] but in the girl next door who is honorable, honest, and friendly?

I agree. The average girl next door is probably reading novels, just like Catherine. I enjoyed the segment in chapter 5 where the narrator addresses us directly on this point:

"Yes novels; for I will not adopt that ungenerous and impolitic custom so common with novel-writers. . .scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine..."

For some reason I am fascinated by this little section--it's almost like she is scolding others who wouldn't deign to pick up a novel like Northanger Abbey! Or perhaps it is in there to encourage her readers to be fearless in reading her novel in public. These are good comeback lines should anyone dare slight the reader for their book choice. LOL, is anyone else reminded of the "adult" covers for the Harry Potter series?