Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2022 discussion

While we love our Jane Austen, most of us read a variety of books, topics, genres, etc and we like to share about them with our fifty best reading buddies. Here is a place where you can recommend non-Austenesque books or start a discussion about non-Austenesque books. I do ask you to please remember to be courteous b/c everyone has their own tastes and please limit discussion/recommendation of Non-Austenesque books to here. Thanks!

Here are my offerings, the first 2 trilogies I re-read on a schedule I never delay.
Dragonlance Chronicles Trilogy: A Dragonlance Omnibus (read before Legends, if possible)
DragonLance: Legends Trilogy
Kushiel's Dart First 3 were blow-your-mind good, hubby even read them, hard to catch on initially, but after 100 pages was so engrossed I took two days off!
Dark Lover Read the first 10, some repeatedly.
Cold Magic No matter your age, this trilogy was amazingly well done.
The Alienist
The Alchemist I believe this is NOT the one which you are assuming. If you have read it, pretty great, yes?
I shall stop there, but I hope you have found something to pique your interest.

Ooh, magic and fantasy! Thanks, Kimbelle.

I've been meaning to try that Kushiel's Dart series. Thanks for the rec, Kimbelle!

Sophia wrote: "I've been meaning to try that Kushiel's Dart series. Thanks for the rec, Kimbelle!"

Sophia, if they are on your radar, you were smarter than I was. I just happened to have been handed the book by one of the women I have kept through more than a decade who said "Start this. Tonight." I was not dumb enough to defy her, and I did struggle for about 70 pages and then just LET GO of the expecting to calculate and remember all of the set up. There was no Warning, Caution, or Note, which I am well used to in my real life, but a free-fall into an adventure and a love which, I confess, makes ODC mundane. I have found few male characters written as a hero of a set of stories so well as her Cassiline outside the magic/paranormal, and even rarer do the women not annoy me on some level. Not the case for any character written within these pages. And again, not my top 2 favs as the 2 sets of trilogies w/Raistlin will never be usurped. But if asked to name my top love story, these first 3 books would be choice 1 or 2, and the whole of the stories built around it are...phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal.

Now, that is some high praise, Kimbelle! I've got the first two books and just need to motivate. Your enthusiasm is doing that. :)

Books on sale both JAFF and non:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/99c_clea...

Thanks for the hot tip, Jeanne!

No problem.

Feed your fantasy craving: check out this link for a sale on Fantasy books: two are from Maria Grace:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/indulge-...


Enjoy:

Let's not forget those adventure seekers:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/herojour...

I didn't forget you.

And, of course, Dangerous Women in Fantasy and Science Fiction: I shuddered when I saw some of those covers. I know some of them are repeats from the previous links.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/dangerou...

Is anyone watching The Gilded Age on tv?

I have that on my list to watch as per a recommendation from my daughter. I only (binge) watch series or movies while walking on my treadmill and right now am in the middle of The 100 - 7 seasons. The 100

Will be interested in what you think of it when you get round to it.
I think my husband watched that series. Not something I'd be into.

The 100: I am only watching it to know what happens as so many are fighting to survive a post nuclear destruction of the world and humanity. Lots of killing. But since my daughter recommended it, I will finish it. Would caution others about the violence thought.

She also recommended The Gilded Age and that sounds much more like it is up my alley.

It's exactly what you'd expect Sheila. Social climbing, old money versus new and a wide variety of characters.

The title sort of hints at that...but thanks for your feedback.

If you like cozy mysteries, i just finished a first in a series -

First book in series involves alice in wonderland, second involves the secret garden. I dont get why the low reviews I finished it in a couple days

Patricia wrote: "If you like cozy mysteries, i just finished a first in a series -

First book in series involves alice in wonderland, second involves the secret garden. I do..."

Patricia, that's very cool! Thanks for mentioning it.

Patricia wrote: "If you like cozy mysteries, i just finished a first in a series -

Patricia, these just happened across my radar recently and sound kind of fun. I'm glad to see a thumbs-up from you.

p.s. I did reply to you message on 'Someone else pick it for me, February' although very late. So sorry again. With February nearly over, I hope you get to read my choice sometime.

On sale: $4.00 from Nora Roberts:

The Witness

Of course, there are 8,371 reviews: 78% 5-stars

I read this years ago and was glad to be able to add it to my personal library as a Kindle book. This is a perfect read for y'all that are of the tech-geeky type. OMG! I love this girl. Yeah, she goes through crap but oh, she comes back with a kick-a** attitude and gives the Russian bad buys what for. I must read this again.

Cool! I've got this one on my wish list.

Here is another Nora Roberts book on sale for $1.99: I read this years ago and still remember the shock and awe of the reveal. This is a mystery, serial killer, type and you will NEVER guess who the villain is. I didn't and was shocked clear to my socks.

Carnal Innocence

1,848 reviews: 72% 5-stars & 20% 4-stars

For you Outlander fans: Book 4 is $4.99 on Amazon:

Drums of Autumn

14,315 reviews [of course]: 87% 5-stars & 9% 4-stars

Freebie from Summer Hanford: Book 2 in her non-JAFF series released last October: Friday 15th & Saturday 16th only.


Red Fox

6 reviews: 78% 5-stars

Want to help the relief efforts in Ukraine? Here is an offer where all proceeds go toward helping the innocent.

Sunflower Season

The expected publication date is June 7.

For the Outlander fans that love Lord John, book 1/3 is $2.99.

Lord John and the Private Matter

2,798 reviews: 64% 5-stars & 20% 4-stars

Freebie from Erica Ridley: Book 5/13 in her 12 Dukes of Christmas series:

Dukes, Actually

311 reviews: 64% 5-stars & 25% 4-stars

$0.99 from Regina Jeffers: I don't think GR has a link yet as it launched today; I'll check later and update. In the meantime...

I'll post the link for Amazon [US] but other countries will need to check their book source.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y9DWVGV?...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=a+ladys+...

You probably all know about this one but I took a chance someone might have missed it. A very entertaining read.

Sorry, Teresa, it's not on sale in the US unless they mark it down later. $14.99 is a bit pricey for me.

A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting

Launch date July 12, 2022

Yes Jeanne I would consider it too expensive as well. Just wanted people it's new and out tomorrow. I've read it and it's a great read. Austen lovers will enjoy it I think.

Thanks for letting us know, Teresa.

I would like to recommend two books:

1) And Then There Were None



I'm sure you already know it but it was my first book by Agatha Christie and finally I understood why after all these years it's still a best seller.

2) The Italian Girl



I know that Lucinda Riles is know for "The seven sisters" saga but I found this book a hidden gem!

Maybe it was because the main character in from Naples like me or because I really love the Opera but when I finished this book I felt a sense of void in my chest.

If you like the Opera, travelling trough the world, love stories and characters development you should definitely try this book!

And Then There Were None.... definitely one of Agatha Christie's more famous mysteries. It's kind of a different animal compared to her others. Not my personal favorite, but very cleverly done!

Sort of Jane related, an article on Regency fashion. When I’m not reading it when reading an audiobook I am usually knitting weaving or crocheting. One of my favorite textile arts magazine also focuses on the history of those arts, Piecework

https://pieceworkmagazine.com/shirt-p...

This week there was an article about mens regency fashion

If any of you like Angela Thirkell (and if you love Jane Austen you ought to at least like Thirkell), here’s a book written by a contemporary (published in 1955) that I found absolutely delightful: The Lark Shall Sing by Elizabeth Cadell. I’ve read a number of Cadell’s books and this was a favorite! First in a series of three, too, so if you like it you can extend your pleasure.

You have my interest. It sounds fun, Abigail!

It is fun! Cadell’s books are nice and light but don’t feel too sweet.

Abigail wrote: "It is fun! Cadell’s books are nice and light but don’t feel too sweet."

Hmmm...but not without some sweetness? Laugh at myself....I've put in an out of network PL request.

Definitely some sweetness.

FREEBIE Alert! The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews

Free on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07777L5NP?...

For the Fantasy Lovers: Freebies from Maria Grace and friends: June 1 - 30

https://books.bookfunnel.com/portal-f...

began reading this today and am really enjoying it. Think many would like it :)

I bought one of Angela Thirkell’s books today as well as one by Elizabeth Fair.

Thank you for the tip, I had never heard of her.

Adele wrote: "Sort of Jane related, an article on Regency fashion. When I’m not reading it when reading an audiobook I am usually knitting weaving or crocheting. One of my favorite textile arts magazine also foc..."

I love this magazine too, Adele. I only get the newsletters now. Trying to downsize! Gulp. But can't get rid of the newsletters off my computer. Too precious. Where do you live?

This book is on sale for $1.99 right now. Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace Obviously I've read it and loved it or wouldn't be recommending it. It is about John Newton who is writer of the song Amazing Grace, and his love, Polly Catlette. It is often a very frustrating and tough read because Newton has to go through a hell of many sorts to reach his Grace. He carries lots of baggage and it is often heartbreaking watching him take the wrong turn and make the wrong choice time after time. The man definitely had father and authority figure issues. Though the reader would like to knock him in the head quite a few times, life (or Grace?) does it for him. His life truly was amazing grace.

But oh my gosh it is so beautiful too. Anyone who loved the movie Amazing Grace would appreciate this book. You will absolutely love Polly in this book.

This sounds good. Thanks, Michelle!

Anne, there is going to be a buddy read of an Angela Thirkell novel, Pomfret Towers, over in the Retro Reads group in July, if you’re interested.

Michelle, that sounds like a lovely and moving book!