Sunday, December 01, 2013

Virtual Advent 2013: Christmas with L.M. Montgomery

Happy Christmas, painted by Johansen Viggo, 1891,
One of my goals for 2013 was to read or reread all of L.M. Montgomery's novels. I've also found some time to read her short story collections. (Though I'm not sure I'll fit all of her short stories in this year!) Montgomery is a great writer, and some of her stories make for a great holiday treat! (Almost) All of these holiday stories can be read online.

Without a doubt, my absolute favorite is Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket. So if you only have time to read one little story this Christmas, give this one a try!

When Lucy Rose met Aunt Cyrilla coming downstairs, somewhat flushed and breathless from her ascent to the garret, with a big, flat-covered basket hanging over her plump arm, she gave a little sigh of despair. Lucy Rose had done her brave best for some years—in fact, ever since she had put up her hair and lengthened her skirts—to break Aunt Cyrilla of the habit of carrying that basket with her every time she went to Pembroke; but Aunt Cyrilla still insisted on taking it, and only laughed at what she called Lucy Rose's "finicky notions." Lucy Rose had a horrible, haunting idea that it was extremely provincial for her aunt always to take the big basket, packed full of country good things, whenever she went to visit Edward and Geraldine. Geraldine was so stylish, and might think it queer; and then Aunt Cyrilla always would carry it on her arm and give cookies and apples and molasses taffy out of it to every child she encountered and, just as often as not, to older folks too. Lucy Rose, when she went to town with Aunt Cyrilla, felt chagrined over this—all of which goes to prove that Lucy was as yet very young and had a great deal to learn in this world.
By the way, if you're looking for something to read for Advent, I am hosting a read-a-long of the Gospel of Luke at Operation Actually Read Bible.

Virtual Advent Tour

The other stop on the Advent Tour today: The Sleepless Reader


© 2013 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

11 comments:

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

You are the first stop on the Virtual Advent tour this year! Congratulations. And thank you for sharing these lovely Christmas stories.

Kailana said...

That's fabulous! I have a collection of Montgomery stories that are all Christmas related. I think some of these are in it. I would love to spend a year with her books. I really need to do something like that!

Thanks for participating in the tour this year!

Barbara said...

Just stopping this Advent to check you out! What an interesting blog.

Chrisbookarama said...

I've read a few of these. They get you in the spirit!

Cat said...

Wow, I had no idea that there were so many LM Montgomery Christmas stories out there! I should really check these out!

Marg said...

Thanks so much for all the links! Fabulous!

Glad to see you participating in the tour again this year!

sprite said...

You rock! Thank you for sharing these -- I'm going to parcel them out throughout the month, the better to savor them!

Alex (The Sleepless Reader) said...

Thanks for compiling! LM Montgomery seems very appropriate for the holiday season, somehow :)

Bellezza said...

The picture reminds me a bit of Tasha Tudor's beautiful illustrations. The story reminds me of the importance of giving, unconcerned about one's appearance. Many older than Lucy have yet to learn that lesson! Thanks for a beautiful post.

Tami said...

I love L.M.Montgomery's books - but hadn't thought about singling out the Christmas scenes. Thanks for sharing.

Margot said...

Such a nice post to start the Advent tour. I want to read L.M. Montgomery and this seems a good way to start. Thanks. Merry Christmas.