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?
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.