Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016 discussion

Marianne says, “The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!”

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Back again! Team Marianne!!!!

But something tells me that you'll be up shaking hands with at least Mr. Crawford this year. :)

Sophia wrote: "But something tells me that you'll be up shaking hands with at least Mr. Crawford this year. :)"

(sorry about the Marianne rant here but....) Sorry but no, no, no! I will do many things to avoid that level, although it's very likely I won't be able to even read 1/3 that many next year. I greatly despise that character, made far worse by the fact that my favorite AiBer is a huge fan of his and all the (evil) Henrys. We spare about them on a meeting by meeting basis. Lol she's not on Goodreads, as far as I know, so she won't see that level....nevertheless GRRRRR!.

Okay, maybe crossing swords? I probably just set the cat amongst the pigeons, didn't I? I doubt your friend is the only person to dig the rakes.

Personally, I cracked up when Fanny gave him those set downs. Guy had no idea where to go from there. She saw right through him. Even when he read Shakespeare so well. ;)

Sophia wrote: "Okay, maybe crossing swords? I probably just set the cat amongst the pigeons, didn't I? I doubt your friend is the only person to dig the rakes.

Personally, I cracked up when Fanny gave him those..."

Lol, well said you! :) Of course, as I've said too often, I dated a "Mary Crawford" a number of yrs ago...so it's personal! :)

Yes, that would be a surreal experience dating someone whose name instantly reminded one of a not so savory character. I think I would struggle not to pinch a George Wickham.

I'm back at this level with hopes of surpassing it. My personal goal is to read at least one variation of each Austen novel (besides P&P) before August. Recommendations are welcome. :) Happy reading everybody!

Mercy's Embrace looks like a great Persuasion variation!! I'll get to the series one day!!

Join the Knightley group read with us in March. That'll cover your Emma read!

Willoughby's Return looks good. But I'm a Willoughby fan, so I'm biased.

That's a great challenge to yourself, Pamela!

And I agree with both Claudine's recommendations.

We are doing a George Knightley read by Barbara Cornthwaite for March, but folks can read it any time. I also liked Joan Aiken's Jane Fairfax.

Mercy's Embrace by Laura Hile and Susan Kaye's Captain Wentworth Duo are good for Persuasion.

Sherwood Smith writes a couple Mansfield Park variations that aren't bad (and they're novellas so go by quickly). I haven't read them yet, but I just got the C. Mitchell Mary Crawford stories that looked good.

Lucia Edgerton writes a couple Sense & Sensibility sequel novellas. And maybe Jane Odiwe's Willoughby's Return might appeal.

It's hard to find Northanger Abbey ones unless they are part of a series. I do have Vera Nazarian's paranormal one on my pile. I liked her P&P PNR spoof well enough so I imagine the NA one would be fun, too. Nachtsturm Castle by Emily Snyder was a fun one.

And Emma & Elizabeth by Ann Mychal are good for The Watsons.

You're amazing Sophia!! Great list.

You should see Meredith's list at her Austenesque Reviews' blog. Those are the best. :)

Squee! Thank you, ladies! I have a new project launching next month and your suggestions are a huge help. Yay! Claudine, you will see that I, too, have a bit of a soft spot for Willoughby.

Thanks Pamela! I can't wait for your next project!

I'm still doing the Marianne level with a hope to surpass.

Hey, Everyone! I'm choosing Marianne this year. Sadly, I didn't make my goal for 2015 by one book. Hopefully, I can complete this level! haha! Happy New Year!! Thanks for hosting this challenge again, Sophia Rose!

@ Lisa- Yes, best wishes on going past this level and into the next.

@Candy- ah, one? No way. Bummer. Hope to see you do it this year and very glad to see you back. You're Welcome! It's fun having a group for the challenge. :)

@Candy- ah, one? No way. Bummer. Hope to see you do it this year and very glad to see you back. You're Welcome! It's fun having..."

@Sophia Rose - I know, right? Haha! I've been putting together my 2015 challenge wrap up. I realized I had completed this challenge by one book! Yay! Although, I had to count some of my books published in 2015, but some I had counted anyway because I didn't realize they were that new! It was getting too confusing, so I just counted them all! --- That's what I'm going to do this year too. Count all Austenesque books I read because they usually sit around a couple of months before I get to them anyway! LOL! Like many of you, I have way too many books to read and I can't keep up!

Candy, that is what I did, counted all Austenesque books I read. Otherwise I would be so confused and would have been in trouble.

Ladies, this works for me. It would be silly to stick it on the pile and let it sit for a while just to count it since the goal is to reduce and keep the TBR pile manageable. :) I'm pretty sure that my first two Austenesque reads will be the last two I got in December. Haha!

Go for it!

I recommend searching for captain Wentworth by Jane odiwe. mercys embrace sounds good too

Amanda granges have books from the hero's point of view. Mr tilneys diary is one.
Mansfield revisited I loved

carrie bebris mystery series is good.

Abigail Reynolds Mr darcy noble connections and mistaking her character by maria Grace.

joana starnes subsequent proposal is good too. I can't put it down

That's a good list, Trish. I want to try Mansfield Revisited.

I just finished Georgian & Regency Houses Explained. It's an interesting read, if you like history and houses. :)

Well I do like that sort of thing, Pamela. :) But beyond that, I'm researching Georgian era so I could do with a book on the houses. I'll check this one out.

Sophia, I read the kindle version, but this is one instance that I think a physical copy would be better. The formatting, with all the illustrations and references, was a bit off.

Ah, yep, no what you mean. I had that mistake with a clothing Fashions of the period book. Thanks for the tip, Pamela!

Lurching out of the 2016 starting gate with....

The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay and Diaries: Bringing Jane Austen's Novel to Film
Thompson, Emma


A Spot of Sweet Tea: Hopes and Beginnings Short Story Collection
Grace, Maria *



The World of Jane Austen
Nicolson, Nigel

Great start, Kirk!

I enjoyed World of Jane Austen and the movie book about S&S. Bet it was bittersweet to see Alan Rickman in the movie book.

Hello!
Previously I chose Anne Elliot level, but I have a lot of not-austenesque books to read (and to study, ouch!), so I think Marianne Dashwood level is better. Then, we will see :)

This month I have read


That girl, Darcy by James Ramos.
It was a nice surprise. All the characters (except Mr and Mrs Bennet) are 17-years old boys and girls at their senior year, and the gender roles are reversed.
It is a very funny and sweet story. There are no mature contents.
I am always happy to find a good modern retelling!

Here are my reviews
- on my blog, where it is possible to read in English (I hope Google translator works well...):
http://iltesorodicarta.blogspot.it/20...

-on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Happy reading!!

This sounded fun with the gender-swap. Glad it was good, Carmen. I've got it on the list.

And sure, go for this level and maybe reach the next if you read more than you anticipated.

In level(up to 8 books!) now with the following, all good ones:

Colonel Brandon's Diary (Jane Austen Heroes, #5)
Grange, Amanda *


Pride and Prejudice: ...and Kids | A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Jane and the Waterloo Map (Jane Austen Mysteries, #13)
Barron, Stephanie


Lizzy Bennet's Diary: Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Williams, Marcia


Sanditon: Jane Austen's Last Novel Completed
Austen, Jane

Well, I'm just about to graduate from this level, having finished my 10th one this morning!

Woohoo! Onward and upward. Nicely done, Anji!

The Carriage Ride: a Pride and Prejudice short story

Didn't care for it too much.

Teatime Tales: Short and Sweet Austen-Inspired Stories
Brown, Leenie

Enjoy these much more. Goodbye sweet Marianne...none have loved you but me....and those dead leaves too....:(

Sad to see your dear Marianne go, but its for a great reason. Neatly accomplished and I noted that you're well established at the Anne level. :)

I do believe I have these Teatime Tales on my list for reads this year so I like seeing that you enjoyed them.

Hello! In February I read two Amish retellings by Sarah Price.

(The matchmaker). It was a very nice retelling of "Emma". I liked the way the author adapted Jane Austen's novel in the Amish world. Above all I liked the way it is told that, at one point, Emma's world seems to go upside down. 4/5

(Second chances). It is a retelling of "Persuasion", that is my favourite novel. Perhaps for this reason, I expected too much from this book, that seems not so weel-finished like the others. It was fun to read, however. 3/5

Reviews coming soon.
Happy reading for this new month!!

Oh cool, Carmen!

I just got the Sense & Sensibility one to read, but hadn't read the others. I tend to be a little more critical when its a retelling of my favorite one, too. I'll have to check out your reviews.

Great on getting two more read.

Yay! Congrats for moving up a level, Loren. I'll have to check out your review.

Yeah, that's tough to have a disappointing book when it's a tour book.

I agree too. I thought the story was really good but the intimidate scenes seemed to "rub" people the wrong way. I'm sure her next book will take these reviews into consideration.

I didn't imagine that book was like that! In the blurb it say it's recommended for mature audiences but I thought it was OK. I think I'll pass...

These are the books I have read so far this year :
Austenland :I
A Weekend with Mr. Darcy :I
Unleashing Mr. Darcy :D
Mister Darcy's Dogs: A Mister Darcy series comedic mystery :I
Whatever Love Is :)

I a couple more books I will be reading this year including and advanced copy of Eligible by Curtis Sittenfield :)

The way you judged the books is really nice and funny, Kristin!

Carmen8094 wrote: "The way you judged the books is really nice and funny, Kristin!"
Thanks :)

Nice stack of reads, Kristin!

And yes, Carmen's right, cute rating system. :) I still need to read Austenland.

Thanks :)I found Austenland a bit boring, I much preferred the film

I've heard that. I'm keeping my expectations low. :)