Welcome to the Jane Austen Birthday Blog Tour, hosted by Maria Grazia of My Jane Austen Book Club and Fly High.
Today is Jane Austen's 235th birthday, and each of the bloggers listed at the end of this post, including myself, are posting tributes and challenges and offering lots of fabulous prizes.
Leaving a comment here = one chance to win. The more blogs on the tour you comment on (see list below), the more chances you have to win.
My part in the Jane Austen Birthday Blog Tour begins today, 12/16, and ends Wednesday 12/22 at the stroke of midnight, PST. Other bloggers on the list may end a bit earlier or later. All bloggers will submit the names they draw to our host, who will draw the winners from those names on 12/23.
To enter my giveaway, please leave a comment below. And if you're inspired to do so, feel free to include your birthday wishes to Jane Austen .
Here are mine:
Dear Miss Austen,
On this occasion of your 235th birthday, I would like to thank you for all the wisdom, laughter, and insight that your stories provide. Your words have been a constant guide and an abiding inspiration in my life.
I wish that you could know how many millions of people you have made happy with your stories. I wish that you could see the films that have been adapted from your books. I wish that you could read all those sequels, continuations, and inspired-bys. And I wish I could buy you a birthday drink* (or seven) to help you over the shock!
*By the way, did you know that there's a drink named after you? They say it can be quite a restorative.
With gratitude I remain your humble servant,
Laurie Viera Rigler
LIST OF BLOGGERS PARTICIPATING IN THE AUSTEN BIRTHDAY BLOG TOUR:
Adriana Zardini at Jane Austen Sociedad do Brasil
Laurel Ann at Austenprose (who created the Austentini recipe)
Vic Sanborn at Jane Austen's World
Katherine Cox at November’s Autumn
Karen Wasylowski at her personal blog
Laurie Viera Rigler (that's me) at Jane Austen Addict Blog
Lynn Shepherd at her blog
Jane Greensmith at Reading, Writing, Working, Playing
Jane Odiwe at Jane Austen Sequels
Alexa Adams at First Impressions
Regina Jeffers at her blog
Cindy Jones at First Draft
Janet Mullany at Risky Regencies
Meredith at Austenesque Reviews
and our host, Maria Grazia, at My Jane Austen Book Club
PRIZES:
Books – (signed copies):
- WILLOUGHBY'S RETURN by Jane Odiwe
- CONFESSIONS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT by Laurie Viera Rigler
- RUDE AWAKENINGS OF A JANE AUSTEN ADDICT by Laurie Viera Rigler
- MURDER AT MANSFIELD PARK by Lynn Shepherd
- INTIMATIONS OF AUSTEN by Jane Greensmith
- DARCY'S PASSIONS: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE RETOLD THROUGH HIS EYES by Regina Jeffers
- FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A TALE OF LESS PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Alexa Adams
- JANE AND THE DAMNED by Janet Mullany
- BESPELLING JANE AUSTEN by Janet Mullany
Other gifts:
- Austen bag offered by Karen Wasylowski
- DVD of Pride & Prejudice 2005 offered by Regina Jeffers
- One package of Bingley’s Tea. (flavor ”Marianne’s Wild Abandon” ) offered by Cindy Jones
- DVD of Jane Austen in Manhattan offered by Maria Grazia
- Three issues of Jane Austen Regency World offered by Maria Grazia
COMMENTS HAVE CLOSED. Thanks, everyone! Look for the final draw on Maria Grazia's blog, My Jane Austen Book Club. See list above to click on her link, and good luck!
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 23, 2010 at 02:50 AM
Happy birthday Jane!
Thanks for joining us in this big event!
Adriana Zardini
Posted by: Adriana Zardini | December 22, 2010 at 04:21 AM
Happy Birthday, dear Jane!
My tribute to JA is on my blog, you can read it at http://forloveofausten.blogspot.com/2010/12/my-personal-tribute-to-jane-austen.html .
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
Posted by: Luthien | December 22, 2010 at 12:49 AM
Happy Birthday, dear Jane!
My tribute for JA is in my blog, read it here.
Posted by: Luthien | December 22, 2010 at 12:44 AM
Happy Birthday Jane!!!
Posted by: Elizzyb | December 21, 2010 at 12:57 AM
Forever Loved...Happy Birthday Ms. Austen.
Posted by: Oriana B. | December 20, 2010 at 09:16 PM
Happy Birthday, Jane! You are my favorite author.
Posted by: Marlene Breakfield | December 20, 2010 at 07:13 AM
Sheila, I think she'd be surprised and delighted!
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 19, 2010 at 06:20 PM
Thanks again to all for your heartfelt tributes. I won't soon forget Valentina's description of the light blue cover and cheap greyish paper which have now become one of her most precious possessions, or Allison's astute observation that Austen proved women were rational creatures, a concept that certainly wasn't taken for granted in Austen's day. Each and every one of you has brightened my day with your comments!
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 19, 2010 at 05:45 PM
I love your blog, wouldn't Jane be baffled by all our devotion to her characters?
Posted by: sheila hammons | December 18, 2010 at 03:50 PM
Yesterday was a very special day in the literature world. And, sadly, many people went about their days unaware of this monumental occasion. Yesterday, December 16th was Jane Austen’s 235th Birthday! Yes, I had been looking forward to this day and made sure to celebrate by dedicating a Facebook status to her and telling absolutely everyone I knew that it was her birthday. (However, I did not sing to her for two reasons:
1.) She would never want to hear me sing and
2.) If she were alive today, she’d be confused, because Happy Birthday didn’t become popular until after 1893.) It may sound crazy, but though I was the only person in my hometown outwardly celebrating, Janeites worldwide tweeted about the occasion and Google UK even dedicated its “doodle” graphic to her!
Jane, you wrote only six novels in your lifetime, but all six are still read and reprinted to this day. It has been estimated that at any one time around the world, there are more than 600 Jane Austen adaptations being produced. China has increased its Jane Austen output by 400 percent over the past seven years, and looks set to be the world leader by 2012!
Your characters are immortal, not only in your books, but also in film. Keira Knightley made Pride and Prejudice sexy with her portrayal of Elizabeth, and in turn, taught (some) boys that you can be cool. Wait…scratch that. Are cool.
In advocating the female use of reason in relationships (imagine that!) you remind women to use their heads. Through your stories, you also effectively prove that women are sensible creatures. It’s your subtle sarcasm, realistic characters and ironic narration that have led me to fall in love with your writings.
I often say that I would like to live in your time period. A life full of reading, writing, dressing up, taking walks and going to balls sounds absolutely splendid to me. You've shown me that a lot can happen in every day life -- that snide comments people make and shy glances do have an impact. Through your works, we can see that little actions can have a big effect on others. You've showed audiences that using one’s head in decision making is not to be undervalued.
Thanks Jane, for crafting the first real novel. For giving women everywhere the right to think for themselves in relationships and for proving that smart women are not to be taken for granted. May your legacy continue on for another 235 years and more.
Posted by: Allison Pohle | December 17, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Happy Birthday, dear Miss Austen! Thank you for the hours I have spent happily ensconced in Regency England with some of the most remarkable heroines and sexiest heroes written in ANY century!
Posted by: LouisaCornell | December 17, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Thank you all for your beautiful, moving tributes! And for all of you enjoying Austentinis, full credit goes to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose (http://austenprose.com), who created the recipe. I merely took dictation.
Posted by: Laurie Viera Rigler | December 17, 2010 at 04:38 PM
Happy Birthday Jane!
My world has become brighter because of you.
Posted by: laurie | December 17, 2010 at 02:09 PM
Happy Birthday Jane! Thank you for the greatest gift of Mr. Darcy (who will forever be Colin Firth in my head). He has entertained me in all manner of ways during my life. May he, and your wonderful stories, live forever!
Posted by: Sofia | December 17, 2010 at 05:30 AM
Happy Birthday my dear Jane. Your books are so refreshing no matter how many times I read them. You are and were an inspiration to us all.
Posted by: Babs | December 17, 2010 at 05:20 AM
Laurie, First of all, thanks for your wonderful books which I have thoroughly enjoyed and passed on some of my extra copies!
Also, thank you for the Austentini! How wonderful and what a perfect drink for a lady with a Sharp Wit and the Sweet and Delightful endings to her stories!
Regards
Posted by: Kate | December 17, 2010 at 01:12 AM
I am literally watching "Sex and the Austen Girl" as I type this and continue to love it!
Posted by: Jillian Pikora | December 16, 2010 at 09:45 PM
Happy Birthday, Jane!
mhuether@hotmail.com
Posted by: Melissa Atwood | December 16, 2010 at 07:53 PM
Happy birthday, Jane.
Posted by: Elspeth Flood | December 16, 2010 at 07:51 PM
Happy Birthday, Jane! You lifted me out of a dark spot!
mhuether@hotmail.com
Posted by: Melissa Atwood | December 16, 2010 at 06:48 PM
happy birthday Jane!
(mels_now@hotmail.com)
Posted by: Melissa | December 16, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Love the post! Happy Birthday, Jane! I'm having my first Austentini ever because I read it here.
Posted by: Karen Field | December 16, 2010 at 06:12 PM
May I join the Happy Borthday chorus?! Like so many others I find comfort and joy in Miss Austen's books and read them again and again. I haven't read any sequels, yet, perhaps I should begin in 2011?
Posted by: Madame Constant | December 16, 2010 at 04:42 PM
Happy Birthday Jane, and my thanks to all who continue to pass on her legacy. Your efforts are appreciated more than you know.
Posted by: Kim Withey | December 16, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Happy Birthday Jane Austen. You have enlightened my life in many ways.
Posted by: Agnes | December 16, 2010 at 03:48 PM
Happy birthday Jane! And I, too, thank you for what you shared with the world.
Posted by: Autumn | December 16, 2010 at 02:40 PM
Dear Jane, an auspicious and happy birthday to you! I am sure you are regaling the angels with your tales. You have blessed us. Thank you!
Posted by: Else | December 16, 2010 at 02:21 PM
Happy birthday Jane Austen! A genius of literature!
email: thalitacarvalho@ymail.com
Posted by: Thalita | December 16, 2010 at 01:59 PM
Happy birthday Jane. You would not be able to imagine how much joy and pleasure you have given people!
Posted by: Mystica | December 16, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Happy Birthday, dearest Jane!
Posted by: Kathleen Lokey | December 16, 2010 at 01:14 PM
Happy Birthday Jane!
Thank you for giving us books that we can return to time and time again.
Posted by: benjamina | December 16, 2010 at 12:43 PM
Dear Miss Austen --
It is as truth universally acknowledged in this 21st century, that your books hold both universal appeal and universal truths.
May Oprah pick one of your novels as her next selection. They become instant best-sellers and will earn you enough income to be quite comfortable.
Very truly yours,
A Fan
Posted by: Gail | December 16, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!
Thank you for introducing me to the wonderful world of English literature!
Natallie Chagas
natallienazareth.ac@bol.com.br
Posted by: Natallie Chagas | December 16, 2010 at 11:41 AM
Happy Birthday Jane! Uniting people through your books! :)
Posted by: Carmen | December 16, 2010 at 11:40 AM
i raise an Austentini to the gal! huzzah!
Posted by: vvb | December 16, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Happy Birthday my dear Jane!
Thanks for the smiles, laughts and cries!
Posted by: Elsie | December 16, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Happy Birthday Jane! Loving the blog tour.
Posted by: Debra | December 16, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Happy birthday, our dear Jane!
And thanks to you for taking part in this wonderful event!
Posted by: Jess Michaelangelo | December 16, 2010 at 09:40 AM
Thank you for this delightful post and for Confessions which I read with delight recently!
Happy Birthday dearest Jane! You are much loved! :)
Posted by: Miss Laurie | December 16, 2010 at 09:29 AM
To a woman who has been captivating me since I was 16 years old and needed to read something off of the "required reading list" for school, you have made millions of people truly blessed with your insights and revelations on relationships. Between sisters, mothers, daughters, fathers and the clergy - your gift continues to live on. Happy Birthday, Jane!
Posted by: Kendal | December 16, 2010 at 09:19 AM
235 years old and still witty as ever. Happy birthday, Jane!
Posted by: Morgan Preston | December 16, 2010 at 09:14 AM
Happy Birthday Jane!
Thank you for many years of happy reading.
Terie
lighthousem516@sbcglobal.net
Posted by: Terie | December 16, 2010 at 09:00 AM
What a lovely tribute to Jane on this special day of her birth. I am happy to have found your blog with its wealth of information. Happy Birthday to our dear Jane !!!
Posted by: Patricia | December 16, 2010 at 08:54 AM
Dear Jane!
Happy Birthday!
Thank you for being the inspiration of my life!
andrezza3tavares@hotmail.com
Posted by: Andrezza | December 16, 2010 at 08:46 AM
Happy Birthday, Jane Austen, and many literary returns! ;-)
Posted by: Anna | December 16, 2010 at 08:44 AM
Happy Birthday, Jane Austen! Your novels have been a source of delight for countless thousands of people through the years, and I daresay will continue to delight very far into the future. Thank you.
Posted by: Hannah | December 16, 2010 at 08:32 AM
Happy Birthday, Jane! You have given me so much through your writings... thank you.
I'd love to join the giveaway.
My email address is cassie(at)literaryladies(dot)com
Posted by: Cassandra | December 16, 2010 at 08:25 AM
There are a lot of prizes! Very good! ;) And Happy birthday Jane!;)
Posted by: Petali Rossi | December 16, 2010 at 08:15 AM
I did not know Jane Austen had her own drink, the Austentini. Thanks for that.
and Happy Birthday to a great authoress who has inspired generations. We love your books all over the world Jane Austen!
Posted by: Lnkent | December 16, 2010 at 08:09 AM
With whole my heart, i wish you, my dear Jane, a great and happy birthday.
You are the one who taught me how to love and how to read about it.
Thank you, Mrs Austen, I owe you.
Feliz cumpleaños.
Best wishes from Spain,
Belén
Posted by: Belén | December 16, 2010 at 08:08 AM
Great post for a wonderful lady! Glad to be a part of this historic day and loved the Austentini!
Posted by: Karen V. Wasylowski | December 16, 2010 at 08:07 AM
Miss Austen,
I would like to thank you for change my life and make me a better person.
Happy Birthday Jane!
Posted by: Annita | December 16, 2010 at 07:57 AM
Happy Birthday, dearest Jane! Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration in my life!
Posted by: Miss Jess | December 16, 2010 at 07:54 AM
Happy Birthday Jane!! I wish you knew just how many people now adore your books!! I wish you knew about movies so that you could watch all the adaptations, though I'm curious which ones you would like and which you wouldn't.
Love,
~Sara S.
Posted by: Sara S. | December 16, 2010 at 07:45 AM
Happy Birthday Jane! The hours I have spent lost in your world. I know I am not alone in finding strength and courage in your words. When I was going through a very difficult personal time, the only way I could fall asleep was putting on my 1986 version of Pride and Prejudice. No, it did not put me to sleep, but it keep my mind from its constant worrying enough to let me relax. I love all your stories and the movies that were made from them. Thank you for all you continue to do to help us each in our own way to face life's challenges.
Posted by: Paula | December 16, 2010 at 07:22 AM
Best wishes and felicitations for the day, Miss Austen!
Posted by: Silent Doug | December 16, 2010 at 07:16 AM
Thanks Laurie for being with us and for your lovely books!
I really appreciated them because they respect Jane's wit and spirit.
Happy Birthday, Jane. Good luck to all commenters for the final draw!
Posted by: Maria Grazia | December 16, 2010 at 07:13 AM
Happy Birthday, dear Jane!
It's wonderful how she can inspired our life and has fans in all the parts of the world!
Priscila Murlik
e-mail: priscila.smurlik@gmail.com
Posted by: Priscila Murlik | December 16, 2010 at 07:09 AM
I love Jane Austen! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Lia Freitas | December 16, 2010 at 06:58 AM
Happy Birthday Jane Austen!
Posted by: Arianne | December 16, 2010 at 06:13 AM
My dear Jane ,
Happy Birthday! How could I have ever got through life without your wit,wisdom and love? Your writings will be in our hearts for ever!
Kelda
Posted by: Kelda O'Desse | December 16, 2010 at 06:07 AM
Happy Birthday, Jane. The world of literature is a richer place due to your contributions, and other authors inspired by your talent.
Great birthday celebration and blog tour!
Posted by: Linda B | December 16, 2010 at 06:04 AM
I made the acquaintance of Miss Austen in the summer of 2003. As a child I was a passionate reader and till the age of eleven I hardly went anywhere without bringing a book with me. However, I reached the age of seventeen ignoring the literary landscapes of Jane Austen’s world.
Is there anything more annoying for a free and passionate reader than a list of compulsory summer readings? It was with disappointment that I bought Pride and Prejudice as required by my teacher and started to read the introduction. I hated its light blue cover, the cheap greyish paper, its damaged pages. But there I was. Half a step from Miss Austen. Half a step from Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Half a step from a world I’ve so often taken refuge in during the last seven years. For I must confess that the encounter with Pride and Prejudice has led me not only to like, but to plunge myself into its story. And I continued to swim book after book, in the waters of Devonshire with Elinor and Marianne, in Portsmouth with Fanny Price, in Highbury with Emma and in Bath with Anne Elliot and Catherine Morland. Whenever my heart is weak and my head is in need of peace I simply open the book that is closer to my state of mind and it helps me to heal the wounds. Happy birthday Jane, now the blue cover, the cheap greyish paper and the damaged pages are one of my most precious belongings.
Valentina
igotofunerals @ gmail.com
Posted by: Valentina | December 16, 2010 at 05:39 AM
This is very exciting. Jane Austen brings the world together.
Posted by: regina@rjeffers.com | December 16, 2010 at 05:38 AM
Happy, happy birthday, dear Jane Austen. So glad you joined the blog celebration, Laurie. Vic
Posted by: Vic | December 16, 2010 at 04:41 AM
Happy Birthday, my dear Jane!
Posted by: Isabel | December 16, 2010 at 04:35 AM
Happy Birthday!!! lovely tribute and enjoy life.
Posted by: Jacinta | December 16, 2010 at 04:07 AM
Happy Birthday Jane!!
Et chaleureuses pensées à vous!!
✿◕ ‿ ◕✿
Posted by: Hélène Flont | December 16, 2010 at 03:18 AM
Happy Birthday!!!! What a lovely tribute! Your books provide so much joy to so many.
Posted by: Ddcknitt | December 16, 2010 at 03:07 AM
Happy Birthday Jane! Your books have brought so many hours of pleasure to so many people. It's wonderful to see such a celebration of your birthday.
Posted by: Ruth Hayes | December 16, 2010 at 02:58 AM
I'm not here for prizes, I just wanted to stop and say hello at the party and read your lovely tribute to Jane.
Posted by: Jane Odiwe | December 16, 2010 at 01:52 AM
Wow, how old? and still in our hearts.
Posted by: Darren | December 16, 2010 at 01:22 AM
Happy birthday Jane! Thanks to you I work hard not to judge solely in first impressions:)
Posted by: Kai Charles | December 16, 2010 at 12:30 AM
Happy birthday Jane!!!
This is a happy day for all your fans!
Posted by: Maichi3 | December 16, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Dear Mrs. Jane Austen,
I wish you all the best to your birthday, I love to read your books.
Also some of the films which are made after your books and many of the sequals which are written and hope that more will come over the years.
Thanks again for writing so great books.
Nikel27
Posted by: Nicole Christoph | December 16, 2010 at 12:16 AM
Happy 235th Birthday Dear Jane! Thank you for many happy (and intense, LOL!) reading hours through the years!
Posted by: TattingChic | December 16, 2010 at 12:15 AM