"One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other." ~Jane Austen (Emma)

Are you a Janeite? Someone who can't get enough of British novelist Jane Austen and her life works? If your admiration goes beyond the occasional misty thought of re-reading Pride and Prejudice then chances are you are a Janeite.

Portrait of Jane Austen

The Internet has done a lot for connecting Janeites from around the world so they can share information about their goddess; unfortunately with the internet it's hard to sort out fact from fiction in some cases. In walks the Austin Blog created by Margaret Sullivan, author of The Jane Austen Handbook: a sensible guide to her world and an active member of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA). Because there is a vast amount of information to sift through she has four helpers, Julie, Tasha, Mary and Heather. All women come from various backgrounds and lifestyles. But they have joined together with one common goal.

They provide commentary, review, insight and perspective on all things Austen. From news pieces about upcoming films and theatre productions, to book reviews of Jane Austen's books, new editions as well as old, from literary to romance. They read and discuss articles and other opinion pieces from newspapers and elsewhere online. They dish about the actors from the various movie incarnations, especially Colin Firth. And to really send Janeites into a tizzy they offer book giveaways and other swag. Any mentions what-so-ever in any form are fair game. Their blog tagline is, "She�s everywhere." And one certainly gets that impression after visiting this blog which has something for the novice or experienced Janeite.

The blog is delivered from the perspective of one Janeite to another but with a journalist edge. A particularly informative post from August of this year referred to the latest movie Becoming Jane. To help put the movie in perspective they provided legitimate sources for information on Jane's life and other writing to help fans of Jane Austen and of the movie determine real from creative license.

Austen Blog has a very simple layout and pale blue background both of which are easy on the eyes and make spending long periods of time catching up on Jane Austen tidbits more comfortable. The right hand sidebar has a number of links to the latest news on the web, other bloggers, and books all related to Jane Austen or her works including upcoming books, films, stage performances and other events.

Visit Austen Blog to get your dose of Jane Austen
Get The Jane Austen Handbook from Amazon.com.
Get The Jane Austen Handbook from Amazon.ca.

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M. E. Wood lives in Eastern Ontario, Canada. If you are going to find this eclectic reader and writer anywhere it is probably at her computer. For more information visit her official website.