Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I've found the perfect book for you to start right now.  You've probably already read it (if your a female and belong to my generation or older) or at least heard of it, but isn't it nice sometimes to be reminded of great books?

And this truly is a great one--a healing book, as Oliver Van DeMille would say--one that is not only entertaining, but also beautiful and full of little pearls of wisdom--it makes you want to be better.

Little Women is a true American classic.  Set in Civil War New England, it narrates several years in the lives of the March sisters--Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.  It begins right at Christmas time, which makes it an ideal book to start right now, then to keep reading throughout the new year.  It's very inspiring.  I used to want to be like Meg--beautiful, sweet and motherly, and while I enjoy reading about her experiences as a new wife and mother, Marmee is my real hero.  Now that I have my own kids, I treasure her wisdom and want to emulate the love (and PATIENCE!) she shows her own children.  Take this little tidbit, for example:

"'[Your father] showed me that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. . . . the love, respect and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy.'"

I love this parenting advice:
"Mrs. March knew that experience was an excellent teacher, and when it was possible she left her children to learn alone the lessons which she would gladly have made easier, if they had not objected to taking advice . . ."

And talking with Jo:
"'If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me.  My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do your earthly one.'"

You just don't hear things like that in books anymore--they would be considered too moralistic, too religious. But how beautiful and true they are!  And if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or praiseworthy, shouldn't we seek after these things?  I think all daughters should be encouraged to read this book--all mothers too.  Why not at the same time?  Talk about what you read and the chocies the sisters make.  It may be old-fashioned, but the principles are every bit as important now!