Category: Features

Features

Reading Jane Austen For The First Time

by IdaLeave a Comment on Reading Jane Austen For The First Time

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

My reading mood recently has led me to explore classic novels and I have thoroughly enjoyed diving into research mode to put together an ambitious reading list.📚 Outside of my school years, I haven’t read many classics so it is a whole new world. In fact, there was a point where I sincerely thought that classics just simply were not for me, finding myself intimidated by the language or sheer length or both. But these days I find myself in search of new genres, new stories, and new challenges. I knew for sure that I wanted to give the much-loved Jane Austen a read, and after looking into her published works I thought “hmmm, why not read them all??” Each novel sounds quite appealing to me and I am excited to read all of them. I am going to rank them based on my interest in the story and read them in that order. I’m curious to see how my initial ranking will compare to a final ranking after I have completed my Austen journey.

Continue reading “Reading Jane Austen For The First Time” →
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The Many Reading Moods of Isolation

by Ida6 Comments on The Many Reading Moods of Isolation

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“The first thing that reading teaches us is how to be alone.” – Jonathan Franzen

As far back as I can remember, one of my favourite ways to spend time was reading. I could happily sit for hours at a time, on my own, immersed in a new adventure, a different world. As an adult, reading became a relaxing pastime, a break from the demands and worries of the day, a calming exercise for a busy mind. A couple of months ago when the world shifted, and the foundation of the things in my life I believed to be solid altered, I was left with a great deal of spare time. Many hours of the day to be filled. In theory, this would seem pretty ideal to a fairly introverted bookworm, but that has not been the case. Everyday has been different and everyday has brought a new mix of emotions that act as a reminder of the uncertainty and fragility of this time we live in. So there have been days when reading has been relaxing, when it has been entertaining and fun, providing a much needed blurring of reality. And there have been days where it has felt impossible to focus. Continue reading “The Many Reading Moods of Isolation” →

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The Future Is Bright: Five Books I Am Looking Forward To

by Ida4 Comments on The Future Is Bright: Five Books I Am Looking Forward To

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I am not usually one to have lists of upcoming books or do intensive research into yearly releases. However, I do like to keep an eye on new books by authors that I have read and enjoyed in the past. And from time to time I get swept up in the hype of a new release that I am all too eager to read. This past week I kept coming across announcements for books that made me so happy I felt the need to share my excitement, all in a tidy little list. 🙂 These are my top five most anticipated releases (in order of release date): Continue reading “The Future Is Bright: Five Books I Am Looking Forward To” →

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The Bookshelf Edit: Surround Yourself with Books You Love

by IdaLeave a Comment on The Bookshelf Edit: Surround Yourself with Books You Love

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A bookshelf is a personal space. One that reflects the reader’s interests, preferences, curiosities. Shelves filled with stories that drew their attention, sparked their imagination enough to have found a home within their home. But it is not just about the content of the shelves themselves and the books that reside there. What is often fascinating is the space itself. How are the books organized? A neat and tidy alphabetized system? Or maybe stacks of volumes line the walls and lie scattered on the floor, no longer finding room on overflowing shelves. Continue reading “The Bookshelf Edit: Surround Yourself with Books You Love” →

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Comfort Reads and Reading Plans

by Ida4 Comments on Comfort Reads and Reading Plans

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“I have a shelf of comfort books, which I read when the world closes in on me or something untoward happens.”

I love the idea of comfort books. The last few days, however, I really had to explore what that concept means to me and what brings me comfort. There are books that I consider favourites that have found a home on my bookshelf, and there is a sense of comfort and safety that can come from reading something I enjoyed in a different time and place. But I don’t have a desire to reread anything right now, and instead I find myself gravitating toward books I haven’t read. What most draws my attention are fantasy novels and some young adult reads, and what most calms my mind is making lists. So, I am making lists, getting organized, and making my way through unread books. When I feel like reading that is, and not watching random old TV shows. 🙂 Continue reading “Comfort Reads and Reading Plans” →