Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

// About this challenge... //

How to take part in the June reading challenge:

Compile your list of Louisa May Alcott books that you would like to read, finish reading, or maybe re-read during June. Even books about L.M.A. are welcome---biographies, fictionalized accounts of her life, etc. Your goal could be 1 book, 5 books, or short stories. To supply more options, you may decide to download or .

Write a post explaining all about the books you want to read for this challenge. Either reply here on this thread... or do this on your blog and link it up on my blog.

Comment below! Every time you share an update or, say, a book review, add it to our ongoing thread. I'll be checking in to see your progress! This is the main headquarters of this reading challenge, so that the other participants can follow everyone's progress.

Next step: Start reading the books on your list! The challenge starts now and goes through June 30th.

Browse through the other participants' posts, to see what everyone else is reading, and be sure to leave comments when you can. The only thing better than enjoying a good book, is enjoying it with like-minded friends!

Finally, when you have reached your goal, or by the time the challenge is ending: Tell us about what you accomplished over the course of the challenge. Include any closing thoughts, or what you think of Louisa May Alcott now that you've read more of her works, etc. I'll be very pleased to hear about what you think at the end of this challenge!

If you want more Louisa May Alcott this June... stop by my blog for an assortment of interesting posts, a giveaway perhaps(!!), and other bloggers who are joining.

"Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable."
- Louisa May Alcott

--------------------

Welcome to the 2015 Louisa May Alcott reading challenge! Hosted by the blogs:



This reading challenge runs from June 1 to June 30.

Have you ever sampled a good story from the charming Miss Alcott?
Would you like to enjoy Miss Alcott's writings with me this June?





// Who she is... //

Louisa May Alcott (1832�1888) is an American authoress who inspires me. During her lifetime in the 19th century, she penned pages upon pages, delighting young girls and womenfolk, both then and now. Aside from being a writer, she briefly spent time nursing on the battlefield, and otherwise throughout her life supporting reform movements such as women's education, women's suffrage, abolitionism, and temperance.

Alcott wrote over a dozen novels, alongisde many short-story collections. Little Women is arguably the title of her most famous work, the story of 4 charming girls --- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March --- growing up during hardships of the Civil War. Most readers can relate a close kinship to at least one of these blossoming characters --- through their pleasures, adventures, suitors, and life in general.

I cherish Miss Alcott's writings --- and although I've enjoyed a few books of hers throughout the last few years... I still have much to discover about this hardy woman. So I'm endeavoring this June to pick out a couple of good books written by or about this favorite lady-author of mine, and glean from the shining pages.

The challenge is now open and lasts through the whole month. You might like to take a moment to peruse (my bloggy friend and challenge co-host) Susan Bailey's articles at Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion, where I have discovered many recommendations on suitable book titles.

Won't you join me in a good book?



// Calendar of events... //

Check back on Fridays in June -- I'll have some interesting tidbits about our favorite author! Plus I'll have bonus posts (like book reviews) on other days too, which you won't want to miss.

June 1st ::: Start date. Get to reading!
June 2nd ::: My book list for the challenge
June 5th ::: Special giveaway!
June 12th ::: LMA's writings
June 19th ::: Challenge checkup point
June 26th ::: Unique gift ideas
June 30th ::: End date. Final overview and link-up!





If you're interested in joining the challenge, just make a post online about what books you're wanting to read this June (either on your blog, Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, etc.) Share your post here on this thread, and you can also add it to the link-up on my blog!


--------------------

Please see the top post in this discussion for full challenge details!!

"A child her wayward pencil drew
On margins of her book;
Garlands of flower, dancing elves,
Bud, butterfly, and brook,
Lessons undone, and plum forgot,
Seeking with hand and heart
The teacher whom she learned to love
Before she knew t'was Art."
- Louisa May Alcott

--------------------

For today's post, I'm sharing about the L.M.A. books I'll be tackling this month for the challenge. I've decided upon 2 books -- one written by our beloved Miss Alcott, the second written as a fictionalized story about her family.


Rose in Bloom (1876)
written by Louisa May Alcott


Little Women Next Door (2000)
written by Sheila Solomon Klass



Rose in Bloom is the sequel to Eight Cousins, which I adore so much. I've been looking forward to this one for a long while now -- seeing as how it's been all of FIVE years since I read Eight Cousins. Where has the time flown? I chose the second book for my list, Little Women Next Door, because our challenge co-host Susan Bailey recommended it as a good one a while back. It's a fictional story told from the point of view of a young girl, neighbor to the Alcott family.

A QUICK NOTE before closing... check back this Friday for a L.M. Alcott-themed GIVEAWAY that you won't want to miss! -- In fact, ALL Fridays in the month of June will have some exciting things going on (hint-hint!).

I'm thrilled to be reading these books this summer. And I can't wait to see which books you're going to read for the challenge as well!

So, my question to you, dear reader, is this...

What book(s) are you reading for the Louisa May Alcott challenge this June?

* Remember, it can be any book or story penned by the hand of Miss Alcott, or written about her.

I'm reading "Eight Cousins" this month. It's been years since I've read a LMA book, but reading this one has reminded me what a delightful writer she was.

I'll get it all up on my blog (hopefully soon!) But I've decided to jump into this with two books I've been carrying around with me for well over a decade but haven't gotten to yet! A Long Fatal Love Chase, and Aunt Jo's Scrap Bag (vol 4). :)

Thanks for joining, Allison and Grace! I'm so happy to have you both on board, and I truly hope you enjoy reading from Alcott this month.

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely."
- Louisa May Alcott

In honor of the esteemed author we're celebrating this June, I'm offering 3 winners (yes, yes, & yes!) a typographic printable featuring one of my FAVORITE Louisa May Alcott quotes. Wouldn't you like this piece of artwork hanging on your wall?



The giveaway is open to everyone, whether you're participating in the reading challenge or not. (You can get 5 extra entries in the giveaway if you are taking part in the Alcott challenge!) Invite your literary-minded friends!

Everyone who answers the bonus question (correctly!) in the Rafflecopter also gets 5 extra entries.

>> Enter the giveaway here:

Contests is open internationally, ending on June 14th.

Lovely! :)

I am joining. I am going to read Eight Cousins. I don't remember ever reading this one and I love Louisa May Alcott. Thanks for the challenge to read her books.

Rachel and Debbie, it's good to have you both joining the challenge this year! Debbie, Eight Cousins is a wonderful pick. It's definitely a favorite of mine. Enjoy your books, ladies!

Thank You! ;)

Time to name the 3 winners of the LMA giveaway this month!

Thank you to all who entered in the contest for a chance to win my Louisa May Alcott Literary Quote Typographic Wall Art.

I was thrilled to be offering this special prize to you from my very own shop, !


Out of all the entries, the 3 winners are...

.:. Kathy A .:.

.:. Meredith J .:.

.:. Tracee .:.


Congratulations!

Again, thanks to everyone else who participated in the giveaway.

Don't forget that this art print is for sale! Grab your own from .




Visit my shop Pixel Berry Pie Designs here:

� � �

Check out my review of Rose in Bloom!

Anyone else nearing the end of their challenge too?

I've finished Rose in Bloom and Under the Lilacs and planning to begin Bianca soon. Maybe next time I'll go for three full-length books. :)

I am... so far behind. So Sadly behind... Hoping to get at least one of the books I picked done. Or maybe even a short-story in one of them?

I finished Rose In Bloom and am working my way through Flower Fables. It's so pretty. I'm enjoying it.

Ladies, it sounds like you've all been making wonderful progress. Although Allison might need a reprimand (no, just kidding!). *big cheesy smile*

I appreciate you all taking time to participate in the Alcott challenge!

Congratulations, Ladies! :D

Yes, I'm making fairly good progress...only one more book to go now, and we'll see if I finish that one up or not.

I am about half way through Eight Cousins. My youngest son, the last to be homeschooling, is graduating this weekend so I don't know how I will finish the book... but I will finish... even if I have to do it in July. Maybe I will get to read some at work tonight... if I get off Facebook.

Mrs. Phillips - That is wonderful that your youngest is graduating this year. What a valuable milestone for your family!

Enjoy your reading. The discussion will still be open through July for any comments anyone would like to share. :)

Thanks Tarissa

"He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions."
- Louisa May Alcott

--------------------

Dearest readers,

I thank you for joining me this month in the Louisa May Alcott reading challenge. It has been amazing for me to relish in the writings of Miss Alcott right alongside you all. It seems Rose in Bloom (the sequel to Eight Cousins) was a popular choice among the challenge participants; it has been great seeing all the varying opinions on the same book. We all chose a good variety of books written by and about the charming Louisa May Alcott. (I found some excellent titles to add to my TBR list!)

I personally read 2 books for the challenge. You can see my reviews for each book:
//



Woman at a Window, 1822, C.D. Friedrich
Similar to opening scene of Chapter 2, Rose in Bloom


What books did you enjoy for the Louisa May Alcott challenge?

--------------------

My friends -- same time next year?

Thanks for hosting the challenge, Tarissa. "Eight Cousins" has been on my TBR for awhile, and I hope to finish reading it today. It's been a charming story so far. Louisa had such a lovely writing style, for sure. :-D

I would enjoy it

Thanks to your challenge, I finally finished Rose in Bloom :-) And I just left a comment about Little Women Next Door which I read last year and loved.