Our Janeite sensibilities tell us that the notion of Jane Austen as a vampire is pretty wacky. It’s just so hard to visualize “our” Jane as one of the undead, still here after two hundred years, and struggling with life challenges and her condition. Author Michael Thomas Ford understands this too. He has created a... Continue Reading →
Jane Austen @ the Super Bowl with Rosanne Cash
Not only is signer-songwritter-author Rosanne Cash best friends with actress Jennifer Ehle (Lizzy Bennet in another life), but she is a wicked Jane Austen channeler on Twitter. Here are some of her tweets in Austenesque fashion during the Super Bowl yesterday. @RosanneCash Regarding the Legume Chorale, it grieves me to note that the spectacle exceeds... Continue Reading →
Follow Friday: Mr. Darcy Valentine by MellyMo
All alone for Valentine's Day? I think not! Celebrate with the only man you need, Mr. Darcy! He's all ready for a date with you...he's got the clothes, champagne, and presents! Great gift for yourself or any Austen fan...He'll be a perfect companion on your fridge, locker, or office filing cabinet! Make haste and visit... Continue Reading →
It’s Not Too Late to Enter The Jane Austen Made Me Do It Short Story Contest
Aspiring Jane Austen fan fiction writers take heed. The Jane Austen Short Story Contest is accepting manuscripts until February 13th, 2011. You can read the full details of the contest, including the rules for submission, at the official contest website hosted at The Republic of Pemberley. We have ten stories entered so far that can... Continue Reading →
The Three Weissmanns of Westport, by Cathleen Schine – A Review
Today I am reviewing the bestselling, feel good, let’s laugh and cry novel of 2010, The Three Weissmanns of Westport, by Cathleen Schine. It will be released in paperback on February 1st, so no more procrastinating because of pocketbook woes. There are so many raving reviews of this novel on the Internet I feel very... Continue Reading →
There Must be Murder, by Margaret C. Sullivan – A Review
I was once told by an academic that Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey was the least read of her six major novels. Shocking. I can’t think why; or why we even need to rank masterpieces among masterpieces. I adore it. I will admit that it was the last of her major novels that I read, so... Continue Reading →
Upcoming Reading & Writing Challenges, & Literary Blog Events in 2011
There are great reading and writing challenges, and literary events in the queue around the blogosphere that have come to my attention. So many in fact, that I decided to combine the announcements into one grand post, so here goes. Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Celebration Maria Grazia at My Jane Austen Book Club is celebrating... Continue Reading →
My Dear Charlotte, by Hazel Holt – A Review
The book positively reeks of academic and literary esteem. Written by the great Hazel Holt, who is known far and wide for her Mrs. Malory mystery series, My Dear Charlotte had all the appearances and praise of a work of one seriously admired author. It boasts a beautiful cover and spectacular printing, but, more impressively, also includes a raving introduction by Jan Fergus, a noted and appreciated literary scholar from Lehigh University. By the time you’ve flipped through the first few pages, you’ll begin to think, “Wow. This is gonna be good.” And to some extent, you’d be right.
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor, Being a Jane Austen Mystery (Book 1), by Stephanie Barron – A Review
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: Imagine being present when Jane Austen’s unknown personal journals are discovered in an outbuilding on an ancient Maryland estate, Dunready Manor. Your friends the Westmoreland’s are distantly related to the authoress, and after restoration, they place the manuscripts in your care before they are donated to a major... Continue Reading →
The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy: Author Mary Lydon Simonsen’s Blog Tour
Please welcome Austenesque author Mary Lydon Simonsen on the first stop on her official blog tour today for her new Pride and Prejudice variation, The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy. This new novel released on New Year’s Day and my review was posted yesterday. After reading it, I was curious about Mary’s inspiration and choices... Continue Reading →
The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy, by Mary Lydon Simonsen – A Review
I don’t think I would be exaggerating if I labeled Pride and Prejudice as Jane Austen’s most popular work. In fact, I will take it one step further and proclaim it one of the most beloved novels of all time. It is no surprise to me, at all, that readers want to revisit this tale,... Continue Reading →
My Top 20 Jane Austen Books of 2010
Happy New Year Janeites. 2011 promises to be a joyous year for Jane Austen fans. The bicentenary of Sense and Sensibility should keep Jane Austen in the limelight and publishers keen to feed our need to read more Austen inspired fare. There are many books in the queue that we are looking forward to reading:... Continue Reading →