The Culture Enthusiast

If you liked Pride and Prejudice, Emma is the book for you. For starters, Emma's plot has so much potential. Emma is young, pretty, clever and rich. Oh, and she also likes to play God, which means she is one of those annoying matchmakers. She needs a companion now that her governess got married and left her house. So, she takes in the beautiful and poor Harriet Smith to be her friend and spend time in her company. Problems arise when she starts having match-making plans for Harriet.

Jane Austen stated that Emma is a heroin no one would like except herself. I beg to differ. I like Emma, but do think she is wrong to risk people's futures so carelessly. 

I won't say much more, because so many interesting things happen. But just to close this deal, you should know that there are not one but three great interesting male characters in Emma: Mr Elton, Mr Frank Churchil and Mr. Knightley. Actually, there are four if you consider Robert Martin, which I do (even though Emma doesn't).

Plus, something unique about Emma is that many characters are charming. I really like Emma's family and quite identify myself with Emma's hypocondriach and health-obessed father and sister. 

I can also relate with Emma's brother-in-law, John Knigthley. The fact that he is serious and doesn't like parties so much really rings true to me. It's hard to believe everybody enjoyed the balls and dinner parties they have so often in Jane Austen's world. 

In summary, Emma's got it all: lots of surprises and a great story. And as always, when it comes to Jane Austen, we also learn:

A couple of weeks ago I shared my tips on how to read more often and tip number 3 was avoid distractions.

The biggest distraction source in my life is the internet. If you face the same problem - spending hours and hours just browsing you tube, pinterest and funny websites - here are some organizational tips that I use to stay focused and get back on track:

1) Set up a time

It always starts with an innocent "I'll just check my emails". Next thing you know it's midnight, you ate Doritos for dinner and accomplished nothing. To avoid this dreadful scenario, plan in advance how long you will stay online. It doesn't matter if it is 10 minutes, 20 minutes or half and hour. You decide, just make sure you stick to it.

2) Know what you're doing on the internet

4) Look for better offline options

I know the internet is the most practical and fastest thing ever invented but people survived fine without it. Take a little break from the internet by making research on actual books, connecting with friends over a cup of coffee, producing and creating offline (you can always share it afterwards!)

5) Make it suntory time

It's ok to rely on the internet for fun (I guess), but watch out for the quality of what you're watching/reading/seeing. One silly you tube video is harmless but what about a hundred?

Something that helps me look at things with perspective is that the internet - as amazing as it is - is a means for you to get knowledge and inspiration and to connect with people. However, it is still a means. It cannot be an end on itself. I always try to keep in mind what is my purpose when using the internet.

I'm afraid if I got my point across you'll turn off the internet  - which is great, actually. But do come back and share your tips on how to use the internet consciouslly (I always need to be on the look out myself!)

The other day I found this little card inside a book. It was a list of classical books and it asked "How many have you read?"

Having nothing better to do, I started checking the list. To my utter embarrassment, there were some books  I was suppossed to have read for college, but never got around to doing it.

Oh... "Jane Eyre". I should have read you before reading "Wide Sargasso Sea", but you sounded so tragic (and so long). I couldn't take that much suffering for 400 plus pages.

I notice Joseph Conrad looking at me suspiciously. In my defense, I read like... 30 pages of "Heart of Darkness" and couldn't go on. I know, watching "Apocalypse Now" is no substitute for the book, but the professor went on and on about imperialism and I just lost interest...

I get to the end of the list, Virgina Woolf throws her "To the Lighthouse" in my head. I'm sorry, why can't we... you know... just go to the lighthouse already?

I try to explain to all of them the reasons why I couldn't finish their books, hoping they won't further accuse of even donating their books to charity.

Jealousy reigns. "How come there are so Jane Austen and Shakespere books marked, huh?" Charlotte Brontë can't understand why I can read her sister's gothic novel but not hers. That is trully unfair, I admit it. (I hope that never happens to me).

Ok, ok, ok. Let's settle this. You are all very deserving of a second chance. I'll give Charlotte a try soon and the others I'll give it a try... someday.