The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott – Reading Series Announcement
All copies have been claimed! I look forward to discussing this book with all of you!
There’s been a lot of buzz about The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees. I mean, who hasn’t read Little Women? Who hasn’t wanted to be Jo, and who doesn’t wish that Jo and Laurie had ended up together?
In case you haven’t heard of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, here’s a description:
In her debut novel, The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, Kelly O’Connor McNees deftly mixes fact and fiction as she imagines a summer lost to history, carefully purged from Louisa’s letters and journals, a summer that would change the course of Louisa’s writing career—and inspire the story of love and heartbreak between Jo and Teddy “Laurie” Laurence, Jo’s devoted neighbor and kindred spirit.
In the summer of 1855, Walt Whitman’s controversial Leaves of Grass has just been released, and the notion of making a living as a writer is still a far-off dream for Louisa. She is twenty-two years old, vivacious, and bursting with a desire to be free of her family and societal constraints so she can do what she loves the most—write. The Alcott family, destitute, as usual, moves to a generous uncle’s empty house in Walpole, New Hampshire, for the summer. Here, a striking but pensive Louisa meets the fictional Joseph Singer. Louisa is initially unimpressed by Joseph’s charms. But just as Louisa begins to open her heart, she learns that Joseph may not be free to give his away. Their newfound love carries a steep price, and Louisa fears she may pay with the independence she has fought so hard to protect.
Isn’t this just the perfect book club book? And are you drooling yet? Because you should be. 
I’m really excited to tell you that there will be a Reading Series for The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott (TLSoLMA)! Riverhead Books has graciously agreed to provide 20 copies of TLSoLMA.
The way the Reading Series will work is that it’s basically a book club, but you can stay in your jammies at home because the discussion will happen here at Hey Lady. Sounds great, huh? Those who sign up for the Reading Series need to be able to come and discuss the book on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. I’ll post questions about a week before the 14th so you can think about them and mull them over, then on the 14th, we’ll discuss TLSoLMA in the comments, and we’ll even get to have the author, Kelly O’Connor McNees, ‘live’ on Hey Lady for an hour so you can ask her questions and discuss the book with her!
To participate in the Reading Series, all you need to do is email me with your name and address. Please put “The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott” in the subject line, but please only request the book if you know you can participate in the discussion on April 14th! Unfortunately, this is only open to folks in the United States and Canada. The books are first come, first served.
I look forward to discussing this book with you!
| Tags: book clubs, kelly o'connor mcnees, little women, Reading Series, the lost summer of louisa may alcott 18 comments »
February 22nd, 2010 at 4:50 am
What a fun idea! I’d participate if I were in the right region. Enjoy
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February 22nd, 2010 at 7:03 am
This sounds great! I’m definitely going to check it out! Have you ever read March by Geraldine Brooks? It’s a fictionalized version of Mr. March’s story set while he was off at war. It’s fantastic.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 7:38 am
I would love to participate in this! The book sounds so great. I loved Little Women as a kid (and now my daughter loves it too!) Sending an email now..
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February 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 am
This sounds so good!!
I’ve never actually read all of Little Women all the way through. I read the shortened version when I as little. Can’t remember what they’re called… you know the classics with the pictures and they’re the shorter version??
Anyway, I’d love to participate too! I’ll send an e-mail. Although, I will give up my spot if there is someone else who absolutely LOVES Little Women and is dying to participate and all the spots are taken. =) Also, is this an evening discussion?
The only part that’s in the evening is the “live” discussion with the author. Otherwise, the discussion is taking place 24 hours a day.
I’ll have it so you can reply to other comments, so it will be very discussion-y. –trish
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February 22nd, 2010 at 11:46 am
I love Little Women and bookgroups – this sounds perfect. I just sent you an email.
What a great idea!
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February 22nd, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Well, hopefully I’ll have the book done by then, since my tour date is the next day! I’ll definitely try to join you guys in your discussion.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I was drooling last week when I seen this on blogs. Sounds wonderful!
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February 22nd, 2010 at 2:59 pm
I have not read Little Women, so I don’t want to take a spot from someone who has, but I will be eagerly following this discussion! It looks like quite a read!
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February 22nd, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Just sent my email, I’d really love to do this one–nikki, I loved March, and this time period with the Transcendentalists and the abolitionists is just up my alley!
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February 23rd, 2010 at 6:15 am
This is the part where I admit that the last time I read LITTLE WOMEN, I was eleven years old and totally didn’t get what the big deal was. Perhaps a re-read is in order….must figure out if I can fit it in so I can participate. This is a great program idea!
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February 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 am
This sounds AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven’t read Little Women in years and I don’t think I have time for a re-read between now and then, so I won’t take a spot from another deserved reader. This will def. be going into my TBR list!!!!
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February 23rd, 2010 at 7:39 am
I emailed you.
This will be so much fun! I am thrilled to have something to look forward to. 
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February 23rd, 2010 at 11:53 am
I actually have never read Little Women (for shame!), but I just read my children a great picture book biography, Louisa: The Life of Louisa May Alcott. I think I’ll read The Lost Summer… and then Little Women.
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February 24th, 2010 at 12:08 am
I’m in the wrong region, but this sounds wonderful.
I love anything real or fictional about Alcott.
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February 25th, 2010 at 5:30 am
I’m in – and I already have a copy
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March 2nd, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I like this new ‘reading series’ thing you’ve got going on! Will keep my eyes peeled (is that another mixed-up saying?) for future picks (there WILL be future picks, right?)
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March 5th, 2010 at 10:35 am
This is in response to Dawn.. yes we will be doing more of these with TLC.. there’s another one coming up on my blog soon for a memoir called Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden. I’ll be announcing it next week!
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March 7th, 2010 at 9:03 am
[...] So instead, I picked up my copy of The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott which I am reading for this reading series. Sounds like fun, [...]