“Marriage is supposed to be this huge great overwhelming passion, and that we’re supposed to be looking for our soul mate, our other half, but it’s actually pretty damn mundane. After all the excitement goes, what you really want to be left with is someone who is a really good person and who adores you, and who you can grow old with.”
― Jane Green, To Have and to Hold
Living consistently with my husband has taught me to enjoy spending occasional down time near him, rather than with him. Before John and I were married, I dreamt of evenings spent lounging on a plush couch, glass of wine and book in hand, while my husband sipped scotch and mused on Nietzsche.
Dreams and reality being what they are, John and I are more likely to be found playing Call of Duty (him) and drinking Dr. Pepper (me), yes, still with book in hand.
We sit more than we lounge, and we chat more than we muse. We have our moments of class and enlightenment, but we will never be mistaken for Jackie and JFK. Our routine of normality suits us, filling in the gaps of time that suddenly appear when a couple says “I Do”.
Oh yes, regarding the ever present book in hand.
Jane Green writes about authentic relationships, with enough romance to inspire, wit to amuse, and reality to impact. Whether you are looking for a clever ride through the relationship foibles of a single city gal – we can live vicariously, right? – or a winding path of difficult choices and enduring family love, Jane Green will lead you through. I started reading her books at age 14, sneakily at my cousin’s house, pretending that they were appropriate for my age. However, with the complexity of adulthood has come a greater appreciation for the honesty with which Jane writes about all aspects of life.
Here are my three favorite pieces of Jane Green Literature out of her fourteen New York Times Bestselling novels:
Family Pictures (2013) – Morality, contentment, and the side nobody sees.
Promises to Keep (2010) – Family ties, responsibilities, and the person we find ourselves growing up to be.(Oh, and a recipe from her own collection with every chapter!)
Swapping Lives (2007) – Greener grass, the meaning of success, and what it’s like keeping up with the Jones’s.
– Jaime
Tiffani Morris Photography
Thanks Jaime for some great books to add to my list of must reads! I grew up a lover of books until a childhood friend, who shall remain nameless ;), extinguished that love! I am enjoying rekindling the flame though! So again, thank you!
Thank you for reading Jenica! There are always naysayers who will denounce the art of book-reading. I reserve especially complex words for conversations with them! 😉 Leave them in awe of your vocabulary prowess, and they will perhaps pick up a book to catch up!
Beautifully written. I too have long been a fan of Jane Green and recall a young cousin of mine sneaking a read. Seems that you should follow in the path of Jane and share your stories with the world.
I suppose you are to thank (blame?) for my love affair with her books! Perhaps one day I will collect my thoughts (and sit still) long enough to write a book…