C. (Comment, never msg).’s Comments (group member since Jan 30, 2014)

C. (Comment, never msg).’s comments from the Gentle SPECTRUMS group.

Me too! Shirin, Leeanne, Patricia and group members: are you interested? It is a short classic that we would want to start on the same day. That gives us a better opportunity for short notes in progress, instead of reviewing a story that we finished.

I would like to be familiar with the famous "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" before I read Ian's next novel, "Hide And Seek". He praised the sole reviewer in the 1980s who understood his title. I do not read authors back to back, so it'll be a couple of months before I revisit Ian. But I am ready for Robert Louis Stevenson as soon as we have our roll call.

The full novel, "Treasure Island" is on our list too. :) If you have seen "Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 2" with Dwayne Johnson in place of Brendan Fraser, you might recall a "Vernian" society or fan group, wherein they believe clues in famous novels of a similar time period led to a real island. I need a copy of Jules Verne's "Mysterious Island" but have Robert's full novel, "Treasure Island" waiting. It is on the list of clue novels and is on our proposed join reading list. Feel free to add titles of your own. :)

Shirin, that was fast for you too, in another language! Is English your second, third, or fourth? It was interesting that you find it easy to write about books you have read in English. All the years I went to French school, did I find it easier to write in French, if I was already reading it? I will give it some thought.

So much to talk about. Yes, some group's or country's idea of training is psychotic. Certainly they should have let George out when they let John out of the tent. That was enough! Do you think it was the policy of that secret branch of the military to do psychopathic training, or only the idea of a couple of crazy people in charge? I think John must have rememered but didn't want to talk about it. He got no choice when his brother and girlfriend hypnotized him.

Is it weird that he did not connect his past to the notes, or the notes to the crimes; or is it natural that someone would not guess that? No, you can't tell what people are like, no matter how composed they appear to be. It will not be long before I want to read "Hyde And Seek".

I love that John is a reader. But I am sad that the only reason he has books all over, is because it was 1987. Nowadays, many readers choose e-books. I am always happy to know people love books decorating their house, like Ron & I. The ones we don't need after finishing, we can give as gifts or sell. Thankfully many people want books, the actual objects.

I think there are two things I love about Ian Rankin not shaping a typical crime mystery. One: we take the time to get to know him. Since I prefer other mysteries that are not crimes (like "Ajax Penumbra 1969" and "The Bookshop Of Yesterdays"), it was great that we spent most of the time unravelling a personal story. When there was enough information to heat up the crime chase, the action tot exciting. There were not numerous boring chapters about police.

Two: everybody helps solve the criminal case. John did not need to be the hero, even though he is the protagonist the overall novel is about. Michael and his girlfriend helped a lot, Jake found other things out. Even the police chief helped at the end, the poor man. I would love to visit those underground tunnels! I did not know Edinborough had them like Paris. Apparently we have the same in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan; the closest one for me to visit, one province to our west.

I laughed about Jack's sarcastic reaction to getting bitten by a dog, while canvassing people's houses all day. John asks why he has a scratched leg. Jack exclaims "It was a fucking Alsatian"! The language in normal for city people like me. I only dislike swearing with religious words; too disrespectful. Otherwise, it is modern expressiveness that adds colour and sometimes, humour. It reminds me of Eddie Murphy's fast-talking style making me laugh in "Beverly Hills Cop" when I was a little girl. I look forward to seeing his new movie, "Coming To America II".

Dear Shirin, I love the way we are sharing small steps of this story as it goes along. I don't usually finish a book in 24-hours but I started it one night and kept reading the next night. Structurally, "Knots & Crosses" makes it easy; unless reading it in our second or third language. It only has 227 pages and my omnibus chapters are short, with a blank page between chapters. That makes it easy to decide: "I will finish this chapter and stop here", or "This chapter only has a few pages left. I will keep on going". Yes, when you reach the part where the mystery kicks in, you will be up late, Shirin!

Before that point, it is presented as a personal story and we like John right away. It felt logical that the police did not know where to start or look for their murderer. I wanted the girls to be saved, or for justice to prevail on their behalf but I do not like switching any focus to extra characters' perspectives. I only want to know one story protagonist, so I am glad Ian Rankin stayed with John.

I have a brother who is tough on family members. I say "Happy birthday" or "Merry Christmas" and send a card and present but a visit is uncomfortable, unless there are friends with us as a buffer. Then, he won't shout about religion or politics that he knows Ron & I believe in differently. John's discomfort with Michael made sense.

We get to know John before the mystery becomes active. Since I gave this story five stars, it worked well to tell it that way! The police were working on their crime case and that was good enough as a build-up. Now, I will tell you what the introduction of my omnibus shares about Ian Rankin. Ian did not know he was writing a mystery! No wonder he did not bore us with an over-used, predictable formula.

Ian was an English literature major, who wrote the first three John Rebus novels while he was working on his PhD. Since he and Robert Louis Stevenson are from Edinborough, he wanted to write a modern "good & evil" story, in homage to "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde". He made his rivals a policeman & criminal. He did not know "Knots & Crosses" counted as a mystery, or crime mystery, until it was published and readers gave it the label! I guess Ian was not a mystery reader. He said in his introduction that afterwards, he tried Ruth Rendel and P.D. James,

That makes me interested to see what his second, third, and fourth stories are like. In the second, he knew he was writing a mystery and in third. The fourth volume is when he discarded the university PhD and wrote his series. This is when he got started, whereas his first three novels were written for fun. I imagine book #4 onward will be different and can't wait to look for the growth. But may he keep his fresh originality, of not trying to write a typical mystery! Right, Shirin? :)

I was impressed with Ian Rankin in "Knots & Crosses". Another fine Edinborough author I have planned to read soon is "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" because it is a classic referenced often. It turns out Ian's first couple of novels are an ode to it. If anyone has a copy and wants to read it in the next month or two, let me know. It is a short story that will jog along quickly, therefore I would time it with companions to the day.

Dear Shirin, please take control and write more. To my surprise, I finished Ian's novel last night. I will let you make all the observations you like first. Then, when I know which part you are at (your profile does not show page progress so far), I will add to the conversation. :) I am glad I wrote my early notes, like you did.

Yes, Ian has a great way with words and I noticed the "warn instead of tell" sentence. Not much happens for most of the novel but getting acquainted with a character we like, is good enough. Except sleeping with women he just met. Trivial sex is not my attitude but it is expected in books and movies! After we know John quite well, the action goes into high gear and you can't stop read. I hope you can stay awake late when you reach those chapters, my friend!

P.S. I had to look-up the word "punctilious", to know it is a synonym for "meticulous". I had seen the word but thanks to you, it will be included in my vocabulary. :)

Initial reaction: I enjoy Ian's writing and think I will like his protagonist, John Rebus! Except the post traumatic stress syndrome from an military experience; his day to day city life is relatable. So is 1987, recent enough for me to recall it.

Computers and telephones had jobs to do. You used them for personal communication too but no one was hooked on them. I love these media sane periods up to about 2010, when you used a computer or telephone, then put it away; as I still do.

I love being in a normal modern time period that relates best to me and am so sick of historical fiction being all the rage. I like the adult level of this series: discussing sexuality with normalcy and joking about the downsides of their jobs. In my culture, it is no insult for a little swearing to enter normal language, so the way Ian has written his people's dialogue is normal and humorous for me. It is what we city born people are like.

Paired with this, I find a deep, beautiful side to Ian's writing. I love creativity above all and am excited, whenever I find cleverly-crafted sentences that I marvel over! Here is my favourite from page 34, chapter 6 in "The Early Years" omnibus.

"He left the station at four o'clock. The birds were doing their best to persuade everyone that it was dawn by no one seemed fooled".

An author who is relatably modern and funny and is also eloquent with depth, is just right for me. At the beginning of the novel, I smiled too at John entering a police meeting late, because he just got asked to join that team. He smiled apologetically when he opened the door and found a seat but knew it was a wasted gesture. Haha! I am glad I am finally reading Ian's novels, Shirin.

It is my pleasure to finally sample the well-liked Scotsman, Ian Rankin. I have collected around 30 of his books, piled high atop a shelf. It is fun to be trying out his 1987 début series novel with my friend, Shirin. I like Ian's writing style so far.

Shirin and Leeanne have finished the book, so I will discuss anything I think of; even though we said we ought to proceed, using chapter headings. It was great to see Kerri's replies to everyone. Let us know, Kerri and Shirin, if you would like to highlight anything else of your own.

If it helps, Leeanne: I was going to give three stars over killing a dog and the Aunt calling it acceptable to drown kittens. Bullshit, even when there was no spaying & neutering. Did we do it with humans before there was birth control? Since Rusty did not die (though I'll never respect Mr. Harrison because of the dog); I was more disturbed by the previous novel. Anne deliberately asked someone to kill birds she had raised since they were chicks, for Priscella's author Aunt.

I wrote that the Janet & John episode was superfluous. I wasn't bored to see Anne teaching somewhere else. However, I could not respect two 40 year-old idiots who let a selfish idea screw them over. I guess the ride with the mare getting distracted was supposed to be funny. The chapter could have been allocated to a classroom peek.

We couldn't spend much time at a lecture or in hallways. It would be about social life, like the improvement committee at home. A taste wouldn't amounted to much more than the studying and socializing we saw at the rented house. Anne and the Aunt pampered Rusty. Anne was sorry but understanding, about her taking all three cats.

Stella made no impression, except bringing her Aunt and two cats. Pricilla's page time diminished bu she was a long-time friend of Anne's, her first female friendly face at university. I don't remember what we learned about Marilla's childhood. Do remind me.

Leeanne, I would have considered it weak and misguided if Anne had caved to Gilbert's pressure. She it made it clear to her readers and him that she was not ready to ponder love. She adored him like family and told him that if she had to answer now, she did not feel a spark yet. Believing they would be a good match eventually like the rest of the town, does not make it right to rush.

Especially in 1915, when you picked someone quickly, just to have a marriage and the right to have sex, I thought it was smart for Anne to date someone else. She had to stamp out his pressure to make a marriage of it. She merely wanted try on romance, without spoiling a childhood bond.

Anne suspected she loved Gilbert at their momentous graduation. She knew it when he was sick. I liked those parts because she was ready, not rushing. However, it sagged my respect for her (since Gilbert was respecting her space) and raised my appreciation of Phil, that her letter to Gilbert galvanized them to broach the subject. Phil grew up by falling in love with an open-minded minister.

Diana's marriage and newborn baby, although described more briefly than the mare ride and romance of people we don't know and the death of their school friend were poignant and meaningful. Seeing a book entitled "Island" show the island was what we were waiting for. Dora as the lead in a chapter was wonderful.

What tops it all off and insisted on four stars from me, was Anne finally touring her parents' home! I wondered why she didn't ponder or visit Nova Scotia earlier. I then recalled that she lived in her home town with neighbours, until she ended up in Avonlea. The only thing that was new was touring her house and receiving those precious souvenirs, from both her parents. They both wrote letters. I surmise Anne was too young or busy babysitting, to consider the town graveyard. Paying respects at their resting place was emotional too. I am glad this bolstered Anne and made her feel like she belonged to this short-lived relatives.

That was so emotional and important to Anne's story, I have to give four stars. We also have a way to grant Anne's wish not to rush romance and marriage. For their career training, they won't marry for three years; waiting like Diana and Freddy did.

I was disconnected, except with the Janet & John chapter. Navigating the path of a writer was great to see. I have no trouble with characters or editing. My hesitancy seems to be opposite to other writers; letting my mind make scenarios and plots up. I am used to describing real life and focus too much on accurate details, when I need to exercise my invention.

Paul didn't lose his imagination. He didn't picture his story characters as vividly. Lavendar annoyed us for not giving her imagination a rest. We need a balance: feeling the freedom of playing with our toys but presenting an adult voice, depending on with whom we are speaking. We need the right playmates. :)

I imagine I will love what these next three novels contain. I will let my second boxset simmer awhile. Later this year, Kerri, me, and anyone who has a copy, will read Maud's short autobiography "The Alpine Path". However, the discussions of "Anne Of The Island" are just warming-up, so please take the leads everyone!

Yay! Thank you for a fun update, Leeanne! I have been waiting for you to continue your notes, or for someone to proceed with comments on what we have written so far. It is a way to be sure I have the pleasure of other ideas, instead of replies to mine. I see you and Shirin have been juggle-reading! Tsk tsk.... Q;-)=

Kerri, I thought a novel about university would show a little classtime and think it was a missed opportunity that it didn't. It showed Anne and other girls enjoying independence, leisure, ambition, and romances in 1915 but without seeing some lecture hall, library, or campus scenes; it was only a backdrop away from Avonlea. I liked a break from Avonlea and also liked that Anne returned there off & on.

I dislike stories about uninvestigated misunderstandings but Anne wanted to avoid romance with Gilbert most of the time. She couldn't seek much clarifying about his female company. It was up to Anne to decide she wanted Gilbert but neither did she want an engagement. That was where couples took relationships, at a level more serious than sharing a kiss. Early courtship is different from living through difficulties with a partner, which is why I am glad we test relationships out nowadays.

I don't know if Lucy put less thought into her plots than she ought to have or if she had little faith in people's integrity and perseverance but I disliked that two important situations were left to chance.

I loathe the cruelty of trying to kill a cat and only God intervened in Rusty's survival. This, instead of anyone speaking up and saying "No!" was the only change that gave them the occasion to say "I don't like this. Let's give Rusty a home". Lucy lost me as a fan then and there. I could almost excuse killing Anne's white birds as an unpleasant factor of a farm lifestyle.

Anne was going to marry her boyfriend because they had courted long enough that it was the logical step and she did not believe she could love anyone better. Only in this event, did Anne shake herself awake and decline his proposal.

After this, Anne must have imagined she loved Gilbert. She could have asked him if he was romantic with Christine, to open the way to socializing with him; even if she didn't want to get serious. I love that we will probably see them dating without obligations for awhile, as we do in our generation.

However, it pissed me off that when his temporary sickness made Anne certain of her devotion to Gilbert; she didn't rush to him as soon as he had survived. To me, it was weak that it took a letter from a friend to coax Gilbert to seek Anne out again; instead of either of them making a decision by themself to sort it. Even as a life long friend, Anne could have fondly run to visit Gilbert as soon as the illness was beaten.

I hated the dig, of which there were too many, that Marilla would dislike cats. What Canadian or country person would find a cat difficult to love and care for! Dogs have to be kept quiet and take more work. It was plausible without that remark, for the Aunt to take all three cats home who had bonded nicely. Maud was supposedly a cat lover and didn't please readers, by proposing that a main character disliked these dear animals.

I have critiques in a few places and I see Kerri too graded this novel with four stars. From me, that is a fortunate grade, after deciding that I like it much better than most novels that receive three stars. Two new characters and storylines were superfluous;
the bitchy Aunt of Diana's Dad's and the pathetic romance at the place where Anne substituted as a teacher. However, I enjoyed this overall novel, world, and most characters immensely. Like before, it made pleasant reading and I like its ending.

Yes, Diane's wedding was beautiful and introducing her first born. I thought they were too brief and should have received more page space, like showing the wedding vows and detailing Diana's first look at her baby. I don't think Paul's imagination needs to leave; Lavendar's needs to curb more than his. However, it is nice to see humanity grow and maintain a balanced centre of who we are.

I am glad you loved the story of our romance and how other necessities changed the plan for a traditional marriage. We have a twenty-year union either way with ups & downs, which everyone prays with high hopes comes out on top. Anne was wise to take her time, especially so young, in a century that expected marriage or parenthood to stop carefree and other goals.

I want to discuss the book. Thus, I'll leave this as a spoiler alert for Shirin and Leeanne, allowing us to discuss whatever we like as it comes to mind. I finished the novel about a week ago and am on my second since then.

I am glad Kerri has "The Alpine Path" autobiography. I like a break from authors and will wait a few months. We happened to leave four months between this whole triology.

I am glad to have a political conversation! It is nice to know that New Zealand has four or more feasible, real choices too. I did try to say clearly that Canada had only the two major parties, until the Green Party and New Democrats came along.

I tried conveying that most people voted the same way, no matter what the platform or who the cadidate was; a bad habit that exists now among old-timers but which was worse 100 years ago. I didn't find it quaint that Anne emulated Matthew's view, because he had none. He was a sheep if ever there were one; the trait I disliked about him. We could understand a child emulating parents before character finishes forming but I was young, when I disagreed with my parents on some things. We know the roots of ourselves at young ages.

I looked our other parties up. I knew the Greens in Canada were founded recently but goodness, 1983, is in our lifetime. Tommy Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland's Grandpa believe it or not, founded the NDPs in 1961. He is responsible for our health care. We pay into it but the result is that consulting doctors and using hospitals is unlimited.

There is a funny "Corner Gas" episode featuring him, in which he is in Canada visiting his Mom's house. He keeps answering crank or misdialed calls, going "Yes, this is Shirley's place"! FYI, I wasn't referring to those videos in e-mail. There is no rush on exploring the television series, which is not so personal as the gems I added. :)

Message #32 proposes a political observation about Anne and a little lesson about how Canada has four party choices. I would love a contribution to it if you can, before we are done with both books. Questions to discuss are fun, as opposed to summarizing story contents.

Kerri, I am glad I gave you a laugh about Meryl Streep. The film is all I know of that series and was my introduction to John Krasinski's wife.

Shirin, is there any other observation about "Anne Of Avonlea"? We don't want to rush you in talking about it. How did it compare for you to "Anne Of Green Gables"? I liked many things better. However, the jarring note about killing birds reduced my grade to four stars and even in the third book, I find Dora is not discussed and highlighted enough. Otherwise, this second story was wonderfully exciting. Josephine Baker, Diana's aunt and Paul are my favourite external characters.

I have stopped before page 240, chapter 29. Ah, I see it is going to be Diana's wedding. That will be poignant.

Popping in every chapters, or making notes to share later, really reflects our shifting impressions. It is ncie to record them because our final impression of finished stories will be cemented, won't they? After two objectionable chapters, I was sure "Anne Of The Island" could do no better than 3 stars. Now I am unsure. There is a chance for 4 stars.

I will never care for Phillippa because of cat chlorophorming willingness and disliked her weak character anyway. However, I am glad she has grown; in part thanks to unexpected attraction to an unhandsome minister trainee.

I admire the twist that Anne & Gilbert are not automatically together and that each are giving someone else a try! I don't believe Anne should rush but neither liked the idea that she could never fall for him, which is all Gilbert had asked. It is the best thing for her that she is dating another guy. Meanwhile, Gilbert dating Christine is the only way for Anne to be certain her heart would leap for him. We never want to feel we fell into a relationship and grew complacent. I think if townspeople and friends would shut up, nature might have taken its course for them. You defy assumptions; I find them rude.

Ron & I were good friends first. During dating years, relatives annoyed me with inquiries about a future. I don't mind initial inquiries but after I have answered, shut up. We did become engaged, stemming a wave of questions about time and details. We wanted to enjoy that stage and had earned it. Once is enough, people.

A funny story: right after we got engaged, we who seldom travel, ended up taking 3 trips and airfare ain't cheap, even within Canada! Well, thankfully the world quarantine has lowered the prices. We accepted an invitation to visit Scotland and England in July 2009, flew to my brother's Ontario wedding in October 2009, and flew back to Ontario, to behold A-ha in concert in May 2010!

We found out our apartment building would ban pets after major rennovations. We bought this house and land before August 2010. By September 2010, we agreed to foster a pregnant Mother cat (Marigold). We fell in love with all 4 of her newborns (Angel, Love, Petal, Conan), and kept them all, in addition to McCartney & Spirit (rest his dear soul). By March 2011, we got our city vet as low as possible on spaying & neutering all 5.

After money had been tight, temperaments gradually grew strained. Marriage isn't presently on the radar, even if we had the dough! With my Mom gone, at least in this first mourning year, I don't feel like having that tradition without her. Stabilizing Spirt in illness last month, cost a lot. Marigold needs dental work. Lottery winnings, please! That is the story of why some people don't marry. I hope the digression was enjoyed. :)

I look forward to conversations with you, Shirin! I am going to give you my e-mail address: RiedelFascination(at)Gmail(dot)com. Sometimes we get to know each other, discussing things we don't want public. We might exchange birthday / Christmas cards, or help each other find books. Of course, mailing addresses are private. :)

Leeanne, this started out as a second paragraph about your review. I would like to stoke up our "Avonlea" conversation instead. Shirin has just finished the novel and is joining us on the third. :)

Well, Miss Lavendar is preferable to Phillippa, isn't she? I love Miss Lavendar's imagination. However, like me, no doubt Leeanne wanted to see her get off the couch in reality. Fancy imagination is great but let's step outside our door. I find it offensive that she doesn't learn all the names of the family of sisters who live in her home. You can see that I don't let anyone so much as nickname me as "C", even though it means asking people to remember that it stands for "Carolyn"!

I prefer first names: what is Miss Lavendar's? She certainly has the time and should use some brainpower to respectfully learn the names of "Charlotta" sisters living with her. A million interactions a day would cement it for the most forgetful human. I wonder if that is what got to Leeanne, too. It was scarcely excusable, at first, when Miranda did that in "The Devil Wears Prada".

Hi Shirin! I have been watching for more comments from you about "Anne Of Avonlea". I am sure Leeanne and Kerri will answer your reflections, too.

Please read "Anne Of The Island" with us. It is worth it and we see the continuation of Anne Shirley's life, with many important updates of other characters. I will help you by telling you what happened regarding animals. Then, you will not be shocked by the objectionable parts and will know which part to bypass.

You can read chapter 17 but avoid a letter from Davy that Anne reads to the roommates. It is a short part but he wrote that Mr. Harrison decided he didn't want a dog any longer and killed and buried it! Skip all of chapter 16, unless it is okay with you, that the cat named "Rusty" lives and becomes respected.

It infuriated me that the chapter was about the girls choosing and trying to kill a cat! Rusty is lucky about the miracle that it did not work but I was unhappy about this terrible attitude. They left the cat overnight in a box, to breathe chloroform but thankfully, there was a hole in the box! Only after the miracle, Anne says "Don't do that again" and decides to keep the cat.

That was terrible but I assure you, dear kind-hearted Shirin, that the rest of this book - before and after - is beautiful. Your cat Mother friend, Carolyn.

I loved chapters 1 to 15. I thought, here is a novel that receives 5 stars again. It will be my favourite thus far. Heavily shifted impressions illustrate the value of sharing feedback with small progress. I understand snatching time to read. The book will be lucky to have 3 stars. It was beautiful everywhere else, so I will speak to those.

I am shocked and sorry about Ruby because she was young and Aunt Josephine, because she was so dear and lively. Anne can afford to finish her degree and possibly buy Patty's house. Unlike Leeanne, even though films and television programs were mashups; I avoided them, to read my book collection in the future. My sole hint was from "Canadian Pickers" in PEI, when the Cavendish museum was cleared out. The duo asked the owner for a few items fans would recognize, even all the way in Calgary.

They were shown ceramic dogs, whom I had been awaiting at Green Gables. As soon as they were mentioned in this third novel, I exclaimed: "Aha, there they are"! The names "Grog" and "Magog" were immediately familiar. I had only heard them once. That was fun for me because my only impression of this famous series finally showed itself.

The foreshadowing has been obvious from the "love/hate" of book 1, that Anne will probably marry Gilbert. I believe I have seen the "Blythe" last name as a future chapter heading in this or other novels, however I avoided looking. I know 20 is considered acceptable even today. However, Anne so much wants to enjoy being a girl, studying, and travelling, let her have that wish!

I thought both her proposals were lame because no matter what the timeline, you don't ask marriage of someone you have not dated and acquainted thoroughly. The Lord knows living common-law is hard, in the terrible week I have had. I wanted comfort last night. I tell you, animal-killing chapters were poor timing.

I hope we hear more about Aunt Josephine. Anne's comfort of Ruby and Ruby's heartfelt and soulfelt appreciation of her guidance were so special, it gives readers peace on her behalf. My Mom and Spirit wanted to live longer if it were possible and fought all the way. But they accepted the hand they were dealt and encourage our peace. I understand Heaven is great and the world and universe wouldn't work right, if loved-ones ascended at the same time but that separation is hard.

To finish with with a light note, I don't think the last book or this one made Radcliffe's location clear. I don't recall why the kids chose it and imagined it would be in Charlottetown. It is in Nova Scotia! This book finally described PEI like an island and spoke of the red shores as Anne and friends left by boat.

It is memorable that it was the first time she left since she was adopted. I thought she would be keen to be on home soil and explore her birthplace: I would. A fan website said Kingsport represents Halifax, where Maude studied. I have been to that beautiful city and believe I know the nearby lighthouse and little island that were mentioned! I am glad Anne is seeing the country, especially in a 100 year-old decade.

I am nearly in Chapter 21. Kerri, I saw your "Chapter 27" heading, avoided it, and wondered why I only saw coverage of 1 to 10. I am glad I peeked at your paragraph and saw that it was fine to read it all the way through. Please do say what you think of 10 to 20, if that is how you like to organize your notes.

If you hated 16 and 17 too, maybe Leeanne will speak for us. It doesn't matter if there was no spaying & neutering in 1915. There is never a justifcation for killing kittens! There is never a justification for killing cats! It is a cinch to post a note at the university and ask hundreds of kids and longtime millionaire neighbours, where Rusty is from!

There is never a justification for killing dogs or animals, except in self-defense! The Harrisons live in a village of kids where they know everyone. It is not hard to ask farmers and villagers if they would like to have a dog. How dare Anne and company laugh at Davy's letter as if it were cute and contained acceptable acts. How disgusting to commit them in front of a child.

Rusty's near escape was intended as an unlikely bond story but Maud, supposedly a cat fan, failed to consider one big thing. How fucked-up is she, to consider killing a cat in the first place and putting that mindset in a children's book?! How little do I respect the four girls for trying it! The Aunt had a chance to win back some relief and commonsense by exclaiming that no one should dare kill a cat.... but my jaw crashed back open at that comment about infant kittens being disposable. Before I swear anymore, I'll close this part of my comments off.

I hope no one waits for me to start. We don't want conversations to comprise answering my questions. Please do propose something new for me to enjoy as well. :) I am past page 100 and chapter 11 but would love for either of you to lead.

Our phone line was down for 24 hours, our sole connection to the internet. We do not have cell phone plans for talking or text-messaging, nor internet. They are merely phones. I did finish several 2020 reviews, which I am posting.