Emma

By Jane Austen

I admit this is my first book by Jane Austen. I blame my high school English teachers but decided it was time to rectify the omission. It was not quite what I expected from a highly regarded classic. The story centers around the dealings of a well-bred English 20-something woman who entertains herself with match-making and gossiping. As superficial as this sounds, and is, Austen weaves in lessons on friendship, couples, and family that are truly central to our lives typically more so than topics of world politics and wild adventures -- unless you happen to work for the State Department or are a world traveler like my brother. Our lives are composed of gossiping over the latest bit of trivial news and caring for those we hold dear. Austen does this topic justice, simultaneously reminding us that we should as well.