You should write a book. Do you write poetry? You have the soul of a poet. I just love reading your observations - you see so much more than most - or maybe the right word would be feel. Also, thanks for sharing how you came up with the name - I had been wondering!
Dawn, this means so much to me! Thank you. I do love poetry, though I don't write it often. Sharing what means a lot to me and finding resonance with others is why I write--and those connections never fail to surprise and delight.
Melody, your writing is true and moving and alive. I am misty-eyed. I believe that this longing we feel inside can only be filled with the Love of God as we move through this life
as ‘strangers in a strange land’. Thank you for your beautiful writing and the gift that it was to me today. xo
I've not heard of this book, but it sounds lovely! There were so many books I didn't read when I was younger, and I am trying to go back now and "fill in the gaps" so to speak. This sounds like one I need to put on my list!
I first read this book when I was a little young for it, and didn't revisit it until adulthood, when I loved it (as I think I would have if I'd read it in high school). It's one of the most overlooked Newbery medalists, IMO, and worthy of more attention.
This is so, so lovely. I already was intrigued by your Goodreads review and then my sister read it and loved it. So now it's on hold at the library because I've been reading some gritty, unsettling novels lately with a couple more to go on the nightstand and I need something slower and gentler to look forward to. And I need allll the books with a girl-with-literary-aspiration-character on my mental bookshelf :) Loved, loved hearing the story behind the name of your Substack publication. Such a good one! You're a kindred spirit for sure, Melody.
Thank you, Dominika! I often reach for this when I need a comfortable book that also makes me think, so I hope it soothes you. I also consider you to be of the race that knows Joseph! :)
This is a lovely reflection on the novel and how the name of your blog came about. I love that you found the name in a book. I have read Up A Road Slowly, but just once. I look forward to re-visiting it. Julie sounds like a kindred spirit heroine.
Thank you Elizabeth! Julie is a true kindred spirit. I read this book once as a kid, maybe 12 or 13, and it went over my head. I got the urge to revisit it a few years ago and that's when I fell in love with the novel.
Melody, I'm so very happy to see reviews like this, as good literature is hard to find these days. I am fond of novels that may be considered young adult for lack of a better word, but good writing is good writing, no?
And your newsletter title has some great inspiration behind it, many of my favorite writers, too
Thank you, Jody! Have you read anything by Anna Rose Johnson? She writes YA/middle grade historical fiction with a vintage feel. I absolutely love her book The Star That Always Stays--think Maud Hart Lovelace meets L. M. Montgomery. Her website has tons of recommendations for vintage YA/children's books. She has great taste!
As a dad, I have enjoyed reading all these coming of age stories with my daughter. I really connect with the male characters in these stories that help chasten these women characters, though their parts in some cases are small like Mr Haskell, since you mentioned Anne Shirley, Matthew cuthbert, Mr Harrison, and captain Jim. Thanks for another book recommendation for us, will surely check it out
I don't know that I'd put Uncle Haskell alongside Captain Jim, but his advice in that one instance is perennial. With Mr. Harrison I must say the "chastening" goes both ways, as he doesn't make much effort toward kindness until the red-headed snippet helps him see the error of his ways! :)
You should write a book. Do you write poetry? You have the soul of a poet. I just love reading your observations - you see so much more than most - or maybe the right word would be feel. Also, thanks for sharing how you came up with the name - I had been wondering!
Dawn, this means so much to me! Thank you. I do love poetry, though I don't write it often. Sharing what means a lot to me and finding resonance with others is why I write--and those connections never fail to surprise and delight.
Melody, your writing is true and moving and alive. I am misty-eyed. I believe that this longing we feel inside can only be filled with the Love of God as we move through this life
as ‘strangers in a strange land’. Thank you for your beautiful writing and the gift that it was to me today. xo
Amen, amen! Thank you, Christy!
Very insightful observations, Melody. I wonder if Janis Ian was inspired by this book when she began her song, “I learned the truth at seventeen…”
Great connection! How glad I am that "It isn't all it seems / At seventeen."
I've not heard of this book, but it sounds lovely! There were so many books I didn't read when I was younger, and I am trying to go back now and "fill in the gaps" so to speak. This sounds like one I need to put on my list!
I first read this book when I was a little young for it, and didn't revisit it until adulthood, when I loved it (as I think I would have if I'd read it in high school). It's one of the most overlooked Newbery medalists, IMO, and worthy of more attention.
This is so, so lovely. I already was intrigued by your Goodreads review and then my sister read it and loved it. So now it's on hold at the library because I've been reading some gritty, unsettling novels lately with a couple more to go on the nightstand and I need something slower and gentler to look forward to. And I need allll the books with a girl-with-literary-aspiration-character on my mental bookshelf :) Loved, loved hearing the story behind the name of your Substack publication. Such a good one! You're a kindred spirit for sure, Melody.
Thank you, Dominika! I often reach for this when I need a comfortable book that also makes me think, so I hope it soothes you. I also consider you to be of the race that knows Joseph! :)
I enjoyed the sharing of a story and your thoughtful commentary. Thank you!
Thank you Craig!
This is a lovely reflection on the novel and how the name of your blog came about. I love that you found the name in a book. I have read Up A Road Slowly, but just once. I look forward to re-visiting it. Julie sounds like a kindred spirit heroine.
Thank you Elizabeth! Julie is a true kindred spirit. I read this book once as a kid, maybe 12 or 13, and it went over my head. I got the urge to revisit it a few years ago and that's when I fell in love with the novel.
I love that! Especially since I’ve only read many classic children’s/YA novels as an adult!
Same here. Vintage/midcentury YA (before it was called YA) is a sweet spot for me!
Melody, I'm so very happy to see reviews like this, as good literature is hard to find these days. I am fond of novels that may be considered young adult for lack of a better word, but good writing is good writing, no?
And your newsletter title has some great inspiration behind it, many of my favorite writers, too
Thank you, Jody! Have you read anything by Anna Rose Johnson? She writes YA/middle grade historical fiction with a vintage feel. I absolutely love her book The Star That Always Stays--think Maud Hart Lovelace meets L. M. Montgomery. Her website has tons of recommendations for vintage YA/children's books. She has great taste!
I have not read that author--thank you! You are a fountain of book joy!
It's my favorite thing to be! :)
As a dad, I have enjoyed reading all these coming of age stories with my daughter. I really connect with the male characters in these stories that help chasten these women characters, though their parts in some cases are small like Mr Haskell, since you mentioned Anne Shirley, Matthew cuthbert, Mr Harrison, and captain Jim. Thanks for another book recommendation for us, will surely check it out
I don't know that I'd put Uncle Haskell alongside Captain Jim, but his advice in that one instance is perennial. With Mr. Harrison I must say the "chastening" goes both ways, as he doesn't make much effort toward kindness until the red-headed snippet helps him see the error of his ways! :)