Happy birthday, Jane Austen

jane-austen

Beloved English novelist Jane Austen was born on this day in 1775, which, if she were alive today, would make her…. 235. I wonder what she’d be writing about if she were still alive and writing? I often wonder what people from a long time ago would think if they were transported to the present instantly. I imagine they would be simultaneously amazed at the technology and convenience of cars, iPods, airplanes, and terrified at the extent to which other things have sunk. I imagine Laura Ingalls Wilder holding a bottle of lemonade and looking at the words “MADE WITH 25% REAL LEMON JUICE” in bewilderment, and wondering what the hell else was in it.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Jane Austen! If you need a last minute gift idea for a serious book lover in your life, a beautiful, collectible Jane Austen edition would be a wonderful gift, and we have a good selection. And really, everyone should read Pride and Prejudice before Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Just sayin’.