Anne of Green Gables

Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive—it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there?

L M Montgomery wrote the first story of Anne in 1908, which became a success and rose her to international fame. I listened to the Audible version of the book, performed by Rachel McAdams. The narration was mesmerising and it kept me hooked to the world of Green Gables.

Anne Shirley, the protagonist of the story, is a cheerful young girl who lives in her dreamland when she is all alone. She is mischievous at times, lovely and caring at other times. She is also funny, witty and thoughtful. I loved the character from the moment she’s introduced in the book.

Anne arrives in Green Gables purely by accident. Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert wanted a boy, and they are surprised to find this red-haired girl instead. Although she badly wanted to stay at Green Gables, the decision rests upon them. The story takes us through Anne’s life from a young girl to a teenager; through the troubles in her life and her happy moments.

“Oh, Marilla, looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them,” exclaimed Anne. “You mayn’t get the things themselves; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun of looking forward to them. Mrs. Lynde says, ‘Blessed are they who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed.’ But I think it would be worse to expect nothing than to be disappointed.”

I really enjoyed the story. I’ve already decided to read and review other books in the series. I would recommend it to anyone who likes simple and beautiful stories full of optimism and positivity. Anne is the part we lose as we grow older, yet something that would make our life amazing if it stays.

A Wrinkle in Time

Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You’re given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself.

I came across the book while going through the article, The Woman Who Quit, which tells the story of a woman who tried to quit something, failed miserably, and became famous afterwards. Even if you are not planning to read the book, I would recommend you to read this article. It tells the story behind A Wrinkle in Time, and that was intriguing and inspiring enough for me to read the book.

The book tells the story of three kids. Meg, a teenager, her younger brother Charles, and their friend Calvin set out on a mission to find their father and to rescue him from the clutches of an evil that envelopes many planets in the universe. On the way, they encounter friends, foes and the darkness within themselves that turns against them.

The story is fast paced and I finished it in a few hours. A Wrinkle in Time is more of a children’s science fiction classic. If you are not any of these genres, this is not for you. Read the story with the mindset of a kid. I really enjoyed reading the book.