My Friend, Jane

It started with watching "The Jane Austen Book Club" movie with my sister early quarantine. It was the first time watching that movie for me, a second for her and I ADORED it. I loved the idea of a group of friends, with a variety of backgrounds and ongoing conflicts they struggle with in their personal lives, come together to share a good conversation and a shared loved for good literature written by none other than Jane Austen. And along the way, the characters learn alot from Jane Austen's writing.

So we both, my sister and I, decided to form our own little Austen Book Club/Challenge during quarantine. I finished within a month and a half.....my sister......she's still on our second novel.

Honestly, this challenge has changed me. I mean I have always loved Jane Austen. In the 4th grade I read the pride and prejudice illustrated classic (you remember those?.....right?....am I too old?) I digress.

But reading all her novels again made me just appreciate her wit, her humor, her intelligence and made me fall in love with her characters and values more than ever. Each of her beloved heroines are so different...SOO different but so relatable to anyone you have probably met, related to, or even yourself. Catherine Moreland: the quirky nerd who has an overactive imagination and a boy crush level of 10000%. Emma: that stuck up snooty rich girl from your neighborhood who thinks she is right all the time, but from her mistakes becomes a better human (the 18th century Regina George?....mmmm no). Anne Elliot: easily persuaded, naive, and isn't strong enough to think for herself and speak her truth...but like Emma puts off her pride to right the wrongs and becomes such a strong independent woman. (I admire her). Fanny Price: like Anne has a hard time speaking for herself, has been pushed around by all around her but her kindness and courage overcame adversity. Elinor: calm, reasonable, intelligent and loyal sister and friend who is sensible to a T but unlike Anne, sticks to her truth and is such a great role model to all her cross her path. Marianne: ok...I'm actually not a fan of Marianne...kinda think she was whiny for 90% of the book. But she is an amazing sister and confidant to Elinor that is such a redeeming trait. And Finally, Elizabeth Bennett: BAD ASS. (blow horns!!!) need I say more?

Literally, anyone can pick up a Jane Austen and relate to one character and just get immersed in their world. For me, when I read Northanger Abbey again, I remember being like.....OMG I am Catherine but when I read Sense and Sensibility, I saw myself in Elinor too, and in Persuasion, a little bit of Anne Elliott. So the total adds up to: 40% Catherine, 25% Anne and 35% Elinor. (not a bad combo ammiright?...just me?) Anyway, through this Austen journey, I laughed, I cried, my stomach curled at embarrasing situations that my girls went through but in the end...it all made sense. As I end my love letter to Jane, I just want to say, she has touched my heart and uplifted my spirits during these times. All her books tell a story that even through adversity, with kindness, patience, vigour, spirit, courage and a sprinkle of I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR, there is nothing that can stop you from achieving your truth and happiness.

Like my friend, Jane said: "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!--When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library" -Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)

And you can be damn sure, my library with have 10000000 editions of your books, Jane.

xoxo your devoted friend and reader,

ACM