My only books were women's looks

I'm actually reading the second volume, but it didn't have a pictures, and I've read this one, so yeah. Nobuko Yoshiya is one of my favorite Japanese authors, even though she kills me with the early 20th century (aka 1918) Japanese. The Hanamonogatari (Flower Tales) books are her shorts stories, usually involving what used to be known as Class S (romantic friendship) which will be familiar to readers of Maria-sama ga Miteieru. The other day it hit me why I love these stories so much. They are very much - in tone and theme - the Japanese equivalent of L.M Montgomery's short stories: pretty (usually orphaned) girl sacrifices herself and wins happiness through her kindness.