So what does Spooks have to do with the Library? Well would you believe Rupert Penry-Jones (pictured front)starred as Captain Wentworth in a TV version of Jane Austen's Persuasion. And he of course, is the star of Spooks. See I told you it was possible. And besides we love a great story and they generally have quality spy stories with a modern day twist and even Harry's Diary has been published. The award-winning, edge-of-your-seat spy drama, Spooks, is back with another white-knuckle ride through the perilous world of deadly terrorists, international cover-ups and treacherous double-agents. During 10 hour-long episodes, Adam, Ros, Harry and the team are immersed in their most intricate operation to date as the complex relationship between the UK, Iran and the US is put under the spotlight...but who can really be trusted under this new world order? There is also the Spooks Interactive online game at www.abc.net.au/tv/spooks Spooks begins Monday April 6 at 9.35pm, ABC1.

Just when you thought our love affair with Jane Austen was all over along comes this TV gem. On Sunday (8th March and 15th) at 8.30pm be watching ABC TV for Lost in Austen. Jemima Rooper (The Black Dahlia) plays a young woman who finds herself swept away to the land of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. It also features Alex Kingston (ER), Hugh Bonneville (Notting Hill), Lindsay Duncan (Rome) and new Bond girl Gemma Arterton (St. Trinians; Quantum Of Solace). It is the story of a thoroughly modern heroine who threatens to ruin one of the world's greatest literary love stories. Bored bank worker Amanda Price becomes lost in her favourite Jane Austen book after finding a portal in her bathroom and swaps places with its heroine Elizabeth Bennet. Of course she encounters the Bennet family and Mr Darcy. As the plot thickens she must restore the love story to its rightful conclusion. There are some wonderful locations and great characters. At least it sounds more tasteful than this new title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Seth Graheme-Smith.

Dear reader, a parcel arrived on my desk today addressed to The Jane Austen Book Club from author Steve Chandler postmarked Gilbert, Arizona, USA. In it contained the third book in the Two Guys series by Steve Chandler and Terrence Hill. This time two guys take on their biggest challenge yet – Jane Austen. The book blurb says follow their wild and often hilarious exchanges as they fly though Pride and Prejudice and the dark more complex Mansfield Park. Often veering off into the works of music, sports and history both of these accomplished writers draw upon their lifelong friendships and shared childhood memories to give dimension to their deeply personal responses to Jane Austen's writing. The introductory chapter is "What guy really wants to read Jane Austen?" and then you will find they encountered something they had not really expected. I'm chuckling away at the first few pages already and it is written as an exchange of letters – too clever. Jane would be amused and would certainly find a variety of reasons to recommend them.

Emma aired on ABC 1 last night as the starter to a season of English novelist Jane Austen's works on Sunday nights at 8.30pm. For fans of British spy drama, Spooks keep an eye out for Rupert Penry-Jones appearing in the upcoming classic Persuasion as the dashing Captain Wentworth, screening on June 8 with Sally Hawkins as Anne Elliot. It is a story of second chance featuring a love letter to turn things around. Then it will be Northanger Abbey on June 15 and Mansfield Park on June 22. And for more on Austen tune into The Letters of Jane Austen as part of the Book Show on Radio National weekdays at 10.45am from 2 – 6 June. The first three episodes are devoted to letters to her sister Cassandra, episode four concentrates on letters to her brother James and in episode five hear her words of advice and affection to her niece Fanny. Austen remains one of the most widely read and popular of English novelists. Her books are noted for biting social commentary that highlights the situation of women in the nineteenth century. What a feast of Austen!

Discover more about the life and works of Jane Austen at a talk to be presented by President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, Susannah Fullerton, on Sunday, 1 June from 3pm to 4.30pm at Orange City Library. Susannah is a knowledgeable speaker and has written extensively about the famous British author publishing two books: Jane Austen & Crime and Jane Austen Antipodean Views. Jane Austen & Crime examines the relationship between Georgian crime and the novels of Jane Austen including elopement, duelling, poaching, theft and even murder which all appear in Jane Austen's writings. Guests will be able to ask Susannah questions about Jane Austen, her life and works and refreshments will be served. The event is free but please RSVP to Orange City Library by calling 6393 8132.

Susannah Fullerton, President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia, has been shortlisted for an award for an "Outstanding Jane Austen Contribution". The award is run by "Jane Austen's Regency World" publication put out by the Jane Austen Centre in Bath. So vote online at www.janeausten.co.uk by clicking on the blue bar to the 'award' section. There are several categories so vote for Susannah and the Society's website www.jasa.net.au. Be quick - voting closes tomorrow! Good Luck Susannah. Susannah will visit Orange City Library on Sunday 1 June at 3pm to talk about Jane Austen - Her Life and Works. Susannah is an expert on Jane Austen and has published Jane Austen & Crime and Jane Austen Antipodean Views. This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Please RSVP by calling 6393 8132.

A funny thing happened (that sounds strangely familiar) at the cinema when a friend of ours saw St Trinians (the original books and sketches with this title are by Ronald Searle) - they couldn't help but notice the dog, who belongs to the headmistress Miss Fritton, is named Mr Darcy of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice fame. See you never know where Jane will turn up next. But Jane Austen Book Club fans know - the next meetings will be held during April on the following days: Blayney Library Tuesday 15 April at 11am to chat about Sense and Sensibility, next meeting Tuesday May 20 to talk about the Lesser Known Novels. Cowra Library Tuesday 22 April at 12.30pm to discuss the Lesser Known Novels - The Watsons, Lady Susan and Sanditon. Orange Library Day Group Thursday 24 April at 12.30pm to talk about Life and Times of Jane Austen. Orange Library Evening Group from 5.30pm for early birds, 6pm for everyone else on Thursday 24 April to talk about Inspired by Jane Austen 2 - the sequels.

Jane proves she is still no 1. Jane Austen's timeless romance Pride and Prejudice has topped the list of the 101 best books ever written, according to Australian readers. The survey of more than 15,000 members of bookseller Dymocks' booklover program put JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy second followed by Harper Lee's 1960 classic To Kill a Mockingbird in third place and The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown fourth. Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, Tolkien's The Hobbit, The Harry Potter series, Bryce Courtenay's The Power of One, Magician by Raymond E Feist and Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre rounded out the top 10. Dymocks buying manager Meredith Drake said most of the books included in the top 101 were predictable, although there were some surprises, including Stephanie Meyer's Twilight, released just a year ago. But she described them all as "great reads" that reflected the diverse tastes of Australian readers. Austen lives on!

The next meetings of the Jane Austen Book Club will be as follows: Blayney Library Tuesday 18 March at 11am to chat about Northanger Abbey; Cowra Library Tuesday 18 March at 12.30pm to discuss Persuasion; Orange Library Day Group Thursday 20 March at 12.30pm to talk about Sense and Sensibility; Orange Library Evening Group Thursday from 5.30pm on 20 March to talk about Mansfield Park.