FOR OLDER "YOUNG SOULS": TWO JANE AUSTEN DECEMBER GIVEAWAYS

If you happen to be a Jane Austen fan, you're probably aware that this December not only marks the 240th year since Miss Austen's birth (December 16, 1775), but also the 200th Anniversary of the publication of her beloved Emma (published December 25, 1815).

"Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder sister, or a truer friend?"

To celebrate one of my all-time favorite books and authors, today I'm offering two giveaway books, for two lucky readers.  I'm also sharing a Christmas recipe and fun ornament project - for everyone!

Christmas is referenced in all of Jane Austen's novels. Christmas celebrations in Georgian England included balls, parties, wassailing, and visiting.

Here's a recipe for the traditional "wassail" drink carried in bowls by Christmas carolers as they went through neighborhoods singing Yuletide songs.

Holiday Wassail
1 gallon apple cider
1 large can pineapple juice (unsweetened)
3/4 cups hot tea

Place in cheesecloth sack:
1 T. whole cloves
1 T. whole allspice
2 sticks cinnamon

Perfect for the crockpot: Let simmer on low very slowly 4-6 hours (add water if needed). Serve warm.  Garnish with orange slices (splash of rum, optional).  Serves 20 [source]  There are many variations of Wassail - go here for more on Pinterest.

Next, I found a fun ornament project for your Christmas tree - or for that Jane Austen Party you've always wanted to have! (Both the recipe and project are from Jane Austen.co.uk. The website suggests using old book pages from a discarded Jane Austen novel. But of course, you could always photo copy a page - double sided - if you can't bring yourself to cut up one of Jane's books.)

Create a Jane Austen Christmas tree ornament - go here.

Ornament Project
1. Cut the page into 8 strips about 3/4" wide.
2. Set 2 strips aside.  Then cut 1/2" from 2 other strips; 1" from two more; and 1 and 1/2" from the remaining two strips.
3. Stack strips into two piles, with the longest strip on the bottom of each pile and so on, until the shortest strips are on top.
4.  Place the two piles together, face to face, with the shortest strips on the inside. Then staple the bottom of the strips together.
5.  Gently guide and line the top ends together, turning down this stack of ends down by turning both sides to the inside of the heart, pinching them together.
6. Staple the top ends together, inside the heart.
7. Form a loop of ribbon, and place it in the center where the strips meet.
8. Staple the strips together again, a bit higher, making sure the ribbon is caught.
9. Add a bow to the front with glue (hot glue gun works best).

On to the giveaways!  I'm delighted to offer you, dear readers, not one, but two books.

Giveaway #1 
My first giveaway book is in honor of Jane Austen's Birthday (December 16, 1775)...

Giveaway #1

A Jane Austen Christmas, Celebrating the Season of Romance, Ribbons, & Mistletoe. "Carlo DeVito provides an intimate portrait of Austen's most cherished Christmas memories with her family: from the gift of her first writing desk, to her first love and heartbreak, to her brewing mead and beer in time for the holidays. Along the way readers will spend a holiday in the Austen house, celebrate Jane's birthday, meet the inspiration for more than a dozen characters, attend the Christmastide series of balls, and learn how to make family's favorite recipes and dedicate a novel to the Prince Regent. Remarkably fresh and supremely entertaining, A Jane Austen Christmas brings Austen's world to life as never before."

Giveaway #2
I just love Miss Woodhouse and Mr. Knightley!! My second giveaway book is in celebration of Emma turning 200 on December 25, 2015...

Giveaway #2

Emma: 200th-Anniversary Annotated Edition (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) with introduction by the book's editor, Juliette Wells.  She refers to it as a reader's edition as opposed to a scholarly one and has included maps, a glossary, several contextual essays, and illustrations of earlier editions of Emma.

Giveaway Details...

There will be one winner for each of the two giveaway books. The giveaway starts today, December 8 and ends on December 15.  Winners will be announced on Jane's birthday, December 16!

Please enter the giveaway by using the Rafflecopter box below:

(Click the left/right arrows to make sure you enter both giveaways!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why Jane Austen is on My iPhone...

It hasn't been that long since I got an iPhone. I knew my first reaction to hearing it ring - or "ding" with the arrival of a text message - would be stress, as opposed to anticipation of a fun conversation (don't even get me started on group texts; they're the worst!) 

I used to feel guilty about not liking to answer my phone, but then I learned that it's a common trait among introverts, not just an aversion to cell phones because of my exposure to bad smartphone etiquette.  

So, when I finally succumbed to getting a smartphone, why did I choose a portrait of Jane Austen (a fellow introvert) for my phone cover?

"I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!"
- Jane Austen [Notecard, source]

We introverts would rather be lost in a book, or spend one-on-one time with a close friend, then be on the phone or in a group setting. (Unlike Mrs. Bennet, it takes a huge amount of thought and effort for me to make small talk.)

We introverts treasure alone time. When I'm alone, I'm generally recharging my batteries from being with people, and a phone call feels intrusive and takes energy I may not have at the moment ("Resting your feet is also important, especially after a ball," Jane would interject).  Downtime doesn't feel unproductive to us.

We introverts like face to face time for conversation. Of course, a short email or text is the most convenient way to answer a quick question, but I'd much rather spend time face to face with a friend if we're going to have a meaningful conversation (I can just hear Jane now: "especially if that friend is Mr. Darcy").  

We introverts don't like distractions when we're in the middle of something (in Jane's case, writing a novel). When I'm with someone, or in the middle of a project, I feel frustrated taking a call or answering a text message.  I'm focused, and getting interrupted by a phone call from someone who is not there can feel overwhelming.

Don't get me wrong, I look forward to chatting on the phone and catching up with family and close friends whom I don't live near enough to visit with face to face. 

I just can't handle being available for unexpected interruptions 24/7. That's why, when it's not convenient to talk, I let my calls go straight to my voice mail, and call people back.

 
You can imagine I felt very validated when I came across an article, "Nine Signs You Might Be An Introvert", and read Number Six:  You haven’t answered a ringing telephone in years!

"...The telephone is intrusive, especially for introverts, whose brains don’t switch gears all that quickly. When we’re deep in thought, a ringing telephone is like a shrieking alarm clock in the morning. And we often give bad phone—awkward, with pauses. We struggle without visual cues, and our tendency to ponder before we talk doesn’t play well on the telephone...Dislike of the phone is often presented as a moral failing. But honestly, it’s not the people on the phone we dislike, it’s the instrument of delivery."  [source: Nine Signs That You Might Be An Introvert, by Sophia Dembling.]

By the way, I'm pretty sure Mr. Darcy is an introvert.  Maybe I'll put him on my next phone cover...

Have an Inkling You Might Be an Introvert?
Not sure if you're an introvert? In a nutshell, here are the Nine Signs to consider.  (Read detailed descriptions here.)
1. You rarely think, "the more the merrier".
2. You consider doing nothing about something.
3. Sometimes you feel like your head might explode.
4. You hide in the bathroom sometimes.
5. You are ready to leave parties shortly after arriving.
6. You haven't answered a ringing telephone in years.
7. You prefer one close friend to a 100 lovely acquaintances.
8. You can't imagine what all those people find to talk about.
9. You actively avoid anything that might involve audience participation.

So why do I think Miss Austen, if she were alive today, would understand me and my lack of enthusiasm for phone interruptions?

A Few Awesome (Introvert) Austen-isms
Take a peek at these quotes, which have led many to think Jane was an introvert.  Most of them are taken from letters to her "one close friend", her sister Cassandra...

Ah! There is nothing like staying home, for real comfort.

Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.

Every man is surrounded by a neighborhood of voluntary spies.

There is a monstrous deal of stupid quizzing, & common-place nonsense talked, but scarcely any wit.

I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.

We are to have a tiny party here tonight. I hate tiny parties, they force one into constant exertion. 

. . . tho’ I like Miss H. M. as much as one can at my time of Life after a day’s acquaintance, it is uphill work to be talking to those whom one knows so little.

But for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.

- Jane Austen

My Top 12 Quotes from Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was published on January 28, 1813.  In anticipation, I thought I'd share some of my favorite P & P quotes with you today...did I include yours?

1.  Opening line:"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

2. "Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, but Darcy was continually giving offence."

3.  "She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me." -Mr. Darcy to Mr. Bingley

4.  "I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine." -Elizabeth Bennet

5.  "But that is one great difference between us. Compliments always take you by surprise, and me never." -Elizabeth to Jane

6.  "A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment."  -Mr. Darcy

7.  He sat down for a few moments, and then getting up, walked about the room. Elizabeth was surprised, but said not a word. After a silence of several minutes, he came towards her in an agitated manner, and thus began:"In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." -Mr. Darcy

8. "It has been coming on so gradually, that I hardly know when it began. But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley." -Elizabeth Bennet

9.  "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do."  -Mr. Bennet

10. "Be not alarmed, madam, on receiving this letter, by the apprehension of its containing any repetition of those sentiments or renewal of those offers which were last night so disgusting to you." -Mr. Darcy

11. "He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter; so far we are equal."  -Elizabeth Bennet

12. "You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever." -Mr. Darcy

GOOD BOOKS FOR TEEN GIRLS

You may have to encourage your teenage daughters to search a bit for the books I'm highlighting today, because sadly they won't find them on the "YOUNG ADULT" shelves in retail bookstores or the "Teen Section" of your local library (I've looked)!

Contemporary teen books being published today are labeled "YA" - a genre in itself: fiction for 13-18 year olds.   My recommendations are classic books from all genres that deal with many of the same trials and feelings experienced by teenage girls today, minus the explicit sex, graphic violence, harsh language, and dark topics so prevalent in many YA books, which most parents I know don't think are necessarily suitable for young teens.

NOTE to parents: I'm aware that there are some good YA books out there, but please help your teen choose carefully (click here for a helpful link). If you're not up on what's on the YA shelves, read THIS ARTICLE from the Wall Street Journal and go check them out for yourselves. I have to say, my own kids didn't read much contemporary YA fiction and they don't feel like they missed much!  But on the other hand, they can't imagine missing out on the classics they read, which made a lasting impression on their young minds, imaginations, and souls! So many books, so little time. Here's a start...

Yesterday I blogged about a novel I'm reading, EVELINA, by Frances Burney. It's the story of a 17-year old eighteenth century girl, told through letters exchanged between her and her guardian, Mr. Villars.

Today, I came across another epistolary style novel, this one involving a modern-day teenage girl. It's LETTERS TO ST. LYDIA, by Melinda Johnson.  I hope you'll take time to listen to Jane Meyer's excellent review on Ancient Faith Radio - which can be found HERE.

Lydia’s life is turning upside down, and soon she’ll be facing all the trials and temptations encountered by every young adult who’s on her own for the first time. Lydia needs a friend badly—and she finds one in the most unexpected place: an icon of St. Lydia. Young Lydia pours out her troubles in letters to St. Lydia, who (invisibly to Lydia) answers, guiding her through her time of troubles with deep love and compassion. (Conciliar Press)

If you have a daughter who is a fan of the ANNE OF GREEN GABLES books, you might have her try L.M. Montgomery's EMILY OF NEW MOON trilogy.  The series, set in 19th-Century America,  is more realistic and less romanticized then the Anne books and many L.M. Montgomery fans consider these novels her best.  They are partly autobiographical in nature.  Montgomery considered Emily much closer to her own personality than Anne; and indeed, some of the events that her spirited heroine (a writer who is struggling to gain literary recognition) goes through were experienced by Montgomery herself.
 

A GIRL OF LIMBERLOST by Gene Stratton-Porter. Elnora lives by the Limberlost, a great swamp in Indiana, neglected by her depressed widowed mother. Her high school days are a trial, as the other girls make fun of her rustic clothes and apparent poverty. But her love of the great outdoors comes to her aid, as she manages to make money by collecting and selling butterflies and moths. Her life becomes more interesting when a young man comes to lodge with them, however he is already engaged.  A moving story about the transforming power of love and reconciliation.

JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte.  This is my all-time favorite novel, which led me (as a sophomore in high school) to fall in love with classic English literature.  It is considered to be one of the greatest Romantic novels to come out of 19th-Century England. Written in first-person narrative, Bronte's epic story follows the plain but intelligent Jane Eyre in her development as an individual, starting with her traumatic childhood.  It is a thriller/mystery/love story, all rolled into one compelling book that relates how a lonely, brooding man of wealth - Mr. Rochester - is transformed by a young orphaned governess's courage and steadfast love.  I have never seen a film that could do justice to this engrossing story.  Encourage your daughter to READ. THE. BOOK.

Anything by Jane Austen!  EMMA, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and SENSE AND SENSIBLITY are my favorites...
  
and these movie versions aren't bad, either:
    

TRUE GRIT by Charles Portis.  The Telegraph's "100 Books Every Child Should Read" lists this book and notes: "It should be given to every girl turning 16".  Portis' Western novel is the story of 14-year old Mattie Ross, a spirited and witty young girl who is out to avenge her "father's blood" and honor his memory. With one-eyed Rooster Cogburn, the meanest available U.S. Marshal, by her side, she pursues her father's killer into Indian Territory.  Told in first person by Mattie, now an old woman, it reads like a memoir as she describes her youthful adventures.  My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the recent movie, directed by the Coen brothers.  Actress Hailee Steinfeld did an impressive job of portraying fast talking Mattie Ross!
 

Did your daughter read Maud Hart Lovelace's BETSY TACY books with you when she was little?  The series of books was among my daughter's favorites and we decided to wait until she was a teen herself to read Lovelace's later books about Betsy's high school days (HEAVEN TO BETSY, BETSY IN SPITE OF HERSELF, BETSY WAS A JUNIOR, BETSY AND JOE), Betsy's travels to Europe (BETSY AND THE GREAT WORLD), and her eventual marriage to Joe (BETSY'S WEDDING).
  
Another good book by Maud Hart Lovelace that teen girls will enjoy is EMILY OF DEEP VALLEY. Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. After graduation, she longs to join the Crowd and go off to college—but she can't leave her grandfather alone at home. Resigning herself to a "lost winter," Emily nonetheless throws herself into a new program of study and a growing interest in the local Syrian community, and when she meets a handsome new teacher at the high school, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed possible.


THE STORY OF MY LIFE, by Helen Keller. This inspiring autobiography of Helen Keller and her triumph over blindness and deafness, was written when she was a sophomore in college, and first published in 1903.  Though her story is familiar to all, it is even more poignant and compelling as described in her own words.  (Because this was written in an age that was more literate than ours, the text might be challenging for young teens.)

FRANKENSTEIN, by Mary Shelley. Okay, I know you might be thinking this is a strange book choice for teen girls!  But did you know that Mary Shelley began this deeply profound work when she was only 18??  When I read it, I was blown away, knowing it was penned by a young woman, and told so chillingly through the first person of Dr. Frankenstein.  In this classic novel (considered to be one of the first science fiction books), readers "encounter the reality of evil, and the danger of untempered common sense and moral restraints... At the heart of this myth is the pride of the scientist who would take God's place and become a Creator in his own right...Frankenstein is a tragic story, a cautionary tale...what story could be more relevant to our society, given the increasing power wielded by scientists and businessmen over genetics and human life?  Mary Shelley, with an artist's prophetic imagination, reminded us what it is like to be human - and less than human". (quote from BOOKS THAT BUILD CHARACTER, by William Kilpatrick).

Things to remember when selecting "good" books for children of any age (from Books that Build Character):

1. Try to recall stories that had a positive impact on you growing up.
2. Choose books that are in keeping with your own values.
3. Try to distinguish between issues and virtues.  Many contemporary children's books focus on trendy issues rather than character development.  You want your child to develop strength of character before she acquires a lot of secondhand opinions. The author should have a story to tell, not a message to convey.
4. Remember that good books are people centered, not problem centered.  Issues dealt with should be integrated with the characters, setting and plot.  Look for books where the main character grows.
5. Context is crucial.  Character-building books are not simply about good people doing good things.  Moral books may deal with immoral behavior.  The question is not whether unethical behavior is present, but how it is presented. The hero or heroine may give way to temptation, but a good book will show the real costs of such a choice.


OTHER POSTS I'VE DONE ON TEEN BOOKS:
Good Books for Teen Boys (girls will enjoy many of these as well!)
Renee Riva's fiction
Royal Monastic, by Bev Cook