Why I’ll Always Collect Jane Austen (And Why She’s Still the OG of Romance)
It started innocently enough. One copy of Pride and Prejudice on my shelf. Then another. Then another. Now? I own twenty-five different editions of the novel - including one printed in 1907, its pages foxed and lovely, the kind of book you hold like a relic.
There’s something about Jane Austen that keeps us coming back, again and again. She isn’t just a classic author - she’s a touchstone, a friend, a sly observer of human nature who never really went out of style. And for me, she’s become a lifelong companion (and a mild collecting obsession).
Why Jane Austen Still Casts Her Spell
Austen’s novels may be set in Regency England, but her sharp wit and insight into love, class, and human folly feel as fresh today as they did two hundred years ago.
Take Pride and Prejudice. It’s not just a romance - it’s the romance. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have become archetypes, their banter and misunderstandings echoing through centuries of love stories.
Which brings me to my favourite Austen truth - Jane Austen basically invented the romantic comedy.
The blueprint is all there in Pride and Prejudice: the sparkling heroine, the brooding-but-secretly-soft hero, the obstacles of pride (his) and prejudice (hers), and the triumphant ending. Every modern rom-com - from Bridget Jones’s Diary (which is literally Austen fanfiction) to You’ve Got Mail - owes its structure to Jane. She’s the OG.
Collecting Pride and Prejudice (and Beyond)
So why 25 copies of Pride and Prejudice? Because each edition feels like a new lens through which to experience the same beloved tale. Some are dainty little hardbacks, some gloriously oversized. My 1907 edition smells faintly of dust and ink, while a more recent clothbound copy is all jewel tones and gold leaf. Plus, the inscriptions always send my head into a fun place, imagining who those people may have been. Friends, family... forbidden lovers???
There’s a thrill in seeing how different publishers honour Austen’s legacy. And, honestly, part of the joy is sheer bookishness - you can never have too much Austen.
The Case for Beautifully Typeset Classics
Here’s where my love of Austen spilt into my own work. After years of reading different editions, I realised what a difference good typesetting makes. A well-spaced, thoughtfully designed page can make even the most familiar story feel brand new.
That’s why I’ve created downloadable typesets of Austen’s six major novels - editions that are not only easy on the eyes, but also perfect if you want to try your hand at DIY bookbinding. (Yes, you can literally bind your own Austen novel at home, Regency-style!)
Explore the Jane Austen typesets!
A Future Project: A Handbound Austen Set
And because I clearly can’t help myself, I’m currently working on a fully handbound set of Austen novels - stitched, pressed, and bound in my workshop (Workshop is a very generous term for my dining room table. sigh maybe one day). It’s still a work in progress (more on that soon), but let’s just say it’s going to be something very special for fellow Austenites.
Why We’ll Never Stop Reading Austen
So why do I love Austen so much? Because she’s timeless. Because she makes us laugh, ache, and swoon. Because her heroines feel like friends and her romances like homecomings.
And because, in every rom-com we watch, in every love story we read, a little piece of Austen’s wit still sparkles on the page.
She’s the OG - and I, for one, will happily collect every edition I can get my hands on.
If you’d love to read Austen in a beautifully typeset, reader-friendly edition (or even try binding your own!), browse the Jane Austen typesets in my shop. And keep an eye out for the handbound Austen set is coming soon.