I’m reading an old favorite. Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre
. It was one of my Christmas stocking gifts, one of Penguin Classic’s beautiful reissues. I do so love the story of Jane, Mr. Rochester, and the other characters.
There’s nothing like holding an old classic in your hands engaging all your senses as though the words inside have an actual fragrance, emotions appear more realistic, and so on. The important story enclosed within a beautifully-bound printed book seems more substantial somehow. Although I thoroughly enjoy my Kindle, reading Jane Eyre as an e-book doesn’t really thrill me.
Happily I’ve discovered there’s a BronteAlong project, a springtime read-along (more information found here).
It’s fun to know other women (and hopefully men) are also enjoying this classic.
Naturally I started thinking about what I could make (as in sew, knit, embroidery and so on) to enhance my reading experience. But something Jane said near the beginning of the book gave me immediate pause for thought.
“You think I have no feelings, and that I can do without one bit of love or kindness; but I cannot live so…”
While Jane is confronting Mrs. Reed concerning her aunt’s abominable behavior, the words can be applied to ourselves. We have to also give ourselves bits of love and kindness.
And I realized some things are just fine as they are—so I’m simply going to enjoy a cup of tea and lose myself in the book. Sometimes just relishing such bits of time out of life is the most creatively loving thing we can do.
7 comments:
So true, June! I have recently fallen back in love with reading after somewhat abandoning it to my blog, the last year or so. There is nothing like a good book to make the hours just melt away.
Enjoy Jane Eyre!
I agree, there's something about the printed page that's very satisfying, especially if it's a good edition. I have a probably-vintage-by-now Folio collection of the complete Brontes and I love to read them; the heavy paper and good old-book smell add immensely to the reading experience.
Oh, how I've debated joining the Bronte Along! I hope you have a wonderful time with it June!
Tea and a good book... you can't go wrong with that combo.
Lovely! I adore the Brontes...one of my most magical travel moments was visiting Haworth and gazing out over the moors. The Bronte-along sounds interesting!
Ah Jane Eyre - also my one of my favourites and definitely one of the few that I love to re-read. Your edition looks beautiful too, what a perfect stocking gift!
Oh it has been years and years since I've read this book, but I remember how much I liked it. I should check it out of the library again.
There is nothing like curling up with a good book, a cup of tea, and a treat on the sofa, or in a big comfy chair that makes me feel like I've gifted myself more. Reading always has been, and I imagine always will be, my favorite way to stay in touch with my innermost self. I've truly traveled the world through books, and met so many wonderful characters. What would we do without them?
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