North and South

You want to read a good book? Choose North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. She's half Jane Austen, half Charles Dickens and, in her own right, a brilliant writer.

So many social, economic and moral issues addressed: poverty, social classes, urban and rural differences, industrialization, strikes, death, faith, honesty, vanity, compassion, work, diligence. Plus it's beautiful writing that puts you right into the minds of Margaret Hale and John Thornton. I admire them both, and feel inspired to be a kinder, more hard-working person after knowing them!

I hope to be receiving this book for my upcoming birthday--I want to reread often!