Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942), better known as L.M. Montgomery, is the beloved Canadian author who gave the world Anne of Green Gables and dozens of other heartwarming novels, short-story collections, and poetry books. With over 20 novels, 530 short stories, and 500 poems, her body of work is surprisingly vast—and surprisingly interconnected.
If you’ve ever wondered “What should I read after Anne of Green Gables?” or “Is Emily of New Moon part of the same series?”, this chronological + series guide is for you.
Why Read L.M. Montgomery Books in Order?
- Many of her novels share the same fictional Prince Edward Island universe.
- Characters from one series sometimes cameo in another (e.g., Anne Shirley appears briefly in the Emily books).
- Her writing style evolves beautifully from 1908 to 1939, and reading chronologically lets you watch that growth.
Let’s dive in!
Lucy Maud Montgomery Books In Order
1. Anne of Green Gables Series (The “Anne” Books)
The most famous and beloved series—follows red-haired orphan Anne Shirley from age 11 to grandmotherhood.
| # | Title | Year | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anne of Green Gables | 1908 | The classic that started it all |
| 2 | Anne of Avonlea | 1909 | Anne becomes a teacher |
| 3 | Anne of the Island | 1915 | Anne goes to Redmond College (and meets Gilbert!) |
| 4 | Anne of Windy Poplars (US: Windy Willows) | 1936 | Anne as a high-school principal (written later but fits here chronologically) |
| 5 | Anne’s House of Dreams | 1917 | Marriage, babies, and Captain Jim |
| 6 | Anne of Ingleside | 1939 | Anne as a mother of six |
| 7 | Rainbow Valley | 1919 | Focuses on Anne’s children and the Meredith kids |
| 8 | Rilla of Ingleside | 1921 | Powerful WWI home-front story told by Anne’s youngest daughter |
Bonus Anne-related books:
- Chronicles of Avonlea (1912) – short stories set in Avonlea (read after book 2)
- Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920) – more short stories (read anytime after book 2)
- The Blythes Are Quoted (2009) – final manuscript delivered the day before Montgomery died; contains poems and vignettes by Anne & family (read last)
2. Emily of New Moon Trilogy
Often called “the darker, more autobiographical Anne.” Follows aspiring writer Emily Starr.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emily of New Moon | 1923 |
| 2 | Emily Climbs | 1925 |
| 3 | Emily’s Quest | 1927 |
Tip: Many fans actually prefer Emily over Anne—try it if you love introspective, artistic heroines.
3. Pat of Silver Bush Duology
Cozy, domestic stories about a girl who hates change.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pat of Silver Bush | 1933 |
| 2 | Mistress Pat | 1935 |
4. The Story Girl Series
Magical storytelling on a PEI farm.
| # | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Story Girl | 1911 |
| 2 | The Golden Road | 1913 |
5. Standalone Novels
| Title | Year | Why You’ll Love It |
|---|---|---|
| Kilmeny of the Orchard | 1910 | Sweet, almost fairytale-like romance |
| The Blue Castle | 1926 | Adult romance—Montgomery’s most “grown-up” book and a perennial favorite |
| Magic for Marigold | 1929 | Whimsical childhood on PEI |
| A Tangled Web (US: Aunt Becky Began It) | 1931 | Hilarious family feud over an inheritance jug |
| Jane of Lantern Hill | 1937 | Toronto girl reunites with her father on PEI—underrated gem |
6. Short-Story Collections (Recommended Reading Order)
- Chronicles of Avonlea (1912)
- Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920)
- The Road to Yesterday (1974) – posthumous collection
- The Doctor’s Sweetheart and Other Stories (1979)
- Akin to Anne (1988)
- Along the Shore (1989)
- Among the Shadows (1990)
- After Many Days (1991)
- Against the Odds (1993)
- At the Altar (1994)
- Across the Miles (1995)
- Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories (1995)
The last nine collections were assembled posthumously from magazines—perfect for dipping in and out.
7. Poetry & Non-Fiction
- The Watchman & Other Poems (1916)
- The Poetry of Lucy Maud Montgomery (1987 selection)
- The Alpine Path: The Story of My Career (1917 autobiography—short and inspiring)
- The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery (5 volumes, published 1985–2004) – raw, beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking
Suggested Reading Orders for Different Readers
New to Montgomery?
- Anne of Green Gables → Anne of Avonlea → Anne of the Island → The Blue Castle → Emily of New Moon
Want the full Prince Edward Island universe experience? (Chronological by publication)
- Anne of Green Gables (1908)
- Anne of Avonlea (1909)
- Kilmeny of the Orchard (1910)
- The Story Girl (1911)
- Chronicles of Avonlea (1912)
- The Golden Road (1913)
- Anne of the Island (1915) …continue through Rilla of Ingleside, then jump to Emily trilogy, Blue Castle, etc.
Prefer by Montgomery’s improving maturity as a writer?
Start with The Blue Castle (1926) or Jane of Lantern Hill (1937)—many modern readers say these feel the most “timeless.”
Final Thoughts
More than a century after Anne Shirley arrived at Bright River station, L.M. Montgomery’s books continue to sell half a million copies every year. Whether you crave cozy small-town romance, coming-of-age depth, or quiet feminist rebellion wrapped in beautiful prose, there’s a Montgomery book with your name on it.
So grab a cup of tea, curl up under a quilt, and let Maud take you home to Prince Edward Island.
Which Montgomery book is your favorite? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear! ❤️
Happy reading, kindred spirits! 📚
