Spell the Month with Books: April 2023

Jana (Reviews From the Stacks) hosts a monthly event called Spell the Month with Books in which you spell the name of the month with book titles that fit the monthly theme.  For April 2023, the theme is a free choice, so I'm going with "weather" in honor of the typical April showers.  It took some doing to stick to my preference of using books I own, but here they are!

A -- At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald
P -- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
R--  Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
I --  Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Eric Larson
L -- Love Songs by Sara Teasdale

At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald (1871)

MacDonald has long been a favorite author; his fantasy influenced C.S. Lewis and for understandable reasons.  I've only read this one once, some years ago, but the feeling of cold and windy bleakness has stayed with me -- as well as the beauty of the story.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

That one particular rainy day is an important event in the lives of both Jane and Elizabeth, so this classic was an easy choice.  It's not my favorite Austen, but it's still a five-star read, and one I would recommend for those new to her novels.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (1938)

I don't want to spoil this five-star haunting, gothic tale for anyone who hasn't read it so I'll only say that if it weren't for that storm. . . .   This modern gothic tale is easy to read, beautifully written, and ever so memorable.

Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson (1999)

Though I have read and enjoyed two others from Larson, I have not read Isaac's Storm. However, since it's subtitled "A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History", it seemed a pretty obvious choice for a list about memorable weather!  Larson writes nonfiction that is accessible, intriguing, and enjoyable; I highly recommend both The Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts.

Love Songs by Sara Teasdale (1917)

This Pulitzer Prize winning volume of poetry is filled with weather imagery, in addition to the evocative lyric poems so typical of her breathtaking talent.  

 

Spell the Month with Books: March 2023

 

Jana (Reviews From the Stacks) hosts a monthly event called Spell the Month with Books in which you spell the name of the month with book titles that fit the monthly theme.  For March 2023, the theme is "spring";  I've increased the challenge for myself by only using books I own. 

My choices are:

M -- Maris by Grace Livingston Hill

A -- Absent in the Spring by Mary Westmacott

R -- (A) Room with a View by E.M. Forster

C -- Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey  

H -- (The) Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Maris by Grace Livingston Hill (1938)

What is more spring-like than a wedding?* As a young-to-middle teen, I loved Grace Livingston Hill's novels, and I read them over and over again.  As an adult, I've collected all she wrote, partly for a love of the retro covers, and partly because sometimes I just need a old-timey fluff novel.  While it's been who-knows-how-long since I've read Maris, I can guarantee it's a light, gentle, and clean Christian love story. 
*(Okay, I know, it's a tenuous connection to the theme, but I struggled with this letter since I wanted to use a book I owned. It does look like it might be a spring wedding. . . )

Absent in the Spring by Mary Westmacott (1944)

This 4 star read is an obvious choice.  Westmacott was the pen name that Agatha Christie used for her non-mystery, character-driven novels.  My review is here.  It's a thought-provoking book, not exactly "enjoyable", but definitely memorable.

(A) Room with a View by E.M. Forster (1908)

This classic  begins in Florence in the spring, with the second part taking place in England a few months later.  It's a favorite of mine, and even the film is great (which is rare in a book-to-movie).   My last reread was some time ago, so I have no review to link.  I will just say that it's an unforgettable coming-of-age story, novel of manners, character study, and romance that is well worth reading.

Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey  (1932)

What a stunning novella this is!  It takes place on a March wedding day, so it fits perfectly with the theme. My glowing five-star review is located here, so I'll only briefly note that it has moments of pure perfection, and that I reread it as soon as I finished the last page.

(The) Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)

Bilbo starts his adventure in the spring, and experiences a sort of spring awakening himself, making for such a satisfying reading experience.  My last reread of this one was also some time ago, but no review is necessary for such a well-known treasure.

 

*I discovered this through Marianne from Let's Read.