Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2020 discussion

If you are willing to place one of your May reading choices in the hands of another person, leave a comment here with at least five books and no more than ten from your TBR shelf. Participants need to leave comments no later than April 25th.

Here's how it will work:
Sophia will match people up and leave a comment with a list of who will choose for whom.
When you see the person you are to pick for, then just look at their list in the above comments and leave a new comment with their name and the book you chose for them by April 30th.

You also need to watch and see what book your person chose from your list for you.
You have the rest of the month to read the book.

So if this sounds like something you would like to do, just comment below leaving your name and list of book choices for someone to pick your May book.

Would love to join again this month! Thank you, Sophia, for your ongoing series of entertainments.

1. Lux et Veritas: A Pride and Prejudice Retelling by Alma Kelleher
2. Being Mrs Darcy by Lucy Marin
3. The Longbourn Letters: The Correspondence between Mr Collins & Mr Bennet by Rose Servitova
4. Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
5. Unmarriageable by Sonia Kamal

Plus two I'd like to read if they come out in time:
6. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
7. Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev

I love the monthly challenges, so count me in!

1. The Lady's Jewels: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
2. Tact: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
3. Accidentally Yours
4. Pemberley in Peril: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary
5. Promises

I could definitely use some help fixing on a book to read so I'm in! :)

1. Disenchanted by Kara Pleasants
2. Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
3. Mr. Darcy's Perfect Match: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Kelly Miller
4. I Never Knew Myself: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melanie Rachel
5. Mr. Darcy's Clan by Lari Ann O'Dell
6. GEORGIANA by Sue Barr
7. The Wrong Mr. Darcy by Evelyn Lozada
8. Fortune and Felicity by Monica Fairview
9. Persuaded to Sail by Jack Caldwell

Team Georgiana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Georgiana Darcy, Matchmaker


GEORGIANA (Pride & Prejudice continued... Book 3)


Driving Miss Darcy: Pemberley For Christmas


Georgiana Darcy: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice


Miss Darcy's Diversions: Being the Adventures of Miss Georgiana Darcy at divers Watering Places and Elsewhere

Hmmm...

My reading list is at home so will add my options asap .
Thanks for the fun!

I suppose for this round of "someone chooses it for me" that I shall pick books that everyone raves about, but just don't interest me.

1) "Thirty Days of Silver", by Lucrezia, on AHA completed stories - some people I really respect rave about this one, but it has 3 strikes for me: I don't like angst for angst sake; I hate Lizzy-marrying-FD-for-mercenary-reasons stories; and I don't like stories where they separate long-term after they marry (that was SCANDALOUS in the day).

2) "A Quest for Mr Darcy", by Cassandra Grafton - I love CG's "A Fair Prospect" series, but I really don't like stories where FD is courting someone else post-Hunsford, then meeting up with EB and chasing after her. (It feels dishonourable to me, and therefore OOC for ODB.)

3) "Darcy's Melody", by Jennifer Redlarczyk - I've enjoyed all her other stories, but the blurb on this one just does not grab my attention.

4) & 5) "Duty Demands" and "One False Step", by Elaine Owen - you might notice a trend going here, but this is another where I really like Ms Owen's (and she was fabulous when I met her in person!) other works, but - again another trend - I loathe FMS stories.

6) "President Darcy", by Victoria Kincaid - yep another where I like most of her other workds, but my pet-peeve with this one (which I've actually started), is I'm sick to death of modern stories that forcibly follow canon.

Now perhaps you can see why I don't review stories - I'm harsh, and I know it!

And yes, all of these are in my unread file on my Kindle - because as an author, I like to support other authors, particuarly ones I like. Thus, if at the end of the month, I've not used up my budget, I'll snag a story that is "meh" to me in support of another author.

Okay, now that you've learned entirely too much about my reading habits, someone... please pick one of these stories for me... one that has a redeeming quality that I'm missing because of my hang-ups.

(Note to Ms Sophie, our dear moderator: this might make a good challenge for another month - read something that others love but just isn't floating your boat.)

I like that idea, Momtoten!

We all have books that just set for various reasons- mood, not a fav trope, etc. That would make a real challenging Dusty Shelves I think. Thanks!

OK, I'm in! These are the letters I've got missing from my book title alphabet challenge. I've had to be a bit creative with X and Z.

G. Georgiana Darcy: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Alice Isakova

I. It Started with a Kiss: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Beth Wood

J. Jewels on the Water: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Rachel Elizabeth

K. Kellynch: Sequel To Jane Austen's Persusion by Kwen D. Griffeth

Q. Quite the Opposite: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jadie Brooks

U. Under the Harvest Moon: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Sophie Lynbrook

V. Veritas: A Retelling of Jane Austen's Emma by Alma Kelleher

W. When They Fall in Love by Mary Lydon Simonsen

X. Miss Darcy's Beau'X': A Persuasion, Mansfield Park and Pride and Prejudice continuation by Eliza Shearer

Y. Young Wickham by Alexa Adams

Z. Darcy, Li'ZZ'y and Lady Susan: A Pride and Prejudice Regency by Barbara Silkstone

Anji wrote: "OK, I'm in! These are the letters I've got missing from my book title alphabet challenge. I've had to be a bit creative with X and Z.

G. [book:Georgiana Darcy: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and..."

jewels on the water and quite the opposite sounds good!

I know virtually nothing about them, Patricia. I found them on my Kindle and guess I probably got them as freebies or at very reduced prices.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

I am entering Pick it for me May, inspired by Momtoten. I have a sky-high unread pile on Kindle that doesn't appeal to me...

1. Raphael's Fling http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32...
I have read the other two in this serie and thought they were meh...

2. One Good Sort of Man: A Pride and Prejudice Variation http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36...
More about Darcy's spiritual journey than his romance with Elizabeth, yawn...

3. Moonlighting http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
Werewolves, do not like this author's voice.

4. A Vision of the Path Before Him: A Pride & Prejudice Variation http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48...
Repetitive, dragging...

5. Letters from the Heart http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52...
Epistolary form (not a fan), Elizabeth married to someone else than Darcy (a capital offence)

6. Courtships & Corruption: A Pride and Prejudice Variation http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...
Rehash...

7. Regret: A Variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34...
Bad reviews

8. Cousins, One and All http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37...
Next-generation, meh...

9. Ditching Mr. Darcy http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36...
Time-travel (not a fan)

10. So Into You http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...
Young Adult, I prefer books with an adult feel.

I did not find one with my worst pet peeve, written in 1. Person...

Elin wrote: "I am entering Pick it for me May, inspired by Momtoten. I have a sky-high unread pile on Kindle that doesn't appeal to me...

1. Raphael's Fling http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32...-..."

for the record I did not cxare for cousins one and all. one of my lowest ratings for a jane austen related book

Thanks Patricia, it is one of those I am contemplating to delete without reading if it is not picked.
When the shelf has accumulated too many books on it, it is almost impossible to find the books I actually want to read.
I am planning a chainsaw massacre on my unread pile, lol...

Elin wrote: "Thanks Patricia, it is one of those I am contemplating to delete without reading if it is not picked.
When the shelf has accumulated too many books on it, it is almost impossible to find the books ..."

Love ya, Erin. You have me worried now... I was thinking about trying first-person perspective for my next story. Hmm, anyone else not like it.

I've only read two on your list (I have all the same meh/pet-peeves, it seems): Visions of the Path Before Him was meh to the power of meh, but Letters from the Heart ended up being fairly good despite its epistolary format and E-marries-the-Toad trope.

Godspeed on your list! (And would you forgive me if I did do a first-person story?)

Of course, I would forgive you and I would read the story, even if it is written in 1st person.
My issue with it is that many books written in 1st person get an adolescent and naive expression. I like my books to feel like they have been written towards an adult audience. (I am not a YA fan)
It is also confusing when there are many PoVs. One book I read had 11 PoVs in 1st person, it jumped about disjointedly with no flow.
Other than that, I am good, lol.

Howdy, all! So glad to see a good sized group participating this month. I drew names and the list is available below. Your name is in the left column and the person you pick a book for is in the right. Go to that persons list above and choose then leave a comment here with your pick for them by April 30th. Make sure you check to see what someone else picked for you.
Then you have the month of May (or however long you need) to finish your book. Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts on your book when you get done.
Now the list:

Abigail>Momtoten
Dawn>Anji
Sophia>Lois
Kirk>Elin
Patricia>Abigail
Momtoten>Dawn
Anji>Sophia
Lois>Kirk
Elin>Patricia

Hi Lois!

I'm in a summer-y mood, I guess, because Mr. Darcy's Seaside Romance: All Go to Brighton: A Pride and Prejudice Variation sounds really good to me. Hope you enjoy it. :)

Hello Elin! Tough choice because of the switch... going with #10 So Into You. Lol, I enjoy YA.

Ahh, Momtoten, I was hoping I wouldn't have to pick for you because I hate inflicting pain! So I'll pick the one that you seem to find the least objectionable: Darcy's Melody. Good luck!

Hi, Kirk! Glad to see someone else who shares my fondness for Georgina!

I haven’t read any of these yet, but Miss Darcy's Diversions: Being the Adventures of Miss Georgiana Darcy at divers Watering Places and Elsewhere sounds like fun. Tell me how you like it!

I think we’re all more than ready for summer, and the idea of actually going on vacation sounds heavenly at this point! I’ll let you know what I think of it!

Lois wrote: "Hi, Kirk! Glad to see someone else who shares my fondness for Georgina!

I haven’t read any of these yet, but [book:Miss Darcy's Diversions: Being the Adventures of Miss Georgiana Darcy at divers W..."

Thanks!!!

Hi Abigail!

My first choice for you is

if ir does not come out in time then my second choice for you would be One of my favorite reads from last year!

Lois wrote: "I think we’re all more than ready for summer, and the idea of actually going on vacation sounds heavenly at this point! I’ll let you know what I think of it!"

Yes, indeed. While I'll be traveling at most only an hour away, I will be so thankful to do so!!!! Cheers!!!

Thank you, Patricia! I'll check and see if there's a firm pub date for The Jane Austen Society and will keep Ayesha, which I own, as a backup. Very excited about The Jane Austen Society.

Just checked--pub date is not till May 26, so I guess it's Ayesha at Last! (At last.)

Sophia, it was a hard choice. In the end it came down to a toss up between nos 1 and 2. The coin came down in favour of Disenchanted, though if you'd prefer Recipe for Persuasion, I won't object!

Hi Anji,
I recently watched "Love and Friendship" on Amazon about Lady Susan Vernon, so I am going to choose Darcy, Lizzy and Lady Susan: A Pride and Prejudice Regency
Who can resist a good love triangle! I've always thought this book looked so fun and have never gotten around to reading it yet. I hope you enjoy it and am excited to hear your thoughts!

Dawn wrote: "I love the monthly challenges, so count me in!

1. The Lady's Jewels: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
2. Tact: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
3. [book:Accidentally ..."

Oh, man, Dawn! You've put me in a quandary. "The Lady's Jewels" is a hoot; ". Promises" is one of my favourite JAFF stories ever! (I recently re-read it); and the only one you have listed that I have not read is "Pemberley in Peril".

I think we all have enough stress in our real lives, currently. So I shall choose laughter: "The Lady's Jewels".

I hope you enjoy it!
Godspeed
momtoten

Abigail wrote: "Ahh, Momtoten, I was hoping I wouldn't have to pick for you because I hate inflicting pain! So I'll pick the one that you seem to find the least objectionable: Darcy's Melody. Good ..."

I apologise for making things difficult, Abigail! But thanks for choosing for me. I shall read "Darcy's Melody" with pleasure so as not to cause you pain. :-)

Kirk: Thank you! YA it is :)

Patricia: Your comment turns up blank on my phone but when I press randomly on it, I am linked to several books. I might not have found them all but out of those I did find, I chose one I loved:

Writerly ambitions by Timothy Underwood.

Elin wrote: "Patricia: Your comment turns up blank on my phone but when I press randomly on it, I am linked to several books. I might not have found them all but out of those I did find, I chose one I loved:

W..."

That is weird. i know i was relooking at the books i had in list


I can not wait to read it! you read it before?

Yay! A little magic with the usual P&P magic sounds like just the thing, Anji. If I finish in good time, I'll read both. :)

Patricia: Yes, I have read it and gave it 5*. It had a dire back story but the humour kept it a light and airy read. The banter was fabulous, I have a softspot for good dialogue. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)

Lois wrote: "Hi, Kirk! Glad to see someone else who shares my fondness for Georgina!

I haven’t read any of these yet, but [book:Miss Darcy's Diversions: Being the Adventures of Miss Georgiana Darcy at divers W..."

It was fun!! A much more snarky Georgiana than expected...but her comments about the Bingley sisters...HAHAHAHA! And so many Easter Eggs from the other JA stories and full sentences from P&P.
Combat between Lady Catherine and Mr Bennet! One minor quibble relating to an earlier event in the book.

Dawn wrote: "Hi Anji,
I recently watched "Love and Friendship" on Amazon about Lady Susan Vernon, so I am going to choose Darcy, Lizzy and Lady Susan: A Pride and Prejudice Regency..."

Many thanks, Dawn.

Momtoten wrote: "Dawn wrote: "I love the monthly challenges, so count me in!

1. The Lady's Jewels: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
2. Tact: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
3. ..."</i>

Momtoten, thanks for choosing [book:The Lady's Jewels: A Pride and Prejudice Variation for me for the May challenge. This book was a delight and I really enjoyed it! Mr. Quinn and his waistcoats were a hoot! I also enjoyed Lady Castlereagh and her dogs! This book had me smiling or chuckling much of the time as I read!

Thanks, Patricia, for picking Ayesha at Last for me! I really enjoyed it. I tend to like modern-day adaptations in unfamiliar cultural contexts; this certainly fitted that bill but it worked very well as a story on its own terms--it never felt jerked around to fit into the P&P mold. The author really brought me along to care about the characters.

glad you enjoyed it!!! :)

Dawn wrote: .."

I am so glad you enjoyed that story. It made me laugh until I had tears on more than one occasion. Godspeed!

I did end up reading them both, Anji.

I loved the whimsy of combining a magical world to P&P in Disenchanted. And, I enjoyed the Desi culture and the hero of Recipe for Persuasion though I wasn't that taken with the heroine.

Great picks!