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Monday, March 21, 2016

Cowgirl Novels - Don't Laugh! - I Promise They're Epic

Ok, laugh. But then read them!

I've been in a cowgirl novel phase for a bit. Two years might be considered a bit, right? I've read oodles of them and plenty are total rubbish and a waste of your time. On the bright side, I feel terribly confident in recommending these, not-rubbish cowgirl novels. In absolute fact, due to the strong female leads, these books are all inspirational, and relatable, as well as very exciting adventure stories. Who doesn't love adventure? Who wouldn't want to jump into this google-discovered cowgirl painting blatantly stolen from the internet and pasted to the right of this paragraph? Look at that sky!
Therefore, at the risk of most people judging my taste (don't!), I give these three books five stars, each!
 

Under A Painted Sky by Stacey Lee


The story of Samantha, a Chinese girl in 1849's Missouri, who meets hard times (understatement), and must flee for her life. With the help of Annamae, a runaway slave, they disguise themselves as cowboys and set off down the Oregon Trail, making all kinds of friends and enemies along the way. While reading you will laugh aloud, feel incredibly sorry for them, want to live and die with them, and love them. Just remember to sleep. I read this book all day and all night, absolutely devouring it, and was subsequently devastated when it concluded. 
 
Quote: “I don’t understand the constant need to prove one’s manhood, as if it is always on the verge of slipping away. We never need to prove our womanhood.”  







Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy 


Sophie Edwards has four children and no husband, in the 1800's Texas. She is strong but female and her children are smart but little girls. Some challenges, some rough spots requiring ingenuity, and plenty of laughs later, the ending is triumphant. It's a light hearted fun filled adventure story of girl-takes-charge-messes-it-up-and-needs-a-man-and-then-gets-one-but-woah-does-her-dead-husband-have-a-twin-this-guy-looks-awfully-familiar-we-better-get-married-good-thing-we-discreetly-fell-in-love-already. In short, I loved it, inhaled it and then read everything else written by this author (no exaggeration).

Disclaimer: there are one too many King James references to be entirely universally appealing, but it's oh so clean, doesn't that make up for it?

Quote: “I don't reckon men are supposed to think," Sally said philosophically, as the pile of hemp rope grew at her feet. "That's why God gave 'em big muscles.”



My Antonia by Willa Cather



Antonia - can she be called a cowgirl? Well, she lived in the prairie, ran a farm, cared for her family through near starvation, loss of her father, and, oh yea, taught herself English. Strong female lead found here, lets call her a cowgirl, the free spirited, intensely hard working, utterly inspirational kind. Also the story about the Russian wolves, wow. Not to be overlooked or under mentioned are the depictions of Nebraska prairie; oh, Willa, your writing is why I checked Frontier flight prices to Omaha earlier today. (Not quite cheap enough, but there is a good deal going on right now!)

Quote: “That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great. When it comes to one, it comes as naturally as sleep.”

2 comments:

  1. As always, I love your descriptions and your word artistry as you paint with words. I love your enthusiastic descriptions, it really sells the books!

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    1. Thanks Deanna! Maybe one day I could get you to guest post on my blog and share some of your bookish enthusiasm! 😉

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