From the Bookshelf of Gentle SPECTRUMS…

Anne of Avonlea

L.M. Montgomery

Start date: October 3, 2020

Finish date: October 15, 2020

Discussion: A Place For Buddy-Reading

Why we're reading this: A buddy read with Kerri in New Zealand and Leeanne in Ontario.
[close] A buddy read with Kerri in New Zealand and Leeanne in Ontario.

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A Place For Buddy-Reading

A Journey To The Centre Of The Earth
By C. (Comment,… · 63 posts · 3 views

last updated Oct 05, 2020 08:02AM

"Light A Penny Candle" M Binchy
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last updated Jun 24, 2014 09:17AM

What Members Thought

Oct 16, 2020 Kerri rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: most-loved, classics, canadian, buddy-reads

It was wonderful to be back with Anne again! This was a buddy read with Carolyn and Leeanne and it is lovely to be able to have a discussion about the story, to see what stands out to each reader and the different observations made. I am very excited by the prospect of following Anne's journey through life, and I loved every moment of this book.

Anne's time as a teacher was very enjoyable, and her endeavours with the Avonlea Village Improvement Society and the rather amusing results of their eff It was wonderful to be back with Anne again! This was a buddy read with Carolyn and Leeanne and it is lovely to be able to have a discussion about the story, to see what stands out to each reader and the different observations made. I am very excited by the prospect of following Anne's journey through life, and I loved every moment of this book.

Anne's time as a teacher was very enjoyable, and her endeavours with the Avonlea Village Improvement Society and the rather amusing results of their efforts was more interesting than I would have guessed. What I loved about the first book, and what continues with the second, is how it is all so engaging and exciting, even though it is not an action focused book. Anne's friendships, her 'kindred spirits', her earnest enthusiasm for life and the world makes for captivating reading. L.M. Montgomery's writing has this magical quality to it that makes even the simplest chapter riveting.

The addition of Davy and Dora to the family was a mostly enjoyable one. While I wasn't as fond of Davy as Marilla and Anne seemed to be, he did not irritate me as much I had feared. I suppose that is damning him with faint praise, but he was quite an exasperating child! I much preferred Dora. In our discussion, Carolyn called Dora 'serene' and I think that fits her so well. I tend to think of her now as Serene Dora, a title of sorts. She is such a sweet little thing and thoroughly unappreciated by Anne, Marilla and everyone else really.

I adored Miss Lavendar just as much as Anne did, and also found Charlotta the Fourth a fun character. Her fervent admiration of Anne was completely understandable. I know Davy was probably a little too precocious and earnest for some readers, essentially a young boy version of Anne herself, but I really did love him and found the talk he has with Anne about his mother and her mention of her own parents particularly touching.

I had spied the title of the final chapter at the start of the book and I admit my heart had dropped a little. (view spoiler) I was very satisfied with every part of the book, but especially the final chapters, which felt perfect.

I restrained myself to only a few chapters a day so that I didn't devour the book in one sitting, and after a few days I found myself making sure it was the final thing I read before trying to sleep. There was something so calming and heartwarming about finishing the day with Anne's adventures and observations.

I look forward to seeing what comes next for Anne and everyone else in Avonlea.
🐄🦜💐 ...more

42 likes · Like · see review

Oct 15, 2020 C. (Comment, never msg). rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: riedel-titles-2020

I prefer getting “past the preliminaries”, as my Grandma said. Anne establishing her home was over, with the bitchiness of discipline. Buddy-readers Kerri and Leeanne agree, “Anne Of Avonlea” felt safe. Lucy Maud Montgomery’s imagery still weaves elegant scenery and Anne is her optimistic, compassionate self.

I groaned when a naughty boy was introduced and a quiet girl, whose personality was underestimated. It was outrageous not to pine for their Mom at 6. At 47, I discuss mine nonstop, who went ...more

33 likes · Like · see review

Apr 23, 2018 Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, classics-i-have-finally-conquered, a-own-book-form

3.5

Full review to come.

The writing was as good and I still love Anne, but I think this time it wasn't broken into as many varying adventures to keep it as colorful as the first. ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Oct 24, 2020 Leeanne G rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I first read Anne of Green Gables with my mother when I was just a little girl. For some reason we never ventured farther into her world than that first book. We watched the 1985 “Anne of Green Gables” and the 1987 “Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel” so I sort of knew the rest of the story. Still, it wasn’t until I saw that my Goodreads friends Carolyn and Kerri were buddy reading “Anne of Green Gables”, that I jumped back into the world of Avonlea. I’m so glad I did. We also read this book toget I first read Anne of Green Gables with my mother when I was just a little girl. For some reason we never ventured farther into her world than that first book. We watched the 1985 “Anne of Green Gables” and the 1987 “Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel” so I sort of knew the rest of the story. Still, it wasn’t until I saw that my Goodreads friends Carolyn and Kerri were buddy reading “Anne of Green Gables”, that I jumped back into the world of Avonlea. I’m so glad I did. We also read this book together which made it even better.

I was a bit surprised, but nonetheless delighted to meet all the new characters in this book. I’ve discovered that the movies I grew up watching were actually several of Maud’s “Anne books” combined. I thought I knew a lot about Anne Shirley, but this has proven there’s so much more to her than I ever knew, and it’s wonderful.

Anne has really grown since we first met her and is now treated as an equal to Marilla. We see this immediately during the misunderstanding with the new neighbour Mr. Harrison, in the beginning of the book. Anne takes on a considerable amount of responsibility in this book, and not only by becoming a schoolteacher. Don’t worry though, Anne is still the Anne we all know and love, just a bit more grown up.

There are so many new characters, most of whom I loved. Davy and Dora Keith were the most unexpected new additions, twins at 6 years old. Dora is a sweet, quiet child while Davy is the complete opposite. Davy causes trouble just for the fun of it, unlike Anne who just has the unfortunate habit of making mistakes. I wasn’t sure I’d like the twins, but they slowly but surely grew on me.

Paul Irving’s story about his rock people was one of my favourite parts of the book. That short little story feels like it should be a children’s book with beautifully drawn pictures. My actual favourite part was when Anne, Diana, Jane and Priscilla come across Hester Gray’s garden during Anne’s birthday picnic. The story of Hester Gray is such a sweet and sad one. Reading that whole chapter gave me a feeling of peace and tranquility.

Miss Lavendar is another new character who I really wanted to like but for some reason I couldn’t quite. I didn’t hate her or anything. Sometimes I wouldn’t mind her and other times it was just like “can we go already?” Even so, I’ve decided my problem with Miss Lavendar is not worth taking a star away from this wonderful book. The majority of the book was very enjoyable and made up for the not so pleasant parts.

I really don’t know why I never continued with this series but I’m glad I did. Carolyn, Kerri and I have just started a buddy read of the next book, “Anne of the Island”, and so far I’m really enjoying it too. “Anne of Avonlea” is just as engaging as the first and has no lack of beautifully crafted observations, and exclamations from Anne and company. I can't wait to read about Anne's next adventures!

“It had not yet done with dreams and laughter and the joy of life; there were to be future summers for the little stone house; meanwhile, it could wait. And over the river in purple durance the echoes bided their time.” ...more

4 likes · Like · see review