Recent Reads - Lady Susan

Lady Susan by Jane Austen - It's been a long time since I wrote anything like a "review" of a Jane Austen novel, though I never tire of re-reading them. However, Lady Susan is one I haven't previously read, so this was new for me. This would be considered a novella, as it is quite short. The entire story is told in a series of letters between Lady Susan and some of her family and acquaintances. 

Lady Susan Vernon is a recent widow with a daughter about sixteen years old. She is well-known in London society, and has a reputation as an accomplished flirt and coquette, and this is very soon borne out in the exchange of letters. However, the reader is presented with letters from Lady Susan herself and from other characters, and the possibility that at least one letter-writer could be considered an unreliable narrator. 

We learn that Lady Susan has left her daughter at a finishing school while she herself goes to stay with her late husband's brother and wife. The sister-in-law, Mrs Vernon, has a decidedly negative opinion of Lady Susan and her letters to her brother and parents expound on her displeasure at hosting such a flirt. Matters become more complicated when her brother Reginald joins them and develops a close friendship with Lady Susan. Much to the chagrin of his family, as they fear his marrying the woman! Lady Susan's daughter is eventually brought to the house as well, as she is to be engaged to a Sir James that she heartily dislikes. Lady Susan writes with justifications and pride in her manipulations to her friend, while Mrs Vernon and others write with distress and frustration.

In only a slim collection of letters with no additional narration or background, Austen tells a surprisingly complex story of a selfish and ambitious woman, and the norms of the society in which she lives.

From the publisher:

Discover a different side of Jane Austen in Lady Susan, a lesser-known yet equally engaging novella that brilliantly showcases Austen's witty social commentary and keen insight into human nature.

Lady Susan is a unique departure from Austen's conventional style, presenting readers with an unconventional anti-heroine who is as unning as she is captivating. The story unfolds through a series of letters, drawing you into the manipulative world of the charming and scheming widow, Lady Susan Vernon.

Austen's sharp-witted and ironic take on society's norms and the expectations of women make Lady Susan a delightful read. It stands as a testament to her talent as a storyteller and her understandng of human character.

Whether you're a Jane Austen devotee or new to her work, Lady Susan offers a fascinating look into the social machinations of the Regency period that remains as relevant and entertaining today as when first published.

By the same author: Sense & Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, The History of England

This is a book written in the 1800s (#21) for The 52 Book Club's 2026 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2026

This is related to "letter" for Prompt #1 of the February Mini-Challenge

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot.

©2008-2026 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Terrifying Tales

The Terrifying Tales by Edgar Allen Poe - This collection of classic tales of suspense and horror is one of the spooky books that I inevitably pick up to read during October (my other favorite is Dracula). The only downside for me is this collection doesn't include my very favorite work from Poe - The Raven. The cover features a raven, so I think that's a bit of false advertising!

The collection begins with The Tell-Tale Heart, in which the narrator explains to the reader how and why he murdered his landlord. He describes himself as quite sane and brilliant in his planning, and yet as the events of the day in question unfold, his insanity becomes more chillingly obvious. This is the story I used in my creative writing class as the example of building tension through the repetition and rhythm of the heartbeat. Since the narrator is addressing the reader very directly, I considered this book as breaking the fourth wall for the 52 Book Club Challenge.

The Cask of Amontillado is another classic, and the narrator's planning and cold calculation to be rid of his enemy is so sinister. The Masque of the Red Death and The Fall of the House of Usher are full of spooky atmosphere and fate. 

In The Murder in the Rue Morgue and The Purloined Letter, the narrator has struck up a friendship with the eccentric genius M. Dupin, who solves a puzzling and gruesome murder. The Murder in the Rue Morgue is considered the first modern detective story, and the manners and methods of M. Dupin are similar to the more well-known fictional detective Sherlock Holmes so it's easy to see how Poe's work became a model for other detective stories. 

The Pit and the Pendulum is the last in the collection, and is another atmosphere-driven short story. The narrator is a victim in a Spanish Inquisition torture chamber. The narrative focuses on the sensory experiences and the fateful knowledge that a horrific death is coming ever closer, building suspense and tension. With each new discovery of what is in his torture chamber, he finds that he escapes one terror only to realize that another worse fate awaits him.

For the October Mini-Challenge, I selected this book for Pick Your Scare Level, and while it's not the gory slasher style horror more common in today's books and movies, I consider it "Keep You Up All Night" level suspense.

This is a book that breaks the fourth wall (#25) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot.

©2008-2025 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Jane of Lantern Hill

Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - I would consider myself somewhat of a fan of Montgomery's books, but I admit I wasn't at all familiar with this title before it was named as the June pick for an online book club I follow. The story starts out by describing where Jane lives in Toronto - a large house in an expensive and exclusive neighborhood, where she lives with her mother, grandmother, and aunt. Though Jane loves her mother deeply, she has no affection for the cold-hearted grandmother who never seems to have a good word to say to or about Jane. Jane is lonely, largely friendless, and stifled in any activity she might want to try. This dull existence changes when an unexpected letter arrives from Jane's father who lives on Prince Edward Island. He requests that Jane come visit him for the summer. Jane is scared to go, having only just discovered that her father is still alive, and worried about being away from her mother for so long. 

Upon arriving on PEI, Jane's connection with her father is almost immediate, and the two of them begin forging a strong bond. Dad gets them a little house on Lantern Hill to live in for the summer, where they can get to know each other, and Jane finds endless delight in being able to cook and clean and decorate and play outside with new friends to her heart's content. The house at Lantern Hill truly becomes her "home" and the affection she shares with her dad is deep, though she has promised to not speak of mother to him, or write anything about him to her mother. She grows more curious about why the two are no longer together, and for the remainder of the story yearns to somehow reconcile her two worlds - the home and people of PEI and both of her beloved parents. 

Jane is a sad and suppressed little girl at the opening, and why wouldn't she be with the harsh edicts and spite of her grandmother ruling her. It begs the question very early of why the mother would choose to live in that situation and subject her little daughter to it unless there was something very wrong with the life she had with Jane's father. There are glimpses of who Jane really is - she longs for friendship, she has an imagination, and she has a heart that want to be useful and helpful to others. Once away from her grandmother's house and with her dad, Jane blossoms and finds joy in being able to try all the practical skills she was only allowed to watch before. It's a coming-of-age story in that sense. Jane is almost too good to be true, once given the freedom to try things and learn. She masters cooking and gardening and almost everything else with speed and skill, despite her young age, and I did find that aspect a bit hard to believe. Jane is pragmatic, energetic, hopeful, and kind; and is as delightful a character as one could hope for. Her dad and her friends are all incredibly likeable as well. Her mother's character is not as well-developed, and she appears weak-willed and shallow in the beginning, even though her love for her daughter seems genuine. 

From the publisher:

In Jane of Lantern Hill, L.M. Montgomery brings to life the inspiring journey of Jane Stuart, a young girl who embarks on a new chapter of her life after moving to Lantern Hill to live with her estranged father. Amid the beauty of the island and the challenges of her new life, Jane begins to discover her inner strength and form deeper connections with those around her, including the father she never truly knew. The story is rich with themes of self-discovery, family bonds, and the transformative power of love.

This heartwarming tale is perfect for readers seeking a comforting escape, filled with Montgomery's signature warmth and charm. Jane of Lantern Hill is a celebration of new beginnings and the deep, enduring ties that bind families together.

This is a book with a character's name in the title (#21) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

This is second in The 52 Book Club's Connections Challenge. Its title shares a word with the previous book title. The word "of" - not very creative of me, but I'm working with what I have!

This post will be linked at the current BookWorms Monthly link-up hosted by At Home A Lot.

©2008-2025 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Mountain Interval

Mountain Interval by Robert Frost - Of course we know Robert Frost's famous poem "The Road Not Taken" but I was not really familiar with his other works, so this collection of poems chosen by an online book club group was a good way to start off the reading year. Most of the works in this collection are short stories of life in small town and rural New Hampshire where Frost lived. The descriptions and stories are homey and often bittersweet or nostalgic. Some are tragic, such as "Out, Out--" and "The Hill Wife" while others are more contemplative. For example, "The Exposed Nest" and "The Sound of the Trees" were observations of nature and how humans interacted or reflected on the natural world. "Snow" was a longer poetic story that took a simple winter event and explored the hidden thoughts and feelings of the characters as they made decisions about whether to journey home through bad weather or wait it out, or whether being hospitable was better than urging a man home to his family. I especially liked "In The Home Stretch" which depicted a couple settling into a new home in the country and trying to fit into new surroundings. It was both wistful and hopeful as the couple braved the uncertainties they felt in their first day in the house.

From the back cover:

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood." These words, from "The Road Not Taken," form arguably the most famous single line in all American poetry. Taking as his theme the fine line between will and fate, Frost opens his third collection, Mountain Interval, with an undeniable masterpiece, setting the stage for the poems to come, for their attentive and plainspoken music.

This is a genre chosen for me by someone else (#37) for The 52 Book Club's 2025 Reading Challenge.

#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2025

©2008-2025 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human.  http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - Pudd'nhead Wilson

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Pudd'nhead Wilson by Mark Twain - The literature course I'm teaching at co-op focuses on conflicts between characters and worldviews, and this tale of switched identities and contrasts is a great introduction to the topic. Twain sets the stage in a small southern town that seems idyllic but has a very firmly established class system and prejudice. The title character, David Wilson, is a northern lawyer who settles in the town but one joke that the townspeople don't understand earns him the nickname "pudd'nhead" and dooms his law career for years. He's actually very intelligent and has a variety of interests and hobbies, including studying fingerprints, but his reputation of not being very bright will not be overcome.

Another lead character is the slave woman Roxy. Roxy has only one-sixteenth black ancestry, but her place as black and therefore a slave is not negotiable. Roxy has a baby boy at the same time as her mistress, and when the mistress dies, Roxy is nurse to both babies. Her son, only one-thirty-second black, looks very much like the young heir, and when the master threatens to sell his slaves down the river, Roxy hits upon a plan to switch the babies' clothing. And sure enough, no one is the wiser for about twenty years. When the master dies, his brother, Judge Driscoll, adopts the boy he thinks is his nephew and makes him his heir. However, the usurper, now known as Tom, grows up to be spoiled and mean and selfish and the real heir, known as Chambers, is abused and mistreated as a slave.

Eventually Roxy is set free and goes to work on the riverboats, trusting that once Tom comes into his inheritance, he will look after her financially when she tells him the truth. She returns to town some years later to find Tom deeply in debt because of his gambling, and the Judge ready to cut him out of the will. Roxy threatens to expose Tom as an imposter unless he provides for her, and Tom has some strong reactions to finding out he has "a drop of black blood". 

At that time, the town is fawning over two young foreigners who are visiting - the Italian twins. These twins settle in Dawson's Landing and challenge Judge Driscoll in the local elections, and this after humiliating young Tom. The Judge is found murdered and the twins are accused. When the case goes to trial, Pudd'nhead Wilson finally can practice law, as he defends the twins who steadfastly deny the murder even though their knife was the murder weapon. Pudd'nhead is convinced that he can identify the real murderer, if only he can find a match among all his records for the bloody fingerprints left on the knife.

This all leads to a dramatic courtroom scene, when the secret of the babies switched in the cradle all those years ago is finally revealed, the twins are cleared of the crime, and Tom gets what he deserves. Unfortunately, the real heir, despite being restored to his position, is still a victim of the prejudice and deception, and the ending is somewhat bittersweet.

Twain is a master of irony and his use of it along with some dry humor keeps his exploration of the weighty subjects of racial prejudice and injustice from becoming too oppressive. The main characters experience inner conflicts and conflicts with others and with their society, and none of the conflicts are easily resolved. 

I read this novel and studied it along with students in my high school literature co-op class. We learned about irony and foreshadowing as literary devices. We also discussed the various conflicts experienced by the characters, and debated which of the three main characters is the true protagonist of the story.

Our discussion and study was guided by the textbook Illuminating Literature: When Worlds Collide from Writing with Sharon Watson.

You can also read my 2019 review of Pudd'nhead Wilson HERE.

This is a book in which the chapters have titles (#5) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

#the52bookclub2022

©2008-2022 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for August 6, 2021

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Yet within a mile, Margaret knew of house after house, where she for her own sake, and her mother for her aunt Shaw's, would be welcomed, if they came in gladness, or even in peace of mind. If they came sorrowing, and wanting sympathy in a complicated trouble like the present, then they would be felt as a shadow in all these houses of intimate acquaintances, not friends. London life is too whirling and full to admit of even an hour of that deep silence of feeling which the friends of Job showed, . . .

~From page 56 of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Set in the mid-19th century, North and South follows the story of the heroine's movement from the tranquil ways of southern England to the vital but turbulent north. Gaskell's skillful narrative uses an unusual love story to show how personal and public lives were woven together in a newly industrial society. This is a tale of hard-won triumphs - of rational thought over prejudice and humane care over blind deference to the market.

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

MARCH 1831

"Can you turn your head a little to the right?"

"Oh, yes. Of course," Lady Drummond gasped, swiftly complying.

At that angle the light fell just so on her honey blond curls, and hid the streak of gray beginning to show at her curls, and hid the streak of gray beginning to show at her right temple.

~From A Study in Death by Anna Lee Huber

Lady Kiera Darby is thrilled to have found both an investigative partner and a fiance in Sebastian Gage . . .  After she's commissioned to paint the portrait of Lady Drummond, Kiera is shocked to find her client prostrate on the floor. Both a physician and Lord Drummond appear satisfied to rule her death natural, but Kiera is convinced that poison is the real culprit. Now, armed only with her knowledge of the macabre and her convictions, Kiera intends to discover the truth - no matter what, or who, stands in her way . . .

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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First Line Fridays is hosted at Hoarding Books

*We are thrilled to have bloggers join us by linking up with their own First Line Fridays posts.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Hoarding Books within your post or grab a button.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Hobbit

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Well, who isn't familiar with the classic story of Bilbo Baggins and how the wizard Gandalf got him to join a company of dwarves on an epic adventure to win back the dwarves' gold? It's a story that most students know, thanks to the movie, but it turns out not many students have read the book. This was the novel our high school literature class read to end the year, and it's a perfect choice to illustrate the Hero's Journey plot.

We meet the hobbit, Bilbo, in his comfortable home - a hobbit-hole - and his quiet, comfortable life. Until Gandalf the wizard selects Bilbo as the burglar needed to accompany Thorin Oakenshield and the dwarves on a mission to The Lonely Mountain to reclaim their gold from the dragon Smaug. No wonder Bilbo initially refuses the Call to Adventure! Of course he does go on this Hero's Journey after all, with Gandalf as the mentor and the dwarves as traveling companions.

They soon encounter hardships - trolls and goblins, dark and dangerous caves, and mysterious forests. Bilbo matches wits with the creature Gollum and gains a reward - a magic ring that turns the wearer invisible. This ring proves invaluable when the dwarves are captured by the wood-elves, as Bilbo's luck and cleverness combine to keep him from being captured. He is able to free his friends and they continue their journey to the Lonely Mountain. 

Bilbo faces the dragon Smaug and manages to do some burgling, but when Thorin sees the treasure, he is soon overcome by the dragon-sickness which puts the entire company in danger once again. Smaug takes out his anger on the village of Lake Town, but is killed by one of the men. The men of Lake Town and the wood-elves come up to the mountain to claim what they think is their fair share of the dragon's hoard, and Thorin's greed leads to a tense standoff before Bilbo once again saves the day.

In addition to the Hero's Journey elements to the plot, The Hobbit also provided excellent examples of motifs, figurative language, and an empathetic lead in Bilbo himself. An entertaining and exciting classic that appeals to all ages, and never disappoints.

I read this novel and studied it along with students in my high school literature co-op class. We learned about the hero's journey plot and how Bilbo's adventures followed that pattern. We also discussed Tolkien's use of elements reminiscent of epic tales. 

Our discussion and study was guided by the textbook Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis from Writing with Sharon Watson.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

What I'm Reading - April 12, 2021

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This weekly reading list meme is hosted at Book Date. Join in to see what others are reading and maybe get some ideas of what to read next! Although the Book Date link-up happens weekly, I don't manage to post that often. I aim to post and link about once a month, although I sometimes link up my monthly summary as well. 

I finished reading . . . 

Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham - Clara Blackwell needs to find the missing deed to her family's bookshop building with only a hundred-year-old letter from her great-grandmother to go on. Following the clues about her ancestor's possible romance takes her to the Biltmore Estate and to England, where she may find a romance of her own. (Read my full review HERE)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen -  The classic story of sisters Elinor and Marianne - one carefully governing all her emotions and the other passionate and dramatic about all she feels. Both experience heartbreak and romantic love, but their attitudes and approach are very different. (Read my full review HERE)

The Sly Governess by Everly Rosabell -  With her family's financial situation in disarray, Mary Stafford takes a post as governess in the household of an eccentric duke rumoured to be involved in piracy. (Read my full review HERE)

Patrick: A Spark in the Darkness by Jessica Dunn - A novelized version of St Patrick's biography. It's written to be suitable for teens or adults, with a simple, straightforward retelling. (Read my full review HERE)

I'm currently reading . . .

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - My lit class just started reading this classic "hero's journey" novel. For me, it's a very enjoyable re-read!

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict - a historical novel about Hedy Lamarr, the glamour icon and screen star who was also a brilliant scientist.

The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma - Polly, a would-be newspaper reporter, teams up with a detective in 1900 Denver to track down the culprit in a number of attacks on women.

A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber - the newest in the Lady Darby series just arrived and I couldn't help but start it, even though I have several other books that I need to get through! 

Next on the stack... 

Feed the Birds: Attract and Identify 196 Common North American Birds by Chris Earley

Heart of a Runaway Girl - Trevor Wiltzen

Paper Wife: A Novel by Laila Ibrahim

What I'm Highlighting . . . Along with a few blogging friends, I'm participating in an Online Book Club that is a little different. Instead of all reading the same title, we'll be reading books that have a theme in common. That way readers of all ages, homeschoolers or not, can participate. Our theme for April is Migration. Stop by HS Coffee Break to find out more.

On my blogs recently . . . 

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Wordless Wednesday posts

Colors of Character - Documentary Movie

Share Four Somethings - March 2021

Monthly Bookshelf Review - March 2021

And on my "first cup blog", HS Coffee Break:

Five Minute Friday - Pressure

Coffee Break Reading List (April 7, 2021)

Online Book Club: April Theme - Migration

Five Minute Friday - Gentle

March Photo Album

Online Book Club - Wrapping Up March: St Patrick's Example of Patience

Five Minute Friday - Savour

Five Minute Friday - Redeem

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Five Minute Friday - Possible

Coffee Break Reading List (March 9, 2021)

Online Book Club - March Theme: St Patrick

What are you reading?

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.