Jane Austen: A Birthday, Some Holiday Cheer and a Book Giveaway -- Guest Post by Laurie Viera Rigler, author of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

I'm so pleased to have today's guest post from BCG favorite Laurie Viera Rigler, author of one of the most fun books I read this past year, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. If you missed our Book Club Girl on Air show with Laurie, give a listen here. Enjoy the below on the merits of giving Jane for the holidays, and raise a glass to our friend Jane at some point today as she celebrates her birthday!

Much has been said on this blog in favor of giving books as holiday gifts, and I couldn't agree more. The only thing I'd like to add is this: Consider giving a book by Jane Austen.

Austen's six novels are some of the most discussible stories you’ll ever read. Pride and Prejudice is about how we make snap judgments about others but don't have a clue. Emma is also about cluelessness, but in the form of a comically misguided matchmaker. Persuasion is all about getting a second chance at life and love. Sense and Sensibility explores the battle between head and heart. Northanger Abbey is about growing up and becoming self-reliant. And Mansfield Park is about standing firm to what you believe despite pressure from everyone you know.

Even if you're not in a book group, Austen will give you plenty to delight in and ponder on your own. Or how about trying a read-aloud with your significant other, best friend, or teenage daughter? Sort of like taking a trip back to a time to Austen's day, when friends and family would sit around the fire and read out the best stories, installment by installment. A time before there were shopping malls and online stores and credit cards to max out.

Speaking of not maxing out your credit cards: If you'd like to get the most out of your book-buying dollars, consider how many times the average avid Austen reader returns to each of those novels. A lot of us re-read all six yearly or every couple of years. That's a lot of bang for your buck.

So what's so extraordinary about Austen that people like me can't stop reading her and talking about her? How about masterful storytelling, a killer sense of humor, an unflinching look at human nature—the good, the bad, and the ludicrous—and yeah, there's also a really satisfying love story wrapped up inside. Every time I read Austen, I learn something new about myself, and I see something new in the characters and the stories. Every time I turn the last page, I am filled with happiness and hope. And in times like these, we could all use a lot of that.

By the way, December 16 (that's today!) is Jane Austen's birthday. She's only 233.

In honor of my favorite author's birthday and the holiday season, I'll be giving away two signed copies of my novel, Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. Which is also about taking a trip back to Austen's time.

Just leave a comment here by midnight, Thursday, December 18th and you'll be eligible for a random drawing.

Happy holidays to all, and happy birthday, Jane Austen!

Comments

[Michele Hagerman]

:-) I used to read all six Austen novels every month! Your book sounds like something I'd like to read!

churchlady32 at yahoo dot com

[Christy]

Oh! I'd love to win a copy of Jane for the holidays!

hawkes(at)citlink.net

[Susan]

I never read any Jane Austen till last year when our book club decided to read Sense and Sensibility. We had a great book club meeting because we had a professor from the local University talk to us about Jane Austen, and the society she lived in. It was great. I hope to read more of her books this year. I would like to be entered in the contest.

[Frances]

My grandmother and sister both share Jane Austen's birthday and would love to read this - after I finish it of course. Luck permitting.

[Laura]

I just finished reading Persuasion and I loved it! As a big Jane Austen fan, I would love to be entered to win this book! :)

[Lori Barnes]

I know there may be some that gasp over this but i've never read any Jane Austin books which i haven't been reading long enough to've read all that i would like to, just took my reading hobby/addiction up a couple of years ago. I would love to win this book I know i've been missing out on something really good.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

[Megan]

I have this book patiently waiting for me in my book stacks! No need to enter me in the contest, I just wanted to share in all the Jane Austen love. :) I love a ton of it!

[Laura]

Happy (belated) birthday Jane dear!
I'd love to be entered into this drawing! I actually already bought a few things for friends and family and one of the things I bought was a gorgeous edition of Pride and Prejudice for my Austen-obssessed bff (that's just one of the reason we're best friends hehe).
I might have also bought one for myself...;)

[Emily K]

Thank you for the giveaway. I love the book and am looking forward to the next one.

[rhapsodyinbooks]

I am a big Jane Austen fan. Please count me in for the contest!

Thanks!

[Stephanie]

Ooh, I just read my first Jane Austen, sign me up! :)

[Felicia]

I've heard so much about this book but haven't had the opportunity to read it yet! Sounds fun and I can totally relate to the addict thing!

[Mary]

I would love to win a copy of your book - especially since my daughter claimed my first copy! We love Jane and her books. And we love your book, Laurie!

[Kelly]

Count me in for the contest!

[Anita Yancey]

The book sounds great. I would love to read it.
ayancey[at]dishmail[dot]net

[recovery addiction]

Give please. When we lose one we love, our bitterest tears are called forth by the memory of hours when we loved not enough.
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Regards :-D Sora.