The Moonstone Readalong! (and a question about Emma)

Last night I, on the spur of the moment, decided to go to the Women's Classics book group at the fantastic bookstore Women and Children First in Andersonville (it's on the northside in Chicago). I was kinda down and was like "It'd be really great to be around people who aren't work-people," and they were discussing Emma! Which is my favorite Austen! And I just watched Clueless, so I was obviously all set (aside from forgetting the character Mrs Elton existed, so when she was brought up, I believe I made a "Hnyer?" face).

Anyway. The point being that someone brought up an excellent question about Mr Woodhouse (Emma's father). Namely, does his railing against marriage throughout the novel serve as a counterpoint to Emma's matchmaking/eventual marriage, or what is the structural point of it? I think this is worth pondering.

NOW. MOONSTONE READALONG IN AUGUST. Wilkie Collins! Apparently a moonstone! Dudes in turbans! Surely some intrigue!

If you were around for the Woman in White readalong, or saw it but didn't participate, you are aware that these readalongs are kickass and involve many GIFs and hilarious observations by fellow bloggers. I was a loner when it came to reading for QUITE some time, as I tend to assume people in book groups will offer idiotic opinions and I'll be left rolling my eyes and feeling superior, but INSTEAD my experience has been that they point out things I would have missed and make the book far more enjoyable. Except for Norwegian Wood, but then we all got to commiserate about how much it sucks (except for Laura, whom we all love anyway).

So sign up below. As always, ignore the 'please comment' thing. I don't care if you comment. That sentence is forced upon me by Mr Linky. The readalong's gonna start Wednesday, August 1st and go through to the 29th. Here's your classy graphic: