Happy 236th Birthday Jane!

So in case you didn't know, my absolute favorite author is Jane Austen. This last semester I was lucky enough to take a Jane Austen World in Film and Literature class and it was AMAZING. I suppose some people don't care to learn about the authors behind their favorite books. However, I am of the opinion that you can only understand the book itself to a certain point. You have to know the orgin, the history, the backround, to really understand where the story came from. It always gives something more to the story.

Today is Jane's birthday. She would be 236. (and I'm celebrating by getting my wisdom teeth out. bleh.)

Anyway, back to how much I love Jane. It fascinates me that I refer to her as Jane, and not as Austen. Usually when you talk about authors you refer to them by their last name, but when it comes to Jane, it just doesn't feel right to call her Austen, like you would Steinbeck or Dickens. She feels like a close friend, not a distant author on some distance philosophical plane. I feel like I could tell her anything.

This is the table where she did all her writing, at the cottage at Chawton. One day I hope I'll be able to see it myself.

The most amazing thing I think, is that she herself was never married. She told this guy yes once. His name was Harris Bigg-Wither. Or something completely ridiculous like that. If his personality was anything like his name, I think she made the right choice. No matter how much money he had. Some people question how much she could have actually known about love, never having had a "successful" relationship. I think that those who have been disappointed more times than not know more about love than someone who has been in a few "successful" relationships.

Anyway, If you are looking for a book to read over the winter, when the snow is up past the windows and you can't get your car out the driveway, Jane Austen is the way to go. I fell in love with Pride and Prejudice, and personally, I believe it is the easiest to get through. However, my favorite is Persuasion. If you only have time for one book, go with that one. If you have time for more than one, save it for last. Like a treat. :)

Happy Birthday Jane <3