On Twitter this morning, @odilettante reminded me of one of my very favorite books. Many, if not most, of you are familiar with L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series that well deserves the enduring love of readers over the last century. However, one of her lesser known stand-alone novels is a book I read at least once a year. It is for me the literary equivalent of a cup of hot cocoa, or a warm loaf of bread that you tear into hot out of the oven.

I have lots of favorite books, and I think I’m going to start a weekly post recommending both old and new favorites because I know the reading impulse in strong in many Beanies. And also, because I’m a book pusher. I can’t help it. I want you to love the words I love. (You don’t really have to love them, but I do just want to nudge you to maybe try it.) Therefore, I’m going to use my fan wall to push books that have kdrama-esque plots, or are related to Korea in some way, or are just so dang good that I want you to know about them.

If you don’t like to read, that’s fine, just scroll on by. If you do like to read, hi friend, let’s talk. Please give me your recommendations and opinions, because as we all know, Beanies are an opinionated lot who are passionate about their entertainment.

Anyway, back to L.M. Montgomery. Like the dramas that we all go back to when we need a good uplifting tale that doesn’t have too much of an emotional rollercoaster ride, I also have a list of books that I return to time and time again for that familiar and comforting story that leaves you feeling good when you reach the last page. The one I return to most frequently, for a quick afternoon read, is The Blue Castle.

How is an early, 20th century, Canadian novel related to kdrama you ask? Well, we have the plain, unmarried, almost 30 (i.e. old maid), female lead who lives with her nagging mother, and is afflicted with a cruel gossipy extended family. Additionally, there’s the beautiful cousin who seems to have everything that a young woman should want, and is therefore always a reminder of exactly what Valancy does not, and will not have. While Valancy’s life is dull, colorless, and without any hope of getting even a smidgeon better, she weaves an imaginary fantasy life centered on a fairy-tale-like Blue Castle. But, as we all know, plain, unmarried heroines in our romantic novels always have an event that changes everything. Valancy also has her cataclysmic moment.

I won’t give you spoilers, but there is terminal illness, a mysterious, but intriguing man who lives outside of society’s norms, birth secrets, and a slow burning romance that will satisfy any kdrama fan. There is also humor, and just enough sarcasm to feed my bitter heart, as well as a pivotal dinner scene that will have you cheering out loud. Seriously, it is immensely satisfying.

So, if you’ve never read The Blue Castle, do. I promise you won’t regret it. Also, someone adapt this for the screen. Please.

P.S. it’s available on Project Gutenberg Australia. Here you go: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200951h.html