Tea, Books and Five Great Authors

1. Edith Wharton.

   When I first read The Age of Innocence, I was a pre-teen girl who hid the book from others. I really don’t know why I did, exactly but I remember feeling as if the book was my own secret world that would be shattered if I shared it with another. As I read those words, I melted into that book. The words scratched at me, leaving me bloody and exposed. And once I closed it, I looked at everything different, felt everything different. New York City (my hometown) was different to my eye and finally, I understood the stirring emotions within me. I was changed.

   Jackie Collins.

   I read Jackie Collins long after I knew who she was. I knew she was Joan Collins sister but to me she was the cooler sister. She was everything Joan Collins was and what I in my imaginings wanted to be but Jackie was more–she was a writer. I always thought she could teach something–what that was I never knew and will never know. Maybe I’ll see her in heaven.

   J.K. Rowlings.

   Sure, I love her tweets. But I love the truth she always shares. She has a great talent but I love the strength and bravery she has displayed in her life. I’ve had my hard times too but she doesn’t use them as an excuse or a reason to pity her. She turns it and says what I do is not unknown and isn’t certainly lightning in a bottle (though Harry Potter certainly is). I love her realness.

   Mary Shelley

   I cannot say why exactly Mary Shelley made my list. Of course, she is interesting in her own right and that certainly adds to it. But she has always intrigued me. Everything about her feels…compelling but there is more. I just know that there was so much more to her that we know. We could learn something about her and pull back the layer and there is much more to intrigue us. I would like to know that.

   Agatha Christie

   Mrs. Christie had an eventful life in a time where women were not much more than wives and mother (though she was both). She was a nurse, best-selling author of all time and she traveled the world. She even disappeared for a short while and no ones know what exactly happen. But if you are a Doctor Who fan, you know the answer. I would like to see her strength, learn to have more of my own and how to keep going during those moments when I’m sure that I suck.

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Female Friday

This Friday will be a dedication to Female Writers.  There are many great ladies to choose from Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, Nora Roberts and Jodi Picoult to name the “Superstar gals”.  Women writers seem to rarely get the respect we deserved yet we are the majority of readers.  When Nicolas Sparks writes a love story such as The Notebook or Dear John, those aren’t considered romance yet Rachel Gibson writes See Jane Score it is.  Some might argue that those stories are different perhaps or perhaps not but that doesn’t matter.  Today, I’m recognizing those women that inspire me either through their writing, which is how I know most or through the women they are.

EDITH WHARTON

EDITH WHARTON

I love Age of Innocence and The Buccaneers.  I admit I’m not crazy about Ethan Frome but Edith Wharton is the greatest.  I read her books over again and each time, I’m swept into Old New York.  I know the next words yet I’m always thrilled by them.  I’ve felt a connection with her when I first picked up one of her books.  It was as if something came through the pages and into me, connecting me with her for forever.  She is the person I would have loved to dine with.  She is the reason why Paris is the place I want to spend my days and she decorated homes too, which is a passion of mine.  Edith was and still is a perfection for me.

JACKIE COLLINS

JACKIE COLLINS

Jackie Collins.  I love her and her juicy tales of Hollywood and scandal.  My whole life I’ve wanted to visit LA.  There isn’t a particular sight that I’m interested in.  All I want is to feel the sun and smell the air, or smog.  But the closest I’ve ever gotten to LA is the airport on my way to Honolulu.
What’s really great about Jackie is that she doesn’t try to be anything else.  She’s fabulous in fact she’s better than Fabulous.  She’s Jackie Collins.

DOROTHY PARKER

DOROTHY PARKER

Dorothy Parker was a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table and the only female included.  She had a sharp wit that it seemed just the thing to have in her age but few possessed or as I like to think, displayed.  She wrote screenplays, most notably A Star is Born.  She also wrote the line, “Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses.” She proves to be first, speak you mind and others will fall over themselves to be around you.

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

Everyone knows Little Women and loves it.  Most ladies vow that they’re Jo or perhaps Meg or Amy.  But for me, I would like to believe I’m a Jo but I am a Beth.  I remember being sick as a child in the hospital, looking out the window, or watching it rain and while others played outside I was stuck in-doors.  I couldn’t get wet because if I got too cold, I could get sick.  So, I was Beth.  And at least I had someone to keep me company.   And Louisa finally made me happy to be a girl when I only wanted to be like my big brother and play football.  I did too though my mother never knew.  And I could tackle the boys since I was taller than most of them.

J.K. ROWLINGS

J.K. ROWLINGS

I must admit that I’m not a Harry Potter fan.  I’ve never read the books or seen the movies.  But I must give her credit.  She was on the dole and wrote out her book on a legal pad.  J.K. never quit though there must have been people who told her otherwise.  She created a world that has entertained millions across the world.

LEANNA RENEE HIEBER

LEANNA RENEE HIEBER

I’m proud to say that Leanna is a friend of mine.  She’s an award winning author.  But what makes her one of my favorites is that she invites everyone into the wonderful Victorian paranormal world of hers and it weaves a spell about you so you never wish to return to everyday life.  She amazes you with her kindess, talent, and selflessness.  I suggest if you haven’t read any of her books pick up her Strangely Beautiful series or just click here.  http://www.leannareneehieber.com/

I know people are going to say Jane Austen and I agree but I just wanted to include some others.  If you think I missed someone please add to the list.