Little Women

From Goodreads:    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.

My Thoughts:

-    So, the edition I had growing up only had Part 1 in it. I knew there were other books, but I didn't know Alcott combined Good Wives with Little Women for a bigger book. It was my first time reading Part 2.

-    I enjoyed Part 1 a lot more than Part 2. When the March sisters were younger, they were fun and I could relate to them. I wanted to be their friend, and part of their lives. In Part 2, I felt a bit disconnected with the girls, and I got a bit frustrated with the author.

-    I feel like Louisa May Alcott tried WAY too hard to convince Jo and the reader that she didn't love Laurie and Jo loved Prof. Bhaer. It made me angry. Why does Jo need to convince herself that she loves someone? Shouldn't it be more natural? I feel like Jo and Bhaer's relationship was really forced.

-    Amy and Laurie didn't sit well with me either. Amy gave Laurie a lot of chastisement, and he takes it heart and grows up. Why couldn't he have done that for Jo? I feel like both Laurie and Jo could have grown in their own ways and ended up together. 

-    I also think Jo should have stayed single like Alcott. Since Alcott based Jo on herself, it would have made more sense for Jo to be single her whole life.

-    Okay, back to Part 1! I loved the simple happy lives the March sisters enjoyed and lived during their younger years. I love that they included Laurie in their games. It was so much fun to read, and it put a smile on my face.

-    I loved Marmee and her wisdom. She was very wise and caring mother, and I loved all the quotes and lessons from her. 

-    The story doesn't really have a plot or anything, but I still enjoyed reading the majority of the book. The characters are so real and enjoyable that I didn't mind the lack in plot. I just enjoyed reading about these 4 girls and their lives. 

David Copperfield

Goodreads Synopsis:    David Copperfield is the story of a young man’s adventures on his journey from an unhappy & impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist. Among the gloriously vivid cast of characters he encounters are his tyrannical stepfather, Mr Murdstone; his formidable aunt, Betsey Trotwood; the eternally humble yet treacherous Uriah Heep; frivolous, enchanting Dora; & the magnificently impecunious Micawber, one of literature’s great comic creations.

In David Copperfield—the novel he described as his “favorite child”—Dickens drew revealingly on his own experiences to create one of his most exuberant & enduringly popular works, filled with tragedy & comedy in equal measure.

My Thoughts:

-    I've been wanting to read this for forever! I was always intimidated by it, but I didn't need to worry. I was captivated from page one. I really enjoyed reading this!

-    I love the way Dickens describes things. It is so vivid, and he makes everything so interesting. I love the way he describes Mr. Peggoty's house. It sounds amazing, and I want to visit there.

-    In the first half of the book I felt so bad for poor David! His whole world was turned upside down, and things just kept getting worse and worse. It made me want to hold my daughter and be extra kind to her. Why did David's mother marry such a creep!?

-    There were so many great characters in this story. I loved Mr. Peggoty, Mr. Micawber, Miss Mowcher, Traddles, Mr. Dick, Agnes, but my two absolute favorites were Peggoty and Betsey Trotwood. They were different, but they made huge impacts on David's life. I loved Peggoty's devotion and love. Betsey Trotwood made me laugh. I loved her stern kindness.

-    There were some unsavory characters as well. Uriah Heep was a creep from the beginning! His "humble" attitude and disposition just grated on my nerves, and I wanted to smack him. Steerforth bugged me, but I couldn't really say why until towards the end. He was haughty and wasn't a true friend. He was very self-centered.

-    I LOVED the old school illustrations. I want to frame one and hang it in my house. It would be so cool!

-    I loved when David broke the wall between author and reader and spoke directly to the reader. It was so interesting to see in a book this old. 

-    I don't understand David's devotion to Steerforth, even in the end. David idolized Steerforth and put him on an undeserved pedestal to worship. It was weird and drove me nuts.

-    David Copperfield is such a romantic. He romanticizes everything! He really sees the world through rose colored glasses, but he does get a few reality checks thank goodness. 

-    Dora bugged! I think David and Dora had a very shallow relationship. I don't doubt their devotion to each other, but it was a silly marriage. Dora was SO childish!

-    Mr. Micawber's letters were a bit tedious to read at times. He is SO wordy! But at the same time, it makes him so endearing.

-    I loved how ALL the character's individual stories were wrapped up. It was a nice and tidy ending. 

-    Great read! I'm not going to shy away from large Dickens books anymore!

Dracula

Goodreads Synopsis:    The most famous of seductive evil in Western Literature, blood-thirsty Count Dracula has inspired countless movies, books, and plays. But, few, if any, have been fully to Bram Stoker's best-selling novel of mystery and horror, love and death, sin and redemption.

Written in the form of letters and diary entries, Dracula chronicles the vampire's journey from his Transylvanian castle to the nighttime streets of London. There, he searches for the blood he needs to stay alive - the blood of strong men and beautiful women - while his enemies plot to rid the world of his frightful power.

In Dracula, Stoker created a new word for terror, a new myth to feed our nightmares, and a character who will undoubtedly outlive us all.

My Thoughts:

-    Haunting, creepy, and seductive! This book is definitely worth all the attention it has received.

-    They say there are two types of horror lovers. The vampire lovers and the monster lovers. I happen to be on team monster. I love Frankenstein and zombies! However, I did enjoy Dracula.

-    I didn't love any of the characters. They all seemed shallow and distant, and I thought some of things they did or missed was dumb. I did enjoy the predicaments and Gothic tones of the characters though.

-    The beginning of the novel really pulled me in. I loved the setting and intrigue. I liked the diary entries. I also liked the letters, and I thought the whole way this book was written was unique and fun. I got bored towards the end though. When they were looking for dirt and chasing Dracula around the country, I struggled to keep reading. I just wanted them to finally catch Dracula and kill him. Get it over with already!

-    I was bothered by a couple of the remarks made towards Mina. I'm not huge on the feminist bandwagon, but I was bugged that Van Helsing and others were impressed with Mina's mind. They referred to her as having a man's mind. Women are intelligent too Stoker! I get that this was written a long time ago, but it still bugged. I was also bugged that ALL the men were in love with Lucy and quickly turned around and fell in "love" with Mina. Get a grip dudes!

-    Overall, it was good. I would read it again, but probably not for a while. It is one of those books you have to be in the right mood for. 

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Goodreads Says:    In the year 1792, Sir Percy and Lady Marguerite Blakeney are the darlings of British society—he is known as one of the wealthiest men in England and a dimwit; she is French, a stunning former actress, and the cleverest woman in Europe—and they find themselves at the center of a deadly political intrigue. The Reign of Terror controls France, and every day aristocrats in Paris fall victim to Madame la Guillotine. Only one man can rescue them—the Scarlet Pimpernel—a master of disguises who leaves a calling card bearing only a signature red flower. As the fascinating connection between the Blakeneys and this mysterious hero is revealed, they are forced to choose between love and loyalty in order to avoid the French agent Chauvelin, who relentlessly hunts the Scarlet Pimpernel.

My Thoughts:

-    This wasn't as good as I had hoped, but it was still good.

-    I wanted there to be more action and scheming. I wish the book had been from Marguerite AND The Scarlet Pimpernel's perspective. I really wanted to read about some of the rescues.

-    This was pretty easy to read for a classic. There wasn't a lot of the old English language and phrases. 

-    Even though the book was very predictable, I still enjoyed it, especially the end. I liked how Percy and Marguerite grew more as a couple.

-    Chauvelin was a fun villain. He reminded me of Javert from Les Miserables. 

-    I liked that the story didn't have a ton of politics in it. It was more about blackmail and love. I really appreciated that.

Anne's House of Dreams

From Goodreads:    Anne's own true love, Gilbert Blythe, is finally a doctor, and in the sunshine of the old orchard, among their dearest friends, they are about to speak their vows. Soon the happy couple will be bound for a new life together and their own dream house, on the misty purple shores of Four Winds Harbor.

A new life means fresh problems to solve, fresh surprises. Anne and Gilbert will make new friends and meet their neighbors: Captain Jim, the lighthouse attendant, with his sad stories of the sea; Miss Cornelia Bryant, the lady who speaks from the heart -- and speaks her mind; and the tragically beautiful Leslie Moore, into whose dark life Anne shines a brilliant light.

My Thoughts:

-    Anne and Gilbert are FINALLY married!!!! Hooray! They are one of my all time favorite couples in literature.

-    Anne and Gilbert face joys and sorrows in their first few years of marriage. It is a very realistic book.

-    I know how Anne feels about her little house. I live in a little home, and I love it, and I never want to leave, but it isn't realistic. We're going to have to move soon. 

-    I loved the people Anne and Gilbert meet. I love Captain Jim and his stories. I love Leslie, especially her happy ending.

-    Anne is such a matchmaker. She helps couples meet and get married everywhere she goes!

-    These books are so warm and comforting. I just love them! They make me happy. 

Previous Anne of Green Gables Book

(Click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

Breakfast at Tiffany's

My Synopsis:

-    A man living in a brownstone in New York writes about a peculiar girl who lives in his building.

-    I don't think this book needs more explanation. You should already know what it is about.













My Thoughts:

-    I LOVE the movie, and I knew I needed to read the book, but for some reason, I haven't picked it up until now. 

-    Honestly, I love the movie more. While the book has it's charm, it isn't the same as seeing Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. 

-    I love that a lot of the dialogue in the book made it into the movie, practically word for word.

-    The ending to the movie is way more satisfying than the book ending.

-    For some reason there is something about Holly Golightly that resonates with me, and many people apparently. She is so lost and confused. She doesn't know what she wants, and in small ways, I feel like I can relate to her. I also feel sorry for her. I don't know what really draws people to her character, but she is fun. 

-    I thought it was strange that we never get to find out what the narrator's name is. I don't think Holly even knows his name. She just calls him Fred.