Anne of Green Gables

Okay, everybody knows this one is a classic. If you're anything like me, the image that comes to your head is Canadian actress Megan Follows in the movie and her wonderful rendition of the spunky, stubborn, spirited, and very imaginative Anne Shirley. I read this book once upon a time in Junior High, but after seeing the movies again, I was motivated to read them again. I love it even more. Anne, for all her innocent mistakes and childish ways, and yes, even her big flowery words, has a wonderful way of squeezing her way into your affection. Just as her red hair distinguishes her and sets her apart physically, her excitement for life and learning bring a light to the lives of everyone around her. In reading the book, I also got a good kick out of Mrs. Rachel Lynde, the fat neighbor and gossip. She is once described as so fat that she waddles away instead of slipping away. I also loved Miss Stacy, the school teacher, and Mrs. Allan, the preacher's wife for their sensible wisdom and love they show not only to Anne, but to all the young folk. There's also the boy, Gilbert Blythe, with whom Anne is finally friends with by the end after 3 years of holding a grudge against him for calling her "Carrots." You can't help but feel the love of Matthew Cuthbert, who is so unbearably shy around women and always has a wonderful sweet way to "put his oar" into Marilla's way of raising the girl. And you even love the strict, severe, but endearing Marilla Cuthbert who, thanks to the young spirited Anne-girl, mellows out, and learns .. .little by little . .to love. Anne of Green Gables helps you to love people better, regardless of their flaws. And you learn from Anne that even if you feel like you can't love them, you can always imagine that you do. After all, "kindred spirits are not so scarce as you used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world."