Austenland

So normally, I am a tired senior in college who reads too much to enjoy pleasure reading.  But I do have a dirty little secret....romance novels.  Trashy romance novels are my favorite.  When I was younger, I could get through a 300 page novel in less than a day.  Those days are long gone but I still enjoy reading those trashy books.  Today I listen to books!  My local library has audiobooks that can be downloaded from a website.  I love it!  It allows me to listen to a book while I'm crafting...it feels like I'm multitasking.  On Thursday, I downloaded a book and thought I would review it for you!

Austenland 
By Shannon Hale

Photo: Official Site of Shannon Hale

This book is not my typical trashy romance novel.  It is a "help me, I'm middle aged and single...I need a man" la Bridget Jones kind of book.  Jane Hayes is a 32 year old graphic designer who is obsessed....with Mark Darcy (aka Colin Firth..BBC....wet shirt.  Look it up) from Pride & Prejudice.  Damn that Jane Austen for ruining all men!  Jane has had a series of failed relationships in pursuit of searching for a modern day Mr. Darcy.  With the death of a rich (and insightful) great aunt, she inherited a vacation...not to Jamaica...not to Vegas but to 1816.  This "vacation" was a fantasy world of Regency England where everyone played their parts and Jane lovingly called this place Austenland.  Will Jane get stuck fantasizing in Austenland forever or realize her dream just ain't gonna happen?
 
Normally, I can tell who the main character will end up with but I must say I was still guessing until the very end.  The very teetering sanity of the Jane was one of my favorite parts and the fact that she realized just how crazy she was made it even better.  Who doesn't love the crazy chick?  Granted it was no marvel of literature but it was delectable and funny!  I couldn't wait to finish this book and that is always a good sign.