I was first introduced to my  friend, Jane (Austen), my junior year in high school when we were required to read Pride and Prejudice (P&P) in my English class.  The book quickly became my favorite fiction – and remains so to this day.  Over the years, I read her other works and although none replaced P&P at the top, I thought they were all great and wished she had written more.

But, fortunately, it appears that I am not the only one with a Jane addiction.  Others have picked up where she left off and added to her stories – and although none have quite the same “Jane-ness” to them, there have still been some good reads.

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith.  Okay, this sounds crazy, I know – but it is actually hilarious.  The Bennett sisters, rather than seeking to be accomplished young women through practicing the piano-forte and embroidery, instead hone their skills in the deadly arts of fighting zombies that are on the attack in England.  The story is nearly word-for-word the original by Jane, but Seth then adds in scenes where there are zombies.  It is the only time I’ve ever recommended Jane for guys to read.  I mean, just check out the cover art:

• An Assembly Such as This, Duty and Desire, and These Three Remain by Pamela Aidan.  This trilogy is the story of P&P, but told from Mr. Darcy’s perspective.  The first book was pretty good, the second can be skipped, but the third was by far my favorite – it picks up when Darcy and Elizabeth are both at Rosings with Lady Catherine. 

Now, for all of you other Jane-iacs out there, has anyone read one of the novels that has been written as a continuation of P&P? I think there is a series out there called The Ladies of Pemberley or something like that.  If you have any to recommend, please let me know – I might venture down this path next.

And even if you aren’t a Jane fan, but are a reader and you have other book recommendations – I’d love to hear them – please become my friend on goodreads.com!