2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Our June group read will be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

So begins Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen's witty comedy of manners--one of the most popular novels of all time--that features splendidly civilized sparring between the proud Mr. Darcy and the prejudiced Elizabeth Bennet as they play out their spirited courtship in a series of eighteenth-century drawing-room intrigues.

Our discussion leader will be Taylor! Thank you!

The rest of the discussion threads will be posted May 20th.

I love this book. Since I've read it twice within the last year I'm not sure I'll read it again, even if I got this new edition I'm really looking forward to check out :
I'll join the discussion as often as I can for sure :-)

Winter wrote: "The rest of the discussion threads will be posted April 20th."

Erm, sorry Winter but I think you mean MAY 20th... unless we're all going time travelling :P

Love this book. Will re read it for June discussion.

I'm excited--this will be my first time to participate in the group discussion!

I went home to visit my parents for Mother's day and picked up my copies of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion since I was pretty confident one of them would be the Group Read. Since P&P won, I'll read it in June and Persuasion in July.

This will be my 3rd time to read P&P. I read it first in high school and then again 2 years ago.

Hopefully this will finally make me read this book! I've had it for probably SIX years!!! I was supposed to read it for school but just could not get myself to. Fingers crossed June 2016 is the changing point!

Emily wrote: "I'm excited--this will be my first time to participate in the group discussion!

I went home to visit my parents for Mother's day and picked up my copies of Pride and Prejudice and [boo..."

Cool, it's also my first participation in this group BOTM and dicussion though I participated in some other groups discussions and read-alongs already.

If you are interested in a book pal for Persuation just give me a shout. Since it's my favorite of Austen's books I'm always looking for a reason to re-read it and get different views of this great story :-)

Rachael wrote: "Winter wrote: "The rest of the discussion threads will be posted April 20th."

Erm, sorry Winter but I think you mean MAY 20th... unless we're all going time travelling :P"

Lol definitely. We can do some time travelling ^^

I've started P&P a few times, and never seem to quite stick with it. I've read Emma and Lady Susan (plus seen various TV/movie adaptations), so I know I like Jane Austen generally, but just never get to the point where I'm hooked in this one.

I think I'm going to try audio this time around. I have a matching Kindle/Audible pair, so maybe this time I'll succeed!

Especially since I won't let myself read Price and Prejudice and Zombies until I've read the original book first. :)

Hi everyone!

Sorry I didn't pop in to say hello sooner and to introduce myself. I've found my Mr. Darcy 3 years ago! And this most recent Monday, I got engaged so it's been a busy week for us! :)

When talking to Winter about being the discussion leader I was already excited to do this because it gives me a chance to socialize with other book lovers, especially a classic like this! But now it makes it even more special because I'm all googly eyed over my man right now lol.

I personally have never read Pride and Prejudice. So kudos to those of you who have read it more than once. To those who are joining me on reading it for the first time, WELCOME! :D ((If only we could sit on pillows together and have a reading circle with tea, coffee, and treats. Sigh... #goals !)

Emily wrote: "I'm excited--this will be my first time to participate in the group discussion!

I went home to visit my parents for Mother's day and picked up my copies of Pride and Prejudice and [boo..."

Hallelujah to June 2016! Lets do this Jewel!

Kristie wrote: "I've started P&P a few times, and never seem to quite stick with it...."

I'm with you Kristie! I've been wanting to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but I personally feel like not reading the original first puts me off balance.

If anyone is interested, the Audio book narrator is Kate Reading. She has been a freelance narrator for over 20 years. Her voice is SO soothing and bearable. Sometimes you just get those narrators that are such a drag.
She is not however! Her voice is intriguing. I definitely recommend checking her list of narrations out. I believe there's several books you all will recognize.

I think I will be doing a little of both in June. Listening to a few chapters while I'm at work and then reading on weekends.

Taylor R wrote: "Hi everyone!

Sorry I didn't pop in to say hello sooner and to introduce myself. I've found my Mr. Darcy 3 years ago! And this most recent Monday, I got engaged so it's been a busy week for us! :)..."

Congratulations Taylor!

While posting my review in the other thread earlier I read over it and remembered the first half is not so great - but if you manage to stay until the second half it get's great. That's why I decided to re-read it. One year is pretty long time - and I look always for a reason to come back to some of the books ;-)

Thanks for hosting, Taylor! I read this fairly recently, so I won't be reading it again. I'll be following along with the discussion, though.

I'm also looking forward to reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as a buddy read with some of you!

Cassandra wrote: "Thanks for hosting, Taylor! I read this fairly recently, so I won't be reading it again. I'll be following along with the discussion, though..."

Happy to do it! :) This will be such an interesting month and I can't wait for it to start.

I most recently re-read Pride and Prejudice in January, and as it is one of my favourite books you might have just given me a reason for re-reading it again. Plus I can never get bored of Lizzie and Darcy!

Taylor R wrote: "If anyone is interested, the Audio book narrator is Kate Reading. She has been a freelance narrator for over 20 years...

Thanks for this recommendation. I was able to download this version from the library and have been listening to it. It's very good! Not only good for listening to the story but motivating to get me out walking every day so I can listen!

Agnieszka wrote: "Taylor R wrote: "Hi everyone!

Sorry I didn't pop in to say hello sooner and to introduce myself. I've found my Mr. Darcy 3 years ago! And this most recent Monday, I got engaged so it's been a bus..."

I hope you're right about that! I have been compelled to read this book for a long time, but I always dropped it around page 150 or so. I'm hoping to actually finish the book next month! Knowing that it is a little more interesting in the latter half might help me get through the first bit that I've read a few times and then felt horrible for dropping.

Seeing as I have read the book thrice and watched the movie thrice (two versions), I won't be reading it but I will definitely follow the discussions.
I'm also growing more and more excited about reading the zombie version!

Since it's one of my favorite books of all time, and i haven't actually re-read it in a couple years I'm going to take this opportunity to make up for that and read it in june with the group.

This is one of my all-time favourite books, but I don't think I'll be able to squeeze it in for the group read. I first read it by choice in high school as part of an assignment, and then re-read it when I was in university between classes. I really love the book and especially the writing style.

First time doing a reading discussion on here but I want to try to read P&P! I have started and started this book over and over but now, I actually have a push to finish and discuss it with others

I'm stating the obvious but we have such a popular book on our hands! So glad you are able to join. And again, kudos to those who have read it several times! This is going to be an exciting challenge for me in June. :)

OK I haven't started the book yet, but today I heard about a podcast that the people of this thread might like. It's called In Want of a Wife and it's a discussion of Pride and Prejudice. I haven't listened to it yet, but I definitely plan to try it out while I'm reading this month.

Taylor R wrote: "Kristie wrote: "I've started P&P a few times, and never seem to quite stick with it...."

I'm with you Kristie! I've been wanting to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, but I perso..."

Agreed, Kate Reading is awesome! I have my version in Paperback though so will be reading that one.

Emily wrote: "OK I haven't started the book yet, but today I heard about a podcast that the people of this thread might like. It's called In Want of a Wife and it's a discussion of Pride and Prejudice. I haven't..."

Ooooh I love podcasts! I'll have to check that out. They all seem pretty short, around 20 episodes so I think that is a doable amount of time. Thanks, Emily!

I started the book yesterday and read 6 chapters. I think I read it in school but am not positive. I am enjoying it so far. My book has a huge introduction that details Jane Austen's life. I am finding that interesting too.

I'm reading it along with you guys. Chapter 8. ;)

Emily wrote: "...today I heard about a podcast that the people of this thread might like. It's called In Want of a Wife and it's a discussion of Pride and Prejudice..."

I've started listening to it. Fun! Thanks for posting about it!

My favourite novel ever, if you go by how many more times I've read this than any other novel. And, for what it's worth, this will always be how I picture Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy because I saw this 3 time before reading the novel. Colin Firth was still a long way of from playing this role.

I reread it earlier this year, but I think I'll reread it again with you guys. You can never reread this one too many times.

I can't remember how many times I have read this book and I am still super excited to re-read it again with you guys!

Last week ended up being quite busy so I have just read five chapters or so, but so far good ^^

I'm still reading Sense and Sensibility and hope to finish it until the end of this week (with the other library book I'm reading right now). Since I read the book twice already it's not that important when I start it. I decided to read it because of the notes in my edition: . If they are similar to I don't expect much anymore :-(

Kara wrote: "I reread it earlier this year, but I think I'll reread it again with you guys. You can never reread this one too many times."

It seems to go a lot quicker than I thought it would.

I'm finally catching up, reading along with the audio. Audible's narrator for this book is Rosamund Pike. I'd rather listen to Kate Reading, but nonetheless, they both are fantastic narrators.

General Topic:
What does everyone think of the literature style? What are your top three phrases to describe them?
Mine would have to be:
1. Witty, subtle burns
2. Graceful narratives
3. Romanticism

Great questions! Will answer a couple of more chapters in to get a more feel for it.

I like the style. It's not hard to read for a classic. It's funny and I love the way you get all the cultural traditions, makes you smile a little to think how much have changed, but also how people have not. Like everyone commenting on her walking. Walking isn't exactly unusual in these days for women, but we still comment a lot on appearances and clothes.

I'm sort of having a hard time finding the phrases I search for. Can't seem to get my thoughts into words. But her writing is witty and romance is a huge part and main theme. I would also say her writing is cozy. It gives the feeling of relaxing and just lighthearted.

Winter wrote: "I like the style. It's not hard to read for a classic. It's funny and I love the way you get all the cultural traditions, makes you smile a little to think how much have changed, but also how peopl..."

Witty has to be my favorite word to describe this book, and Jane Austen. It's very subtle, and I almost don't catch it. It makes me snicker or chuckle at moments.

I like lighthearted! That's a great choice work. I found myself having the same feeling.

I really like the style but somehow I have to wonder if it was usual for the time to talk in a lot of negations. I do appreciate her subtle wit and it has made me smile quite a lot.
For some reason i dislike Mrs Benett but I enjoy the way she and her husband are contrasted.

I enjoy the style--I agree with Winter that it is easier to read than the vast majority of classic novels. I'm flying through it--I started it on June 3 and I plan to finish it tonight. Of course, I have read it 2 other times, which makes it easier.

I would call the book: delightfully mocking, surprisingly modern, and charming.

I would agree about it being witty but subtle as well. I must admit, i caught way more of the humor in my second reading of it. I also got a better feel of the characters.

Jane Austin is a genius in my book due to her ability to write pretty much the same story but in a unique way with all her novels. I have read them all save for one or two that some other author completed due to her passing away before the manuscript was finished.

Esa wrote: "I really like the style but somehow I have to wonder if it was usual for the time to talk in a lot of negations. I do appreciate her subtle wit and it has made me smile quite a lot.
For some reason..."

I couldn't agree more! I think Mrs. Bennett is like that because she is so marriage hungry for her daughters. I myself have found it to be annoying talking to others about my own wedding, so I try to keep it to myself lol. Maybe that's why I like the contrast between the two. :)

Btw, GREAT point about negations. It does make you think a little.

Emily wrote: "I enjoy the style--I agree with Winter that it is easier to read than the vast majority of classic novels. I'm flying through it--I started it on June 3 and I plan to finish it tonight. Of course, ..."

Girl, you are flying through it! Good job!
Delightfully mocking. Yes! Especially when characters are being snooty.

Keri wrote: "I would agree about it being witty but subtle as well. I must admit, i caught way more of the humor in my second reading of it. I also got a better feel of the characters.

Jane Austin is a genius..."

That's something a coworkers and I were talking about. It'd be so boring to read if it wasn't for her style. If she told the actual events and that was it, it'd probably be a 50 page book and the majority of us wouldn't like it. Her element of interest is her descriptive nature and narrations.

Spot on Keri! All of you are bringing so many different points to the table!

I completely agree. They would be boring if she wasn't so good about not making them boring.

Esa wrote: "...For some reason i dislike Mrs Benett but I enjoy the way she and her husband are contrasted.

I think Mrs. Bennett is supposed to be unlikeable. She's so... over the top in her words and actions. Imagine her as your mother or mother-in-law!

I actually started reading this book a few months ago so I can go back to it. Fortunately, I have a vague memory of what I read.

Mrs Bennet is excessive but she just wants to be sure her daughters will have a way of living once her husband dies. Don't forget that in that era and without money, being married was the only solution for a woman to survive. Only a few were entitled to inherit, the others had to live with someone of her family. This is how Jane Austen end up, renting a cottage with he friend and her mother, and afterward living in a cottage owned by her brother.

Regarding what Louisa says, I wouldn't be refrained if I were you as I read it several times and always found something I hadn't discovered before. On top, reading it with a group gives us the opportunity to exchange views on it from different backgrounds and ways of interpreting the novel.

Good reading to all of you, and try to watch a few adaptations too, as their has been so many, and each of them has different qualities and interpretations.