Hello there Jane Austen!
Today I’m feeling a little Jane Austen.
My interest in Jane Austen’s world started last week while reading Shannon Hale’s Austenland. The book is about 32-year-old single Jane Hayes and her passion for Austen’s works and for one character specifically — Mr. Darcy. She is given the opportunity to bring this obsession to life when a great-aunt gives her an all-expenses-paid vacation to Pembrook Park, a resort where the guests dress, think, and act the way characters do in Austen’s books. Jane takes a chance to immerse herself in her fantasy, corsets, Mr. Darcy and all. Austenland is a lighthearted romance. While I wished it were longer and that there were more Austen-like activities incorporated into the stories, it was a pretty good read.
If Austenland did exist, how I wish I’d get to go there! I would love to get dressed in those corsets, open my parasol and stroll through the gardens with my Mr. Darcy. The setting is so romantic! Of course it was also a time when women were expected to be meek and submissive, needing to marry up to gain status rather than be recognized for their own accomplishments. At the Austenland world of course, such boundaries don’t really exist (save for some house rules…). It wouldn’t hurt to be whisked away to this fictional resort for three weeks and live the Austen way.
And this is why I’m feeling a little Jane Austen! I’m now reading The Jane Austen Book Club which is a great read. I’ve seen its movie version and I enjoyed it. And what about the actual novels? They’re on my nightstand — Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, etc. DVDs of Austen movies are lined up too!
I’ve been wanting to read Austen’s works for ages, but never felt motivated to do so. Now I am! Nothing like some chick lit to open you up to a world of classics. 
July 28th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Ok, so I will go get myself ready and look for a Jane Austen at the nearest bookshop, hehehe. I will grab any I can find, I will surely love it if i get myself Pride and Prejudice first.
Toni, the mag’s almost finished. I will send you a copy soon as the mag is out. Thanks!
shengs last blog post..What Happened at The Wedding
July 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
loved loved pride and prejudice the movie. have you seen bride and prejudice, toni? the story still holds true
July 28th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
The Jane Austen Book Club was one of the movies I saw while in flight early this year. I liked it and after that I got all the related e-books (I don’t have much space in the shelves right now, so many readables in queue) . I’m still not finished with Pride and Prejudice. We can have our own version of ‘The Jane Austen Book Club’ online.
witsandnutss last blog post..James Batman, remember?
July 28th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Check out the BBC series of Pride and Prejudice, if you can, it’s beautiful.
I have yet to read the Jane Austen Book Club. Keep seeing it in the bookstore but not so sure to get it.
At least now I know someone who has read it and liked it. So I’ll check it out.
Graceys last blog post..Camping Life – 27 July 2008
July 28th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
She’s one of my favourite authors. Pride & Prejudice is my favourite book (read it more than 5 times!). Other books I’ve read are Emma and Persuasion. I have both the 2-disc BBC version (where Colin Firth played Mr. Darcy!) and the new version of the Pride & Prejudice film in DVD. I also have Emma, Persuasion, and Mansfield Park in original DVDs. Plus, go watch the film based on her life, Becoming Jane, which stars Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy. She creates wonderful heroines! You’ll enjoy getting to know all of them.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
@Toni: Oks. The Online Jane Austen Book Club sounds exciting. Let’s have Emma for a start.
Sasha: You’re so Jane-y. You should join the blog carnival.
July 28th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
it sounds like a good read. i’m still trying (almost taking me a century) to finish eat, pray, love.
evis last blog post..A Good Day
July 28th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
count me in the club!!!
i’m a big jane austen fan and P&P is tops for me.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Hi Toni! Been following your blog for a long time
I highly recommend PERSUASION, it’s my favorite book among all the Jane Austen novels 
July 29th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I have that P&P book but haven’t finish it yet. I better be serious with my readings na coz havent finish a single book this past months.
and I want that Austenland too…
jeannys last blog post..Oreo Cheesecake
July 30th, 2008 at 12:59 am
birthday girl,
have you read the book “A BIG LIFE IN ADVERTISING”
by Mary Wells-Lawrence? it’s set in the same time frame
as the “MAD MEN” series, Madison Ave. in the 1960s!
galing galing! excellent history of the mavericks of advertising
and stories of some of the greatest creative campaigns ever.
tell me if you want to read it!
July 30th, 2008 at 1:14 am
ready sing….
Happy Birthday to you…happy birthday to you…happy birthday happy birthday…happy birthday Toni!
I know you’ll have a birthday blast!
enjoy your day sis! tc
jeannys last blog post..Oreo Cheesecake
July 30th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a fun day today and as you celebrate life’s addition to your age number, do remember that as they add, your friends add up too. You are very good person Toni, and I wish you all the best for your birthday!
God bless!
shengs last blog post..What Happened at The Wedding
July 30th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Hi Toni! I already posted the announcement for our version of The Jane Austen Book Club here: http://witsandnuts.com/2008/07/30/calling-jane-austen/
I also included your site’s screenshot in this page: http://witsandnuts.com/the-jane-austen-book-club/
July 31st, 2008 at 2:28 am
Classics stood the test of time for a reason! I’ve been in a Dickens phase recently, but I read P&P and S&S a few years ago. I was inspired not by a chick lit book but by the prices – they were only P15 each at a Goodwill Bookstore sale. Beats buying a brand new book from Powerbooks for P500