In 2025, booklovers and libraries around the globe will celebrate the 250th birthday of the beloved English author Jane Austen, whose popular works include “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility,” “Emma,” “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion.”
The Ruby M. Sisson Library will kick off the birthday celebration early with a special five-week series June 3 through July 1.
Each week on Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon, we will provide opportunities for learning more about one of the most published authors of all time. There will be lots of laughter, fun, fandom and friendship for readers of all ages.
This multigenerational series will introduce themes relating to Jane Austen’s books, stories and film adaptations, including her life as a woman in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Regency-era English history, food, music, dance, fashion and hairstyles. The series team includes costume designers and musicians.
The highlight will be a tea party with English country dance music. There will be visits from “Flat Jane Austen,” a relative of Flat Stanley, as well as cameos with live appearances of local theater actors portraying characters from her works.
In recent years, current authors and podcasters have created modern-day adaptations of Jane’s work for young and more experienced audiences. Books include “Goodnight Mr. Darcy,” “Where’s Jane,” “Little People/Big Dreams: Jane Austen,” “Ayesha At Last,” “Unmarriageable,” “Dear Mr. Knightley,” “Heartstone,” “The Next Great Jane” and “The Jane Austen Book Club.”
The recent Public Television (PBS) series “Sanditon” (starring Theo James and Rose Williams) was based on an unfinished book of Jane Austen’s. If you loved “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and Netflix’s show “Bridgerton,” you’ll love this new library series.
As Jane might have said, “We would love the pleasure of your acquaintance. Do come and bring a friend.”
