Classics Challenge: "Little Women"

The end of the month is upon us, and I've finished "Little Women."
Actually, I finished the book in the middle of December, I've just waited to do this post.
If you've never read "Little Women" before, let me give you some quick facts in the form of Goodreads' summary:
"Classic novel of 19th-century family life during and after the Civil War, in a household with four sisters. Alcott based the March family largely on her own real-life family."
Furthermore, "Little Women" is broken into two parts: the girls' childhood and the girls' adulthood. I have to say, my favorite part was when the girls were younger. Something about them growing up and getting married felt very bittersweet to me. There was a great loss, as if I were losing cherished friends.
Okay, maybe I was tying in my own three sisters into this story. It was inevitable!
But aside from my personal sadness and disgruntlement, I really loved "Little Women." The story was so warm and inviting. Despite the poverty of the March family, they were rich in what truly mattered. The girls heralded distinct and enjoyable personalities. I found myself relating to each one of them in their own regard.
And Laurie, ah, Laurie! How could I not fall for the boy with sweet, endearing charm. I am still to this day (two weeks after finishing) still displeased he didn't end up with Jo. And I don't think I'll ever come to terms with the idea that he married Amy.

Oops--spoiler! Sorry.
Alas, my romantic heart had to settle for the much older Professor Baer for Jo. At least I was prepared for this, having seen the movie.
Ah, the movie vs the book. The century old debate. Which was better?
The book--obviously!
Other than that, December is over and January is blowing in. Up next, Wuthering Heights!

Mid-Month Update: "Little Women"

It's officially the 15th of December, which marks the halfway point of my Classics Challenge.
How's it going you ask?
Wonderfully! I'm right on track and enjoying every page. It's so embarrassing that I've owned Little Women for years and am just now starting to read it. Kid Emily must've thought classics were boring and dumb.
She was very, very wrong.
Mind you, I haven't reached the already spoiled, much debated Certain Someone love rejection *hint, hint*). So that might spoil things for me. We'll see.

Something I didn't know, when I first started, is that Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women in two parts. The girls when they're young, for a span of about a year. Then there's a three year gap between sections. It made me sad that the March girls are growing up, but also excited to see what life has in store for them.
One of the things I love most about Little Women besides the four sisters (I'm one of four--the eldest. That'd make me Meg.), is that the book is so quotable. In fact, I've been blowing up my Facebook Page the last few days with Little Women posts.
But just for the sake of you and convenience, here are a few of my favorite short quotes:

"The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength." 

“Love is a great beautifier.”

“Every few weeks she would shut herself up in her room, put on her scribbling suit, and fall into a vortex, as she expressed it, writing away at her novel with all her heart and soul, for till that was finished she could find no peace.” 

“When you feel discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful.”

"The best of us have a spice of perversity in us, especially when we are young and in love." 

Have I convinced you to start reading yet? It's not too late. Go at your own pace! Take the entirety of 2016 to read Little Women. But you must, must, must read it!

Especially if you have little girls/sisters at home!

Classics Challenge: Louisa May Alcott

"Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes." ~ Louisa May Alcott
Today is December 1st which marks the start of my year-long Classics Challenge. To kick things off, I'm starting with a book I own (but have never read) Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
Who counted Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson as family friends?
Ms. Alcott.

Yes, miss. Louisa never married. Instead, she devoted her life and love to her writings. Though she wasn't always serious about her literary career. In fact, she dabbled in the published world for awhile, using pen names like Flora Fairfield and A.M. Barnard. It was the account of her experiences as a nurse in the Civil War that fortified her love for writing.
And Louisa May Alcott, the author, was born.
Louisa's most famous works are Little Women, Little Men, Eight Cousins, and Jo's Boys. She tried her hand at adult novels, but they didn't garner as much attention as her other writings. 
She lived to be 55 years old, dying almost the same day as her father.
Writerly Things to Learn from Louisa May Alcott:

1. Writing as a career can work, even for a woman in the 19th century.
2. Switching audiences is a difficult task for any writer, i.e. YA to Adult (and some are more successful than others).
3. Our lives make great fodder for our writing. The character Beth in Little Women was based of Louisa's sister, Elizabeth Alcott, who died at the age of 22. In an even broader spectrum, Little Women was Louisa's idealized version of her family. 
4. After death, every famous writer's works will be published. In other words, if you don't want some manuscripts to ever see the light of day, either burn them or put it in your will with capital letters. Louisa's first novel, The Inheritance, based strongly off Jane Eyre was published after someone discovered it posthumously, wherever Louisa had hidden it. I wonder if she'd be happy about that!
I look forward to reading Little Women for the first time. Hopefully watching the movie won't spoil it for me.
You're welcome to join in! Classics Challenge is fun, impromptu book club for all. See you at the end of December!

5 Beauty Tips from a Writer

Writers are such beautifully mysterious creatures. With an idea in their head and a far-off look on their face, it's no surprise they turn heads as they walk down the street (and likely bump into someone, they're so busy imagining). 
Want to get that "writer" look coveted by fashion magazines and celebrities worldwide? Just follow these five steps:
1. Only get a few hours sleep--four at the most. Doing this will get you those dark circles and wan look writers showcase. Those undereye bags are an outward sign of a night spent tossing and turning while new book ideas pranced around in your head.
2. Make sure you rest your chin on your palm for at least thirty minutes a day. This process will guarantee a red mark on your face depicting time lost in thought while plotting. That red mark is the sign of work being done!
3. If you're going for an old-fashioned look, rubbing the sides of your fingers in ink is a must. If you've seen Little Women you know what I mean. If not, go see it! I recommend watching around Christmas-time.

4. Type as much as you can, at least until one of your hands is sore and you constantly have to massage it. One of the great experiences of writing--finger fatigue! By doing this exercise daily, you will join the elite ranks of writers who shake their hands and flirt with carpal tunnel.
5. Stare into space often--squinted eyes is a plus. Pre-mature wrinkles? Who cares! With your eyes like this you'll get the air of mystery and aloofness that causes people to whisper things like, "Who is that?", "Does she have something in her eye?", "Wonder what she's thinking about?" 
And there you have it! The five steps to unlock the hard-won beauty that is a writer. Enjoy.