Jane Austen, our beloved author, is about to celebrate her 236th birthday on December 16th. That is, she would be if she were still alive. Don't quibble about technicalities. Anyway, I thought it fitting to have a little celebration, and so I am hosting a weeklong birthday party for her. It will run from December 12th to December 17th (Monday through Saturday) and will feature posts about JA herself, quizzes and games, fun challenges for YOU, a guest post from my charming sister the Anne-girl, and possibly some guest posts from the lovely Melody of Regency Delight.
First, though, I would like to issue three challenges for those who wish to participate in Jane Austen's birthday bash: the Jane Austen Book Challenge, the Jane Austen Film Challenge, and the Jane Austen Biographical Challenge. (I abbreviate just about everything--please bear with me as I henceforth refer to Miss Austen as JA).
In the JA Book Challenge, each person is challenged to do one of two things BY December 17th: either read a new JA book that you have never read before, OR reread one that you have not read in the past year. You may begin right now, and you will be encouraged to post about your experience during the Grand and Glorious Birthday Week. (I plan to read Lady Susan.)
The Film Challenge is similar to the Book Challenge, in that you are challenged to either watch a new JA movie that you have never seen before, OR watch an "old" JA film adaptation with someone else who has never seen it before. (I plan to watch the 2009 Emma with my dear sister the Anne-girl. I have seen it, but she has not.)
In the Biographical Challenge, you are requested to either read a good thickish biography of Jane Austen's life (not fiction: something real and scholarly) or watch a documentary on her life (I plan to watch "The Real Jane Austen" on YouTube).
So, if you have suggestions or ideas or concerns, illuminate the comment box! But before I close this post, I could not possibly leave you without some buttons to advertise the Birthday Party on your blog, so here you are. (I didn't have time to make tiny ones--if you are tech-savvy, perhaps you know how to shrink them. :))
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18 comments:
This is quite exciting! =) YOU plan to read Lady Susan too?! ;-) So do I. Tehe. But I think I told you that.
I have currently a Jane Austen biography, but I think I'm going to get a different one, one I've been thinking about reading for a while, from the library. Unfortunately I have no more room for holds right now. :-/ (We're limited to 5 - what a dud, huh?)
Miss Dashwood this event sounds so lovely! I'll definitely be participating and especially joining in the challenges! :)
Now I just have to decide what I want to read and watch. I've been thinking lately that I need to re-read Lady Susan and The Watsons but maybe Sanditon...hmm...
Can't wait to join in! :)
Sounds like an interesting event! I cannot wait for it!
Probably for the JA Book Challenge, I will also read Lady Susan, or perhaps Sanditon. I still have to think of what to watch and/or read for the Film Challenge and Biographical Challenge.
Sounds fun!
P.S.I love the blog buttons:)
Melody,
I think you did tell me that you were going to read Lady Susan--because I think that was when I decided to read it too. Currently on my holds list (we only get 5, too.)
Miss Laurie,
I'm looking forward to it!
Jemimah,
I'm glad you're planning to participate! Did I tell you that I really like your new profile picture?
Ella,
What do you think you will read and watch? I'm glad you like the blog buttons!
Hmm! What to do, what to do...
Unfortunately I'm always watching stuff with my mom (we have our own period-drama-watching team ;-) - and by unfortunately I don't mean it's unfortunate that I have my mom to watch them with...hahaha), so I'm not sure at this point who I'd show it to...all my friends have seen them. Hahahha. :-) And we've seen all the good adaptations, I think...well, except for the 2008 S&S, but I'm just still not sure if I'm going to try that one. :-)
I never did get through Sense and Sensibility (the book), and I have it, so I may do that. :-)
FUN! Looking forward to this! :-)
Alexandra,
How fun that you get to watch stuff with your mom! My mom was the one who introduced me to P&P95 and S&S95, and then I introduced her to Emma. The only problem is that she doesn't always have time to watch period dramas with me. Hopefully we'll see Persuasion sometime in the next year or so. :) I usually end up watching with my sister, which is great fun in and of itself. :)
Oh please, you MUST MUST read Sense and Sensibility! It's sooooo good! At first it might seem a little boring, but it gets much, much better. And it's funny! http://miss-dashwood.blogspot.com/2011/11/sense-and-sensibility-book-quotes.html
I'm trying to choose between reading The Watsons or Sanditon. But I might have to read Lady Susan too so I don't miss out on that fun!
I think I've found one or two adaptations that my sister hasn't seen so we'll try for one of those.
Still trying to decide on something for the Biographical Challenge. This is going to be so much fun!
I'm putting up the Jane Austen button on my blog but I'll definitely use some of the others during the birthday party week!
I was awarded and am passing along the Stylish Blogger Award to you! Find out more at my blog: http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2011/12/stylish-blogger-award.html
I'm going to reread P&P, get a biography at the library and watch Emma. I can't wait for the event! Love your buttons!
~ Your sister Anne.
Miss Laurie,
Thank you so much for the award!
Did you ever read "Just Jane" by Nancy Moser? It doesn't really count as a biography, since it's fictionalized, but it's a lovely Christian novel about Jane Austen's writing years. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.
Anne-girl,
SO looking forward to seeing Emma with you! It's now on hold at the library. :)
I would like to read either Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility.
Ella,
If you would like some advice... I would say, read BOTH! But if you only have time to read one, try Pride and Prejudice first. It starts off well, the middle is wonderful, the end is superb. It's captivating and just about perfect in every way. I could go on and on, but let me just say that you will NOT regret reading it. Get thee to the library, my dear!
This sounds like such fun! I'm very much looking forward to celebrating Jane Austen's birthday :)
I think I may either read Lady Susan or Northanger Abbey (which is great need of being re-read)...or perhaps even both! :')
As to the Film Challenge - I'm not sure I'll get a chance to watch an old adaptation with a friend, although we did watch P&P05 in class last week, and my copy of the 1995 version has been out on loan between 3 people these past few weeks - I am valiantly trying to persuade my class to fall in love with P&P! ;) Maybe I'll watch either the older version of Persuasion, or an older version of Emma (confession: I have only seen the 2009 adaptation!), I haven't quite decided yet.
And if I get round to it I'll try and watch The Real Jane Austen, as you suggest. After hearing a great deal about it, I've been meaning to watch it for quite some time, and this seems like the perfect opportunity :) Right, better get reading now... ;)
~Abby
P.S I LOVE how you redecorated your blog! So wonderfully Christmassy :) I will have to get round to doing the same to mine at some point...
Abby,
Confession: I too have only seen the 2009 Emma. I know, I know. I'd like to see the Gwyneth Paltrow one too (not interested in the Kate Beckinsale one, with its scary-looking Mr. Knightley!) but my sister really wants to see the 2009 one, and it's just soooo good. :)
I'm still piddling my way through Sense and Sensibility, so I really should finish that before I embark upon Lady Susan. I began watching The Real Jane Austen on YouTube this morning after school, and I already like it very much!
Oh! Dear! Miss Dashwood, don't say you're 'not interested' in watching the Kate Beckinsale version! I admit, it's Mr. Knightley is the main drawback, but it was my favorite before the new one came out! I liked the Emma pretty well, and I think the Jane Fairfax is the best one. It's technically closest to the book, quote-wise (but not length-wise). I think it's definitely worth a viewing, but then so is the other one...I just don't like it as well. It seems too modern.
Oooh, fun! I'll probably read Lady Susan, which I own and started reading last year but never really got around to finishing....
Oh this sounds like so much fun! I think I'll take part also! As soon as I read this post I started getting all excited and planning out just what I shall read and watch...I haven't quite decided as of yet however! I think for the biography I shall re-read "Presenting Miss Jane Austen" which is my favorite...Oh and has anyone read Jane Austen's "The History of England"? It's quite short and yet oh my it always makes me go off into unstoppable giggles, and the drawings were made by her sister Cassandra which just seems to make it that much more lovely! Yes, I am quite excited and rambling now!
I am so excited to have found your blog Miss Dashwood, it is lovely and I can't wait to keep reading your posts!
Read and reviewed Jane Austen's The Watsons for the Book Challenge.
http://old-fashionedcharm.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-watsons.html
I couldn't resist a nice long post!
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