ARC, Books

Book 502: Jane Austen, the Secret Radical – Helena Kelly

Perhaps I’m too smart for my own good, but overall this book was a bit disappointing. With a title like Jane Austen, the Secret Radical, you’d expect there to be revelations of sorts and yet there weren’t. I mean that’s why I requested a copy from the publisher.* I was hoping as the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death rapidly approaches there’d be something completely new and innovative to talk about, but there wasn’t.

Sure Kelly highlighted a few things that I missed when reading Austen, but really she just expounded upon the things that those of us who don’t read Austen ONLY as a romance novelist, but as a social commentator hopefully picked up on. She provided more detail of course, especially when it came to names and places, but overall there just weren’t a lot of revelations.

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June Recap 2017

Once again, we’re half way through the year and I’m like WTF? Where did it go? I know where a large chunk went this year (vacation), but seriously how are we in July and on to the waning part of 2017.

The month got off to an interesting start in that we came back from our London trip and my office at work wasn’t usable. Thankfully, we have a beautiful deck I have access to so I worked outside and from home for a few days. And then less than two weeks later I was on vacation again for an Alaskan cruise! I somehow managed to squeeze in SIX books this month on top of all the travel and hullabaloo. I’m really starting to have time to read again and enjoy reading again which is much-needed.

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May Recap 2017

In case you missed it, I went back to the UK this month. It was the first time I’ve been back since I left after finishing school over there in 2009. It was a wonderful trip and I got to see so many people who I haven’t seen in SO long! We attended a wonderful wedding in London for my friend Emily and then afterward were joined by my childhood best friend Alie in London.

Not only did I see a bunch of friends from Leeds, but I also got to see a few friends from summer camp which was even better! I won’t spend the whole post talking about it, but suffice to say there are a lot of photos that I want to share but won’t because I either can’t be bothered to edit them or don’t want to overwhelm everyone. Highlights of the trip, specifically book related include: Jane Austen’s House (photos after the jump (left), Warner Brothers: The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour, British Library and National Portrait Gallery. I didn’t have NEARLY enough time at Jane Austen’s, but I will go back eventually. That’s a photo of me and I was so excited and I was smiling so much that my eyes are closed in all of the photos.

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April Recap 2017

It’s starting to finally feel like Spring has arrived in New England! Of course I say that and it’s 50°F (10°C) today, so I guess it really is just New England spring. Either way it’s nice to see the sun again, I’ve been able to start walking in the mornings a couple of days a week.

In addition to actually having time to take care of myself physically, walking, I’ve had time to take care of myself mentally and been able to read books again! And you know why? It’s because I started my new job midway through the month. My body was actually in shock the last couple of weeks going from 50-60+ hours a week to working a normal 9-5/40 hour a week really did a number on me. Thankfully I’m adjusting, it also doesn’t hurt I have my own office to decorate (see photo at the very end).

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January/February/March 2017 Recap

It has been a very long 2017. I’m not 100% sure where it’s gone because I know I’ve been very busy. I mean this is my first recap of the year and it’s APRIL!! The good part is we took a trip to the Dominican Republic earlier this month and it was a much-needed vacation from the craziness that is work and life.

I read five books while I was there and that’s 1/3 of what I’ve read this entire year! We were in one of those all-inclusive resorts and it was EXACTLY what we needed. We went to a couple of the restaurants but didn’t do any excursions and spent two days in a beach hut (bottom middle photo) reading even in the rain we didn’t have to leave to go be dry.

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