I so enjoyed reading your comments in the recent reader survey. It was so much fun to hear how many of you are librarians and booksellers, how many of you have a cat or car or gerbil named Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley or Lizzie Bennet, and to see how many of you commented with your MBTI or enneagram type.
My favorite parts: how many of you used the phrases “kindred spirit,” “friend,” and “big sister” to describe this blog and the community here. I loved reading comments like “I feel like we could be real life friends if we lived in the same place.”
My favorite comment: “The comments section wins a gold star for internet civility and interesting conversation!” YES. Thank YOU for making that happen!
What you all confirmed: that drop-down menu was driving many of you crazy, and now it’s gone. Thanks for your feedback on that.
What I didn’t love: while the new site (as of last May, if you’re new around here) works as it should for most of you, it’s still giving some of you problems on desktop and mobile. (I switched hosts this summer in an effort to improve site speed and responsiveness and am continuing to work on this.)
This is a big ask, but if you have a specific problem with the site on your device, could you send a screenshot to modern mrs darcy at gmail dot com and tell me what device you’re on? I know that’s a pain, but if we can figure out exactly what the problem is, we can fix it. (The most common problem is the text bleeding into the margins, but it’s not the only one.)
Blog stuff
Why is this blog called Modern Mrs Darcy?
It’s a riff on Pride and Prejudice and Elizabeth Bennet’s married name. But I am not Mrs. Darcy, nor do I play her on tv. Or the internet.
How can I find the archives?
The easiest way is in the footer.
Can I subscribe to great Kindle deals by email?
Yes! I’ve been working on this and it’s almost ready.
Why do you link to articles that require a subscription?
I never do this on purpose! (If I do it in the future, I’ll tell you.) If I didn’t need a subscription to view it, I’m unaware a subscription is “required.” Hot tip: many sites don’t require a paywall for links shared on social media, so you’ll be able to read a protected article if you click through from facebook or twitter. If that doesn’t work, google the article’s name: often the first result will let you click through.
The individual book listings say “click here for more info.” I thought clicking on that would take me to a long review, but it doesn’t. What gives?
When you click “more info,” it does not take you to a longer review. It takes you to a page that shows where that book has appeared on MMD, and gives you information about where to buy it online or find a local bookstore.
Here’s more about how to find book information on MMD.
Can you bring back literary matchmaking in some way/shape/form?
I want to and I’m planning on it—as soon as I figure out how. Got ideas? Hit me.
When are you going to start podcasting?
That sounds like so much fun, but I have no plans to do that right now.
My life
What state do you live in?
I’m in Louisville, Kentucky.
How did you get started homeschooling?
Here’s the short version of why we traded public school for home education.
Could you write about parenting as an HSP?
Check out the older post it’s more than a kid hangover. I also wrote a post for Simple Homeschool about self-care for the highly sensitive parent.
How do you as an INFP and enneagram type 9 get things done and follow through?
I’ve worked hard at building my skills in organization and time management. I still get plenty distracted by the new and shiny, but I’ve learned how to buckle down and get stuff done—even though it doesn’t come naturally.
Why do you read so many Catholic blogs? (You teased that you would blog about this eventually and you never did!)
You’re right, I never did. (She says, sheepishly.) My short theory is that the Catholic church embraces rhythm and structure, two things I admire but don’t come naturally to me. I’m painting with broad strokes here, but these rhythms are reflected in many Catholic lifestyle blogs.
Where did your family stay in Florida?
For the past ten years, we’ve been going to Miramar Beach near Destin. Email me if you’d like more specific info. (modern mrs darcy at gmail dot com)
Books & reading
How can I find you on Goodreads?
I’m right here.
Where do you get all your books? And doesn’t it get expensive?
I get the vast majority of my books from my local public library. I do buy books, but not as often as you might think. (Here’s how I decide what to buy and what to borrow.)
I’m also fortunate to have publishers and publicists send me the occasional new or forthcoming release. (Hot tip: if you have a blog of any size at all, you can request advanced review copies from the publishers or sign up for Netgalley.)
Please read more nonfiction and write about it!
This made me chuckle, because before I started blogging I read vastly more nonfiction than fiction. I still read a good bit of nonfiction: I’ll make sure those books make their way onto the blog.
Why do you include 3-star books in the summer reading guide?
I’m stingy with my star ratings on Goodreads: 3 stars means “I liked it.” A 4 star book is exceptional, a 5 star book is life-changing. I’m also not very consistent with how I assign my stars. (I’m working on it!)
Choosing the perfect book for summer reading—or any time of year—is a combination of the right book, at the right time, in the right place. Many 3-star books (books I really liked, but wouldn’t call exceptional) fit the bill.
Can you write a how-to post about Audible with specifics? I don’t understand how the credits work.
Try this beginner’s great big guide to audiobooks. (The short answer is 1 credit = 1 book, almost always. The biggest exception is the children’s book collections.)
What can I do if the kindle deals don’t work for me because I’m not in the U.S.A.?
Sorry about that! This is how I find great kindle deals. I can’t do the work for you, unfortunately, but you can use most of those same methods to find deals in your region.
I wish you had more book recommendations for kids.
Noted. (But have you seen the Kid Lit guide?)
Anything else you want to tell me, or would like me to answer? Hit me in comments.
43 comments
I don’t have any direct ideas about literary matchmaking, but I really really enjoyed it… Similar was your post on “Book Flights.”
Perhaps, since I’m sure there were lots of people that had read/hated the same books would be to do matchmaking by book instead of by individual. I keep a running list, just for myself for some reason of “If you liked this, you might like that…” books. On occasions when a friend asks me for recommendations, I sometimes know something she has read and if it’s on my list perhaps she’d like the correlated book. Things with similar feel like Jane Eyre to Rebecca to Kate Morton.
I second this!
Me, too! That is a great idea. My local bookstore does that and it is helpful.
That’s a promising idea—thank you!
I’m a 9 in the enneagram as well. You said you have learned to buckle down and get stuff done. How? What books/ methods did you use to help you get to this point? Thanks!
I’m going to need to reflect on this a bit. It was a multi-year process, not an instant switch. Steven Pressfield gave me a giant kick in the pants (The War of Art), and I have found I do very well with deadlines of all kinds (short term, long term, and especially ones with some kind of external accountability).
Regarding the text bleeding into the margin, this happens to me. I use Bloglovin as my feed reader (using Chrome on my laptop), and when I click the post in Bloglovin, it opens up your page with the text bleeding over. If I refresh the page, the bleeding is fixed. I wonder how many of those that report this problem are click thru via a feed reader?
P.S. thanks for getting rid of that drop down banner!!!
Thanks for the info.
That’s pretty awesome that you read a lot of Catholic blogs. =)
If you ever would like to, you’re welcome to attend a mass. Just follow what everyone else is doing, and instead of receiving the Eucharist, cross your arms across your chest to receive a special blessing (sorry, but the Eucharist is reserved for after one receives Communion rites). I’m a Roman Catholic and my aunt is a Mother Superior. <3
My in-laws are Catholic so we go pretty regularly. That is very cool about your aunt. 🙂
Just wondering what Catholic lifestyle blogs you read and recommend?
Thanks!
Elizabeth Foss’s is one of my must-reads. I also like Jennifer Fulwiler’s, Haley Stewart’s, and Grace Patton’s.
Like Mother, Like Daughter is my favorite Catholic blog. Actually one of my favorite blogs, period. One of the things I love about it, aside from the stellar content, is the high quality of the writing. Which is, of course, also one of the things I love about MMD.
I spaced out on LMLD—it definitely belongs on my list!
Thanks for getting rid of the dropdown! The site is gorgeous and I was always sad that it was hard for me to navigate.
I liked the Literary Matchmaking as well and I like Ginger’s idea above, to base it on books (or authors) and not on a particular person’s reading. I’d love to be able to look up a book I liked and see if there’s anything similar.
Good to know—thanks.
I just wanted to let you know that I follow maybe 8 blogs regularly. Sometimes it’s hit and miss, if they don’t post daily or even weekly. But I can always depend on you to have something new up to read through and enjoy with my morning coffee… thanks for being consistent. And thanks for all the great info. Michelle Richmond.
Thanks for the kind words, and thank you especially for reading!
What if matchmaking was a community thing that you could “ask the readers” about? I also like the idea above. Maybe when you click on a book in the card catalog there could be a section called “If you liked this book, you might like these as well…”. Excited to get the kindle deals by email. Thank you!
Ohhh, that sounds interesting!
Nice!
I started reading initially for the book recommendations, and continue reading because I really enjoy your writing style, as well as the well thought out topics you post. And I agree, the comments add so much to the discussion, it’s almost just as interesting to read the comments as it is the actual post! 🙂 I also love your consistency in posting. Thank you for all you do.
Thanks for the kind words, and thank YOU for reading!
Same here!
For reasons I’m not quite sure of (I am a vigilant reader of MMD!), I missed the survey. But I feel compelled to share that I have an adorable pug-terrier we call Fitz. Officially he is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, but my husband and sons thought that was too much. : ) Thanks for your blog. I look forward to it everyday!
What an adorable name for a little pup! Fitz is a great nickname (and it totally reminds me of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries. 🙂 ).
I love your consistent posts, and as a mom of three only recently making more time for fiction reading, I really appreciate the book recs! I read A. J. Fikry while traveling last week (hooray kindle deal!) and am in the beginning of Royal We now. Oh, and Big Little Lies a couple weeks ago (made me so glad we homeschool on a different level!). So thanks. If you ever have American history book recs, I’d love them. Something along the lines of Seabiscuit or Endurance, (those were so engaging!) for basically any period through 1940! Thanks!
I’ll be thinking about American history recs. I agree—I loved Seabiscuit and Unbroken, and I need to read Endurance. I enjoyed Dead Wake, I’ve read some great things by Rybczynski, and my husband I enjoyed listening to Undaunted Courage together a long while ago. So glad you enjoyed A.J. Fikry!
“Why do you read Catholic blogs?” That made me smile!
Fun to read the results of your survey. Still my #1 click!
I am so glad that I found you! I am up in the NKY area and am originally from the Nashville area. So when you mentioned the bookstore in Nashville, I felt all warm inside! I don’t get as much time as I would like to just sit and read blogs, but I always try to find time to at least scroll through and get your highlights. I have about ten books on my Amazon wishlist that you have suggested! Also, I can totally relate to the Catholic initiative! I was raised Baptist, but am living in a Catholic world up here. I even taught at a Catholic school for a semester. I do find the ritual soothing. If you are ever up in the area, I would love to show you around!
We’re up your way all the time! We have family spread out all over the Cincy/NKY area. (Hoping to make a Reds game before the season ends!)
I read a lot of Catholic blogs too!
And I’m a staunch Lutheran. 🙂 Go figure.
Ahh a fellow INFP. I knew there was a reason I liked this blog ?
High five for INFPs!
Just found out that my library has an online book matchmaking service- you fill out an online form and a librarian emails you with a suggested reading list. Haven’t tried it yet and I wish they published the suggestiosn online, but I can’t wait to give it a shot! http://oaklandlibrary.org/online-services/book-me
How fun!
I just wanted to make a comment about the kindle deals. I lived in Canada for most of my life and if someone shared a kindle deal that I wanted, I would always search for the book by title on my regions site and they same deal was almost always available. Hope that can help some of your other readers.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m stingy with star ratings on goodreads too – and I just “friended” you! 😉 Can’t wait to see what books we have in common.
My daughter and I raise rabbits, and we have a blackish male named Mr. Darcy and a reddish male named Mr. Bingley : ) I also love your book recommendations. Not only do I read more authors now, but I also read more. Thank you for all that you do here. I have recommended it to many friends.
LOVE. Thanks for telling me!