Yours Faithfully, Amanda

Wednesday 17 July 2019 Hartford, Connecticut Dear Jane, And so our Cartagena  adventure  continues... A breakfast fit for hobbits. Our second day (Monday, the twentieth of May) was one that both Rachael and I had been looking forward to for quite some time as we were to spend the majority of it on a boat! Before boating, however, breakfast was a necessity. I do so loath to sound "bougie," Jane, but our first full day in Cartagena began by indulging in an exceedingly delicious breakfast whilst seated at a charming table by the pool. Hotel Caribe provides a wonderful buffet breakfast consisting of fresh fruit and jugos (juices), strong & flavorful coffee, eggs, meats, cheeses, pandebono (a roll, of sorts, with cheese baked in- YUM), an assortment of delectable, local pastries (that I cannot remember the names of), and much more! And as I am a hobbit, I often went back for second breakfast. I daresay I could have lingered by the breakfast buffet for ho...

June 21, 2019 Dear Jane, Once again it has been much too long since last I wrote. In truth, I did not have the inspiration or drive to write these past couple of months so I allowed myself the freedom to take a step back from letter writing. Now however, I have journeyed there and back again ("there" being South America) with my sister, Rachael, and so the time has come once again to pick up the pen. And by "pick up the pen," I do mean, "type on the keyboard." Writing of one's adventures is vitally important so I must continue my mission of chronicling them. I often think of a line you once wrote in a letter to your sister, Cassandra, when I have trouble getting started with letters: "I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am." Inspirational as always, Jane. Watching the sunrise! Now then, our journey to Cartagena, Colombia began on Sunday, the nineteenth of May in the Year-of-Our-Lord two-thousand and ...

March 1, 2019 Dear Jane, Imagine a world where one could go to a nearby town's public library and enjoy a whole host of Jane-Austen-related activities, completely free of charge. Surely, such a beautiful world does not exist! Spoiler Alert: It does and it's the world I live in. While that introduction may have been *slightly* over-dramatic, I firmly believe that public libraries deserve to be recognized for the undeniable joy they bring to the lives of so many. It just so happens, though, that a particular library has inspired this joy and dramatic flair within me today: The charming   Cheshire Public Library  of Cheshire, Connecticut. Throughout the entire month of February, they hosted numerous Jane-themed events and called the series, "For the love of Jane Austen."  How divine! Although I did not learn about the existence of said series until the middle of February, I feel truly #blessed that I was able to attend two events that were both exceedingly divertin...

February 16, 2019 Dear Jane, As it two days after Valentine's Day, I must discuss something with you of the utmost importance. I do not wish to play the blame game, Jane, but you must admit that you gave me (and all your gentle readers) some very unrealistic expectations about love when you wrote characters like Captain Wentworth, Mr. Darcy & Mr. Knightley (and the lesser-talked-about, Admiral Croft. He was a true gentleman, Jane, who clearly valued his remarkable wife!). But do not fret for I forgive you, dear friend! We are most fortunate to have your novels to turn to both when love is in the air and when it is not. Of course, that is not to say you were a writer of mere love stories. I am a firm believer (as are most, I should hope) that your novels are some of the greatest works of fiction ever written. However, as it is the month of love, I shall share my favorite romantic moment from Persuasion: Captain Wentworth's letter. "I can listen no longer in silenc...

January 31, 2019 Dear Jane, Happy belated New Year, my dear friend. I truly cannot believe that the end of January is upon us; this month has flown by so quickly! Even though not very much has occurred since the new year began, I do have an exciting literary adventure to recount for you. So, without further ado: A Day in New York City with J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien... If you are a lover of books, then I'm confident that I have grabbed your attention with the above italicized line. If you are not a lover of books, but rather a lover of films adapted from books, then hopefully I have also grabbed your attention. If you are a lover of neither, then I have nothing left to say to you and now must say, "Good day." I jest, of course! In truth, I am in an odd mood today, Jane, so I shall write on until I am not...or until I finish my letter (whichever comes first). On Friday last, the twenty-fifth of January in the Year-of-our-Lord, two-thousand and nineteen, I ...