Austen Lovers TBR Challenge 2021 discussion

Share what you are comfortable about yourself and what challenge level you are tackling. Ideas for sharing might include: where you're from, how you came to admire JA's books or Austenesque books in the JA world, how big your TBR pile is, favorite JA story or character, etc

Hi from Boston! S&S '95 was my first Austen....love at first sight for me and Marianne!!! :) Watched and read P&P and Emma. What's next? Read NA, MP, and Persuasion. Found what little Austenesque that was out there...such as The Third Sister. TBR pile... probably not as big as many others. But certainly 2020 has been a year for adding to my TBR. P&P is just slightly ahead of S&S, Persuasion, and Emma. Then NA and MP. Besides Marianne...Jane Bennet, Mr Knightley, Col Brandon. Marianne level!!! :) If I find enough one-shots...Mr Knightley or Col Brandon levels... maybe. :)

Howdy, all!

I am hailing you from Detroit, Michigan. Snow is fluttering to the ground and I sit beside a cheery fire as I write you. I live in a small town in a small cottage-style home with a handsome, handy-man guy and two precocious cats. Reading is my favorite thing to do, but after that is pretty nature walks, gardening, some cooking and baking, writing, and music. Seeing new things, learning new things, writing cards and letters, and people watching round out the hobbies.

I've adored Jane Austen novels since my mother read my first to me as an eight year old. I read all six finished novels and Lady Susan in my teens, but appreciated them all differently later. Persuasion is still my favorite from the first, but I add Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey as my runner ups.

For the challenge, I will start at the Anne Elliot level and I hope to read several older books from my stack as well as find new releases and new to me authors to love.

Cheering you all on, too!

Thank you, Sophia, for inviting us all back for another year! And for doing all the work to set up the threads (sorry Goodreads is making it so hard) and your ongoing inventive games and challenges throughout the year.

I am a retired editor who has loved Jane Austen since a kindly person gave me a copy of the complete novels for my thirteenth birthday. I wrote my undergraduate thesis on The Watsons and A Memoir of Jane Austen and am currently at work on a series of historical novels set in the same town as that tragically unfinished novel. (Tragically, all but one of the books in my series are unfinished, too. 😄)

I don’t set a goal for my reading but I usually end up at the Anne Elliot level. Happy to cheer on the rest of you, though, megareaders and book-sippers alike ! My life is in transit yet again and I will come to rest in the new year in a new state, Oregon. Wishing everyone health and happiness in the new year!

I'll make this short: I hope to read over 200 books in JAFF and others besides. The 1995 movie was my first introduction to JA. I am retired, live in PA and write reviews of all the published books I read and sometimes the unpublished. Right now I am tackling the unread books on my Kindle. Some date back several years.

Hello, I'm Georgiana from Italy. I'm a member of Jane Austen Society of Italy and I love reading Austenesque novels and short-stories. I'll start from Marianne Dashwood level.

Waving hi from Idaho. I don't do challenges much but I think I can handle the Charlotte Heywood level.

Greetings from PA! I am a teacher/wife/mom/writer who loves anything Austen. I first read P&P I high school and was hooked. I read the other published works soon after. When I discovered variation stories, I immediately fell in love. I hope to make it past Anne in 2021.

I am a Norwegian reader/scribbler, stay at home mother of four and by the time it is 2021 I will be a grandmother as well :)

My goal is to get to the Pemberley library and read 200+ Austenesque books and tackle my "want to read"- shelf on Goodreads.

Congratulations on the upcoming addition to your family, Elin! Get ready to celebrate half-birthdays . . .

Hello! I missed being part of this group in 2020 -- a year in which I really could have used more Austenesque in my life. Alas, I got stuck while writing my own Austenesque book (a far-too-long Sense and Sensibility variation), and I knew I'd only get unstuck if I read some other genres.

I'm editing that S&S variation now, so I feel (relatively) confident in believing I can return to reading Austenesque fiction and reach at least the Marianne Dashwood level this year. (Yay for Marianne!)

As for who I am, that is a question I will never be able to answer. I think, at 43, I've finally made peace with that truth.

Oh, you were just asking for a basic bio? All right, then! I live in a lovely little town in Western Massachusetts with my husband and 10-year-old daughter. They are both far too clever for me, so I lose all arguments in my household. I've taught history at various high schools and colleges, I occasionally publish Austenesque novels, and I like cats. That's about it. :)

I was blown away two years ago by the readers in this group. Looking forward to seeing what you all do this year!

Thrilled you’re back! And none of that self-disparagement—I’m sure it’s your superior wisdom, not your inferior intelligence, that leads you to give way in those arguments. Look forward to learning more about your latest S&S project soon!

Hi everyone, I am back again because my tbr list is way to big and I always find many new ones to add. I love everyone on here and many times you are the only adults I talk to other than my parent who are 84(mom) and 90(dad). Sophia- you always do such a good job on this sight and this is the first sight I tell people about when talking books. I will be trying for Mr. Darcy level again. Oh and hi from northern Ohio.

Loved reading everyone's intros! Each of you is a great reader and you take pleasure in other things! (Take that, Caroline Bingley!)

Abigail, self-disparagement is only one of my bad habits. I've been thinking of your Cold Harbour gentlemen. Do hope the writing life is treating you well!

Thanks for remembering it! I submitted to several agents this year and was ignored. And this year has been so full of stresses that I have not made meaningful progress on book #2 in the series. I’m pretty half-assed as a professional writer!

Abigail wrote: "Thrilled you’re back! And none of that self-disparagement—I’m sure it’s your superior wisdom, not your inferior intelligence, that leads you to give way in those arguments. Look forward to learning..."

Christina isn't the only one who has superior wisdom...... ;-)

I'm Marlene and live near Rochester, NY! My life is currently centered around "school with Mom" three days a week, where I do my best to make sure four children do the work they're assigned and learn the material they're supposed to learn. (My oldest two are completely independent, thankfully.)

As for my reading goals - I'm not making any. I'm reading whatever I read in whatever time I have. Most days, I catch up on the alerts on Goodreads, read a couple of reviews, and then read about a page in my current book before I fall asleep! Frustrating, but that's where I'm at! And with my kids being home 5 days a week and me not going anywhere except for an errand day once a week, that doesn't leave time for audio books, either! Yipes!!!!!! COVID, go away!!!!

I don’t have your excuse for falling asleep over your book, but I certainly share the experience! 😁

Marlene wrote: "I'm Marlene and live near Rochester, NY! My life is currently centered around "school with Mom" three days a week, where I do my best to make sure four children do the work they're assigned and lea..."

GOD bless you, Marlene. Your children do come first and we won't forget you. I don't have your busyness but I, too, am fed up with this COVID-19 and wish more people would observe the quarantine so it would not keep spreading and making it impossible to end those restrictions.

Hi ALL! I'm Kikx from Canada. First time ever to join a group. I was not an avid reader during my younger years. I just started loving reading books.... well romance books with happy endings. Cause reality really sucks already so I prefer to spend my free time reading books with happy endings.

I came across Jane Austen on a random visit to thrift store looking for books to read besides the modern romance stories I have been reading. The story lines seems to be all the same. HAHAHA I had no idea who Jane Austen is until I picked up my second hand P&P book. Now I know I was born in the wrong time LOL. Working up my way to read all her work because it is such a masterpiece. One day I hope I can save up to buy my own new hardbound books of her work.

Welcome, Kikx! This group will spoil you for other groups, it’s so friendly and fun. I envy you, still having more Austen novels to discover! I’ve read them all and still fantasize that a new one will be discovered. But they’re just as good on subsequent readings. I look forward to following your journey.

Welcome, all!

I love the excitement of a new challenge year and seeing so many familiar 'faces' and meeting new group friends. Fun to read introductions and get to know everyone a little. I know it will be a great year of reading, talking books and chatting about life.
We're all in it together. :)

Abigail, from what I've read by you, those agents don't know what they're missing! I get the sense that agents are generally afraid of picking up books that don't fit neatly into well-defined genres. Your book takes several genres and weaves them into a compelling and unique story. Doesn't make it easier to get representation, I'm sure, but the book was a pleasure to read.

Anyway, who said something about not being self-denigrating? :-)

Marlene, ditto to Sheila's comment. Yours is one of the most difficult jobs out there, I think. Your children are very lucky to have you! I hope you get to find some time for yourself in the coming year.

And Kikx, I also came to Jane Austen as an adult -- and after reading romances! Isn't it great to discover that many of those romance storylines (enemies to lovers, wealthy and powerful man is brought to his knees by an intelligent woman) have their origin in Pride and Prejudice? I love it!

Thanks for the pep talk, Christina! Much needed, as I’ve been wondering whether I should just stop trying. If I were younger, I’d spend a few years cynically writing what I know would be popular in order to build cred, but my remaining life span seems too short for that. Gotta dig down and find the stubborn!

Hello! I'm Madenna from Indianapolis, Indiana. I am excited to join this wonderful group of readers again this year. I have found myself reading almost exclusively JA these past two years since there is so much. I have reached the 200+ level multiple times and will strive to do it again in 2021. I am know to participate in starts and stops, but I am always interested in the reviews and comments.

Great to see you back, Madenna!

Kikx wrote: "Hi ALL! I'm Kikx from Canada. First time ever to join a group. I was not an avid reader during my younger years. I just started loving reading books.... well romance books with happy endings. Cause..."

Kikx, you might be able to borrow the Austen books at a library or buy them for a good price on Kindle! For free, maybe?

Madenna wrote: "Hello! I'm Madenna from Indianapolis, Indiana. I am excited to join this wonderful group of readers again this year. I have found myself reading almost exclusively JA these past two years since the..."

Madenna -- I have to say that I'm so impressed at the number of books you and others in this group read!

Madenna wrote: "Hello! I'm Madenna from Indianapolis, Indiana. I am excited to join this wonderful group of readers again this year. I have found myself reading almost exclusively JA these past two years since the..."

Hello and welcome back.

Ready for 2021!!

My name is Rachel, I live in Denver, CO and am a social scientist and policy writer for the National Park Service. So since I spend all my day working on controversial policy, its nice at the end of the day to pick up something less heavy and totally different to read! I got into JAFF from reading next door neighbor N&SFF which I randomly stumbled upon when my little one was first born and I was looking for light fun reading after late night feedings.

In 2020 I made it to Darcy's library, so I'll target for that again (knowing that its a mix of full length, short stories and one shots). As a impertinent female married to an oft misunderstood man who is a staunch defender of his family, I can't help but being a dedicated fan of D&E. :)

Welcome again.

Hello, neighbors! I'm looking forward to another year of this wonderful group. Even when I'm not actively reading off my Austenesque shelf, I still enjoy reading the conversations in this group. It is a delightful and civil retreat from the rest of the world that always brightens my day.

So glad you are also joining us again. Looking forward to hearing from you in conversation.

Excellent way to put it, ladymurmur! A civil retreat.

I'm so glad to see all the wonderful Austen lovers joining or rejoining us. :)

Everyone get cozy and no pressure for the challenge.

Hi all, I am new to the whole forum/group thing here, still trying to navigate around. Up to now all I did was track my reading on GR, and leave the occasional review. This is a whole world unto itself!
Seeing as I read over 350 books last year, I am having difficulty choosing my challenge, because I don't know which books in advance I will end up reading.
Last year was my first exposure to the wonderful world of JA fanfic and variations. Oh MY!!! I would like to think my reading will slow down, but there are SO MANY to choose from :D
Any tips/advice would be appreciated.
Sam

Welcome to our neighborhood.

We mark books that are not this genre (non-JAFF) but usually post all with only numbering those books. We post with no numbers the others we read as many times we think others here might also like that book.
For example:

1. Fallen
Heidi (non-JAFF)
2. Mr. Darcy's Wager
3. For Richer, For Poorer

Sam wrote: "Hi all, I am new to the whole forum/group thing here, still trying to navigate around. Up to now all I did was track my reading on GR, and leave the occasional review. This is a whole world unto it..."

Welcome, Sam!

There are many ways to approach this challenge. Some like to declare their target level and read toward that. Others start at the beginning, and see how many levels they can read through. Choose what works for you - there is no wrong way, so long as you are enjoying yourself!

Thanks!
Is it necessary to post the whole list in advance or only a few in advance? or after the fact? Sometimes my waiting list shifts, if I come across a book which I drop everything to read.

I just love to read, I have so much wasted time commuting for work, reading is my personal party of one! ;)

Sam wrote: "Thanks!
Is it necessary to post the whole list in advance or only a few in advance? or after the fact? Sometimes my waiting list shifts, if I come across a book which I drop everything to read. ..."

Personally, I only post books for this challenge once I have actually read them. You could explore the 2020 challenge group to see how others have participated, and see what clicks for you.

This is a very flexible challenge, meant to encourage and enable us to read through our Austenesque TBR lists -- and help them to expand with all the wonderful recommendations! :-)

Awesome. Thanks!!

Great advice on the challenge and tracking, Sheila and ladymurmur, Thanks!

If you have any more questions or need more clarification to help with the group here, Sam, feel free to ask. Nobody minds helping. :)

Hello again, everyone. Thanks to our lovely group leader Sophia for starting us off for another year.

I am from Cardiff, which is in Wales (UK). I first discovered Austen as a teenager, luckily for me in the early 1990s so I was able to imagine the characters for myself before I saw them portrayed on TV. I discovered Austenesque writing when I got my first kindle and went to download Austen's books and found alternate point of view versions and from there other things such as variations.

I started reviewing books as a note to myself when I found myself inadvertently a third of the way through an Austeneque book I'd already read. I started a blog at the beginning of 2014, Babblings of a Bookworm, and I'd love for you to visit me there.

2020 has not been a good year for any of us. I've found it very hard to read. I am hoping for better in 2021! In terms of challenge levels I will see where I end up... if I can just get myself reading regularly again and up to date with my blog I will be very pleased. As for what I read, I'm going to make myself a reading list but will try to keep things spontaneous. Sometimes I can suck the joy out of reading by planning things in too much and making reading feel like a chore rather than my treat, and I need to reverse that. I have a HUGE backlog, which doesn't help!

Happy reading to you all for 2021.

Happy to see you here, Ceri. Hoping reading becomes more pleasurable for you and not a chore. We all have tall TBR piles. I am trying very hard not to buy any books. I do download the free ones and have a long list of ones available on KU. Just so many! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. Stay Safe. Happy Holidays.

Hello, everyone. I'm Jeanne better known as J.W. Garrett. I live in south-central Kentucky where we have all the seasons. Today and tomorrow we are expecting temperatures in the 50s F and are hoping for snow on Christmas. We'll see. I've been a member here since 2016. Thanks to Sheila. So if you are unhappy with me... it's her fault for telling me about this amazing site.

I am retired and now a full-time caregiver. My husband is in remission for cancer and we have a 'no visitors' sign on our door. We are taking NO chances. We are doing well and thank God for all His blessings.

I hope to again try for Mr. Darcy's Library. I've made it before but hubby's surgery, hospital stay, time in step-down, and rehab, put me off my 2020 reading challenge as I traveled back and forth between facilities. Not sure I'll make it for my 2020 challenge. Having the encouragement from these guys have gotten me through this year. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.

I am so glad to see the returning faces and so many new ones too. Welcome to old and new alike. I hope you have a marvelous time in 2021. Remember... we laugh a lot and if we need to shed a tear, there is always someone to offer a handkerchief [virtually of course] or a supportive shoulder. Blessings to all, stay safe, and healthy.

And we do pray for each other as need be.

So happy to see you back, Jeanne. I will take all the blame for you being here as you are such a wonderful member of our neighborhood. Couldn't ask for anyone better. Your reviews rock and give me ideas for a "next read" or ones to put on my TBR pile. Stay safe. Merry Christmas.

Love you, Sheila. Funny how we met while I was reading your reviews on Amazon. That seems like forever ago. I always looked for your reviews and usually read whatever you were reading. If I gave you any ideas... turnabout is fair play. I love this group and it has really been uplifting through the years. Blessing, my dear, and Merry Christmas to you too.

I managed so far this year out of my 850+ books read, to read 200 published JAFF works and 100+ unpublished. My aim next year is start on the P&P unpublished works, though I can't see me reading Darcy and Elizabeth stories, and with so few pairings that I am interested in there may not be many for me to read. It just means I will have more time to read the mysteries on my tablet.
I just hope the year will be better than this one.

I am blown away that anyone can read that many stories. Well done. Merry Christmas! Stay safe.

CindySlowReader#GimmeDatVac! wrote: "Waving hi from Idaho. I don't do challenges much but I think I can handle the Charlotte Heywood level."

Hi Cindy!!! I noticed you're from Idaho, YEA, I love Idaho!!! My husband comes from the metropolis of Preston, ID and it's one of my favorite places!