Anne with an E : reviewing new Anne of Green Gables books

October 5, 2017October 5, 2017Leave a comment

With Netflix airing the Anne of Green Gables show Anne with an E, I was excited to have the opportunity to read two new Anne of Green Gables books in return honest review courtsey of Netgalley.

Anne of Green Gables is a classic children’s book by L.M Montgomery. If you haven’t read it you are missing a treat. Set in Prince Edward Island, it follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative orphan who has the curse of red hair (her thoughts – not mine. I would love red hair) as she finds her place and self with Marilla and Andrew Cuthbert. The series covers everything; friendship, the meaning of family,community, heartbreak, zest for life, appreciating imagination and books. Once read it is easy to see why the books have been treasured and loved for generations. They are readily available for free on ebooks or at library so you have no excuse not to sink back into bed or sofa with the originals this Autumn.

anne

Title: Anne of Green Gables a graphic novel

Author: Mariah Marsden

Publisher Andrew McMeel Publishing

Genre Children’s Classic , Comic and Graphic novel

My initial thoughts of the idea of Anne in a graphic form was uncertainty but what a joy this book is.

An original retelling of the classic children’s book Anne of Green Gables in the form of a graphic novel. The illustrations are delightful and capture the nature and feel of L.M Montgomery’s Avonlea and Anne Shirley. It is a good introduction to the series but will also be loved by those who have already taken Anne to their hearts.

Out 24th Oct 2017

anne cook

Title The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook

Author Kate MacDonald, L.M Montgomery

Publisher Quarto Publishing Group – Race Point Publishing

Genre Cookery Children’s Literature

A lovely book for fans of Anne of Green Gables of all ages, young and old. Full of tasty recipes inspired by the series, it is a treat to read and would make an ideal gift.
The simple format and handy tips is perfect as an introduction to cookery for children though it will appeal to adults too. I love the fact it does not just cover sweet food but a range of meals.

Out now

Happy reading!

Celebrating 20 year’s of Harry

June 3, 20171 Comment

June has arrived already and this poor blog has been neglected as I have dwelled under the duvet with zero spoons. Many books have been read by our members on the topics of books vs movies, different cultures, floral books, children’s books (always a favourite to do) and finally classics with Jane Eyre being a popular choice.

#HarryPotter #tea #BookClubforSpoonies #DuvetDwellersbookclub

Perfect combination tea and Harry Potter

This month we celebrate 20 years since we were first introduced to the most famous boy wizard, Harry Potter and the magical world of JK Rowling. For some, it will be a time of comfort reading as they plunge themselves into their well-thumbed editions while others will cautiously tiptoe into Rowling’s imagination to meet the famous trio and Hagrid for the first time. It will be fascinating to see what their views will be. Will they find the story worth the wait and be asking the sorting hat what house they will be in or will they shrug their shoulders, bewildered at all the hype that still exists around the protagonist and friends?

Personally, I love the Harry Potter series and the community it has created. It doesn’t seem 20 years ago I picked up my copy of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone from the shelf at Woolworths. The children in the library I worked at were excited about the book and the reservation list of a copy to borrow was ever growing so I needed to buy it. I was hooked the moment Dudley was scared by the snake at London Zoo. The following years on release nights, I was queuing up at midnight with many other bookworms young and old, at the local bookshop eager to read the next instalment. Each volume conjures up happy memories every time they are read. No other series has captured me like that apart from possibly the All Souls Trilogy.

If Harry Potter is not your thing we are celebrating series of books in general? What would you recommend?

Want to join in discussions and natter about books – click here for a warm welcome to our book club for people with chronic illnesses otherwise known as spoonies.

Happy reading!

Twas the days before Christmas

December 23, 20162 Comments

The tree is dressed in its best baubles and the lights are twinkling. Stockings are hung in anticipation they will be filled with our favourite things – books!

This time of year, books are great to curl up with to escape the overwhelming and hectic preparations, gather spoons or indulge in festive stories that flood the book shelves in the shops. What have you been reading?

Are you hoping to find a particular read under the tree?

It is also the time for reading old festive favourites or following family traditions. We particularly love the Swedish tradition of jólabókaflóð and believe it should be adopted worldwide. Imagine how many happy bookworms there would be and new book lovers created everywhere.

We are pleased to release our themes for 2017 including the one we are all excited about – Harry Potter month in honour of the 20th anniversary of the release of the first installment, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Yes – it really has been out that long. We are also looking forward to the discussions on books vs movies in January. This will conjure up lots of discussions.

Watch this space for exciting book club news in the New Year!

Have a lovely Christmas and hope it is filled with lots of books, spoons and happiness.

Happy reading!

Do you love books and have a chronic illness, disability or class yourself as a Spoonie – we would love to welcome you in our warm friendly group.

heart free unsplash

February, the month of love was recognised by the ‘self care’ theme, after all in the world of chronic illness looking after yourself is essential. The theme was open to include general self-care and finding more about your condition so a range of books were discussed including Diagnosis Dystonia and The Drama Free Way of Life.

We revisited childhood in March, in honour of colourful and delightful World Book Day where children and adults dress up as their favourite characters to celebrate the joy of books. The book could have been your favourite dog-eared book you grabbed repeatedly of the shelf (or kept close under your pillow) or a book you always wanted to read. There is a wealth of enchanting books to choose from, including the classics from Roald Dahl, Frances Hodgson Burnett and J K Rowling. Children’s stories can be magical, inspiring or heartbreaking such as one my old favourites ‘Goodnight, Mr Tom’. There are so many, it was difficult to decide because a title is mentioned and memories of childhood reading flood back – favourite reading places, library or book shop visits or friends. Not only do you relive the story and catch up with long forgotten characters, you also capture snatches of time as memories of the when you last read the book resurface. It is a theme that should be have a sequel or two.

This theme should also come with a warning – your to-read list grows exponentially as you brainstorm books you have read and want to read again

Still looking back in time

From revisiting old favourites, April’s theme is all about reading someone else’s history in the form memoirs and biographies. Any person can be chosen, from any period of time. Maybe it is someone you admire, intrigued by or they lived through an experience you either relate to or want to know more about, the choice is yours. This is a genre I do not normally read so I am looking forward to giving it a go as well as catching up on everyone else’s finds.

What will be on your next book be?

Happy reading until next time.

Future Book Club Dates

April – Biography or Memoir – 29th April

May – A book with a colour in the title – 27th May

June – A book you already own – 24th June

To join our book club click here for a warm welcome

From Under the Duvet

Books, cards and a Wobbly Life

Tag: Children’s books

Anne with an E : reviewing new Anne of Green Gables books