Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

December 16 2016
Share Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

Jane Austen is one of the most beloved novelists Great Britain has ever produced. From PRIDE AND PREJUDICE to NORTHANGER ABBEY, she has charmed readers throughout the world and influenced generations of writers. In celebration of her birthday today, we present several of our favorite works of fiction that are inspired by her greatest novels—and plenty of them include our beloved Darcy.

Bridget Jones's Diary
by Helen Fielding

This hilarious and self-aware novel inspired the classic romantic comedy starring Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth. Welcome to a year in the life of a single thirtysomething woman who’s struggling with losing weight, maintaining a job, ignoring smug married friends, finding a responsible and kind man, and just being a functional adult. Somehow.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
Bridget Jones's Diary
Helen Fielding

Loosely based on Pride and Prejudice, this laugh-out-loud chronicle charts a year in the life of Bridget Jones, a single girl on a permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement. Caught between her Singleton friends and the Smug Marrieds, Bridget struggles to keep her life on an even keel—or at least afloat.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

6 Literary Love Triangles for Readers Who Hate Love Triangles

By Heather Waters | May 3, 2019

Love Is Dead: The Best Breakup Reads Based on Your Go-To Breakup Album

By Julianna Haubner | February 14, 2019

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

13 Books from Mindy Kaling’s Bookshelf That Will Make You Love Her Even More

By Tolani Osan | July 28, 2016

13 Bookish Movies Now Streaming on Netflix

By Tolani Osan | September 17, 2015

11 Contemporary Retellings of Classic Literature

By Sarah Jane Abbott | June 16, 2015

Close
Eligible
by Curtis Sittenfeld

A modern thirtysomething returns to her childhood home and balances caring for her ailing father, living with her sisters again, and ignoring her mother’s desperate attempts to find husbands for her daughters. Too bad that her handsome new neighbor’s friend is less than charming . . . at least, at first glance.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
Eligible
Curtis Sittenfeld

A modern thirtysomething returns to her childhood home and balances caring for her ailing father, living with her sisters again, and ignoring her mother’s desperate attempts to find husbands for her daughters. Too bad that her handsome new neighbor’s friend is less than charming . . . at least, at first glance.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

Revitalizing the Classics: 8 Literary Retellings You’ll Love

By Sarah Woodruff | February 28, 2019

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Close
Austenland
by Shannon Hale

Jane Hayes, a modern Jane Austen fanatic, goes on the trip of a lifetime to an English resort where guests can live like their favorite author’s Regency-era heroines. Amid the etiquette, empire gowns, and Spencer jackets, Jane finds herself in a love triangle reminiscent of Austen’s greatest novels.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
Austenland
Shannon Hale

Jane Hayes, a modern Jane Austen fanatic, goes on the trip of a lifetime to an English resort where guests can live like their favorite author’s Regency-era heroines. Amid the etiquette, empire gowns, and Spencer jackets, Jane finds herself in a love triangle reminiscent of Austen’s greatest novels.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Close
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet
by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

From the award-winning YouTube series, grad student Lizzie becomes a viral sensation with her YouTube reflections on life, love, and her thesis troubles. Off-camera, Lizzie and her sisters encounter the rich Bing Lee and his haughty friend William Darcy, and nothing is ever the same for these spirited, clever, and quirky sisters.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo Bookshop logo
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet
Bernie Su and Kate Rorick

From the award-winning YouTube series, grad student Lizzie becomes a viral sensation with her YouTube reflections on life, love, and her thesis troubles. Off-camera, Lizzie and her sisters encounter the rich Bing Lee and his haughty friend William Darcy, and nothing is ever the same for these spirited, clever, and quirky sisters.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo Bookshop logo

MENTIONED IN:

Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Divine Reads

By One.More.Page | April 27, 2019

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Close
For Darkness Shows the Stars
by Diana Peterfreund

This post-apocalyptic homage to PERSUASION is a Jane Austen retelling unlike any other. Elliot North, an upper-class young woman in a devastated world, exerts complete control over her father’s estate. When Kai, a runaway servant whom she once loved returns, Elliot wonders if she should risk everything for a second chance at love.

Amazon logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
For Darkness Shows the Stars
Diana Peterfreund

This post-apocalyptic homage to PERSUASION is a Jane Austen retelling unlike any other. Elliot North, an upper-class young woman in a devastated world, exerts complete control over her father’s estate. When Kai, a runaway servant whom she once loved returns, Elliot wonders if she should risk everything for a second chance at love.

Amazon logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Close
Unleashing Mr. Darcy
by Teri Wilson

A young New Yorker escapes the scandal that ruined her career by crossing the pond to England. In an effort to earn money while abroad, she begins caring for show dogs and encounters an arrogant, sexy, and wealthy dog breeder. A charming and witty retelling perfect for both Austen fans and dog lovers.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
Unleashing Mr. Darcy
Teri Wilson

A young New Yorker escapes the scandal that ruined her career by crossing the pond to England. In an effort to earn money while abroad, she begins caring for show dogs and encounters an arrogant, sexy, and wealthy dog breeder. A charming and witty retelling perfect for both Austen fans and dog lovers.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Close
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
by Laurie Viera Rigler

In this absorbing and merry adventure, a Jane Austen fan goes to sleep in modern-day Los Angeles, but she wakes up in a bedchamber in Regency England. Can her love of Austen’s novels help her survive in the world of chamber pots, smelly inns, and smothering chaperones? Not to mention, will she ever get home?

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict
Laurie Viera Rigler

In this absorbing and merry adventure, a Jane Austen fan goes to sleep in modern-day Los Angeles, but she wakes up in a bedchamber in Regency England. Can her love of Austen’s novels help her survive in the world of chamber pots, smelly inns, and smothering chaperones? Not to mention, will she ever get home?

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Close
Lizzy and Jane
by Katherine Reay

Elizabeth left her family to pursue a culinary career in New York, but she returns when her sister, Jane, is diagnosed with cancer. Focused on family for the first time in years, Elizabeth tries to balance her previous dreams with a newfound love and being there for her sister. This is a love letter to family, faith, and Jane Austen.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
Lizzy and Jane
Katherine Reay

Elizabeth left her family to pursue a culinary career in New York, but she returns when her sister, Jane, is diagnosed with cancer. Focused on family for the first time in years, Elizabeth tries to balance her previous dreams with a newfound love and being there for her sister. This is a love letter to family, faith, and Jane Austen.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Close
First Impressions
by Charlie Lovett

A gripping literary mystery, FIRST IMPRESSIONS is a dual narrative that alternates between a modern bookseller trying to find the truth behind the authorship of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and a young Jane Austen’s friendship with an enigmatic writer and cleric. This is a colorful mystery is sure to intrigue book lovers everywhere.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo
First Impressions
Charlie Lovett

13 Books About Books for Big Book Nerds

Few people love books as much as we do. Authors might be the exception to that rule. It’s no wonder, then, that so many have included books as crucial plot points in their novels, often crafting brilliant stories within stories. For a meta reading experience, here are 13 great novels in which books play a prominent role—usually instigating the plot.

Amazon logo Audible logo Barnes & Noble logo Books a Million logo Google Play logo iBooks logo

MENTIONED IN:

Happy Birthday, Jane Austen!

By Kerry Fiallo | December 16, 2016

Off the Shelf’s 15 Favorite Book Lists from 2016

By Off the Shelf Staff | December 15, 2016

13 Books About Books for Big Book Nerds

By Kerry Fiallo | September 13, 2016

Close

You must be logged in to add books to your shelf.

Please log in or sign up now.