emily brontë — Happy when skies are gray

I just HAVE to write. The thought has pulsed through my head nonstop for the past year. My biggest obstacle has always been starting. And the middle bit. And finishing. “Short stories,” I said to myself. “That is something I could tackle!” But this too I’ve found requires some determination and will, which I find lacking when I set pen to paper.

I’ve heard it said, a reader who has nothing to read must write. So then, wouldn’t the opposite be true? A writer who has nothing to write, must read.

“Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. I have seen a great many lists of her drawing-up at various times of books that she meant to read regularly through—and very good lists they were—very well chosen, and very neatly arranged—sometimes alphabetically, and sometimes by some other rule… But I have done with expecting any course of steady reading from Emma. She will never submit to anything requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding.”

This excerpt from Jane Austen’s Emma, spoken by Mr. Knightley about young Emma’s endeavor to read more, could be easily spoken about myself. I’ve drawn up many a “good list” of books to read but never can get through them all without some distraction or to be taken with another title. But like Emma, I’m always game for a challenge and I do believe I will be endeavoring to read more the rest of my life. (Now if Mr. Knightley would choose to brew me a cup of tea and sit with me, I think I would happily read the day away with very few qualms!)

I sat down to read early on in 2017. I was disappointed that college provided little time for pleasure literature. All of my fantasies of being snuggled in the corner of a library aisle with a big thermos of coffee and a Charles Dickens novel were severely injured by the fast paced, jam packed collegiant life. Besides the obvious, classes, studies, and obligations as a music major, I found any amount of free time with friends was always being challenged by Netflix, sleep, or exercise. There is no built in time for, as Mr. Darcy would eloquently state, “the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

I decided that this must be remedied. So I began by finishing books I had started and asking others for suggestions. I didn’t want to exclude myself to certain “intellectual” literature. I read anything and everything! Even if it meant four books by the same author whose first name is not Jane and last name not Austen. (Of course, I am referring to Katherine Reay for any Austen enthusiasts who need a breath of fresh air into the 21

century)

Wuthering Heights

by Emily Brontë

This was my first book when I began this adventure, and I must say the darkness took me by surprise. Jane Eyre is an old friend of mine and I return to her on multiple occasions when her inner courage and moral compass are grounding and inspiring to me. But Emily’s book held so much darkness and not so much redemption that I struggled to navigate it in one swift reading. I had to take a break at one point and read something a bit lighter because it was a little bit too much for me to handle. Especially since I do most of my reading late at night.

The Gilded Years

by Karin Tanabe

At one point, I will sit down and write the thorough book review this title deserves. I am very partial to books set in periods, because at heart I’m an old-fashioned girl and this book touched every heartstring in my body. Anita lives her life hiding behind her skin color in order to achieve an education. Something happens that makes her question why she needs to live unloved in order to hide. She finds acceptance, friendship, and even love. But it may threaten all of the safety she and her family have built for her. An AMAZING read! I read it over the summer and couldn’t put it down.

The Brontë Plot

by Katherine Reay

This book took some digging through the back of a few Half Price Books to find. I fell in love with all of my favorite Austen characters all over again when I read Reay’s

Dear Mr. Knightley

and

Lizzie & Jane,

that this book wasn’t going to be left unread for long. I fell in love fast and hard with the world of old books, interior decorating, and the stories left behind by generations of English authors. It made me want to jump on a plane and fly to the moor where Cathy rode her pony and Mr. Rochester galloped on his brilliant black steed. In true Brontë style Reay writes a mystery that will keep you hanging on every word. I am currently reading

A Portrait of Emily Price,

which is not based on certain author or genre. I think it is a clear example of a

reader who decided to write what she wanted to read.

Mansfield Park

by Jane Austen

Dr. Johnny Wink, one of my beloved English professors, ignored the fact that I’m a music major, and allowed me to partake in an Honors course on

*drum roll please* Jane Austen! We traversed three of her novels,

Mansfield Park, Emma,

and

Persuasion.

While I enjoyed all three exceedingly, the first was the only one I had not read prior to the course and was the one I enjoyed the least. Nonetheless, it did showcase an aspect of Austen’s writing that I find most amusing. Satire. I find many of her characters in this novel are not so much meant to admire, like Mr. Darcy, Elinor Dashwood, or Jane Bennet. But instead, to scrutinize the character’s flaws and philosophies. I still find it an interesting read though maybe not as romantic as her other novels, but very amusing. Especially if you find discovering selfish motivation and justification of one’s actions and ideas diverting.

started

a few other books, but these four I believe are worth highlighting as my 2017 reads. For 2018, I want to continue my exposure to the classics. But also to male authors.. You’ll find in the above material, all of the names are female. As are many of my favorite authors, Montegomery, Alcott, Austen, Brontë, Rowling, Reay, etc. I plan to read a Thomas Hardy, Charles Dickens, maybe even another George Eliot. (Just kidding..)

I would love to hear what you are reading. Or if you have any suggestions for me as I make my 2018 reading list. Here's to another year of fictional adventures!