The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a magical novel for adults and children alike 'I've stolen a garden,' she said very fast. 'It isn't mine. It isn't anybody's. Nobody wants it, nobody cares for it, nobody ever goes into it. Perhaps everything is dead in it already; I don't know.' After losing her parents, young Mary Lennox is sent from India to live in her uncle's gloomy mansion on the wild English moors. She is lonely and has no one to play with, but one day she learns of a secret garden somewhere in the grounds that no one is allowed to enter. Then Mary uncovers an old key in a flowerbed - and a gust of magic leads her to the hidden door. Slowly she turns the key and enters a world she could never have imagined. (from Amazon)

My Thoughts

I have been loving rereading these classics! It's been such a breath of fresh air that brings back all the childhood memories.

As with Little Women, it was so eye-opening reading this story again as an adult. As a kid, I always thought Mary was such a wicked, spoiled girl...And now, my mama's heart aches with the pain and neglect that poor child went through.

Watching her come alive and passing that joy and life to Colin...Wow! So powerful and so encouraging. Also, I'm a little jealous of her green thumb...I can't seem to grow anything properly...unless it requires zero care...ok...maybe a little weeding....but I can't even be trusted with Hens & Chicks! LOL!

If you need a sweet uplifting read, I highly recommend you give The Secret Garden a read. 

I purchased The Secret Garden for my own library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Here are talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, united in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.

It is no secret that Alcott based Little Women on her own early life. While her father, the freethinking reformer and abolitionist Bronson Alcott, hobnobbed with such eminent male authors as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne, Louisa supported herself and her sisters with "woman’s work,” including sewing, doing laundry, and acting as a domestic servant. But she soon discovered she could make more money writing. Little Women brought her lasting fame and fortune, and far from being the "girl’s book” her publisher requested, it explores such timeless themes as love and death, war and peace, the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the clash of cultures between Europe and America. (from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Reading this story again as an adult has completely shifted my views! Jo is still...and will forever be my favorite! But it's amazing what a little perspective will do.

When I was younger, I always thought that Amy was spoiled and ungrateful...But now, I rather admire her. And argue all you want she DID earn that trip to Europe with Aunt March. I also think (and I know this will cause a riot....) that Amy and Laurie are perfect for each other!

I loved, LOVED, escaping into the mind of Jo and her sisters in this story. It was refreshing...and heart-wrenching...loving...exciting...and so passionate. The bond between the sisters, the compassionate heart of Marmie...All of it. And a review will never do it justice...

I encourage you, to give this one a read. It is a beautiful classic that will warm your heart and speak to your soul. And if you haven't seen the new movie adaption....you must! It is my FAVORITE!!! (Apart from Laurie looking like he's 12 LOL)

I purchased Little Women for my own library. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Dangerous Alliance - Jennieke Cohen

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

Lady Victoria Aston has everything she could want: an older sister happily wed, the future of her family estate secure, and ample opportunity to while her time away in the fields around her home.

But now Vicky must marry—or find herself and her family destitute. Armed only with the wisdom she has gained from her beloved novels by Jane Austen, she enters society’s treacherous season.

Sadly, Miss Austen has little to say about Vicky’s exact circumstances: whether the roguish Mr. Carmichael is indeed a scoundrel, if her former best friend, Tom Sherborne, is out for her dowry or for her heart, or even how to fend off the attentions of the foppish Mr. Silby, he of the unfortunate fashion sensibility.

Most unfortunately of all, Vicky’s books are silent on the topic of the mysterious accidents cropping up around her…ones that could prevent her from surviving until her wedding day. (From the publishers)

My Thoughts

I first heard about Dangerous Alliance from Carrie over at Reading is my SuperPower...She told me that I simply must read it...And of course, she was right! I was pleased to receive a copy in The Bookish Box's Ardently Austen December box! Participating with their Instagram Read-a-Long and Photo Challenge has been absolutely thrilling! You can see all my photos on my Instagram HERE, but I included a couple of my favorite in this post.

The items included in December's box! #ArdentlyAusten

If you are a fan of Austen, you simply must read this book! Lady Victoria would make Austen's heroines proud. Gleaning from their wit and wisdom, she applies (or....tries to apply) the lessons she has learned from reading Austen's novels. But real-life isn't as easily packaged up as stories on the page. And as Vicky, and Tom, learn that even though life can bring us terrible, terrible circumstances, we have the ability to write our own story and make our own fate. 

Dastardly villains, a compassionate hero, a healing sister, a PLOT TWIST (that I totally did NOT see coming), and a dangerous alliance...Ms. Cohen brings us the very best of Regency mixed with the humor and the fandom of Austen. I cannot stress enough the brilliance of this well thought out style of story. Fresh and invigorating...and makes me want to read Austen all day and watch Regency shows on Masterpiece!

*This is a General Market read. While clean by my standards, there are a couple of swear words.

I received a copy of Dangerous Alliance from The Bookish Box, a subscription box that I paid for. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Jennieke Cohen writes historical fiction for young adults inspired by real people and events because life is often stranger than fiction. She studied English history at Cambridge University and has a master’s degree in professional writing from the University of Southern California. Jennieke loves exploring new locales but always returns home to Northern California where the summers are hot, the winters are mild, and life is casual.

Instagram // Pinterest // Twitter // Website

First Line Fridays - 10/28/16 - Treasure Island

Welcome to my favorite day of the week! FRIDAY!!! The beginning of a fabulous weekend. I am excited to celebrate a dear friend's birthday and participate in our local town's annual trick or treat. It is great! The kids (and parents) all dress up and walk down the main street through our town. The businesses hand out candy and treats. It is during the day and is fun and safe for all involved. 

We just got back from our family's FIRST vacation! The four of us have never been anywhere for FUN before. We always go on road trips for doctor appointments. So it was VERY nice to just relax and spend time with friends and family. 

In one of the towns we passed through, I found a couple of treasures!  First...This Royal Standard #10 typewriter. Made around 1916, I need to do a little more research on the model. I know it is not in the BEST condition, however, it is old...and I LOVE it! 

I also found a copy of Treasure Island published in 1906. It is in good condition and includes "The Literary History of Treasure Island" by Alexander Harvey. Treasure Island was first published in 1883. And the first line is...

Chapter I

The Old Sea Dog at the "Admiral Benbow"

"Squire Trelawney, Dr Livesey, and the rest of these gentlemen having asked me to write down the whole particulars about Treasure Island, from the beginning to the end, keeping nothing back but the bearings of the island, and that only because there is still treasure not yet lifted, I take up my pen in the year of grace 17--, and go back to the time when my father kept the "Admiral Benbow" inn, and the brown old seaman, with the sabre cut, first took up his lodging under our roof."

Post your First Line below and head over to see what First Lines my lovely friends have today! 

Faithfully Bookish

Radiant Light

Reading is my SuperPower

Singing Librarian

If you would like to host First Line Fridays on your blog, contact Carrie on Reading is my SuperPower.

The Night Before Christmas - Clement C. Moore (Illustrated by Bill Bell)

"To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now Dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

With Christmas fast approaching I realised that we don't own a copy of The Night Before Christmas. Therefore I began my hunt for a copy that my three year old would enjoy. I wanted something with vivid color and interaction. The pages are very busy and there is something new to see each time we open the pages. The traditional poem has always been one of my favorites. The illustrations add life to the words. My son loves it and keeps asking to "Read Santa!" and he goes around saying "Dash away! Dash away!" If you too are on the hunt for The Night Before