Jane Austen Guide to Life Thoughful Lessons for the Modern Woman

To the modern woman, Jane Austen has become synonymous with happily-ever-after. From her books we can glean relationship advice that still works today, but Austens life offers us so much more wisdom than just that pertaining to love. She actually never married, and seems to have had a full, happy life. She endured many painful circumstances with grace and humor, the worst being the mysterious illness that took her life at 41.

Austens heroines are always women of substance--or character. Theyre far from perfect, but theyre guided by an inner strength that allows them to recognize their faults and correct their mistakes. And we may be surprised to find that Austens novels are not so much about hopeless romanticism as they are about sensible romanticism—a timely corrective in a culture where were all obsessed with finding The One. (What would Jane think about The One? She would probably disagree.) This book will cover topics ranging from how to be brave and follow your dreams (persist); how to be a woman of substance (when the right thing hurts, do it anyway); love, sex, and finding a good man (build love on the foundation of esteem); recovering from a broken heart (don't feed the pain); money and fame; friends and family; and much more.

“Jane Austen has been my life coach since I first discovered Pride and Prejudice thirty years ago. After reading Lori Smiths lovely The Jane Austen Guide to Life,

I now understand why. Part Austen biography, how-to-guide, and all heart, this engaging book will sensibly explain the mysteries of relationships, life,

and love that Jane Austen so excelled in on the page and in her own life.”

—Laurel Ann Nattress, editor, Jane Austen Made Me Do It and Austenprose.com

“Highly engaging. . . . Lori consults Jane Austens novels and letters and allows the authors sparkling wit, straight moral compass, and wise words to guide us in the 21st century. At times I could almost hear Jane speaking directly to me.”

—Vic Sanborn, Jane Austens World blog

 Praise for Lori Smith's A Walk with Jane Austen “A lovely, intimate read.”

-Karen Joy Fowler, best-selling author of The Jane Austen Book Club “Lyrical and questioning...perfectly pitched.”

-Emma Campbell Webster, actress, author of Lost in Austen, and founder of lostinaustenblogspot.com

“With wit, charm, and rare honesty-of which I have to believe Jane Austen would have thoroughly approved-Lori Smith weaves her personal life experiences throughout her journey into the life that was Janes. Infused with faith, romance, loss, and a search for self, A Walk with Jane Austen makes for that rare book that keeps popping into ones thoughts and beckoning one back.”

-Tamara Leigh, author of Perfecting Kate and Splitting Harriet

Austens stories give us relationship advice that still works today, but her life offers us more wisdom than just that pertaining to love. In our fame-obsessed culture, its refreshing to think that Austen preferred to remain anonymous. Ironically, Jane Austen—master of love stories—never married and can teach us something about being single. She also endured many painful circumstances and managed them with grace and humor.

In this light biography and guide, author Lori Smith surmises about Austens sensible advice for twenty-first-century women—on everything from living our dreams, being a woman of substance, finding a good man, managing money, and more.

As such an astute student of human nature, Austen can teach us much about ourselves and about what it means to live well.