We are gathered here today to mark the passing of a true friend, a source of companionship and countless happy memories, a constant presence who has enriched my life on a daily basis during all of our many years together.
Please join me in mourning the passing… of my Kindle Oasis.
I bought my Oasis in November of 2017, and it’s been wonderful. I loved the display quality, the size, the weight, the ease of use. A nice uncluttered look, easy to hold, highly portable.
Alas, it’s now being laid to rest.
It’s really all my fault. I was trying to continue reading while carrying other things from room to room, and it slipped and fell on the tile floor of my kitchen — with the cover open. I’m usually so careful! The poor Kindle landed face down, and I heard the crack as soon as it happened.
And here’s the result:
No one, apparently, fixes Kindle screens, and Amazon doesn’t offer repairs. The only choice is to live with it, which isn’t a long-term solution (it’s not only got cracks all across the reading surface, but it’s a little splintery too), or replace it.
Guess which I’m opting for?
Sadly, Amazon no longer sells the Kindle Oasis. Sigh. So I’m ordering myself a new Paperwhite, and it’ll be here later this week.
On the plus side, they do have a trade-in program. I get a whopping $5 gift card for sending back my Oasis, but the more valuable feature is a 20% discount on the new device. Between that, a gift card that I’ve been holding on to, and my credit card points, my total purchase price for a the Paperwhite Signature bundle (which includes a fabric case and wireless charging dock) comes to under $100. So I don’t feel too terrible about that.
My new Kindle will arrive by the weekend, and it will be time to send off my Oasis.
Cheers to you, my beloved Oasis! We’ve really had a good run.
I’m trying something new: I thought I’d start doing a semi-regular/recurring feature to highlight different categories of “stuff” I’ve bought recently and recommend.
Honestly, I’m a little on the fence… I’m not a big fan of consumerism, and I’m definitely pro-library, swapping, sharing, etc. But still, I do shop online for most of my day-to-day needs these days, so why not pass along a few recommendations when I find something worth talking about?
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you click through a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Today’s topic: Bookish Delights!
Below is a round-up of book-related goodies I’ve enjoyed in recent months. Any of these would be terrific gifts for a booklover… or why not treat yourself once in a while?
Glocusent USB Rechargeable Book Light:
I love this! It’s a small, portable, book light that clips on to your book (but I also use it with my Kindle). It’s been great for travel, especially for those jet-laggy sort of nights when I can’t sleep and want to keep reading with disturbing my partner!
It comes in five different colors, and is inexpensive too! I originally discoverd this light through a Wirecutter recommendation, and I’m so glad I gave it a try!
Found on Etsy, these bookmark holders don’t take up much space, and they’re just so cute!
They come in a variety of colors, so choose your fave. I got one to sit on my shelf, and another for my Little Free Library so I could have a way to give away bookmarks as well as books.
I bought one of these for my husband a couple of years ago when he first started using a Kindle, and he swears by it! The exact version that I bought him doesn’t seem to be available any longer, but if I had to replace it, I think I’d get this one. It’s a similar shape, plus it has pockets!
This might not seem obviously book-related… but who doesn’t love to be cozy while curled up with a good book? I bought this pack of six for myself, and when my daughter started stealing borrowing them from me, I ended up getting her a pack of her own.
Cute colors, super cuddly, and they hold up well too!
Stickers, T-shirts, notepads, and more for book fanatics via Kingdom of Threads:
This Etsy shop has everything needed to make a book nerd’s heart beat faster. Pictured is one of the awesome stickers I ordered from them (Wolfsong fans will instantly get the reference)… but I couldn’t stop at just one, and bought a LOT of stickers and other goodies. Everything is just so… epic & awesome!
This is a great source for artwork, cards, puzzles, and more!
I love everything on this site, and if I had unlimited funds, I just know I’d go way, way overboard. (I mean, I would like a custom piece of artwork featuring all of my favorite books!)
Meanwhile, for those of us on a budget, there are pins and prints and other fun items to choose from.
The book pictured here makes a wonderful gift for booklovers. Amazon has it available here, and you can also find it on Bookshop.org.
Book sleeves:
I love my padded book sleeves! My daughter gifted these to me a few years ago, and I use them all the time, whenever I want to read on the go. They’re perfect for travel, or even just for days when I’m running around locally but want to have a book handy.
My book sleeves were from an Etsy store called Beyond Booked, but they don’t seem to be active any longer. There are lots of other makers selling book sleeves, in many varieties — different fabrics, some with zippers or pockets, padded or not padded.
My preference is for the simple design, open top, with nice padding. I’ve found an Etsy shop — Carlton Quilts — that seems to have very similar work to the book sleeves I have, with these fabrics plus lots of other really cute patterns.
There are three sizes to choose from:
Small – fits mass market paperbacks
Medium – fits trade paperbacks (pictured above, left)
Large – fits hardcovers (picture above, right)
I’ve found that the medium size is also perfect for my Kindle! Even though I have a Kindle cover, I still prefer to have it cushioned when I travel with it, so I use my medium book sleeve all the time!
I’ve been a fan of the amazing array of bookish goodies sold by Out of Print for a long time now (and can prove it, if you feel like looking inside my t-shirt drawer or checking out my somewhat impressive collection of totebags)!
They carry such a great mix of products featuring book cover images, character images, and all sort of fantastic bookish graphics, and feature themes including everything from classics to hot-this-moment books (like Fourth Wing, Sunrise on the Reaping, and Emily Henry’s books, to name just a few).
Many of their items are available through their Amazon storefront, but you can also shop directly at https://outofprint.com/.
I would be remiss in not highlighting the fact that this weekend is Independent Bookstore Day! While I’ve provided Amazon links for some of the items above, I do encourage everyone to make an effort to support your local bookstores! Stop by in person if you can (I have it on good authority from my favorite local bookseller that they love seeing friendly faces come through their doors!), or if you prefer online shopping, don’t forget that purchases from Bookshop.org support independent bookstores.
On the topic of bookish goodies, do you have any favorite book-related accessories or gifts to recommend?
And — ta da! — that’s it for my first Retail Therapy feature! What do you think? Should I do more of these?
I’m not a fan of influencers or gossip magazines or tabloid news. I’m not wowed by famous people, don’t select my clothes based on what the stars are wearing, and couldn’t care less about lifestyles of the rich and famous.
But books? That’s a whole different matter.
I’m here now to proclaim my heartfelt opinion: Celebrity book clubs are good for readers, good for authors, good for the publishing industry, and… dare I say it?… good for the world in general!
Why? Because they get people to read, of course.
If you’re here reading this blog, chances are you’re a book fanatic — like me! — and need no encouragement to pick up a book wherever, whenever. (The hard part is getting us to put the books down — amirite?)
But for plenty of less avid readers who sometimes need a bit of inspiration or motivation, celebrity book clubs can be the perfect way to spread the word and get books into more readers’ hands. And even for die-hard book lovers (*raising my hand*), checking out celebrity book club picks can lead to discovering books that might not otherwise have crossed our radar.
I think we can all agree that Oprah Winfrey is the godmother of the modern-era celebrity book club. There are plenty to choose from now, but in 1996, when she unveiled her first book and introduced the book club concept on her daytime talk show, it was a groundbreaking moment.
Per Wikipedia: The book club’s first selection on September 17, 1996, was the then recently published novel The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard.
Since then, Oprah has been joined by many, many other celebrity-sponsored book clubs — some with consistently great picks, some that make me give a little side-eye — and while I say (again) that anything that gets people reading is fabulous, not every club or selection will be for every reader.
Beyond that, being chosen for one of the high-profile celebrity book clubs is often a breakthrough moment for authors. These books tend to end up on bestseller lists, and it’s no exaggeration to say that the impact can be life-changing (and certainly career-changing) for authors.
These days, if I remember, I keep my eye on the monthly selections for Reese’s Book Club (Reese Witherspoon), GMA Book Club (Good Morning America), Read with Jenna (Jenna Bush Hager of The Today Show)… and Oprah too, of course.
I thought I’d share some of the books I’ve love that I’ve either discovered through these book clubs, or read and then discovered that they were book club selections.
And finally, going back to the GOAT of celebrity book clubs…
Among other wonderful things that Oprah has done by popularizing great books through her book club, she’s made a point of including classic fiction among her selections. Here’s a look at some of the classics she’s chosen over the years — I’m highlighting the ones that I’ve read, although until just now, I didn’t realize that they were Oprah picks!
And here are other Oprah books I’ve read. As with the other book clubs mentioned, I didn’t necessarily pick up these books directly because of Oprah… but I think for many, she gets the credit for making them so widely discussed and shared, which one way or another really raised awareness of these books.
I should point out that it’s thanks to Oprah that I first read a book by author Chris Bohjalian (Midwives)… and he’s become one of my favorite authors!
This round-up really just scratches the surface when it comes to celebrities promoting books! I’ve highlighted the book clubs that seem to consistently choose books I enjoy — although I certainly pick and choose which of their selections to read, even for the clubs I follow. Again, not every book is for every reader! And also, if I read every single one of their selections, when would I find the time to read anything else???
I’ll note that I’ve found some other interesting books that are tied to celebrity book clubs; notably, in the last year or so, I’ve read two of Mindy Kaling’s recommended books, and have a couple of others bookmarked to come back to at some point:
As I’ve said, there are lots of celebrities promoting lots of books, and while I might not be interested in all of them — either the celebrities or the specific books — I do wholeheartedly endorse anything that gets more people interested in reading and discussing books!
Do you follow celebrity book clubs? Are there any whose picks you find especially worthwhile? Have you ever discovered an amazing book thanks to one of these (or any other) celebrity book club? I’d love to hear your experiences!
Purchase links: There are obviously too many books in this post to provide links to every single one! But if you’re interested in clicking through, here are a few places to start:
Earlier in the week, I shared a post with my list of books for the newest Classics Club Spin challenge (see it here), and a few days ago, this spin’s number was announced. (For those keeping track, it’s CCSpin #40, and for me personally, #12!)
Hosted by The Classics Club blog, the Classics Club Spin is a reading adventure where participants come up with a list of classics they’d like to read, number them 1 to 20, and then read the book that corresponds to the “spin” number that comes up.
For CCSpin #40, the lucky number is:
And that means I’ll be reading:
Dracula by Bram Stoker (published 1897)
Synopsis:
‘Young lawyer Jonathan Harker journeys to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Count Dracula only to discover that his nobleman client is a vampire who is thirsty for new blood. After imprisoning Harker in his castle, Dracula travels to England to seduce Jonathan’s fiancée, Mina, and the battle against an ineffable evil begins.
Led by philosopher and metaphysician Professor Van Helsing – Dracula’s most indomitable adversary – Harker, Mina, and a band of allies unite, determined to confront and destroy the Count before he can escape.
Bram Stoker ingeniously modernized gothic folklore by moving his vampire from traditional castle ruins to modern England. With Dracula, which has been interpreted and dissected by scholars for generations, Stoker changed the vampire novel forever.
Okay! This is a good result! What’s funny is that I replaced all but two of the books on my spin list this time around with 20th century classics related to a reading challenge I’ve committed to, and Dracula was one of the only two exceptions. But that’s fine!
I actually have read Dracula before, but it’s been decades, and I’ve been meaning to do a reread for ages now — it’s been on every one of my spin lists since I started participating, and I guess it was time for its number to come up.
I’m excited to dive in. I’m also super tempted to treat myself to a gorgeous hardcover edition with illustrations by Edward Gorey as a little motiviating gift to myself… should I give in to temptation?
I haven’t quite decided on my reading format. There’s a full cast Audible edition of the unabridged text that looks like it would be an amazing listen.
What do you think, read the physical book or listen to the audiobook?
And most importantly: What do you think of my spin result this time around?
The deadline to finish this spin is April 11th. I’ll be back with my reaction to Dracula before then!
Here’s my list of 20 titles for Classics Club Spin #40:
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne DuMaurier
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick
A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Peony by Pearl Buck
White Fang by Jack London
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Pat of Silver Bush by L. M. Montgomery
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
Hosted by The Classics Club blog, the Classics Club Spin is a reading adventure where participants come up with a list of classics they’d like to read, number them 1 to 20, and then read the book that corresponds to the “spin” number that comes up. This will be my 12th time participating — although for the Classics Club, it’s spin #40!
Here are the dates and guidelines from the host blog:
On Sunday 16th February 2025 we’ll post a number from 1 through 20. The challenge is to read whatever book falls under that number on your Spin List by the 11th April, 2025.
We’ll check in on the 11th April to see who made it the whole way and finished their spin book!
What’s Next?
Go to your blog.
Pick twenty books that you’ve got left to read from your Classics Club List.
Post that list, numbered 1-20, on your blog before Sunday 16th February 2025.
We’ll announce a number from 1-20.
Read that book by 11th April.
Usually, when a new spin is announced, I simply replace the book chosen on the last spin, and otherwise keep the rest of my list intact. This time, though, I’m making several substitutions: I’m participating in a 20th Century Decades reading challenge in 2025, aiming to read one book published per decade. To support that, I’m swapping out almost* all of the books on my list published prior to 1900, and replacing them** with books that fit my challenge.
*Exceptions: Dracula and Frankenstein have both been on my lists since I started participating in these spins, and I’m still waiting for their numbers to come up.
**Have no fear! I’m making note of which books I’m (temporarily) removing from my spin list, and will add them back for future spins, once I make progress on my reading challenge!
All that intro out of the way…
Here we go!
Here’s my list of 20 classics for the next Classics Club Spin:
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne DuMaurier
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick
A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Peony by Pearl Buck
White Fang by Jack London
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Pat of Silver Bush by L. M. Montgomery
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Cakes and Ale by W. Somerset Maugham
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Pale Horse, Pale Rider by Katherine Porter
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin
Wish me luck! I’ll be back on February 16th to reveal my spin result!
Gotta love the year-end stats from Goodreads and StoryGraph! Being new to StoryGraph this year, I’m not quite used to its features, and I seem to have a few books missing in terms of my total numbers. Still, it’s fun to look back and see what my reading habits were in 2024.
First, according to Goodreads:
Quick note: My “shortest book” was actually an audiobook… hence the lack of a page count!
I completed my 2024 Reading Challenge… but keep in mind my total includes graphic novels and children’s books as well as novels and big, heavy books.
I’m starting a little lower with my target for 2025 (160 books) — we’ll see how it goes!
Over on Storygraph, the stats are a little different, and much more detailed — but most of what ended up on StoryGraph for me was based on my import from Goodreads. I suspect next year’s year-end stats will be a bit different:
Not sure which books I’m missing on StoryGraph… but too lazy to figure it out!Hmm… actually, I think the difference is books which are only available as audiobooks — StoryGraph counts audio separately.
If I’m correct and StoryGraph doesn’t count books that are strictly audio in the same mix as print/ebooks, that would explain why my shortest book of the year is different on StoryGraph than on Goodreads!
I knew I read quite a bit by Kelley Armstrong and Abby Jimenez this past year — but didn’t realize quite how much! And on the flip side, it’s nice to see how many new-to-me authors I tried.
I’m not taking my average rating too seriously for 2024 — as I mentioned, most of the data came from my Goodreads import, and a key difference between the platforms (one of many) is that StoryGraph allows for half-stars in ratings. I suspect my averages will look quite different at the end of 2025.
It’s actually startling to see how many books I read from series! I’m not surprised at the number of re-reads — I do love to revisit favorite books, especially via audiobook.
Well… that was fun! I don’t take any of the stats too seriously, but it is fun to see how my year’s reading looks as a whole. Maybe I’ll explore new territory in 2025 and shake things up a bit!
Or not — I’m looking forward to a year of reading whatever I feel like!
In the midst of the last-minute, pre-holiday gift buying frenzy, I’d like to take a moment to recognize a few non-profits whose work supports reading, access to books, libraries, literacy programs, and more. If you’re looking to make donations to worthy causes before the end of the year, why not consider something near and dear to the hearts of booklovers?
I thought I’d share information on bookish nonprofits I’ve supported at various times over the past several years.
First Book is dedicated to ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or zip code, can succeed, by removing barriers to equitable education. We reach 6.5 million kids each year in low-income communities across North America, providing books and resources through a powerful network of more than 600,000 individual educators, professionals and volunteers specifically serving children in need. This is the largest online community of its kind. By infusing high-quality resources into classrooms and programs nationwide, we level the playing field so that kids are ready to learn — because education transforms lives.
Little Free Library: Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.
Our vision is a Little Free Library in every community and a book for every reader. We believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege.
And digging a little deeper:
How do we achieve our mission and vision?
Providing 24/7 book access. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day and are freely accessible to all, removing barriers to book access.
Fostering new Little Free Libraries. Little Free Library (LFL) equips, educates, and guides volunteer stewards to establish Little Free Libraries in their communities.
Granting Little Free Libraries to high-need areas. Through our programs, LFL grants no-cost Little Free Libraries full of books to underserved urban, suburban, rural, and Indigenous communities.
Championing diverse books. Through our Read in Color program, LFL makes books available representing BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other diverse voices to promote understanding, empathy, and inclusion.
Working with key community partners. LFL collaborates with schools, public libraries, civic organizations, businesses, and other groups to bring Little Free Libraries to their communities.
JWI does all sorts of valuable community work, but in the context of book-related nonprofits, I want to highlight JWI’s National Library Initiative:
For a woman fleeing an abusive relationship, the immediacy of danger often means leaving home with only her children and the clothes on their backs.
JWI helps ease this traumatic upheaval by creating children’s libraries in domestic violence shelters – transforming basic spaces into comforting havens with colorful furniture and rugs, computers and toys, and hundreds of new books that represent the diversity of the women and children served.
For kids whose lives have been upended by violence, JWI libraries provide a safe place to relax, escape into a book, and keep up with homework when they’re most at risk of falling behind.
Our goal is to complete 100 fully-furnished new libraries in shelters across the country, and restock the shelves as each child leaves the shelter with a favorite book in hand, ready to start a new life.
In 2022, JWI launched two new spaces for teens and women living in shelters to find respite and comfort.
The new spaces are peaceful oases where survivors and their teen children can access laptops to find employment and do schoolwork, quietly read, and heal together.
The next two are nonprofits I’ve come across because of particular authors I follow:
Overlooking Cook Inlet and the heart-stopping grandeur of the Aleutian Mountain Range, Storyknife Writers Retreat, a literary nonprofit located in Homer, Alaska, hosts residencies for women from Alaska, across the United States, and internationally. Our mission is to give women writers the time and space to explore their craft without distraction. Storyknife provides women with a community to support their efforts, lifting their voices.
Founded in 2014 by author Dana Stabenow, Storyknife is now open for residencies.
Scottish Book Trust: Supporting reading and literacy projects throughout Scotland.
Scottish Book Trust works to tackle inequality and break the poverty cycle through access to books and reading. Since 2020, Scottish Book Trust has distributed over 300,000 books to children and families in need through food banks, community hubs and other charities across Scotland.
And this is one that I haven’t personally contributed to (yet), but it was recently mentioned to me by a friend connected to a military family, and I thought it sounded amazing!
United Through Reading: Supports both reading and emotional connection for military families.
Deployments and frequent separations are a reality for military families. In fact, every year, more than 100,000 military parents deploy leaving nearly 250,000 children at home. That’s millions of bedtime stories missed each year by military children.
United Through Reading knows that hearing a parent’s voice and seeing their face is a truly unique experience that cannot be replaced. That’s why our storytime video recordings are able to be watched on-demand with their own copy of the book, whenever the child misses their service member. Being read to by a parent helps military children feel like their parents are closer to home, reducing stress and anxiety levels and making it easier to cope while their parents are away.
Our storytime video recordings also have many developmental benefits for military children. The shared read aloud experience expands their literacy, vocabulary, and imagination. Also, according to a National Academies of Sciences study, reading stories aloud is associated with positive child outcomes in emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social competence.
United Through Reading provides benefits for all military family members, not just children. Through these storytime video recordings, servicemembers are also able to maintain close emotional bonds with their families at home, reducing feelings of separation or loneliness and helping them reintegrate to home life when they return.
Support your local library! Our libraries do so much for us as individuals, as readers, and as community members. Why not show them a little love in return?
Of course, there are many more worthy organization supporting reading and literacy efforts across the US and around the world. Here are just a few that I’ve come across:
Do you have any favorite nonprofits that support reading, literacy, libraries, writing, or other book-related causes? Please feel free to share links in the comments!
Goodreads has already announced the winners of the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards… and as far as I’m concerned, the announcement has landed with a big thud.
Honestly, I’m not even sure what the point is anymore.
Over the years, the number of categories has decreased. The write-in option for round one is gone. And now, there are only two rounds. It kind of feels like Goodreads is continuing the awards because they have to, but they don’t actually care at all about making it make sense for readers.
How do they determine what books get nominated for round one? No idea! And I can’t find the answer, other than that dates of publication are specified for eligibility.
I’m not necessarily mad at the winners — but given how limited the choices were to begin with, I’m not sure how meaningful any of this is.
For what it’s worth, here are the Goodreads Choice Award winners for 2024:
And in text format:
House of Flame and Shadow – Sarah J. Maas
Romantasy
The God of the Woods – Liz Moore
Mystery & Thriller
Ruthless Vows – Rebecca Ross
Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Women – Kristin Hannah
Historical Fiction
Heartstopper #5: A Graphic Novel – Alice Oseman
Young Adult Fiction
Funny Story – Emily Henry
Romance
Somewhere Beyond the Sea – TJ Klune
Fantasy
The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir – Kelly Bishop
Memoir & Autobiography
The Bookshop – Evan Friss
History & Biography
The Wedding People: A Novel – Alison Espach
Fiction
How to End a Love Story: A Novel – Yulin Kuang
Best Debut Novel
The Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt
Nonfiction
The Ministry of Time: A Novel – Kaliane Bradley
Science Fiction
You Like It Darker – Stephen King
Horror
Funny Story – Emily Henry, Julia Whelan
Audiobook
Of the award winners, I’ve read five — and thought they were all terrific!
The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
So as you can see, I actually think there are great books among the winners! I think it’s the process that bothers me, and the lack of explanation or opportunities for reader input. But I guess that’s what happens when what’s originally an independently-owned site gets acquired by Amazon — faceless corporations don’t need to care much, so long as they’re selling books.
Sigh.
Am I being too cynical? What do you think of the Goodreads Choice Awards — in general, and in terms of this year’s process and results?
Earlier in the week, I shared a post with my list of books for the newest Classics Club Spin challenge (see it here), and a few days ago, this spin’s number was announced. (For those keeping track, it’s CC Spin #39, and for me personally, #11!)
Hosted by The Classics Club blog, the Classics Club Spin is a reading adventure where participants come up with a list of classics they’d like to read, number them 1 to 20, and then read the book that corresponds to the “spin” number that comes up.
For CCSpin #39, the lucky number is:
And that means I’ll be reading:
An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott (published 1870)
Synopsis:
‘“An Old-Fashioned Girl” is a novel written by Louisa May Alcott, first published in 1870. It is a coming-of-age story that follows the life of Polly Milton, a young girl from the country who visits her friend Fanny Shaw in the city. The story explores themes of friendship, family, love, and the societal expectations of women during the late 19th century.
Polly is an old-fashioned girl, meaning that she holds onto traditional values and beliefs despite the changing times. She is kind, honest, and hardworking, and her positive traits are in stark contrast to the selfish and superficial lifestyle of the city people. Throughout her visit, Polly faces challenges as she tries to navigate the complex social dynamics of the city and maintain her own beliefs.
One of the central themes of the novel is the importance of friendship and family. Polly forms strong bonds with Fanny’s family and friends, and she uses her down-to-earth nature to bring happiness and positivity to those around her. She also learns the value of forgiveness and understanding, and she uses these lessons to help reconcile relationships that have gone awry.
The novel also explores the societal expectations placed on women during this time period. Polly challenges these expectations by staying true to herself and her beliefs, despite the pressure to conform to the norms of society. This theme highlights the importance of individuality and self-expression, and it encourages women to embrace their own unique qualities.
Overall, “An Old-Fashioned Girl” is a charming and uplifting story that emphasizes the value of friendship, family, and staying true to one’s self. The novel’s portrayal of Polly’s experiences and growth make it a timeless classic that continues to inspire and entertain readers today.
What a great result! I would have been happy with any of the books on my spin list, but I’m particularly pleased to finally get the push I needed to read more Louisa May Alcott.
In my youth, I read the Little Women books, plus a few others, but An Old-Fashioned Girl is one that I never picked up — maybe my local library just didn’t have a copy!
There are several other books by this author that I’d like to reread (Rose in Bloom, Eight Cousins, Jack and Jill). For now, I’m looking forward to getting started with my new spin book!
What do you think of my book this time around?
Here’s my list of 20 titles for Classics Club Spin #39:
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne DuMaurier
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick
An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Peony by Pearl Buck
White Fang by Jack London
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Tevye the Dairyman and Motl the Cantor’s Son by Sholom Aleichem
Hosted by The Classics Club blog, the Classics Club Spin is a reading adventure where participants come up with a list of classics they’d like to read, number them 1 to 20, and then read the book that corresponds to the “spin” number that comes up. This will be my 11th time participating — although for the Classics Club, it’s spin #39!
Here are the dates and guidelines from the host blog:
On Sunday 20th October 2024 we’ll post a number from 1 through 20. The challenge is to read whatever book falls under that number on your Spin List by the 18th December, 2024.
We’ll check in here on the 18th December to see who made it the whole way and finished their spin book!
What’s Next?
Go to your blog.
Pick twenty books that you’ve got left to read from your Classics Club List.
Post that list, numbered 1-20, on your blog before Sunday 20th October 2024.
We’ll announce a number from 1-20.
Read that book by 18th December.
It’s always exciting when a new spin is announced! I’ve updated my list, and can’t wait to see where the spin lands.
Here we go!
Here’s my list of 20 classics for the next Classics Club Spin:
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne DuMaurier
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R. A. Dick
An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Peony by Pearl Buck
White Fang by Jack London
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Tevye the Dairyman and Motl the Cantor’s Son by Sholom Aleichem
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin
Wish me luck! I’ll be back on October 20th to reveal my spin result!
Bookshelf Fantasies 