Anne’s House of Dreams
Anne's House of Dreams
by Lucy Maud Montgomery
227 Pages
Published in 1917
In this book number five of the Anne of Green Gables classics the reader follows Anne Blythe and Gilbert on to there new home. For years Anne has dreamed of a house, and now she has one, which she calls the House of Dreams. They make many new friends who are just as endearing as the all of Lucy Montgomery's other human concoctions, and they entranced me the whole way through. Anne and Gilbert have their share of troubles, but rather than allowing it to pull them apart it brings the two lovebirds into a stronger and closer bond than before.
The reader thus far has seen Anne and Gilbert in their childishness, yet in this book the youth of the first four books slips into the past and our dear hero and heroine have grown up. Anne no longer gets into constant trouble, and she has also tamed her temper and her tongue. She is just as sweet and precocious, but now all that is balanced with a good dose of maturity as well.
I loved Anne's House of Dreams just as much as the books before it, and could relate even more to it because of my age and season in life. I enjoyed Anne when she was a child, but this book felt like the reward for the wait with her relationship with Gilbert. Finally they get to be together. But, just as in all the things we wait for, even dreams aren't perfect and while they work through their troubles, the characters become even more human and real.
This was another royal performance by Anne, Gilbert, and especially by Lucy Maud Montgomery who dreamed up this beloved character and made her real to me. Loved it! However, I think I am going to stop here for now with Anne. I watched the movies and love them all, but the sequel books aren't calling my name yet. I want to read them at some point, but not yet.
Where did you stop the Anne-mania? Have you read them all? Which was your favourite Anne of Green Gables book?
Dreadlock Girl Reviews Anne of Green Gables series:
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
Honesty BTT!
Suggested by JM:
I receive a lot of review books, but I have never once told lies about the book just because I got a free copy of it. However, some authors seem to feel that if they send you a copy of their book for free, you should give it a positive review.
Do you think reviewers are obligated to put up a good review of a book, even if they don’t like it? Have we come to a point where reviewers *need* to put up disclaimers to (hopefully) save themselves from being harassed by unhappy authors who get negative reviews?
should we look like this???
It IS sad that we have come to disclaimers! I wrote an entire post on this subject just last week: Are you polite? Honest? Both? Let's talk. Is being polite more valued than honesty? I would say you can speak with honesty...and be polite at the same time. As critics, we book bloggers need to be able to take the heat for our reviews, but there is also a fine line where we need to be respected, and our opinions negative or positive should be fine with any author, publicist or family member of any of the before mentioned. Life it tough, get over the criticism, move on, grow from it! Sugar coated reviews are a thing of loathing, no one who writes reviews should say they liked something when they didn't, it would be completely unfair to their readership! I do understand that you can point out things that you liked about the book, but do not neglect to mention the things that bugged you...be HONEST your readers will appreciate it.
BTT: WHY BUY??
some of my books 
I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY?
Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?
If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?
Oh I own most of them!! I love going to goodwill, and checking out their books. We live in a university town (GO BEAVES!!!) and so when the students are done with their books, and too lazy to go to sell them back they donate them to goodwill! Yay, tons of good novels, good reads and books are there for about $2.99 each!! Who could pass that up??
I love the library, but there is something about owning the book. However I use the library for tons of stuff, the kids can figure out which books they really like, and then we can buy them, they are into "Don't Let the Pigeon drive the Bus!!!!!" and "Harry the Dirty Dog" if we hadn't gone and checked them out at the lib, we wouldn't have known. I use it too for book club, we are blessed with the most amazing library...tons of new books! And they have book club bags. You can check out a bag with 10 books in it! I know that many of you proably have those too...but I'm just sayin', that is COOL!
However in all honesty since I started reviewing books on here I have bought very few of my own, and I NEVER buy new. I know...never say never and it is true because probably tomorrow I will decide I HAVE to have a book and buy it. Anyway, with so many review copies coming in, and the fun giveaways you all have....I am pretty overloaded right now. Even spending money on a book makes my stomach sick. I can't do it right now, I need to read what I have.
Anyway...KEEP READING that is all that really matters
Have a perfect Thursday.
Presents!!!
What, if any, memorable or special book have you ever gotten as a present? Birthday or otherwise. What made it so notable? The person who gave it? The book itself? The “gift aura?”
When I lived in Spain, my grandma would send us tons of presents every year for christmas. I think because she thought we felt bad about living so far away from "the goods", as Spain was not so into consumerisim (back then).
Of all the expensive stuff we got, I had a favourite, one year my grandpa (not my grandma) made a special trip out to the store to find a book for me. My mom had mentioned that I was really into reading. He picked out Call of the Wild/ White Fang combo book, and wrapped it himself. I loved getting it, and reading it and that he had picked it for me. My grandma loved to shop, so she always bought everything for us, I was so pleased he got to choose something for me that he thought I would like. I loved it, still do.
conditions
Mariel suggested this week’s question.
Are you a spine breaker? Or a dog-earer? Do you expect to keep your books in pristine condition even after you have read them? Does watching other readers bend the cover all the way round make you flinch or squeal in pain?
I used to underline, make notes and do all of the above. Now I dog ear when I like a quote, and yes I am a spine breaker. I'll break yours too if you aren't careful!! hahaha...no, I would never do that! Oh, but I can bend the cover around and it is fine, because I am being gentle, but if my hubby (B) does it...yes I do flinch. Talk about a double standard!
BTT: Couples
Monica suggested this one:
Got this idea from Literary Feline during her recent contest:
“Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful. Or maybe that’s just me.”
I will pick a few, and to me couple just means two, not a romantic couple:
Franny and Zooey in Franny and Zooey by Salinger- they are stunning! eccentric, confused, confusing and still both are written with such beauty.
Hazel and Fiver in Watership Down- A true portrayal of friendships ups and downs, trust, courage and love all shown by two rabbits...amazing.
The Wednesday sisters- yep them all...how could I take two away from the rest!?! This will be on my top five books this year, I just finished it and can't get over the emotion, the love, and the closeness that grows through pain to tie the bonds tighter.
peer pressure- btt
This week’s Booking Through Thursday question is:
Suggested by JM:
I was looking through books yesterday at the shops and saw all the Twilight books, which I know basically nothing about. What I do know is that I’m beginning to feel like I’m the *only* person who knows nothing about them.
Despite being almost broke and trying to save money, I almost bought the expensive book (Australian book prices are often completely nutty) just because I felt the need to be ‘up’ on what everyone else was reading.
Have you ever felt pressured to read something because ‘everyone else’ was reading it? Have you ever given in and read the book(s) in question or do you resist? If you are a reviewer, etc, do you feel it’s your duty to keep up on current trends?
Me? Nope, not usually. I just had one such incident with The Gargoyle, everyone loves it....to me it is overworked yuk. I thought I might go back after the book bloggie peeps said how great it was, but I didn't feel any great need to.
The answer to the question is that if something that everyone likes is good I have no problem liking it, but if it isn't I have no problem letting people know that I did not like it at all.
I do read things that I would not usually read, but more because I am exposed to them. Book bloggies get me out of my general rut and on to new things. Most of the time I end up enjoying the books for sure
What about you?? Do you feel the pressure!?
ps, I got my picture above, and some good info on peer pressure here.
BTT: stories!
If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?
Or, um, is it just me?
Nope, for sure that is meeeeeeeee too. all the way. I enjoy beauty, but mostly I like to entertained, and carried away into a world not close (not that I don't want to be where I am...but a vacation is always nice!) to where I am physically. Yes and what drives me in a book, is fo sho what happens next. no doubt. haha!
Character development comes in second, tied with beautiful writing.
What do you think?
other worlds
Q:Are there any particular worlds in books where you’d like to live?
A:Oh, I would love to live in many of the worlds, even many of them that seem dangerous or too unknown for comfort. I currently have been reading a lot about Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan and India. And while these nations are not where I would move my family right now, there is a pull for me to them, no matter how unsafe I still crave a visit at least. I know for sure since I am fluent in Spanish, that any Spanish speaking nation would be a dream to visit for sure.
I have also been very enticed by mystical worlds, worlds not altogether true, but very true when you read them. Places such as Hobbiton, in The Lord Of The Rings books are so fantastic that I actually dreamed several times that I was living there.
Q:Or where you certainly would NOT want to live?
A:I can honestly say that there is no place that if I was given a ticket to that I would not go. I promise. I love travel, I love to see and enjoy a place for the first time. And although, as I mention above some places are in more difficult situations and the journey would not be carefree, but I believe it would always be worth it. There is too much to learn from other places, other peoples, and cultures.
Q: What about authors? If you were a character, who would you trust to write your life?
A: Oh, If I were a character I would...well I have no idea. I have never thought of authors in combo with me. I think that that is a hard question. I don't have any idea. I think my main problem is that I read mainly fiction, and my story would be non-fiction if it were my story, and I don't have any idea at all.
Make sure you enter my GIVEAWAY for BELONGING, the book of poetry is incredible!!!
doomsday + 2 GIVEAWAYS!
One of my favorite bookstores burned down last weekend, and while I only got to visit there while I was on vacation, it made me stop and think.
What would you do if, all of a sudden, your favorite source of books was unavailable?
Whether it’s a local book shop, your town library, or an internet shop … what would you do if, suddenly, they were out of business? Devastatingly, and with no warning? Where would you go for books instead? What would you do? If it was a local business you would try to help out the owners? Would you just calmly start buying from some other store? Visit the library in the next town instead? Would it be devastating? Or just a blip in your reading habit?
oh, what would I do? I would read the books that I have, I probably have enough to keep my busy for some time...years and years. So, maybe that would be what I would do. I read books mainly from the lib, and ones that I find at goodwill or the local arc (used store) or the Book Bin. I head up to Powell's every once in a while....but they are too expensive when I am used to getting bargains. I only go there if I want an outing, and really want a specific book.
So, what would I do....I guess find another source or read what I have!!! I really should read what I have anyway....
Oh, and I am having a GIVEAWAY!!!!! Make sure you comment here(Did I Expect Angels?) and here (The Heartbreak Diet) to enter, plus blog about it and you'll get two more entries!!!
