March Book Club: Anne of Green Gables

Happy Weekend, My Lovelies!  Thanks for your patience with this post.  I had such a great time at the artists' workshop, and I'll post all about it next week.  

Today I want you to join me for this month's book club discussion:  Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.

Come on in and grab a mug and fix either tea or coffee to your liking.  Then we'll tuck-in for raspberry tarts and discuss this lovely book!

"The little girls of Avonlea School always pooled their lunches, and to eat three raspberry tarts all alone or even to share them with only one's best chum would have forever and ever branded as "awful mean" the girl who did it.  And yet, when the tarts were divided among ten girls you just got enough to tantalize you."

First of all I want to share a few things before we begin with questions and discussion.  I went to the library and checked-out the annotated edition of Anne of Green Gables.  It took me forever to read the story as well as the notes, but it was so worth it.

One thing I found interesting is Montgomery's model for what Anne looked like in her mind:

Evelyn Nesbit is an artist's model and chorus girl who was the focus of a scandalous murder trial in 1906 that was the subject of intense media attention.  Nesbit's husband Harry K. Thaw shot and killed Stanford White, the well-known New York architect.  An unstable millionaire, Harry Kendall Thaw, who had become obsessed about White's previous relationship with Evelyn, shot him at close range at a New York City play.

Is this how you pictured Anne?

Another thing I wanted to share is about the traditional Canadian quilts mentioned in the book.  This month I noticed an article in the 2019 edition of Victoria Magazine's Victoria's Classics: English Cottage.  

This is an example of a traditional red and white Canadian quilt.  I love quilts, and I love the red with the white.

If you'd like to read more about the landscape of Prince Edward Island and try a few Anne of Green Gables inspired recipes, I'd like to recommend the books pictured below.

"People laugh at me because I use big words. But if you have big ideas you have to use big words to express them, haven't you?"

-Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables 

Discussion questions are posted in the Comments Section below.  If you have a question you'd like to ask, please feel free to post a question or two.

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

March Book Club: Anne of Green Gables

Saturday, March 30, 2019

February Book Club Selection: Their Eyes Were Watching God

“They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God.” 

Happy Saturday, My Lovelies!  I want to apologize for being a day late with our book club post, but it couldn't be helped.  

I've read Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston three or four times, and I'm always surprised by the new things I learn from Janie Crawford.

I hope you're reading the corresponding chapters in The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore for each book because I think it will give you a fresh perspective about the heroines and their authors we're reading this year.  The chapter about Janie Crawford and Zora Neale Hurston is fascinating.  I could see several similarities between Janie and Zora, and I appreciate Blakemore's insights into when would be an optimum time to read these stories.  For example, she states that a good time to read this book is: "When you're not sure you're going to church or going through the motions."  Blakemore also recommends other reads, or "Janie's literary sisters."  I think it would be fun to go back through the book and read the literary sisters' books.  Maybe for next year's book club!

Janie's characteristic that Blakemore writes about in her book is faith.  Janie has it in spades: in God, although she questions Him, and herself.  This is a book about becoming who you are meant to be by exploring an uncharted horizon.  Janie is brave, and she is self-assured.  She has a voice, and she isn't scared of using it:

“Two things everybody's got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin' fuh theyselves.” 

"Sometimes God gits familiar wid us womenfolks too and talks His insides business.  He told me how surprised He was 'bout y'all turning out so smart after Him makin' yuh different; and how surprised y'all is goin' tuh be if you ever find out you don't know half as much 'bout us as you think you do.  It's so easy to make yo'self out God Almighty when you ain't got nuthin' tuh strain against but women and chickens."

I'm changing how I'm posting questions for this book only. The main reason is because I am currently not home, and I thought this would be easier for me to moderate comments via my phone.  

I'm posting a few questions here in the post, and y'all can discuss in comments.  I'd appreciate it if you'd ask a few of your own, if you like.  

Their Eyes Were Watching God Discussion Questions

1.   Hurston wrote this book using AAE (African American English) dialect, and she was criticized for doing so.  What are your thoughts about reading stories using AAE?  

2.   There are many references to the horizon (especially that of a sea or ocean) in this book, which is apropos considering the setting is in Florida, and the book's climax is during a hurricane.  How does this symbol apply to Janie's life?

3.   Let's talk about the symbolism of Janie's beautiful hair.  Go!

4.   Death is not only personified in the book, he is a symbol for transition.  How does death provide transitions for Janie?

5.   Why does Hurston have Janie tell her story through flashback?

6.   Janie loved Tea Cake in spite of the fact that he hit her.  What do you make of this, and what do you think about the symbol of the sun as it relates to him?

7.   Blakemore states in her book that Janie represents the characteristic of faith.  If Blakemore decided to rewrite this chapter, what other trait could she attribute to Janie?  

8.  There are so many beautiful quote in this book.  One of my favorites is the first line: "Ships at a distance have every man's wish on board."  This is one of the best opening lines I've ever read because it sets a mood of dreaminess and wishes....and I like it!  Do you have a favorite quote from the book?  Please share it!

I hope you enjoyed reading Their Eyes Are Watching God.  I look forward to reading your comments!  I will close comments Tuesday evening.

Comments are now closed.

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

February Book Club Selection: Their Eyes Were Watching God

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Literary Friday: January 2019 Book Club - Pride and Prejudice

Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies!  

Today is the first "meeting" of The Sketchy Reader Book Club.  January's selection:  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

We will discuss this classic and what makes Elizabeth Bennet have such an exceptional sense of self below in the Comments Section.  I will post a few questions, and then YOU can also post questions of your own.  We'll keep the discussion open all weekend, so you can pop in whenever you can and participate.  Late Sunday I will close comments.

But first, I want to invite you in for some tea and refreshments:

How many Madeleines would you like?

Here is my Madeleines recipe:

How do you take your tea?

Y'all....I must admit I enjoyed this beautiful edition of Pride and Prejudice so much.

According to Goodreads:

Puffin Plated: A Book-to-Table Reading Experience

A deluxe, full-color hardback edition of the perennial Jane Austen classic featuring a selection of recipes for tea-time treats by the one and only Martha Stewart!

Have your book and eat it, too, with this clever edition of a classic novel, featuring delicious recipes from celebrity chefs. In this edition of Jane Austen's regency classic Pride and Prejudice, plan a fancy tea party or book club gathering with recipes for sweet confections and pastries. From maple glazed scones and delicate sugar and spice cake, to berry tartlets and French macaroons. Bring your friends and family together with a good meal and a good book!

Book includes full, unabridged text of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, interspersed with recipes, food photography, and special food artwork.

My Review:

This book is so beautiful.  The food photography by Bill Milne and the artistry of pastry chef extraordinaire Amber Spiegel make this book a literal feast for the eyes.  Plus it's filled with some of Martha Stewart's best dessert recipes.  I've already tried a couple: Cream Scones and Chocolate Shortbread Fingers.  Next week I'll share a little post about them both.

Amber Spiegel is known for her decorative sugar cookies.  She teaches students all over the world how to decorate their own sugar cookie masterpieces.  Amber created beautiful cookies that complemented the text throughout the book.  For example: some were iced with replicas of Longbourn, Rosings Park, and Pemberley.  Almost every single page in the book has either icing or fondant creations.  Some of my favorites are memorable quotes on cookies.

If you love Pride and Prejudice, you deserve to purchase this Puffin Plated Book-to-Table Classic.  It would make a fantastic gift, too!

Thanks so much for "attending" our January Book Club "meeting."  Remember to join-in on the discussion below!

February's book club selection is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

Until next time...

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

Literary Friday: January 2019 Book Club - Pride and Prejudice

Friday, January 25, 2019

Announcement: The Sketchy Reader Book Club Beginning January, 2019

Merry Christmas, My Lovelies!

I have an exciting announcement I want to share with you:  I'm starting a book club!

This year has not been the best year for me as far as reading is concerned...There have been many disappointments.  Several over hyped books were boring and disappointing; they in no way lived-up to the "hype."

One of the other disappointments I've had this year in my reading life is the injection of politics in fiction books.  If I want to read bad things about Trump and the "deplorables" who elected him, I'd read a newspaper.  Any newspaper.  

I don't want to read about politics in fiction.  This past year, fiction has been chock-full of anti-Trump sentiment.  I suppose writers had 2017 to express their angst (and in some cases denial) as they wrote their books that were published in 2018.  Don't get me wrong...I'm not in favor of censorship or boycotting, but I choose not to participate.

Also, many of the plans I made for 2018 never happened due to family obligations and my health, so I decided in 2019 to keep things simple.

Each month, we'll read a classic novel based on The Heroine's Bookshelf by Erin Blakemore...

The book cover (above) is an IndieBound affiliate link for purchasing the book.

You do NOT have to read this book in order to participate, but it would probably enhance your reading of each novel.  Every month we'll read a classic with a strong female character who possesses a trait every woman should aspire to have.  And the best thing about my plan is this: I know that I will NOT be disappointed at least once each month because these books are all so well-written.

Below are the titles for The Sketchy Reader Book Club for 2019:
January:  SELF:  Lizzy Bennet in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
February:  FAITH:  Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
March:  HAPPINESS:  Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery 
April:  DIGNITY:  Celie in The Color Purple by Alice Walker
May:  FAMILY TIES:  Francie Nolan in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
June:  INDULGENCE:  Claudine in Claudine at School by Colette
July:  FIGHT:  Katy Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
August:  COMPASSION:  Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
September:  SIMPLICITY:  Laura Ingalls in The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
October:  STEADFASTNESS:  Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
November:  AMBITION:  Jo March in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
December:  MAGIC:  Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett


Obviously many if not all of these titles will be re-reads for you and me, but reading them again will be like visiting old friends, don't you agree?
I'm planning a few activities and surprises each month as we read these classics.  On the last Friday of the month, I'll share a special Book Club Literary Friday post that will include questions and perhaps a giveaway or two.  Readers can check in throughout the day and share their thoughts.  If you don't follow me on Instagram, it might be a good idea to do so because I will also posts fun things on that social media platform.  I am no longer on Facebook.
Please feel free to participate as much or as little as you like.  Everyone is welcome, and this is a free book club.  
If you don't have a copy of Pride and Prejudice, pick one up soon from your favorite bookstore or library because we will have our first book club discussion on Friday, January 25th.

This is the edition I'll be reading.  It hints at some activities I'll be sharing with y'all!

I hope y'all will join me in reading these classics during 2019.  Book Club will be my primary focus on my blog in 2019, along with recipes, decor, crafts, and other activities inspired by the month's book.

Until next time...

Happy reading and Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill

Announcement: The Sketchy Reader Book Club Beginning January, 2019

Wednesday, December 19, 2018