[December 28, 2020] Marking for reread. In a year where I cried a lot (lol) what a comfort to visit with my favorite quiet yet passionate heroine. I love Jane more and more the older I get. My journey with Rochester has been that-- a whole journey. From seeing this as a strict love story in my teens, to writing off Rochester in my 20's to now just seeing a tragedy in all parts of this story. Listen, I'm not defending keeping a woman in the attic. I'm saying I was sad this year, so when I read Jane Eyre, I read a bunch of sadness.

[May 1, 2017] Marking for reread. How does this story keep getting so much better with time?

[January 31, 2015] Marking for re-read.

I first read Jane Eyre some 12 or 13 years ago. I picked it up in high school and instantly feel in love with the story and with reading in a way I had nearly abandoned during my middle school years. Each time I read it, once every year or two, I find more and more to love. This book is coming home. This book is a pair of well worn pants. This book is the back of my hand and a never ending well of emotions. Each visit adds more into that well, perhaps to be withdrawn at some other date by some other version of myself.

This re-read, I took so much joy in the details I often skipped over as a younger reader. I was desperate for action scenes, for the interactions between Jane and Rochester that painted a growing relationship. Now, I immersed myself in the scenes, the details of Thornfield and of Moor House and dreams and half-visions.

I love Jane so much. There is a lot about her character that I wish people would see in me, solid but passionate, quick but disciplined, funny, sometimes sarcastic, and just so damn strong, despite her lot in life.

I started 2015 with such a bang and busy life times made me fall into a bit of a reading slump. I picked this up because I knew, no matter what's going on, this is a book I will enjoy.