“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
Beginning the year off with the epitome of the romantic genre, we have a collection of Jane Austen novels to wade our way through. I’ve always been a romantic myself, having read and watched many adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. I think dreams of the hills, calm and majestic with confessions on the precipe of our mind, are central to the pieces of our heart that yearn for something more. It’s why I enjoy listening to the angsty and sweet songs from Taylor Swift. Although I may not have personal experience with it, the writing and melodies reach out and grasp your heart and mind.
A Readathon
From the first week of January, I’m planning to read one Jane Austen book until the very end. I hope to be able to complete this challenge I’m setting for myself and hopefully, surpass last year’s reading challenge as well. Each week will have a few prompts to go along with the book of the week. You are more than welcome to join in, of course.
Here come weekly prompts to match the book: food and tea, songs, activities, photos, and fashion. Be sure to stay updated! Post, tag me and use the hashtag: JanwithJane. I’ll be hosting a giveaway along with this readathon! At the end of January, I’ll select a winner from under the post on my Instagram to win a $20 book from book depo.
The Books
Northanger Abbey
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
Prompt ideas:
- Read outside
- Bake a sweet dessert or cake
- Make a cup of tea while you read (Maybe try a new flavour)
- Ambience: light a candle, set the mood
- Create a Jane Austen inspired outfit
- Watch a Jane Austen adaptation (TV, Film)
- This or That Jane Austen edition (submit your questions or answers)
- Create a playlist for your favourite book or characters
Personally, I’ve found that I never complete all of the prompts, but I’ve tried to make these as simple and adaptable as possible.
Persuasion
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope…I have loved none but you.”
Emma
“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
Pride and Prejudice
“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.”
There is nothing quite like a Jane Austen novel. The overall vibe and tone set us up for a dreamy state of mind with balls, romance, and banter on the cusp of crossing social cues and etiquette. So join me in January as we make our way through Jane Austen’s most popular novels.
A Wandering Reader
A Wandering Reader 