Jane Austen is my absolute favorite author. No other author has bested her. Her wit and cleverness throughout all of her works is amazing to me. Everytime I read her novels there is always something that I missed the last time. To me it's almost like reading the Bible. You may get the full picture the first time, but details and different ways of looking at a passage come up when you reread them. My favorite novel is Persuasion. I just love the concept of love never failing and of two people finding each other again. And the letter! Ugh it melts my heart everytime. You should try David M. Shapard's annotated versions. I really enjoy his annotations and although they may cross over for each book, I feel like he describes phrases and regency life well.
What a GREAT video….you do such a wonderful job explaining your collection -- and your hair looks might cute today. Thanks for sharing your collection.
This was absolutely heartfelt and adorable. You made learning about the diversity in Jane Austen readings and "study" inviting and even challenging to young readers . One daughter is a teacher and PT "Au Pair in Europe in the summer for girls who need to maintain their English when home abroad for a young lady particular in NYC who is Asian adopted by Spanish parents .They speak enough English. and return to Madrid each Summer. Since age 17 she has been blessed to continue .She hd used this video to inspire her clients daughter. I found a lovely green box set for both and they FaceTime read and share the study and giggles while learning Literature 🌷
Happy Birthday P & P !! Its great to have those certain favorite authors that can reach in and grab you from front cover to back cover, every time you read them. I have mine. Thanks for sharing.....Rhino
Great video, now I really want the Cover to Cover book and the annotated Emma! I just started reading Jane Austen A Life by Claire Tomalin, so far I'm enjoying it, if you're looking for another biography of Jane Austen I'd recommend it.
As some others have stated, your presentation is charming and delightful. No one can teach or fake such enthusiasm. I assume you’re American (from your accent) as am I, but this is no big shock (if true), as the number of American Janeites must be in the millions. Also, I am in agreement with you that Jane is a never-ending source of fascination. I’m sure it pays to go back and re-read them all, but I’ve only completed rereads of P&P and “Sense”. I was forced to read P&P in high school, but was surprised how much I enjoyed it even them. I have yet to read “Northanger” (I don’t care for parody), but will get to it (I think). And like you, although I esteem some of the adaptations, the books are the source; anyone who has NOT read them can’t really see the full picture of what JA means to British culture and literature. The edition we own (and love) is the Folio Society, blue-spine set of hardbacks with slipcase. It is beautiful, as is the red version.
I've only read Pride and Prejudice so far. I'm in a classics kind of mood lately and been reading lots of children's classics. I'll gradually read more of Jane Austen in time. I'm currently reading "Mr. Darcy's Diary" which is a P&P retelling but from Darcy's perspective, so I'm technically rereading P&P. The rereadings of P&P and the audiobooks are helping me get used to her writing style. I've always enjoyed period films too which helps me visualize the books better.
I must admit I'm one of those people who have seen the TV series and movies but have never read any of her novels but your enthusiastic talk of her writings makes me want to read her now.
Emma, how serendipitous that you have made this video because I have declared 2016 the year I read all Austen's books! I have read S&S and P&P years ago so will reread them too. Currently reading Emma!!!
You, my friend, are the truest of Janites, the Duchess of Austenland.. and had you been of that time, I'm sure you would have sparkled like the finest jewel of the Georgian period (and you're so right about the Victorian thing - Jane lived in the Georgian era, NOT Victorian!). I myself have a hard covered set of the books that were called Winchester Austens - they're black and each book has an elastic closure, with maps and extras in it. They were so reasonably priced and the first set I'd ever seen - I couldn't resist them. Well done video and thanks so much for the tour of your collection.. truly lovely! You've really inspired me.. thank you so much!
Love your collection, and its awesome to see someone get Jane Austen not being victorian right! Jonathan Strange And Mr Norell is a wonderful book but I've never heard of Austenland. I'm wondering, have you ever heard of a book called Among The Janeites by Deborah Yaffe? I think you'd like it.
mr Knightley's Diary is a favourite of mine. I havd read it a dozen times. But he is my favourite JA hero. I loved how the author showed his daily life, plus something nice for Miss Bates.
I'm slowly starting to read all the Jane Austen books and I really enjoy them! I am currently reading Emma (after Pride and Prejudice) and it's absolutely lovely!
Old books are the best! I have several, but no old Jane Austen! Will have to see what I can find about fixing that situation! 😊 Inspired by Northanger Abbey (my FAVOURITE Jane Austen book), I am reading The Mysteries of Udolpho. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Though, I do get annoyed with Emily's constant crying! It is a GREAT read!
Reading Ann Radcliff also . It's lovely to read from an Authors library as well as Their volumes. I have read everything I could on Miss Austen to certify for tutoring. The style of penning is another area if practice I enjoy.
Great shelf tour. You're inspiring me to read the rest of her novels. I have the Barnes and Nobles book collection that has all her novels in it. It's so huge that I have cracked it opened yet, now I will :)
+Andrus Rahn Thanks - hope you enjoy them!! The complete collection can be a bit daunting to crack open, but at least you have them all at your fingertips. :)
Love!! I had the Daniel Pool at one time..I think I donated it to the library after one of our moves...love Georgette Heyer. My set of Jane Austen books have the Oxford annotations and I like them, but they are not the most beautiful covers :( And I have the Jane Austen devotional~ love love love it!!!! Thanks for sharing all your Janes with us!!!!
+Shawna Hawkins I haven't read the Daniel Pool from cover to cover, I've just dipped in a few times. I feel like some of the items on this shelf will end up being donated at some point, but it's fun to have them for now. Oohhh, I bet the Oxford Annotations are good! And isn't the Devotional lovely? :)
I'm about to pick up my first Jane Austen book this week. This video has made me even more excited to pick it up now. I really enjoyed this video so much info and beautiful books! I'm starting with Pride and Prejudice so hopefully this is a good place to start 😊
I was given a few years back the book Lost in Austen create your own Jane Austen adventure by Emma Campbell Webster and I won't read it until I've read Austen.
+Between the lines Hope you're enjoying Jane!! P&P is a great place to start. I don't think I've seen the create-your-own-JA-adventure...will have to look that one up, sounds fun!
I am in the middle of my Northanger Abbey and I love it. It is my first time ever reading it, and unfortunately I haven't read any of her other works either. I definitely plan to remedy that. I can't wait to collect all of her works. 😊
BookishPrincess I have since finished and I absolutely adored Mr. Tilney! I am not on to Pride and Prejudice. Since discovering your channel, I have been introduced to Jane Austen. Thank you so much. 😊
There was so much to love about this video! I literally brought up that cover to cover book in a video I was editing today. I really do need to get to Maria Edgeworth, Georgette Heyer, and Fanny Burney! I can't help but love Austenland. Two others I love are "The Jane Austen Book Club" (the movie) and "Lost in Austen"...I was once at a girls night where we were watching Jane Eyre and one of the girls said " Wait, is this a biography of Jane Austen?" SMH
+Kate Howe Thanks Kate!! Will have to keep a lookout for your video - I just love that Cover to Cover book. :) I've seen parts of The Jane Austen Book Club movie but not the whole thing - Lost in Austen is lots of fun. Oh my gosh, people who get Jane Eyre and Jane Austen mixed up...I can't even... 😒😂
+Kellie Detter They're the Vintage Classic editions! I've seen the hardcovers at Anthropologie, but you can also find them (and the paperbacks) on BN.com & Amazon.
so late in asking this but have you read the version of Sanditon that was edited and finished? it came out a few years ago and I forget who the author was who finished it but I was torn between reading the Unfinished text or the finished one since I haven't heard anything about the finished one.
I feel like I've heard of that and tried it once but wasn't a fan - I've never found a Jane Austen "sequel" I really loved. No one writes quite like Jane!
Oh Emma! I am going to be very honest with you here. I have only attempted to read Jane Austen once and I was lost....I so want to LOVE her, but I'm just not sure I can understand the "language". I feel very intimidated with her books. Could you please help a girl out and suggest where I should start? I believe my attempt was when I was around 20 years of age. (Which was a LONG time ago) It blew my mind when you said you read it at 10 years old!! Oh My Goodness! That is amazing!
+Mamey's Medley Aww that's too bad, she's not everyone's cup of tea, but you shouldn't feel intimidated! Pride & Prejudice is so classic I feel like that's a good place to start, although if you're looking for something short and sweet and funny, Lady Susan is a favorite of mine!
Thanks for getting back to me dear....i will give it another go and also try your other suggestion...I am trying to broaden my horizons with different genres this year.
I'm from Ireland and I study in England! Whereabouts in Ireland did you study? 💚 p.s I also have the problem of buying different covers of the same book! I can't resist! x
+Jennifer Taylor I studied at Trinity College Dublin! Where in England are you studying? 😊 Haha, it's especially dangerous when it comes to Jane Austen covers - I want them all!
I study in Canterbury, Kent! I love how steeped in history and how quaint it is. Trinity is beyond beautiful! I'm slowly working my way through the penguin clothbound classics...it's such a temptation, but I justify my book bug with this Austen quote, "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!" ❤️
+Jennifer Taylor That must be lovely, I want to visit Canterbury someday! I love that quote - I think my favorite Austen on reading line is 'With a book he was regardless of time.' 😊
I love Jane Austen & my only favorites is Emma & pride & prejudice plus I see what u mean how people are about it & jane Austen is one of my role models
I'm ashamed to admit that I've never actually read any Jane Austen novels 🙈 trust me, I've been trying to find the time, because I want to sit and be able to read through the likes of Pride and Prejudice when I'm not so stressed 😂 but Sense and Sensibility is one of my favourite movies, and as I love Jane Eyre, I'm sure I'll love Jane Austen's work once I finally get the time to sit down and no doubt binge read Pride and Prejudice ect. I loved seeing your collection though!
+Anya L Haha, no worries - I know what you mean - the timing of when you read a book can be important! Hope you get to the books sometime soon - they're such a treat. Thanks for watching! 😄
Jane Austen is my absolute favorite author. No other author has bested her. Her wit and cleverness throughout all of her works is amazing to me. Everytime I read her novels there is always something that I missed the last time. To me it's almost like reading the Bible. You may get the full picture the first time, but details and different ways of looking at a passage come up when you reread them. My favorite novel is Persuasion. I just love the concept of love never failing and of two people finding each other again. And the letter! Ugh it melts my heart everytime. You should try David M. Shapard's annotated versions. I really enjoy his annotations and although they may cross over for each book, I feel like he describes phrases and regency life well.
Totally agree, there's always something new to discover with Jane!
I also don't understand why people label Jane Austen as a Victorian novelist!
Love your video.
I know right! She isn't remotely victorian. Thanks!
What a GREAT video….you do such a wonderful job explaining your collection -- and your hair looks might cute today. Thanks for sharing your collection.
+Nancy Evans Awww, thanks Nancy! 😊
Loved your video. I too have Jane Austen's Devotional book and read it along with my bible study in the mornings.
Thanks for some new recommendations.
+John'aLee J Thanks for watching! I love the devotional too. :)
This was absolutely heartfelt and adorable. You made learning about the diversity in Jane Austen readings and "study" inviting and even challenging to young readers . One daughter is a teacher and PT "Au Pair in Europe in the summer for girls who need to maintain their English when home abroad for a young lady particular in NYC who is Asian adopted by Spanish parents .They speak enough English. and return to Madrid each Summer. Since age 17 she has been blessed to continue .She hd used this video to inspire her clients daughter. I found a lovely green box set for both and they FaceTime read and share the study and giggles while learning Literature 🌷
Happy Birthday P & P !! Its great to have those certain favorite authors that can reach in and grab you from front cover to back cover, every time you read them. I have mine. Thanks for sharing.....Rhino
+Rhino Rinehart You described it perfectly - from front cover to back cover. Those authors are the best. :)
Great video, now I really want the Cover to Cover book and the annotated Emma! I just started reading Jane Austen A Life by Claire Tomalin, so far I'm enjoying it, if you're looking for another biography of Jane Austen I'd recommend it.
+Sarah C Thanks for the suggestion - will have to check that out!
As some others have stated, your presentation is charming and delightful. No one can teach or fake such enthusiasm. I assume you’re American (from your accent) as am I, but this is no big shock (if true), as the number of American Janeites must be in the millions.
Also, I am in agreement with you that Jane is a never-ending source of fascination. I’m sure it pays to go back and re-read them all, but I’ve only completed rereads of P&P and “Sense”. I was forced to read P&P in high school, but was surprised how much I enjoyed it even them. I have yet to read “Northanger” (I don’t care for parody), but will get to it (I think). And like you, although I esteem some of the adaptations, the books are the source; anyone who has NOT read them can’t really see the full picture of what JA means to British culture and literature.
The edition we own (and love) is the Folio Society, blue-spine set of hardbacks with slipcase. It is beautiful, as is the red version.
I've only read Pride and Prejudice so far. I'm in a classics kind of mood lately and been reading lots of children's classics. I'll gradually read more of Jane Austen in time. I'm currently reading "Mr. Darcy's Diary" which is a P&P retelling but from Darcy's perspective, so I'm technically rereading P&P. The rereadings of P&P and the audiobooks are helping me get used to her writing style. I've always enjoyed period films too which helps me visualize the books better.
I must admit I'm one of those people who have seen the TV series and movies but have never read any of her novels but your enthusiastic talk of her writings makes me want to read her now.
Aww thanks - hope you get to read them sometime!
Emma, how serendipitous that you have made this video because I have declared 2016 the year I read all Austen's books! I have read S&S and P&P years ago so will reread them too. Currently reading Emma!!!
+Wendy Panton What a lovely plan - I hope it goes well! Emma is a wonderful one to start with. :)
You, my friend, are the truest of Janites, the Duchess of Austenland.. and had you been of that time, I'm sure you would have sparkled like the finest jewel of the Georgian period (and you're so right about the Victorian thing - Jane lived in the Georgian era, NOT Victorian!). I myself have a hard covered set of the books that were called Winchester Austens - they're black and each book has an elastic closure, with maps and extras in it. They were so reasonably priced and the first set I'd ever seen - I couldn't resist them. Well done video and thanks so much for the tour of your collection.. truly lovely! You've really inspired me.. thank you so much!
Love your collection, and its awesome to see someone get Jane Austen not being victorian right! Jonathan Strange And Mr Norell is a wonderful book but I've never heard of Austenland. I'm wondering, have you ever heard of a book called Among The Janeites by Deborah Yaffe? I think you'd like it.
I can't stand it when I see Jane Austen lumped in with the Victorians. Just, NO! lol. I haven't heard of that book, will have to look it up!
mr Knightley's Diary is a favourite of mine. I havd read it a dozen times. But he is my favourite JA hero. I loved how the author showed his daily life, plus something nice for Miss Bates.
I'm slowly starting to read all the Jane Austen books and I really enjoy them! I am currently reading Emma (after Pride and Prejudice) and it's absolutely lovely!
Loved the video. Your bookshelf and its contents are too cool. I must know where you purchased the Belle figurine, it's just gorgeous.
+Melissa Day It's a Walt Disney Classics figurine for the 10th Anniversary of Beauty & the Beast!
Old books are the best! I have several, but no old Jane Austen! Will have to see what I can find about fixing that situation! 😊 Inspired by Northanger Abbey (my FAVOURITE Jane Austen book), I am reading The Mysteries of Udolpho. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Though, I do get annoyed with Emily's constant crying! It is a GREAT read!
Reading Ann Radcliff also . It's lovely to read from an Authors library as well as Their volumes. I have read everything I could on Miss Austen to certify for tutoring. The style of penning is another area if practice I enjoy.
Great shelf tour. You're inspiring me to read the rest of her novels. I have the Barnes and Nobles book collection that has all her novels in it. It's so huge that I have cracked it opened yet, now I will :)
+Andrus Rahn Thanks - hope you enjoy them!! The complete collection can be a bit daunting to crack open, but at least you have them all at your fingertips. :)
Thank you very much for this video, I loved it!
Love!! I had the Daniel Pool at one time..I think I donated it to the library after one of our moves...love Georgette Heyer. My set of Jane Austen books have the Oxford annotations and I like them, but they are not the most beautiful covers :( And I have the Jane Austen devotional~ love love love it!!!! Thanks for sharing all your Janes with us!!!!
+Shawna Hawkins I haven't read the Daniel Pool from cover to cover, I've just dipped in a few times. I feel like some of the items on this shelf will end up being donated at some point, but it's fun to have them for now. Oohhh, I bet the Oxford Annotations are good! And isn't the Devotional lovely? :)
+BookishPrincess yes, the devo. is one of my favorites!!
I'm about to pick up my first Jane Austen book this week. This video has made me even more excited to pick it up now. I really enjoyed this video so much info and beautiful books! I'm starting with Pride and Prejudice so hopefully this is a good place to start 😊
I was given a few years back the book Lost in Austen create your own Jane Austen adventure by Emma Campbell Webster and I won't read it until I've read Austen.
+Between the lines Hope you're enjoying Jane!! P&P is a great place to start. I don't think I've seen the create-your-own-JA-adventure...will have to look that one up, sounds fun!
I loved the "She is not a Victorian" reference because I always think the exact same thing
+Books Are My Hart lol, I know that's such a pet peeve of mine. I mean, Jane Austen paved the way for Victorian authors! Thanks so much!!
I love all your Jane Austen collections and your Belle figurine 😊❤
With me I already have seen the movies but I really need to read the books hopefully I will one day
I am in the middle of my Northanger Abbey and I love it. It is my first time ever reading it, and unfortunately I haven't read any of her other works either. I definitely plan to remedy that. I can't wait to collect all of her works. 😊
Hope you're enjoying Northanger - Henry Tilney is my favorite!
BookishPrincess I have since finished and I absolutely adored Mr. Tilney! I am not on to Pride and Prejudice. Since discovering your channel, I have been introduced to Jane Austen. Thank you so much. 😊
There was so much to love about this video! I literally brought up that cover to cover book in a video I was editing today. I really do need to get to Maria Edgeworth, Georgette Heyer, and Fanny Burney! I can't help but love Austenland. Two others I love are "The Jane Austen Book Club" (the movie) and "Lost in Austen"...I was once at a girls night where we were watching Jane Eyre and one of the girls said " Wait, is this a biography of Jane Austen?" SMH
+Kate Howe Thanks Kate!! Will have to keep a lookout for your video - I just love that Cover to Cover book. :) I've seen parts of The Jane Austen Book Club movie but not the whole thing - Lost in Austen is lots of fun. Oh my gosh, people who get Jane Eyre and Jane Austen mixed up...I can't even... 😒😂
Where have you found those beautiful editions at? The ones you inserted the picture of. I'm totally drooling over them!
+Kellie Detter They're the Vintage Classic editions! I've seen the hardcovers at Anthropologie, but you can also find them (and the paperbacks) on BN.com & Amazon.
Ahhhh, not only am I slightly jelly(jealous) of your Jane Austen books but your Belle figurine and BB-8!!!
+MintedLife (MintedLife) Yay - glad you spotted them! Beauty and the Beast & Star Wars are the best. :)
BookishPrincess I agree 150% lol.
Have you ever read the Mr and Mrs Darcy mystery series from Carrie Bebris? I love it!
I haven't, it sounds really fun though!
so late in asking this but have you read the version of Sanditon that was edited and finished? it came out a few years ago and I forget who the author was who finished it but I was torn between reading the Unfinished text or the finished one since I haven't heard anything about the finished one.
I feel like I've heard of that and tried it once but wasn't a fan - I've never found a Jane Austen "sequel" I really loved. No one writes quite like Jane!
BookishPrincess late replying but yes I agree so I think when I do read it I'll read the original 😃.
Oh Emma! I am going to be very honest with you here. I have only attempted to read Jane Austen once and I was lost....I so want to LOVE her, but I'm just not sure I can understand the "language". I feel very intimidated with her books. Could you please help a girl out and suggest where I should start? I believe my attempt was when I was around 20 years of age. (Which was a LONG time ago) It blew my mind when you said you read it at 10 years old!! Oh My Goodness! That is amazing!
+Mamey's Medley Aww that's too bad, she's not everyone's cup of tea, but you shouldn't feel intimidated! Pride & Prejudice is so classic I feel like that's a good place to start, although if you're looking for something short and sweet and funny, Lady Susan is a favorite of mine!
Thanks for getting back to me dear....i will give it another go and also try your other suggestion...I am trying to broaden my horizons with different genres this year.
I'm from Ireland and I study in England! Whereabouts in Ireland did you study? 💚
p.s I also have the problem of buying different covers of the same book! I can't resist! x
+Jennifer Taylor I studied at Trinity College Dublin! Where in England are you studying? 😊 Haha, it's especially dangerous when it comes to Jane Austen covers - I want them all!
I study in Canterbury, Kent! I love how steeped in history and how quaint it is. Trinity is beyond beautiful!
I'm slowly working my way through the penguin clothbound classics...it's such a temptation, but I justify my book bug with this Austen quote, "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!" ❤️
+Jennifer Taylor That must be lovely, I want to visit Canterbury someday! I love that quote - I think my favorite Austen on reading line is 'With a book he was regardless of time.' 😊
I think the novels are so much better than any adaptation!
Can I politely ask ,are you American or are you English. Just curious. Love your videos.
I agree. Folks get lazy with period literature and mix Regency and Victorian authors. It is irritating.
This is amazing! I love it.
+Booktube Couple Thanks! :)
I love Jane Austen & my only favorites is Emma & pride & prejudice plus I see what u mean how people are about it & jane Austen is one of my role models
Jo Baker retold P&P from the point of view of the servant's. It will have a more modern sound to it but I think you'd enjoy it.
+Jesse_Jane306 I think her book is called Longbourn, right? I know I've seen it at the bookstore...will have to look it up!
Yup. I really enjoyed it but I'm not quite the Austen fanatic you are.
Did you get the other books? the vintage classics? lol
+Xiomara Cortes Yes!! If you watch any of my newer videos they're often on the shelf behind me. :)
I'm ashamed to admit that I've never actually read any Jane Austen novels 🙈 trust me, I've been trying to find the time, because I want to sit and be able to read through the likes of Pride and Prejudice when I'm not so stressed 😂 but Sense and Sensibility is one of my favourite movies, and as I love Jane Eyre, I'm sure I'll love Jane Austen's work once I finally get the time to sit down and no doubt binge read Pride and Prejudice ect. I loved seeing your collection though!
+Anya L Haha, no worries - I know what you mean - the timing of when you read a book can be important! Hope you get to the books sometime soon - they're such a treat. Thanks for watching! 😄
+BookishPrincess Well because of your video, I ordered P+P and Persuasion from eBay to read over midterm 😊 I can't wait to get started on them
Best video ever
+jadekb Awww thanks! 😄