As I recounted in an earlier blog post, I was intrigued during my last reread of Anne of Windy Poplars to discover a bit of thought-provoking trivia between the pages. I realized that the subplot concerning little Elizabeth—a sweet child and immediate kindred spirit to Anne Shirley—was similar to the overall storyline of Jane of Lantern Hill, my personal favorite of Montgomery’s novels. I hadn’t reread Windy Poplars since reading Lantern Hill for the first time, and had not previously noticed the subtle similarities in the books.

Little Elizabeth and Jane Stuart both live with grandmothers who do not understand them (and whom they do not understand); both indulge in vivid daydreams to escape from their unpleasant circumstances; both are delighted to become acquainted with their long-estranged fathers and set off on happy new lives.

Then I remembered: Windy Poplars was published in 1936, just one year before Lantern Hill was published. Could it have been that Montgomery’s writings of little Elizabeth inspired her to expand the plotline into a full-length novel? I was almost sure this was the case. I’ve experienced that in my own writing: if I’m interested in a concept or minor character in one of my projects, I invariably return to that idea and expand it in a major way later on.

When I first read Windy Poplars at age eleven, my favorite element of the book was Anne’s friendship with little Elizabeth (especially the way Elizabeth chooses her nickname depending on her current mood). So I greatly enjoyed the thought that Montgomery had liked that subplot so much that she expanded it, thus creating Jane of Lantern Hill.

Not long after my revelation about Windy Poplars, I had the opportunity to read After Many Years (2017), a book of Montgomery’s short stories compiled by Carolyn Strom Collins and Christy Woster. Imagine my surprise to read in the preface: “In ‘Tomorrow Comes’ (1934) we see overtones of Montgomery’s novel ‘Jane of Lantern Hill’ (1937)…” So a short story, published even before Windy Poplars, had been the original basis for Lantern Hill? I couldn’t wait to compare the texts, especially considering the fact that the story’s title—“Tomorrow Comes”—seemed lifted from the pages of little Elizabeth’s daydreams.

As I read the short story, I took note of the innumerable parallels between Windy Poplars and Lantern Hill. The main character of Tomorrow Comes is named Judith (called ‘Judy’ by her mother and ‘Hester’ by her grandmother). Even in the first paragraph, this feels reminiscent of Lantern Hill’s heroine Jane (who is referred to as both ‘Jane’ and ‘Victoria’).

The similar material continues to surface throughout the rest of the captivating tale. The household members of little Elizabeth’s forbidding home and the members of Jane Stuart’s Toronto home are both drawn from the dynamic of family and hired help in Judith’s house. The story contains material that would later appear in Windy Poplars (idealistic daydreams of a land called “Tomorrow” and the place name “Flying Cloud”) and  Lantern Hill (the identical dialogue of the heroine’s fathers, a mysterious photograph, and a happy reunion).

The succinct story, charming in its own right, spawned two sequels of sorts, derivative versions that spun the story in a wistfully whimsical direction (Windy Poplars) and then took it to full breadths of creativity (as in the case of Lantern Hill).

Even more recently, I was reading the short story collection Akin to Anne: Tales of Other Orphans, edited in 1988 in Rea Wilmshurst. I was deep into the first story (originally published in 1933) when I realized that the lines sounded familiar…and then I realized I was reading an early version of a memorable scene in Pat of Silver Bush (1933)!

Again, the story was imaginative and fun in and of itself. And as I read more and more of Montgomery’s writings—even her nonfiction, as compiled in 2018 by Benjamin Lefebvre in A Name for Herself: Selected Writings, 1891-1917—I become increasingly aware of how she mined her earlier stories and articles for inspiration as she continued to write prolifically.

All in all, it’s an extremely interesting topic, and one I’d love to explore further!

I read some lovely books this month! I totaled nine books read in May (seven new books and two rereads). One of my favorites from this month was Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes, which just released at the end of April. I found it incredibly hard to put the book down; it was set in Maine (one of my favorite literary locales!), and the story was spellbinding with a beautifully uplifting message and memorable characters. Another favorite was When Patty Went to College by Jean Webster, first published in 1901. This author is better-known for one of her later books, Daddy-Long-Legs, but I found this book even more humorous and entertaining. It’s more like a string of short stories than a novel, and while this format can be dull in some volumes, this one kept up a good pace.

L.M. Montgomery’s The Golden Road was another delightful book from May, full of the delicious descriptions and characterizations that I love about Montgomery’s novels. While the first half of this one is funny and episodic, the second half is heartwarming and compelling. Another book I enjoyed immensely was Hattie Ever After by Kirby Larson, which is set in 1919 San Francisco and features a 17-year-old girl who longs to be a reporter. I also re-read The Midnight Visitor by Margaret Sutton, one of my favorite Judy Bolton mysteries, and Katie John by Mary Calhoun, a favorite from age 10 or so that I still love reading. I also read some fun vintage mysteries!

I’ve started another reread of Jane of Lantern Hill, my all-time favorite novel. It’s always a treat to slip back into this wonderful world, and summer seems like the perfect time to revisit Jane and her father and their marvelous summer home on Prince Edward Island. Last December I reread Anne of Windy Poplars and was struck by the similarities of one of its subplots to the incidents of Jane. The subplot of Little Elizabeth seemed remarkably akin to Jane’s story, and since Windy Poplars was published in 1936, just year prior to Jane, I wondered if L.M. Montgomery was inspired to expand it into a full-length novel. Then I read one of Montgomery’s short stories from 1934, entitled Tomorrow Comes, and realized that it is actually the original story—Windy Poplars and Jane are both derivative versions! In fact, verbatim passages from both books appear in the original short story. All three tales are simply enchanting, so if you haven’t read them yet, do so right away! (But Jane is the best, so if you’re only going to read one, choose this one!)

This month I finished writing two major projects from this spring, a novella called The Joy Cottage and the third novel in my historical series, Every Beautiful Gift. Having finished these two, I’m hoping to work on some short stories—I have so many ideas floating through my head, I can’t wait to explore some of them!

I just finished the first draft of my latest #workinprogress! It’s a romance comedy/drama novella set at a lake cottage in 1946, and it’s been an absolute breeze to write ❤️📖😍 pic.twitter.com/uaKHvyTddL

— Anna Rose Johnson (@GymnasticsRosie) May 15, 2019

The garden is so beautiful right now! Everything is just beginning—all the young blooms are here or getting ready to arrive. I am so excited about my creamy-white marigolds, and they are going to be *so many* strawberries soon! The forget-me-nots are always a lovely treat as well this time of year. I’m especially pleased that my blue-grape hyacinths have come up for the second year in a row—I initially planted the bulbs in the fall of 2017. (As you might recall, these flowers appear the Pat books by L.M. Montgomery; they grow at Silver Bush!)

But at last they were throwing open the windows to let in the spring and Pat learned all over again how lovely young cherry trees were, waving whitely in green twilights, and the scent of apple blossoms in moonlight, and the colonies of blue grape-hyacinths under the dining-room windows. – Mistress Pat

Following up in my post last summer called The Best Books of Summer, I’ve compiled a list of eight children’s/YA books that feel perfect for autumn, with the crisp days, drizzly rain, and apples galore. 🙂 Hope you enjoy!

Depend on Katie John by Mary Calhoun
All of the marvelous Katie John books take place at least partially in the autumn, but this one feels the most like fall to me! Chronicling Katie’s experiences living in a crowded and chaotic boarding house, this sweet novel focuses on the importance of friendship and community. Definitely one of my childhood favorites!

Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
I’ve already sung the praises of the Betsy-Tacy series on my blog, but today I’m highlighting the first high school book—probably my favorite in the whole series, and an ideal back-to-school story. Maud’s evocative descriptions of Midwestern Septembers and Octobers are such a treat to read! Betsy’s attempts to capture the attention of a certain Tall Dark Stranger only lead to heartache—but it’s a delightfully warm and funny story.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
A Newbery Honor winner in 2006, Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy is the first of a three-book series—but the original is definitely the best! This gorgeous fairy-tale has some of the most brilliant metaphors I’ve ever read.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
The second in the beloved Penderwicks series, this novel is masterfully crafted; full of witty characterization and well-woven subplots. Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty Penderwick are four sisters who are perfectly content with life—until their widowed father decides to begin dating again! The ensuing hilarity always makes me smile.

Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery
Written partially as an epistolary novel, the fourth book in LMM’s immortal Anne series was actually one of the last of the series to be written (it was published in 1936). This lighthearted story depicts Anne’s three years as principal of Summerside High School, written in a pleasant episodic style and brimming with lovable characters.

Beany Malone by Lenora Mattingly Weber
I recently read this book for the first time—it’s a charming family story set at the end of World War II, and absolutely perfect for fall reading! I’ve read three books in the Beany Malone series now, and I’m eager to read more!

Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright
I just reread this one—it’s divine. Sprinkled with riddles and treasure hunts and humor, the fourth and final book in the Melendy Quartet is a splendid fall read, as much of the book takes place as the leaves change color and languid sunny days transition to cozy, rainy ones. Being a genealogist, I also love this book for its descriptions of lovely old rural cemeteries. J

The Haunted Attic by Margaret Sutton
The second volume of the Judy Bolton mystery series, The Haunted Attic (1932) is one of my favorites of the mysteries. Judy’s fascinating investigation into the strange noises she hears from the attic make for a gripping story with a heartwarming ending.