Today’s Diane Rehm Show was all about Anne of Green Gables–an absolute dream for an Anne superfan like moi. You can get all 51 minutes of the audio here. The book is one hundred years old this year, but as a 10-year-old caller pointed out, the story has stood the test of time (she especially enjoyed the “mischief” in the book). A few highlights and little-known facts:

Do you remember when Anne accidentally serves her friend Diana currant wine instead of raspberry cordial, resulting in a drunken fiasco? The guests on this show sure did.

Anne holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Japanese children. According to one expert, Anne of Green Gables is a text used to teach students English. Japanese dignitaries have actually made pilgrimages to Prince Edward Island, where the book was set.

Anne of Green Gables was rejected many times before author L.M. Montgomery found a publisher, who turned out to be a shady character. He ripped her off by stealing her royalties, a crime for which he was called a “stinker” by Diane Rehm.

Real men dig Anne of Green Gables. Trucker John from Iowa says it’s an “awesome book for men.” And he cries when he reads it.

Whenever I mention my love of this book, I always find others who have their own connections to Anne. What’s yours?