Sense and Sensibility

First on my reading list is Sense & Sensibility! You can find the text online if you don't have a copy of the book by clicking here!
This is the only Austen novel with 2 heriones, who are also sisters. One, Elinor, is "sense". She is the cool head in the family, the one that silently tried to rein in the overabundance of emotion in the others. However, Austen makes sure to point out that "She had an excellent heart; her disposition was affectionate, and her feelings were strong: but she knew how to govern them."
The other, Marianne, is "sensibility". She lives for the moment and her emotions. She has incredible passion and isn't afraid to show it, often to her detriment. Austen states, "her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation."
Each sister has to learn the balance between the 2 to find happiness.

I love Elinor! She takes everything thrown at her and manages to hold it together and show civility to everyone, even her despised sister-in-law Fanny. As early as the first chapter we see her holding in her grief over her father's passing and having to see her half-brother and sister-in-law come into her home as rightful owners, while she and her mother and sisters are made as visitors. I could not have been so good under the circumstances!