Kindred Spirits discussion
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message 51:
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Wendy Darling, The Lady in a Blue Dress
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Mar 25, 2016 02:00AM
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Hi. I think we should have more polls and challenges in our group. does anyone agree? Also, has anyone here read The harry potter series?
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I have read the Harry Potter series and loved them!
I think we should have something like reading challenges. Like how many books can you read of a certain theme in a certain time. Or like who can finish a certain book the fastest. or something like that.
I have added a challenge in my group, The books and coffee club. But it was not so successful as we have only two members and I couldn't take part as I had gone away. But I think we would do better here
Hi guys! I was just thinking, whether someone can hold a read along for Harry potter? I myself am not ready yet as I need to get to know the group better but I would love to be a part of a Harry potter read along.
I have read and enjoyed just about every book mentioned in this thread and would be up for a reread of most of them. I also love new classics like The Penderwicks and Harry Potter.
I would definitely be into reading more L.M. Montgomer, espepcially her short story collections and some ofmthe stand alone books not usually discusses as much, like Jane of Lantern Hill.And how about some translated classics, like Johanna Syri's Heidi, books by Astrid Lindgren, and Michael Ende's Neverending Story?
Carnegie Medal suggestions:
The Ghosts
The Twelve And The Genii
The Owl Service
A Traveller In Time
Five Children and It
The Family from One End Street: And Some of Their Adventures
Marianne Dreams
I have just read Heidi not that long ago. It was like revisiting an old friend.
Rosemarie wrote: "I have just read Heidi not that long ago. It was like revisiting an old friend."I also did that, but I had also just read a very intersting academic analysis on Heidi (contained Klassiker der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur) which has made me consider the book in a very different but equally satisfying light (as an anti Bildungsroman, with Heidi not apperaring like Goethe's Wilhelm Meister, but more like a released Mignon).
Mignon's poem "Kennst du das Land... " is one of my favourite poems-ever.
Rosemarie wrote: "Mignon's poem "Kennst du das Land... " is one of my favourite poems-ever."Mine too, along with Goethe's Ganymed and Zauberlehrling
The Puffin in Bloom edition of Heidi is so pretty. It's been awhile since I've re-read it.
I'd like to discuss more L. M. Montgomery. I'm currently reading Jane of Lantern Hill and I really like it.I also like Astrid Lindgren. I have read many of her books as a child. They are quite popular for children and well known here in Germany. I think it would be very interesting and enjoyable to reread them.
I haven't read Heidi, but I own a copy and I want to read it sometime. I loved the anime (from 1974) as a child. Does anyone else know it?
Francie, yes now that you mention it I recall the anime. I must have seen it around the time of Beine Maja (now called Maya the Bee)
Yes, I also watched Biene Maja, as well as Nils Holgersson, talking about it. I also want to read Nils Holgersson sometime.
Francie wrote: "I'd like to discuss more L. M. Montgomery. I'm currently reading Jane of Lantern Hill and I really like it.I also like Astrid Lindgren. I have read many of her books as a child. They are quite po..."
I liked the anime series. I saw it as a child in Germany, although after now having read the book, I realise that there were a lot of liberties taken with the series, but that often happens. I also watched Die Biene Maja (not sure if I ever read the book though).
It would be great to read this or Felix Salten's Bambi (but I do get shivers at the fact that he is likely the author of Josefine Mutzenbacher, which can only be considered soft pornography).
Nils Holegersson would be great to read.
One thing that always astounds me is while Astrid Lindgren is still amazingly popular in Germany, in North America, really only Pippi Longstocking has had lasting success (many of her other works while they have been translated, have not held up so well and are often not in current print).
Too bad that the Nesthäkchen series has not been translated into English (I know that one or two have been, but not the first book and the one which has been translated is the novel about WWI which is generally not included in modern republishings of the series). Did you see the TV series?
Yes, I know the Nesthäkchen series but I didn't read the books. It's interesting how different books are received and how their popularity lasts or fades in different countries. Anne of Green Gables for example is hardly known in Germany, at least today, although I believe it was rather popular in the 80s?
There are many books that aren't translated or were only translated ages ago and aren't available anymore (or are poorly translated). It doesn't really bother me as I read many books in english, but it would be necessary to make a book known to more people. I searched frantically for a german copy of A tree grows in Brooklyn as I really love it and wanted to give a copy away but I didn't find a decent one.
Ordinary bookshops in Germany seldom have the titles I'm looking for, so I often have to order online and then sometimes have to wait weeks before the book arrives from the UK or elsewhere. It was so great to spend time in the bookstores in England when I was there on vacation (but then, it's always great to spend time in a bookstore).
message 70:
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Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair
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Katie wrote: "Would anyone else be interested in reading The Story Girl by L.M. Montgomery? I'm thinking about hosting a read along for September!"Yes, definitely, but how about also doing the sequel at the same time, The Golden Road
Katie, that sounds great. I was thinking of reading a book by LMM soon, so September is good.
message 73:
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Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair
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Katie wrote: "I'm glad there's interest! Why don't we plan for a September discussion, and people can have the option to read The Golden Road as well if they want to bring it into the discussion! :)"That sounds good.
I read The Story Girl a few weeks ago, so I'll also join the discussion.
message 77:
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Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair
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With so many fellow L.M. Montgomery fans here I wonder whether anybody has tips for a L.M. Montgomery related trip to Halifax and Prince Edward Island as I'm going to spend the next four month in Halifax and of course I also want to see the locations of the books.
The people in eastern Canada are very friendly and the scenery is beautiful.You are lucky to go there in the fall because you will see the autumn foliage on the trees. If you go to Charlottetown, be sure to get some Cow's Ice Cream. It is the best ice cream I have ever had. There is a beautiful little town called Victoria by the Sea not far from Charlottetown. If you have a chance to visit it, go there. The landscape around it is special too. Enjoy.
Francie wrote: "With so many fellow L.M. Montgomery fans here I wonder whether anybody has tips for a L.M. Montgomery related trip to Halifax and Prince Edward Island as I'm going to spend the next four month in H..."Go to Park Corner and the Green Gables Homestead (which I think is in the provincial park). And defnitely, check out L.M. Montgomery's birthplace and the Cavendish Cemetary where she is buried. And try some Cow's Ice Cream, nothing to do with Montgomery, but pretty darn tasty and a PEI tradition. Take a carriage ride at Park Corner, it is spectacular.
If you like musicals, see if the Anne of Green Gables, and the Anne and Gilbert musicals are playing in Charlottetown (but they do take some liberties with the books, especially Anne and Gilbert).
I see both Rosemarie and I think alike with regard to Cow's Ice Cream.
And I also agree with Rosemarie that autumn is the best time in the Maritimes (perhaps you will even catch a glimpse of the Ghost Ship of Northumberand Strait).
If you do go to Green Gables and other Montgomery sites, save some cash for the bookstores (there are also many souveniers available but much of that is pure kitsch, but the book selection can be amazing, not only for books by Montgomery, but also secondary sources, biographies and her journals).
When we went to PEI, we never did make it to Malpeque, but supposedly, the Emily of New Moon series was based on this area (not sure exactly though), and if you like oysters, Malpeque oysters are world famous.
message 81:
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Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair
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I was struck by how many different kinds of Anne dolls I saw ( I collect dolls!) at many of the different gift shops.
Francie, you will have a delightful time, I'm sure!
Hi Francie,I grew up in New Brunswick and did my undergraduate degree in Halifax, although it's been a while since I spent much time there. It's a wonderful part of the world!
Halifax is great. LM Montgomery lived and worked there as a journalist for a spell (maybe less than a year?) and didn't love it. ( think among her collected letters are some from this period.) But I hope you will. There's a wonderful old cemetery at the end of Spring Garden Rd/ downtown area that is fun to explore. Also, I think the Saturday morning farmer's market continues be lively and interesting. Lots and lots of fun daytrips from Halifax: Grand Pres/ Wolfville is gorgeous, and the inspiration for Longfellow's Evangeline. Peggy's Cove, of course. Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, lovely old fishing villages. For a weekend getaway, you should definitely head to Cape Breton. It's breathtaking! And the local Gaelic culture is fun. If you're there on a Saturday night and there's a ceidlh (a traditional dance party with fiddle music), then GO!
I will also make a little push for my home province of New Brunswick, which tends to get less love than PEI or NS. Well worth visiting the Flower Pots at Fundy National Park to see the highest and lowest tides.
Pack lots of sweaters! And some rain gear. It will be chilly in the evenings.
Best,
Margot
Margot wrote: "Hi Francie,I grew up in New Brunswick and did my undergraduate degree in Halifax, although it's been a while since I spent much time there. It's a wonderful part of the world!
Halifax is great...."
And Luenenburg has one of the oldest if not the oldest German settlements in North America. We went there with the Mount Allison German Club as a field trip and it was very interesting.
And for a weekend trip to NB, St. Andrews by the Sea is also lovely. Or try Moncton's Magnetic Hill or that big market in St. John.
Thank you all so much for your recommendations! I guess I have to try some Cow's Ice Cream. I'd love to buy many books and souvenirs but I have to resist and buy as few as possible as I have to take everything back to Germany and baggage and parcels are very expensive.
The conference sounds amazing, Katie. It must have been very interesting to meet Montgomery's granddaughter.
I hope to make many day trips and weekend trips and explore the sites you all recommended. I'll also have a look at Montgomery's letters from that period.
Would anyone be interested in reading something to get them in the mood for Halloween in mid-October? Nothing scary.But one book that comes to mind would be a re-read for me "The Witch Family" by Eleanor Estes. I loved that one when I was a little girl. It's adorable. Another classic that I haven't read is "Little Witch" by Anna Elizabeth Bennett.
The summer I was 12 we went on a family vacation to PEI. My mom and I went to all the Anne and LMM sites. My dad took my siblings to the beach and amusement park and my grandmother and great-aunt did their usual cooking up a feast. We stayed at Cavendish Cottages by the sea and it was lovely! Like Katie, I collect dolls but have yet to see an Anne doll I liked. I brought home some books that had not been published in the U.S. at the time. I really really want to go back but it's not easy to get there unless you have a car or can afford to fly.
I would read any book by Eleanor Estes. I don't know the other book, but it sounds fun too.
How about Among the Shadows: Tales from the Darker Side (although some of the stories are definitely a bit creepy)And while this is not really a classic, The Ghost of Northumberland Strait is a cute and not too scary middle grade ghost story set in PEI.
I like Gundula's suggestions especially as I just visited PEI, but I'd also like to read the others if I can get a copy in the library. I have never read anything by Eleanor Estes so far but it seems like I really should.
I'll just tell you a little about my trip to PEI as you gave many helpful recommendations. I went there last weekend. The island itself is beautiful and really worth a visit. As for the Montgomery sites, I went to the Lower Bedeque Schoolhouse and the Leard House where Montgomery boarded and fell in love with Herman Leard, which is now a charming café. I have seen Green Gables, the cemetary where Montgomery is buried and the site of Montgomery's Cavendish Home. At the bookstore I met Jennie Macneill, the wife of John Macneill, grandson of Maud's uncle John. They have restored the site and made it open to the public. I read about them in the L.M. Montgomery Album just days before in McCabes travel report from 1996.
I also went to Silver Bush at Park Corner where I took a carriage ride with "Matthew" and to Montgomery's birthhouse in New London as well as Malpeque and the train station in Kensington.
I don't know about all of you but as much as I love L.M. Montgomery, this group has already read two of her books this year so I feel we should perhaps try another author for October. Two of you have responded to Eleanor Estes and as she is absolutely a classic perhaps we should spend a part of October with "The Witch Family". I'll give it another day or two before I post a readalong discussion post with a possible date.
Francie wrote: "I'll just tell you a little about my trip to PEI as you gave many helpful recommendations. I went there last weekend. The island itself is beautiful and really worth a visit. As for the Montgomer..."
We also did that carriage ride.
I would enjoy reading The Witch Family in October in time for Hallowe'en.
Francie, it sounds like you had a wonderful time in P.E.I.
message 95:
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Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair
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Would anyone be interested in a read along of
Behind the Attic Wall or
Five Children and It?
We could aim for a discussion just after Thanksgiving? Other suggestions?
Cheers,
Katie
Behind the Attic Wall sounds intriguing. I have read Five Children and it three times, and am not quite ready for a re-read.
I have been planning to read Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm again, so I am putting it forward as another suggestion.
message 97:
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Katie Ruth, The Lady with Megan-Follows-as-Anne-of-Green-Gables Hair
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Rebecca could be another one to consider!
I looked at our local library website and they don't have Magic Elizabeth in their system. They do have one copy of Behind the Attic Wall.
I think my library has Behind the Attic Wall, I love Magic Elizabeth, and I know I have Rebecca (the Shirley Temple edition! :) )Katie wrote: "Ok, so we can gauge interest in Behind the Attic Wall, and I know the author has other books as well.
Rebecca could be another one to consider!"
Kindred Spirits
Books mentioned in this topic
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A Traveller in Time (other topics)
The Story of the Amulet (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Alexander Key (other topics)John Ruskin (other topics)
