Quote of the Day:

“Tea and books - Mmmmmm, two of life's exquisite pleasures that together bring near-bliss.” ~ Christine Hanrahan

Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery

225 pages
Published 1919, reprinted 1998
by Bantom Books
Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.
New York, NY

At long last I had time to sit down and not only begin reading Rainbow Valley, but time to finish it! Rainbow Valley is the seventh book in the Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery, but it isn't really a book about Anne, it's more of a book about her children... and yet it's not entirely about them either.

The Plot:
Anne Shirley is grown up, has married her beloved Gilbert, and is the mother of six mischievous children. These boys and girls discover a special place all their own, but they never dream of what will happen when a strange family moves into an old mansion nearby. The Meredith clan is two boys and two girls--and a runaway named Mary Vance. Soon the Merediths join Anne's children in their private hideout, intent on carrying out their plans to save Mary from the orphanage, to help the lonely minister find happiness, and to keep a pet rooster from the soup pot. There's always an adventure brewing in the sun-dappled world of Rainbow Valley. (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
I had mixed thoughts going into this book. On the one-hand I was sad to know this story wasn't really about Anne. Although she is present throughout the book and is definitely a part of the story, Rainbow Valley isn't her story and because of this I did find myself missing Anne. I also truly missed Gilbert. For the first time in the series Gilbert only has one line! And although he is mentioned throughout the book he only makes two or three appearances in the story. Alas!

I guess because of this it almost felt to me as if Rainbow Valley was more of a companion story to the Anne of Green Gables series, like the three Deep Valley books are to the Betsy-Tacy series. (The only difference here of course is that Rainbow Valley is one of the Anne books.)

Nevertheless, once I got over this snag I truly enjoyed Rainbow Valley. The adventures of the Blythe and Meredith children are hilariously entertaining. And like all Montgomery stories, this book had it's sweet and it's sad moments. Of course, what Montgomery novel would be complete without a little romance? Rainbow Valley contained two -- one of lost love that gets a second chance and one of unexpected love, both added greatly to the richness of the story. And in the end I found the book to be a sweet, charming and completely delightful read. Not at all boring, which I must admit I was secretly worried it might be.

Another interesting feeling I had while reading Rainbow Valley was the feeling of familiarity. Although this was my first time reading this particular book so much of the story telling felt familiar, as if Montgomery took some of her best character personalities in all their quirkiness, some of the familiar phrases and humor and gave them a fresh twist. Not to say that the story feels recycled, because it doesn't. Just comfortably familiar and I think a pleasant read for any fan of Montgomery's writing.

For those who have read the Anne of Green Gables series and have never given this book a read, you are missing out. Don't focus on the fact that Anne is no longer at the center of the story, enjoy the story for all the other wonderful characters and adventures that are to be found within.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Rainbow Valley a 4.5. I really enjoyed it and am sorry I put off reading it for so long. I am glad to own a copy for my own personal library and highly encourage you to check out a copy at your library or find one at your local book store. This Lucy Maud Montgomery book is a must read!

My other L. M.Montgomery reviews:
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
Anne of Windy Poplars
Anne's House of Dreams
Anne of Ingleside

The Blue Castle

And for those interested in reading some or more of L. M. Montgomery's works be sure to check out Reading to Know's L. M. Montgomery Reading Challenge, which will run in January 2010.

Friday Finds...

I'm long over due for a post like this. Over the last couple months I've been slowly collecting books, due to the number and my limited time for blogging I'm going to keep this post to a list of titles and authors, then once I read them I'll post cover pictures and further details.

Found a charity book sale. Total spent $5.
* The Gate Marked Private by Ethel M. Dell (c) 1928
* Miss Morissa: Doctor of the Gold Trail by Mari Sandoz (c) 1955
* The Man Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale (c) 1897
* Heidi Grows Up by Charles Tritten (c) 1938
* Through the Green Gate: The Alice and Jerry Books by Mabel O'Donnell Published 1939, (c)1957
* The Rand McNally Book of Favorite Animal Stories. Published 1949, (c) 1980.
* Read-To-Me Storybook Compiled by the Child Study Association of America, Illustrated by Lois Lenski. (c) 1947.

Found at a thrift shop. Total spent: $0.50.
* Skinny by Robert Burch (c) 1964
* M.E. And Morton by Sylvia Cassedy (c) 1987

Free through Paperback Swap. Total spent: NOTHING.
* General "Ike" Eisenhower by Delos W. Lovelace (c) 1944

Found online. Total spent: $12 + shipping
* The Four Graces by D. E. Stevenson (c) 1946, reprinted 1976
* Rear Admiral Byrd And the Polar Expeditions by Coram Foster (c) 1930
* Journey To Bethlehem by Delos W. Lovelace (c) 1953
* That Dodger Horse by Delos W. Lovelace (c) 1956

I am particularly excited to add some of the works written by Maud Hart Lovelace's husband, Delos, to my library. Likewise, I found the Read-to-Me Storybook a real treasure with it's short stories and poems including those written by Margaret Wise Brown (author of Good Night Moon) and stories and poems and illustrations by Lois Lenski.

Total books found = 14

Total spent = approx $17.50

Happy book hunting!

Tuesday Teaser

"I'd had the idea once, that if I could get the chance before I died I would read all the good books there were. Now I began to see that I wasn't apt to make it. This disappointed me, for I really wanted to read them all. But it consoled me in a way too, I could see that if I got them all read and had no more surprises in that line I would have been sorry."

(Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry, Chapter 6, page 47)

Murder in Mesopotamia by Agatha Christie

213 pages
Published 1935, reprinted 1985
A Bantom Book
published by arrangement with Dodd, Mead & Company
New York, NY

Published in the summer of 1936, both in the UK and the US, Murder in Mesopotamia is the 12th Hercule Poirot novel by Agatha Christie.

For those unfamiliar with the Middle East, the "Mesopotamia" in the title refers to the Tigris-Euphrates region in the eastern Mediterranean, which is largely composed of Iraq, northeastern Syria, and parts of Turkey and Iran. Ms. Christie spent some time in this area of the world with her second husband, Sir Max Mallowan, who was an archaeologist. And it is clearly evident that the Mediterranean had special meaning to Ms. Christie, for she dedicated Murder in Mesopotamia, the first of several novels set in and around the Middle East: "to my many archaeological friends in Iraq and Syria."

The Plot:
"When Amy Leatheran agrees to look after archaeologist Dr. Leidner’s wife at a dig near Hassanieh, she finds herself taking on more than just nursing duties – she also has to help solve murders. Fortunately for Amy, Hercule Poirot is visiting the excavation site. But will the great detective be in time to prevent a multiple murderer from striking again?" (Summary courtesy of AgathaChristie.com)

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed solving Murder in Mesopotamia. I found the story's setting to be both unique and interesting. I particularly liked it because I knew Ms. Christie drew upon personal experience when writing this novel. The narration style of this book was somewhat unique in that the narrator was a stranger to the reader and in that sense reminded me a little of The Man in the Brown Suit and The Mystery of the Blue Train. As I have found to be the case with most of her crime novels, the plot was fast moving and interesting, the characters were diverse, and the mystery a little tricky. But unlike several of Agatha Christie's early mysteries I actually managed to solve this one before it was revealed to the reader. I was so pleased with myself!

One fun note is that although Murder in Mesopotamia was published in 1936, the events occur three years in the past in 1933. Readers of Murder on the Orient Express will recall Hercule Poirot has just returned from Mesopotamia when he travels on the Orient Express and solves that murder. (Click on the title to read my review of the novel.)

As I've mentioned before, I used to dislike Hercule Poirot. I'm not sure why as I had not read many of the novels where he was featured. I think from the little I knew of his character I thought him vain and annoying, but I've since changed my opinion. Over the last year I've read twelve novels where he solves the crime and I've really come to admire the character Ms. Christie created as well as the detective. Perhaps he can be a bit vain, but I think within reason. Of course, ask me again when I reach the end of the Poirot mysteries if I've changed my mind. I read once that Agatha Christie was glad to be done with Poirot when she finished her final novel starring the Belgian detective.

For those interested in watching a film version this novel, David Suchet stars in the role of Hercule Poirot in the 2001 adaptation for the Agatha Christie's Poirot series. Suchet, in my opinion is the best actor to play Poirot. Although I have yet to see this movie I read that the character of Captain Hastings was added to the story (he does not make an appearance in the book), which resulted in reducing Amy Leatheran's character drastically.

In summary, on a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Murder in Mesopotamia a 3.5. I really enjoyed it, but I missed Captain Hastings and the English setting. And while the setting was unique and interesting, I can't say it was a favorite, but still it's a definite must read for fans of Hercule Poirot. Borrow vs. buy this book, unless you intend to collect the complete works of the Queen of Crime, Dame Agatha Christie.

Up next: Another Poirot mystery, Cards On the Table, review to come later this month.

Silence is...

They say "silence is golden," but I wonder if that is still true of blogs?

I feel as though I've said this a lot in recent weeks, but pardon my silence. I haven't had any free time in the last week. But I do have books I'm trying to find time to read, reviews that need to be written, quotes to post, and links to link. I will be back, hopefully with a lot more free time in the coming weeks.

Thanks for waiting.

Tuesday Teasers

"Telling a story is like reaching into a granary full of wheat and drawing out a handful. There is always more to tell than can be told."

(Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry, Chapter 4, page 29)