L.M. Montgomery, the beloved Canadian author, is best known for her heartwarming novel Anne of Green Gables and its enduring legacy. Her stories, filled with vivid characters, rich settings, and emotional depth, have captivated readers for over a century. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to her work, this guide provides a complete, chronological list of L.M. Montgomery’s books in order, focusing on her novels, short story collections, and poetry. Let’s dive into her literary world, perfect for cozy reading sessions or rediscovering classic literature!
Why Read L.M. Montgomery’s Books in Order?
Reading Montgomery’s books in publication order allows you to trace her growth as a writer and appreciate the evolution of her storytelling. From the spirited Anne Shirley to lesser-known but equally compelling characters, her works explore themes of love, resilience, and the beauty of everyday life, often set against the picturesque backdrop of Prince Edward Island. This guide is designed to help you navigate her extensive bibliography, making it easy to follow her novels and short stories in the order they were published.
L.M. Montgomery Books by Series in Publication Order
Below is a complete list of L.M. Montgomery’s books organized by series and in publication order, presented in a table format. This includes her novels, short story collections, and poetry, grouped by series or standalone works, to help readers navigate her bibliography systematically.
| Series/Standalone | Title | Publication Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anne of Green Gables Series | Anne of Green Gables | 1908 | Anne Shirley, an imaginative orphan, is mistakenly sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert in Avonlea. |
| Anne of Avonlea | 1909 | Anne becomes a schoolteacher, navigating new responsibilities and friendships in Avonlea. | |
| Chronicles of Avonlea | 1912 | Short stories set in Avonlea, featuring familiar characters and new tales of love and community. | |
| Anne of the Island | 1915 | Anne attends Redmond College, facing new friendships, romance, and personal growth. | |
| Anne’s House of Dreams | 1917 | Anne marries and starts a new life in Four Winds Harbor, facing joys and challenges. | |
| Rainbow Valley | 1919 | Focuses on Anne’s children and their friends, the Meredith siblings, in Rainbow Valley. | |
| Further Chronicles of Avonlea | 1920 | More short stories set in Avonlea, exploring love, family, and community ties. | |
| Rilla of Ingleside | 1921 | Anne’s daughter Rilla navigates love and loss during World War I. | |
| Anne of Windy Poplars | 1936 | Anne’s years as a school principal in Summerside, told through letters and adventures. | |
| Anne of Ingleside | 1939 | Anne balances motherhood and personal dreams in Glen St. Mary. | |
| Emily Series | Emily of New Moon | 1923 | Emily Starr, an aspiring writer and orphan, navigates life with strict relatives. |
| Emily Climbs | 1925 | Emily pursues her writing dreams while facing societal and personal challenges. | |
| Emily’s Quest | 1927 | Emily strives for literary success and love, facing emotional highs and lows. | |
| Pat Series | Pat of Silver Bush | 1933 | Pat Gardiner’s love for her home, Silver Bush, shapes her life and relationships. |
| Mistress Pat | 1935 | Pat faces changes at Silver Bush while navigating family and romance. | |
| The Story Girl Series | The Story Girl | 1911 | Cousins Bev and Felix are enchanted by Sara Stanley’s storytelling on Prince Edward Island. |
| The Golden Road | 1913 | The cousins continue their adventures, creating a newspaper and sharing stories. | |
| Standalone Novels | Kilmeny of the Orchard | 1910 | Eric Marshall falls in love with Kilmeny Gordon, a mute girl in a secluded orchard. |
| The Blue Castle | 1926 | Valancy Stirling breaks free from her stifling life after a life-changing diagnosis. | |
| Magic for Marigold | 1929 | Marigold Lesley explores her world through whimsical adventures and family ties. | |
| A Tangled Web | 1931 | Two families compete over an inheritance, leading to tangled relationships and romance. | |
| Jane of Lantern Hill | 1937 | Jane Stuart discovers her true home on Prince Edward Island with her father. | |
| Poetry and Posthumous Collections | The Watchman and Other Poems | 1916 | A collection of Montgomery’s poetry, reflecting her love for nature and emotions. |
| After Green Gables: L.M. Montgomery’s Letters | 1960 | Posthumous collection of letters offering insight into Montgomery’s life. | |
| The Road to Yesterday | 1974 | Posthumous short stories featuring Anne series characters and others. | |
| Akin to Anne: Tales of Other Orphans | 1988 | Posthumous short stories about orphans, echoing Anne Shirley’s spirit. | |
| Among the Shadows | 1990 | Posthumous collection of darker, mysterious short stories. |
Notes
- Series Order: The table groups books by series (Anne, Emily, Pat, The Story Girl) and lists standalone novels and collections separately.
- Publication Order: Books within each series or category are listed by their original publication year.
- Posthumous Works: Collections published after Montgomery’s death (1942) are included for completeness, as they contain previously unpublished or compiled works.
- Reading Tip: Start with Anne of Green Gables for the most iconic entry, or explore standalone novels like The Blue Castle for a different flavor of Montgomery’s storytelling.
This table serves as a comprehensive guide for readers seeking to explore L.M. Montgomery’s works in order, whether by series or publication timeline.
L.M. Montgomery’s Novels in Publication Order
Below is the complete list of L.M. Montgomery’s novels, starting with her iconic debut. Each title includes a brief description to spark your interest and help you decide where to begin or continue your reading journey.
- Anne of Green Gables (1908)
The classic tale of Anne Shirley, an imaginative and talkative orphan girl mistakenly sent to live with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island. Her adventures, friendships, and growth into a young woman make this a timeless coming-of-age story.
Why read it? Perfect for fans of heartfelt, character-driven stories with a strong sense of place. - Anne of Avonlea (1909)
Anne, now 16, takes on the role of a schoolteacher in Avonlea while navigating new responsibilities, friendships, and budding romance. This sequel continues her journey with warmth and humor.
Why read it? A delightful continuation for Anne fans, introducing new characters like the mischievous Davy and Dora. - Kilmeny of the Orchard (1910)
A lesser-known romantic novel about Eric Marshall, a young man who falls in love with Kilmeny Gordon, a mute but musically gifted girl in a secluded orchard.
Why read it? A short, romantic read with Montgomery’s signature lyrical prose. - The Story Girl (1911)
Follows cousins Bev and Felix as they spend a summer on Prince Edward Island, enchanted by Sara Stanley, the “Story Girl,” whose tales weave magic into their lives.
Why read it? Ideal for readers who love storytelling and nostalgic childhood adventures. - Chronicles of Avonlea (1912)
A collection of short stories set in Avonlea, featuring cameos from Anne of Green Gables characters alongside new faces. Each tale explores love, community, and life’s quirks.
Why read it? A great mix of humor and heart for fans of interconnected short stories. - The Golden Road (1913)
A sequel to The Story Girl, this novel continues the adventures of Bev, Felix, and Sara Stanley as they create a newspaper and share more stories.
Why read it? A charming follow-up with a focus on creativity and friendship. - Anne of the Island (1915)
Anne heads to Redmond College, facing new challenges, friendships, and romantic prospects, including proposals from a certain Gilbert Blythe.
Why read it? A must-read for fans eager to see Anne’s college years and romantic developments. - Anne’s House of Dreams (1917)
Anne marries and begins a new chapter in Four Winds Harbor, facing joys and sorrows as she builds her “house of dreams.”
Why read it? A touching exploration of love, loss, and new beginnings. - Rainbow Valley (1919)
Focusing on Anne’s children and their new friends, the Meredith siblings, this novel explores their adventures in the idyllic Rainbow Valley.
Why read it? Perfect for readers who want to meet the next generation of Avonlea characters. - Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920)
Another collection of short stories set in Avonlea, offering more tales of love, family, and community with Montgomery’s signature charm.
Why read it? A delightful companion to Chronicles of Avonlea. - Rilla of Ingleside (1921)
The final Anne novel centers on Anne’s youngest daughter, Rilla, during World War I, as she navigates love, loss, and personal growth.
Why read it? A poignant, historical perspective with strong emotional resonance. - Emily of New Moon (1923)
The start of the Emily trilogy introduces Emily Starr, an aspiring writer and orphan with a vivid imagination, navigating life with her strict relatives.
Why read it? A fresh heroine for readers who love Anne but want a new perspective. - Emily Climbs (1925)
Emily pursues her writing dreams while facing societal expectations and personal challenges at school and beyond.
Why read it? A compelling follow-up for fans of strong, creative female protagonists. - The Blue Castle (1926)
Valancy Stirling, a 29-year-old “spinster,” breaks free from her stifling life after a life-changing diagnosis, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and romance.
Why read it? A standalone gem for readers seeking empowerment and romance. - Emily’s Quest (1927)
The final Emily novel follows her pursuit of love and literary success, with plenty of emotional highs and lows.
Why read it? A satisfying conclusion to Emily’s inspiring journey. - Magic for Marigold (1929)
Marigold Lesley, a young girl with a vivid imagination, explores her world through whimsical adventures and family ties.
Why read it? A lighthearted standalone for fans of Montgomery’s younger heroines. - A Tangled Web (1931)
A humorous novel about two families competing over an inheritance, leading to tangled relationships and unexpected romance.
Why read it? Perfect for readers who enjoy witty, ensemble-driven stories. - Pat of Silver Bush (1933)
Pat Gardiner’s deep love for her home, Silver Bush, shapes her life as she navigates family, friendship, and romance.
Why read it? A cozy read for those who love stories about home and belonging. - Mistress Pat (1935)
The sequel to Pat of Silver Bush follows Pat’s life as she faces changes at home and in her heart.
Why read it? A heartfelt continuation for Pat fans. - Anne of Windy Poplars (1936)
A “fill-in” novel covering Anne’s years as a school principal, told through her letters and adventures in Summerside.
Why read it? A charming addition to the Anne series, bridging earlier novels. - Jane of Lantern Hill (1937)
Jane Stuart discovers her true home on Prince Edward Island, reconnecting with her father and finding her place in the world.
Why read it? A heartwarming standalone about family and self-discovery. - Anne of Ingleside (1939)
Anne, now a mother, balances family life with her own dreams while facing new challenges in Glen St. Mary.
Why read it? A nostalgic return to Anne’s world, focusing on motherhood.
L.M. Montgomery’s Short Story Collections and Poetry
In addition to her novels, Montgomery published numerous short story collections and poetry, many of which were compiled posthumously. Here are her key collections in publication order:
- The Watchman and Other Poems (1916)
A collection of Montgomery’s poetry, reflecting her love for nature and emotional depth.
Why read it? Ideal for poetry lovers and fans of her lyrical style. - After Green Gables: L.M. Montgomery’s Letters (1960, posthumous)
A collection of her letters, offering insight into her life and creative process.
Why read it? A fascinating glimpse into the author’s mind for dedicated fans. - The Road to Yesterday (1974, posthumous)
A collection of short stories featuring characters from the Anne series and beyond.
Why read it? A nostalgic return to Avonlea for completists. - Among the Shadows (1990, posthumous)
A collection of darker, more mysterious short stories.
Why read it? Perfect for readers who enjoy Montgomery’s less sentimental side. - Akin to Anne: Tales of Other Orphans (1988, posthumous)
Short stories about orphans, echoing Anne Shirley’s spirit.
Why read it? A heartwarming collection for Anne fans.
Tips for Reading L.M. Montgomery’s Books
- Start with Anne of Green Gables: It’s her most famous work and a great introduction to her style. Follow the Anne series for a cohesive reading experience.
- Explore the Emily trilogy: If you love strong female leads, Emily Starr’s story is a must-read.
- Try The Blue Castle for something different: This standalone novel offers a fresh perspective with its adult protagonist.
- Check out short stories for variety: Her collections like Chronicles of Avonlea are perfect for quick, engaging reads.
- Pair with Prince Edward Island vibes: Montgomery’s settings are vivid, so imagine cozy evenings or seaside walks while reading.
Why L.M. Montgomery’s Books Remain Timeless
Montgomery’s stories resonate because they capture universal emotions—love, loss, hope, and the search for belonging. Her heroines, from Anne to Emily to Valancy, inspire readers to embrace their individuality and find joy in the small moments. Whether you’re revisiting Avonlea or discovering it for the first time, her books offer comfort and inspiration.
Where to Find L.M. Montgomery’s Books
Most of Montgomery’s works are widely available in print, eBook, and audiobook formats. Check your local library, online retailers like Amazon, or secondhand bookstores for affordable copies. For collectors, look for special editions of Anne of Green Gables with beautiful covers or annotations.
Conclusion
L.M. Montgomery’s books, from the iconic Anne of Green Gables to lesser-known gems like The Blue Castle, offer something for every reader. By following this publication order, you can immerse yourself in her enchanting world and appreciate the depth of her storytelling. Which Montgomery book will you read next? Let us know in the comments, and happy reading!
