For the next week, I’ll be sharing some acceptable resolutions for modern heroines in 2023. We haven’t long before the new year—commit to your resolutions now!

I think we can all relate:

“Emma has been meaning to read more since she was twelve years old,” says Mr. Knightley to Mrs. Weston (née Miss Taylor) while discussing Emma’s faults in volume 1, chapter 5.

But Emma can only commit herself to listing the titles of books she believes will make her seem more educated (as compared to Jane Fairfax):

“I have seen a great many lists of her drawing up at various times of books that she meant to read regularly through—and very good lists they were—very well chosen and very neatly arranged—sometimes alphabetically and sometimes by some other rule. The list she drew up when only fourteen—I remember thinking it did her judgment so much credit that I preserved it some time; and I dare say she may have made out a very good list now,” Mr. Knightley continues.

Listing the books we want to read is so easy. How many of us keep very well-maintained lists in apps like Goodreads? But lists turn books into aspirations, into tasks to complete. And, of course, the book list signals our virtues to others (no wonder Emma chooses the titles on her lists very carefully). When it comes to sitting down and reading…who has the time?

“But I have done with expecting any course of steady reading from Emma. She will never submit to anything requiring industry and patience and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding,” Mr. Knightley delivers his final criticism on Emma’s lack of patience for reading.

Don’t be like Emma Woodhouse in 2023!

Enough virtue signaling with books lists! Commit to and find the patience for reading.

What books are you hoping to read this year?