I'm not a reader but...

I do get swept away in a story from time to time. Such is the case with Persuasion. I know I've already mentioned it, so I won't dwell on it much more.

But I am such a fan of Ms. Anne Elliot. I loved her character. She was so graceful and proper and kind. She was reserved and cautious in her demeanor. She was clever and smart. She was well-loved and respected. Does it get much better than that?
I loved how she was cautiously optimistic. For those who don't know the story, Anne and Captain Wentworth were quite in love, engaged in fact. It was the happiest part of her life. But he was still more "potential" than "achievement" so she was convinced to let him go. Throughout the next 8 lonely years of her life, she hadn't ever found the same love and connection as existed with Captain Wentworth. She maintained a pleasant, confident attitude while surely aching for a different life.

After eight years, the two found themselves back into the same social circle. The story of Jane Austen's life showed in Becomming Jane was pretty depressing so I was worried Anne and Captain wouldn't find a happy ending. But this was not the case. Captain Wentworth finally proclaimed his love for Anne which she happily reciprocated. In the end, she got to be with the only one she's ever loved. She wasn't destined to a life of lonliness, she didn't have to find a second best. That is great.

Jane Austen said her characters would always get the happy ending her life never had. (The two portraits above are said to be Ms. Austen)

And so completes my second great novel of the year. (I know, not very many but better than nothing). While in Europe this spring I read The Fountainhead (Drew's reccommendation) . I could not put that book down! (Read: I could not turn my ipod off!) It was completely engaging. The writing was great, the characters were so intriguing, and it really made you think. (Which is better - Peter Keating with his positive view of humanity and drive to impress those around him, or Howard Rourke with his absolute honesty with himself and courage to live a life consistent with his personal values, even when making him an outcast?)

I don't have lots of time for leisure reading, but having a good book to turn on while driving, cooking and cleaning makes me so happy. So what should be next? More Ayn Rand? More Jane Austen? The book about the dictionary?