Jane Austen July 2025 discussion

A thread to discuss what we're all planning to read for the readathon!

My Plan for the challenge:
1. Northanger Abbey (because I haven't read that one as recently as the others)
2. Lady Susan, and The Watsons
3. Jane Austin's Letters
4. Either Longbourn
5. Nightmare Abbey, Thomas Love Peacock
6. Northanger Abbey, 2007 (sensing a theme here?)
7. Northbound webseries then From Mansfield with Love

I believe I'll be reading Persuasion, which is the only Jane Austen novel I still haven't read. If anyone else is going to read it, let me know.

Volume the Third: In Her Own Hand
Jane Austen Celebrates: Holidays and Occasions Regency Style
On Hosting Your Regency-Era Christmas Party: A Companion to Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas

In the Regency category
An American In Regency England
Heyer Society: Essays on the Literary Genius of Georgette Heyer

To watch:
Pride and Prejudice 1980s version
old versions of the other adaptations on Amazon

Those are all books I own. If the library opens for more holds and items are returned, I could find more.

I hope to read Persuasion and Lady Susan

My list is too long so I'm considering keeping my reads going in August lol. Anyway, here's what I have...
For one of the 6- both Pride and Prejudice (definitely want to participate in the readalong) and Persuasion.
For something that isn't her main novels- either Sanditon, the Watsons, or her letters.
For something written during her time- Evelina by Frances Burney
For nonfiction about her- What Matters in Jane Austen by John Mullan and Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley.
For retellings- definitely Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev, hopefully Longbourn by Jo Baker, Pride by Ibi Zoboi (if I can get it digitally from my library), Among the Nameless Stars by Diana Peterfreund which is the short story prequel to her book For Darkness Shows the Stars which is a futuristic retelling of Persuasion set in space 😆. I might also try to fit in Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev if I can get ahold of it. (Also I'm hoping to read my copies of the Marvel graphic novel adaptations of her books but they aren't really retellings, so idk if they count).
Then for classic adaptations- All the Pride and Prejudice adaptations I can find (including the 80s one that I have never seen). Same with Persuasion. Maybe Emma as well because I finished rereading the book back in March and might not be finished watching all the adaptations by then.
Lastly, for modern adaptations- Lizzie Bennet Diaries of course, maybe Emma Approved if I haven't finished it yet, and I'd love to find any modern adaptations of Persuasion so if anyone has any they know of/would recommend please let me know!
These don't really fit into a category but I would also love to listen to the BBC Radio Drama Jane Austen Collection because that has been sitting in my Audible library for a while. Okay, these are way too many things but I'm so excited about participating in this readathon again! 😆❤️📘❤️🎧❤️🎥🙌🎉

Hello people... I've never read Jane austen before... For a 1st time reader, which book do u people suggest I start with ?? Thank you :) :)

Pixie, I suggest Pride and Prejudice.

I was so excited to see the YouTube video on this. I have recently read Pride and Prejudice and now I am reading Northanger Abbey. I love both of them. I can't wait to read more of Jane Austen's books and information about her.

Thank you Rebecca.. Will start on it :) :)

Hello,

I already started to read or re-read several of Jane Austen's work recently : her letters, Lady Susan, The beautiful Cassandra, Sense and sensibility, Pride and prejudice (last month), I'm currently re-reading Mansfield Park.
I intend to re-read Emma and Northanger Abbey before the end of the month and to read Persuasion in July, because it will allow me to read literary criticism of her books without spoilers and to enjoy watching the screen adaptations.

So, my plans (so far) :
1 : Persuasion
2 : her History of England
3 : What matters in Jane Austen / John Mullan
4 : Longbourn / Jo Baker
5 : Frankenstein / Mary Shelley
6 : Love and freindship
7 : I haven't decided yet, but I'm tempted by Bride and prejudice !

If I have the time, in july or afterwards, I hope to read other books, What matters in Jane Austen and Charlotte, for instance. One can dream !

I'd love to do the P&P readalong with you all (even though I've read it too many times to count its my favourite and I always love re-reading it). Also my best friend bought Sanditon for me for Christmas so I think I'll read that too... I don't know the story, I didn't watch the series on TV so I'm looking forward to getting into it from the book and discovering it for the first time. As for the other parts of the challenge I'll have a think this month about what I'd like to do for it, and decide

I’m definitely going to do the read alongs of Emma & Pride and Prejudice then I’m planning to read Lady Susan, Eavesdropping on Jane Austen England and Mary Shelley Frankenstein and hopefully Longbourn.
Happy Reading everyone xx

And hopefully Longbourn!

1. (view spoiler)[Read one of Jane Austen’s six novels: (hide spoiler)] Emma
2. (view spoiler)[Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels: (hide spoiler)] Sanditon
3. (view spoiler)[Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time: (hide spoiler)] "Darling Jane" Jane Austen - eine Biographie by Christian Grawe
4. (view spoiler)[Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book: (hide spoiler)] Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame Smith
5. (view spoiler)[Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen: (hide spoiler)] A Memoir of Jane Austen and Other Family Recollections by James Edward Austen-Leigh, Caroline Austen, Henry Austen, Anna Austen-Lefroy, Kathryn Sutherland
6. (view spoiler)[Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book: (hide spoiler)] Emma (2020)
7. (view spoiler)[Watch a modern screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book: (hide spoiler)] The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

I will probably read Emma. I am fairly new to Jane Austen so I am reading and learning from all of your posts.

I'll be reading P&P as I haven't read it in ages!

I also have a library hold on The Other Bennett Sister which will be available in the next few weeks, got a copy of Love & Friendship, will read Jane Austen at Home, and plan to read either Evelina or an Ann Radcliffe book. I may or may not watch movies.

I didn't join the group last year, just used the checklist to motivate me to reread Jane & read some books that weren't on my radar. It is great to see what others are reading :) I hope this will be an uplifting and fun month as I finish up Clarissa (started in April with the TBR clearout challenge).

I'm excited at this opportunity to read Emma for the first time with others!

For anyone thinking of reading 'Longbourne' by Jo Baker as part of this challenge I highly recommend it, it is great you won't be disappointed... I need to re-read it again myself soon but not in July because I'd like to discover more JA related books and there simply won't be time for that extra re-read unfortunately.

Also for anyone looking for contemporaries of Austen I'd like to recommend 'Belinda' by Maria Edgeworth - I read it, along with lots of others for my dissertation and loved it. Also recommend 'Evelina' by Frances Burney... I love literature from that time period.

Hope everyone is well and as excited as I am to start Jane Austen July!

If anyone has any recommendations for me too please shout, I'd love to hear it... I have chosen my JA novel and my JA work that is not a novel but am still deciding on all other aspects of the challenge and am open to ideas :)

Rachel wrote: "I'd like to recommend 'Belinda' by Maria Edgeworth - I read it, along with lots of others for my dissertation and loved it. Also recommend 'Evelina' by Frances Burney..."

Thanks so much for mentioning these. They are both new to me but I found them on Project Gutenberg so now intend to read both in JA July!

1. either Emma, Pride and Prejudice, or Sense and Sensibility.
2. Sandition or Lady Susan.
3. Elegant Etiquette
4. Longbourn
5. The Mysteries of Udolpho
6. 2009 Sense and Sensibility
7. Bride and Prejudice
Granted, I'm a whim reader so this is subject to change.

I may need advice. So far I've decided on:
1. Emma
2. Lady Susan
3. Eavesdropping on Jane Austen's England or Jane Austen the Secret Radical
4. Longbourn or The Other Bennet Sister
6. Love and Friendship

But I don't know about 5 or 7 yet. Would a short story count for 5? I have a few short gothic stories from the 1800s so that would save me ordering another book.
And would Death comes to Pemberley count as a retelling, or is it more an "inspired by" sort of thing? I've heard very mixed reviews but sort of want to make up my own mind on it, especially as I've recently read Pride and Prejudice so it's all fresh in my mind. Otherwise I'll probably just watch Clueless.

Death Comes to Pemberley is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice taking place several years after Elizabeth's wedding. I haven't heard good things about the book but the TV movie featured some lovely scenery!

Ah, I guess it wouldn't count for challenge 7 then. I'm going to have to find out if my sister kept our DVD of Clueless...

I'm still thinking about my TBR and I was wondering if anyone read Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World. I found it on Scribd, but I never heard anyone talking about it. I'm considering reading this for challenge 3.

1) Emma (a reread, as I didn't enjoy much as a teenager)
2) Lady Susan
3) Jane Austen: The World of her Novels
4) Longbourn (as I read the other bennet sister last month)
5) hopefully I can get hold of a copy of Evelina by Fanny Burney
6) Love and Friendship AND Emma (2020)
7) Bride and Prejudice or Clueless

1) pride and prejudice or northanger abbey
2)Jane Austen juvenilia
3) eavesdropping on Jane Austen England
4) fitzwilliam Darcy rockstar and to capture mr Darcy and unequal affection
5) story of my life by Casanova
6) pride and prejudice 2005 and Mansfield park 2007
7) from Mansfield with love

Have only read Mansfield Park once so will start with that.

Jane Austen July 2020
My Plan for the Challenges:

1) Sense & Sensibility, Persuasion, and Pride & Prejudice
2) Sandition
3) Tea with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson & Tea with Jane Austen: Recipes Inspired by her Novels & Letters by Pen Vogler
4) Possibilities: A contemporary Retelling of Persuasion by Debra White Smith
5) The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
6) Movie Pride & Prejudice 2005
7) Movie Bridget Jones Diary

Hmmm.... looking at NA and Recipe for Persuasion if it arrives in July. I'm thinking about Susan Ferrier or the Porter Sisters (a bio of them is being worked on by the fantastic Devoney Looser) for the contemporary of JA...my hardest category to complete.

Lana wrote: "I'm still thinking about my TBR and I was wondering if anyone read Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World. I found it on Scribd, but I never heard anyone talking about it. ..."

I've read it twice and enjoyed it. Other JA fandom books might cover certain time periods better but as an overall survey (without being too academic) it is broad and entertaining.

QNPoohBear wrote: "Death Comes to Pemberley is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice taking place several years after Elizabeth's wedding. I haven't heard good things about the book but the TV movie feature..."
Lol...you might have heard me call the book "Boredom Comes to Pemberley".

QNPoohBear wrote: "Volume the Third: In Her Own Hand
Jane Austen Celebrates: Holidays and Occasions Regency Style
[book:On Hosting Your Regency-Era Christmas Party: A Companion to Jane..."

Lol....I like 1972 Emma (a sedate Emma) more than Emma 2020(2008 is my favorite Austen adaption) and Persuasion 1971 more than Persuasion 2007(1995 is my favorite Persuasion).

Kirk wrote: "Lana wrote: "I'm still thinking about my TBR and I was wondering if anyone read Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World. I found it on Scribd, but I never heard anyone talki..."

Thanks so much! I think I'll pick it up then! :)

I have bought a copy of "Emma" to read, I've only read "Pride and Prejudice" previously by Jane Austen.

For book written by contemporary of Jane Austen, I have An American In Regency England. My mom found it on Amazon. It might be in the public domain somewhere too.

I'm not really into the modern category but maybe I'll rewatch Clueless. I loved it when I was in high school, before I became a Janeite. I fear now I am old, I will not enjoy it as much.

Lana wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Lana wrote: "I'm still thinking about my TBR and I was wondering if anyone read Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World. I found it on Scribd, but I never heard..."
Great!!! Happy reading!

Hi all! I'm planning on doing at least two readalongs besides Jane Austen in July, those being Foucalt's Pendelum over at Byways in Bookland and STORMALONG. As such, i doubt i will be able to do all the challenges. I would like to read the two main readalings though, as well as Northanger Abbey and some of Austen's letters!

Katie wrote: "A thread to discuss what we're all planning to read for the readathon!"

I will be reading THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie Jenner (a Jane Austen inspired novel) and a reread of one of Austen's novels ... haven't decided on which ... probably PERSUASION.

Anja wrote: "I'll be reading P&P as I haven't read it in ages!

I also have a library hold on The Other Bennett Sister which will be available in the next few weeks, got a copy of Love & Friendship, will read J..."

ooooh I want to read THE OTHER BENNETT SISTER. I love that bookcover.

t a n y a wrote: "Katie wrote: "A thread to discuss what we're all planning to read for the readathon!"

I will be reading THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY by Natalie Jenner (a Jane Austen inspired novel) and a reread of one..."

Good choices but read Persuasion first.

For one of the 6- Emma
For something that isn't her main novels- I don't know yet
For something written during her time - Fausto by Goethe or A new view of society and other writings by Robert Owen
For nonfiction about her- Jane Austen's Letters
For retellings- Longbourn by Jo Baker
Classic adaptation - Emma 2020
Modern adaptation - From Prada to Nada

Am I the only one who didn’t like Jo Baker’s “Longbourn” at all? 😅😅

Sonia wrote: "Am I the only one who didn’t like Jo Baker’s “Longbourn” at all? 😅😅"

*Waves* hated it! Crude and vile! Tis unfair to Elizabeth and Jane.

Kirk wrote: "Sonia wrote: "Am I the only one who didn’t like Jo Baker’s “Longbourn” at all? 😅😅"

*Waves* hated it! Crude and vile! Tis unfair to Elizabeth and Jane."

That doesn't bode well for me - My copy just arrived!

Sonia wrote: "Am I the only one who didn’t like Jo Baker’s “Longbourn” at all? 😅😅"

I didn't like it.

Sonia wrote: "Am I the only one who didn’t like Jo Baker’s “Longbourn” at all? 😅😅"

It was a DNF actually.

I am currently trying not to buy new books until I reduce my TBR, so mostly re-reading for me:
1. Pride and Prejudice (or maybe Emma, since that readalong comes first, or maybe both, if I can keep up... yeah, right)
2. Catharine (cannot remember a single thing about it)
3. So You Think You Know Jane Austen? (can't remember, either)
4. Bridget Jones's Diary (can remember, but barely)
5. Some short work by either Walter Scott or Maria Edgeworth (this would be new, but I got some free digital texts to choose from)
6. Persuasion 1995 (my favourite, and haven't seen it in years)
7. Northbound or From Mansfield With Love (also new for me :D)
This looks too ambitious, but fingers crossed!

Edit (17-7-2020): Since I still have a long way to finish Emma, this is my new list:
1. Emma
2+3. Extra material from my edition of Emma (Norton, includes some letters, an extract from The Watsons, and plenty of critical articles)
5. Castle Rackrent, Maria Edgeworth
I already completed points 6 and 7 on the first days of July, and I am leaving Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary for August, probably... hopefully :)

Sonia wrote: "Am I the only one who didn’t like Jo Baker’s “Longbourn” at all? 😅😅"

😆 Haha! I didn't care for it, either. That said, I can't bring myself to get rid of it because I love the cover. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you Katie and Marissa, for hosting this again!

My TBR so far (still under construction)
1) Northanger Abbey (my least favourite JA novel, but I last read it about 25 years ago, so I am perfectly ready to change my mind)
2) The Watsons, see also No 4
3) Stephen Basdeo: Heroes and Villains of the British Empire (stretches out before and after the Regency, but I count it anyway)
4) The Watsons, continued by an anonymous author (I read quite a few of the continuations of JA's unfinished novels and none of them were any good. So, in case of a DNF I will read what everyone else is reading this year: The Other Bennet Sister
5) after the debacle last year, where I DNFed all three picks in this category, I will go for a greater variety of options this year:
- Maria Edgeworth: Castle Rackrent
- Walter Scott: Ivanhoe
- Olaudah Equiano: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano: Written by Himself
6) Northanger Abbey (2007 movie)
7) not sure yet, probably skip this one

Happy reading everyone!