Austen Lovers TBR Challenge 2021 discussion

If you are willing to place one of your August 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 July 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 July 31st.

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 August book.

When you're done reading, feel free to drop a new comment of what you thought of your book.

Happy Reading!

Needing a distraction from the summer heat, I can always turn to my TBR pile. So, here are a stack that caught my eye as candidates for this month's read.

1. Misunderstandings & Ardent Love by Susan Adriani
2. Nine Ladies: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Heather Moll
3. A Consuming Love by Kelly Miller
4. Pride by Ibi Zoboi
5. Summer of Love by Melissa Buell
6. Outmatched: A Mansfield Park / Sense & Sensibility Vagary by Jayne Bamber
7. The Dragons of Kellynch by Maria Grace
8. Brightsea by Jane Gillespie
9. Strong Objections to the Lady by Jayne Bamber
10. Mr. Darcy's Clan by Lari Ann O'Dell

As susual will downsize as it gets closer
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Too soon for me to post a list yet, but I am in!

I want to play this time:

Celestial Persuasion
Disturbing the Dust: A Variation on Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'
Captivated by Youth and Beauty: Mr. Bennet's story
Sudden Acquisitions: A sequel to Pride and Prejudice
A Life Apart: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation

I’m in!
Austentatious: The Evolving World of Jane Austen Fans
The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy
Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen, the Secret Radical
The Angel of Longbourn

My TBR list for your selection :

1. Sketching Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Alternative Journey
2. The Companion of His Future Life
3. Darcy's Ultimatum
4. My Mr. Darcy & Your Mr. Bingley
5. The Child
6. Speechless

Laugh at myself...so far "borrowing" elements of Sophia's list.

Summer of Love

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors



A Consuming Love

Faults of Understanding: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Mistress of Netherfield

On Equal Ground: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (reread)

An Accident at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (reread)

Kirk wrote: "Laugh at myself...so far "borrowing" elements of Sophia's list.

Summer of Love

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors



[..."

borrow away, Kirk! I do it, too.

Ooh-wee! Another round of JAFF Russian Roulette? Deal me in!
I’m theming my short list unpublished; my TBR bookmarks bar in that front could use some downsizing.
In case anyone hasn't heard of these obscure gems, and wants a quick idea, I added a Key:
(brief synopsis)
~D: Found on Dwiggie
~F: Found on Fanfiction
1.)Claims of Duty by Rosie J ~D
(ODC meet earlier, FMS)
2.)Of Time Gone By By Bekah~D
(Deaf Darcy)
3.)Friends and Lovers By: DarcyDeFirth~F
(D & B get competition, by Life Changes author)
4.)London Outskirts By Kent
(Lizzy gets offered ride to London, outrageous flirting ensues)~D
5.)Comfort & Consequence By Lizzy C.
https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/lizzyc1...
Couldn't find a GR's page
(The Bennet girls come into a family inheritance) ~D
6.) Ignorance and Irony by Marci
(Lizzy= rich girl, not a Bennet) ~D
7.)Quirks of Fate By: MandieS1978
(ODC fall in love before meeting through desk letters, ft. evil Jane)~F
8.)Cinder Lizzy by Fredrica
(Lizzy inherits money, takes on Ton)-F

Shifra wrote: "Ooh-wee! Another round of JAFF Russian Roulette? Deal me in!
I’m theming my short list unpublished; my TBR bookmarks bar in that front could use some downsizing.
In case anyone hasn't heard of the..."

Grabbing some of these for my TBR list! Ahh and the list grows....

Shifra wrote: "Ooh-wee! Another round of JAFF Russian Roulette? Deal me in!
I’m theming my short list unpublished; my TBR bookmarks bar in that front could use some downsizing.
In case anyone hasn't heard of the..."
Great key!

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Laugh at myself...so far "borrowing" elements of Sophia's list.

Summer of Love

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors

[bookcover:The Dragons of Kellynch..."

THX!!!

This worked out great for me last time (thank you Kirk,) so here I am submitting my list skidding in just under the wire.


Mr Bennet leaves his study : A Regency Romance based on P&P by Sydney Salier
Another Proposal by Jann Rowland
For the Deepest Love by Mary Anne Mushatt
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
Murder at Northanger Abbey: Sequel to Jane Austen's Spoof on the Gothic Novel Shannon Winslow
All That This Entails by Noell Chesney

That should be enough this time around. Just one rather sheepish comment. I'm totally unfamiliar with any of the books on Shifra's list. Sorry Shifra! I can't choose unless I throw a dart at the list. :D

MichelleH wrote: "This worked out great for me last time (thank you Kirk,) so here I am submitting my list skidding in just under the wire.


[book:Mr Bennet leaves his study : A Regency Romance based on P&P|583591..."
Great!!!!

Howdy, everyone! I'm so glad you could join 'someone else pick it'.

I have randomly drawn names from those who submitted a list of books and will put those just below.

For those who are new to this fun activity, here is what you do next:
1. Find your name in the left hand column and then go to the right hand column to see whose name you drew.
2. Go back up in the discussion thread and find that person's list. Choose a book from that list. And, then make a comment to that person of what book you chose for them. Do this by July 31st, please.
3. Watch for the person who drew your name to post their pick from your booklist.
4. Start your books on or after August 1st and feel free to come back and leave a comment of what you thought of the book. If you want to discuss as you're reading, you can comment on your impressions as you go. Just make sure to mark any spoilery comments at the beginning of your comment.


The List from the drawing:
Sophia > Kirk
Patricia > Shifra
abmom > Sophia
wosedwew > Sam
Sam > wosedwew
Jeannepw > Michelle H
Shifra > Jeannepw
Kirk > Patricia
Michelle H > abmom

Enjoy your August reading, everyone!
Oh, and if you have a question or are confused, no worries, just ask.

Sam -- You have some good books on your list.
I am going to choose Mistress of Netherfield for you. I think you will like it.

I just looked at my list. I forgot I put Celestial Persuasion on the list and I read it in July. That leaves you to choose from the other four.

Hi Patricia!

I enjoyed The Unexpected Past of Miss JA and I
hope you do too!!!!

wosedwew wrote: "Sam -- You have some good books on your list.
I am going to choose Mistress of Netherfield for you. I think you will like it.

I just looked at my list. I forgot I put Celesti..."</i>

Thanks! I ordered that one and is due to arrive any day. Looking forward to reading it.

My pick for you is [book:Disturbing the Dust: A Variation on Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'. I read it and liked it. Hope you do too!

Jeannepw, the choice for me is simple as Northanger Abbey is one my favorite Austen offerings, featuring my favorite Austen hero- after Mr Darcy, of course-Mr Tilney.
I can't conceive you will be anything other than vastly entertained and charmed with this tongue-in-cheek gothic parody. Happy reading! 🤓

Shifra wrote: "Ooh-wee! Another round of JAFF Russian Roulette? Deal me in!
I’m theming my short list unpublished; my TBR bookmarks bar in that front could use some downsizing.
In case anyone hasn't heard of the..."
where can i read of time go by with deaf darcy? i am hearing impaired and would love to read this!


I think you can guess what my pick is for you? ;)

Sam -- thanks for the pick. I have had that one on my list for a while. Now I have the push I need.

Patricia, here is the link to Of Time Gone By, and thank you for the pick!

Howdy, Kirk,

Tough choices since they are all ones that sound interesting to me as well. ;) But, I hadn't heard of The Ski Lift and it sounds refreshing this time of the year so I'll pick that one for you. Enjoy, I hope!

Sophia wrote: "Howdy, Kirk,

Tough choices since they are all ones that sound interesting to me as well. ;) But, I hadn't heard of The Ski Lift and it sounds refreshing this time of the year so I'll pick that on..."
Thx!!!

abmom wrote: "My TBR list for your selection :

What a great list, abmom. I've read and really enjoyed reading them all. That makes it hard to choose. Sketching Mr Darcy was my first Lory Lilian book and it's on my reread repertoire. I recommend reading all of them. I almost had to toss a coin to choose. :/ But I'm going to pick Speechless. I loved this and hope you will too. Good luck!

Sophia wrote: "Howdy, Kirk,

Tough choices since they are all ones that sound interesting to me as well. ;) But, I hadn't heard of The Ski Lift and it sounds refreshing this time of the year so I'll pick that on..."

Twas a cool ride on this warm southern night (visiting GF's family). Thanks again!

Kirk wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Howdy, Kirk,

Tough choices since they are all ones that sound interesting to me as well. ;) But, I hadn't heard of The Ski Lift and it sounds refreshing this time of the year so I'..."


Woohoo! Glad it was a hit, Kirk and gave you a refreshing, cool ride.

wosedwew wrote: "Sam -- thanks for the pick. I have had that one on my list for a while. Now I have the push I need."

Awesome!
I will probably read mine next weekend. Can't wait!

Hi Sophie, I choose Nine ladies by Heather Moll fir you. The summary sounds pretty interesting. Hope you enjoy it.

I've been wanting to read Speechless for a long time. Thanks for the pick Michelle !

abmom wrote: "Hi Sophie, I choose Nine ladies by Heather Moll fir you. The summary sounds pretty interesting. Hope you enjoy it."

You're a peach, abmom! I think I'm in the mood for a Time Traveler one.

Sophia wrote: "abmom wrote: "Hi Sophie, I choose Nine ladies by Heather Moll fir you. The summary sounds pretty interesting. Hope you enjoy it."

You're a peach, abmom! I think I'm in the mood for a Time Traveler..."
I know this isn't my conversation, but oh boy! I loved Nine Ladies. I can't wait to hear how you liked it.

abmom wrote: "I've been wanting to read Speechless for a long time. Thanks for the pick Michelle !"

I really love this book, I've reread it, listened to the audio at least twice. Can you tell it's one of my favorites. I hope I haven't steered you wrong.

MichelleH wrote: "Sophia wrote: "abmom wrote: "Hi Sophie, I choose Nine ladies by Heather Moll fir you. The summary sounds pretty interesting. Hope you enjoy it."

You're a peach, abmom! I think I'm in the mood for ..."

:)

Oh, and you are more than welcome to jump in on any group convo. More the merrier.

Shifra,
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to start!

MichelleH,
Sorry I’m late! I had cataract surgery last week (I guess this makes me officially old 😀) and was offline for a few days. Anyway, I have to pick Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor. I’m a huge fan of this series and have been thinking of starting a reread myself. I hope you love it as much as I do.
Jeanne

Wishing you well after the surgery, Jeanne!

Jeannepw wrote: "MichelleH,
Sorry I’m late! I had cataract surgery last week (I guess this makes me officially old 😀) and was offline for a few days. Anyway, I have to pick [book:Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scar..."

Thanks for the pick and the recommendation. Cataract surgery. I guess you did have a pretty good excuse. :D Oh my, I hope you feel all better really soon! Take care of yourself.

Michelle, I've to thank you profoundly for your pick. It was a delightful novel. No wonder it's a favorite of yours as I'm sure it's going to be mine too. It is a must read for every JAFF fan out there.

Finished Nine Ladies and I loved it. Took me a bit to get into the heroine and it did feel long at times, but man that was a ridiculously engaging one. Thanks, abmom!

wosedwew wrote: "Sam -- You have some good books on your list.
I am going to choose Mistress of Netherfield for you. I think you will like it.

I just looked at my list. I forgot I put [book:Celesti..."

I loved it! What a great book from a first time JAFF author. Thanks for the awesome pick!
The only thing I didn't like was so many different terms used, which I assumed are accurate for the era, depicting foolishness, or some such.
Also, there were several words I didn't know at all! She seemed fond of words with 4 syllables. LOL

Sam -- are you familiar with this book?

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

I am not sure what type of expressions you refer to from "MoN" but I pick up this one from time to time. Funny, if nothing else!

Also, I have this one:
Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases With a Copious Index of Principal Words

wosedwew wrote: "Sam -- are you familiar with this book?

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

I am not sure what type of expressions you refer to from "MoN" but I pick up this one from time to tim..."

One have seen before is: painting it brown...
and there were many different variations for blockhead.

Thanks for the links. I will need to do some research on the ones I didn't know at all.

I just finished Disturbing the Dust: A Variation on Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'.

It was very good but I had expected more variety in a variation. It seemed pretty close to the original. I am glad to have read it.

wosedwew wrote: "I just finished Disturbing the Dust: A Variation on Jane Austen's 'Persuasion'.

It was very good but I had expected more variety in a variation. It seemed pretty close to the origi..."

Glad you loved it. I've got my eye on this.

abmom wrote: "Michelle, I've to thank you profoundly for your pick. It was a delightful novel. No wonder it's a favorite of yours as I'm sure it's going to be mine too. It is a must read for every JAFF fan out t..."
I'm so delighted you liked it so much. I'm so relieved I picked the right one for you.

Patricia & co,

I've completed my JAFF assignment! In 'Of Time Gone By,' the authors writing is exquisite, though, likely due to it being a weekly published serial, I felt it lost it's direction and became a bit meandering towards the end. Nonetheless, the quality of dialogue was steady and I am glad to have read it. I awarded it a 4. Thank you for picking it out for me! See y'all next Jaff draw 😉