Louisa May Alcott’s 186^th birthday would have been on November 29, 2018. In honor of this occasion, we’re exploring what books the characters of her most famous novel, Little Women, may have read if they were alive today.

Meg

Meg March, the eldest of the March sisters, is already well on her way to embodying the title of a “little woman” at the start of the novel. She fulfills the role of the traditional woman of the time, a foil to and an example for her more exuberant sisters.
In modern times, Meg would also strive to do what is expected of her: be a good example for her sisters, behave well, and excel in school. Female-centric historical fiction is sure to have a soft spot in her heart, so a book like Sarah’s War* by Eugenia Lovett West would be right up her alley.

Jo

Jo March, the second eldest, rejects the traditional femininity that is pressed upon her and her sisters. Between her tom-boy tendencies and her quick temper, she begins the novel as far from the idea of being a “little woman” as she can muster.
With her love of writing short stories and plays, it stands to reason that a modern Jo March would be interested in filmmaking. She’d likely also be academically minded, her curiosity never quenched. A historical memoir by a filmmaker, like The Restless Hungarian* by Tom Weidlinger, would absolutely make her to-read list.

Beth

Beth March, the second youngest of the March sisters, is kind, sweet, and gentle. Despite her musical talent, she is the shyest of the sisters, and often acts as peacemaker between her sisters. Her tragic illness profoundly effects everyone around her.
Beth never gets to go out and live her life, but she is never idle. Reading would bring her much joy, and a story about someone following their passion for music, like The Frontman by Ron Bahar, would be sure to inspire her to keep working at it for as long as she possibly could.

Amy

As the youngest March sibling, Amy is often seen as vain, self-centered, and spoiled. While this may be true of her at the beginning of Little Women, Amy spends the book on the path of spiritual and moral growth. She works hard to get what she wants in life, and has no trouble putting Laurie in his place when he’s wasting his life.
Towards the end of the book, Amy would appreciate a story about someone who grows as she did. Eugenia Panisporchi, the protagonist of Hindsight by Mindy Tarquini, must learn to help others in order to help herself. The artist in Amy would love magical realism associated with its use of reincarnation.

Laurie

As the “boy next-door” character, Laurie wasn’t always involved in the going-ons of the March household—but he had a great seat to watch. Between his friendship with Jo and his romance with Amy, Laurie is never far outside the drama.
Living a life of privilege and traveling the world leave Laurie bored with adventures—with his own strained relationship with his parents, a quiet story about family, like Bedside Manners by Heather Frimmer, would intrigue him more than anything else.

John

Often seen as the most serious of the bunch, as he holds down employment as both a tutor and a bookkeeper during the novel, John is the perfect match for Meg—no matter what Marmee may think. He was briefly sent off to war, but is sent home after injury.
A proud and noble man like John may enlist during any century. While he’s probably secretly relieved he was sent home before any further damage could befall him, John would likely want to relive those glory days by reading a memoir of someone else in the trenches. Mission Afghanistan by Elie Paul Cohen would certainly fit the bill.

*not out yet, but available for preorder now