Saturday, January 22, 2011

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

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Christmas is Coming.....


Last year around this time I posted about the beautiful Penguin Classics. Oh, they are so beautiful. There are a few new ones so I thought I'd share some of my favorites. I also included a few of my favorites from last year as well.


The next books are not necessarily ones I'd like to own and read, I just thought they had beautiful covers. Nothing like judging a book by it's cover...oh come on, I know you guys do to. ;)

Aren't they beautiful? I would love to own the beautiful copy of Little Women. The pink scissors. Oh my! I also love the Dickens covers and of course all of Jane Austen. And isn't the Jane Eyre beautiful?

For as long as I can remember, books have been on my Christmas list. Old ones, new ones...I just love them. What's on your Christmas list this year?


♥Jane

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

New Old Books

I did it again. I went to a used bookstore. I caved. I bought books. Oh well, they are fabulous! See for yourself....



Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag by Louisa May Alcott
I couldn't believe it when I found this. I've never ever seen this in a book store. In fact I wasn't even aware that it existed. What kind of Alcott fan am I?? The funny thing is, Lizzie found the exact same book at another store just a few days after I found this copy!


Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
I've been wanting to read this book so I was glad when I found it. Can anyone tell me if this is an abridged copy? It's a World's Classic edition. And it says it's edited by so and so (name escapes me). Does that mean it's abridged? Help! If I'm going to read a Dickens I don't want to read a stupid abridged copy. It was only a few dollars so I picked it up anyway.


The World of Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse
I'm reading this right now. It's hilarious! If you ever find a P.G. Wodehouse book at a used book store...BUY IT!!!

Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott
Another Alcott book to add to my collection! Isn't this a beautiful copy?

Not pictured: Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery to add to my collection and a beat up copy of Martin Chuzzelwit by Charles Dickens.

Where am I going to put all of these books you ask? Ta-da!

My brother-in-law made me this awesome bookshelf! Each part is separate so that you can arrange it anyway you want. Sim designed it and built it himself. I love it so much and can't wait to fill it up with all my new old books.

I also got a lovely book from Lizzie!!! I need to take a picture of it so that I can show you.

Have you guys gotten new books lately?
♥ Jane

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Eragon and Colder Days...


I was just popping on here to write a quick post, as we haven't done one in ages, and look at that...Jane's beat me to it. :) It think now that the weather is teasing us with colder mornings and little hints that Fall is around the corner, it gets us more in the reading mood. Even though Jane's been reading all Summer it seems. :)
I haven't had much time to read this summer, it's been a busy one! But I did start reading Eragon which I'm really enjoying! It has a similar flavor to Lord of the Rings but it's a world completely it's own. Have any of you read it? What do you think of it?
I'm in the middle of moving again so all my books are packed so I only have what's available at the library and my neighbor's shelves. But I am hoping to get some good reading done this winter. What's on your list of books to read and what are you reading now?
~Elizabeth

Sunday, August 22, 2010

A Question for You


I have a question for you. Has anyone read any works by Willa Cather? I think she may be best known for O Pioneers and My Antonia. I'm wondering if she would be an author I would like. I would love to hear your thoughts! You all know what I like. Thanks ever so!

How is everyone? I hope you are all having a beautiful Summer! I just got back from a bluegrass festival! What a blast! :) Have you been reading anything good? I'm reading another Robin Hood (can't remember who it's by at the moment...), The Swiss Family Robinson and Betsy's Wedding.

Have a beautiful day and enjoy the sunshine while it's here!
♥ Jane

Thursday, May 20, 2010

And the winner is...

I wrote all your lovely names on some paper, mixed it all up, (I'm SO high tech right?) closed my eyes and drew out....
Domestic Diva!


Congrats! I've e-mailed you about it and I will wait for your reply!


Ok, I'm starting to feel like I'm talking to myself! WHAT are you all reading? I'll tell you if you tell me. ;) Instead of fishing for compliments, I'm fishing for comments. But really, I want to know what everyone's reading. Or planning to read... or...just finished reading...or

...what you read when you were 6?

Ok, I'm done now.
:) ♥Jane