Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

 I'm not sure how I heard about this book, but somehow I have it and I enjoyed it! It was nice to read something more contemporary after my days and days of early 1900's and Green Gables. This was a well-written story that came about almost like a mystery. Different threads of a story soon came together in a beautiful way, and a family came together through the help of a super smart octopus.

I enjoyed the writing. Great images and descriptions without calling attention to themselves. Tova, the main character in the story, was interesting and relatable. Cameron, the shiftless 30 year old, develops and grows in the course of the story, and it was rewarding to watch that happen. The language was brutal but appropriate. 

I got a little tired of all the melodrama, though. The constant care about where she (Tova) was going to live, etc., and her friend Ethan's kindness, and how was that going to go? Are there really people that selfless around? Anyway, the rehashing of her son's death was tiring...still, the story was intriguing enough to hold my interest, and so were the characters. 

I read this in a couple of days. I enjoyed inhabiting their world because my own has become redundant and somehow stale. Or worrisome? I'm veging out way too often, and this book helped me do that for hours on end. I'm ready to take a break and get active again, but I don't seem to have the motivation or the energy! Still, here I am, sitting up and writing, and I'm not deep into my next one YET, so maybe today will be the day I break this lethargy. I hope so. 

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery (#8 in the Anne of Green Gables series)

 I enjoyed this story of the days leading up to World War I and how these Canadians persevered through the four years of war. Rilla is Anne's youngest child, and the most like her, in spirit, I think. We get to know Walter better, and Susan, the loyal house manager, gets a larger role. It was very interesting to read about how the war news was shared, how telephones and mail were shared, and how the community pulled together. How the women were busy knitting, knitting, knitting, and everyone was writing long letters...Of course this is fiction, but I imagine much of it was typical of the life and times. 

This book got a little heavy and redundant, but that's because the war and the news were heavy and redundant. I loved the development of Rilla's love for her war baby, and admired the way Montgomery illustrates good parenting. For example, Anne and Gilbert leave Rilla to work it all out by herself, and sure enough, her love grows. 

It was also interesting to read about the devotion these people had for their siblings. They didn't have a lot of distractions, although food prep and travel were big time users, still, they spend hours becoming intimate friends who feel the loss of each other keenly. That was very sweet to read about, and made me yearn a little for a simpler time. 

I wondered about how satisfying it might have been for Rilla to discover a desire to become more than Kenneth Ford's wife...but that was appropriate then, and is appropriate now, if it includes raising a family. Homemaking is a huge, fine art, but would feel empty without children. And a desire for education to do it better wouldn't have been out of line. I just think, no author today would end Rilla's tremendous growth and story with such a submissive "Yeth." 

Rainbow Valley by L.M Montogmery (#7)

 I really enjoyed this story that centered on the minister's family of four children. He's a widow and very absent-minded. A new little orphan, Mary, comes into the Blythe and Meredith family circles, and she shakes things up beautifully. This story is so deftly told...how the Christian gossips are outshone by the beautiful acts of the supposedly misbehaving children. It's quite delightful with colorful and often witty characters. And the ending romance of a double wedding is a satisfying ending. The Blythe children are not the focus of this story, although they come into it at times. The Meredith children are the centerpiece of this edition, and are such good-hearted, refreshing people that it's fun to read about them.

Again, it's been the perfect summer get out of the heat and read before a nap kind of book. The goodness of the community and the children are fun to observe. The gossips are annoying and the different times are fun to read about. Imagine a little valley where the kids catch the trout and cook them over an open fire for a picnic dinner! So idyllic to watch the children enjoy each other, support each other, and enjoy each other. Again Montgomery does a wonderful job of opening up the children's minds to us, to see their flawed yet idealistic thinking. It's wonnderful when they are able to bring about goodness in the adults around them!

Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery (#6)

 This series has been a lovely respite from the owrry and the work associated with Leonard's prostate cancer diagnosis and subsequent appointments. It's a happy place that is captivating and engaging to disappear into, with no pressure or decisions or sadness to negotiate. And it's uplifting and very witty, especially the gossiping characters and what upsets them. Anne perseveres through it all with her characteristic optimism and hope and good sense. 

This particular volume helps us get to know Anne's and Gilbert's children fairly intimately. Montgomery is a master of depicting the thinking of children and describing how they easily come to wrong conclusions. Yet you know it will all come out right, eventually. Anne also often describes what she believes heaven will be like, and its consistent with my beliefs; that there will be laughter there, for example. Her friends are somewhat shocked by this thinking, but she and Gilbert are very much in tune with practical spirituality. 

I enjoyed getting to know Walter and the twins, especially. And the story culminates with a marriage crisis that is beautifully resolved. So much goodness here! And Ingleside is such a lovely place to remember the beauty of family and love and sweet relationships. It's a welcome retreat into a simpler life and time...

Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery (#5)

 Another delightful entry in this series. Here, Anne matures through some hard life lessons, and yet remains hopeful. Anne and Gilbert set up housekeeping in a dreamy little home on the coast, and this story includes some colorful neighbors. Also, there is a great lesson here on doing the right thing, even when it seems like it would be cruel or have horrible consequences. It shows beautifully how courage to do the hard, right things can eventually turn into a great blessing for all concerned. This dilemma concerns a case of mistaken identity, long illness, and a wonderful result. 

Captain Jim and his cat are colorful characters which enlarge and enliven the story. Miss Cornelia is an excellent foil for him, and their dialogue provides gentle humorous relief from the seriousness of the story and circumstances. Again the nature descriptions are lyrical, especially of the harbor, the moonlight, and Anne's garden. So lovely!

Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery (#4)

 This is #4 in the series, and I am not tired of them yet! Anne has finished college, betrothed to Gilbert, and is now moving to Windy Poplars to spend three years as a principal and teacher in Sunnyside. It's the story of all the interesting people she meets and helps there, including a cat! Anne is a miracle worker, and is occasionally misguided, but it always turns out great in the end.

Her optimism and relentless commitment to look for the good in others is inspiring to me. She is kind and forthright and doesn't hesitate to take on tough challenges. The results are stunning, from helping little Elizabeth find her father to helping her friend marry at last. Because Anne's motives are pure, it's fun to watch how the little vignettes play out. And all of this is played out in a challenging milieu where the ruling family is against her. This battle doesn't last long, though, and Anne is able to inadvertently win them over.

I really enjoy the way L.M. Montgomery takes interesting, colorful, and often humorous characters, and leads them into unpredictable and interesting scenarios. It's fun to watch them play out with Anne's energetic and faithful help. These are a joy to read, and they motivate me to be more like her. Lately I've been a little depleted physically, and so I rest more. Summer heat and visitors take it out of me. I've been able to read and enjoy this series and not feel like I"m wasting my time. They lift me up. So good!