Author: JASNA-NJ

A regional chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America. We meet regularly to discuss Austen's works, life, and times. Come join us!

Join JASNA-NJ on Saturday, 3/16 at 2pm EST to discuss Barbara Pym’s A Glass of Blessings

A wealthy, bored woman with time on her hands engages in matchmaking to fill her hours...Sound familiar? Like Austen's Emma Woodhouse, Wilmet Forsyth of Barbara Pym's A Glass of Blessings is handsome, clever, and rich--but she's already married to Ronald, a dull but kind civil servant. Still, Wilmet is convinced she knows the perfect match for the dashing and … Continue reading Join JASNA-NJ on Saturday, 3/16 at 2pm EST to discuss Barbara Pym’s A Glass of Blessings →

Join JASNA-NJ @2/17 2pm EST to discuss 3 major Emma films

Is JASNA-NJ finished with discussing Emma? To quote the great Cher Horowitz, AS IF! Join JASNA-NJ on February 17th over Zoom at 2pm EST for a discussion of the three most recent feature film adaptations of Jane Austen’s Emma. Register here. These include: Emma (1996), starring Gweneth Paltrow (set in a very 90s-looking Regency period, … Continue reading Join JASNA-NJ @2/17 2pm EST to discuss 3 major Emma films →

Podcasting the Regency (and Georgian) Era

Podcasts are a wonderful way to make long commutes, workdays, or hours on the treadmill fly by. While some of the most popular podcasts focus on true crime, self-improvement, and personal finance, for those of us who are more apt to have a favorite Jane Austen book than a favorite serial killer, there's also a … Continue reading Podcasting the Regency (and Georgian) Era →

Happy Book-Giving This Holiday Season!

December 16th was, of course, Jane Austen's birthday, and was also the date of JASNA-NJ's holiday party. One of our chapter's traditions is an annual "Pollyanna" book exchange between members. In case you're still stumped for last-minute stocking stuffers or end-of-the year thank-you gifts, here's a list of what our members exchanged: Jane Austen's Table … Continue reading Happy Book-Giving This Holiday Season! →

Join JASNA-NJ 11/18 at 2pm to Discuss Lover’s Vows and the Role of Theater in Mansfield Park

Join JASNA-NJ for a discussion of the play Lover’s Vows over Zoom on Saturday, November 18th at 2pm. You can register here. Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse by Sir Joshua Reynolds Lover’s Vows—the play that scandalized Mansfield Park—was a real play and very popular in Austen’s day. You can read it at Project Gutenberg here. The play was … Continue reading Join JASNA-NJ 11/18 at 2pm to Discuss Lover’s Vows and the Role of Theater in Mansfield Park →

Join JASNA-NJ Saturday, 10/21 at 2pm to discuss Belle: The True Story of Dido Belle by Paula Byrne

In October, JASNA-NJ will take a look at some events and people who may have helped inspire facets of Mansfield Park by hosting a discussion of Paula Byrne's biography of Dido Belle. Please join us over Zoom on October 21st at 2pm EDT to share your thoughts on Belle: The Slave Daughter and the Lord Chief Justice (also known as Belle: … Continue reading Join JASNA-NJ Saturday, 10/21 at 2pm to discuss Belle: The True Story of Dido Belle by Paula Byrne →