Ashley’s Comments (group member since Sep 06, 2022)

Ashley’s comments from the The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge group.

Jane Eyre Ch. 4-5: Unsavory Men, Slow Carriages, and New Faces at Lowood

• And now we’re isolating her from everyone! Lovely. Jane’s already treated like an outcast, but here it feels deliberate, almost like they want her to internalize exclusion.

• 50–60% interest! Good God! Eliza actually charges her mother interest for the “trouble” of keeping it safe. Imagine that ... a child exploiting her own mother for profit! It’s both absurd and a sharp little character sketch. Clearly, Brontë wants us to see how warped and transactional this household has become.

• The little "Psalms boy" may be the only comic relief here. Clearly he’s figured out the trick to getting treats by performing piety on cue. Victorian hustle!

• Aaaaand Mr. Brocklehurst enters. Ugh. Unsavory is the right word. His “religious” severity oozes hypocrisy from the start.

• At least Jane gets her moment: good for her, standing up to Mrs. Reed and calling her out. It’s cathartic to watch Jane speak truth to power, even if she’s still just a child.

• Meanwhile, Bessie softens a little... apparently after being scolded by her own mother. I appreciate her small kindnesses toward Jane here, but I don’t know if I’d forgive quite so quickly. Jane’s resilience is already showing.

First Day at Lowood...

✦ Word of the Day: Pelisse — a type of coat or jacket that originated as a military garment for hussar cavalry in the 17th century and later evolved into a fashionable women's outerwear in the early 19th century.

• The 50-mile journey to Lowood feels endless, both literally and symbolically. The isolation is complete, and Brontë leans into the bleak travel imagery to set the mood.

✦ Word of the Day: Inanition — exhaustion from lack of nutrition. (Foreshadowing much?)

• We finally meet new characters: Maria Temple, Miss Miller, and others. I’m taken with them already, especially Maria, she seems to have a warmth and steadiness that’s been missing from Jane’s world. The contrast between Brocklehurst’s cruelty and Miss Temple’s quiet compassion feels like the beginning of a new phase for Jane.

Thank you Cindy! :)

Jane Eyre Ch. 3: Guy Fawkes and a Toad

• At least someone shows an interest in lessening childhood trauma... give the apothecary a round of applause...

✦ Reference of the Day: Guy Fawkes — soldier, executed via hanging (was also drawn & quartered 👀); involved in the "Gunpowder Plot" in the 1600s, a conspiracy to assassinate King James VI & I and members of the Houses of Parliament.

• A TOAD!? First an assassin/conspirator, then a toad... these women hate Jane.

• And why do they hate Jane? Why aren't they more sympathetic to her? Oh... that's right... because she's not pretty enough. Cool...

Since this is a re-read for me (but it's been more than 10 years), I am going to do a lot of notes and spread this out. I read Chapters 1-2 and realized that while the "ending" of this one is floating around in my brain, I don't remember any of the details, so I do feel like I'm reading a book I've not read before.

Anyway, here are some notes I took for the first 2 chapters...

Jane Eyre Ch. 1–2: Tiny Tyrants and Ghostly Gaslighting

• Wow, John. What a tyrant. Bratty bully, total little despot. (F* the patriarchy!)

• Jane reads as a melancholy child, smart, observant, and already far too aware of the cruelty around her. What she needs is love from the adults in her life, and instead she gets scorn.

✦ Word of the Day: Ignominy — great public shame, disgrace, or humiliation, or a specific act/situation that causes such feelings.

• Jane is labeled passionate as though that’s a flaw. But she comes across more pensive and thoughtful than hot-headed. If there is passion, it’s internal. (A push against Victorian ideals of the “good, restrained” girl)

• She asks, "Why was I always suffering, always brow-beaten, always accused, for ever condemned? Why could I never please? Why was it useless to try to win any one's favour?"
OOOOOF. That feels like foreshadowing.

✦ Word of the Day: Opprobrium — public disgrace, censure, or strong social condemnation for supposedly immoral conduct; subjected to scorn & reproach.

• And she’s suicidal. A child. Brontë doesn’t pull her punches in showing the psychological toll of Jane’s isolation. (Brontë doesn’t waste words. These aren’t childish punishments Jane suffers, but adult levels of moral condemnation laid on a child.)

• Then there’s the ghostly touch: the Red Room, the lantern, the sense of haunting. It’s Gothic atmosphere, sure, but also metaphorical Jane is haunted, but by the living who torment her, not the dead.

Here's my August 2025 Mini Challenge Results: Back to Books, Gilmore-Style

☕ Coffee Shop Read: What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

Cozy library vibes all the way! Perfect for sipping coffee and disappearing into a world of books. Rory would probably love it, and Lorelai might give it a knowing smirk.
Rory: 👍 / Lorelai: 😏

🧠 “Makes Me Feel Smart” (aka I’m smarter than this book): Pucking Around by Emily Rath

Honestly… awful and ridiculous, which of course makes me feel brilliant in comparison. Rory might roll her eyes, and Lorelai would have a field day mocking it.
Rory: 🙄 / Lorelai: 😂

📢 September Buddy Read Announcement! 📢

The group has spoken, and our September Buddy Read is…
✨ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë✨

A timeless Gothic classic, Jane Eyre takes us into the life of an orphaned young woman who dares to demand love, respect, and independence on her own terms. From the moors of Northern England to the secrets of Thornfield Hall, this story blends romance, mystery, and a fierce female voice that still resonates nearly 200 years later.

💬 Discussion will take place in the Official Group Book Discussion thread, so grab your copy and join us as we read together this September!

Who’s excited to dive in? 🙋‍♀️

The votes are in, and our September Buddy Read winner is… Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë! ✨

First published in 1847, this Gothic classic follows the orphaned Jane as she navigates hardship, independence, and the mysterious halls of Thornfield Hall. Brontë weaves themes of morality, passion, social class, and feminism into a story that still sparks debate nearly two centuries later.

Whether you’re reading it for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, this is the place to share your thoughts, quotes, questions, and reactions as you read.

🔖 A few ideas to spark conversation:

• How does Jane’s voice as a narrator shape your connection to the story?
• Do you see her as a revolutionary feminist figure, or more a product of her time?
• Gothic vibes: how do the eerie and mysterious elements (the “haunted” atmosphere of Thornfield, the secrets in the attic) affect your reading experience?
• And of course… Mr. Rochester. Complicated hero, or red flag extraordinaire?

Jump in whenever you’d like—spoiler tags are encouraged if you’re ahead. Let’s dive into the moors together this September! 🌿🏰

Lindsay wrote: "Do the books used for this challenge need to come from the Rory list?"

They don't have to, no. BUT, you're encouraged to try!

📢 September Mini Challenge: Fall Into a Bookish Routine 🍂

September is back-to-school season in Stars Hollow style! Here's an early look at next month’s mini challenge so you can plan your cozy reads. You’ll have the chance to dive into 1–3 books and share your reading adventures.

Sign up early, get excited, and join the fun when the challenge officially kicks off in September! Full details are in the September Mini Challenge thread.

R

🍂 September Mini Challenge: Fall Into a Bookish Routine
Duration: 1-Sep-2025 to 30-Sep-2025

Theme: Celebrate the back-to-school and cozy September energy by reading books that spark curiosity, nostalgia, or a sense of new beginnings—just like Rory gearing up for a new semester at Chilton (or Yale!).

Goal: Read 1–3 books this month that fit at least one of the prompts below. No rush; it’s about enjoying the start of fall with a literary twist.

Prompts: Pick books that…

• Nostalgia Trip – Remind you of high school or college life (Rory’s journals, school settings, or coming-of-age stories).
• Back-to-School Reads – Feature a classroom, campus, or learning-focused plotline.
• Autumn Aesthetic – Fall vibes: crunchy leaves, coffee mugs, cozy sweaters, or small-town charm.
• Curious Mind – Feature a character with a big love of books, research, or intellectual curiosity (bonus if they live in a town like Stars Hollow!).
• Friendship & Coffee – Centers around friendships, conversations, or “coffee shop deep talks” moments.

Optional Twist: Pair one physical book and one audiobook to capture Rory’s multitasking reading style.

How to Share:
• Post your first book and which prompt it fits.
• Update with additional books as you go.
• Share a favorite quote, fun anecdote, or just your cozy fall reading mood.

We've reached our midpoint of the month! How's everyone's challenge coming along?

📢 Nominations are now closed!

Thank you to everyone who submitted picks for our September 2025 Group Read with the theme Fresh Starts & New Chapters. The poll is now live — it’s time to vote!

🗳️ Poll: Fresh Starts & New Chapters

Voting will be open until Aug 24, 2025 11:59PM PDT, and the winning book will be announced after.

Happy voting! 📚✨

📢 Nominations are now closed!

Thank you to everyone who submitted picks for our September 2025 Group Read with the theme Fresh Starts & New Chapters. We’ve collected your nominations, and now it’s time to vote!

🗳️ Poll: Which book should we read together in September? Cast your vote below and help us choose the story that will open a new chapter for our group.

Fresh Starts & New Chapters Poll

Voting will be open until Aug 24, 2025 11:59PM PDT, and the winning book will be announced after. Happy voting!

I'm trying to get my other reading finished up so I can start this one! It's eluding me!

Hi Cindy! So nice to have you! Hope we can help will your challenge to read more (and more and more)! 😊😊

📢 Notice!

Nominations for the September 2025 Group Read are now OPEN!
You have until August 15th to submit your picks.

🗓️ Theme: Fresh Starts & New Chapters
This can include new beginnings, major life transitions, starting over, new jobs, new towns, new identities .... however you interpret it!

📚 Nominate up to 3 titles!
Make your suggestions in the nomination thread here!!

Reserved

📣 2025 Announcements & Updates Thread

Welcome to the official announcement thread for all things happening in 2025 in the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge Group!

This is your go-to space for all updates, changes, additions, and important information related to our challenge for this year. Be sure to follow this thread or check back regularly so you don’t miss a thing!

🛑 P.S. Please do not post in this thread! This space is reserved for moderators only so that announcements don’t get lost in the noise. Any member posts will be removed. Thank you for helping us keep things organized!

To all our NEW and REVIVED Friends!! Welcome!

Don't forget to stop by the How It Works" thread for info on the group and challenge!

If you'd like to nominate a book for September for our buddy group read, check out the Nomination thread!