Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017 discussion

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Y-T-D Challenge Tracker > Meredith's Austenesque TBR Pile Progress

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message 1: by Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (last edited Jan 08, 2017 01:23PM) (new)

Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Hi friends!

I'm so excited to be participating in this challenge again! I've been successful with my goal of 15 Austenesque TBR pile books for two years in a row. I'm feeling like I should truly "challenge" myself though, so I'm bumping it up a little higher this year.. My goal for 2017 is 18 Austenesque TBR pile books.

And my secondary goal is to see an actual decrease in my Austenesque TBR pile (I know such a crazy idea, right?) Every year I've taken some books off my TBR pile, but I also add books to the pile each year too. So this time I thought I would count my TBR pile before starting and again at the end of the year to see what the difference between the two numbers is. New books will always be coming into the pile, that's a given. But I'm hoping to take as many off of the pile as well!

So here we go 2017!!

Goal: 18 books!

Austenesque TBR pile: *gulp* 54


message 2: by Mary (new)

Mary | 709 comments Best of luck with your goal of 18,Meredith!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Thank you, Mary! :D


message 4: by Maria (new)

Maria | 50 comments Good luck, Meredith! ;)


Silver Thistle  (silverthistle) Good luck with your challenge :)


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Thank you, Maria and Silver Thistle! :)


message 7: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 1301 comments Good luck with this new higher goal. I think we all know how busy you are so it is an ambitious mark but I am sure in setting it you will have the determination to work towards it.


message 8: by Abigail (new)

Abigail Bok (regency_reader) Not to undermine you by adding to your TBR, Meredith, but since I recall how much you loved Venetia by Georgette Heyer, I have to recommend Black Sheep as well, if you haven’t read it yet. When I was reading it last week, I kept thinking how much Venetia fans would enjoy it!


message 9: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 1301 comments I have read 7 of her many books. Venetia received 5 stars from me. I have 3 others on my kindle to read...some day. I have not read Black Sheep.


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Sheila wrote: "Good luck with this new higher goal. I think we all know how busy you are so it is an ambitious mark but I am sure in setting it you will have the determination to work towards it."

Thank you, Sheila! Since I met my goal of 15 two years in a row, I thought I should step it up this year!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Sheila wrote: "Good luck with this new higher goal. I think we all know how busy you are so it is an ambitious mark but I am sure in setting it you will have the determination to work towards it."

Hi Abigail! LOL! Actually I didn't count any of my GH in my Austenesque TBR pile! I thought I would still keep those separate since I have several other authors like Julie Klassen and Sarah E. Ladd who are more Regency and Georgian than they are Austenesque. But my GH TBR pile is also something I'm trying to work on too! I have at least 10 unread books in it! And I think Black Sheep is one of them! Thanks for giving a vote in its favor! I looooooved Venetia!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments YAY first book off the pile! ;)

1. The Annotated Northanger Abbey Edited by David Shapard (5 stars)
The Annotated Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/01...

Goal Status: 1/18


message 13: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 1301 comments Great!


message 14: by Mary (new)

Mary | 709 comments Great job,Meredith!!


message 15: by Anji (new)

Anji | 275 comments Well done, Meredith. I remember reading your review of it last month. I re-read NA for the first time in years, last year, and had kind of forgotten what a riot it is (hangs head in shame!). I love the comment in your review about giving James Morland his own story - I'd pay good money to read that.

My very first Shapard annotated edition (Emma) is waiting for me to read it. As I have it on audio as well, I'm planning on listening to the audio on my commutes and then reading Shapard's annotations in parallel. Emma was always on my re-read list this year anyway, as is S&S and P&P (got Rosamund Pike's audio to listen to).


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Thank you, Sheila and Mary! :)


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Anji wrote: "Well done, Meredith. I remember reading your review of it last month. I re-read NA for the first time in years, last year, and had kind of forgotten what a riot it is (hangs head in shame!). I love..."

Thank you, Anji! I think that is a marvelous plan! :) I've never tried an audiobook, but it sounds like you have some great ones to listen to! I hope you like your first Shapard!! :)


message 18: by Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (last edited Mar 15, 2017 08:49AM) (new)

Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Oh dear! I think I'm off to a slow start so far! Only 2 books off my TBR pile!!!

2. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund (4 stars)
For Darkness Shows the Stars (For Darkness Shows the Stars, #1) by Diana Peterfreund
My review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/02...

Goal Status: 2/18


message 19: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 1301 comments I read that so long ago that it is vague in my memory bank...I do plan on someday re-reading it. I know I enjoyed it. Glad to see you did, also.


message 20: by Mary (new)

Mary | 709 comments Meredith,slow and steady wins the race!!!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Sheila wrote: "I read that so long ago that it is vague in my memory bank...I do plan on someday re-reading it. I know I enjoyed it. Glad to see you did, also."

It looks like there may be a prequel novella for it and I think there is a second book as well. :)


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Mary wrote: "Meredith,slow and steady wins the race!!!"

Thanks, Mary! I'm hoping to still meet my goal!


message 23: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 1301 comments Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I read that so long ago that it is vague in my memory bank...I do plan on someday re-reading it. I know I enjoyed it. Glad to see you did, also."

It looks like there may be a preque..."


Yes, I have purchased the prequel on May 15, 2015 but never got around to reading it. My pile of books as you know for the JAFF faithful is in serious danger of maiming someone if it falls over.


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Sorry for being MIA, friends! I've made some progress with my reading though! :)

3. The Abominable Mr. Darcy by J. Dawn King (4 stars)
The Abominable Mr. Darcy A Pride and Prejudice Variation by J. Dawn King
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/03...

4. Ardently by Caitlin Williams (4.5 stars)
Ardently A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Caitlin Williams
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/03...

Goal Status: 4/18 inching my way up there!


message 25: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 1301 comments Steady progress. Good work. Life just sometimes gets in the way of reading...smiling.


message 26: by Mary (new)

Mary | 709 comments Yes,Meredith,life does have a habit of getting in the way! Well done on having four books under your belt!


message 27: by wosedwew (new)

wosedwew | 414 comments Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) wrote: "Sorry for being MIA, friends! I've made some progress with my reading though! :)

3. The Abominable Mr. Darcy by J. Dawn King (4 stars)
[bookcover:The Abominable Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Va..."


OOOO -- Ardently is one of my favorites!


message 28: by Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (last edited May 24, 2017 06:12AM) (new)

Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Chipping away!!!

5. The Darcys Give a Ball by Elizabeth Newark (3.5 stars)
The Darcys Give a Ball A Gentle Joke, Jane Austen Style by Elizabeth Newark
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/05...

6. Darcy and Elizabeth: A Promise Kept by Brenda Webb (4.5 stars)
Darcy and Elizabeth A Promise Kept by Brenda J. Webb
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/05...

Goal Status: 6/18!

Not sure if I should count other Regency/Georgian reads in this challenge?!?

I've read These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer, but this story takes place more in the Georgian period, and The Heiress of Winterwood, which takes place in 1814 but doesn't really have any Austenesque connections... what do you think?


message 29: by Abigail (new)

Abigail Bok (regency_reader) Speaking for myself, I include Heyer novels in the challenge because she was clearly inspired to write her novels by Jane Austen's works. TOS is early, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. The Heiress of Winterwood is of the period, so I'd say sure! Sophia is very permissive and lets us self-police. Perhaps a good guide for inclusion might be"would a reader of Jane Austen enjoy reading this?" Because in the end, isn't that why we're in this group?


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Abigail wrote: "Speaking for myself, I include Heyer novels in the challenge because she was clearly inspired to write her novels by Jane Austen's works. TOS is early, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. The H..."

Thanks, Abigail! That's a real good idea for a guide! ;) I may do that and count both, because I think the answer to the question would be yes and yes! ;)


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Shame, shame on me! I'm way behind in updates! But I've been very diligent with trying to read books from my TBR pile! ;)

7. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen (4.5 stars)
The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/06...

8. Mr. Darcy's Mail-Order Bride by J. Dawn King (4.5 stars)
Mr. Darcy's Mail-Order Bride A Pride and Prejudice Variation by J. Dawn King
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/06...

9. Mr. Darcy's Bad Day by Christie Capps (4 stars)
Mr. Darcy's Bad Day A Pride & Prejudice Novella by Christie Capps
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/06...

10. Master Under Good Regulation by Kara Louise (4 stars)
Master Under Good Regulation by Kara Louise
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/07...

11. Jane Austen: Her Life, Her Times, Her Novels by Janet Todd (5 stars)
Jane Austen Her Life, Her Times, Her Novels by Janet Todd
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/07...

Goal Status: 11/18


message 32: by Mary (new)

Mary | 709 comments Meredith,11 down,7 to go!! Well done! 😌


message 33: by Marlene (new)

Marlene | 364 comments Julie Klassen is a favorite! Probably in my top 5. A dog on the cover below!?!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Mary wrote: "Meredith,11 down,7 to go!! Well done! 😌"

Thanks, Mary! I'm excited, I think I will finish!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Marlene wrote: "Julie Klassen is a favorite! Probably in my top 5. A dog on the cover below!?!"

Me too, Marlene! So glad Austenesque friends introduced her to me!

Yes! That lovely story is P&P told through the eyes of Mr. Darcy's dog, Reggie!


message 36: by Marlene (new)

Marlene | 364 comments Try Michelle Griep's Brentood's Ward.


message 37: by Marlene (new)

Marlene | 364 comments It's quite good, and she is another author of Christian Regency that hits it out of the ballpark!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Marlene wrote: "It's quite good, and she is another author of Christian Regency that hits it out of the ballpark!"

Thanks Marlene, I definitely want to check it out! ;)


message 39: by Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (last edited Oct 14, 2017 05:38AM) (new)

Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments It's been some time since my last update!

12. The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton (3 stars)
The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love (21st Century Austen, #1) by Rosie Rushton
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

13. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (4.5 stars) counting as Austenesque
Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Goal Status: 13/18 I may just make my goal. The question is, will be my TBR pile be any smaller...?


message 40: by Marlene (new)

Marlene | 364 comments I've noticed that my TBR hovers around two times my read pile, so I wouldn't count on it!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Marlene wrote: "I've noticed that my TBR hovers around two times my read pile, so I wouldn't count on it!"

So true! I think for every book I take off I'm adding 2 more on! ;)


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments It's time for the final stretch! Hoping I make my goal! ;)

14. Darcy Revealed by Penelope Swan (3 stars)
Darcy Revealed A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Penelope Swan
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/09...

15. For Pemberley by Christie Capps (4.5 stars)
For Pemberley A Pride & Prejudice Novella by Christie Capps
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/09...

16. Passages by Brenda Webb (4.5 stars)
Passages A Pemberley Tale by Brenda J. Webb
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/10...

17. First and Then by Emma Mills (5 stars)
First & Then by Emma Mills
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/11...

Goal Status: 17/18 Almost there! :) Although I never did count These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer which I read in April... I could count it and be all set. ;)


message 43: by Abigail (new)

Abigail Bok (regency_reader) Well done, Meredith! And it looks like you really enjoyed most of them. I bet you can squeeze in one more!


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Abigail, you were correct! I did get one more off my Austenesque TBR pile!

18. Side By Side, Apart by Ann Galvia (5 stars)
Side by Side, Apart by Ann Galvia
My Review: http://austenesquereviews.com/2017/11...

Goal Status: 18/18!! YAY! Thank you to Sophia Rose and all the lovely friends in this group that encourage us all to work on our TBR piles!

Will count my current Austenesque TBR pile to compare to see if it got any smaller...I'm pretty sure it got bigger! LOL!


message 45: by Mary (new)

Mary | 709 comments 18/18!!!! 👏🎉Well done,Meredith!!! 😊🎉


message 46: by Maria (new)

Maria | 50 comments Congrats, Meredith! 😉👏🎉


message 47: by Abigail (new)

Abigail Bok (regency_reader) Amzaing as always, Meredith! I know these are in addition to your already busy Austenesque reading schedule. Congratulations on a great year in Austen!


message 48: by Kirk (new)

Kirk (goodreadscomkirkc) | 297 comments Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) wrote: "Abigail, you were correct! I did get one more off my Austenesque TBR pile!

18. Side By Side, Apart by Ann Galvia (5 stars)
Side by Side, Apart by Ann Galvia
My Review: http://austenesquerev..."

Congrats!!!! 🍻🎉


Meredith (Austenesque Reviews) (merry816) | 31 comments Thanks for all the amazing support and encouragement, everyone! I'm really enjoying this group and how it motivates me to read more books from my ever-growing TBR pile!

Speaking of...I just counted my Austenesque TBR pile to compare its size from the beginning of the year...and the total of books in my Austenesque TBR pile is numbered at 61 (including Christmas gifts)!!! LOL! I went up 7!! But if I didn't read all the other books I did this year, I would have gone up 25! Thank you Sophia and friends for everything!.


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