It is a truth universally acknowledged, that come Valentine's Day, the nostalgic romantic must be in want of a pleasant read. There's nothing like sinking down in your favourite armchair with a glass of wine and a cozy read in your hands- much like Amanda with "Pride and Prejudice" in Lost in Austen.
As much as we love all things Austen, here are some titles to take a chance on which have been tried, tested and true by yours truly:
The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell:
"As she moved through more Handel and Mozart, to "Caro mio ben", her eyes glittered and skimmed across the audience. I always search for a face I can sing to, Erika had told Ravell. Tonight, he hoped that face would be his own."
As much as we love all things Austen, here are some titles to take a chance on which have been tried, tested and true by yours truly:
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks:
“There you are, sir. There's nothing more than to love and be loved.”
The Doctor and the Diva by Adrienne McDonnell:
"As she moved through more Handel and Mozart, to "Caro mio ben", her eyes glittered and skimmed across the audience. I always search for a face I can sing to, Erika had told Ravell. Tonight, he hoped that face would be his own."
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson:
“You are a wise man, Major, and I will consider your advice with great care--and humility." He finished his tea and rose from the table to go to his room. "But I must ask you, do you really understand what it means to be in love with an unsuitable woman?"
"My dear boy," said the Major. "Is there really any other kind?”
The End of the Alphabet by C.S. Richardson:
“A man can see a hundred women, lust for a thousand more, but it is one scent that will open his eyes and turn him to love.”
Possession by A.S. Byatt:
"We can be quiet together, and pretend - since it is only the beginning - that we have all the time in the world."
"And every day we shall have less. And then none."
"Would you rather, therefore, have had nothing at all?"
"No. This is where I have always been coming to. Since my time began. And when I go away from here, this will be the mid-point, to which everything ran, before, and from which everything will run. But now, my love, we are here, we are now, and those other times are running elsewhere.”
“You are a wise man, Major, and I will consider your advice with great care--and humility." He finished his tea and rose from the table to go to his room. "But I must ask you, do you really understand what it means to be in love with an unsuitable woman?"
"My dear boy," said the Major. "Is there really any other kind?”
The End of the Alphabet by C.S. Richardson:
“A man can see a hundred women, lust for a thousand more, but it is one scent that will open his eyes and turn him to love.”
Possession by A.S. Byatt:
"We can be quiet together, and pretend - since it is only the beginning - that we have all the time in the world."
"And every day we shall have less. And then none."
"Would you rather, therefore, have had nothing at all?"
"No. This is where I have always been coming to. Since my time began. And when I go away from here, this will be the mid-point, to which everything ran, before, and from which everything will run. But now, my love, we are here, we are now, and those other times are running elsewhere.”
Silk by Alessandro Baricco:
“Perhaps sometimes life shows you a side of itself which leaves you with nothing more to say.”
So Bright and Delicate: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne:
“I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days - three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.”
Happy reading!
“Perhaps sometimes life shows you a side of itself which leaves you with nothing more to say.”
So Bright and Delicate: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne:
“I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days - three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.”
Happy reading!
Some good reads there and some new finds ... have a lovely weekend too.
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