Sunday, January 3, 2016

Check-In #1 for Women's Classic Literature Event 2016

Elizabeth Gaskell, Jane Austen, Zora Neale Hurson, George Eliot, Rose Wilder Lane, Louisa May Alcott, & Virginia Woolf.
Elizabeth Gaskell, Jane Austen, Zora Neale Hurston, George Eliot, Rose Wilder Lane, Louisa May Alcott, & Virginia Woolf.
to last from October 2015 through December 31, 2016!

Needless to say, the Little House Read-Along fits in with this event just fine!
Join myself, Lynn @ Smoke & Mirrors, and Bex @ An Armchair by the Sea for this year-long month-by-month event. 
You can read NINE books at the reasonable rate of one per month that will all count toward this event! 

I was so excited, I couldn't wait to start the first book, 
Little House in the Big Woods
so here are my answers based upon having read the first chapter (pages 1-23) of this classic which is the first installment of this well-known series!!

Image result for little house in the big woods cover image

Question #1: Without revealing spoilers (obviously), describe how the opening of your current read for this event draws you in. 
Is it the language? the suspense? the voice?

Without realizing it, I immediately began comparing this writing with that of Montgomery from my reading of the Green Gable series last year. However, after reading 3-4 pages I very quickly realized two things: (1) this is a much simpler writing style geared to a lower-level reader than that of Montgomery, and (2) I was thrilled that this series of books, which I felt might be too tough for my one granddaughter to read yet, is probably about perfect for her. I am so excited by this latter realization! She will definitely be receiving her own set of these books from "Book Grandma" next month! :)

I agree with Francesca in her review of the whole book that even within these first few pages, the detailed descriptions are what fascinate me. The language is quite simple and the voice is common and immediately draws the reader into an intimate connection. 

Question #2: Why are you compelled to keep reading? 

Well, besides the obvious reason that I am a cohost of this reading event for 2016, I am truly interested in exactly these details of everyday life for such pioneers as the Wilder family. I think this is what makes historical fiction/autobiographical memoir so pertinent--it takes us to a time from which our current world has evolved and can help us each understand at least something from the past a bit better. This can take the form of daily pragmatic details of living in a particular setting and/or time or can include a better understanding for behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs from that time period/location. It just makes for learning in a typically more entertaining format than straight nonfiction writing might provide. Though I have read some absolutely wonderfully written nonfiction in the past...The Big Burn by Timothy Egan, The Wave by Susan Casey, and Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton, to name a few.

On to chapter #2! :)


You can join us any time for this Read-Along! 

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for the Link, Lynn. Also It doesn't take that long to read the whole book!!!

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    1. I realize now that it will be an even easier read than I might have imagined! I still think it's cool you were the first to post though!! Yay you!! 😀

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    1. That's what I am! Rarely do I purchase anything for them but books. It works out since others rarely purchase any books for them!

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  3. I may need to join this read along! I'm reading Little House in the Big Woods to my five year old daughter right now. This is the book that started my love of reading when I received it for my eighth birthday, sat down and read it all that afternoon.

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    1. That sounds perfect, Laura! And you could include her thoughts and reactions as well! Please feel free to join us for this adventure! ��

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  4. That's exactly the reason I love those books, too - the little details of their lives. I love how such simple things such as farm chores and making cheese can draw you in and hold your attention. I love even more that those things can do the same for my children.

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    1. So true, Naomi! Exposing our children to as much as we can is so important, I think! That is how I feel about my grandchildren...and to a degree, also still about my own children, although they are adults, they can and do still learn each and every day...I hope! :)

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