Polly Milton visits her friend, Fanny Shaw who lives in the city. Polly is only a small town girl and is a little bit shocked when she was exposed to city life and its different ways. Her dresses are not so frilly or lacey like Fanny’s and initially, she was quite upset.

She could not get along with Fanny’s friends because all they ever talked about were fashion, boys, gossips, and other trivial matters. They think she’s merely a small girl and quite odd, so usually she was left alone by them. Polly, who was ever so happy and kind, had quite a hard time trying to adjust to her new surroundings.

However, she put aside all these small matters and concentrated on having fun as well as getting to know Fanny’s family. She’s made friends with Fanny’s grandma who appreciates Polly’s companionship when her own children and grandchildren did not pay much attention to her. Even the mischievous Tom, Fanny’s younger brother, thinks Polly a sensible girl who doesn’t mind getting her dress dirty.

When it was time for Polly to go home, everyone was naturally sad and asked her to visit again. They liked Polly very much and considered her as one of the family. They noticed the little kind things she did for them and she definitely brought some sunshine into their lives.

Six years later, Polly returns to the city to be a music teacher. Women working for a living were typically looked down on but Polly has to earn so that she could support her younger brother who was in college.

Then, there’s also Mr. Sydney who’s very nice and helpful to Polly. But, there’s someone else who’s a little bit jealous. On the other hand, Polly does not approve of Tom’s relationship with Trix, one of Fanny’s friends. She might be in love with him, that’s why. I was waiting to see if Tom and Polly would ever get together or not! You have to read the book to find out yourself because I sure ain’t telling you nothing about it!

It’s quite a good story where a town girl experiences life in the city. Sometimes, having lots of beautiful dresses, spending extravagantly, etc, do not really make a person happy and contented. The Shaw family may be well off but there’s something important that is lacking and Polly’s presence helped them realize it.

This is the first unabridged book by Louisa May Alcott that I’ve read.

Buy An Old-Fashioned Girl (Puffin Classics)

Other reviews: Linus’s Blanket

Popularity: 43%

I finished this book last night and was a little freaked out after that. Well, I was already scared out of my wits many nights before too. I tend to be a little bit afraid and extra-imaginative when I read stories that involve ghosts or dead people coming back to haunt. Pretty creepy, if you ask me.

Anyway, this book was not so bad. It’s an interesting story and I even bought the book that follows it, Rebel Angels. The 3rd book in this trilogy will be released in autumn 2007.

Gemma Doyle is the main character. She’s just turned 16 and lived in India her whole life. On the day of her 16th birthday, her mother took her own life. Gemma saw this in a vision and was shocked to know that her vision came true. She was also shocked that she had such powers, too.

Then, she was sent to Spence Academy in London to learn to become a well-mannered, proper lady, ready to be married to some proper gentleman. At Spence, the new girl was not so welcomed at first. Gemma had to bear with the group of highly stuck-up girls, which included Felicity and Pippa.

But, as things turned out, Gemma finds herself always in the company of Felicity, Pippa, and Ann, her roommate. They also take turns to read the diary of Mary Dowd, a girl who used to be at Spence 20 years ago and who supposedly died in a fire with her best friend, Sarah. Gemma is also very curious to find out more about these two girls who also had the same powers like her.

There is also the mysterious Kartik, whose brother, Amar was killed by the ‘thing’, which was after Gemma. Gemma finds herself attracted to Kartik but is not sure if he feels the same way towards her too. All he ever does is warn her not to have any more visions. He also spies on her to see what she is up to.

Oh, this book is quite different, too because there is a Reader’s Guide. There are Questions For Discussion and also an interview with the author herself, Libba Bray! So, after reading the book, you can ponder over the questions asked.

All the same, I have to say that A Great and Terrible Beauty is a well-written one. It is the type of book that is difficult to put down. I can’t wait to get started on Rebel Angels!

Other Bloggers’ Reviews: A High and Hidden Place, Iliana

Popularity: 53%

Howard and his little sister, Awful, came home one day after school to find a gigantic guy with long arms and legs sitting in the kitchen. Fifi, a student who lived with Howard’s family, called him the Goon.

The Goon said he’s there to collect two thousand words from Quentin Sykes, Howard’s writer father. He also claimed that Archer sent him to collect the words. And nobody knew who Archer was.

The Goon seemed stupid and naive but he still insists that he would not leave the house without the words for Archer. Later, the family found out that Quentin had been writing a story with two thousand words every 3 months and had been sending them to Mr. Mountjoy. It’s like a way for him to overcome writer’s block, which he suffered terribly 13 years ago.

The Sykes family also learns that the town they live in is really run by bizarre people. The bizarre people are siblings and there are 7 of them. Each sibling is in charge of different areas such as law, music, education, technology, etc. Unfortunately, all of them seemed to be feuding with one another and some of them are also planning to farm the world! They are also wondering who really gets Quentin’s two thousand words all those 13 years.

Well, this was an entertaining book. I find the Goon idiotic and funny. He’s also in love with Fifi who does not love him back. Awful, the screaming little sister of Howard’s, got her name simply because she’s so awful. I feel it’s kind of mean to nickname a kid Awful but this is just a story, so it makes things fun and light!

All in all, Archer’s Goon is a perfectly enjoyable read. There are also lots of surprises in store for the reader! And I guessed one of it correctly. =D

Buy Archer’s Goon

Popularity: 39%