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Thursday, March 31, 2016

March Recap: Little House, Raven Cycle, and Easter Weekend

Oi, I haven't posted in a few weeks, sorry! I fell into a bit of a slump in which I just really did not feel like writing reviews and so my blogging suffered. But thankfully, the same could not be said for my reading habits, which were strong all month long! There were two series in particular that I read and LOVED in March.

First, the Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder:
When I posted about my Anne of Green Gables obsession some years ago, some folks had asked me if I had ever read the American equivalent, the Little House books, which follow Laura and the rest of the Ingalls family growing up as pioneers of the northern midwest US in the 1800s. Well, I finally read the series this month and though nothing could replace my love of Anne Shirley, I adored spunky tomboy Laura Ingalls all the same! I think one of the best parts of the series is that it is autobiographical - all of the successes and hardships faced by the Ingalls family in the books really did happen. And in that way, I really felt that the series was a fascinating history lesson of a sort! I listened to the entire series on audiobook narrated by Cherry Jones and it was wonderful. Highly recommended!


Second series, the first three books in The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater:


This has been a LONG time coming. Since The Raven Boys was first published, really. I knew already from the blurb and reviews and previous works by Maggie that this series was for ME, but I put off the actual reading of it for years because I was so terrified that the prevailing stress of my life at the time would taint my reading experience of what I was sure would be a favourite of mine (does anyone else do this?). So I waited and waited and waited until I knew I was at a time in my life when I was at leisure to enjoy the books in my own time and own way. And that time was this month, FINALLY (and just in time for The Raven King in a few weeks!). I suppose I will save the bulk of my thoughts for a full review at a later date, but suffice it to say that it definitely IS the favourite I thought it would be. The characters, the magic, the writing - so much love!


And lastly of significance this month, the Easter Long Weekend:
Easter for me means three things: painting Easter Eggs (a tradition every year since I can remember), eating loads of chocolate, and spending time with family. And thankfully, one of the benefits of now living close to home is that I was able to make the trip up to Edmonton to be with my family! And so I had a nice weekend, indeed :)


That's it for me and March! I hope everyone else had a good March as well, and I hope to get back to regular blogging for April!


Blog Posts in March

Waiting On Wednesday: Macmillan Spring 2016 Catalog
Waiting On Wednesday: Simon & Schuster Spring 2016 Catalog
Muggle Monday: 7 New Facts About the History of Magic in North America
Review: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyer - 4 Stars
Review: The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord - 4.5 Stars
February Recap: Blogilates, Sleepovers, and Graphic Novels

24 comments :

  1. On the theme of iconic children's series, have you read or heard of the Betsy Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace? It's set around 1900 in the fictional Deep Valley, Minnesota. It's about two best friends, Betsy and Tacy. The books start when they're 5 and go all the way through Betsy's college years and marriage. It's semi-autobiographical of Maud Hart Lovelace's childhood in Mankato, MN. I love this series. More than Little House even. It's wonderful in a different way than the Anne books, which I also love.

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    1. Alison, I must admit I've never heard of the Betsy Tacy series! But it sounds similar in style to the Little House and Anne of Green Gables Series so I'm sure I would love it too! Thank you so much for the recommendation!

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  2. I feel you on the blogging slump...it happens to the newest and oldest among us. Glad to hear the reading bug kept at you though. Great picks there and gorgeous eggs!

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    1. Thank you, Gina! It's good to know I'm not alone on the blogging slump front.

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  3. Ok so don't laugh, but I know Little House was a television series but I didn't even know that the show was based on books. *hides under a rock* I guess I was too caught up in Anne of Green Gables to even know there was an American equivalent! When I saw you were reading these, it brought me up to speed, thankfully. I'm really happy you enjoyed these as well - you've made me want to check them out as well.

    And words cannot express how happy I am that you now share my love for The Raven Cycle ♥ It goes without saying that I am eagerly awaiting your review - so I can gush with you naturally!

    LOVE your Eater Eggs!! You must be so happy to live closer to home again and be able to visit more :D I'm sorry to hear that you hit a bit of a blogging-slump though. It definitely happens to all of us! Thankfully your reading wasn't affected and hopefully you'll get back into the swing of things soon! xxxxx Happy April!

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    1. You know, I'm not sure I knew that the Little House TV series started out as a book series until people started whispering in my ear about it too. I had just never thought much about it - so you're not alone in that!

      Thanks, Micheline!! <3

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  4. I read some of the Little House books when I was younger. I really liked them at the time, but I don't know about trying to read them nowadays. I used to read the American Girl series. LOVED those. Have you heard of them?

    At any rate, I really need to read The Raven Boys series soon. I haven't read a ton by Maggie, but I am really curious about these books. They sound great, and I think I'd love them too. Plus, the fourth one is coming out soon and I need to get on it! haha

    -lauren

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    1. I have heard of the American Girl series... pretty sure I've read a few of them too back in the day and enjoyed them!

      And I think you would really love The Raven Cycle!! They are very original, well-written and captivating books.

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  5. Yay :D Gorgeous recap Aylee. <3 Those eggs are so gorgeous. And ahh, yay for reading so much lately :D I am blogging lots, yet reading so little, sadly. Wish I could read much too :) And ahhhh, so glad you finally read The Raven Boys books :D And thrilled that you loved them! YAY :D I love those books the most. I hope April will be amazing for you too sweetie. <3 Hugs.

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    1. Aww, thanks, Carina! You are too sweet! I hope you are able to get over your reading slump soon <3

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  6. Wait, what?! You never read The Little House series as a kid?! Also, yay for finally reading the books in The Raven Cycle. I can't wait to read The Raven King when it comes out.

    Your eggs look very pretty. I love Easter because I get to gorge on the Cadbury candy coated mini chocolate eggs. Do you eat any specific chocolate or is it just chocolate in general that you eat lots of?

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    1. Nope, never even heard of them as a kid... Then again I wasn't a huge reader until I discovered Roald Dahl books and from that point on I really only read new releases.

      Yeah, I'm a big fan of the Easter-specific chocolate - my faves are the mini eggs and the Cadbury Cream Eggs.

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  7. I wasn't a big Little House fan as a kid. I just didn't click with the setting and the characters at that time. I *still* haven't started the Raven Cycle yet, Aylee! I'm so lame! I even own the first two books. I'm going to make it a goal to start it this month. I know I will enjoy it, but first I was worried that the hype would get to me and then I figured I would wait until the whole series is out, but now I don't have an excuse! Glad you enjoyed it and I look forward to your review(s).

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    1. I'm not sure I would have clicked with the series as a kid either... I don't know, I just really enjoyed my audiobook experience with the series! And ohh Rummanah, I think you will really appreciate The Raven Cycle!!

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  8. Happy April! I loved Little House so much, although I'm sure I never read the whole series. I'll have to revisit them sometime.

    TRC TRC TRC!!! I am so terrible for waiting for (literal) years until the "perfect time" for a book. Amount of free time, location, mood, the weather ... all these things affect my reading decisions! But you're so lucky to have binged them and now not have long at all to wait for TRK. It's been a long and difficult road since BL,LB.

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    1. Ah, I'm glad I'm not alone - even the tiniest of things can affect my reading mood too. And yes, I'm feeling pretty good about the fact that I only have a few weeks to wait rather than over a year like some poor souls!

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  9. Oh, Little House. I grew up on this series. My mum has a pretty tattered box set. I am so glad you loved them. They are fun. I am actually just starting The Dream Thieves. I am pretty excited to be diving into the story. I have heard the story develops nicely.

    March went by in a blink for me. I can't get over it being APRIL!!

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    1. Woo!! I think you will love The Dream Thieves more than The Raven Boys so I'm excited for you!!

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  10. It sounds like you had a fun March! I've still only read the two books in the Raven Boys series, but I'd like to read the rest after the last comes out. I think it will turn into a favorite series for me too :)

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    1. Ooh yes, I hope it does become a favourite for you! They are quite excellent.

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  11. I've been meaning to read The Raven Boys series. I've had the first book on my shelf for a long time!


    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  12. I want to read Raven Boys too! And you seemed to have a great March!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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  13. Well, I'm super duper late commenting on this, but I'm going to do it anyway. :P Your March was pretty awesome. ;D

    I had all of the Little House books as a kid, but I don't think I ever actually read all of them. I know I read the first one, multiple times I think, but I don't know if I ever actually tried to read the others. I got them when I was pretty young. I'm pretty sure I still have them all though! I'll have to check next time I'm home for a visit. ;) Either way, I used to love Laura! My mom and I used to watch the Little House on the Prairie TV show all the time, and it was absolutely fantastic!!! :D I'm glad that you enjoyed the books, Eilidh! :D

    And the Raven Cycle...yay! yay! YAY!!! So glad you loved it!!!

    Also, your Easter eggs are AMAZING! You've got egg-cellent skills! ;D haha

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