everythingausten2The Everything Austen Challenge is anything but busy nothings to be sure.  This mixed media challenge hosted by Stephanie of Stephanie’s Written Word is one made of a whole lot of perfect somethings.

So perfect in fact that between July 1, 2009 – January 1, 2010 participants will be filling their eyes and ears with all things Jane Austen.  We’ll get to watch adaptations via movies and mini-series, listen to her works in audio books, and of course read novels in original form.  What’s more the challenge includes works that simply reference Austen or have an Austen theme so if you’re new to Jane and want to get a small taste with a new perspective on her works go for one of the sequels or spin-offs.  How is that for exciting and all inclusive?

Like many I enjoy all things Austen, from Clueless to Masterpiece Theatre to the original classics, so this challenge is picture perfect for me.  I’m going to try and mix it up as best I can with the following six (subject to change if other good things come out in the next six months):

1.    Pride, Prejudice and Zombies by Sean Grahame-Smith
2.    Sense & Sensibility in Audiobook
3.    Northanger Abbey – PBS miniseries
4.    The Darcys and the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
5.    Emma by Jane Austen
6.    Mansfield Park – PBS miniseries [completed]

Wanna know what’s even better about this challenge?  There is going to be loads of discussion on Twitter!  Stephanie has created a hashtag for it so we can all follow along.  So be sure to save a search for #everythingausten and check out what people are talking about.