Jane’s 235th Birthday

I was woken up this morning with a text message: “Check the Google logo. You’ll probably love it.” He was right! As a celebration for Austen’s birthday, 16th December, Google put up the following image:

Isn’t it just wonderful? Thoroughly debatable as to who the characters are, but I’m going with Lizzy and Darcy (for my own sanity’s sake) justified in my mind with the way they are standing, or something.  This is the first time Google has celebrated Jane Austen’s birthday (according to the archives) in this manner. The Doodle team is really talented, I think the picture is just delightful!

Happy Birthday Jane.  I know you’re watching us from somewhere- probably with a somewhat extreme level of amusement about all the fuss.

Also, Sourcebooks has a great giveaway on to celebrate her birthday.  As of the 16th (Chicago US time) a whole tonne of eBooks in the Austen fanfiction category (as well as Austen novels themselves) are being given away for free! I am especially psyched as one of the ones on the list (and they’re all bestsellers) “The Darcys and the Bingleys” I almost bought for $25 at Borders the other day until my conscience kicked me about being a poor student and buying Christmas presents for others before buying for oneself.  This giveaway will be Christmas come early!

For all you Australians reading, that’s technically tomorrow when those books become available. I’ve already got my Kindle iPhone app ready and waiting to download them. It’s great being Down Under, we can celebrate her birthday twice! If you’re keen to celebrate Jane’s birthday for longer, with other giveaways and prizes, then there’s plenty all over the Austen blogging world with many going on until Christmas (literally).

I don’t know about everyone else, but the second I get home I will be curling up in pjs to watch Colin Firth emerge from a lake, before retiring with “Being Elizabeth Bennet” the adventure novel, which you can expect a review of soon.

There’s a lovely sense of reverence emerging from the comments left on the Internet.  I’m not sure where her 235th stands as a milestone, but it’s wonderful to see so many people appreciating the moments she has left for us in our lives. Many libraries are having special celebratory events and I don’t doubt that small groups of Janeites (as well as the many Jane Austen Societies) are getting together to clink teacups for Miss Jane Austen.

More to come tonight, I’m sure.  This is, afterall, one of the most important days on my calendar.

How are you celebrating the 16th?