Little Women

by Loisa May Alcott | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0760715904 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Antof9 of Lakewood, Colorado USA on 10/19/2006
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1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Antof9 from Lakewood, Colorado USA on Thursday, October 19, 2006
This is one of my all-time favorite books, and my original copy is falling apart. When I found this copy at Goodwill the other night, I grabbed it!

There's a lovely note on the inside front cover (which may be hidden by the BC label):
November 2000
Ashley,
Happy Birthday! Although it may take months or even years before you finish this book, it truly is worth it. It's an inspiring classic tale of growing up. One of my favorite books for a very special cousin. Happy Birthday!
Love,
Eileen :)

I'm sure Ashley read and enjoyed it before it made its way to Goodwill 6 years later. And in an interesting coincidence, one of my nieces told me two nights ago that she's reading Little Women, too. She had just gotten to the part where Beth was sick. I said to her, "that's kind of heavy, huh?" Her answer? "it's a really BIG book!"

:)

(pictured: Some little women -- my nieces. The blonde is the one currently reading LW)

Journal Entry 2 by Antof9 from Lakewood, Colorado USA on Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I have said for years and years how much I like this book, but I realized when I started reading it on Sunday that I might not have picked it up since 4th grade when I wanted to be called Meg! Is that possible? I think so.

After finishing it on Monday afternoon, I was talking to some girls that evening where I realized (yes, I was thinking out loud) that this book is loaded with advice -- marital advice, parenting advice, interpersonal relationships advice ... and it's all good. I mean seriously, I think everyone should read this book as a grownup! It's that good.

Having said that, I can't believe how much I cried whle re-reading this. I mean, I cried all the way through it! That was a little odd, and I wasn't prepared for it. Of course I was prepared for that part, but not so much the whole entire book!

Jo has always seemed to be a kindred spirit, for a variety of reasons, good and bad. Here's just one example of something we have in common: I like good strong words, that mean something she says. Me too!

I also like the way the author even teaches the reader how to be a good friend, in the midst of the joy of getting published: Jo's eyes sparkled, for it is always pleasant to be believed in, and a friend's praise is always sweeter than a dozen newspaper puffs. Thinking about something like this reminds me to be happy for my friends when they have good news to share.

When my dad died, a friend sent a book of quotes called Deeper than Tears. In it, Corrie ten Boom says, "There are moments when the suffering is so deep that one can hardly talk to a person. What a joy it is then to know that the Lord understands." So many times, I felt as if no one understood how I felt, but I could turn to God. Likewise, Alcott says: She could not speak, but she did "hold on," and the warm grasp of the friendly human hand comforted her sore heat, and seemed to lead her nearer to the Divine arm which alone could uphold her in her trouble.

I loved this commentary on wealth:
Wealth is certainly a most desirable thing, but poverty has its sunny side, and one of the sweet uses of adversity is the genuine satisfaction which comes from hearty work of head or hand; and to the inspiration of necessity, we owe half the wise, beautiful, and useful blessings of the world.


This might be my favorite part: Now, if she had been the heroine of a moral story-book, she ought at this period of her life to have become quite saintly, renounced the world, and gone about doing good in a mortified bonnet, with tracts in her pocket. But, you see, Jo wasn't a heroine; she was only a struggling human girl, like hundreds of others, and she just acted out her nature, being sad, cross, listless, or energetic, as the mood suggested.

I love this book. Love it. Everyone should read it.

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