Goodreads Challenge 2023 - April

 

I was hoping that my reading streak would pick up again in April, but unfortunately I was only able to get through two books:

This was a good book! The basic premise of the story is a young women who wakes up each new year to find herself in a different year of her life. So one year she's 23 and the next year she's 51. Exploring the different decades was cool and it had some unexpected twists and surprises. I've come to realize that I enjoy the time flip or timeline genre. Similar to The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle where the whole story dealt with body swapping and trying to keep a linear timeline. I find those genres both aggravating and fun.

I'm making my way through the Anne series and I'm almost there. I was somewhat disappointment in this book because I thought it was going to be a continuation of the Blythe children's growing up, but it focused primarily on a different family. Granted the Meredith's were a great bunch and I loved their adventures, however, I felt that Anne and Gilbert's children still should have the primary focus of the book. Oh and am I in the minority when I say that I actually like the Blythe children?? I've read so many book reviews about how people can't stand them! I didn't think the children were precocious in any way. They were just normal kids who had their ups and downs and learned from their mistakes, just like their parents. I actually found Anne back in her younger days to be much more annoying. 

Musical Aesthetics Answer - April

And the answer to April's Musical Aesthetic is....

Guess the Musical Aesthetic - April

I know I'm a little late, but here's the musical aesthetic for April.

This one was a lot of fun to make! 

Answer reveal on Sunday. Good guessing everyone!!

 

Currently: Winter 2022/2023

 

 

 So much has happened since Nov/Dec of last year that I hardly know where to begin! As my last currently post will attest, it's been a crazy end/beginning year for me. The new year started off with some unfortunate drama, but for all that, 2023 has proven to be a good start and God knows I've been needing some solid good in my life.

Goodreads Reviews: Little Women

 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

 
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Unless you live under a rock, it would be safe to say that any American has either read or at the very least seen some kind of film/staged version of Louisa May Alcott's all American classic Little Women . I grew up watching Little Women through multiple movies, shows and mini-series, however I never actually read the book until earlier this year. To be honest I never really cared to read Little Women . I tried numerous times over the years, but I could never get into the story. The girls always seemed to good to be true and I especially never liked Amy March, especially if book Amy was anything like she was portrayed in the films.

I probably never would have gotten around to reading the book had it not been chosen by my book club. So, conveniently starting on Christmas Day, I finally read Little Women . Even though it took me forever and a day to get through, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

As most people know, Little Women is about the four March sisters, Margaret (Meg), Josephine (Jo), Elizabeth (Beth) and Amy and their growing up in Concord, Massachusetts during the Civil War. Although the girls are as tight at sisters can get, they are all vastly different in their personalities and dreams in life.

Meg is a typical oldest sister who "mothers" and mediates the girls, while she secretly longs for a life of wealth and luxury. A life she had known many years before.

Tomboyish Jo has been the epitome of the "feminist heroine" since the book's first printing. Wild, rebellious and hot tempered, with a desire to be successful author, Jo is unstoppable in her pursuits and her fierce love for her family.

Shy and reserved Beth hides unexpected strength and wisdom that coincides well with her musical talent. Despite her ill health, Beth's sweetness and generosity moves and inspires everyone who meets her.

And now we get to the youngest sister. Amy, Amy, Amy....the notorious spoiled brat of the family. Petulant and stuck up, it seems that Amy March just had everything handed to her. Or at least that how I always saw her in the films. However, after reading the book, I was surprised that Amy actually became my favorite character. Childhood flaws set aside, Amy really rose to become an independent, intelligent, and compassionate young woman who knew what she wanted and set out to get it. Unfortunately, Hollywood has spent years devaluing Amy March and making her so one dimensional, that she's been villainized more than admired. Not anymore, not by me at least.

Did I love the book? Not really. It tended to drag in many areas and was certainly very preachy, but given that time period it wouldn't have been out of place. I think my unexpected admiration for Amy is what I enjoyed most about the book. Also, meeting Professor Friedrich Baur and his and Jo's slow, but sweet romance was a good change of pace for Jo's character development. Meg and John Brooks and their little family was delightful and of course, following Beth and her quiet story that always manages to speak volumes.

I can see now why Little Women is considered a classic. It's more than a story of family, but rather as a deeper look into the ordinary person. Everyone can on some level relate to one of the four March sisters. They're not perfect and neither are their parents or friends. Jo's desire to be a writer which led her to a more fulfilling calling, Meg's childhood longing for nice things that was put to rest in the contentment of her small family, Beth's beautiful soul that shone through her shyness and touched the hearts of so many, and Amy's strong heart that was cultivated through mistakes and mercies. Anyone would be so lucky to be able to relate to any of these Little Women.

Happy Easter!