The wonderful people over at Historical Tapestry are hosting Jane Austen Week.  My goodness, that's right up my alley.  It's like they knew JA was my favorite author and thought it would be nice to share that fact with the blogging world.  Anyway, I love Austen.  As part of their week, they are hosting some interesting activities and questions.  I think I should participate also!  And I think I will be needing update my reading and watching list to include some Austen. 

Today's post:

Do you have a story to tell about how you were introduced to Jane Austen? A review of your favourite Austen, sequel or spin off? Have you already read and reviewed JANE AUSTEN MADE ME DO IT?Anything else that is Austen related? We are looking forward to know how others enjoy Jane Austen's work and what she has inspired. If you want to participate in our week please use the Mr Linky to add a post from your blog or tell us your story in the comments field. Looking forward to chat about Austen with all of you!!

 My introduction to Jane Austen came late in life.  Well, not completely late in life, but definitely later for such a big reader.  I probably saw some Austen adaptations during high school, but thought the books were way too old-fashioned and boring.  (I know, how wrong I was.)  During later high school, I started reading exclusively American classics.  I went through a huge transcendentalist phase and a Emily Dickinson phase, but no Austen.  In college, I finally decided that I should read this book that everyone keeps raving about: Pride and Prejudice.  I read it and loved it.  I loved it so much that I had to run out and rent the BBC mini series.  It was beautiful.  Of course Colin Firth was just amazing.  But so was everyone else. 

After the success of P and P, I thought I should try some of the others.  I read Sense and Sensibility (pretty good!), Emma (not my favorite heroine, but good), Mansfield Park (little heavy, but interesting topics), Northanger Abbey (really fun read), and finally  Persuasion.  As soon as I finished it, Persuasion became my number one favorite Austen novel.  I love the idea of redeemed love.  Anne Elliott may be a bit withdrawn, but she has a level head.  Once she realizes her mistake, nothing will stop her from reconnecting with Captain Wentworth. 

Since my discovery, I have gone on to own at least one copy of all six novels.  I also have two movie versions of each novel.  I love Austen.  I give copies of the books to people as presents.  I have convinced J that Austen is a good writer.  He doesn't love her like I do, but that's okay.  He at least appreciates her place in the literary canon.  I have read a few Austenesque novels, but in general stick with the original.  I reread all the novels every couple of years.  (That's even one of my goals for my Day Zero Project).  I watch the movies when I need a bit of melancholy or romance or something pretty to look at. 

My novel ranking:

1. Persuasion
2. Northanger Abbey
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Sense and Sensibility
5. Emma
6. Mansfield Park