Books
14 Books That Are As Charming As Jane Austen’s Novels
The first time I was introduced to Jane Austen was actually through reading the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies . I can remember racing through the story, thinking, “You know what would make this book even better? If there weren’t zombies!” I’m extremely terrified of zombies, and was in a phase when I was trying to desensitize myself, but instead of curing myself of the fear, I ended up introducing a whole new obsession: Jane Austen novels.
From Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s witty banter, to Emma Woodhouse’s constant matchmaking, to Catherine Morland’s belief that she’s in a book, Austen’s characters are consistently charming and relatable. There’s something about reading a story in which you know that everything will end happily (and no one will be eaten by a zombie) that warms the heart. Not to mention that Austen had some awesome feminist moments. Take that feminism, combined with her penchant for observing people and describing their quirks through witty, intelligent prose, while still creating fairy-tale endings, and you can see why Austen’s novels have withstood the test of time. The only problem is: there are just six of them.
So after you’ve read (and reread) all six, but you’re still yearning for more Jane Austen, check out some of these other charming books for something to read before you reread Pride and Prejudice for the 50th time. (Which you still should do, because that book is amazing).
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The 'Betsy-Tacy' Series by Maud Hart Lovelace
Maud Hart Lovelace’s beloved series Betsy-Tacy stars Betsy Ray, a young girl desperate to be a writer. The simple, sweet story follows Betsy all the way through school, and the honest descriptions of her relationships and friendships will win over Austen fans.
'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell
Elizabeth Gaskell’s novels are in the same vein as Jane Austen’s, and North and South is reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice. Margaret Hale, a strong-willed woman from the south, encounters John Thornton, a cotton mill manufacturer. Tempers rage. Sparks fly. Social commentary ensues. Plus, this novel was made into a BBC mini series in 2004, so after you finish the book you can enjoy the show as well.
'Emma: A Modern Retelling' by Alexander McCall Smith
Emma has proved a great story for modern retellings (Clueless, anyone?), and Emma: A Modern Retelling is further proof. College graduate Emma Woodhouse is about to launch her interior design business, but naturally, she also sets aside time for matchmaking.
'Far From The Madding Crowd' by Thomas Hardy
In Far From The Madding Crowd , proud and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has a string of suitors, from the loyal and steadfast Gabriel Oak, to the wealthy Farmer Boldwood, to the dashing cad Sergeant Troy. The story takes place on rural farms, and explores the relationships between Bathsheba and all three of her suitors, making it a great pick for fans of Austen’s country settings. Plus, the recently released movie starring Carey Mulligan is definitely worth adding to your romantic drama film collection.
'The Jane Austen Rules' by Sinead Murphy
If nonfiction is more your style, check out The Jane Austen Rules . Written as a response to the controversial dating advice book The Rules, this book examines dating from a feminist, Jane-Austen-obsessed perspective. Whether you’re trying to find Mr. Darcy, or you just want to read some hilarious advice, this is a charming and funny book using Austen quotes to debunk commonly spouted anti-feminist dating tips.
'Austenland' by Shannon Hale
Jane Hayes is completely obsessed with Mr. Darcy, so she sets off on a trip to Austenland , a Jane-Austen-themed place where clients dress in Regency attire, attend a ball, and basically act out Pride and Prejudice. But soon, Jane realizes that it’s not so easy to separate fact and fiction when she meets two prospective suitors. The only risk with reading this book is that you’ll wish Austenland were a real place after reading it.
'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Brontë
Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel Jane Eyre examines social class, feminism, morality, and what it means to be an individual, so fans of Jane Austen’s subtle social critique are sure to enjoy this so-much-more-than-a-love-story. Catherine Morland probably would’ve been obsessed with this book, so, enough said.
'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery
In Anne of Green Gables , Anne Shirley is an orphan taken in by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, and though she constantly tries to be well-behaved, she often gets in ridiculous and hilarious scrapes. This laugh-out-loud funny story features an imaginative and relatable heroine that fans of Jane Austen will be sure to like.
'I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend' by Cora Harrison
This young adult book, I Was Jane Austen’s Best Friend , centers around Jenny Cooper, a girl sent to stay with her cousin… Jane Austen. It’s a sweet story following Jenny’s adventures, but also reveals a lot of information about Jane. Author Cora Harrison did plenty of research in order to write the book, so this fun piece of fiction is also a little centered in fact.
'Evelina' by Frances Burney
Jane Austen wasn’t the first female author to write novels critiquing society… one of her precursors was Fanny Burney, author of Evelina . This novel, which is written in letter format, is about a young woman entering London society and vying for her place among the noblemen and women.
'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
OK, so this book may be better without the zombies in my personal opinion, but Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is really the same classic love story as Pride and Prejudice… just with more brains. Fans of Jane Austen will get a kick out of how the author mashes the Regency era with monsters, and Elizabeth Bennet is just as witty in this version PLUS has excellent fighting skills. Not to mention that it’s going to be a movie soon starring Lily James, so you might as well give it a read before seeing it on the big screen.
'Twenties Girl' by Sophie Kinsella
In Twenties Girl , Lara is haunted by the ghost of her great-aunt Sadie, who was a bold and audacious flapper. While trying to fix her own love life, Lara has to help Sadie with one final request before she moves on. This book is clever, sweet, and has plenty of 1920s culture for Jane Austen fans who love delving into another time period.
'A Sicilian Romance' by Ann Radcliffe
Catherine Morland is obsessed with Ann Radcliffe’s novels, so fans of Jane Austen could steal her reading list and try some gothic romance for themselves. In A Sicilian Romance , sisters Emilia and Julia navigate the tribulations of living a completely gothic existence. Lovers are separated! Secrets are revealed! Houses are haunted… or are they?! This is the perfect pick for Austen fans looking for a charming yet completely gothic read.
'Bridget Jones's Diary' by Helen Fielding
Fielding’s novel Bridget Jones’s Diary is based on Pride and Prejudice, so it’s a necessary read for the modern Jane Austen fan. Bridget Jones is constantly trying to improve her life, but things never seem to go how she planned. Hilarious results ensue. This book is a great feel-good read for Austen fans who could read Pride and Prejudice (and all its adaptations) again and again. And, bonus: Colin Firth plays the Mr. Darcy character in the movie. Perfection.
