Louisa May Alcott - Reading Challenge in June discussion

Let's read Louisa May Alcott together?



It's just 9 more days until my favorite reading challenge starts this summer. (Of course, yes, I'm biased.) But I simply cannot wait to delve further into Louisa May Alcott's writings.

You're invited to join! Everyone can make their own selection of books to read. Anything written by or about L. M. Alcott is perfect for this challenge.

I hope to see you here on June 1st! Be sure to invite your literary-minded comrades!

Awesome!

I'll be sure and note it on Louisa May Alcott is My Passion. I am in the middle of reading Pedlar's Progress by Odell Shepherd, a biography of Bronson Alcott. As I need to read it for research purposes (and because I am loving this book!), this will be the book for the challenge. Many current scholars call it old-fashioned but that's precisely why I love it so. It reads like a novel and I know Shepherd was truly immersed in Bronson's many journals. Looking forward to hearing what you all will be reading!

p.s. I am launching a monthly podcast in June for Louisa May Alcott is My Passion - it will be available on the blog, on iTunes, Stitcher and TuneIn. The first episode is focusing on the Summer Conversational Series which begins in July at Orchard House (talking with Education Director Lis Adams). Also (really excited about this!), Jan Turnquist, Executive Director, allowed me to record an hour long performance of her portraying Louisa - I will be putting up small segments on upcoming podcasts; so you can hear "Louisa" yourself! I will be sure and mention this challenge too so that people can hear about it.

Susan, it's great to hear this news from you. I'd be thrilled if you joined the reading challenge again this year! By the way, I do have a particular book in mind for me to read in June that you may recognize. In fact, I'm quite sure you are thoroughly acquainted with it. :) I just might have to keep Pedlar's Progress in mind for the future. I'm already intrigued.

Now, your upcoming podcast on Louisa sounds amazing. I'm so excited to hear it, Susan! I'll be sure to share about your podcast on my blog, as I'm sure my readers will be interested in it, like me.

Ta ta for now!

Caroline wrote: "Brilliant! I would love to join in if you'll have me. I'm on a lifelong mission to read everything that Louisa May Alcott ever wrote..."

Hi, Caroline. I'd be happy to have you join us in the June reading challenge. I'm always excited to "meet" a new LMA enthusiast! You know, I think that's wonderful that you're wanting to read everything that Miss Alcott wrote. I think I'm after the same goal, which is why I like hosting this challenge every year. The only book I've read twice of hers in Little Women, but other than that, I always try to read something "new" of hers.

Check back on June 1st for the details and the start of the challenge!

Hi all, joining this challenge as a lifelong lover of Louisa May Alcott. She's my hero. I got a first edition of Proverb Stories for Christmas. It's a compilation of other stories previously published but not all her stories are currently available so I'll see which ones I haven't read yet! If I have time, I'll probably try to read the full version of Hospital Sketches and/or one of her other adult books.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Hi all, joining this challenge as a lifelong lover of Louisa May Alcott. She's my hero. I got a first edition of Proverb Stories for Christmas..."

Hi, QNPoohBear. I'm so happy you are joining the LMA reading challenge in June! There are so many of Miss Alcott's books available as free ebooks online, and I'm still making my way through her various works. Right now I happen to own one of her books I haven't read yet, An Old Fashioned Girl, and that's on my list of 3 books I'm reading for the challenge. We seem to have similar tastes in books, and I'm glad you found your way here.

Check back on June 1st for the details and the start of the challenge!

"Keep good company, read good books, love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can."
- Louisa May Alcott



Welcome to the 2016 edition of the Louisa May Alcott reading challenge!
Hosted by the blog In the Bookcase, yours truly.

Have you ever sampled a good story from the charming Miss Alcott?

Would you like to enjoy Miss Alcott's writings with me this June?



// Who she is... //

Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) is an American authoress who inspires me. During her lifetime in the 19th century, she penned pages upon pages, delighting young girls and womenfolk, both then and now. Aside from being a writer, she briefly spent time nursing on the battlefield, and otherwise throughout her life supporting reform movements such as women's education, women's suffrage, abolitionism, and temperance.

Alcott wrote over a dozen novels, alongisde many short-story collections. Little Women is arguably the title of her most famous work, the story of 4 charming girls --- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March --- growing up during hardships of the Civil War. Most readers can relate a close kinship to at least one of these blossoming characters --- through their pleasures, adventures, suitors, and life in general.

I cherish Miss Alcott's writings --- and although I've enjoyed a few books of hers throughout the last few years... I still have much to discover about this hardy woman. So I'm endeavoring this June to pick out a couple of good books written by or about this favorite lady-author of mine, and glean from the shining pages.

The challenge is now open and lasts through the whole month. You might like to take a moment to peruse (my bloggy friend, now turned author) Susan Bailey's articles at Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion, where I have discovered many recommendations on suitable book titles.

Won't you join me in a good book?


// About this challenge... //

How to take part in the June reading challenge:

Compile your list of Louisa May Alcott books that you would like to read, finish reading, or maybe re-read during June. Even books about L.M.A. are welcome---biographies, fictionalized accounts of her life, etc. Your goal could be 1 book, 5 books, or short stories. To supply more options, you may decide to download audio book or e-books.

Write a reply to this Goodreads discussion (or blog about it) explaining all about the books you want to read for this challenge. If you're blogging about it, grab the challenge button and include it in your post.

Share away! Every time you share an update or, say, a book review, add it to our ongoing discussion here. I'll be stopping by to see your progress! This is the Goodreads headquarters of this reading challenge, so that the other participants can follow everyone's progress just by taking a look at the list of all the posts.

Next step: Start reading the books on your list! The challenge starts now and goes through June 30th. (You may begin reading at any point within this timeline.)

Browse through the other participants' posts, to see what everyone else is reading, and be sure to leave comments when you can. The only thing better than enjoying a good book, is enjoying it with like-minded friends!

Finally, when you have reached your goal, or by the time the challenge is ending: Tell us about what you accomplished over the course of the challenge. Include any closing thoughts, or what you think of Louisa May Alcott now that you've read more of her works, etc. I'll be very pleased to hear about what you think at the end of this challenge!



{Click here for the button code.}





// Calendar of events... //

Check back on Mondays in June -- I'll have some interesting tidbits about our favorite author! Plus I'll have bonus posts (like book reviews) on other days too, which you won't want to miss.

June 1st ::: Start date. Get to reading!
June 3rd ::: My book list for the challenge
June 6th ::: Special giveaway! Don't miss your chance.
June 13th ::: LMA and her writing
June 20th ::: Challenge checkup point
June 27th ::: Unique bookish gift ideas
June 30th ::: End date. Final overview and link-up!



// Join the challenge... //

Post below about what you're going to read for the challenge. Any and ALL of your thoughts about Miss Alcott are welcome. If you decide to share a favorite quote, a book review, or any other thoughts... link up and take a look at some of the other participants' posts. Thank you for joining us!

Awesome! Love how this is an annual event that keeps getting better and better. :D

I'm not a huge fan of e-books and I prefer the thrill of the hunt, the smell of old paper and glue and of course my family likes that they can count on finding me the perfect Christmas gift in Concord! I have a growing collection of antique LMA books. I've seen Little Women but the price is well beyond what anyone I know can afford. It doesn't stop me from wanting a first edition.

@Elaine, sounds like you're excited about the challenge! Have you picked out a title(s) to read for it yet? I'm revealing my picks in just a moment...

@QNPoohBear, I know what you mean about antique books! They are simply the best mode of reading. Just today I was at a used book fair searching for Alcott titles, but sadly didn't find any treasures. I'm always looking though!

"He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions."
- Louisa May Alcott



Dearest readers, I thank you for joining me for the 2016 Louisa May Alcott reading challenge (Check out the details if you haven't yet!)

For today's post, I'm sharing about the L.M.A. books I'll be tackling this month for the challenge. I've decided upon 3 books -- one written by our beloved Miss Alcott, the second written as a fictionalized story about her family, and the third is a devotional based on Alcott's writings.



An Old-Fashioned Girl


March


Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by the Message


A QUICK NOTE before closing... check back on Monday for a L.M. Alcott-themed GIVEAWAY that you won't want to miss! -- In fact, ALL Mondays in the month of June will have some exciting things going on (hint-hint!).

I'm thrilled to be reading these books this summer. And I can't wait to see which books you're going to read for the challenge as well!

So, my question to you, dear reader, is this...

What book(s) are you reading for the LMA challenge this June?


* Remember, it can be any book or story penned by the hand of Miss Alcott, or written about her.

My mom read March and it sounded like it took some liberties with history and the story. An Old-Fashioned Girl was one of my favorites growing up. I don't own a copy!

All the antique Alcott books are in Concord or Susan Bailey and I have bought them all. I saw a whole shelf of them at Christmastime. I let my family choose based on the ones I had never seen. I hope they have some left this Christmas.

I did find an early 1900s edition of Eight Cousins at a local used/rare bookstore once. It was in poor condition but the children who owned it wrote their names inside and I liked feeling that connection to someone else who had read and loved the book.

An Old-Fashioned Girl is a good read - I liked the middle the best but I'll save my comments until you finish - don't want to give away the store! :-)

March is an intense book! Geraldine Brooks takes real chances with the main character, get ready! I admire how she imagined it. There is an interview with her about the book online - can't find the exact one but here's a bunch: https://www.youtube.com/results?searc...

And thank you for including my book! :-)

Question: I am not totally familiar with Goodreads - how can I direct people to this conversation?

QNPoohBear wrote: "Hi all, joining this challenge as a lifelong lover of Louisa May Alcott. She's my hero. I got a first edition of Proverb Stories for Christmas. It's a compilation of other stories p..."

Looking forward to your impressions of Hospital Sketches - that was the book that got me to read Louisa's stories (I was late to that - read more about her first!)

I don't think I'll have time for Hospital Sketches but I'll start with Proverb Stories and see how far I get.

@Susan, you've piqued my interest further in An Old-Fashioned Girl. Now I can't wait to get to the middle. I was able to get a few chapters in over the weekend, so I'm getting closer....

Also, thanks for the idea to check out the Geraldine Brooks interviews. Will do that, probably after I finish March. Don't want to learn any secrets before I need to!

In reply to your Goodreads question, I can think of a few ways to get people here. [1.] You can invite your Goodreads friends by clicking on the "Invite People" blue link at the top right of the page. [2.] When you write comments in this discussion, you can check the box underneath that says "Add to my Update Feed", so your friends may see it that way. [3.] You could also do the same thing on your own Goodreads profile -- at the very bottom there's a box for posting comments (and make sure you've checked the "Add to my Update Feed" on that one too). Hope this helps!

@QNPoohBear, I'm sure that's an excellent choice to read Proverb Stories -- although I've never read it. There's still so much of Alcott I have left to read!

ATTENTION, Alcott readers! ----- Would you like to win this rather delightful (yes, it is my own creation) 8x10 art print featuring one of Louisa's quotes from Little Women??





Enter here on my blog! >> http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/2016/06/you-can-win-my-louisa-may-alcott-themed.html

Sharing some tidbits on one of my favorite authors, Miss Alcott

"'Stay' is a charming word in a friend's vocabulary."
- Louisa May Alcott




I have a fun little post planned for today. First I wish to share some recipes I found online from a blog called 36 Eggs . What happens to be so interesting about these recipes is blogger Miko has recreated literary recipes -- from Little Women! I thought it was fun to read her recipes and see what she was able to accomplish with these literary-inspired dishes.



Jo’s Lobster Salad


Hannah’s Bread


Jo’s Boiled Asparagus & Potatoes





Next up on today's list? >>

I leave you with this article found at Writing Gooder , entitled.... The Six: Six Things You Didn’t Know About Louisa May Alcott . There's some really good stuff to be found on this page, which Alcott fans will adore.

Enjoy!!! ... Oh, and I hope you're reading those Alcott books for the reading challenge. I'm nearing the end of one of my selections for the challenge -- and will be sharing shortly about it!




What book(s) are you reading for the LMA challenge this June?

* Remember, it can be any book or story penned by the hand of Miss Alcott, or written about her.

I have the The Louisa May Alcott Cookbook but I haven't made anything from it yet.

That sounds like it could be fun though!

I loved that little story! So touching. It amazed me how she could draw so much out of such a mundane thing as a fly. It reminded me of an ant I kept as a pet when I was a kid--I used to love watching it dig tunnels.

You may be projecting but then again, I don't think you're far off regarding loneliness. I am guessing the story was written long after she had lost her mother who was her reason for being.

@Caroline and @Susan, this story about Buzz sounds adorable. I never imagined myself looking forward to reading a story about a fly (hah!) but... you've made it seem to interesting. I'll have to keep a look out for this story.

Has anyone else finished some of their titles for the LMA challenge? I've finished 2! One more to go. Here's my review links, if you care to read them.


Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by the Message
My 5-star review:
http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/201...


An Old-Fashioned Girl
My 5-star review:
http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/201...

Also on my blog, I recently shared a check-up point in the challenge (and shared the names of the 3 winners of the giveaway!). Be sure to read what others have been posting about by checking out the linky on my blog.
http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/201...

I started Proverb Stories with the first story "Kitty's Class Day." It has the same message as Meg's experience with her friends in Little Women: poor people are better off being themselves-plain, simple and wholesome-than trying to imitate wealthy people. I remember reading this one before.

I started the second story but haven't finished it. It's a new one to me but the message is open your heart to love and people will want to be nice to you and love you back. It reminds me of a Lucy Maud Montgomery story.

@QNPoohBear: Aw, these stories sound really great! Hope you're having fun reading them.

Today on my blog, I've shared... A few of my favorite [Alcott] things! If you're a fan of her writings, I think you'll like it.

>> http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/201...

Story 3 "Psyche's Art" was also one I have read before. The message is to toil and experience real life and then you can create great art. The ending is ambiguous on purpose. Go Louisa! She stuck to her guns but also to the accepted norms of her society. Take from the ending what you will, is what she basically declared.

"Picket Duty" was a cute story from the Civil War where the men on duty one evening discuss how they met their wives. The stories are humorous, touching and sometimes sad. I wasn't fond of her use of backwoods Maine dialect that sounded more southern than anything else but at the same time, I like knowing how people sounded. Our neighbors to the north now sound like a more exaggerated Boston accent to my ears.

I won't finish the book by tomorrow night but I'll keep reading in between some other library books I have to read before they're due.

@QNPoohBear, good for you on devouring those stories! They sounds like a fun read, and I hope to read Proverb Stories one day too. Hope you continue having fun with that read.

Readers and fellow challenge-participants,

The time has come to close down the 2016 Louisa May Alcott reading challenge. We're done!

So, how did you fare in the challenge? Did you read all that you wanted of Miss Alcott for the summer?

Personally, I feel like I got to know Louisa just a smidge more, and yes, I finished all 3 books I challenged myself to. If you want to read my book reviews from this month, be sure to check out Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by the Message by Susan Bailey, An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott, and March by Geraldine Brooks (I posted my review of it on Goodreads yesterday -- just under the wire!).
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Here's a BIG THANK YOU to EVERYONE who participated in the reading challenge and the art print giveaway! I appreciate you all for making this a fun and spectacular reading month. By the way, if you haven't finished your posts or reviews about the LMA books you got to read this month, that's okay — the discussion board here on Goodreads is still open, and the link-up widget on my blog will still be open a few more days for any last words on the subject that you might have.

And in closing, I'll give you all some words of wisdom, from a literary friend of Louisa's...

"Read the best books first or you may not have a chance to read them at all."
- Henry David Thoreau

See you next June!

Signing off from the 2016 LMA challenge,

Tarissa

http://InTheBookcase.blogspot.com

Thank you Tarissa for this wonderful annual challenge. It's been a pleasure reading everyone's posts. As usual, I didn't finish my book (I just read too slowly!) but I will be finishing it.

I ran out of time and energy to read all the stories in Proverb Stories I haven't read yet but I did read a few and tucked away my LMA bookmark inside the book for safe keeping.

Sounds great, ladies. Whether you finished your goals or not, there's always more to read from LMA, isn't there?

Anyways, I'm so happy that you all participated this month in the challenge, and we all got to delve a little deeper into one of our favorite author's books together.