Welcome back to my Saturday Book List series! I’m very excited to share some recommendations today if you love Anne of Green Gables. This fantastic 8 book series by L. M. Montgomery is one of my absolute favorites. I loved hosting the #AnneReadAlong2017 with my good friend Jackie @ Death By Tsundoku. And I aspire to visit Prince Edward Island someday.
The first book in the series is a consistent favorite and certainly a classic. But what should you read if you love Anne?
First, I recommend reading the full series! While a few of the books are a bit slower (Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne of Ingleside which were both added later), Anne’s full story is just lovely.
If you’re looking for more books like Anne, check out my list below. I break it up by reader age because there are a few fantastic picture/board books I had to include. Enjoy!
For Little Readers:
Anne of Green Gables: A Places Primer by Jennifer Adams // I love everything made by BabyLit and this one is perfect for Anne. A places primer that starts with Prince Edward Island and brings us to some of Anne’s favorite places like “pond” and “wood.” A great addition to the BabyLit collection!
Goodnight, Anne: Inspired by Anne of Green Gables by Kallie George // I happened upon this one in my local library a few months ago and just loved it! It tells the story of Anne telling everyone and everything she loves in Avonlea goodnight–from Matthew and Diana to the Lake of Shining Waters and the tree outside her window. It’s beautifully illustrated too!
For Older Readers:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen //ย The Dashwood sisters find themselves in reduced circumstances after the death of their father. They must work hard to find joy and love in their lives.ย I think Marianne Dashwood and Anne Shirley would be kindred spirits in another life. Both are voracious readers dreaming of passionate & overwhelming love, yet both find true love closer than they expect.
Heidiย by Johanna Spyri // Heidi is also an orphan who is sent to live with her Grandfather on the Swiss Alps. Heidi adores her mountain home just like Anne adores Avonlea. And both change the lives of the other people that share their homes.
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott // This sequel to Little Women is a great read for Anne lovers with a different twist. Several of the boys at Jo’s school are orphans and she shows them as much love and care as a mother. Full of fun stories and mishaps, this is a great read that shows us a glimpse of what it would have been like if Anne had only been a boy.
A Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett // Sara Crewe is an orphan with a brilliant imagination (sound familiar?) When her father dies unexpectedly, she changes from the richest pupil at her boarding school to a maid. But Sara always knows she is a princess and that knowledge brings her through the darkest times.
Marilla of Green Gablesย by Sarah McCoy // I read this prequel set in the Green Gables world last month and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! This novel tells the story of Marilla–how she became the stern, orderly matron of Green Gables, the tragedies she has overcome, and how love slipped out of reach. It’s very true to the writing style and tone of the original books. Anne fans will appreciate this one.
Bonuses on my TBR:
- Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery
- The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery
What would you recommend to Anne lovers?
Check out my full group of book lists here.
What would you like to see in future book lists? Leave a comment below!
You might want to visit my site — new blog about my favourite childhood reading and today’s piece is all about Anne of Green Gables…
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Thanks so much for letting me know, Hilary! I will check that out now.
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What an interesting idea about Marianne and Anne: I’d never thought of that before. Catherine Morland might get on well with Anne as well – she had a very over-active imagination!
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Thank you! And yes I agree–Catherine and Anne would be friends I think. Especially talking about their experiences in “haunted places” right? ๐
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Anne would have loved staying somewhere like the Tilneys’ house!
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Amen to that!! Such great scope for the imagination ๐
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Thanks for these ideas! I will definitely have to look for Goodnight, Anne–it sounds darling. The Blue Castle is my favorite of all Montgomery’s books. I hope you enjoy it too. The Emily books are also wonderful, and probably closer in mold to Anne.
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You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy Goodnight, Anne. It’s so sweet!
I really need to read more Montgomery–I keep hearing great things about The Blue Castle. Will need to bump that up on my TBR!
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I’m happy to see that you’d recommend Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy. I must admit, I was a little worried that Sarah McCoy attempted to write within the AoGG world… Those are some big shoes to fill!
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It was one of those books I was very curious about but also worried it might ruin the world. While there are some more intense/violent scenes, overall she is very true to the Avonlea essence. I enjoyed it!
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Love this list and will definitely refer to it in the future! Some are already on my TBR, like Heidi, which I hope to get to soon ๐
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Thank you! Aww Heidi is so sweet. I hope you enjoy it! It makes me want to travel to the Alps! ๐
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Haha we’ll see if I have the same reaction xD
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Yes let me know! ๐
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Thanks for the recommendations Marilla of Green Gables looks like one to check out ๐
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You’re welcome! I hope you can read that one soon–it is quite true to the original spirit of Anne!
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I love ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, but I think it’s the only one I’ve read in the series. Shame on me!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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If you love the original, I think you’ll enjoy the series! There are a few slow books like I mention. But several are just beautiful! My favorites (other than the original) are #3, #5, and #8.
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I would add Maud by Melanie Fishbane–a fictionalized YA biography of L. M. Montgomery!
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Oh how interesting!! I will have to add that to my TBR. Sounds fascinating!
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Great idea for a post! I’m not sure what else I could recommend… if we’re talking books about girls in rural / semi rural communities, there’s the Little House on the Prairie series. The Secret Garden is a great one, although the main character is very ‘sour’ at first.
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Thank you! It was hard to pick only one book by Francis Hodgson Burnett–Secret Garden is a lovely book too! Little House is a good idea too! That is a great series ๐
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I’m not sure if I’ve actually read it, but I know the TV series ๐
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The TV series is a fun one!
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The Blue Castle is an amazing book. I hope you love it.
And you did a great job with this post. Everything you listed definitely does have that Anne feel.
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Thank you, Lydia! I appreciate your comment. I am more excited to read The Blue Castle now with your recommendation!
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As a child, I loved the Heidi books. There are also several sequels, the last of them featuring Heidi as a grandmother. And I loved Little Women and its sequels too.
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I didn’t realize there were sequels to Heidi! How neat! I will have to check those out. Thanks for the recommendation!
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Thank You for this list of books. My twin sister says her favorite Lucy Maud Montgomery book is the “Pat of Silverbush” series. I love the “Anne” series and the “Emily” series. “Marigold” is another favorite..
Marilyn
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Thanks so much, Marilyn! You are widely read in Montgomery books. I appreciate your recommendations!
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