Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Anne of Windy Willows
Anne of Windy Willows | L. Montgomery
127 posts | 205 read | 5 reading | 23 to read
The fourth book about the red-haired Anne Shirley from Green Gables. Now a young woman and her romance with Gilbert Blythe beginning to flourish, Anne Shirley becomes Principal of Summerside High School. But Summerside is virtually ruled by the Pringle family, who don't want Anne at the school. It takes all of Anne's courage and tact, and the comfort she draws from the eccentric household at Windy Willows, to overcome local prejudice and confront the dreaded Pringles.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
quote
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image

“‘I‘ve got a new outlook on life,‘ thought Katherine as she drifted off to slumber. ‘I didn‘t know there were people like this.‘

‘Come again,‘ said Marilla when she left.

Marilla never said that to any one unless she meant it.”

#KindredSpiritsChristmas #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

I love this excerpt from Windy Poplars so, so much. Marilla only makes the briefest appearances, but you can feel the Green Gables welcome throughout. ⤵️

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) It makes me realize how deeply Anne transformed Green Gables even as she was transformed by the love and belonging she found there. And Katherine is transformed, too. What a difference it makes when people are welcomed in with acceptance and are told they belong! (edited) 1w
BarbaraJean Today‘s reading, “Katherine Brooke Comes to Green Gables,” is an excerpt from Anne of Windy Poplars (2nd Year, chs. 5-6). The excerpt is in the tagged collection, or the full text of the book is available here: https://www.fadedpage.com/showbook.php?pid=20100608

Tomorrow we‘ll be reading “A Christmas Mistake,” which is available in the tagged collection or on Hoopla, and also here: https://www.online-literature.com/lucy_montgomery/1896-1901/3/
1w
JenlovesJT47 I love this book ❤️ 1w
lauraisntwilder I love Katherine's speech about wanting to travel. It's so sad, but yet so lovely that she's finally opening up to someone. 1w
TheAromaofBooks When Anne makes all the arrangements so she can have a puppy - gets me every time. 😭 7d
29 likes5 comments
review
JenlovesJT47
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

Today‘s short story for #KindredSpiritsChristmas is from the 2 chapters in Anne Of Windy Poplars when Katherine Brook comes to Green Gables for Christmas. I‘m a big fan of both Anne miniseries from the 1980s & now I‘m ready for a rewatch! Katherine is an interesting character & it‘s great to see her come out of her shell. Added bonus that she comes for Christmas in the book, as she comes for the summer in the movie. Love this series. 5⭐️

TorieStorieS I just saw the actress who plays Katherine in Orphan Black and I was so excited to recognize her! My husband was laughing because he grew up watching, too, and it was driving him crazy until I said something! 🤣 1w
JenlovesJT47 @TorieStorieS ooh that show is on my watch list! Her name is Rosemary Dunsmore, right? She plays the aunt of the kids on the Road To Avonlea show (which is a must watch for you if you haven‘t seen it because it‘s a Kevin Sullivan show), which is also due for a rewatch. 1w
See All 8 Comments
TorieStorieS Yes, that‘s her! And what?? How have I never seen the Road to Avonlea?! 1w
JenlovesJT47 @TorieStorieS omg you HAVE to watch the show, it‘s so good. Kevin Sullivan is the one who directed the AOGG miniseries and I think the show has 7 seasons. It‘s based on The Story Girl but is set in Avonlea. Rachel Lynde and Marilla and even Gilbert have parts in it. And there‘s also a book series 1w
TorieStorieS What?!!! Oh this is so exciting!! I always love to have something fun to watch while I make my planner for the year and I know what I‘m going to be watching now!! Thank you!!! 😊 1w
JenlovesJT47 @TorieStorieS I‘m thinking about seeing if anyone is up for a buddy read for the Road To Avonlea books next year. They have most of the books on Anna‘s Archive but I always run across them at used bookstores as well. 1w
TorieStorieS Well you can count me in! 😊 7d
47 likes8 comments
review
emilycoc
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

Another one down, and a very easy read! I remembered this book much differently and did not think I'd enjoy it, but in all honesty, I have no idea why I felt that way. A misplaced memory, perhaps. #bookeightof2024

blurb
emilycoc
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image

Warm summer days call for reading outside with your plants!

blurb
emilycoc
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image
review
quirkiecurls
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

“Gilbert darling, don‘t let‘s ever be afraid of things. Let‘s be daring and adventurous and expectant. Let‘s dance to meet life and all it can bring us.” The beloved story continues as Anne returns home and takes her place in the community she grew up in. I enjoyed revisiting old friends in seeing Anne continue to grow into a bold, confident but yet caring woman. #challenge52

blurb
merelybookish
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Latest addition to my Montgomery collection.

LeahBergen That‘s a lovely one! 🥰 1y
IndoorDame Lovely copy!! 1y
Leftcoastzen What a beautiful cover! 1y
See All 9 Comments
batsy Pretty!! 1y
RobES Love this old edition 😍 1y
SayersLover Wish I had that edition it‘s so Anne! This is hands on my favorite of her books! @merelybookish 1y
Aimeesue Beautiful cover! 1y
kspenmoll just love the cover! 1y
Centique Ohhh its a beauty! 😍 1y
75 likes9 comments
review
IndoorDame
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

Anne is always the perfect way to start autumn. She always makes me happy! Still , this isn‘t my favorite of the series, because it reads more like a series of loosely connected character sketches that the other books. Probably because Anne never completely connects with anyone in Windy Poplars, and much of her life is spent writing to Gilbert about who she sees and biding her time until she can be with him again. #bookspin

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I always enjoy this one, but it isn't my favorite. I didn't know until more recently that it wasn't written in order - Montgomery wrote this one later to “fill in a gap“ of Anne's life, so I think that's part of the reason that it has a little bit of a different flavor to it. 1y
IndoorDame @TheAromaofBooks that makes total sense! I didn‘t know that either! 1y
61 likes2 comments
blurb
IndoorDame
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

I suppose we could focus on all the back-to-school craziness Anne and I ought to be handling, but instead I choose to focus on the fact that Spooky Season has clearly officially started since here in Windy Poplars it‘s September 12th and Anne just moved into her tower room overlooking the graveyard at the end of Spook‘s Lane.

gossamerchild That edition is gorgeous. and I love reading Anne books in the fall! 1y
IndoorDame @gossamerchild it really is the best season for her! 1y
55 likes2 comments
blurb
Purpleness
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Just a pretty cover appreciation post before I dive into this one
#rereadingsummer

Leftcoastzen Very pretty! 1y
MemoirsForMe 😍😍😍 1y
55 likes2 comments
review
lauraisntwilder
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the others, but it was still good. I felt like the episodic quality was a little clunky and I would've liked it if more of the characters had resurfaced, instead of only being around long enough for Anne to have an adventure with them before vanishing. There were some sweet new characters, like Little Elizabeth and Rebecca Dew.

blurb
IndoorDame
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image

#Bookmail!!! I‘ve been slowly collecting the Anne books so I got the tagged volume with my gift card from the super generous @Lizpixie -thank you !🙏❤️- but book shopping the day before one‘s birthday is a always a dangerous proposition, and a few extra friends may have made their way into my cart…

charl08 What a beautiful cover 😍 2y
IndoorDame @charl08 there I just love how many amazing editions of this series are available! 2y
charl08 @IndoorDame that must be very tempting! 2y
62 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
BacklistReader
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image
Mehso-so

Finished my Lore exam yesterday.

This one is also April‘s #bookspin pick

Anne of Windy Poplars is the 4th book in the Anne of Green Gables series. I haven‘t been enjoying the series that much but they have been getting better with each book so I‘ll continue at some point as I do own them all.

@TheAromaofBooks

#oriliumacademy #oriliummagicalreadathon #oriliumspringequinox #goodseer #archivist #anneofwindypoplars #lmmontgomery

TheAromaofBooks Even though this chronologically the fourth book, Montgomery wrote it later than most of the others. There are a lot of things I really love about it, but it's also kind of its own isolated story to avoid continuity issues with the books she'd already written that take place later in Anne's life, so I think it does have a different flavor than some of the other books. 2y
BacklistReader @TheAromaofBooks I didn‘t know that. That‘s pretty cool actually. 2y
TheAromaofBooks I have read (and loved) these books all my life, and I just found out that Windy Poplars and Anne of Ingleside were written out of order! 2y
7 likes3 comments
blurb
BacklistReader
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image

Veta Mae has returned to Orilium Academy for her second year of studies and has decided to continue the calling of Godseer.

Currently working on the Lore exam with Anne of Windy Poplars by L. M. Montgomery for book with a map.

#oriliumacademy #oriliummagicalreadathon #oriliumreadathon #goodseer #archivist #anneofwindypoplars #lmmontgomery

blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Just a reminder that the Friday, Dec. 9th reading for #KindredSpiritsChristmas is an excerpt from Anne of Windy Poplars. If you‘re reading the Christmas with Anne collection, just keep reading! It‘s the next story in the collection, “Katherine Brooke Comes to Green Gables.” If you‘re reading from a different collection, or individual stories online, it may be helpful to know the excerpt is chs. 4-6 from the Second Year. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

review
ElleMNOpe
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
Pickpick

Anne remains lovely & fun & Montgomery's characters continue to just enchant me. I am particularly fond of her knack for writing cantankerous characters who leave me laughing out loud at their ridiculous antics. I just had a really great time with this read & I love this series. It's definitely mildly dated, but I still find the situations relatable & the whole thing generally wholesome. A case of a classic series that holds up.

review
JenlovesJT47
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

I know some people don‘t enjoy book 4 in the AOGG books as much as the others, but I love this one. Maybe because I love books written in epistolary format (would have LOVED to see some letters from Gilbert to Anne!). There are so many interesting characters and lots of laughs. I adore this series and it‘s so perfect for when you really need an escape from harsh reality. 5⭐️

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

sblbooks Like you mentioned in your review; My main complaint with that book is that we only saw Anne's letters. 3y
SayersLover I always loved book 4 myself. The “Anne transformations” (AKA in herself and among her friends) are along more mature lines and I really enjoyed that aspect even from a younger age. @JenlovesJT47 3y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Fammybooks
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
Mehso-so

I‘m slowly reading through all these books. While I enjoyed the first three books I thought this one was pretty long. I *almost* bailed on this book. 3/5 ⭐s #ebook

review
MatchlessMarie
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

I wish I could have posted more because this was highly quotable, but I was driving for the majority of this book. Another solid Anne book. Also I second Rebecca Dew “Only do not expect too much of a man.” 😇 I am 10 hours down from Day 1! #33by33

Texreader That‘s a beautiful cover 3y
MatchlessMarie @Texreader I think this series of artwork is my favorite from the many Anne covers I have seen so far 3y
50 likes1 stack add2 comments
quote
MatchlessMarie
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Been getting rather religious lately with my peppermint coffees and cocoas 😜 #33by33

rubyslippersreads In Emily of New Moon, Emily doesn‘t like peppermints, so I wonder if they were suitable for church because they weren‘t as sweet as other candy??? (I‘m personally looking forward to my first peppermint mocha of the season. 😋) 3y
MatchlessMarie @rubyslippersreads I cropped it, but the next line was “But the poor things don‘t like them.” lol 3y
44 likes2 comments
quote
MatchlessMarie
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Gotta love Mrs. Lynde 😅 #33by33

blurb
bibliobliss
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery

"Nobody is ever too old to dream. And dreams never grow old."

#currentlyreading #AnneShirleyCuthbert #HeyCarrots #fiction #novels #bookseries

blurb
bibliobliss
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image

Now THAT was a funny scene at the Cyrus Taylor house ? Ch 10 sees Anne attempting to break the enraging sulk of Mr. Taylor and in the process finds out that "it is much easier to start things than finish them." Trix and Pringle really shake things up at the dinner table and to Anne's utter surprise, Mr. Taylor becomes human again (with a chuckle and a shrug to boot!) That's one potentially sticky situation that Anne escaped!!

#currentlyreading

44 likes1 stack add
blurb
bibliobliss
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image

I took a long break from #AnneShirleyCuthbert only because I spent most of last summer immersed in her funny, chaotic world and I didn't want to run through the series too fast.

Little did I know when I hit Book 4, the tagged book, I'd get bored out of my mind. I love Anne, Marilla, Rachel, Gilbert!! I just don't love this book!

Anyone else feel the same? I'm pressing on bc I have the whole series but I need encouragement that it gets better! 🥴

BarbaraJean I‘ve been doing a chapter-a-day buddy read of the series & we finished Windy Poplars a couple weeks ago. It was not a popular book with the group! I have fond memories of reading these as a child, so I love them all...but the last third of Windy Poplars was a bit tiresome this time. The last few chapters return to Little Elizabeth and it picks up then. But I LOVE the next book so much! I‘d say keep going at least through Anne‘s House of Dreams! 4y
quietjenn I'm doing the readalong that @BarbaraJean mentioned and feel like I was one of the only ones who liked this one - although I do agree that the last third felt off. Still worth it though! 4y
bibliobliss @BarbaraJean I can definitely manage a chapter a day (probably more than one, as some of them are quite short) and the book is not long. I can imagine "Windy Poplars" not being popular with a book group; I wonder if it's because the book is filled with letters/correspondence. I think that might be one reason it's not my favorite. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes and the next book. If you say press on, I'll trust your judgment!! ? 4y
bibliobliss @quietjenn Gotcha!! I'll keep going. There might be a hidden gem somewhere in there!! 4y
32 likes4 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - final Windy Poplars questions. I enjoyed this read with you all--on to House of Dreams tomorrow!

4a. What will stay with you the most from reading Anne of Windy Poplars? Any new realizations, quotes you loved, etc.?

4b. Thinking back on the book as a whole, is there anything you feel this text calling you to do? Is there something Anne or another character has inspired you to think about or act on?

BarbaraJean One of my takeaways from this reading is Anne's interaction with Nora at the wedding. Nora has HAD IT (understandably so) and is petty & disagreeable, and Anne shows such empathy and grace. Anne's response of “things which were always hard have become too hard all at once“ is something I'm trying to keep in mind as I respond to people I disagree with or am frustrated with as pandemic stress and political stress are taking their toll. ⬇ 4y
BarbaraJean This scene resonated with me so much I actually wrote a whole blog post about it! https://commonplacehope.wordpress.com/2021/02/01/of-old-maids-and-grace/ 4y
Jerdencon I think her relationship with Elizabeth will stay with me the most. Just seeing how mothering and nurturing Anne can be based on her own experiences.... 4y
BarbaraJean @Jerdencon Yes! It's lovely to see Anne reaching out to a child who's in the middle of experiencing some of the same neglect Anne felt before Green Gables. And I loved their friendship... the map of Fairyland!! 💜 4y
21 likes5 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead
3a. Anne has a knack for finding/making a home wherever she goes (such a contrast to her life before Green Gables!). Where did you notice themes of love and home (or their lack) in this book?
3b. Anne usually makes friends and wins people over (perhaps too) easily, but that‘s not the case with the Pringles or with Katherine Brooke. What did you think about these two storylines? Did they change or deepen your view of Anne?

BarbaraJean I was struck by the contrast between the different homes/houses in this book: the home that Anne finds at Windy Poplars vs. the lack of home little Elizabeth feels right next door, the sad boarding house where Katherine stays vs. her first experience of a real home at Green Gables, and the way Anne talks about Tomgallon House being “Yesterday“ vs. little Elizabeth always looking for home in “Tomorrow.“ Then Anne's plans for her “Home of Dreams“! 4y
Jerdencon I love Anne‘s ability to talk to anyone and not shy away from conflict or uncomfortable situations... and I love how she makes everyone feel comfortable around her - that is truly a skill. 4y
See All 8 Comments
Hooked_on_books I liked both storylines. I feel like people fall under Anne‘s spell far too easily at times. She‘s a delightful character, but no one is universally loved. I appreciate that both parties took time to respond positively to her, as that felt more realistic to me. 4y
BarbaraJean @Hooked_on_books Yes, it was nice to see some instances where Anne doesn't experience insta-love from everyone in her path.😏 And I liked the characterization of the Pringle clan--it was more nuanced than the Pyes in Avonlea. The Pringles are snobby and clannish, but they aren't all presented as equally disagreeable, and most of them end up being worthwhile to know. Once they get past being indignant that Anne got hired over one of their own! 4y
BarbaraJean @Jerdencon I think that's one reason Anne is so loved by readers! She brings such inclusion & care into all her interactions. I think it's partly just her personality, but may also be past experience. She remembers what it was like to be ignored & overlooked, and so she draws other in to help them feel comfortable and a part of things. This probably also contributes to her reputation for “meddling“ in love affairs and getting people married off!😏 4y
Clare-Dragonfly @Hooked_on_books I agree, I liked seeing Anne have to work to get someone to like her! And I enjoyed that she couldn‘t get the Pringles to like her just through sheer force of personality—she had to let something happen that was not what she intended. I feel like she‘s come too far, sometimes, from the little girl who talked too much and stood out as an outsider. 4y
quietjenn Really agree with all you all have said in this topic! 4y
17 likes8 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Windy Poplars discussion
2a. There are a LOT of vignettes throughout this book, with new characters we don‘t see again. Which of these did you enjoy most? Which did you NOT enjoy?
2b. There are a handful of new characters that do appear consistently through the book: Aunt Kate and Aunt Chatty, Rebecca Dew, little Elizabeth, Katherine Brooke. Which of these characters were you most drawn to? What do they add to the book?

AnneCecilie I loved the visits to Green Gables. They really showed what kind of special place it is, so Katherine‘s Christmas visit and Elisabeth‘s summer visit. I think all the characters add something to the story. But I particularly loved Rebecca Dew‘s “Now that is the last straw”. 4y
LeahBergen I love Rebecca Dew ... and especially her relationship with Dusty Miller. 😹😹 4y
See All 12 Comments
BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie Yes! Both Katherine's and little Elizabeth's visits brought out so much about those characters. I loved Katherine's transformation, and what a difference kindness and love made in her life. Little Elizabeth's visit was so sweet. It was lovely to see her get to be a child, able to be herself. I loved the mental image of her laughing at the hens in the wind!! Rebecca Dew has a special place in my heart, too; all her little comments! 4y
BarbaraJean @LeahBergen YES!! I love her tirades against “That Cat“... and the eventual reconciliation after he is “given away“ to a neighbor. Those sneaky widows! Also, there's just something about a cat who has both a first and last name. He's like Rebecca Dew in that way... you have to say both names. 😆 4y
Jerdencon I love everyone at windy willows and especially Elizabeth and Rebecca Dew too! 4y
Jerdencon I could have done without all the crotchety old women - it seemed they were all one type with different names. 4y
EclecticBookLover I loved everyone at Spook's Lane. Little Elizabeth is definitely a favorite and I'm glad she had a happy ending. I also loved the story with Lewis Allen, the Little Fellow, and Mr. Armstrong. Such a sad, but sweet little story. 4y
Hooked_on_books I liked seeing the recurring characters throughout and I enjoyed the protracted battle with the Pringles, as it was allowed to develop. But then the book falls into this pattern of one awful woman after another (why did all the awful people have to women? What a terrible message to send!) with no redemption for any of those characters and I really didn‘t like that part of the book. 4y
BarbaraJean @Jerdencon @Hooked_on_books There is certainly a surfeit of disagreeable old women! Montgomery uses that trope a lot. Mrs. Lynde tends that way, but she gets more development than the awful women we see in this book. There are a few crotchety old men (Mr. Harrison in Avonlea, and Cyrus Taylor & Frank Westcott in Poplars) but they're fewer & turn out more sympathetic than the women. I think part of it is Montgomery doesn't write men all that much. 4y
quietjenn I actually thought there was a lot of humor in this book. I thought the graveyard scene with all the Pringle scandals was hilarious, and then when the matriarchs thought Anne was going to blackmail them 😆😂🤣 And Rebecca Drew and the widows were great! Them, for the heartstrings there's little Elizabeth and to a lesser extent Katherine, wide story was allowed to evolve slowly. 4y
BarbaraJean @quietjenn You're right, there really are a lot of funny parts in this book. The graveyard scene, for sure--who knew the graveyard could be so hilarious! And also those dinner scenes: the “What would you think of a man who...“ conversation, and then Cousin Ernestine detailing all her woes, with Rebecca Dew coming in and out of the room making snide remarks the whole time! 😂 4y
19 likes12 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Willows | L. Montgomery
post image

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Anne of Windy Poplars Discussion! Let's chat. 😊

1a. A lot of this book is written in letters. What did you think of this semi-epistolary format? Did the letters add anything for you or were they distracting?

1b. In spite of much of the book being narrated in letters to Gilbert, we see hardly any of him in the story. Why do you think this is? Do you miss his presence in the narrative?

AnneCecilie I loved Anne‘s letters and felt that I got a glimpse of the young Anne. I would have loved to read some of Gilbert‘s letters and missed him in this story. 4y
LeahBergen This was always a favourite of mine in the series BECAUSE it was epistolary. 💗 4y
See All 13 Comments
BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie Yes, we get a wonderful glimpse of Anne's personality in her letters. I really loved reading through her eyes. But as you said, I would've liked to read some of Gilbert's letters. Or at least see some interaction between Anne & Gilbert when they are both in Avonlea! I also found it strange and a little distracting to go back and forth between letters & regular narration, though I understand why certain scenes work better each way. 4y
Jerdencon I liked the letters but think I would have liked more back and forth of Anne and Gilbert to see more of their developing relationship. 4y
EclecticBookLover I liked the letters format. It was a nice break from the typical narrative format and I liked getting to have Anne's thoughts directly. I would have liked to know what Gilbert's responses were, but I really enjoyed the time Anne had on her own. 4y
Hooked_on_books The format really worked for me, and I liked that it was a mix between letters and not. I like that it gave us both Anne‘s voice and a wider lens. I would have liked to see letters from Gilbert, but I‘m not surprised that we didn‘t. This is about Anne and the place she is, and Gilbert being in a different place would have pulled us out of that. 4y
Clare-Dragonfly I liked the letters but I sure would have liked to see some return letters from Gilbert! I still feel like he‘s a very shallow character, even after… what is it, four books now? And I think it‘s a shame that Anne hardly gets to see him during these three years. We don‘t get an explanation as to why he goes west for a summer to work on the railroad. 4y
BarbaraJean @Clare-Dragonfly I agree that Gilbert is underdeveloped. We hardly get any of their relationship—my memories of the series are that there‘s more Gilbert, but there really isn‘t! We know he‘s there during that Christmas visit with Katherine, and there‘s at least one summer they‘re both in Avonlea, but practically none of their interaction is on the page, which is disappointing. I don‘t need a full account of Gilbert, but I want more than we get! (edited) 4y
Bkwrm7 I enjoyed the letters; Anne's voice is so strong in them! But including the prose scenes gives us a fuller picture of some of the other characters. Like several of you, it has really struck me on this series reread how little we get of Gilbert. I feel like his character and personality in my memory clearly owes a lot to the Kevin Sullivan CBC miniseries rather than the books! 4y
BarbaraJean @Bkwrm7 I'm right there with you on the Sullivan miniseries! Those actors ARE those characters for me. This re-read has confirmed for me how much I've blurred the series and the books together in my mind! 4y
quietjenn I love epistolary build and didn't realize Montgomery had written one (or didn't remember? Not sure if I read this one as a kid), so this was delightful for me. I do live the way Anne's personality came through in them. I also really enjoyed the moments when she was flirty with Gilbert! 4y
BarbaraJean @quietjenn The flirty moments really do give a sweet window into their relationship! The “omitted“ parts crack me up, though... like: what was she writing that needed to be censored?! 4y
15 likes13 comments
review
AnneCecilie
Anne of Windy Willows | L. Montgomery
post image
Pickpick

In this book we follow Anne the 3 yrs she‘s a principal at Summerside High.

I loved the way this story was through Anne‘s letters to Gilbert. I felt like I got to know the young Anne again from the first book. The Anne that enjoys the little things in life and that charms people just by being herself. And we also get other people‘s view on Green Gables and understand how special that place it.

AnneCecilie The only thing I missed was getting to read some of Gilbert‘s letters to Anne 4y
See All 6 Comments
Butterfinger I was disappointed with the lack of Gilbert's letters too. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
BarbaraJean Yes! I would love a two-way correspondence in this book! Even when Anne goes home to Avonlea and Gilbert is there, we get barely a glimpse of Gilbert. 4y
58 likes6 comments
quote
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

“...may I express a fervent wish that your married life will be one of continued and uninterrupted Bliss? (Only do not expect too much of a man.)”

Rebecca Dew‘s farewell letter...😂💜 #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

review
Hooked_on_books
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image
Mehso-so

This is my least favorite of the series thus far. There were certainly aspects I thought were great, but too much of the story is given over to one unbearable character after another (all women, which bothers me) and had me rolling my eyes so hard I nearly lost a contact lens. I‘m glad to be moving on to the next installment.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

LeeRHarry I‘m going to be reading Anne of Green Gables for the first time for Middle Grade March 😊 4y
Hooked_on_books @LeeRHarry This is my first time with the series! It‘s been a fun buddy read. We‘re doing a chapter a day, so if you want to join in at some point, the more the merrier. Because of the slow pace, it would be pretty easy to catch up. 4y
LeeRHarry @Hooked_on_books thanks I‘ll see how I go 😊 4y
See All 9 Comments
Earlene I have always loved this book. I live in a neighboring province and am just a bridge ride away and I love visiting Summerside. I can almost feel Anne there when walking around the old neighbourhood where the fictional Pringle‘s would have lived. The big old houses on tree lined streets are still there and well maintained. Maybe I need to reread the book. (edited) 4y
Hooked_on_books @Earlene That sounds fantastic! Place was definitely one of the parts of this book that I liked. I‘ve been to a few provinces in Canada but would love to make it to the maritime someday. 4y
Librariana I meant to tell you that I did read Anne of Green Gables sometime late last October. I found it very charming and cozy; comforting, too. I picked up a copy of Anne of Avonlea shortly after, but haven't felt like picking that up ? The proverbial "so many books, so little time" and this week has been especially distracting on the reading front. 4y
Hooked_on_books @Librariana The world has really provided some distractions from reading recently, hasn‘t it? Thankfully, I‘m mostly able to use reading as a distraction from the world instead of vice versa. It helps that I don‘t have any tv service and our cell signal isn‘t great, so I can keep up on events by reading about them but not letting myself get mired. I figure that man has had far too much of my time and doesn‘t deserve even that. 4y
Librariana @Hooked_on_books - You're absolutely right. He doesn't deserve an iota of energy or thought and I can't wait for him to receive his comeuppance. Unfortunately, all the events surrounding him still seem to hang in the air like a gray cloud and that along with some work-related issues, have taken a bit of an emotional toll. But I'm working on... working my way out of this slight funk... and want very much to focus on reading again. 4y
Hooked_on_books @Librariana Hopefully you get there soon! There are so many things that happen that we have little to no control over in life, but one thing we have control over is our reaction to those things. I‘ve had things in my life I reacted poorly to and once I identified that in myself, I was able to work to change my response. It was good for my mental health. But it takes time. 4y
49 likes1 stack add9 comments
quote
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

“I think this road leads right to God,” she said dreamily. “Perhaps,” said Anne. “Perhaps all roads do, little Elizabeth.”

I got my wish for more little Elizabeth.💜I couldn‘t resist—I had to finish it tonight! The last 3 chapters make up for the lackluster rest of this final section. I‘ll miss Windy Poplars: the Aunts, Rebecca Dew, and of course, Little Elizabeth. But there are other favorites to come in House of Dreams! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Just about to finish Windy Poplars! I'm not nearly as fond of this 3rd section. It really feels disconnected... lots of little vignettes, but not much about the characters I want to see (I need more little Elizabeth!). But I'm looking forward to our discussion on Sunday, and starting House of Dreams next week. And House of Dreams will be strictly one chapter per day--no more confusion with combining multiple chapters!! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

LeahBergen I‘ve finished and have been restraining myself from starting House of Dreams 😆 4y
BarbaraJean @LeahBergen I miiiiight have just finished Windy Poplars a day early. 😁 4y
See All 7 Comments
quietjenn Y'all are not the only ones who finished early 😉 @LeahBergen @BarbaraJean 4y
BarbaraJean @quietjenn 😂👏🏼 4y
Clare-Dragonfly I feel like the whole book is little vignettes! But the good news is I‘ll finish on time 😁 4y
BarbaraJean @Clare-Dragonfly You have a point there! Glad you‘re on track to finish in time, in spite of my having introduced such confusion in the daily format! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 4y
36 likes7 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Just finished up Year Two of Anne's adventures in Summerside... on to Year Three tomorrow! I had completely forgotten about Hazel Marr and all her italics.🙄 Oh, I wanted to slap that girl!! But I love the closing chapter, with “little Elizabeth“ visiting Green Gables.💜 I could read a whole book about little Elizabeth! I'm looking forward to this last section of book 4, and then our discussion on Feb. 14. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

SkeletonKey Ah darn, I wish I had known this was happening haha. I‘ve been wanting to read these. 4y
Hooked_on_books I remain a day behind. I had caught up and was even ahead, but then I slipped back. Oh well. Is it me or did Lucy pack in as many insufferable characters as she could think of into this one? 4y
See All 7 Comments
Jerdencon I‘ve got 2 days to catch up on today! @Hooked_on_books I totally agree! These old women are terrible! 4y
Clare-Dragonfly I am definitely behind but I have no idea how far behind! My edition doesn‘t start the chapter numbers over. 🤔 I feel I was misled by your description of the chapters as really short! Some of them are shorter than the chapters in previous books, but most seem to be longer. 4y
BarbaraJean @Clare-Dragonfly Oh no—what a mess. I‘m so sorry. Does your edition have the first/second/third year divisions marked? The third year section started on Sunday, and it‘s two chapters per day til the end. If nothing else, just shoot for finishing on Saturday! Chapter lengths were all over the map in this book. Some are only a couple pages, but you‘re right that others seem longer than previous books. It‘ll be one chapter per day next time for sure! 4y
Clare-Dragonfly Yes—but I have no idea how far I am from the third year starting! Anne and Katherine just got back from Green Gables for Christmas so I suppose it will be a while… 4y
36 likes7 comments
quote
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

“What if my placket is open? I‘ve got three petticoats on, haven‘t I? They tell me the girls nowadays only wear one. I‘m afraid the world is gitting dreadful gay & giddy. I wonder if they ever think of the judgment day.”
“Do you s‘pose they‘ll ask us at the judgment day how many petticoats we‘ve got on?” asked Rebecca Dew, escaping to the kitchen.

This dinner—😂 All of Rebecca Dew‘s little digs at Cousin Ernestine are🔥 #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

jewright I still wear a slip with skirts and dresses, so I guess I relate to this quotation! 😂 4y
BarbaraJean @jewright 😂But only one? Cousin Ernestine would think that dreadful giddy. 🤣 4y
27 likes2 comments
quote
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

“I can believe almost anything at this Green Gables of yours. It‘s the first place I‘ve ever been in that felt like a home.”

I love Katherine‘s utter transformation over Christmas at Green Gables. Katherine‘s view of Anne is so relatable—jealousy over Anne‘s delight in life. Anne really does seem to lead a charmed life—until you remember her childhood. Finding a home at Green Gables transformed Anne in so many ways, too! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

blurb
Jerdencon
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Reading today‘s section... Chapter 3 made me cry 😢
#kindredspiritsbuddyreads
@BarbaraJean

BarbaraJean Ohhhh, I know!!! 😭💔 4y
GypsyKat Anne! 💚💚💚 4y
quietjenn Me, too. 🥺 4y
49 likes3 comments
blurb
EclecticBookLover
Anne of Windy Poplars | Lucy Maud Montgomery
post image

Snow day called for tomorrow! You can just see it through the window.. first big snow of the season. Here are my plans for the next two days. 😊🌨❄⛄

blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Hello, Kindred Spirits! We're coming up on part 2 of Windy Poplars, so here's the next part of the chapter-ish-a-day schedule. How's everyone's reading going so far? I'm enjoying rediscovering so many happenings and characters I'd forgotten. It's also been funny to discover how much of this book I remember through the lens of the 2nd Sullivan miniseries (which I currently have on hold at the library so I can re-watch)! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

Hooked_on_books I‘m a couple days behind but enjoying the read! 4y
AnneCecilie I‘m on track and loving this so far. I feel like the letters bring back the young Anne. 4y
See All 7 Comments
quietjenn Catching up tonight, but having lots of fun with it! 4y
Jerdencon I‘m on track too! Having fun with it! 4y
Clare-Dragonfly I think I‘m on track! Still enjoying it as a pre-bed read. It‘s cute. ☺️ 4y
BarbaraJean @Hooked_on_books @quietjenn @Jerdencon @Clare-Dragonfly Yay! Glad you're all enjoying it! @AnneCecilie Yes, it's lovely getting a more interior view of Anne than we had in the last two books; seems more like the first book in that way. 4y
25 likes7 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

I‘ve always wondered what exactly Anne wrote to Gilbert in these “omitted” passages... just mushy, lovey, flowery sentiment? Or are we missing out on the steamy, racy parts? This time, something new occurs to me: are these the gory and terrifying passages that were cut from Windy Willows?! 🤣 @LeahBergen please tell me there are racy passages in the UK edition... 😂 #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

AnneCecilie I‘m not in the UK, but still reading the Window Willows. My edition was the same as yours 4y
TheAromaofBooks haha I think the scenes that were cut were mostly from the graveyard walk & the visit with Miss Minerva. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the passages from WP vs. WW - https://anneofgreengables.fandom.com/wiki/Notes:Anne_of_Windy_Poplars_vs._Anne_o... It's actually kind of interesting - I didn't realize they were different until last year & I've read this series so many times!! 4y
BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Thank you for sharing that link!! The excised passages are indeed very mild--not “gory“ or “terrifying“ at all. Well, other than dead Stephen Pringle with his eyes open.😳 I hadn't realized there were any differences other than the title, until @LeahBergen mentioned it. Also just discovered: Windy Poplars was written much later than the others--15 years after Rilla! I knew Ingleside was written later, but didn't realize this was. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yes! I didn't know that either until just a few years ago - but on my most recent reread, with that information in mind, I did realize that there are characters from Windy Poplars that are mentioned in Ingleside (Rebecca Dew and Jen Pringle for sure, maybe others) but nowhere else! 4y
BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks Oh, so interesting! I will be watching for that now! 4y
36 likes5 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Two wonderful chapters today for #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead...

I had completely forgotten about this hilarious dinner scene! “Trix and Pringle were being diabolically clever. They had not said that their father did a single one of these things.” 😂🤣 And Anne making a map of fairyland with “Little Elizabeth”—💜

Bradleygirl this dinner scene 👌👌🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💀 4y
quietjenn So funny! 4y
Jerdencon This was a great scene! 4y
32 likes3 comments
quote
AnneCecilie
Anne of Windy Willows | L. Montgomery
post image

I feel I‘m getting to see more of Anne again in this 4th book.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

“I wended my way to the graveyard this evening,” wrote Anne to Gilbert after she got home. “I think ‘wend your way‘ is a lovely phrase and I work it in whenever I can.

I agree with Anne—I need to use “wend your way” more often! Two chapters for #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead tonight, in which we see Anne gain the upper hand with the Pringles, and also discover that BOTH aunts are hiding their beauty treatments for fear of judgment from the other...🤣

blurb
LeahBergen
Anne of Windy Willows | L. Montgomery
post image

LM Montgomery‘s original title was Anne of Windy Willows but her US publisher wanted her to change it because of its similarity to The Wind in the Willows. The publisher also requested cuts to the book “for perceived gory or terrifying content”.

The book was published (with the cuts) as Anne of Windy Poplars in the US and Canada; her UK publishers didn‘t think the name change and edits were necessary.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

LeahBergen Here you go, @CSeydel 😊 4y
CSeydel Aha! My book was indeed Canadian! 4y
CSeydel Now I want to get the UK edition just to find out what was considered “gory and terrifying” in those days 😬 4y
See All 25 Comments
LeahBergen @CSeydel Yes! I read the Canadian edition as a kid, too. This will be my first time reading the UK edition and I‘m going to try to see what parts were cut. 🤔 4y
quietjenn “gory and terrifying content” is not exactly what you expect/associate with Lucy Maude. I‘m glad I have the UK version - hope I‘ll be able to handle it! 😝 4y
Daisey Fascinating! I‘ll definitely be watching posts for someone to share any differences they find. I only wish I had time to reread these as well. 4y
MemoirsForMe Who knew! 🤔 4y
AlaMich Oh, please! How gory or terrifying could it possibly have been! It was freaking Anne of Green Gables!🙄 (edited) 4y
ShelleyBooksie So.cool! 4y
KVanRead So interesting!! 4y
BarbaraJean Oooh, please do keep us posted on the gory, terrifying content! 😁 4y
Bradleygirl is this about the cannibalism? 🤣🤣 4y
LeahBergen @quietjenn I feel quite certain that you shan‘t be overcome. 😆😆 4y
LeahBergen @Daisey I haven‘t found any differences yet but I‘m only 75 pages in, so far. 😄 4y
LeahBergen @UwannaPublishme 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y
LeahBergen @AlaMich Right?? 😂😂 4y
LeahBergen @KVanRead It is, isn‘t it? 4y
LeahBergen @BarbaraJean @Bradleygirl Nope! It wasn‘t the cannibalism. I checked and it‘s in both editions. 😆 4y
batsy I did not know that! That's really interesting; I need to check if I've managed to hang on to my sister's copy and which version it was. I'm hoping it's the gory UK edition 😂 4y
Moray_Reads Changes like this are so interesting. I was reading about the edits to The Amber Spyglass in the US edition the other day, cutting out a lot of the physicality of Lyra's feelings later in the book 🙄 4y
LeahBergen @batsy Haha! And I mean, really? How “gory” could it possibly be?? 4y
LeahBergen @Moray_Reads Really? 🙄 I didn‘t know those were edited for content, too. Sigh. 4y
Reviewsbylola That is so fascinating. 4y
rubyslippersreads @leahbergen @Bradleygirl @BarbaraJean No, that‘s “Armie of Windy Willows.” 🤣 (edited) 4y
89 likes25 comments
blurb
LeahBergen
Anne of Windy Willows | L. Montgomery
post image

I‘m playing catch-up today with book four in the Anne series. 😊

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

@BarbaraJean

merelybookish 😍😍 4y
CSeydel I read the whole series years ago, but my kids never got past the first book. Why do I remember this title as Anne of Windy Poplars? 4y
LeahBergen @CSeydel You remembered correctly! 😆 Check out my next post. 4y
See All 11 Comments
8little_paws oohh this cover!!! 4y
ShelleyBooksie Love the cover 4y
LeahBergen @merelybookish @8little_paws @ShelleyBooksie It‘s a pretty one, isn‘t it? 😀 4y
Gissy Love that cover! 😍 4y
LeahBergen @Gissy 😘😘 4y
Centique Ohhhh that cover 😍 I know I‘m just repeating what everyone else said but it is gorgeous! 4y
rubyslippersreads Lovely. 😍 4y
BiblioLitten That cover is beautiful! 😍 4y
89 likes1 stack add11 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Just one chapter today for #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead—and it‘s such a good one! From Anne‘s triumph over Jen Pringle‘s attempt to sabotage the school play, to all of Miss Valentine‘s stories in the graveyard... I love seeing Anne get some vindication as well as some encouragement. And the shift between letters and narrative is so interesting!

blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Just two short chapters today for #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead, and I feel compelled to list several things I am loving so far in Anne of Windy Poplars:
👻That address
🖋Anne‘s inability to write a love-letter unless she has the right kind of pen-nib
😺Rebecca Dew & Dusty Miller (I love a cat with a last name)
📚All the little things Aunt Chatty hides from Aunt Kate (Novels—gasp!)
👧🏼Little Elizabeth (she really is the Paul Irving of Windy Poplars!)

Bradleygirl This is really one of my favorite of the Anne books even though it‘s kind of a pause in between the "main events" in her life ? (edited) 4y
53 likes1 comment
blurb
quietjenn
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Next up, with the #kindredspiritsbuddyread gang. Very much looking forward to diving into this one!

erzascarletbookgasm What a lovely copy! ❤️ 4y
AnneCecilie Love your cover 😍 4y
LeahBergen I‘m really looking forward to this one, too! 4y
See All 7 Comments
BarbaraJean I love the editions you have--so pretty! 4y
quietjenn @erzascarletbookgasm @AnneCecilie @BarbaraJean thank you! I'm so glad I decided to splurge on this box set when we started the readalong. 4y
quietjenn @LeahBergen I remember less and less with each book ... 4y
Nute I always like to see this particular cover. It is so pretty! 4y
55 likes7 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Starting this one today! In case you need another reminder of the (hopefully not too confusing) sort-of-chapter-a-day #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead schedule for this book, here's part one (“The First Year“). 😃

I'm excited to read this one--I remember Rebecca Dew and Katherine Brooke and the drama with the Pringles... but I know there are so many little stories I've forgotten. I'm looking forward to getting re-acquainted!

27 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
BarbaraJean
Anne of Windy Poplars | L. M. Montgomery
post image

Hello, #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead-ers! Anne's adventures continue in Anne of Windy Poplars, and I'm looking forward to reading along & discussing with you all! Above is the schedule for our chapter(ish)-a-day reading for the 1st section of the book. Because so many of the chapters are so short, I've combined some into 2/day--hopefully this isn't too confusing. Screenshot the schedule and keep it handy if you need to! Book discussion will be Feb. 14.

29 likes3 comments