Welcome to Friday Bookblogging, Gentle Readers! We start off with a couple of books related to sewing and manners in the 19th century.

The first, The Lady’s Stratagem: A Repository of 1820s Directions for the Toilet, Mantua-Making, Stay-Making, Millinery & Etiquette, has recently been published by Lavolta Press. Translated from six French manuals with supplements from rare French, American, and English publications, the book has information on fashions, manners, hygiene, and other matters of a personal nature. The information is a little later than Jane Austen’s lifetime, and of course being French should be regarded with a bit of care, but probably still of great interest to Janeites.

Alert Janeite Laurel Ann, knowing our fondness for period needlework, also pointed us to an upcoming volume, Jane Austen’s Sewing Box, a collection of sewing, needlecraft, knitting, paper, and decorative projects for the crafty Janeite, which sounds like a lot of fun.

Speaking of Laurel Ann, Book Sleuth, she has done an excellent roundup of upcoming volumes of interest at Austenprose, earning our undying gratitude, for now we don’t have to. 🙂 Check it out!

Alert Janeite Ione let us know that a recent collection of romantic fantasy, Lace and Blade, includes a Jane Austen meets Dracula (gulp!) story, “Miss Austen’s Castle Tour.”

That’s it for this week’s Bookblogging, Gentle Readers. Until next time, always remember: Books Are Nice!