Around AustenBlog World Headquarters, it is a truth universally acknowledged that there is a Jane Austen quotation for every occasion. Sometimes it springs to mind naturally; sometimes one needs a little discreet check of an e-text to make sure one has it exactly right. And sometimes we are certain that somewhere in Jane Austen’s writings is that perfect quote for a note to a friend or a snarky remark on a weblog *cough* if one could just find it quickly. And that’s why we are delighted to add The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen, compiled by Dominique Enright, to our library.

“Another Jane Austen quotation book?” cries the AustenBlogosphere. Indeed, Gentle Readers, another Jane Austen quotation book, but this one quite delightful in that it is presented with a dry wit and the always-welcome acknowledgment that Jane Austen’s novels are funny. The book starts off with a short biographical sketch and a discussion of Jane’s particular brand of wit and how it is shown both in her fiction and in her letters. Sections such as “The Rich are Always Respectable” and “A Neighbourhood of Voluntary Spies” allow one to pinpoint exactly the right quotation for each occasion. Each section is placed in biographical and/or literary perspective, and some of the quotations are placed in context as well, though mostly Ms. Enright allows Jane’s wit, wicked and otherwise, to shine on its own.

This inexpensive volume is a nice addition to any Janeite’s library, and we can envision it becoming a useful reference work as well.

AustenBlog is giving away a copy of The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen. E-mail editor AT austenblog DOT com and tell us which of Jane Austen’s novels contains the phrase “a neighbourhood of voluntary spies.” (You don’t have to send your snail-mail address right now; just your name.) All correct entries received by 11 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 18, will be entered in a drawing.

The Trashionista blog (”We read books like they’re going out of fashion”) is having an Austen Week, kicking off with a contest to win DVDs of NA07 and MP07 and several books (open to UK residents only).

We’ll have guest blogs from famous authors on what Jane Austen means to them and lots of Jane-themed twists to regular features.

Today’s guest blog is with the author Julia Quinn.

I still want to be Lizzie Bennet (I blame Matthew MacFadyen for that), and yes, I still want to be Jane.

This is another “she’s everywhere” post, though we think a rather lame one (Jane Austen! Romance novels! nyuk nyuk!), but we were amused by the news of the venerable UK publisher Mills and Boon’s plans to offer their products as downloads to be read on mobile phones.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the pressures of modern life leave most of us yearning for a little romance, even if it’s only of the fictional variety. With apologies to Jane Austen, few would think to argue with this sentiment.

And now, the publishers of the famed Mills and Boon romance novels have decided to marry fiction and technology, by introducing pocket-sized thrills for the single girl on the go. Click and text hello to the downloadable romance novel, ready to read on your cell phone.

Harlequin, the parent company behind the M&B imprint, has signed a deal with ICUE, a British company which specializes in transferring books onto mobile phones.

The first set of romance downloads — priced between $4 and $10 per novel — is set to hit the British market in May, with high hopes that it will repeat the company’s success in Japan, where women have taken to reading mobile romances with a vengeance.

[. . .]

This move to make the novels available on mobile phones could very well succeed, for it allows people to read them without having to admit to reading them. As Lavanya Ashok, a 24-year-old investment associate said, “I had to perfect the art of furtively reading romance novels, amid much parental disapproval, in high school. So I am thinking that cell phones might provide the perfect cover for that.”

Darling, when you’ve read Fanny Burney’s Cecilia on a Treo, come talk to us. THAT’S hardcore e-reading.

(And everyone knows that Jane Austen’s novels are already available as e-books on practically every platform you could want, right? Right.)

Alert Janeite Tracylea sent us a note to let us know that the gang at Mythbusters used the “it is a truth universally acknowledged” allusion in one of their episodes, titled “Is Yawning Contagious?” (we say, maybe only during one of Mr. Collins’ sermons! ha ha!) Tracylea said it is during the “Does toast really fall butter-side down?” segment of the episode.

Congratulations to our Dutch readers–looks like you’ll be getting to see P07 and S&S07 at some point.

Dutch pubcaster NOS has picked up over 200 hours of drama, factual and comedy programming from BBC Worldwide, including fresh adaptations of two Jane Austen classics.

The new productions of Persuasion and Sense & Sensibility are among a series of dramas picked up by NOS, part of Netherlands Public Broadcasting (NPB).

No date yet, of course. (NA07 and MP07 are being separately distributed–that’s probably why they are not included. We trust they will be at some point.)