Little Women (Little Women #1) by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women
Little Women #1
Louisa May Alcott

Front cover

Date read: 13 - 17 January 2020
Length: 200 pages
Published: 1868


Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth live with their mother, Mrs March. Their father is at war. The girls are growing up, some faster than others. We follow the girls on their way to womanhood.


This is the first part of Little Women as the copy I have only contains the first volume. The second part, Good Wives, will come later. This is a re-read for me as I first read both volumes sometime in 2013. However, after acquiring another book in the series, I felt I should go back and read this again before reading the next books!

The first time I read Little Women I fell in love with the story and all the girls. The second time reading this has not changed anything. I loved the story just as much as I remember from the first time reading, and because it had been nearly 7 years, I was falling in love all over again.

My favourite girl is probably Jo. She doesn't care that girls are supposed to look prim and proper, and be good at sewing and household chores. She wants to do her own thing, and as a result is classed as the 'boy' of the siblings. I think this is very progressive and not something I would expect from a 19th century novel.

I also like Laurie and even Mr Laurence. I think Laurie's intentions are good, and he loves all the girls. Mr Laurence was hard to begin with, but the girls softened him.

All the characters are interesting in their own way, even Mr March who you don't see for most of the novel because he is at war. I'm glad he didn't die and look forward to seeing more of the family united.


Little Women is a perfect coming of age classic, and I'm very much looking forward to re-reading Good Wives and then reading the last two in the series!




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The Wee Librocubicularist

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

The Pact
Jodi Picoult

Front cover

Date read: 1 - 12 January 2020
Length: 480 pages
Published: 1998 (UK 2004)


Emily and Chris have known each other all their lives, living next door to each other for nearly 18 years. They agree on a suicide pact together, but something goes wrong. Emily dies, Chris lives. On his 18th birthday he is arrested, awaiting trial. Will he be found guilty of murder in the first degree?

Your son says

they both meant

to die.

But he lived.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

The Pact is very hard to put down, and I found myself wanting to read more and more, even thinking about it when I wasn't reading it! I really enjoyed the story. I liked the way it went between past and present. I wanted to know what was happening the the present more, but it was still nice to get stories from the past, and to know what Chris, Emily and their families were like before this tragedy.

As much as I enjoyed the story, I found it hard to relate to Chris and Emily. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a bit older than them, or maybe the fact that you never really get anything from Emily's perspective. You only know her through the flashbacks. I just struggled to be emotionally invested in these characters.

I liked Chris' lawyer, Jordan. I kind of wish we got to see more of him. He sounds like a reasonable, down to earth guy, and he puts everything into helping Chris win his case, even though Chris makes a silly move at the end!

It's a shame about Gus and Melanie. Over 18 years of friendship is over because of this major event. I get it, it's understandable, but a shame nonetheless.

Jodi Picoult

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Moab is my Washpot (Memoir #1) by Stephen Fry

Moab is my Washpot
Memoir #1
Stephen Fry

Front cover

Date read: 21 - 31 December 2019
Length: 434 pages
Published: 1997


Stephen tells of his younger years in life; his schooling, his experiences of homosexuality, and his utter inability to dance. In Moab is my Washpot we learn about the first twenty years of his life as he comes to terms with the adult he's becoming.


I've always quite liked Mr Fry, from watching him with Hugh Laurie in Fry and Laurie, to his days presenting QI. He's always struck me as a very intelligent man, with a sense of humour. However, after reading the first in his Memoir series, I have realised I don't actually know a lot about the man inside.

I had no idea he had siblings. I always just kind of thought he was an only child. I have no idea why, it's just the impression I had. I didn't know he had been to prison! Although I'm not surprised I didn't know this. I don't imagine it's something that he flaunts regularly, if at all.

My favourite bit is probably when he goes to get his 'dancing problem' sorted. Fry can't dance, he's admitted it a few times in this book, and when he needs to get up and dance in front of many people, he seeks help. You can relate, it's funny and the outcome is satisfying.

It was a very interesting read and I'm looking forward to reading the rest in the series very soon!




Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist