Anne of Avonlea

SPOILER ALERT:
I'm reviewing the Anne of Green Gables series, and it is now time for the second book, Anne of Avonlea. But be warned - if you haven't read the first book yet, this post may have spoilers (for the first book, not the second.) Unless you prefer to read them out of order which is NOT something I do. I hate reading books out of order. I feel like I'm always missing information. Anyway, if you don't like spoilers and reading a series out of order, don't read this post.

Anne of Avonlea picks up where Anne of Green Gables leaves off. Anne is now 16 and has a teaching job. She and Gilbert are now friends, there is a new, grumpy neighbor, and Anne tries her hand at matchmaking after meeting a lovely old maid named Miss Lavendar. Marilla and Anne also adopt a pair of twins named Davy and Dora.

I love all Anne books, but I do think that some are better than others, and this is probably one of my favorites. It's filled with more beautiful quotes, such as: "Isn't this a day left over from Eden?" and "After all, I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those in which anything splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string." Anne has this talent for putting feelings into words that I wish I had, but unfortunately lack. The last quote sort of sums up that feeling of a summer's day in which there are "little pleasures" such as going swimming and getting ice cream with friends. It gives the impression that there are different kinds of happiness, like the happiness after a pleasant day that Anne describes, and the happiness after you've found out you're going to Disney World. Anne of Avonlea is funny, too. Anne hasn't quite grown out of getting into ridiculous scrapes yet, and with the twins (especially Davy) getting into their own situations, there are lots of hilarious accidents.

Most of the Anne books I wouldn't recommend for people who like a lot of chases and general excitement, because they might be bored with it, but hey! It never hurts to try new things! I never thought I would like Anne of Green Gables, but I got them for Christmas when I was about 12, and I've read the entire series about six or seven times (don't judge, it's my favorite books.)