Pride and Prejudice

Silent reading: Turn off, tune out, shut the f*** up and read

~ Elizabeth Quinn ~ Leave a comment

I’m on the train to Flinders Street Station, heading for my first silent reading party and already I’m nervous. The STFU (Shut the Fuck Up) Reading Society’s official Facebook page reads: ‘We host silent reading parties because we want to allow for […] introverted or anxious people to join a no pressure social activity with zero expectations of social interaction or conversation if it’s not wanted!’ 

An open book on the lap of someone seated next to a train window
Photo by Will Tarpey on Unsplash
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The semantics of being single: Marital status

~ Elizabeth Quinn ~ 2 Comments

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen, a single woman who knew a lot about semantics.

Jane Austen courtesy of the New York Times | See more at www.diywoman.net

In her day, Jane Austen would have been described as a Spinster (gasp!) or worse, Old Maid (smelling salts!). In recent times, her unfortunate marital status may have been softened to Unclaimed Treasure.

Despite this, it cannot be denied the woman knew quite a lot about love.

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