Tonight we'll read the next chapter of Good Wives, written by Louisa May Alcott, titled "On the Shelf". This is also known as the second half of the Little Women novel, and is considered the 38th chapter as part of that work as a whole.

The concept of being on the shelf, in reference to the chapter title, speaks to the Victorian era's rigid views on marriage and womanhood. Women who remained unmarried beyond a certain age were often seen as having lost their value in society. However, through Jo, Alcott subtly challenges this notion by showing that a woman's worth isn't defined by marriage, but by her passions, relationships, and personal growth.

In fact, Alcott once wrote, "I'd rather be a free spinster and paddle my own canoe." In the last chapter, new impressions, Laurie and Amy spent time together in France, where Laurie, recovering from his rejection by Jo, began to see Amy in a new light. Amy, more mature and poised, challenged Laurie to take life more seriously, and their friendship started to shift toward something deeper. 

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Tonight, we’ll read an excerpt from “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” written by Mark Twain in 1876. Snoozecast first read this back in January of 2022. It is a story about a boy growing up along the Mississippi River, often with his friend Huckleberry Finn.

Originally a commercial failure, the book ended up being the best-selling of any of Twain's works during his lifetime, and is considered to be a masterpiece of American literature. It was also one of the first novels to be written on a typewriter.

Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens, drew heavily from his own childhood experiences in Hannibal, Missouri, when crafting The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The fictional town of St. Petersburg is modeled after Hannibal, reflecting the vibrant and sometimes dangerous life along the Mississippi River during the mid-19th century. Many of the characters in the novel were inspired by real people Twain knew in his youth, with Tom Sawyer himself being a composite of Twain and two of his childhood friends. This connection to real-life adventures and mischief gives the novel its authentic charm and timeless appeal.

The book not only captures the spirit of boyhood and adventure but also subtly critiques aspects of society, such as authority, social class, and superstition. Twain weaves humor and satire into the narrative, offering readers insight into the social norms and expectations of small-town America during that era. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer has inspired numerous adaptations across film, theater, and television, and its themes of freedom, rebellion, and the joys of youth continue to resonate with audiences around the world.

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Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.

We will pick up early in Chapter 13, where we left off in the last episode. This chapter is also the start of the second volume, or half, of “Persuasion”. Anne Elliot is reunited with Lady Russell, her confidante and mentor. Lady Russell remains keenly interested in Anne’s prospects and happiness, though her advice in the past led to Anne breaking off her engagement with Captain Wentworth.

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Tonight, we’ll read the final part to the Romanian fairy tale “The Fairy of the Dawn.” The first part to this story aired in the previous episode. Snoozecast first read this story back in January of 2022.

In the first part of our story, we are introduced to a king with three sons: Florea, Costan, and the youngest, Petru. Petru stands apart from his brothers—not for his strength or bravery, but for his gentle and playful spirit. While Florea and Costan pursue traditional ideals of heroism, Petru is more inclined to singing, laughing, and exploring the joys of life. Yet when their father pleads for help in seeking the magical spring of the Fairy of the Dawn, it is Petru who ultimately accepts the call to adventure.

Petru’s journey is made possible by a valiant and wise horse, whose loyalty and clever advice prove indispensable as they navigate the perilous fairy world. Together, they face trials that test Petru’s courage and resolve, as he ventures into realms both wondrous and dangerous.

His path is fraught with fierce battles against dragons and cunning goblins, challenges that force him to grow into the hero he never imagined himself to be. Along the way, Petru’s actions ripple outward, leaving the kingdom better and more harmonious than he found it, even as he continues onward toward the spring and his ultimate destiny.

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Tonight, we’ll read the first part to “The Fairy of the Dawn,” a Romanian fairy tale by author Marie Kremnitz. The second half to this story will air in our next episode. Snoozecast first read this story back in January of 2022.

Tonight’s story features a prince who doesn’t seem at first to be destined for heroism. Unlike his brothers, who seek adventure, fortune, and battles, this prince prefers singing, laughing, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. Yet, as the tale unfolds, his heart and courage reveal a hero in his own right.

The author of this story, Marie Kremnitz, born in Germany, later moved with her husband and children to Romania. There she became maid of honor to Queen Elisabeth of Romania, a fellow writer and romantic dreamer. The two formed a close bond, writing several books together under pen names. Kremnitz later established herself as a prolific author in her own right, often blending whimsical folklore with elegant prose.

Queen Elisabeth, known by her pen name Carmen Sylva, was an avid collector and teller of fairy tales, and her creative influence can be felt in Kremnitz’s works. Their collaboration often explored themes of inner strength, moral growth, and the transformative power of kindness—elements that are woven into “The Fairy of the Dawn”. The tale reflects not only their shared literary style but also the rich cultural traditions of Romanian folklore, which brim with enchantment and mystery.

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Tonight, we’ll continue the 1928 children's book by A. A. Milne “The house at Pooh Corner”. 

In the last episode, Pooh sets out to visit Piglet on a snowy day but finds Piglet missing, so he hums a new song and decides to visit Eeyore. Along the way, Pooh and Piglet build a house for Eeyore out of sticks, unaware that the sticks were from Eeyore's original house. Eeyore believes the wind moved his house, and all ends happily with laughter and song as the friends enjoy their snowy adventure together.

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Tonight, we’ll read a story called “Fortunatus”. It is inspired by a German tale regarding a legendary hero popular in 15th- and 16th-century Europe. It is a tale which marks the passing of the feudal world into the more modern, globalized, capitalist world. The moral of the story is that it is far too easy, without wisdom, to lose one's fortune, no matter how it was acquired. Snoozecast first read this story back in 2020.

Scholars often see Fortunatus as a bridge between medieval morality tales and the emerging genre of the picaresque novel. Unlike the static world of feudal allegory, Fortunatus’s adventures take him to exotic lands and through unpredictable encounters, mirroring the dynamic shifts in 16th-century Europe. The story also foreshadows themes that would later dominate literature: the perils of greed, the transience of material wealth, and the need for prudence in the face of opportunity.

The magic purse in Fortunatus is thought to symbolize the transformative power of currency, which became increasingly significant during the Renaissance as Europe transitioned from a barter-based economy to one driven by trade and capital. However, the tale warns of the dangers of wealth without wisdom. Fortunatus’s reckless spending and eventual ruin serve as a cautionary reminder that fortune, no matter how abundant, is never immune to folly.

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Tonight, we’ll read an excerpt from The Soul of Golf by P.A. Vaile, published in 1912. Snoozecast first read this back in 2020. 

The author Vaile’s contributions to golf literature extended beyond mere instruction—he was an early advocate for the science of the game. His writings explored the mechanics of golf swings and course strategy, combining a passion for the sport with an analytical mind. Vaile’s influence helped shape the way golf was taught and understood during the early 20th century, paving the way for the modern emphasis on technique and precision.

The 15th-century Scots may have codified the game, but golf in its earliest days was far from the polished pastime we recognize today. Early versions were played with rudimentary clubs and balls made from wood or leather-stuffed feathers.

One of the oldest known golf courses, the Old Course at St. Andrews, still exists today and remains a hallowed site for enthusiasts. Established in 1552, it reflects the deep historical roots of the game. St. Andrews is often referred to as the “Home of Golf,” and it’s where many of the rules of modern golf were first formalized, laying the groundwork for the sport’s global expansion.

Curiously, golf has also found its way into the annals of literature and lore. Some tales recount how the sport’s original intent was as much about leisure as it was about competition. Kings and commoners alike enjoyed the challenge of golf, and even Mary, Queen of Scots, is rumored to have played. Her passion for the game may have lent her the nickname “the first lady golfer,” further entwining golf with history and legend.

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Tonight, we’ll read the 24rd chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled "Miss Stacy and Her Pupils Get Up a Concert".

In the previous chapter, Anne’s impulsive nature leads her to accept a dangerous dare, resulting in a fall that leaves her with a broken ankle and weeks of confinement. Despite her initial despair, Anne’s vivid imagination and the kindness of friends help her endure the tedious recovery, during which she discovers the depth of her connections in Avonlea. The episode showcases Anne’s resilience and Marilla’s growing affection for her, as well as Anne’s enduring ability to find joy and lessons in even the most challenging situations.

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Tonight, we’ll read the section on baking cookies from “Woman’s Institute Library of Cookery Volume 4”, written by The Woman’s Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences. 

The Woman’s Institute was founded by Mary Brooks Picken in Scranton, PA. Born in Kansas in 1886, Picken wrote the first dictionary to be published by a woman in the English language, beyond the over one hundred other books she wrote.

The word "cookie" comes from the Dutch word "koekje", which was Anglicized when the Dutch brought cookies to America in the late 1620s.

The old fashioned spelling for cookies has the word ending with a “Y” instead of “ie”. The “ie” spelling became dominant in the 1950s, except where the older “y” spelling was still used in some prominent titles, such as “Betty Crocker's Cooky Book”. This was likely a result of the colonial revivalism happening at that time, with greater interest in old-fashioned recipes and colonial culture that lasted from the 1920s to the Bicentennial of the 1970s.

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Tonight, we’ll read a short story by Charles Dickens called “A Christmas Tree”, from 1850. Snoozecast first aired this story back in the year 2020.

It was only ten years prior to this story’s publication that in 1840 the German concept of a Christmas tree was introduced to England. Before then, nobody in England had placed a Christmas tree in their home.Just as Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” isn’t actually a song, “A Christmas Tree” is barely a story and the tree is merely a launching off point for a series of dreamy impressions from the author’s mind. 

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