I spent most of the week playing catch up from being down and out the last two weeks, which in turn left less time for reading. 

However, I was able to finish one book.

Book for this week:

Emma, Jane Austen (old fashion book)

Verdict: Recommend 

I haven't read much 19th-century literature since graduating from college over a decade ago (save for Dostoyevsky). However, my book club is reading Emma for February, and man! was it fun to dust off 19th-century literature. 

I feel like a lot of literary snobs poo-poo Austen as her books were the chick-lit of the 1800s. So I feel like my college days biased me against Austen, Alcott, and the like. But gosh, sometimes chick-lit is just fun. Frankly, I found the dialogue refreshing after reading cheesy romantic dialogue from one too many modern novels (I'mI'm looking at you, Crawdads).

The characters in Emma made me laugh out loud, and I felt like Austen wrote situations that are entirely relatable in today's world. (Hello! That is why Clueless so easily translated.)

My favorite part was and is forever the scene where Mr. Knightley (Emma's friend (and maybe more)) scolds Emma for her treatment of Mrs. Bates (a poor and simple friend) as he contends, "Her situation should secure your compassion."

That phrase has always provoked my empathy. There are one too many people I judge for not getting their life together when their struggles should "secure my compassion," not my judgment. Mmm. So good. I adore his honesty, willingness to piss her off, and his ultimate care for her character. 

If you haven't read it, I recommend it. If you have read it, but it has been a while, I highly recommend you dust off your copy. 

What book are you reading? Share in the comments!