Jane Austen Books in Order (+PDF)
I’ve loved Jane Austen since I first saw Pride & Prejudice with Kiera Knightley when I was in college. Never one to fall in love with just a movie, I knew I had to read all the Jane Austen books in order.
The order I read them in was not the order she wrote them in, but rather the order of popularity, which is a shame. I like to read books from the author’s earlier career first, generally speaking.
Below you’ll find both the order of Jane Austen’s books and my personal ranking order. Let me know if you agree with my ranking choices!
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Jane Austen Books in Order
- “Sense and Sensibility” (1811)
- “Pride and Prejudice” (1813)
- “Mansfield Park” (1814)
- “Emma” (1815)
- “Northanger Abbey” (1817) – written in 1803, published posthumously
- “Persuasion” (1817) – published posthumously
Reviews of the Jane Austen Books Ranked
Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Year: 1813
Genre: Classic Romance
Spice Rating:💋
More: December 2025 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Age Range: 12+
Plot
We love this classic love story. This love story has everything you could want. Elizabeth Bennet is a smart and stubborn woman who was ahead of her time. With five Bennet girls, one of them must marry well to support the other sisters.
Why Kirsten loves it
There are so many new and wonderful adaptations of this novel, that we did an entire post on it. And you don’t want to miss the other Jane Austen adaptations in the post as well. Austen is a master of romances, and this book is the original enemies-to-lovers novel! It’s my favorite of all the Jane Austen books.
Adaptations
If you are a fan of the book, you probably have very strong feelings about which adaptation you like more – the 2005 Keira Knightley version or the 1995 version with Colin Firth. In 2025, filming started on the latest adaptation, which will become a series for Netflix. The cast includes Emma Corrin (Elizabeth Bennet), Jack Lowden (Mr. Darcy), and Olivia Colman (Mrs. Bennet). Rufus Sewell, Freya Mavor, Jamie Demetriou, Daryl McCormack, Rhea Norwood, Siena Kelly, and Louis Partridge are in the supporting cast.
Find this book in: Books About Sisters / Enemies-to-Lovers Books / Jane Austen Books in Order / Grumpy Sunshine Books / Classic Romance Novels / Books Like Bridgerton / Books Becoming Movies / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2025 / The Best Queen Camilla Book Club Books
Northanger Abbey
Author: Jane Austen
Year: 1817
Genre: Classic
More info: Published posthumously
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Henry Tilney was refreshing as far as Austen heroes go. He was softer than the others, and his feelings toward Catherine were far more obvious than, say, Mr. Darcy.
Why Kirsten loves it
Northanger Abbey would be anyone’s perfect first Jane Austen novel. I found myself laughing out loud at times at Catherine’s over-the-top imagination.
Find this book in: Jane Austen Books In Order
Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Year: 1811
Genre: Classic
More info: Deluxe Hardcover Version
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The Dashwood sisters star in this Jane Austen book about their life after their father’s untimely death. Thrown out of their home, they must try to find husbands to secure their place in the world.
Why Kirsten loves it
I found their struggles to be deeply engaging. Though I connected more with Elinor’s practicality than Marianne’s immaturity, I ultimately loved both sisters.
Find this book in: Jane Austen Books in Order (+PDF)
Plot
Poor Franny Price has been sent to live with relatives at Mansfield Park. Unaccustomed to the new lifestyle, she struggles to find her place in society, being mistreated in the process.
But her friendship with her cousin Edmund helps her through it all.
Why Kirsten loves it
The relationship between Fanny and Edmund is one I could actually root for the entire time.
Find this book in: Jane Austen Books in Order (+PDF)
Persuasion
Author: Jane Austen
Year: 1817
Genre: Classic
More info: Published Posthumously
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I adore Jane Austen’s work including this one. The will-they, won’t-they of Captain Wentworth and his lady kept the story moving forward. It’s a romance, so I’m sure you can guess the ending.
Why Kirsten loves it
As always, Austen’s wit is on display as she explains life and expectations during the Regency era.
Find this book in:
Plot
Emma has never been a favorite of mine. In fact, the only version of Emma in book or movie form I’ve liked is Clueless. This time, however, I finally started to understand Emma. She is a matchmaker of sorts who finds her way into everyone’s business. The fact that she does not need to marry for financial security makes her very different from other women of the day.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’ve read Emma a few times already, but this time I actually listened to the Audible production narrated by Emma Thompson in anticipation of the upcoming movie adaptation. This recording made the book even better!
But it’s still my least favorite Jane Austen book.
Jane Austen Merch
Expert Tip
Who was Jane Austen?
- Jane Austen was an English novelist who was born in 1775 and died in 1817 at the age of just forty-one years old
- She is renowned for her six novels that are brilliant commentaries on love and life at the time.
- 250 years after her birth, her books are still being adapted to films. Pride and Prejudice was chosen as the December 2025 Read with Jenna pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Read the Jane Austen Novels in Order?
You don’t need to read Jane Austen’s books in order since each is a standalone novel.
What are the best Jane Austen books?
Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey are my personal favorites, but lots of people like Emma the best.
What Order should I read Jane Austen books?
While you can start with any book, Pride and Prejudice has the best movie adaptations – so we recommend starting there!
How Many Jane Austen Books Are There?
Jane Austen wrote six complete books. Four were published in her lifetime and two were published after she died.
What are the rankings of Jane Austen’s Books?
The books are subject to personal opinion, but we rank them as follows:
Pride and Prejudice
Northanger Abbey
Sense and Sensibility
Mansfield Park
Persuasion
Emma
Epilogue
Did you read the Jane Austen Novels in Order?
Beautiful Jane Austen Gifts and Box Sets
Want gorgeous editions of Jane Austen’s books? We’ve rounded up the prettiest on this post!
Jane Austen Reading List
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