Tonight I sat in the local Starbucks with two newly purchased books in front of me while my left hand held my favorite blue ink pen and scratched across the blank pages of a 'random thought' journal. The grande mocha sat to my right as I alternately read, wrote and sipped. The two books before me were already holding a place on the book shelf at home. But I often feel that when Borders sends a 40% off coupon it is my duty to use it. And so before heading off to Starbucks I made a quick stop and picked up a new version of some books I already owned. Although in my defense – I like these versions better for the quality of the books. These come with soft supple pages and covers that make it easier to sit up half the night in bed reading your eyes out. Which in my opinion is a good thing.
The first book I repurchased was ‘Mansfield Park’ by Jane Austen (don’t even get me started on Ms Austen!). I know that I’ve read it before (most likely ages ago), but I have been in quite an Austen mood for the past month or so: re-reading “Persuasion” (my absolute favorite) and “Pride and Prejudice” (Mr Darcy, anyone??). Although ‘Mansfield’ has never been a favorite I feel that that alone should make me read it again. I always disliked Edmund…to so miss Fanny who was right in front of him for so long! And for Fanny to sit by as he ran after another woman! Although the more you learn about the culture at the time the more the story makes immense sense. And so I have decided that it is time to give Mr Edmund another chance – and another reading.
On the opposite side of the spectrum sits my other book. “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte; such a contrast! With its dark, brooding and at times dubbed satanic ‘hero’ and the willful, selfish and fierce girl he loves to obsession. A wee bit different from Ms Austen, eh? This is a book I love and hate at the same time. I have yet to fully read through the whole thing. I have started ‘Wuthering’ twice only to come to the part of the book when Heathcliff comes back mysteriously rich and begins to take out his revenge on the people of his youth. For some odd reason both times I ended my reading at that moment. I love the early part of the story, but the ending is a bit of a downer. I once picked up the book and paged to the end just so I could read what happened to them all. I suppose Heathcliff’s end is not so surprising…. It’s just as dark and mysterious as himself. But now I plan on actually reading the whole thing through – the good – the bad – and the horrid. But I have to say that I love the dark mood of the book at certain times. When I read it it’s like I can feel the wind wiping the trees into a frenzy and rapping against my window. I see the dark moors laid out before me.
I fear I’ve been quite out of ideas for writing in the past three to four months. I’m not quite sure why that is. At times I can begin to see the outline for a story in my head, only to find an hour later that I have dismissed it for some reason or another. Writer’s block perhaps? It’s bad when the only things I can think to write of are my recent book purchases and sitting in Starbucks.
But, in life news: I am still working full time. Which is quite a change from full time school – but I’ve adjusted to it just about completely now. The good thing about working full time is that it has given me a chance to save up for some things I’ve been dreaming about doing for a long time now. The first thing on the list is to travel to Ireland. So I’ve been setting that up for next Spring – I’m pretty excited! Although this trip will be a bit odd for me: I will be going alone and I’ve never really done that for a long trip. Add to that the fact that it’s in a country I’ve never been to and I’m a little nervous! But I’m 99% sure I’ll be fine J.
Until the next time my random thoughts get down on paper,
~Aithne Someris
