January 2024 Reads and Alice and Phoebe Cary's Poems

January 31, 2024

January 2024 Reads and Alice and Phoebe Cary's Poems

A Surprise Bookstore Visit, Vintage Finds, and Winter Reflections

This month, my husband surprised me with a trip to a newly opened bookstore, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. As soon as I walked through the door, I was delighted to discover they had a small but carefully curated collection of vintage and antique books. Naturally, I couldn’t resist exploring the shelves, and after some deliberation, I chose Poems by Alice and Phoebe Cary—Household Edition, published by Houghton Mifflin.

For those unfamiliar, Alice and Phoebe Cary were 19th-century American poets who started writing as teenagers and were largely self-educated. I’ve long been a fan of poetry, particularly works that capture the essence of different eras and offer a glimpse into the cultural and societal concerns of the time. Alice and Phoebe’s poems are perfect examples of this.

Alice Cary (1820–1871) was the more famous of the two. Her first published poem, The Child of Sorrow, received praise from none other than Edgar Allan Poe, which speaks to her talent and impact on American poetry.

I particularly enjoyed reading A Legend of the Northland, a poem by Phoebe Cary (1824–1871) that resonated with me during the cold winter months. The poem tells a moral tale about greed, and the opening lines beautifully capture the essence of harsh northern winters:

Away, away in the Northland,
Where the hours of the day are few,
And the nights are so long in winter
That they cannot sleep them through...

Both Alice and Phoebe Cary were also contributors to The Revolution, the influential newspaper run by Susan B. Anthony. The sisters' involvement in the suffrage movement and their support for social change gives their poetry even more depth and relevance.

As the winter chill settles in, I often find myself revisiting some of my favorite books, and one annual tradition is reading Little Women. This year, I watched the 1994 film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel, which always brings me back to the challenges the March sisters faced and the comforting wisdom they shared with one another. It's a story that never grows old, reminding me of the power of family, resilience, and the comforting words we offer during tough times.

Whether it's vintage books, poetry, or timeless novels like Little Women, there’s something magical about immersing myself in literature that transports me to another time. And with winter in full swing, it’s the perfect season to slow down, reflect, and get lost in a good book.

My January reviews were