I love stories. Books, movies, music. I’ve been a fan of stories since a young age. I remember sitting in my bed with the covers wrapped around me as my mom read to me from Dr. Seuss. I will never forget sitting in a movie theater for the first time, watching Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. And I will always cherish the memories of singing “Part of Your World” at the top of my lungs.

Stories got me through some pretty rough times in my life and I thought that it would be nice to start a series where I share the stories I love. With everything that is going on in the world, I want to celebrate all the good things.

In this first installment, I want to profess my love for the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. I have to admit, I am a little late to the game when it comes to this classic. The first Austen book I read was Northanger Abbey. It was on the book list for my British Literature class in college. I enjoyed that novel, but did not read any of Austen’s other works until quite recently. I’m glad I finally did.

Austen is one of those classic writers who is surprisingly easy to read. She is witty, moving, and intelligent. Pride and Prejudice, in my opinion, is her best novel. (But I welcome arguments to the contrary!)

I actually discovered this story first through the 2005 film adaptation and didn’t actually read the book until last year. I was immediately enthralled by the chemistry between Lizzy Bennett and Mr. Darcy. Their back and forth is the heart of the novel, as is Austen’s insistence of criticizing society and the role women were force to play in it.

Pride and Prejudice is one of those feel good stories that I return to when I’m down or the world is spiraling out of control. I love getting lost in the cast of characters and the various regal locations. But most of all, I love the hope and satisfaction that the ending brings. Pride and Prejudice believes that people can change for the better. That love is important to marriage and that sticking to one’s convictions is paramount to living a happy life.

If you haven’t yet discovered Jane Austen, I urge you to start with Pride and Prejudice. You will not be disappointed.