We ended the 2023/24 season with our annual books and berries event. So many wonderful books were donated to the book sale, and many members left with their arms full of summer reads. After the book sale, a few members shared what books they’ve read recently, providing a brief synopsis and why they enjoyed the …
For Jane Austen Day, we were delighted to welcome back Dr. Cynthia Aalders for a presentation on female friendship. Dr. Aalders discussed the close friendship between two Blue Stockings Society members, Elizabeth Carter (1717 – 1806) and Catherine Talbot (1721 – 1770), who wrote hundreds of letters to each other throughout their lives.
Phyllis and Lindsay Bottomer presented “Austen on the Rocks,” which skillfully intertwined the life and works of Jane Austen with significant figures in geology, particularly William Smith, the father of English geology, and Mary Anning, a pioneering fossil collector. The presentation explored the connections between Austen’s life and the geological discoveries of her time. Phyllis …
Austen on the Rocks: Diverse Connections to the Female “Fossilists” of her Time Read More »
Sir William: “Do you dance, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Darcy: “Not if I can help it!” Sir William: “What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing, after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies.” ~ Pride & Prejudice Our sentiments were unlike …
“The day returns again, my natal day. …The day, commemorative of my birth, Bestowing Life and Light and Hope on me” – Jane Austen, a poem written on her 33rd birthday, 1808 We gathered on December 9th to celebrate the 248th birthday of our beloved author. The day featured music, lively chats, and a fabulous …
Step into our November gathering, where we aimed to recreate the charming ambiance of a Jane Austen-era drawing room. Picture yourself amid lively discussions, accompanied by a reading from Pride and Prejudice and a delightful summary of AGM happenings. As we immersed ourselves in period music, Austen enthusiasts engaged in friendly trivia while others observed …
Our October meeting featured a panel discussion where members passionately pled the cases of mothers in Austen’s novels and novellas, arguing which mothers were truly monstrous and which were actually misunderstood. Before diving into the panelists’ presentations, we listened as Meghan Adrian read excerpts from Pride and Prejudice featuring Caroline Bingley. Meghan pointed out Caroline’s …
Panel Discussion: Mothers in Jane Austen’s Novels – Monsters or Misunderstood? Read More »
Our September meeting began with honoring Ron Sutherland by gifting him with an honorary JASNA membership, a testament to his support of his late wife, Eileen, who served JASNA in many roles over 28 years: as Vancouver’s Regional Coordinator and newsletter editor, on JASNA’s board of directors, and as President of JASNA. From opening up …
The Very Heart of Bristol – Mrs. Elton as a Comic Stereotype Read More »
Our Books & Berries meeting started with our annual book sale fundraiser. So many books were donated that you could hardly see the tables beneath that displayed them! During the housekeeping/announcement portion of the morning, we were informed by our Regional Coordinator, Janice Mallison, that the Toronto chapter of JASNA will be closing. This sparked …
Books & Berries: Annual Book Sale Fundraiser & Member Book Reviews Read More »
Our guest speaker for the day was Dr. Cindy Aalders of Regent College. She gave a presentation on Henrietta Maria Bowdler (1750–1830), a writer and literary editor who lived in Bath at the same time as Jane Austen. Like Austen, Bowdler was something of a force in contemporary literary and religious circles. Half the leaders …
“Let a Woman be Seen: Henrietta Bowdler’s Novel Pen Tamar” Read More »