Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017 discussion

Howdy My Intrepid Fellow Road Trippers!

For this month, I am rolling out a new, possibly dodgy idea- we shall see...

I want to try a new idea out for this May's Group Read. I've never participated or seen this done so we're pioneers of sorts.

This month we will be taking Jane on the road for our reading effort. This is the theme, but there will be no specific book.
This is the fun/challenging part. You get to pick which book from your shelf, your list, or someone else's list that you think matches the theme.

To give you an idea of the rules (which are loose and subjective to interpretation), you may choose a book about Jane Austen herself traveling (real life or fiction), about traveling in Regency times, about Austen's characters traveling (time travel or sci-fi space gizmo counts), or broaden it to include Jane or her characters' stories being told in another place and time or the author of the book being from another country. See??? Have fun with this and use your imagination.

As to the group read procedure, that will remain the same as far as discussion.
I suggest doing an opening comment with your book choice and how you feel it ties in to the theme and maybe some of your pre-read thoughts on your choice. Then once you get started, share your early impressions. Check in now and then is optional, but definitely share your final thoughts.
Absolutely comment on each other's discussion points, ask questions about your own book or others, and share any cool links or articles you note about your own book or others.
Choosing the same book as someone else is perfectly fine.
If you have a comment or question you think might be spoilerish, just mark it at the top of your comment post.

Books must be chosen prior to May 1st and your choice posted. If you need longer than the month for your read, not a problem.

Bon Voyage, Challengers!

Hope I'll be able to join in this time, Sophia. I've got several books on my TBR list that might qualify. I'll have a rummage in the cellars of my Kindle and see what I've got.

That rummage has me busy a little too. I have found a fair few that would count so now I need to figure out which one. At least I have a month to work on that task. :)

I hope you can join, too, Anji!

I love it! But the choosing....hmmmm. Lol especially having just read P&P in Turkey and in Middle Earth.

Amy Elizabeth Smith's "All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey With Jane" certainly qualifies. I've read it twice, so probably not choosing it.

That book sounds interesting Kirk. I'll have to check it out sometime.

What P&P book took place in middle earth??

Chelsea wrote: "That book sounds interesting Kirk. I'll have to check it out sometime.

What P&P book took place in middle earth??"
Heartstone. I'll update the author's name when I'm at a computer, I hope.......Elle Katharine White

Kirk wrote: "I love it! But the choosing....hmmmm. Lol especially having just read P&P in Turkey and in Middle Earth.

Amy Elizabeth Smith's "All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey With Jane" certainly qu..."

Oh yes, both of those would have counted. Bad timing on my part. Sorry about that. ;)

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "I love it! But the choosing....hmmmm. Lol especially having just read P&P in Turkey and in Middle Earth.

Amy Elizabeth Smith's "All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey With Jane"..."

Hmmpt....lol. Since writing the above, a couple rereads set in different locations come to mind. To reread or not to reread...that is a bookish question.

Not against the rules...

;)

Sophia wrote: "Not against the rules...

;)"

but kinda against principals...but it was really good the first time and the author blah blah....this challenge...much harder than picking five...:)

I'd feel bad about taxing your mind like this, but I've got my own 'mind-taxing' going on to pick from my shelf. Guess maybe the challenge part of it starts with the choosing and the reading is the easy part. LOL

What about by Constance Hill? It's sort of a travel journal written in 1911 by a fond Janeite who visited all the places where Jane Austen and her friends lived.

I'll re-read it in anticipation of my journey in the same places in June. Then I'll probably read .
And then I have a in my TBR.

Georgiana wrote: "What about by Constance Hill? It's sort of a travel journal written in 1911 by a fond Janeite who visited all the places where Jane Aust..."

Absolutely, Georgiana! The Constance Hill would match perfectly and the others are good options, too. I've got those last two as well. The Mars on just makes me laugh and I'm so curious to read a space version. LOL

will Bath a little souvenir book do ? got it last time I was in bath

Patricia wrote: "will Bath a little souvenir book do ? got it last time I was in bath"

I don't see why not. It sounds good. Austen had her characters travel to Bath to live there just like she did. :) And hey, bonus, you the reader traveled there and got a souvenir.

You can find Elizabeth and Darcy time traveling in
Another Place and Time by Mary Lydon Simonsen
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Time travel is also possible in the Bennet Wardrobe series by Don Jacobson. The first is linked here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Thanks for the suggestions, Madenna! :)

I've read , and already (both time travel stories), but I have a third one that's been sitting on my TBR shelf for some time! is going to be my May read, unless I change my mind and go with which has Jane traveling to Bath for the vampire cure.

Oooh, more good ones!

I like your possibilities there, Victoria. Even better that they are already on the shelf and begging to be read.

I'm finding myself torn every which way over my choice! I'd got it down to two. Firstly, Another Place in Time: A Pride and Prejudice Time-Travel Romance by Mary Lydon Simonsen which has been sitting on my Kindle for nearly three years. Secondly, For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund which was a group read last year for which I bought a copy but then couldn't take part.

Now Victoria has thrown a spanner in the works by suggesting Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler. I was lucky enough to win a copy in a giveaway last year and I loved Laurie's story in the anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart where Darcy brings legal charges against the authors of fan fiction!

So, do I hold true to my original aim this year and read one of the books I've had for a long time, or do I read one of the other two which both form part of my physical TBR pile? If anyone wants to comment on my dilemma, I may just start taking votes on it!

Anji-flip a coin,your original list v the newer title. In the process of flipping the coin,you'll feel yourself hoping for one or the other! Trust me on this! Go with what you're wishing for!
It's the original list,repeat the process with the two books on that list!! Let me know how you get on!!

I like Mary's plan. :)

Mary wrote: "Anji-flip a coin,your original list v the newer title. In the process of flipping the coin,you'll feel yourself hoping for one or the other! Trust me on this! Go with what you're wishing for!
It's..."

If I've not made my mind up by the end of the month, I'll do exactly that, Mary!

Okay, I'm leaning toward My Jane Austen Summer

First, its all about a Janeite's travels and activities, but secondly, its been on my shelf for a while. :)

There are a few others I'm considering, but for now... think this one will be it.

I have no idea what to read for this. I think any ones I have with the time travel element I've already read. I'll search the shelves but don't think I have anything to suit.

Teresa wrote: "I have no idea what to read for this. I think any ones I have with the time travel element I've already read. I'll search the shelves but don't think I have anything to suit."

Crossing my fingers you have something on the shelf that will work, Teresa. Stretch the theme as far as you need to so we can have you with us. :)

Kirk wrote: "Chelsea wrote: "That book sounds interesting Kirk. I'll have to check it out sometime.

What P&P book took place in middle earth??"
Heartstone. I'll update the author's name when I'm at a computer..."

I have this on my Kindle wish list. It might be a good one.
Also Pirates and Prejudice
or Steampunk Darcy
...hmmm decisions decisions!

I have read both of those. I would probably pick P&P over Steampunk although I enjoyed both I believe P&P would be liked by more in general.

Ahnya wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Chelsea wrote: "That book sounds interesting Kirk. I'll have to check it out sometime.

What P&P book took place in middle earth??"
Heartstone. I'll update the author's name when I'm ..."

Thanks for the reminder about Pirates and Prejudice. I bought that one recently and haven't read it yet. I'm going for it in May!

Heartstone

I found it, Kirk. Never heard of this one before...will have to check it out. Thanks.

I read the review and so, as I love Pride & Prejudice and that whole series about the Hobbit and the ring AND all of Terry Brooks' fantastic books I will spring for the higher price on this one. Have you read the latter author's book. TV had a series months ago, Shannara Chronicles, and I am hoping that they give us a second season

I watched the show on Netflix, Sheila, and really enjoyed it!

Chelsea wrote: "I watched the show on Netflix, Sheila, and really enjoyed it!"

It, of course, added more romance than the books. Have you read the books? He has several series Terry Brooks and two of my three children also follow his books. My oldest buys the hardcover edition for the beautiful illustrations. (She is an artist and draws video game figures.)

Wow what a really interesting career Sheila! My son is mad into video games and he's always commenting on how guy the graphics are getting.

My daughter does have an issue with the fact that all the female characters/heroines/super powered are drawn with skimpy costumes and breasts falling out of their tops! The same thing goes for female comic book heroines on TV series, i.e. Flash, Green Arrow, etc.

I would agree with her there Sheila! I'm surprised in this day and age that it still IS this way. I guess some things take eons to change!!

Sheila wrote: "Heartstone

I found it, Kirk. Never heard of this one before...will have to check it out. Thanks.

I read the review and so, as I love Pride & Prejudice and that whole series about ..."

I watched the Shannara Chronicles on Netflix. I hope the books are better because I wasn't that impressed by the show. However, it was produced by MTV, a little to much teen angst for my taste.
I love fantasy though so Heartstone is right up my alley.
Does anyone know anything about Girl Lives Forever: A Pride and Prejudice Fairy Tale? I have had this on Kindle for a while, but have yet to read it.

Have not read those two but they are now on my Wish List. Terry Brooks' books are better than the TV series...as is usual with movies from books. He has two different series he has written. As I said my two adult children (37 and 33) love his books, also. That latter book is available through KU so it is easy for me to pick up and read although I have to read and delete some I have already borrowed from KU as you can only borrow 10 at a time. The Sword of Shannara was his first book. "Try it...you'll like it", as said to Mikey.

Sheila wrote: "Have not read those two but they are now on my Wish List. Terry Brooks' books are better than the TV series...as is usual with movies from books. He has two different series he has written. As I sa..."

I will have to try the books. Oh goody more on my TBR! We aren't supposed add other genres :) I guess it is okay just this once

Who said you can't add other genres? I add them in because I know I will reach my goal AND want other to know of good or not so good books so they may make decisions about what to read...just like these two got added to my pile. Reading is for your enjoyment and I guarantee no one is going to look at your list and say, "That is not allowed." It would be different if you read all books from other genres for then you should be in a different reading group. But a book here or there from a different genre may help to make you more eager to come back to this genre.

I'm thinking about reading Searching for Mr. Tilney by Jane Odiwe, her newest in the Time Travels with Jane Austen series. It looks fantastic!

Anna wrote: "I'm thinking about reading Searching for Mr. Tilney by Jane Odiwe, her newest in the Time Travels with Jane Austen series. It looks fantastic!"

That really does look good and I loved Searching for Captain Wentworth. Still need to read the Jane Austen Lives Again, too.

Sheila wrote: "Who said you can't add other genres? I add them in because I know I will reach my goal AND want other to know of good or not so good books so they may make decisions about what to read...just like ..."

I was just teasing. I actually read other genres more than I read JAFF

Sophia wrote: "Anna wrote: "I'm thinking about reading Searching for Mr. Tilney by Jane Odiwe, her newest in the Time Travels with Jane Austen series. It looks fantastic!"

That really does look good and I loved ..."

Same here! :)

So glad I just joined, looking forward to checking out all your suggestions already posted & making a decision. Just finished rereading Mansfield Park & would love an off shoot of that one if you think of a book :)

Renee wrote: "So glad I just joined, looking forward to checking out all your suggestions already posted & making a decision. Just finished rereading Mansfield Park & would love an off shoot of that one if you t..."

Yay, Renee! Glad to have you join us. There are definitely some MP variations and sequels available in fact I know there are two new releases just this year, A Contrary Wind and Mansfield Parsonage. I also enjoyed a few others.
Here is a list someone made here on GR that might help: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7...

But another good list is here at Meredith's Austenesque Reviews blog: http://austenesquereviews.com/2009/10...

Hi Renee! You're very welcome to our little group!

Renee, one I really enjoyed was
Henry and Fanny: An Alternate Ending to MANSFIELD PARK
Sherwood Smith
A really good read.

Henry and Fanny: An Alternate Ending to Mansfield Park

Sherwood Smith has written an Austenesque novel? How did I not know this! I just read her Rondo Allegro and loved loved loved it! Off to download! Thanks for the heads-up, Teresa and Sheila.