Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2020 discussion

Feel free to ask if you are not sure about something related to the Group, navigating GoodReads, or beyond. Anyone can respond and are encouraged to do so.

Just wondered if any of my friends here would be interested in posting a list of their top five or ten favourite reads from 2019? Is it worth starting a thread for that purpose?

That would be delightful! Maybe people can also say why they liked the books so much, to give other readers a little guidance, or at least links to reviews.

Sounds great. Let's put it down as a topic thread under Other Matters.
Great idea, Anji, and I like the further proviso from Abigail.

I have a question about books that count towards the challenge. I both read and write JAFF and so I set a personal goal of reading a few books each year that Austen mentioned either in the novels or in her letters. Do these count towards the challenge total?
Thank you for your assistance.

Absolutely, Momtoten!

If it is a book that Jane read or a book about Georgian/Regency times when she lives, about her family, etc, feel free to count it.

Sophia wrote: "Absolutely, Momtoten!

If it is a book that Jane read or a book about Georgian/Regency times when she lives, about her family, etc, feel free to count it."

Thank you!

Sophia is very permissive about what counts--basically, if you feel it, it's okay. I don't read that much actual JAFF so I count nonfiction books about Jane Austen and her world and lit crit, as well as rereads of Georgette Heyer books, most of which don't follow Austen characters or storylines but are perhaps "inspired by." Some people count reads of actual works by Jane Austen. I don't do that because the logic eludes me but it's fine that others do. I have counted books referred to by Jane Austen in her works and letters, from Evelina to Lovers' Vows. So follow your own inclination!

"I have counted books referred to by Jane Austen in her works and letters, from Evelina to Lovers' Vows. So follow your own inclination!"

Thank you!

My question probably has an obvious answer, and I'll feel appropriately like I wasted your time, but... Last year was my first year with this group and I enjoyed it a lot, by the way. I know I made some mistakes along the way.

Last year I created a 2019 TBR list, with more books than I could possibly read for a reason that seemed logical to me. But I abandoned that list fairly early in the year because I got a Kindle Unlimited membership and then I had all of these books I wanted to read but previously couldn't because I couldn't afford everything I wanted. No news to anyone here, I'm sure. So my 'official' challenge total is practically zip. Yet I read far more than expected this year, because of KU, but also because of the inspiration from all of the contributors to this group.

So, my question is two fold. Does everybody else create a TBR list for the year on Goodreads? And do I have to? I'd like to have my books tracked, for my own purposes and Sophia has explained that earlier, although I'm not sure I quite get it.

Anyone with enough patience to answer this? Believe me it takes spoon-feeding for me to understand this stuff for some reason. (eye roll)

I have never made a TBR for the year; my GoodReads TBR is just a handy place for me to store titles that wander my way that sound intriguing, so I don't forget about them. When I am unsure about what I want to read next, I rootle around in that list till something appeals to me.

I don't believe there is any requirement to read books from your TBR, certainly not in this easygoing group! This group is all about pleasure, not duty--so my feeling is that you should suit yourself in whatever you read. One reason our dear Sophia offers those "Dusty Shelf Scavenger Hunt" months is so that we can haul up a few of those neglected books on our old TBRs and catch up a little bit. For most of us, however, the TBR trend is to grow and grow!

So my advice to you would be to read as your fancy dictates and rejoice in the pages completed, without worrying about original intentions.

Thank you very much Abigail for the answer to my questions and the lovely encouragement.

And I completely forgot to thank our dear Sophia for again organizing this group. Applause!

Abigail said it well, Michelle. Just to reiterate- no need to make a set list and follow it though if you want and it helps you, have at it. :)

If you decide to use a tracker, there are two options here. You can do your own tracking by creating a discussion post down at the bottom of the group page under YTD (year to date tracking) and just input each read there so they are all in one place. Or, you can create a bookshelf on your own personal page and then come back here to the automatic challenge tracker located in the top right on the group page and put in the number you wish to read and the name you gave that shelf and it will track your books for you as you add them to the shelf as you read them.
I am happy to go step by step with either of these methods to show you how to set it up- just let me know. :)

Never fear to ask a question around here. I don't see it as a waste of time or dumb. I'm finding out all sorts of things about GoodReads or doing a group page each year. :)

MichelleH: I have never made a list either. It would have been futile because I do not know which books will be released during the year and I have "new and shiny syndrome", lol.

Yep. NaSS is definitely a big risk when you're part of this group. It's very contagious! Beware!!

Elin wrote: "MichelleH: I have never made a list either. It would have been futile because I do not know which books will be released during the year and I have "new and shiny syndrome", lol."

Ooo, I have a new syndrome! It'll be a lot less painful than my Raynaud's, I hope.

And I'm in agreement with Elin, Michelle. Also, go with what you feel suits your mood at the time. By all means have a TBR shelf here, or a TBR collection on your e-reader if you have one.

For the third year, I'm doing an alphabet challenge for book titles and author names. I can usually manage the book titles, if I'm a little lax with the difficult letters like Q, X, and Z (in the title, not starting it) but the author one is more challenging. I keep track of them in my YTD thread. Sometimes, they help if I can't make my mind up what I want to read next - I just check the gaps and pick something to fit one of them.

Hello, my dear reading friends. I wanted to put out a little request to those of you who have been so kind as to extend your prayers to me and others in the past.

My sweetheart could really use that right now. There is no hope of prolonging his life but I would wish for him an easy passage and release from suffering. He is Jewish but mercy is mercy, regardless of tenet or practice. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My heart goes out to you both, Abigail. And yes, mercy is mercy, and I believe all prayers, regardless of the specific doctrinal tenets, are heard and honored. Blessings of peace and comfort to you and your sweetheart, dear. You're not alone.

Thank you, Debbie, I feel your presence at this moment and it warms my heart.

Oh my, yes, Abigail! For him, but also for you. :)

Oh Abigail, I'll be thinking of you. Sending you as many virtual hugs across the pond as you can possibly cope with 💖💖💖

No sooner asked than done Abigail. I'll be thinking of you. I'll light a candle for him.

Thank you all for your kindness!

Abigail wrote: "Hello, my dear reading friends. I wanted to put out a little request to those of you who have been so kind as to extend your prayers to me and others in the past.

My sweetheart could really use t..."

Wishing you and him all the best at this difficult time.

I am so sorry Abigail. Sending prayers and loving hugs to both of you.

Sending prayers and cyber hug to you both, Abigail. ❤

Thank you, Kirk, Lenora, and Elin! The kindness of the people here warms my heart. Fortunately he is peaceful and comfortable, and appears sometimes to understand our loving words. Those are blessings not to be underestimated.

Abigail wrote: "Hello, my dear reading friends. I wanted to put out a little request to those of you who have been so kind as to extend your prayers to me and others in the past.

My sweetheart could really use t..."

Sending thoughts and prayers to you in this difficult time.

Thank you, Ahnya!

Abigail wrote: "Hello, my dear reading friends. I wanted to put out a little request to those of you who have been so kind as to extend your prayers to me and others in the past.

My sweetheart could really use t..."

Abagail, I've just prayed for you both. We care about you, and by extension, about him also.

Thank you, Marlene!

Oh, Abigail. You and your honey will certainly be in my prayers. May God's mercy and peace embrace you both. Sorry, I'm so late, I just saw this.

Thank you for your kind wishes, Jeanne!

I'm trying to create a Y-T-D tracker list. I've read the explanation from Sophia but I can't seem to get it right. Any tips?

Do you mean the one that does the tracking for you? I'll try to do step by step for you. It was confusing for me at first, too, Teresa.

1. Go to your personal page and create a bookshelf.
2. Return to the group.
3. Up in the top right corner under the group name, there is a menu. Click 'challenges' in the left column.
4. Fill in the number of books for this year's goal.
5. Fill in the name of the book shelf you created back on your own page.
6. Then, each book you read toward the challenge, just make sure you shelve it on your book shelf and the tracker here under this challenge section will keep track of your total and what percent of your goal you have done.
7. If you want to see how other challengers are doing on the tracker, go to the Challenges section and click 'challenge tracker' in the top left corner and it will show you everyone's who is participating.

Hope this helps, Teresa! :)

Now, if you're talking about the YTD tracker you list books in right here in the group, here's how you do that:
1. Go to the main group page.
2. Scroll down to nearly the bottom where YTD tracker Discussion section is mentioned.
3. Click on 'discussion' which will open it up.
4. On the right at the top of the YTD Discussion page it says 'new topic'. Click this.
5. Give the name you want for your YTD tracker in the empty bar box and then fill in your first comment below- intro, first list of books, etc.
6. Hit 'post' and this will now save your tracker page that you can go back into each time you want to add books. It doesn't total for you like the challenge tracker so you'll have to number it.

:)

Thank you, thank you, thank you Sophia. You're a star!! I have it now. It was the second one for the group I wanted.

Woohoo, glad I could help. :)