Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2023 discussion

If you are willing to place one of your February 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 January 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 January 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 February book.

Of course I'm in. :) List subject to change based on reading mood closer to the deadline.

1. Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2 by Anna Elliott
2. Holidays with Jane: Will You Be Mine? by Rebecca Fleming
3. Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons by Vera Nazarian
4. All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey with Jane by Amy Smith
5. Becoming Elizabeth Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen
6. All the Appearance of Goodness by Maria Grace
7. A Modern Day Persuasion: An Adaptation of Jane Austen's Novel by Kaitlin Saunders
8. A Little Bit Psychic: Pride & Prejudice with a Modern Twist by Aimee Avery
9. The Five Kisses by Karla Darcy

I'm game. Here's my list:
1. Elizabeth and Darcy: Ardently Yours: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
2. The Five Graces of Longbourn: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
3. Mr. Darcy, the Dance, and Desire: a Pride and Prejudice variation
4. Mr Darcy's Fight for Love: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
5. Win, Lose, or Darcy
6. Earning Darcy's Trust
7. The Trouble with Lords: A Mysterious Pride and Prejudice Variation
8. A Good Word: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
9. Mr Darcy's New Neighbour: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
10. For Pemberley: A Pride & Prejudice Novella

I will have to wait and see what my January reads like, before I can post a list for Feb!

1. Fearful Symmetry: A Pride & Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
2. Far From The Tree: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
3. Twists of Fate: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
4. Nine Ladies: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
5. Mistress of Netherfield https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Ooh, great picks Abmom!

Sam, I have a bad habit of anticipating good books instead of reading them unless I didn't have a choice . That's what these activities make me do especially December gold read.

I'm in but I think I will see how far into my TBR I can dig during the holidays before posting the list.

me too Katja

abmom wrote: "Sam, I have a bad habit of anticipating good books instead of reading them unless I didn't have a choice . That's what these activities make me do especially December gold read."

I hear that, and used to do it too. But then, they either disappoint or are so good I kick myself for having waited LOL

But I'm worse. If I'm reading a story which is reallybgood (except for mysteries), I take breaks while reading to make it last longer. What can I say, I'm glutton for punishment.

hehe, I am with those that stay up all night to finish.

That's for nights are FOR.

I'm in, but I need to concentrate on some 1st of the year stuff first and bring my list in a week-ish.

Sophia wrote: "Of course I'm in. :) List subject to change based on reading mood closer to the deadline.

1. Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2 by Anna Elliott
2. [book:Holid..."

When I had only a handful of Christmas novellas in my library, I used to read your #9 every year. I haven't read it now for much too long. Need to remedy that very soon.

1) Holidays w Jane: Will You Be Mine (reread)


2)Emma, Mr. Knightley, and Chili-Slaw Dogs
(Jane Austen Takes The South #2)
by Mary Jane Hathaway (reread)


3) Nothing but Patience


4)Unexpected Hearts


5)
Submitting to Change: Pride and Prejudice Variation- A Mary Bennett Story

MichelleH wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Of course I'm in. :) List subject to change based on reading mood closer to the deadline.

1. Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2 by Anna Elliott..."

Glad to know it was an annual favorite. :)

Do we have to have a list? Right now I can only think of five for February: Someone pick it for me.
1. Mr. Darcy's Fight for Love
2. The Last House in Lambton
3. The Marriage Bargain
4. A Most Attentive Mother
5. A Most Dutiful Son

Joan wrote: "Do we have to have a list? Right now I can only think of five for February: Someone pick it for me.
1. Mr. Darcy's Fight for Love
2. The Last House in Lambton
3. The Marriage Bargain
4. A Most Atte..."

Five is plenty long, Joan! :) You're all set and you're welcome to trade out or add to right up until the drawing if you want.

Here is my batch. Quite an eclectic (and old) mix as a result of tidying my TBR and finding some forgotten "never reads".

1. Accusing Mr. Darcy by Kelly Miller
2. Crossed in Love: A Pride and Prejudice / Northanger Abbey Crossover by Cassandra B Leigh
3. Courage Rises: A Pride and Prejudice Continuation by Melanie Rachel
4. The Rogue's Widow by Nicole Clarkston
5. Duels of Every Sort: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Sarah Brown
6. His Choice of a Wife: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Heather Moll
7. An Unnatural Inheritance: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Virginia B Brand
8. The Bennet Affair by Riana Everly
9. Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North
10. A Dance with Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers

I look forward to seeing (and reading) the one chosen for me as well as the lists that everyone else comes up with.

Looks like some good books on these lists!

I'm going to choose 10 books on my Kindle that I (still) have not read...

1. Out There In The World: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Harri Whilding

2. A Gentleman's Honor: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melanie Rachel

3. How to Fall in Love with a Man You Thought You Hated by Elizabeth Adams

4. The Bride of Northanger: A Jane Austen Variation by Diana Birchall

5. Pemberley: Mr. Darcy's Dragon by Maria Grace

6. The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright and Cass Grafton

7. Mary Bennet and the Bingley Codex by Joyce Harmon

8. A Searing Acquaintance: A Modern Pride & Prejudice Variation by Jan Ashton

9. Tempt Me: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Julie Cooper

10. The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

Looking forward to this!

Well, here's my list. All from my TBR, some of them have been there a loooonnnggg time.
1. Against His Will by Nancy Kelly
2. Darcy's Secret: A Love at Pemberley Short Story Reina Williams
3. Being Mrs Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Elizabeth Bridges
4. For The Sake Of Her Happiness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Marley Fulton
5. A Searing Acquaintance: A Modern Pride & Prejudice Variation by Jan Ashton
6. Obstacles by Belén Paccaganella
7. Perilous Siege by C.P. Odom
8. A Contrary Wind Lori Manning
9. Hope For Mr. Darcy
10. To Save and Protect: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Paisley James
11. Leap of Hope: Chance at an Austen Kind of Life by Shannon Winslow

I have no doubt someone will pick a good one for me, but if anyone else feels like weighing in on any of these--likes, dislikes, or loves--I'd appreciate that too.

Well Christina and Michelle it looks like we have all had a good old rummage through our TBR to find the ones we always said we would read and never have. Should be fin!

Craftyhj wrote: "Well Christina and Michelle it looks like we have all had a good old rummage through our TBR to find the ones we always said we would read and never have. Should be fin!"

oh, you nailed it there....'the ones we always said....'

im in, just might take me longer . I seem to be busier at work than I have in the past.

Interesting mix Patricia - several there I don't know at all. I shall be interested to see how you find the one chosen for you.

Sophia wrote: "Joan wrote: "Do we have to have a list? Right now I can only think of five for February: Someone pick it for me.
1. Mr. Darcy's Fight for Love
2. The Last House in Lambton
3. The Marriage Bargain
4..."

Sophia wrote: "Joan wrote: "Do we have to have a list? Right now I can only think of five for February: Someone pick it for me.
1. Mr. Darcy's Fight for Love
2. The Last House in Lambton
3. The Marriage Bargain
4..."

I am sticking with my list.

Joan wrote: "I am sticking with my list."

Sounds good, Joan! :)

I went with the alphabet approach but I had no authors starting with I

Jan Ashton: Some natural importance
Sue Barr: In essentials
Nicole Clarkston Nefarious
LL Diamond Rain and retribution
Riana Everly Through a different lens
Monica Fairview Dangerous magic
Corrie Garrett From London with loyalty
Laura Hile Marrying well for fun and profit
Jenetta James Suddenly Mrs Darcy
Victoria Kincaid Chaos comes to longbourn

Here is mine. Tried to give it a varied choice

No Good Deed https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12949542/1/

Mutual Pride https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13074738/1/

Like Father, Like Son: A Pride and Prejudice Novella (KU)

Any Number of Regrets (KU)

Mistaken Identity: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (AB)

Friendship and Forgiveness: An Elizabeth and Darcy Story (AB)

Sounds like fun.. here is my list...

1. Emma Watson - Jane Austen & Joan Aiken
2. Austenland - Shannon Hale
3. The lost memoirs of Jane Austen - Syrie James
4. What matters in Jane Austen? - John Mullan
5. Jane and the unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor - Stephanie Barron
6. Midnight in Austenland - Shannon Hale
7. The Jane Austen remedy - Ruth Wilson
8. Jane Austen's table - Robert Tuesley Anderson
9. Letters to Alice on first reading Jane Austen - Fay Weldon
10. Jane Austen - Gill Hornby

Thanks for this challenge, so much fun!
Wishing you all happy reading!! :)

My stars! Can't believe I forgot to post the list after I drew the names. I blame snowshoveling for tiring my brain. LOL I do apologize for being tardy.

Howdy, everyone! I'm so glad you could join our first 'someone else pick it' for the year.

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 JANUARY 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 February 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.

Sophia > Christina
Katie > Michelle
abmom > Patricia
Kirk > Katja
Joan > Sam
Craftyhj > Emily Kate
Christina > Katie
Michelle H > abmom
Patricia > Kirk
Katja > Joan
Sam > Craftyhj
Emily Kate > Sophia

Happy reading, all!

Howdy, Christina!

I drew your name out. Hmm, I'm having a tough time deciding between light romance, mystery, or fantasy. I'll go with dragons since I'm wearing a dragon t-shirt at the moment.

For you, I choose Pemberley: Mr. Darcy's Dragon by Maria Grace. Enjoy!

Hi Joan!

I have read two of the books on your list and I gave them both five stars. In The Marriage Bargain Darcy was a jerk for rather a long time but still worth reading. But I would go with the Last House in Lambton because I can't remember a single thing that I didn't like about it.

Hi Michelle H!

You had some really good ones on your list. I added a couple to my TBR pile! LOL

For you, I choose To Save and Protect: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Paisley James. I was between that and Perilous Siege but I went with the higher rated one.

Hi Katja,

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did....

Laura Hile Marrying well for fun and profit

Cheers!

Katie, I have to admit I’m way behind on my JAFF reading, so I’ve read none of the books on your list! Therefore, I felt the only fair thing to do was to turn to a random number generator. (Well, it’s not exactly random since the generator could only choose integers from 1-10!) Anyway, the result is..

9. Mr Darcy's New Neighbour: A Pride and Prejudice Variation!

Hope the random generator chose well for you! :)

Sophia wrote: "Howdy, Christina!

I drew your name out. Hmm, I'm having a tough time deciding between light romance, mystery, or fantasy. I'll go with dragons since I'm wearing a dragon t-shirt at the moment.."

Hah! I love it! I’m looking forward to reading Maria Grace’s book at last! Thanks, Sophia — and thanks to your t-shirt, as well! :)

Emily Kate,

I pick Austenland by Shannon Hale for you. It is in my "to read" list so I look forward to hearing your opinion.

Thanks Craftyhj!
That sounds like a good pick! I've watched the movie many years ago so I'm really looking forward to the book :) I'll let you know how it goes.. Happy reading!! :)

Hi Sophia!

Looks like I am picking one for you...
Lucky dip chooses....

"The Five Kisses" by Karla Darcy...

Ooh! Hope it's a good one.. I've never heard of it before but it sounds sooo sweet.. Thanks heaps for organising this.. it's heaps of fun!! Happy reading!! :)

Emily Kate (...is reading Jane) wrote: "Hi Sophia!

Looks like I am picking one for you...
Lucky dip chooses....

"The Five Kisses" by Karla Darcy...

Ooh! Hope it's a good one.. I've never heard of it before but it sounds sooo sweet...."

Thanks, Emily Kate! It sounds like a cutie and another member said its an annual read for her so I'm game.

Kirk i choose for you unexpected hearts. I was unable to find any info on this book

Patricia wrote: "Kirk i choose for you unexpected hearts. I was unable to find any info on this book"
Thanks!! I think it's a long modern set locally to me. :)

Paticia, I haven't read any book on your list but am familiar with the works of Victoria Kincaid and the duo of Renata and Summer, and I like many of them. Also, both books are in my TBR list. After much dilemma, I choose When Charlotte became romantic by Victoria Kincaid for you. Hope you have a great time reading it!

Craftyhj wrote: "Here is my batch. Quite an eclectic (and old) mix as a result of tidying my TBR and finding some forgotten "never reads".

1. Accusing Mr. Darcy by Kelly Miller
2. [book:Crossed in ..."

Hi Crafty - you have such a wonderful list to choose from!

My personal faves on it are Accusing Mr. Darcy and The Rogue's Widow. Both excellent and quite different books. I will go with The Rogue's Widow and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thanks Sam - I look forward to reading it.

abmom wrote: "1. Fearful Symmetry: A Pride & Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Hi abmom! I chose Nine Ladies for you, I think you'll love it. I did. I think it's time for a reread for me.

I also just finished Fearful Symmetry and it's great, but I chose Nine Ladies for the lighter feel. I wasn't familiar with Far From the Tree so I'm adding that to my wish list.

Katie wrote: "Hi Michelle H!

You had some really good ones on your list. I added a couple to my TBR pile! LOL

For you, I choose To Save and Protect: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Paisley ..."

Thank you Katie. I'll queue that up next after finishing my current. (I really need to read all those books in my list sometime this year, some of them will undoubtedly go onto the next 'someone pick it for me' challenge. :D