Powell's City of Books

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Last week my fiancée and I went to Portland to visit friends and family and while we were there he took me to Powell's bookstore. Not only that...he let me spend two whole hours there. :) I could have spent much much longer but there were other things to see and do. We've decided though that we should go there every time we visit Portland. It's probably one of my favorite places.

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While perusing the shelves for books to take home Britton ran across this one:

Which he immediately fell in love with and HAD to buy. It's a really cute and funny book! However if you have a particular fondness for fairies you may not like Tollins as they are rather careless of them. We read the first story together and then he read the other two over the phone to me. They are really funny. :)

And then I found the beautiful clothbound Penguin Classic Cranford which was used so it was much cheaper but it still looks like brand new:

Can you tell I'm in love with it? :)

And Britton also bought Brisinger, so we now have the whole Eragon set until the fourth book comes out. I need to finish this series!
Going to Powell's can be overwhelming and you suddenly seem to forget what books you've been looking for so we've decided next time we're taking a list. In the meantime...I'm going to get some reading done. ;)

~Elizabeth~

Books Jane Read in 2010

Here is a list of books I read this year. The total count is 50 books! I beat last years list by 2 books. Ha ha! :) Childrens books seem to be the theme of this years list. There are around 15 books that would be considered children's fiction. For 2011 I'm continuing the trend of reading kids books with Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. I forgot how great they are. :)

I kept better track of the books I read this year by keeping a post in drafts on this blog. Last year, I just had to remember what I read and it was too difficult.

So, here is the list for your reading pleasure (wink!). I will put an (*) by each title that I have read before. I will also but a little rating or comment on some of the books so that I can remind myself if I liked it or not. Rating is 0-10. 0=hated it and 10=loved it.

2010 Finished book list

The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Braun Hmm..not really my favorite. A little boring in fact. 4

*The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien My sis Marg read this to me and my younger sister. 10 of course!

*Little Women by Louisa May Alcott My annual read! You all know what I think about this one. 15 ;)


Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella Really dumb. I do not reccomend. I'll give it a 3 because there were a few laugh out loud parts.

*Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery I love this story even more now that I'm older. 10

Akin to Anne by L. M. Montgomery Great collection of short stories in Ms. Montgomery's beautiful style. 9

The Blue Castle by L. M. MontgomeryThis one was lovely too although I felt it was quite different from her other writings. A very imaginitive and touching story. 7

*Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery The last book in her Anne series. Love this story about Anne's daughter. I loved seeing the time (World War I) through her young eyes and seeing her mature from a slightly spoiled teenager to a mature and loving young woman. 10

Summer Lightening by P. G. Wodehouse P. G. Wodehouse is ALWAYS a good read. :) 9

Robin Hood by Howard Pyle This is the first Robin Hood book I've read. Loved it. 9

Freddy the Politician by Walter R. Brooks hilarious! 9

*A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter I tried to read this when I was younger but I didn't get it. I LOVED it this time. I love Ms. Stratton-Porter's writing. I'm looking forward to reading more of hers. 10

Cranford and Other Stories by Elizabeth Gaskell Got this book from Lizzie. Full of short stories that are very diverse and imaginative. 9

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley I borrowed this book on CD from the library. Strangely, I hadn't read this one before. I would love to read the other books in this series sometime. 9

*Thank You, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Again, you cannot go wrong with Mr. Wodehouse! 10

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Very imaginative and fun. 7

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith Not absolutely sure what I think about this one. I loved the first part of it but as the story went on I seemed to like it less and less. Maybe I will read it again someday and decide. For now, I will give it a 5

Heidi by Johanna Spyri No wondering about this one. Loved it with all my heart. 10


The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson
Jeeves in the Morning by P.G. Wodehouse This was a great adventure story with a sweet bit of romance in it. In the style of Robin Hood. 7

A Court of Inquiry by Grace Smith Richmond A lovely turn of the century story about friendship. 8

Freckles by Gene Stratton Porter I love this book. 10

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit Strange but good read. 6
*And Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott Hadn't read this one for quite awhile. It's such a lovely story! 10

* Right Ho, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse *laughing* 10


Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace Hard to believe I know, but this was the first time I've ever read these. I LOVED them. All of the Maud Hart Lovelace books get a 10. :)


Betsy-Tacy and Tib by Maud Hart Lovelace


Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill by Maud Hart Lovelace


The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Cute story! 8


Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown by Maud Hart Lovelace


Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace

The Chronicles of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery I love her short stories. And these are great because they are about people you already know through the Anne series. Anne herself shows up in a few. :) 9

The Further Chronicles of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery 9
Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace

Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace

*Jeeves and the Tie that Binds by P. G. Wodehouse Jeeves. Need I say More? 10

Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent Memoirs of a Midwife. So interesting and a good read. 9

Robin Hood by Louis Rhead Fun to read different versions. 7

The World of Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Yes, sir, I would rate it a ten. That rating best illustrates the tasteful humour contained in the tome.


*Captain's Courageous by Rudyard Kipling Another example of enjoying the book more now that I'm older. 9

Carney's House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace One of my favorite Lovelace books. So enjoyable. 10

Winona's Pony Cart by Maud Hart Lovelace Winona is a hilarious and loveable little girl. :) 10

The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel I first watched the Hallmark film of the same name (really good as well!) then found the book. I really loved it. 9

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Horribly despressing. I do not reccomend this book. 0

The Swamp Robber by Paul Hutchens First book in the Suger Creek Gang series. Sweet and funny. 8

Jennifer by Zoa Sherburne Bought this one for the cover but decided to read it anyway. Kinda sweet. 4

Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace I loved this one as well. In fact, I think I will give it an 11

The Killer Bear by Paul Hutchens Another book in the Sugar Creek Gang series. Fun! It would be great for boys from 8-13. Full of adventure and excitement but with a Christian theme throughout. Written from the perspective of a 10 or 11 year old boy. Cute. :) 8

Hope you all are having a lovely winter and that you are finding ample time to read. I encourage you to keep a list of the books you read throughout the year! It's so interesting to go back over the year and remember what you were doing and how you were feeling when you read that particular book. It's also nice to be able to remember that you have read a certain book and if you liked it or not.

Happy Reading my friends!

♥Jane