Oh come on! I cannot be this lucky! I'm the first one to pony up with the answer which is,

Pride and Prejudice

published on Jan. 28, 1813.

Well, maybe it's appropos that the other Janeite chocoholic is the one supplying the answer. I hope I win!!!

Whoo-hoo!!! Early bird gets the truffle!

Pamala, you're absolutely right and, yes, my dear, you definitely win :). Yay, you!!

My favorite novel of all time was published today, 196 years ago... I'll have to host a party in celebration in 4 years (mark your calendars, you're all invited!), but until then, I'd love to know:

For those of you who visit, what's the novel YOU'D consider your "favorite of all time," if you had to narrow it to just one book? (Hard to choose, I know...)

Congrats Pam! I tried to google for teh answer but all I cae up with were years of publication, not exact dates. I guess I don't have enough patience...

Favorite book of all time... hmm.. very, very hard, but two definite contenders are Count of Monte Cristo and The Blue Castle (by LM Montgomery. Not as well known as it ought to be. I dare you to read it and not adore it. I read it over again every so often, and it never fails to lift my spirits).

Favorite of all time? That's way too hard! I did want to say I love your idea for Truffle Trivia! Marilyn, you're always so clever. Way to go, Pamela! Enjoy the truffles.

Wow! I had no idea it was such an auspicious day. Frankly, it should be a national holiday. Yeah, I know Austen wasn't American and P&P doesn't take place on American soil, but seriously. Lots of American books and movies have been influenced by the book. Therefore, today is a holiday. Uh, does that mean I get to go home?

Grrr! I did it again. Yes, that was my anonymous comment above. I should know better than to submit comments when distracted...

Congrats to Pamala and her truffles. Enjoy!

Favorite novel of all time? Sheesh. How am I supposed to answer that? Was this supposed to be some cruel consolation prize for those of us who didn't get chocolately goodness?

Anyway, happy release day to Jane, and I'm RSVPing for the party in 4 years. Can I bring anything?

Oh, I love that today is the date for Pride & Prejudice.

Little wonder I'm feeling very historic, then.

Great game. I, too, had difficulty finding exact dates -- only years.

Good idea to give away all the sweets in the house. I might try that trick.

Happy writing.

Nadine~I love L.M. Montgomery, too, and read many of the Anne of G.G. books--will have to read The Blue Castle!

Robin~thanks for calling me "clever" but I think "desperate" is closer to the truth... I can't eat truffles that are in the mail to someone else, now can I? :)

Caryn~I think you SHOULD be able to go home! Yes. I think we ALL should be exempt from working today on International P&P Release Day! (Although, unfortunately, in my case I've already been a slacker all morning and much of the afternoon.)

Pam~I've put you on the guest list. And, yes, you absolutely can bring something: Signed copies of your first few novels :).

Sandra~it's so nice to hear from you!!! Hope you've had a good start to 2009... *hug*

Favorite novel of all time? ....that's a tough one. Near the top of my list would be The Davinci Code and Angels & Demons. Dan Brown can really write some page-turners! Of course, I've been meaning to go back and re-read the Tales of the City series. I first read the books about 8 or 9 years ago and loved them!!

And now I also have chocolate on my mind for some reason... :)

Congrats, Pamala, for being on the ball.

The internet is all atwitter with Jane things :)

Oh, I think you should run another truffle contest. Especially after a delish description of Toffee Hazelnut Crunch!

Brett~you're so right about Dan Brown and his ability to write a page-turner. I tend to prefer more character-driven to plot-driven novels, but I found myself devouring the Da Vinci Code anyway--I had to know what was going to happen...

L.A.~yes, today is a high-volume Jane day. Maureen linked Moonrat's post on her blog (you probably saw that, too :) and, of course, the various Janeites have much to post about. Makes me happy!

Barrie~I will definitely do Truffle Trivia again. Soon. I still have a few boxes left :).

All this talk of truffles isn't doing my diet will power any good!! :(

Favourite book of all time...? How many years do we have to think about our final answer? :)

Truffle Trivia...ooh, sounds like an addicting game. Especially when you toss in titillating terms like 'enrobed ganache' lol

Congrats, Pamela!

And Marilyn, I've never had to mark my calender for an event four years in advance. I feel so...important now! Maybe by then I'll be able to pick an all time favorite novel. =)

Ann~if mere TALK of truffles pulls you away from your diet, you can imagine how I feel having them in the ROOM with me!!

Lainey~LOL. Here I am planning a party and I don't even know which day of the week it'll fall on... Probably a Monday or something. :) BTW, did Brenda's book reach you yet?

No matter, Marilyn, we can hold a blog party any ole day of the week.

And Jack With a Twist arrived in today's mail. Squee. Perfect timing since I'm leaving in a few hours!!!

Glad it got there, Lainey, and have a WONDERFUL trip!!!!! Expecting to hear lots of great Caribbean stories upon your return :).