The Book Review: What was on Jane Austen’s bookshelf?

Meet the "Smurfette principle."

View in browser|nytimes.com February 18, 2025 In her research Romney realized how many writers had not just influenced Austen, but been great in their own right. From left: Frances Burney, Charlotte Lennox and Elizabeth Inchbald. The Print Collector/Getty Images, Bridgeman Images, Thomas Lawrence By Joumana Khatib Dear readers, I enjoyed this review by my colleague Sadie Stein of "Jane Austen's Bookshelf," which investigates Austen's literary influences. It's a catnippy subject, and the author, Rebecca Romney, brings a true enthusiast's zeal to her research. There's plenty about overlooked female writers — always a worthy topic — but what makes the book particularly worthwhile is the feeling of communion it inspires in readers. "Books are not static things," Romney writes. "One reason I love reading is that I can examine the emotions it stirs safely from a distance, at my own pace. When I'm rereading, I'm doing that, and more. I'm remembering the emotions of the last read." If you're an Austen fan, I suspect the book will inspire similar feelings. I also credit Sadie's review for introducing me to the irresistibly named "Smurfette principle," coined by Katha Pollitt to describe a type of catchall female character created to fill a quota. Though Austen is perennially popular, expect to see even more tributes to her this year, leading up to what would have been her 250th birthday in December. It's fitting that a new Bridget Jones movie is out this month; Jones is an enduring link to "Pride and Prejudice," no matter how many cigarettes she chain-smokes. Here's a list of romance books to satisfy you after you've watched the new movie. See you next week. THE JANE AUSTEN TO BRIDGET JONES PIPELINE The Print Collector/Getty Images, Bridgeman Images, Thomas Lawrence nonfiction The Forgotten Writers Who Influenced Jane Austen In "Jane Austen's Bookshelf," a rare-book collector sets out to "investigate" a group of overlooked female writers. By Sadie Stein Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures Watched the New 'Bridget Jones' Movie? Read These Romance Books Next Whether you're in the mood for another Jane Austen adaptation, a British rom-com or a love story with a fabulous older heroine, we've got you covered. By Sarah Wendell Rebecca Clarke Helen Fielding Has a Big Collection of 'Sadly Ineffective' Self-Help Books The creator of Bridget Jones, who grew up on Jane Austen and Jackie Collins, has no patience for "snobbery about escapist fiction." In other news From the department of successful underdogs: Tilted Axis, a tiny British publisher, took a gamble on books written in languages not commonly translated into English. The risk paid off — their books have received major awards, and now the publisher is coming to the United States. RECENT BOOK REVIEWS Nonfiction In His 80s, and Recalling All the Men He's Loved Before Edmund White seems to hold nothing back in his raunchy, stylish, intimate new memoir, "The Loves of My Life." By Alexandra Jacobs Critic's Notebook This Book on World War I Changed How I Think of Nonfiction Paul Fussell's 50-year-old survey of trench warfare deserves a new generation of readers, our book critic writes. By Dwight Garner Nonfiction What a President's Pardon Says About His Soul A new book by the legal journalist Jeffrey Toobin plumbs the dubious history of the presidential pardon. By Jennifer Szalai Fiction He's Dead. His Ghost Isn't the Only Thing Haunting His Girlfriend. In Evie Wyld's new novel, "The Echoes," a woman mourns her partner while also contending with the traumatic past she left behind. By Marie-Helene Bertino Nonfiction She Gathered Evidence of War Crimes. Then She Became a Victim of One. The Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina compiled stories of women resisting the Russian invasion. After she was killed, colleagues ensured publication of her unfinished book. By Rebecca Donner 10 Great Gothic Thrillers That Will Keep You Up at Night The author of "If We Were Villains" recommends novels that will make you shiver with delight one moment and recoil in horror the next. By M.L. Rio We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. Love this email? Forward to a friend. Want this email? Sign-up here. Have a suggestion for this email? Then send us a note at books@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Books from The New York Times. To stop receiving Books, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018