🎉 You may or may not know that 2025 marks the 250^th birthday of beloved literary icon, Jane Austen! Famous for timeless classics such as Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, her celebrations are currently in full swing in England—and I was fortunate enough to be over there earlier this year to get in the mood! Wherever you are in the world, I have some sweet suggestions of ways in which you can embrace the celebration and join countless others in saying HAPPY 250^th BIRTHDAY, JANE AUSTEN!

Perhaps best known for her six completed novels – Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, Jane Austen was a genius writer and is still held in the highest regard today.

I’m English (for those who haven’t heard me speak!) and lived in the UK until my mid-twenties—I was actually born and raised on the South Coast quite near to Jane Austen’s house in Chawton, yet never explored this historic gem. Finally, FINALLY, this year as I was back in England researching my current novel, my dear parents offered to take me out for the day to Jane’s house!

Here’s a short video with some of the highlights:

It was a dreamy day. Surreal, even. A humble home in a tiny village amidst the English countryside, filled with memorabilia from the great writer’s time there—from her tiny octagonal writing desk to her personal jewellery and first editions of her novels… it was beyond magical. Then a short walk through the stunning grounds of Chawton House, home of Jane’s brother Edward, for some tea and cake in the kitchen.

Whether you are a die-hard super-fan of Jane Austen, have fond memories of curling up with one of her novels years ago, or are curious to see what all the fuss is about, I have some options for you to maybe consider in commemorating this big birthday. Of course, if you’re ever in England I absolutely recommend checking out her house/ museum, but here are a few suggestions any of us can enjoy:

📚 READ:

You could commit to reading one or more of her novels this year—always time well spent! I also have some really special recommendations below—I adore them all and would happily press any of them into your hand as they are simply delightful! Most are currently on “birthday sale” so I’ve included my Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a tiny commission while you pay the best price for any of the books. (Full disclosure here.)

      My Dear Cassandra: The Letters of Jane Austen (with amazing images and photos!)

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Jane Austen Box Set: all 6 stunning hardcover books by Chiltern Publishing- some are shown  in my video (these are my favourite editions and are deeply discounted between 20-44%!)

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     Tea with Jane Austen: Recipes inspired by her novels and letters

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     The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner (fiction)

You can read my review HERE.

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     Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner (fiction)

You can read my review HERE.

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🎙️ LISTEN:

“A Jane Austen Year” is an utterly charming podcast recorded once a month from Chawton House. It’s a seasonal journey through Jane Austen’s novels, the story of her life and the world she lived in. Check it out HERE. 

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🎬 WATCH:

Of course, there are various adaptations of Jane Austen’s books you can view for the first or fiftieth time, but may I recommend a 4-part series that absolutely wrecked me in the very best way?

“MISS AUSTEN”   I watched this new series about the Austen sisters with my dear sister Heidi when I was in England—it is brilliant, beautiful, and will tug on your heartstrings like nothing else! It’s on PBS, Prime, and several other places… do let me know if you watch it! 😭

🎉 I hope you’ve enjoyed this mini-celebration of all things Jane. Yes, I’m a Christian romantic suspense author—but I treasure the classics and have the utmost admiration for phenomenal writers such as Austen who stand the test of time. What a gift!

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” Jane Austen

Do you have a favourite Jane Austen novel? Or movie? Leave it in the comments ⬇️ … we’d love to know!

Happy reading, friends,

P.S. If you want to stay up to date with all my writing news, plus enjoy book giveaways, reading recommendations, and baking recipes—be sure to sign up for my free monthly newsletter, LAURA’S LETTERS and get your freebie HERE.