One regret I have in my busy life is the lack of leisure time I have for reading. Right now there are four stacks of books on the floor of my office, all waiting to be read. So many books! So little time. Given my schedule, I am glad I set aside the required hours to read Jane Austen Made Me Do It, an anthology of Jane Austen-inspired stories by published Jane Austen sequel authors and edited by Laurel Ann Nattress.
I rarely read anthologies front to back, but flit here and there, landing instead on a story with an intriguing title or by a favorite author. In this instance I began with Stephanie Barron’s tale of Jane And the Gentleman Rogue: Being a fragment of a Jane Austen mystery. I am so glad I did, for it prompted me to linger longer over dinner and read another short story. Beth Pattillo’s When Only a Darcy Will Do was a delight, as was Margaret C. Sullivan’s Heard of You, which I read just before going to bed. The list of authors in this anthology is impressive: Pamela Aidan • Elizabeth Aston • Brenna Aubrey • Stephanie Barron • Carrie Bebris • Jo Beverley • Diana Birchall • Frank Delaney & Diane Meier • Monica Fairview • Amanda Grange • Syrie James • Janet Mullany • Jane Odiwe • Beth Pattillo • Alexandra Potter • Myretta Robens • Jane Rubino & Caitlen Rubino Bradway • Maya Slater • Margaret Sullivan • Adriana Trigiani • Laurie Viera Rigler • Lauren Willig.
I’ve always enjoyed reading anthologies. They allow one to pick and choose on a whim, and finish a story in a short space of time. Anthology stories serve as literary versions of amuse bouches, those tasty bites served at the start of dinner. Even the most the discerning reader is bound to find selections and authors they will love. (Or discover a new author!) Click here to read a short synopsis of each story.
I favored some stories over others, but won’t share them with you for the simple reason that some of the stories I disliked received rave reviews on other blogs. Anthologies appeal to a variety of tastes, and I found it remarkable how many in Jane Austen Made Me Do It captivated me. If you decide to purchase this book, I can guarantee that you will discover new authors and stories that you will want to reread.
This is due, no doubt, to the hard work that editor Laurel Ann Nattress put into the project. As a blogger, I can’t imagine how much of her time was spent in contacting the authors and working with them, overseeing a contest for an unpublished author (the honor went to Brenna Aubrey), working with her publishing house in editing the stories, and now publicizing the book. I tip my hat to Laurel Ann for overseeing this ambitious and very worthwhile project, for this is her first book. I give Jane Austen Made Me Do It five out of five Regency tea cups!
Ballantine Books
Trade paperback (464) pages
ISBN: 978-0345524966
Order the Book
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• IndieBound
• Book Depository
• Random House
Jane Austen's World 
Hi Vic,
cette anthologie semble très intéressante!
A lire sans aucun doute!
Thanks for sharing!
Have a good evening!
Bonjour, Dentelline. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi Vic, I know what you mean about so many books, so little time. I have stacks in my bookcase and too many to count on my kindle to read. This book is one of the books I have on my kindle I haven’t gotten to yet. I’m currently trying to finish up Frizwilliam Darcy, Rock Star and then this one is next on my list.
I’d like to thank you and the other ladies for all your reviews and posts. There are so many books I would have missed if I hadn’t been reading the blog. Plus all the information I’ve read about here has been very entertaining. Keep up the good work!
Like Sherry in the post above, I appreciated the comment about your book stack and even peered over at my own overflowing basket.
I love reading the reviews that are posted because it does help me decide what to buy or pick up off my pile next.
Thank you for this latest review. I have heard great things about this anthology and have it on my wishlist. So many new authors to ‘meet’ and so many to reacquaint myself with in this one book. (-;
Thank you…I too have a long to-read list, but this will move closer to the top based on your comments. And I agree about anthologies. They are a great way to find new authors or not have to read a lot of ones who are tolerable but not favorites. :)
I just got my book today at a book launch in the Seattle area. It was so exciting. I got to meet Laurel Ann and it was such a delight. I’m so glad to have this anthology. Something to read in bits and pieces and not all at once if I don’t want to. I have overflowing books in each room of the house. it seems to have expanded from my bookshelf unfortunately. But then again what are end tables, entry tables, bedside tables, etc. for? I was also able to meet Shannon Winslow today and get her book. What a great experience.
This is the next book for me after I finish the one I’m on. Yippie!
I got this the minute it came out and found the stories I expected to like most were the ones that I was just okay with and some I thought I would not like were my favorites. I was just tickled by the one called What Would Austen Do about a high school freshman boys introduction to Austen. Could not stop laughing. I also liked The Chase which was the most unconventional offering, a historically based naval adventure featuring Jane Austens brother, and Stephanie Barrons Jane and the Gentleman Rogue. In the case of What Would Austen Do there was a note that said it was being developed into a novel – I think these three were the ones I would like to see made into full length books.
Thanks for your kind words Vic and for your wonderful support of JAMMDI – and me over the years that we have been blogging about Jane Austen.
I won’t feign false modesty and will reveal that Jane Austen Made Me Do It was a lot of work – but a total joy! I hope everyone finds two or three stories in the collection that makes them laugh, cry and escape to that wonderful place that Jane Austen sends us all.
Many thanks, LA
I have read so many books this year that were on my “one-day-i-need-to-read-this” list! (When I say “So Many”, I mean 6 or so!) This is largely due to the blogosphere I think. It is a good feeling!
This is not a book I would have normally been drawn to, but after your review I am curious! Thanks for posting!
[…] Just spotted over on janeaustensworld.wordpress.com a review of Jane Austen Made Me Do It […]
[…] with moi and one of your favorite Janeite friends, Laurel Ann Natress, editor of the anthology, Jane Austen Made Me Do It. Paperdolls courtesy of Kyle […]
Thank you! Really enjoyed the mental trip with your post! Will love to read more…
[…] of Mrs. Elton. A number of years ago Laurel Ann Nattress, blogger of Austenprose and editor of Jane Austen Made Me Do It, co-posted on my other blog, Jane Austen Today. We both sent letters to Mrs. Elton/Diana, who […]