Tomorrow, under my side hustle, Nerd Girl Industries, I'm teaching a few workshops to a few writing groups. My Saturdays in January are all going to be like this, but I love teaching. My other plans are my Sunday write-ins and watching PBS with a bestie. What are you doing this weekend?

It’s about time we gave Anne some love, don’t you think?

Jane Austen created numerous romance tropes and golden retriever is definitely one of them!

There are over 100 movies and TV shows dedicated to Austen and the Brontë that are available on most US streaming services. Everything, from variations of Pride and Prejudice to modern adaptations of Austen and the Brontës books. 👉🏻 www.excessivelydiverting.net

"Bridget Jones' Diary" is one of my favorite movies and I always watch it at least once during the holiday season. Since Bridget and Mark met at a New Year party her parents hosted, I have plans to watch the movie this weekend. What did you do for New Year and what are your plans this weekend?

Happy New Year from Excessively Diverting! In this issue, I give a quick history of January 1st in England, as well as the history of Aulde Lang Syne, and what traditions and rituals Jane Austen and her family and friends were aware of! 👉🏻 open.substack.com/pub/excessiv...

We do like the difficult ones, don't we?

Look at @litjrzygrl.bsky.social over there sending me Heated Rivalry / Pride and Prejudice thirst traps www.instagram.com/p/DS1K1j8DCRf/

Did you know Excessively Diverting has a newsletter! It’s published irregularly when it suits my mood, but it exists! It contains news, hot takes, essays, and whatever else strikes my fancy and is too long for social media. You can sign up here 👉🏻 excessivelydiverting.substack.com.

Missed previous years of Virtual Jane Con (virtualjanecon.com) or want to revisit the great talks? They are all available on YouTube! www.youtube.com/hashtag/virt.... You can see my presentation, Merchandising Jane 👉🏻 youtu.be/b013KsmrFCo!

My two favorite brands of (dark) chocolate are Tony Chocolonely’s and Hotel Chocolat. A local chocolatier does bean to chocolate and it is delightful. If you like chocolate, what are you favorite flavors or brands?

There are over 2 dozen podcasts dedicated to Austen and the Brontes! From discussion on her work to interviews with people in the Austen universe, Excessively Diverting has curated the list for you! You can find more at 👉🏻 excessivelydiverting.substack.com/p/austen-bro...

Did you have a good week? Mr. Lisa and I mostly worked from home, had a fabulous feast yesterday, and I started Heated Rivalry (iykyk). This weekend I'm working but Sunday is the day for write-ins and watching PBS with a bestie. What are your plans this weekend?

What was the theme of our Christmas cake in 2025? Silly question! JANE AUSTEN! I've loved celebrating her 250th birthday in 2025. She's taken me all over to meet readers of the special 250th birthday edition of JANE AUSTEN AT HOME, and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Happy birthday Jane!

I got Jane Austen LEGO.

FInished my Jan content calendar for ED! In addition to regular stuff (meme, quote of the week, question of the week, weekend darcy), rebooting read along P+P on Tuesdays, & I have 4 essays planned. Phew! I haven't thought about goals for ED in 2026. I should probably think on that.

Today is Stuff Your Kindle Day! (I have 1600 ebooks in my Kindle app based on Netgalley and previous SYKD, and trust me, it ALL sounds good!) 👇🏻 www.romancebookworms.com

Happy Boxing Day! It's December 26th and I've swapped my Austen holiday device wallpapers to Austen Valentine's Day device wallpapers. Here is one I made for desktops if you're so inclined! (Also, I reveal in my hideous graphic design!) 👇🏻 www.excessivelydiverting.net/wp-content/u...

Here is a list of upcoming Jane Austen and the Brontës virtual events scheduled for the next few months. There is a lot here from book clubs to movie nights & everything in between! Check the event websites for more information and details. 👉🏻 open.substack.com/pub/excessiv...

I couldn’t let the day ending without posting this, can I? :)

Working on a list of upcoming virtual events in the Austen/Brontës universe and I checked every regional chapter of JASNA to see what they have upcoming. Only 1/2 have websites, the others do not. Sites are horribly out of date. Some don't have contact info. I get you are volunteering BUT COME ON.

Whatever you celebrate this winter season, Excessively Diverting wishes you a warm, safe, and heartfelt holiday!

Emily Brontë died today, December 19, 1848, from tuberculosis (consumption). She was 30. Emily's death came one year after the publication of "Wuthering Heights." How very Catherine of her. Raise a toast to Emily and ponder what she would think of the upcoming adaptation of "Wuthering Heights."

Of COURSE I had to write something about Austen's 250th! Enjoy! excessivelydiverting.substack.com/p/austen-bro...

The yearly Pride & Prejudice festival will be here before you know it! Visit Jane Austen’s House January 24-28, 2026, to celebrate all things Pride & Prejudice! Can’t make it to England? No problem! JAH has a virtual pass available! Find out more at janeaustens.house/news/pride-a....

The ladies over at Under the Covers have nailed Jane's 2025 TBR! What do you think? www.underthecoversbookblog.com/jane-austen-...

Ich hope thou knowest that thou art a miracle. Your being heere doth make the worlde a bettir place. Plese be kynde to yourselfe. Give helpe when you kan, and aske for helpe when you neede.

Here is a quick list of Best Of Romance lists for 2025! There is a lot here! Since 99% of them are available on Libby, you can also order them via bookshop.org. Read more 👉🏻https://open.substack.com/pub/meetcutebookclub/p/meet-cute-book-club-2025-best-romance-lists.

In this issue of of NGI Presents: SEOing the shit out of your website and more. This week's tech tip is quick shortcuts to rename files. Read 👉https://sh1.sendinblue.com/aeg4zohh8lpfe.html?t=1765302921962. (Subscribe to NGI Presents 👉https://forms.gle/ksfbqdrFoLviKNtj6)

Having seen the trailer the day I scheduled this (11/18), I, of course, need to see this stupid movie. Having read the source material ages ago, I remember not being a fan. So, I'm curious, with the sex on celluloid, this version is going to change my mind. www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/18-t...

I laughed: "Those who feel that Emerald Fennell might not have been ruthlessly faithful to the source material should remind themselves that there are approximately 1,036 other adaptations of Wuthering Heights out there..." www.vulture.com/article/sorr...

Yes, I know The Mirror is not a bastion of truth sometimes, but other news sites reporting this are all paywalled. www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Alright Janeites, I need your inspo! I'd like to write two essays on the newsletter this month. One to celebrate Jane's birthday and the other to discuss solstice/Christmas in the Regency era. I have an idea for the holiday one but for Jane's big birthday, I want to stay away from bio. Any ideas?

Talk about timing! The 2026 release of the new adaptation of S&S celebrates its 215th anniversary! I enjoyed the 1995 version w/ Kate Winslet & Emma Thompson (and also a very young Hugh Grant). Focus Features also did 2005 P+P, so I'm hoping S&S turns out just as well! deadline.com/2025/11/dais...

My director was a fan of us celebrating Austen's 250th so she let me create a display. For a small rural library, we have more Austen related stuff outside her novels! I'm also including the signage I made which is so hideous but I love it.

Happy holiday weekend! Did you get up early to go shopping today or did you work, like me? (Thankfully, my hours are short so I got to have some holiday cheer.) I'm working again tomorrow (boo) and will work to have a very chill weekend. What are you doing this weekend?

Another dissertation of a question!

I'm in love with Gen Z getting hip to Austen and also their interpretation. This continues to prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the relevance of Jane after 250 years. www.standard.co.uk/culture/book...

Watching Pride & Prejudice (2005) while I work on NGI stuff. I'm going to have a Small Business Saturday sale, so I'm making sure things are just so. I'll probably wade into Love Actually or The Holiday next. These are my favorite movies to watch during the holiday season.

This quote hits home.

I learned a few things in this article, not related to the article itself: - The Conversation has an Austen podcast! 👉🏻 excessivelydiverting.substack.com/p/austen-bro... - They also have a series dedicated to Jane's 250th! 👉🏻 theconversation.com/uk/jane-aust... theconversation.com/why-its-so-h...

I was working at WorldCon when that was going on and they were laying people off left and right. I left on my own accord and went back to college. That was a <explicit words> time!

And here we are, years after this meme was produced, with Margot Robbie playing Catherine in Wuthering Heights. (Which is being panned, btw. Do you think you'll see it?)

Live in the US (or have access to a US VPN)? Need a Brontë or Austen movie or series to get your fix? I've got you covered! Over 100 Austen and Brontë movies and series, organized by streaming service, at your disposal! 👉🏻 www.excessivelydiverting.net (Updated regularly.) #Austen250

My gift to the world: 27 hours of holiday jamz! I started this mix back in 2015 and as I learn new stuff, I add it. Think: Bowling for Soup, Barenaked Ladies, They Might Be Giants, Johnny Cash, RUN DMC, Pansy Division, and more. I mean, it's 499 songs. open.spotify.com/playlist/2Jb...

The picnic on Box Hill in Emma, both the book & the adaptations

I saw this in the theater and adored it, so definitely do not skip "Jane Austen Wrecked My Life!" decider.com/2025/11/13/j...

Here is a list of upcoming Jane Austen and the Brontës virtual events scheduled for the next few months. There is a lot here from book clubs to movie nights & everything in between! Check the event websites for more information and details. 👉🏻 excessivelydiverting.substack.com/p/austen-bro...

To celebrate Jane Austen's 250th, Austen Connection is hosting an Austen read-along all year long and they are in the middle of "Persuasion"! For the full schedule, go to austenconnection.substack.com/p/the-great-.... (Final Blow-out Celebration Zoom is Sunday, Dec. 14th at 2pm US CST) #Austen250

This weekend I'm working at the library (Saturday). I'll probably do side hustle stuff, and Mr. Lisa and I can finish getting our gardens ready for winter. Sunday is my writing group, along with PBS time with Kristin. Sunday is always chill day. What are you doing this weekend?