“It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” - Sense & Sensibility

I often wonder how Jane Austen would feel if she could see how much her works are still beloved over 200 years after they were first penned. Her words are still as powerful, relevant, and inspiring today as they were in the 19th century.

This delightful little book featuring hundreds of quotes from her novels, letters, poems, and prayers is an absolute gem for Jane Austen fans. It showcases not only her wit and wisdom, but her deepest thoughts on a variety of subjects.

The introduction provides a brief history of Jane’s life and invites the reader to become intimately acquainted with one of history’s most brilliant writers.

It’s divided into eight parts:

*Love & Longing
*Friendship
*Home & Society
*On Being a Woman
*Life, Death, & Spirituality
*The Arts, Intellect, & Literature
*Good Manners, Virtue, & Vice
*A Philosophy of Life

Also included is a list of Jane Austen’s complete works and a brief biography of the compiler, Andrea Kirk Assaf.

At the end of the book is a Reader’s Journal which provides 30 beautifully framed blank pages where readers can record their own thoughts.

I throughly enjoyed reading these delicious morsels. Each quote showcases Jane Austen’s talent & I loved the way they were illustrated on the page. It was fun recognizing those iconic lines from her novels like Pride & Prejudice.

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

I also loved discovering inspirational quotes I wasn’t familiar with. Her witty humor, profound nuggets of wisdom, and heartfelt prayers made me appreciate her even more. It’s a beautiful compilation I highly recommend to those who love Jane Austen. I received an advanced complimentary copy from AustenProse and the author. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily given. ( )

“Nobody minds having what is too good for them.” ~Mansfield Park
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If you know me well, you know I love all things Jane Austen. I love her books, her wit and wisdom, studying her life, and collecting anything Jane Austen related. And her quotes are some of my favorites! I’m also a collector of quotes, so this little book was right up my alley.
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“Nothing was so likely to do her good as a little quiet cheerfulness at home.” ~Persuasion
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I loved how Assaf organized the various quotes into sections. There is Love & Longing, Friendship, Home & Society, On Being a Woman, A Philosophy of Life, and others. And every single quote is a zinger of the best kind. I began marking my favorites, only to realize I had fewer unmarked than I had marked. Essentially, I love the entire book. Thanks to the organization and style, any time I need a quote for a good occasion, I’ve got dozens at my almost-immediate disposal.
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“I do not want people to very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.” ~Excerpt from a personal letter
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I loved this book so much, I immediately looked into other “Little Book of Wisdom” collections Assaf has curated, and I’m looking forward to adding to my collection. I’ve got my eye on the C.S. Lewis collection.
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“There are certainly not so many men of large fortune in the world, as there are pretty women to deserve them.” ~Mansfield Park
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If you like Jane Austen, and the wit she brought to life situations and infused into the characters in her books, I think you’d also love this little collection. It would also make a great gift book, for all the lovers of Literature in your life.
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Many thanks to Assaf, Hampton Roads Publishing, and PR Austen Tours for having me on this tour and the gifted copy of the book. These are my thoughts.

Rating: 5stars ( )

Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom: Words on Love, Life, Society, and Literature, compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf, is adorable, yet stylish. At nearly 400 pages, the book is thick, but remains compact. I can fit it in my purse.

As expected, Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom showcased the wit, depth, humor, and intelligence of this beloved author. Included quotes came from the entirety of Jane Austen’s works – novels, letters, prayers, juvenilia, and poems. Eight sections divide the quotations by topic. One of my favorite Jane Austen prayers appeared on page 92: “May we now, and on each return of night, consider how the past day has been spent by us, what have been our prevailing thoughts, words, and actions during it.” A wise word, indeed. I noticed that a handful of quotes repeated partially or in full at different points in the book.

Perhaps my favorite part of reading Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom was trying to place the quotes within their respective stories and scenes. I recommend Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom as a gift for Jane Austen fans.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. ( )