Are any of you participating in Austen in August?
Adam from RoofBeamReader.com is hosting a readalong in honor of one my favorite writers – Jane Austen!
I’ve been a fan since my sister first introduced me to Mr. Darcy many, many years ago.
I now own ALL the BBC productions (and then some) of her films and of course, all her books.
But I have a dirty little secret.
I haven’t read all her books yet.
I know, I know! How shameful of me! There’s just two left for me to read…and then I can start all over!
The two left on my bookshelf are Persuasion and Mansfield Park.
What’s your favorite Austen novel?
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Jane Austen Today: How Jane Remains Popular 200 Years Later
Earning a spot on England’s 10-pound bank note.
Controversy sparked over the announcement of Jane Austen’s picture on the 10-pound note. See the news article here.
Release of the new film Austenland!
Starring Keri Russell (Felicity, Dark Skies), JJ Field (Northanger Abbey, Captain America: The First Avenger), and guilty pleasure favorites of mine – Jane Seymour (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Wedding Crashers) and Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords). Obsessed with Jane Austen, a woman travels to a Jane Austen Theme Park in search of Mr. Darcy.
Jane Austen: Fact and Fiction
Adam at Roof Beam Reader shared a guest post full of interesting facts and myths debuffed about Ms. Austen and her family. Read it here.
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Vote for your favorite Austen novel!
How will you celebrate Austen in August? What’s your favorite novel and why? Which Austen character are you and which one would you want to date?
I’m Catherine Morland!
Catherine Morland from BBC’s Northanger Abbey (pbs.org)
“You’re young and imaginative – but make sure you have a handle on your imagination, or it might cause you all manner of difficulties.”
Jess Witkins' Happiness Project 
[…] honor of Austen in August–thank you for cluing me in, Jess Witkins–I’m sharing my favorite Jane Austen film […]
I love that you love Jane Austin! I recently saw my old college roommate, who was the biggest Jane Austin fan I’ve ever encountered – and it sure felt celebratory! Wish I could party with you, Jess! One of these days… 🙂
Oh you name the day, August! We’ll have a Jane Austen movie marathon for sure!
I can’t take your poll, and that makes me sad. It has been so long since I’ve read an Austen book, that I can’t even really remember which one I liked the best. Ask me 15 years ago, and I could probably write a thesis on it. I was an English Lit major and we spent one entire semester just on Austen novels. I loved it. But my old decrepit brain has apparently kicked all of that info out to make room for other stuff. Damn brain.
A whole semester on Austen!!! Jealous. 🙂
Hmmm, you strike me as an Elizabeth Bennett. Quick-witted, dutiful, sharp mind, and a loyal friend!
Hmm, she sounds familiar. Was she also kind of a sarcastic bitch? Because if so, then you are absolutely correct!! 🙂
I also enjoy Jane Austen, but I haven’t read her books in many years. I did recently read THE JANE AUSTEN GUIDE TO HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Elizabeth Kantor, and it was wonderful!
Ooooh, I should’ve put it in the post, but Lost in Austen is a GREAT book! It’s a choose your own adventure book based on Austen’s 6 novels. You jump from story to story and meet different characters. There’s also a whole point system you can play along with that gives you points for how many people you know, what talents you have, and also any and ALL misfortunes you encounter on your reading journey.
Beware! I chose “wrong” the first page in and was mauled by gypsies!
This makes me want to go back and read all the books again! My favorite is definitely Emma, but I haven’t read them in years and i wonder if now that I’m older my preference might change. Hmmm.
Did you hear that Kelly Clarkson bid on a Jane Austen ring at auction, but then the British government decided she couldn’t have it because it’s a national treasure. She was really cool about it, but dang! That would bum me out.
I saw that on Facebook! That’s crazy! I guess the museum it belonged to was trying to pull the money together and they just needed more time. Ultimately, I’m happier it is in a museum for the public to view, but that is a bum deal for Kelly.
My favorite is Sense & Sensibility, I’m the most like Marianne Dashwood of Austen’s heroines, and my favorite Austen hero is Edward Ferrars. 🙂 I still haven’t finished Emma or Mansfield Park!
I LOVE Emma! I thought her character would be too naive for to like, but instead, I found her good intent endearing. She was a very likeable character.
Who doesn’t love Edward Ferrars? But I do have a soft spot for Colonel Brandon too. Mr. Darcy has the best love letters/statements though.
LOVE Jane– all the books, movies, even Jane-inspired ones like Clueless. Cannot wait for Austenland. Emma is my fav by the way.
I’m waiting for Austenland too! It sounds amazing!
And Emma has really grown on me! I love her now!