Earlier this month, I shared my ranking of Jane Austen’s heroes—a tough task, since they’re all pretty wonderful. If you really think about it, though, part of the appeal of the Darcys and the Wentworths of the world is that we can wipe our brows at the end of the day and think, “Thank God our … More Jane Austen’s Rascals: Ranked
When I picked up Beth Kendrick’s New Uses for Old Boyfriends, I was hoping for something fun, entertaining and heartfelt. What I found was exactly that, and so much more. New Uses for Old Boyfriends introduces us to Lila Alders, homecoming queen-turned-home shopping host-turned broke divorcee. (That last part wasn’t exactly part of her plan.) … More New Uses for Old Boyfriends: A True Delight
No one can tell a love story quite like Jane Austen. Her six novels have remained popular for over two centuries thanks to her wit, her unforgettable heroines, and—oh, yeah—those dreamy dreamboats that no other author could have created. Poll a group of Austen lovers on their favorite swoon-worthy hunks and you’ll probably get half a … More Jane Austen’s Heroes: Ranked
There is so much to love about Edith Wharton. She was a brilliant and prolific writer who captured old New York and sleepy New England better than anyone. She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. She dedicated herself to charity work during World War I, and the gorgeous Massachusetts home … More The Age of Innocence: A Classic for the Ages
Today marks what would have been Anne Bronte’s 195th birthday. To me, one of the great mysteries in life is the fact that Anne’s novels are not on as many required reading lists as Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, and I often find myself wondering why her characters are not discussed as much as Emily’s Heathcliff … More Required Reading: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
On New Year’s Eve, I had one goal—to finish the book I was reading before my company arrived so I could welcome 2015 with a completely fresh slate. I know. You’re amazed at how I’ve kept my priorities straight. I assure you, it’s taken years of practice. On Wednesday night, as I donned my paper tiara, … More My Reader Resolutions…ish
As a reader, there’s nothing I love more than finding a set of characters I absolutely adore and learning that I don’t have to say goodbye to them thanks to a sequel. With the release of Must Love Dogs: Fetch You Later, Claire Cook has gone the extra mile, giving us a third installment featuring the … More Must Love Dogs: Fetch You Later
Seventy-five years ago today, Gone with the Wind made its much-anticipated premiere at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta, and fans ever since have been plaguing themselves wondering what would have happened if Rhett gave a damn. There are many reasons why the movie, based on Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, continues to sell out theaters … More Eight Times Scarlett O’Hara Showed Gumption (And Proved She’s the Best Heroine Ever)
When I first read Confessions of a Shopaholic fourteen years ago, I instantly fell in love with Becky Bloomwood. She was two parts Lucille Ball, one part…well…me. I found a kindred spirit in the feisty heroine and completely understood the importance she placed on that Denny & George scarf. A decade and a half and seven … More Becky is Back: Shopaholic to the Stars
When I was in elementary school, I had to do a project on my favorite historical figure. While one of the founding fathers or revolutionary war heroes we learned about in class might have seemed like a more obvious choice, I chose my personal hero, Louisa May Alcott. Sure, George Washington was our first president … More Happy Birthday, Louisa May Alcott!
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