslippersreads, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, Sparklemn, julieclair

JenlovesJT47 I found it surprising the first time I read it since most of her books are about younger girls. But I love it so much! If I had read this in my 20s my life would be very different right now. 2w

rubyslippersreads This book reminds me so much of Emily of New Moon, I think because of all the clannish family stuff. 2w

TheAromaofBooks This really seems like a departure from her other books. I think spiritually it's actually closest to Rilla? I feel like this is LMM's “dream book“ - she spends SO much of her life doing what people think she should be doing, or doing something because of “what people will think.“ She's someone very bound by tradition and appearances. To write about someone who was willing to throw all of that over and just follow her heart makes me think LMM ⬇ 2w

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TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) wanted to do the same. 2w

lauraisntwilder I think if I read her books in publication order, without reading her journals, I would be surprised. It does feel like a big departure. In the context of her life though, I kept thinking how it sounds like observations of a pastor's wife. 2w

kwmg40 This book did seem surprising to me. In the other LMM books I'd read, her protagonists did push back against societal norms but in gentler ways. This book felt like a very powerful criticism of society, and it must have seemed especially so when the book was published. 2w

BarbaraJean @JenlovesJT47 It is really inspiring as far as living the life you want!!

@rubyslippersreads Yes, the clannishness and so many quirky horrible repressive family members really do recall Emily. 2w

BarbaraJean I hadn't found Blue Castle surprising until this re-read, in the context of her other works. Even so, reading it in the context of her journals, it doesn't seem surprising at all. @lauraisntwilder @TheAromaofBooks YES, exactly... her journals make this book make SO much sense from a personal standpoint. I agree about Rilla, as well. Rilla feels like the most “grown up” of LMM‘s books to this point. 2w

BarbaraJean @kwmg40 Yes, the social criticism just feels different here. There are very few redeeming qualities in the Stirling clan, whereas with Emily‘s family, the characters are a little more nuanced. And Valancy‘s rebellion is kind of a wholesale denouncement of societal norms, while in earlier novels, LMM‘s heroines push back in much softer ways—or only in one area instead of across the board. 2w

21 likes9 comments

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

These quotes from LMM‘s journals feel so timely, since reading this felt like an escape and a refuge from the world for me—and both LMM‘s words and my experience of the book feel like a parallel to Valancy‘s Blue Castle.

Do you have a “Blue Castle”? Where are you finding refuge and escape these days?

#LMMReread #LMMJournals #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

rubyslippersreads, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, Sparklemn, julieclair

JenlovesJT47 I feel this way about my writing (mostly poetry). But it‘s not quite a blue castle. Maybe I need to restore faith in myself and remind myself it‘s okay to go after your dreams. You‘ll never get anywhere if you don‘t ever try. 💙🩵💙 2w

rubyslippersreads I‘m finding refuge in books. 2w

Sparklemn @rubyslippersreads Me too 2w

TheAromaofBooks Sitting on our porch has been my escape lately! Just being able to listen to the quiet and watch the leaves is so calming. 2w

kwmg40 Cooking while listening to audiobooks is how I escape from the troubles of the world. 2w

21 likes5 comments

lauraisntwilder

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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I saw the ending coming a mile off, but it's a sweet story and the humor is perfect. #kindredspiritsbuddyread

28 likes

JenlovesJT47 @dabbe @TheBookHippie @DebInHawaii @lil1inblue @Kristy_K @julieclair @BooksandCoffee4Me @bellabella @AnnCrystal @Reggie @jdiehr @vivastory @CBee @Mimi28 @Jari-chan @Itchyfeetreader @Susanita @kelly7990 @ImperfectCJ @The_Book_Ninja 4w

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

Just a little check-in here halfway through Blue Castle… (although I know some of you couldn‘t resist finishing it already!)

What edition are you reading?
How is your reading going?
What have you enjoyed the most in the first half of the book?
What favorite scenes, quotes, or other elements stand out to you?

rubyslippersreads, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, Sparklemn, julieclair

BarbaraJean My copy is the cover on the lower right… which I only like because of nostalgia value! Someday I‘ll get a copy with the Elly MacKay cover (top center). 😍 On this read, Valancy‘s pursuit of what she wants feels so satisfying. I mean, it always does, but somehow it feels deeper for me right now. I think I‘m in a more “appearances can go hang” phase of life than ever before! I keep thinking how Valancy would fit right in with #WDNCW 😂 3w

rubyslippersreads Valancy‘s relatives always remind me of Emily‘s, when Emily is hiding under the table, waiting to find out who will take her. (I‘m reading the ebook, but I have a pretty copy from the 1930s with a girl‘s portrait on the dust jacket.) 3w

JenlovesJT47 I just love this whole dang book! Once Valancy‘s craps have flown the coop, it is absolutely hysterical how she tells her family like it is. So liberating lol. 3w

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JenlovesJT47 I ready an ereader copy like the ones on Hoopla. Need to get a physical copy! 3w

lauraisntwilder I have the Sourcebooks edition (second from the right on the bottom). So far, Valancy's family feels like a cross between Emily's and the family from Tangled Web. LMM is so funny! 3w

rubyslippersreads I also feel like Valancy is saying out loud the kinds of observations Emily made in her Jimmy-books. 3w

TheAromaofBooks I just finished the section with the family dinner party where Valancy is a bit “dippy“ 😂 I still snort-laugh about being bitten “a little below the Catholic church“ every time haha 3w

DrSabrinaMoldenReads I‘m behind but plan to catch up. I got it on Kindle but that‘s probably not a good idea. 3w

Sparklemn I got behind, too, but enjoying it so far. 3w

33 likes9 comments

JenlovesJT47

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

it was so easy to defy
once you got started. the first
step was the only one
that really counted.

#haikuhive #thebluecastle #LMMontgomery #Valancy

dabbe 🩵💚🩵 4w

AnnCrystal 👏🏼🐝👌🏼📚🎬🐝💝. 4w

JenlovesJT47 @BarbaraJean 4w

lil1inblue 💓💓💓 4w

39 likes5 comments

JenlovesJT47

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

I just finished rereading The Blue Castle for the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and Valancy might just be my favorite book character after Phryne Fisher. Oh how I wish I had read this book when I was in my 20s!

isn‘t it better
to have your heart broken than
let it wither up?

#haikuhive #haikuaday #poetry #LMMontgomery #Valancy #thebluecastle

dabbe Truer words were never spoken. 💛💜🧡 4w

AnnCrystal 👏🏼🐝💘🥲💖🐝💝. 4w

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jdiehr This has been on my TBR. I might have to move it up 4w

JenlovesJT47 @jdiehr it‘s so good! Cozy like all of LMM‘s books and perfect for this time of year 🧡💛🧡 4w

JenlovesJT47 @BarbaraJean 4w

lil1inblue Love this! ❤️❤️❤️ 4w

bookandbedandtea This is one of my all-time favorite books! 💜 4w

BarbaraJean I love Valancy SO MUCH!! This is my favorite LMM book. @jdiehr The #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead is reading this right now if you want to join in! Discussion on Oct. 25 😊 4w

41 likes9 comments

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

“…she opened the window and hurled the jar of potpourri over into the next lot. It smashed gloriously against the schoolgirl complexion on the old carriage-shop. ‘I‘m sick of the fragrance of dead things,‘ said Valancy.”

💙💙💙

Oh, I love this book so much. Here we go! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

rubyslippersreads, DrSabrinaMoldenReads, JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks, Sparklemn, julieclair

JenlovesJT47 I freaking LOVE this book, I had forgotten how much. Already finished it! Gonna post a couple of Blue Castle haikus soon. 💙🩵💙 4w

TheAromaofBooks I love Valancy!!!! 4w

BarbaraJean @JenLovesJT47 Hahaha... I love that you've already finished it!! @TheAromaofBooks Meeeee toooo!! 4w

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bellabella

Blue Castle | L M Montgomery

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Haiku #1:
What shall I say to
Describe my thoughts on this book?
Best classic I've read.

Haiku #2
I literally
Read it in one and a half
hours: cried and laughed.

If you haven't read this book, I suggest you remedy that as soon as possible. Although, of course, everyone has different tastes on what is the best kind of book. :)

bellabella @Itchyfeetreader @julieclair @CBee @dabbe @DebinHawaii @Mimi28 @Jari-chan @Kristy_K @TheSpineView @jdiehr @AnnCrystal @vivastory @Reggie @Eggs @TheBookHippie @lil1inblue @BooksandCoffee4Me 5mo

Itchyfeetreader Love both of your haikus and a recommendation to a book by this author that I have not read. Side note I was in Boston earlier this year and surprised how hard it was to pick up a physical copy of a Montgomery 5mo

lil1inblue Thanks for the rec! I love LM Montgomery, and I haven't read this yet. 💛🐝💛 5mo

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TheSpineView Love book haikus! 💛🐝💛🤩📘 5mo

AnnCrystal Fabulous, perfectly fun review Haiku for this book...I've added it to my TBR 👏🏼🐝👍🏼📚🐝💝. 5mo

dabbe This is #sheerawsomeness! A new hashtag: #bookreviewhaikus I see a whole new genre forming! 🤩🖤🤩 5mo

Jari-chan This is so cool! 😍 5mo

Eggs #HaikuRevu! Stacked 📚 5mo

julieclair So clever!!!! 5mo

bellabella @Itchyfeetreader It's pretty sad. I usually buy my books retail on Alibris. 😉 5mo

bellabella @lil1inblue My pleasure! 🙂 5mo

bellabella @TheSpineView Litsy is the right place to find them, right? 😂 5mo

bellabella @AnnCrystal Good to hear! And thank you for the kind words 💕 5mo

bellabella @dabbe Thank you so much! And yes, I agree. I would be up for it! 5mo

bellabella @Jari-chan 💕 Thank you! (edited) 5mo

bellabella @Eggs 👍🐝 💕 5mo

bellabella @julieclair Thanks! 💕 5mo

dabbe Your haikus created 4 stack ads! W😍WZA! 🖤🐝🖤 5mo

SilversReviews Gorgeous cover!! 3mo

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

Valancy ♥️

#12booksof2024 : June

Anne of Green Gables is always going to be the first thing associated with L. M. Montgomery, but she definitely wasn‘t a one hit wonder!

Andrew65

bookandbedandtea The Blue Castle is my favorite LMM. 🩷 10mo

StaceGhost @bookandbedandtea I second this 10mo

Itchyfeetreader And here we are, less than an hour after swearing no new books for jan through march I am stacking something new ! 10mo

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bookandbedandtea @StaceGhost 😁 10mo

TheBookHippie Emily of new moon is my favorite of hers. 10mo

thegirlwiththelibrarybag @bookandbedandtea, I love a good standalone! And this was top shelf! 10mo

thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Itchyfeetreader, what‘s one more? 😉 10mo

thegirlwiththelibrarybag @TheBookHippie, I read the first one awhile back because it was referenced in the Netflix show, Russian Doll. I haven‘t finished the trilogy yet tho - it‘s still on my tbr. 10mo

TheBookHippie @thegirlwiththelibrarybag I loved that show! 10mo

Andrew65 This isn‘t one I have read, will have to correct that. 10mo

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Eggs

The Blue Castle: A novel | L. M. Montgomery

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A real gem! the story of Valancy Stirling, a meek young woman who lives under the control of her oppressive family. Valancy resolves to reclaim control of her fate and flee to the enchanting Blue Castle, the lakeside cottage she‘s always desired.
#Pantone2024
#Spookoween
#ReadAway2024
#Bookspinbingo
#Bookspin book

@BarbaraBB @TheSpineView @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES @TheAromaofBooks

DieAReader 🥳Great! 13mo

BarbaraBB Beautiful collage again 😍 13mo

CoffeeK8 I love this book! 13mo

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TheSpineView Fantastic! 13mo

TheAromaofBooks This is one of my all-time favorite books. So glad you enjoyed it!! 13mo

Eggs @DieAReader 🥳🥰 13mo

Eggs @BarbaraBB TY 😍 13mo

Eggs @CoffeeK8 🙌🏻🙌🏻 13mo

Eggs @TheSpineView 🥰😍 13mo

Eggs @TheAromaofBooks ❤️🙌🏻🥰 13mo

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rachaich

Blue Castle | L M Montgomery

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Lovely and whimsical yet the underlying issue of expectations of women in family and society. Also the idea of doing things that make you happy, finding those things and those people.
Nice autumnal read.

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Maggie_Reads

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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A rediscovered classic from L.M. Montgomery. After being told she was terminal, Valancy, a spinster living with her dominant mother, decided to live life to the fullest with the time she has left. She upsets her tight knit uppity family and finds love in an unexpected place. This story was original and sweet. Definitely recommend.

10 likes

CarolynM

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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Delightful! I loved Valency and Barney and hated the appalling Stirlings. The descriptions of the landscape were sublime. Thank you to @LeahBergen for the gift of the book and to @thegirlwiththelibrarybag for reminding me to read it.

bookandbedandtea My absolute favorite LMM! I reread it every couple of years because I adore Valancy and Barney and because the nature descriptions are delicious! 1y

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Glad you enjoyed it! 1y

Jas16 This is my favorite comfort read. 1y

LeahBergen I‘m so glad you liked it! 😘 1y

Centique I have heard so many good things about this book, i must get to it. Currently have 12 library holds that came in at once though 😂 1y

59 likes5 comments

thegirlwiththelibrarybag

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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I‘m somehow always surprised when I learn that there was more to L. M. Montgomery than Anne of Green Gables. It‘s not so often that books having me wiping away tears of laughter but this one managed it on more than one occasion. Watching Valancy blossom into a vibrant woman - who spoke her mind, found a purpose and eventually a great love - was an absolute joy!

HeyT This is one of my absolute favorites. 1y

thegirlwiththelibrarybag @HeyT, I only heard of it recently - but I‘m so glad to have read it. It did make me laugh that the library shelves it in junior fiction tho. 1y

CoffeeK8 I love this book so much (edited) 1y

See All 7 Comments

LeahBergen A favourite! ❤️ 1y

CarolynM @LeahBergen sent me a copy of this a while ago and I‘ve never gotten around to reading it. I am going to get it out right now. It sounds like exactly what I need. 1y

LeahBergen @CarolynM Oh, that‘s right! I forgot I sent that one to you. 😆 1y

thegirlwiththelibrarybag @CarolynM, enjoy! 1y

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Clare-Dragonfly

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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What a marvelous romance!

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#rereadingsummer #firstlinefridays

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

My #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead-ers should get a kick out of this… I just got this series of texts from one of my best friends, with whom I share a great love for L.M. Montgomery‘s The Blue Castle. We‘ve been discussing which covers/editions are out there, I mentioned the Elly McKay covers, she bought us each copies. And yes, that is indeed the first chapter of Anne of Avonlea. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Damn Jeff Bezos.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Linsy, Jerdencon, Bkwrm7, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, Prairiegirl_reading, Centique, megnews, lauraisntwilder, StayCurious, kwmg40, sblbooks, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

lauraisntwilder Oh no! 😆 2y

Prairiegirl_reading 😲😲 2y

quietjenn 😲🤨 2y

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Ruthiella What? 😳 2y

TheAromaofBooks Oh my gosh. My sister was actually just looking through all The Blue Castle editions on Amazon yesterday and we were cracking up at how many of them do not remotely match the story! Our two favorites were one of a dark and dramatic castle that definitely gave off “here be dragons“ vibes, and another one of a tiny, ramshackle house that had “isolated murder mystery“ vibes 😂 2y

julieclair So bizarre! 😵 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks 😂😂 I was trading bad cover images of The Blue Castle with this same friend prior to her buying this one! There was one she called the “Game of Thrones” version—medieval-ish castle complete with a fierce redhead in a crown. 😂 Have you seen this post? https://teaandinksociety.com/bad-book-covers-anne-of-green-gables/ I think my favorite is what she calls the “Disney-ready pop star” version of The Story Girl. 🤣 2y

TheAromaofBooks Oh my gosh, THANK YOU for sharing that, I truly just sat here and laughed for five solid minutes. That was AMAZING. HOW can there be SO MANY terrible options!??! Especially when you think of all the lovely, delightful scenes and characters, it really seems like it should be quite easy to create beautiful covers that actually go with the story!? 😂 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks You are so welcome—glad I could offer some laughter—and shared horror! 😂 It‘s staggering just how MANY awful ones there are!! Please show that link to your sister when she needs a laugh. It might give her some good ideas for rebuilding her collection. 😆 2y

43 likes9 comments

Purpleness

The Blue Castle | Lucy M. Montgomery

New edition of one of my favourites! I noticed on my recent reread that my copy (published 1988) is falling apart, so I splurged on a beautiful new edition. #rereadingsummer

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Purpleness

The Blue Castle | Lucy Maud Montgomery

56 likes

Purpleness

The Blue Castle: A novel | L. M. Montgomery

#rereadingsummer

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RobES

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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Matching my nails to my novel! Love this sweetly funny book. My Senior book club have chosen this as their summer holiday read- a perfect choice for sunny days 💙💛

RaeLovesToRead Great colour! 💅🏻 2y

Gissy 💅 😍 💙 2y

Tamra Perfect for summer! 2y

Ruthiella Perfect match! 2y

AllDebooks Wow that blue is perfect 🥰 2y

48 likes5 comments

StaceGhost

Blue Castle | L M Montgomery

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This may be my favorite stand alone L.M.M. Gorgeous descriptions of nature, mixed with both lighthearted observations and reflections on the meaning of life.

I also found this tunnel through the trees outside my local library— do you think if I passed through it I would end up in another time?

#kindredspirits

Purpleness My favourite L.M. Montgomery, too! I think it might be time for a re-read… 2y

LeahBergen I love this book. 🩵 2y

StaceGhost @Purpleness @LeahBergen I agree! I just read it and I already want to read it again 2y

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kwmg40 That photo does look like a time portal! 2y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Just checking that see if you got your package 📦 🩷 2y

StaceGhost @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks hey! Just posted :) sorry! I wanted to be able to review it but this week and last has been full of celebrations and lots of unexpected end of the year work— like cleaning out my office! 2y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @StaceGhost great!! Enjoy your summer 💛 2y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#12Booksof2022 day 3

March was a strong reading month with several amazing reads so it was hard to choose a favorite, but I decided on this one.

Valancy is given a short time to live by her doctor. She decides to live the life she wants and not the one expected of her by her closest family. About love, standing up to your family and going your own ways.

Andrew65

tpixie What a lovely premise! Thanks for sharing all those covers! 3y

bookandbedandtea This is my absolute favorite LMM book 😍 3y

Andrew65 An excellent author, but wasn‘t aware of this book. (edited) 3y

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AnneCecilie @Andrew65 I feel like her Anne and Emily books get most of the attention. But this is just wonderful. 3y

AnneCecilie @tpixie I just loved the picture when I found it online. 3y

AnneCecilie @bookandbedandtea This one of my favorite LMM books 3y

tpixie @AnneCecilie 💝💝💝 3y

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Chrissyreadit, TheAromaofBooks

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#AdventRecommends December 2nd

I loved this book by L. M. Montgomery aimed at an older audience than most of her novels. It‘s cozy like all her novels and about love, family and following your own dreams.

emilyrose_x

LeahBergen It‘s a favourite of mine, too. 3y

emilyrose_x I love Anne of Green Gables, so I have added this to my list 🥰 3y

BarbaraJean I love this one so much—it‘s a favorite for me, too. 3y

Aimeesue I love this one ❤️ 3y

batsy One of my favourites too 💕 3y

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bookandbedandtea

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

Barney and Velancy's little cabin would make me very happy 😊

BookmarkTavern Oh that sounds idyllic! Thank you for sharing! 3y

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Laughterhp

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

Hey Chrissy and Sarah! I found this book today and I‘m pretty sure we were trying to do a mark up read outside of LMPBC. It looks like I got 50 pages into this book (and if I remember correctly, found it super depressing).

Do you want me to send this back to you Chrissy? Or should I send it along to Sarah. Sorry for the delay, I literally don‘t know how long I‘ve had this book. 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Chrissyreadit Too funny! I did like it, if Sarah wants to read it that‘s fine. I‘m not worried either way. 3y

TheAromaofBooks Whatever works for you!! I will say that this is one of my all-time favorite books, and even though it does start rough, Valancy takes control of her life and turns this into a genuinely happy, funny story... so it may be worth trying to reread 😂 I'm always happy to read it again if you send it my way, just whatever works best!! 3y

Chrissyreadit I agree with @TheAromaofBooks I definitely felt better as it went along. 3y

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Daisey

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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This was a reread for me, but I honestly remembered nothing from my initial read years ago. I enjoyed this more adult Montgomery story as a lovely change of pace from my more serous reading. It has the same beautiful appreciation of nature and moments of humor I always love in her writing. So glad I made time to listen to it again, even if a month late for the buddy read.

#audiobook #reread #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

CogsOfEncouragement I haven‘t read this, but I‘ve loved the other books by Montgomery that I have. 4y

Daisey @CogsOfEncouragement Of her lesser known books, this one might well be my favorite. (edited) 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Blue Castle discussion part 6

Anything else you‘d like to discuss from The Blue Castle?

Favorite passages, favorite characters, favorite Stirling relative you love to hate? Favorite “John Foster” quote?

quietjenn, Jerdencon, catebutler, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mom2bugnbee, sblbooks, tenar, TheAromaofBooks

tenar My favorite genre is nature writing, so I found John Foster as dreamy & inspiring as Valancy did! 😅 It was cute when it said that Valancy was spreading the Foster “gospel”; she & Cissy wouldn‘t pick flowers in the wood because he had written, “The way to enjoy wood-flowers is to track them down to their remote haunts—gloat over them—and then leave them with backward glances, taking with us only the beguiling memory of their grace and fragrance.” 4y

quietjenn I just want to mention how idyllic I found their Valancy and Barney's life on the island, post-marriage but pre-ending. And also, I love that LMM created a romantic hero named Barney Snaith, perhaps the most unromantic name I can imagine. 4y

JenlovesJT47 Lol @quietjenn I was thinking the same thing !! 😂😂🤣 4y

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LeahBergen Happy Birthday! ❤️📚❤️📚 4y

BarbaraJean @tenar I've never been very interested in nature writing, but I love how John Foster offers Valancy such an outlet. And the descriptions of Mistawis--💜 Maybe there's some nature-writer-appreciation in me after all! @quietjenn YES!! I mean, Snaith?!? I had a professor who commented on a character named “Lurvy“ in Charlotte's Web--he said Brad Pitt wouldn't be seen as attractive if his name were Lurvy. But LMM makes it work for Barney Snaith! 4y

BarbaraJean @Cathythoughts You are so sweet!! I will email you my address--thank you so much! I love having Litsy birthday buddies. 💕 I hope you had a lovely bookish birthday yourself! 📚 🎉 @LeahBergen Thank you!! 💜 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Blue Castle discussion part 5

“Valancy had long ago decided that she would rather offend God than Aunt Wellington, because God might forgive her but Aunt Wellington never would.”

There are some wonderfully hilarious situations, comments, and descriptions in this book. What are some of your favorites?

quietjenn, Jerdencon, catebutler, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mom2bugnbee, sblbooks, tenar, TheAromaofBooks

quietjenn There's a few, but what immediately leaps to mind was the anniversary party, i.e. “the time we first noticed poor Valancy was - a little - you understand?“ The entire way she releases on them after years is just delightful. 4y

AnneCecilie I loved the way her family reacted when she stopped pleasing them. And the meetings they had. Her mother didn‘t approve of Valancy‘s reading early on so I never liked her. 4y

JenlovesJT47 I loved it when her uncle stumbled upon them when the car broke down. And when she finally told them she was married, their reactions were hilarious! 4y

BarbaraJean @quietjenn That whole dinner party is amazing! All the ridiculousness of the Stirling family is on display and Valancy revels in finally letting her internal commentary become external. I think my favorite line is when Uncle James asks Aunt Alberta where the dog bit her. When she replies: “A little below the Catholic church,“ Valancy laughs and says: “Is that a vital part?“ 😂 @JenlovesJT47 Oh, I love the car breakdown scene!! 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead discussion part 4

I love that LMM found refuge in writing Blue Castle. Reading it felt like a refuge to me—because it‘s a familiar, favorite read, but also because the narrative is full of humor, warmth, and of course a happy ending. The comfort I found was a fitting parallel to the comfort Valancy finds in her own Blue Castle.

Do you have a “Blue Castle”? Where have you found refuge & comfort during difficult times?

quietjenn, Jerdencon, catebutler, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mom2bugnbee, sblbooks, tenar, TheAromaofBooks

tenar Thank you for sharing these quotes! I felt the same way as you, and it‘s lovely to think LMM shared that feeling while writing it. 4y

Jerdencon This was my first time reading it and it took a little bit to get into it but then I flew through it and it was so much fun! It was a nice escape from the heavier stuff I usually read. 4y

quietjenn What wonderful quotes! Thanks so much for sharing them. I'm glad LMM had the refuge of writing this book as well. I do think I find it in reading beloved books - including this one - or certain go-to types of books that I find comforting. And also in throwing on episodes of a favorite tv show I've seen a million times already. 4y

AnneCecilie I loved the quotes and I felt the same way while reading. Her books have been an escape for me over the last years. I also escape in other books and comforting series and movies. 4y

BarbaraJean @quietjenn @AnneCecilie I also find comfort and escape in reading beloved books. There's something about familiar storylines that you know are going to turn out well! That was the main reason I was inspired to suggest this buddy read late in 2020--I knew I needed some LMM comfort in my life!! 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Blue Castle discussion part 3

Did the romance feel plausible to you, or was it contrived/too perfect? Or does it matter if it‘s all a little implausible?

Did any parts of the narrative surprise you?

quietjenn, Jerdencon, catebutler, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mom2bugnbee, sblbooks, tenar, TheAromaofBooks

tenar I didn‘t really judge the romance for plausibility while reading; it seemed plenty plausible within the world of the novel, I think.

This was my first read, and I rather smugly thought I had the storyline all figured out for quite a while. But Doc Redfern was a totally unexpected development for me, hah! 4y

quietjenn I do think it's a bit contrived, but I still love it mightily! 😊 4y

AnneCecilie I didn‘t think of its plausibility while reading but I did love the love story. Valancy is very clear on her feelings towards Barney. He came a little later to his realization, but he must have cared early on. Why else would he show at the party to make sure Valancy was okey and to get her out? I didn‘t see any of the surprises towards the end, what Barney was the writer and the son of a millionaire. (edited) 4y

JenlovesJT47 I found it sweet and fairly believable. I loved how she wasn‘t afraid anymore and just went after what she wanted. 4y

BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie It was all those surprises at the end that seemed a little contrived to me, but I'm with @quietjenn --all the coincidences may be a little too convenient, but I really don't care because I love it so much! @tenar I think that's key--it's plausible within the world LMM has created (and within its genre). But Redfern really does come out of left field, doesn't he?! 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Blue Castle discussion part 2

How did you feel about Valancy as a character? Did you find her likable initially?

What about Cissy Gay and Roaring Abel? What do you think they add to the book?

quietjenn, Jerdencon, catebutler, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mom2bugnbee, sblbooks, tenar, TheAromaofBooks

tenar The section with Cissy and Abel was my favorite part of the book! I thought including Cissy‘s story and perspective grounded Valancy‘s own health plotline; it brought some seriousness and deep feeling to it when it could have been frivolous. Cissy and Abel also obviously served as a great transition period for Valancy and added to the overall commentary on respectability and appearances. I think the book wouldn‘t be the same without them! 4y

Jerdencon I liked Valancy but her extremes were a bit much - from completely passive to the other side so quickly but I understood why… I was happy she was with Cissy and Abel and felt they “saved” Valency. 4y

quietjenn I do like Valancy, but she was a bit hard to love at the beginning. I'd forgotten just how downtrodden and depressing her life was and it could be frustrating that she was just so passive. I loved Cissy and Abel both as characters in and of themselves and for the “excuse“ they gave Valancy to really step away from her family. 4y

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AnneCecilie I loved Valancy. It was probably not an easy thing being unmarried and have no prospect to ever be at the age of 29. She is doing what she needs to do in order to keep the peace with everyone in the beginning, when she‘s told that she has less than a year to live there‘s no longer any need for that. Cissy and Abel weren‘t my favorite characters, but they did show that people aren‘t necessarily how you are told they are. (edited) 4y

JenlovesJT47 I love it when she snaps out of her 29-year fog and starts standing up for herself and not caring what her family thinks. Her family was awful but hilarious nonetheless. Loved her older cousin and that she was supportive of her. Also loved Cissy and Abel. They all helped each other more than they could possibly know. 4y

BarbaraJean @quietjenn I'd also forgotten how very bleak the beginning of this book is. @Jerdencon I could completely understand how Valancy had been worn down and dominated by her relatives, and actually found her more frustrating in retrospect; once she started standing up to her family, it bothered me that she'd had the spirit to do so before, but hadn't! @JenlovesJT47 Agreed - her family was so terrible but made for some hilarious situations. 4y

BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie @JenlovesJT47 I loved how LMM provides such a strong critique of societal expectations; she just tears down that felt need to maintain certain appearances/behaviors only to please others. I love Valancy so much for her courage to act against those expectations in order to live the life she wants. @tenar YES! I love Cissy and Abel for how real they are--they're exactly what Valancy needs to establish herself outside those expectations. 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Blue Castle discussion part 1

What did you think of The Blue Castle compared to LMM‘s other books? What similarities or differences did you notice?

Are there any themes or ideas that stood out to you?

quietjenn, Jerdencon, catebutler, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mom2bugnbee, sblbooks, tenar, TheAromaofBooks

BarbaraJean Kicking off the discussion a little early, as I will be spending the day with my family. My mother is not well and the family is gathering this weekend to be with her. So if I‘m a little MIA in the discussion, that‘s why! I‘ll jump back in when I can. ☺️ 4y

Jerdencon @BarbaraJean hope your mother feels better 🙏🏻 4y

Jerdencon I enjoyed that this was an adult novel - while the descriptions of landscapes and scenery are usual LM Montgomery for me but the more grown up themes were there and no kids anywhere! 4y

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quietjenn I hope things are okay with mother. As for the book, it definitely still feels like a Montgomery book and I think there are similar characters and situations as in her children's books. But no kids and no hijinks, which I appreciated (as much as I enjoy those in the other books). 4y

AnneCecilie I hope everything is okay with your mother. As for the book, I loved this one. This is one of my favorites of her. It has all the escapism and coziness as her other books. 4y

JenlovesJT47 I loved it because it‘s geared towards adults but still has that same warm and cozy vibe as her other books, and of course her beautiful descriptions about nature. Every now and then I think there‘s a little TOO much description in her books but she always paints a beautiful picture. Wish I had read this when I was in my 20s! I‘m so sorry about your mom, I hope you had an enjoyable time with your family. ❤️ 4y

BarbaraJean @Jerdencon @quietjenn @AnneCecilie @JenlovesJT47 Thank you all for your well-wishes for my mother! It's been a rough week as she is now on hospice care. Although she's often confused (due to her dementia) and sometimes non-responsive, we had some really lovely family time last weekend. My cousins were able to bring her siblings, my uncle and aunt, to visit (which was a feat as they are 96 & 90!) and my mom had some sweet moments with both of them. 4y

BarbaraJean @Jerdencon @quietjenn I also love that it's not a kids' book! @JenlovesJT47 It really does have the same feel as her others, but with more grown-up themes & a more mature main character. (I think this is also why House of Dreams was my favorite Anne book on my most recent re-read.) The theme of what makes a meaningful life stood out, which is better explored in an adult book. @AnneCecilie The cozy escapism was exactly what I needed right now! 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#BookReport

Finished The Blue Castle #KinderedSpiritsBuddyRead. Continued Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and with the #PemberLittens both The Other Bennett Sister and North and South.

I read The Cauliflower and In.
Currently reading My Family and Other Animals, the group read for #foodandlit #Greece and Bibliophile: Diverse Spines.

Cinfhen Great week!! Can‘t believe the month is almost over!! 4y

AnneCecilie @Cinfhen I know, I can‘t believe how fast this year has moved so far. I want a “pause” button so I can read all the books. 4y

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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I LOVED THIS!

29 yr old Valancy has accepted that she will become an old spinster forever living with her mum and cousin. One day she goes to the doctor, and is told that she has less than a year to live. She decides to live her life on her own terms and do what she wants.

Her family‘s reactions to this was hilarious and I loved their dialogue.

I‘m so glad I joined #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead when we started with the Anne books, otherwise I‘m

AnneCecilie not sure I ever would have read this. I loved this so much that I‘m actually considering getting my own copy. I can definitely see myself rereading this some time in the future. 4y

TheAromaofBooks This is one of my all-time favorite books. I just love Valancy's journey of self-discovery and even though I've read this book so many times, it still makes me snort with laughter every time. I also love how her love for Barney changes him as well ❤ 4y

AnneCecilie @TheAromaofBooks Me too and also that the world doesn‘t end because she does it. I can‘t imagine like Valancy did before the letter - always being told what to do, basically having no “value” because you are neither married or a widow. He probably started loving her earlier than he thinks, after all he did travel to the party out back just to make sure she was okay. 4y

batsy I love seeing people discover this book! It's one of my favourites and dear to my heart. 4y

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LitsyEvents

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

Repost for @BarbaraJean

Just a little reminder that the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead discussion of The Blue Castle will be next weekend: Saturday, March 26th. I‘ll post questions around mid-day Pacific Time. Everyone is welcome—if you‘re not tagged and you‘d like to join the discussion, just let me know and I‘ll add you for this book!

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

Just a little reminder that the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead discussion of The Blue Castle will be next weekend: Saturday, March 26th. I‘ll post questions around mid-day Pacific Time. Everyone is welcome—if you‘re not tagged and you‘d like to join the discussion, just let me know and I‘ll add you for this book!

This is my absolute favorite LMM novel, and I‘m so excited to discuss it! It‘s exactly the comfort read I need right now. 🥰

quietjenn, Jerdencon, catebutler, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, mom2bugnbee, sblbooks, tenar, TheAromaofBooks, LitsyEvents

AnneCecilie I just finished this morning and I loved this one. 4y

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The Blue Castle | L.M. Montgomery

A combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForcast

I read Bonjour Tristesse (returned to the library), Hello Mum, Seek You and Spring.

I kept up with the buddy reads and will continue to do so. Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and with the #PemberLittens both The Other Bennett Sister and North and South. I hope to finish The Blue Castle #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

In the upcoming week I want to read The Cauliflower and In.

AnneCecilie I want to start both My Family and Other Animals and Bibliophile: Diverse Spines 4y

Cinfhen That‘s quite an impressive stack 🤩 4y

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quietjenn

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

I've loved revisiting this, as it's one of my favorite Montgomerys. I think it's interesting that, as her official Adult Book, it's the one that feels most like a fairy tale to me. In the best possible way. 💙
#kindredspiritsbuddyread

batsy One of my favourites! 4y

TheLudicReader I read this one for the first time just a few ago and loved it. 4y

LeahBergen It IS very fairy tale-ish! 💙💙 4y

See All 6 Comments

BarbaraJean Oh, it does feel like a fairy tale! No evil stepmother, but the relatives are certainly awful enough to provide a parallel… 4y

rubyslippersreads The relatives remind me of some of Emily‘s relatives in the Emily books. 4y

quietjenn @rubyslippersreads totally! All those family confabs 🙄 4y

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JenlovesJT47

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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I am officially out of my reading funk! (Reading with my eyeballs, thank God for audiobooks!) I have always wanted to read this but never got around to it. I didn‘t even read the blurb, couldn‘t remember what it was about. Guys, I freaking loved this book! Valancy is such a great character and 20-something year old me could have related to her a lot. This is her only book I‘ve read geared more towards adults, but it still has that warm and cozy ⬇️

JenlovesJT47 Vibe that you get from AOGG and Emily. So many LOL moments and I had a hard time putting this down! 5⭐️ 4y

JenlovesJT47 Thanks for organizing the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead @BarbaraJean ! I‘m out of the loop so don‘t know if we‘re doing any other LMM books after this but I already started Kilmeny of the Orchard 😬😬 4y

TheBookHippie I loved the Emily series! I love it more than Anne 🤫 4y

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jlhammar I'm really looking forward to this one! I have it on my shelves, just waiting to be read. 4y

rabbitprincess @TheBookHippie Me too! 4y

BarbaraJean This one is my absolute favorite by LMM and it‘s been exactly what I needed this month! I‘ve been distracted by so many other things and haven‘t even asked people about next month… maybe we should just do Kilmeny if you‘ve already started it… 😂 4y

JenlovesJT47 @BarbaraJean it‘s really good and I plan to finish it today! It‘s only 144 pages so would be good for a laid back month for a buddy read. 4y

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thestarlesscasea

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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What a delight! There's sharp satire of proper society and all the bullshit that comes with it. There's Valancy--imaginative, genuine, kind, and fascinating--coming into her own. And there's a swoonworthy romance that was so much sweeter than I expected. Plus there are a lot of beautiful descriptions of natural landscapes in reality as well as in Valancy's imagination. Finally, there are two cats named Banjo and Good Luck, and I love them. 😻

thestarlesscasea Thank you for the rec and the book, @Eyelit ! 😻 4y

Eyelit 😘😘😘 4y

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AvidReader25

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

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The story is predictable but sweet. It‘s the equivalent of a really good romantic comedy movie. So save it for when you‘re in the mood for a charming tale. This reread made me think about what I would do if I didn‘t care what others thought. It almost made me appreciate my own blue castle (our home) a little more.

“She, who had been afraid of almost everything in life, was not afraid of death.”

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#WeeklyForecast

Keep up with the buddy reads. Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid, the tagged book #KinderedSpiritsBuddyRead and with the #PemberLittens North and South, and The Other Bennett Sister.

Read Bonjour Tristesse, Hello Mum, Seek You and Spring.

I want to start on the short story collection The Dangers of Smoking in Bed.

67 likes

The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#BookReport

I continued Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and the tagged book #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead. With the #PemberLittens I finished Sanditon and continued North and South and The Other Bennett Sister.

I finished The Island of Missing Trees and read Murder in Mesopotamia.

I‘ve started Friday on my Mind and hope to finish today, if I have a good reading day.

The Island of Missing Trees

Cinfhen I‘m about to start this one ~ what did you think?

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#WeeklyForcast

Continue with all the buddy reads, Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid, the tagged #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead and with the #PemberLittens Sanditon, North and South and The Other Bennett Sister.

I‘ve just started The Island of Missing Trees and want to finish that. I also want to get to Murder in Mesopotamia and hopefully start Friday on my Mind.

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The Blue Castle | L. M. Montgomery

#BookReport

I continued Rage Becomes Her #SheSaid and started the tagged #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead, and with #PemberLittens Sanditon, North and South and The Other Bennett Sister

I finished Lot (which has been returned to the library) and To Paradise.

I‘ve decided to DNF Harlem Shuffle for now which makes me a lot sad since I‘m going to hear Whitehead speak in May.

And I‘ve started The Fell and hope to finish it later today.