4.45 AVERAGE

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced
medium-paced
funny informative reflective medium-paced

carriebohnert's review

5.0
adventurous funny informative fast-paced

I devoured this book. Romney’s mix of anecdote and archival research informed her fresh take on the literary canon. She evokes the joy of reading a really great novel. 

Oh, and I added nearly 30 books to my TBR along the way.
informative medium-paced
shelbs888's profile picture

shelbs888's review

4.25
informative reflective slow-paced

Rebecca Romney's "Jane Austen's Bookshelf" is a captivating exploration of the literary works that shaped and inspired one of the most beloved authors of all time, Jane Austen. As a devoted fan of Austen and an avid reader, I found this book to be an absolute treasure.

Romney, a rare book expert with a deep passion for literature, takes readers on a journey through the books that were likely on Austen's own shelves. She delves into a variety of genres, from novels and plays to poetry and non-fiction, providing insightful commentary on how these works influenced Austen's writing and worldview.

What I particularly appreciated about "Jane Austen's Bookshelf" is Romney's ability to make literary history accessible and engaging. Her writing is both informative and entertaining, making it easy for readers of all backgrounds to appreciate the connections between Austen's work and the broader literary landscape of her time.

Whether you're a die-hard Austen fan or simply someone who enjoys learning about the history of literature, "Jane Austen's Bookshelf" is a must-read. Rebecca Romney's insightful and well-researched book is a testament to the enduring influence of literature and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Jane Austen.

rwalsh15's review

5.0
informative medium-paced

I absolutely loved this book. I’m feeling so inspired to reread Austen with this new perspective and to find some of the incredibly interesting authors I’ve never heard of before. 
informative slow-paced

This is such a slow book. It's incredible and informative, and I learned names I had never seen before. It took me several agonizing weeks to work my way through this book because it is so dense. 
hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

The call backs to the author's own collection got to be a bit much after a while. I wanted to know more about the authors that inspired Jane Austen, not the description of the physical books were.

silvertoez's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this. A rare book dealer spotlights various “lost to time” female authors that may have influenced Jane Austen.