If you are a woman of a certain age that can remember a time growing up when reading was your main option for boredom busting on a rainy day, then firstly congratulations- you are my type of person! Secondly, it is quite likely that as a 10 or 11 year old girl (there was no such thing as a tween back then) you read Anne of Green Gables. If you were more into Nancy Drew than L.M. Montgomery, and have never read about Anne with an ‘e’ Shirley, then you missed out on a delightful series of books about a spirited and imaginative young orphan who sees the good in every situation, and warms the hearts of everyone she meets.
Now, if you were to classify fans of Anne of Green Gables into levels of devotion- I would probably be up there with the more hard core fans. As a girl, I avidly read all eight books in the series many times over, and still own my original beautifully illustrated hardcover books to this very day (hmm, they might be worth something on eBay- I must check that out*) Actually, after a quick Google search I found many fan groups in existence such as OAOGGLS- Online Anne Of Green Gables Lovers Society (how’s that for a catchy acronym) so maybe I am not that hard core after all! But, I do love my books, and have many happy memories of spending my childhood days with Anne, Matthew, Marilla, and of course Gilbert Blythe: my original boy crush (with sincere apologies to Ryan Gosling!)
Recently, I decided to re-read AOGG (I decided to use a snazzy acronym as well, because basically I am a lazy typer). Not surprisingly, I still love it. Re-reading a treasured book is like snuggling into a favourite dressing gown- warm, cozy and predictable. In fact, just looking at these books takes me to a safe and happy place in my heart. But this time around, I was struck by the fantastic life lessons that are contained within this story. Anne has had a pretty hard and miserable life in her 11 short years, before arriving at Green Gables, yet she truly does seem to see the best in everybody who comes across her path. But she is no meek pushover either, quite willing to stand up for herself and her loved ones against the bullies of the world.
I have made a list of some of my favourite AOGG quotes below, why don’t you have a read (keep in mind that this book was first published in 1908) and see how they relate to you in this fast paced modern world that we live in.
- Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?
- Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it
- True friends are always together in spirit
- Kindred spirits are not as scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world
- It’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to it.
- I don’t want sunbursts and marble halls, I just want you.
- Dear old world, you are lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.
- And you know one can dream so much better in a room where there are pretty things.
- But the best of it all was coming home
Pretty awesome, hey? It is near impossible for me to pick an absolute favourite Anne quote, but I think the following one comes pretty close, now that I am on the other side of forty with a family of my own.
- I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.
Nothing much else to say is there- Anne Shirley says it perfectly.
*Sell my Anne books- have you read this post at all? Never in a million years!
Are you an Anne of Green Gables fan? If so, what do her books mean to you? Or do you have another book that takes you back to that warm safe space in your heart?
Mel I luuuuurrrrve Anne of Green Gables but I have to confess that I used to watch the movies. When I was in my early teens my sister and I would go stay with friends and the 4 girls would stay up for hours into the night with lots of junk food watching the 6 hour marathon that was Anne of GG – every holiday! Loved it and these are some great quotes 🙂
Don’t worry, I loved the movies too Suz! What a great tradition that was, and i am sure invokes lots of happy memories x
Lovely post Mel. Makes me feel all sentimental. I agree those quotes resonate just as much today. My friend went on a tour of the Anne of Green Gables house when she was overseas last year. It was just enchanting. While I definitely love Anne and her gables, the book that takes me to that same spot you describe is Catherine Woolley’s Ginnie and the Mystery doll. That book is the essence of my childhood and is the book that made me want to become an author (I’m working on it as we speak!) Unfortunately my childhood copy vanished just like Lady Vanderbilt did in the book (my teacher sister thinks she may have inadvertently taken it to the very first school she taught at back in the late 80’s….sigh) but I managed to purchase a copy several years back (God bless you EBAY) and it sits in pride of place on the bookcase in my bedroom.x
Thanks Shell, I would LOVE to visit the AOGG house- how fantastic. I have never heard of that book, I will have to check it out, but I’m certainly glad you have got a copy of your own to take you to your happy place x
I finished rereading the series last month – the earlier books being my favorite. It’s like turning to an old friend when I pick them up. Whenever I read the first one I am drawn to the theme of ‘why not’ and ‘just give it a go’ that Anne seems to embody. At least that is what I get from it.
It must be the season for re-reading AOGG Erin! It’s exactly like turning to an old friend isn’t it…
I remember I started to read poetry as a kid.. POETRY and that was all because of Anne. I begged my mum to buy me petticoat skirts and I wore them with brown boots and all. Yep I was a fan 🙂 xx
Oh, I love it Sonia! I can just see that winning outfit in my mind 🙂
i was and still a BIG romantic at heart…….ah Gilbert Bythe ❤️ Anne Shirley.
I spent my life saying, it’s Anne with an E.
You’ve inspired me to get the books and head down memory lane. Thanks Mel
Yes, I think Gilbert set the bar high for many of us Anne with an ‘e’ xx
Hi Mel, it wasn’t just girls that read these, although I might not be the average male reader. ☺
I love it Tony, there is much to be gained from these books, whether you are male or female! 🙂
Yes, I’m going to have to re-read these again. I also lovedMegan Follows? in the mini-series. She was perfectly suited. Sigh- such a lovely post Mel. X
Thanks Caylie, I loved the mini series too, I am going to have to get my hands on a copy to watch with my girls, xx
I’ve loved Anne from the day I met her. Sadly, I no longer have an of the books, but they’re only a library visit away. I so want to visit PEI and Avonleigh one day.
I’ve spent my whole life searching for kindred spirits and hope that I will find some one day. And my very own Gilbert and my very own House of Dreams.
Like you Dorothy, I would love to visit PEI one day. Best of luck finding your own Gilbert and House of Dreams- I’m sure they’re out there!
I remember the Christmas I got the first three Anne of Green Gables books like it was yesterday – I was eight or nine I think – and I was entranced for three days reading them cover to cover.
I inhaled books as a kid, and these were my absolute favorites – read so many times the covers fell off! You’re absolutely right about re-reading them too – it’s pure comfort 🙂
As a fellow AOGG lover (I’m sharing my serious dorkiness now lol), did you ever read Emily of New Moon? Or the entire series’ of Katie and Pollyanna? Similar stuff, and just as enchanting 🙂
Anyway, I loved this post – thanks so much for sharing it, and bringing back all those wonderful memories 🙂
Eliza xx
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Eliza, AOGG really does take you back to a special part of childhood. I never read Emily of the new moon, but I was definitely a Pollyanna girl as well!