One cannot resist the Emporium at the JASNA AGM – and this year in Fort Worth was more fun than ever – tables filled with goodies from the various Regions, and a whole room filled with local vendors from Texas. But I first always head to the book stalls – a bad and expensive habit – and this year I was not disappointed. Happy to see again, Traveler’s Tales from Canada [sorry, no website!], and Jane Austen Books, and though I had to think of weight and limit some purchases, this year I wisely bought what I wanted to and shipped them home – they came today [love the UPS man, don’t you?!]
So here is my book list: some are titles I have had on my list for a while, others are what I call the “browser’s banquet” – those things you either didn’t know about or wanted to see and touch before buying – and finally those things I am ashamed to say should have been in my Austen Library years ago, but never made it there for some reason or other … so here goes, with short annotations, in no particular order…
Austen, Jane. Volume the Second. Ed. Brian Southam. Oxford: 1963. – I’ve had vol. 1 and 3 for a good long time, so very happy to find this…
Quin, Vera. In Paris with Jane Austen. Cappella Archive, 2011. Her Jane Austen Visits London is terrific, so why not Paris…!
Hurst, Jane. Jane Austen and Chawton. The Author / JAS, 2009. Had to add this to my JAS collection…
Such Things as Please my Own Appetite: Food and Drink in Jane Austen’s Time. JASNA-Washington DC, n.d. 40p. A great compilation of essays, both contemporary and historical.
Wilson, Kim. Tea with Jane Austen. London: Frances Lincoln, 2011. The new edition with color illustrations – I saw this in London in May and didn’t pick it up [that old weight problem…] – saw Ms. Wilson [we played Whist together!] but did not get it signed … oh well… lovely book – everyone who loves tea and Jane should have this, both editions really…
_____. Flowers and Shrubs for Georgian and Regency Gardens, including a catalogue of Kitchen-garden Plants. The Author, 2011. 20 p. A great list for the gardener in me…
Noblesse Oblige: An Enquiry into the Identifiable Characteristics of the English Aristocracy. By Alan Ross, Nancy Mitford, Evelyn Waugh, et al. London: Hamish Hamilton, 1956. A must-have for your British collection, with requisite British “humour.”
Kemble, Frances Anne. Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation in 1838-1839. Athens: U of Georgia P, 1984, c1961. [originally published in 1863] – Kemble’s views on slavery in Georgia– compelling stuff I have long wanted to read…
Monaghan, David, ed. Emma: Contemporary Critical Essays. Macmillan, 1992. Didn’t have this one – now I do…
Wright, Lawrence. Clean & Decent: The Fascinating History of the Bathroom and the Water-Closet. Penguin, 2000, c1960. What every person with an interest in the most basic domestic matters should read… and the cover is really cool…
Vulliamy, C. E. English Letter Writers. London: Collins, 1945. Part of the Britain in Pictures series, which I collect…
Lefroy, Helen, and Gavin Turner, ed. The Letters of Mrs. Lefroy: Jane Austen’s Beloved Friend. Winchester, JAS, 2007. why not? more letters from Jane’s circle…
Adams, Jennifer. Little Miss Austen: Pride and Prejudice. Layton: Gibbs Smith, 2011. Because you have to have this if you collect everything to do with P&P…
Ashford, Lindsay. The Mysterious Death of Miss Austen. Dinas Powys,Wales: Honno, 2011. Ms. Ashford gave a most interesting talk at the AGM – brought this on the plane – almost done and will report on it soon!
Piggott, Patrick. The Innocent Diversion: Music in the Life and Writings of Jane Austen. Moonrise, 2011, c1979. A must-have, now reprinted…
Barron, Stephanie. Jane and the Canterbury Tale. New York: Bantam, 2011. Because this is her latest – Ms. Barron was there, but alas! I did not get this signed either… I have heard it is great…
Southam, Brian. Jane Austen and the Navy. 2nd ed, rev. National Maritime Museum, 2005, c2000. Because I am shamed at not having read this – on my TBR pile, on top…
Rubino, Jane, and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway. Lady Vernon and Her Daughter. New York: Crown, 2009. Who cannot want more of Lady Susan?
Rees, Joan. Jane Austen: Woman and Writer. New York: St. Martin’s, 1976. A biography I do not have – has an emphasis on the juvenilia and letters…
McMullen, Lorraine. An Odd Attempt in a Woman: The Literary Life of Frances Brooke. Vancouver: U of British Columbia P, 1983. I recently read The Excursion and wanted to know more about this author who Jane Austen read…
Spacks, Patricia Meyer. Gossip. New York: Knopf, 1985. Should have been on my shelf years ago – imagine Emma without “gossip”!
A few finds on London, because one can never have enough:
Colby, Reginald. Mayfair: A Town within London. New York: Barnes, 1966.
Hobhouse, Hermione. A History of Regent Street. London: MacDonald and Jane’s, 1975.
Shepherd, Thomas, and James Elmes. London in the Nineteenth Century. New York: Mayflower, 1978. A reprint edition [originally published in 1827] but happy to finally have this… excellent pictures…
and of course this from my roomie – Jane Austen Made me Do It, by Laurel Ann Nattress – now signed and all! – not to mention a delightful read…
Oh dear, no space, no time…
Jane Austen in Vermont 