Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2023 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!

So I follow this artist named Elizabeth Wade. She makes beautiful maps depicting places in books. Anyway, here is a link to her Pride and Prejudice map.

https://www.elizabethwadestudio.com/p...

Ooh, lovely! Thanks for the link!

Love it, Adele!

I will offer my list here of a few series or trilogies that I would say are for young adults for any parents wanting to shock their sons into reading!
-The Castings Trilogy - Wow.
-The DragonLance series (I have a staple 20 and am on my 5 year re-read marker for all 20 - yea do I wish we had a non-austen library for "others" that counted up to 40 in the year), but, I must confess, that the ones with Rastlin in them are the ones I read. The Chronicles Trilogy Autumn, Winter, and Spring, the Legends Trilogy, and the Lost Souls Trilogy are amongst the most awesomest of books.
-The Spiritwalker Trilogy - there is some love, loss of loved ones, and a bit of sex, but it's not in your face, it's a married couple who were married young and as strangers, which makes it worse and better, but trust me - read it and all the magics and mysteries around it will make it - so much more.
-I am suggesting, for Adults mind, the Witcher books - so freaking fun, and more so if you've played the game and watched the Netflix series, but they have their own awesome.
- In re-mention, for ADULTS, the Kushiel series, Kushiel's Dart, Kushiel's Chosen, and Kushiel's Avatar. I stopped there, but check out the reviews. Don't get caught up in all the details of the 1st 100 pages, it will all come to you in the end - just read...oh, and what a world Ms. Carey made us all to enjoy.
-For those who enjoy the paranormal, the Black Dagger Brotherhood has a flavor for all preferences, and if you've never met Nucking Futz Nix, Kresley Cole's lady and her mixed brood of immortals starting with a group of Valkyries of which she is part, is an unexpected mix of fun.

Thanks for the recommends, Kimberly!

7-book deal for $9.99:

The Chronicles of Narnia Complete 7-Book Collection: All 7 Books Plus Bonus Book: Boxen

Love that series!

I thought this was a pretty good price, and for all 7 books.

It has been years since I read this one, but I remember thinking it had Georgette Heyer vibes.

FREEBIE The Weaver Takes a Wife

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Weaver-Takes-W...

Freebie: North & South fans:

The Woollen Olive Branch

Great find, Jeanne!

I know we have many N&S fans in our group.

Oo, thanks Jeanne

You're welcome, Ceri.

This is very cute!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtrFi2...

Ahhh, that sure was, Cindy! Thanks!

soo cute!

Thanks -- good for a chortle or two.

So cute!

For the G. Scott Fitzgerald fans: $2.99 deal on a 4-book collection: normally $15.99

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Collection Volume One: This Side of Paradise, The Beautiful and Damned, Flappers and Philosophers, and Tales of the Jazz Age

A friend recommended this book to me:
When Dreams Come True

Have not had the chance to read it yet.

Brielle and her man trap by Lisa renee has p and p reference especially in regards to Bingley. this is second book in series can be read as stand alone. the first book in series is faking it for gran's sake.

both are on ku.

CindySR wrote: "This is very cute!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtrFi2..."

Adorable!

Free box set from Wendy Vella: Books 1-3 in the Sinclair & Raven Series: a wee bit of paranormal as our heroes and heroines have heightened senses. Each is gifted in a special way and their clan is destined to protect another. I started this years ago but never finished it. I look forward to reading them again.

The Sinclair and Raven Collection

1,183 reviews: 72% 5-stars & 20% 4-stars

J. W. wrote: "Free box set from Wendy Vella: Books 1-3 in the Sinclair & Raven Series: a wee bit of paranormal as our heroes and heroines have heightened senses. Each is gifted in a special way and their clan is..."

I read these about 5 years ago, and I liked them. But even more than these, I liked Wendy Vella's Langley Sister's books more. They're all in KU, as are the Sinclair and Raven books.

Linda wrote: "I read these about 5 years ago, and I liked them. But even more than these, I liked Wendy Vella's Langley Sisters books more. They're all in KU, as are the Sinclair and Raven books..."

I own the box set of the Langley sisters. Sigh! I have all these older books I want to reread but new JAFF books and stories keep popping up and distracting me... squirrel.

I am not familiar with this book but it's free and says it has P&P references.

Loving the Ladies' Man

Thanks, Chelsea! It looks fun.

Sale Alert! A Very Plain Young Man is on an Amazon countdown deal at $.99 right now.

A Regency series that 'feels like' Austenesque, book two.

Amazon US link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KLHX88S/...

Liz Treacher, who was a member in this group and wrote The Wrong Envelope, which has some P&P vibes, just released a new book called Vegan Recipes for New Age Men. This lady can write!! Beautiful, haunting descriptions of Scotland in the area around Loch Fleet and a marvelous story.

Now, that does sound good.

sounds fun!

Debbie: Even though it's modern... it's Scotland. I just may have to jump eras and try this. Your review was delightful and made me want to read it. Thanks, for the recommendation, it's now on my list.

Some enjoyable fantasy works on audio that I've come across this year, courtesy of Benjamin Fife, who's narrated all of Maria Grace's Jane Austen's Dragons works.

The Orb and the Airship by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt, first of a series of steampunk fantasy tales that include airships as a mode of transportation (with more than a hint of Firefly's Malcom Reynolds in airship Captain Marik!). The subsequent books in the series have yet to be published.

King's Warrior also by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt, also the first in a series. There are dragons! Three more books in the series have been written already, which are on my TBL list.

Both were narrated by Mr. Fife.

Then there's Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, which has been turned into an Amazon Prime TV series (don't worry, it's a LOT better than than The Rings of Power!), featuring Rosamund Pike as one of the leading characters. She's also narrated the first three (so far) of the 14 books in the series. I'm currently listening to book 2 The Great Hunt.

This isn't a book deal but I thought I would share.

Half Price Books sent an email asking people to sign a petition and Stand Against Book Bans with Half Price Books

October 13th Update: Half Price Books posted on Facebook that more than 10,000 booklovers have signed their petition against book bans and censorship so far but they are still trying to get more signatures.

Petition Link: https://www.change.org/p/stand-agains...

I have a favorite author who's squarely in the "Not Jane But Really Good" category. A.E. Walnofer's historical fiction novels are interesting, well-written, and unpredictable.

I recommend any and all of her books -
With Face Aflame

The Whitehall Romances Series:
A Girl Called Foote
A Governess of Sorts
Such Vexing Creatures

And one I just discovered and have yet to read: Out of the Bower: A Durbin Family Novel

She's really talented but, like many indie authors, she doesn't get enough visibility.

thanks for the suggestion Debbie - I have added the author to my TBR

I just read 'Face Aflame' and look forward to the rest of Walnofer's books. Thanks!

Debbie wrote: "I have a favorite author who's squarely in the "Not Jane But Really Good" category. A.E. Walnofer's historical fiction novels are interesting, well-written, and unpredictable.

I..."

This mystery series features Jane Eyre and is set about 30 years post P&P.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I couldn't put this Bridgerton fanfiction down last night. with the very long delay of season 3 she interpreted how it might play out. still incomplete but final chapters should be posted soon

https://archiveofourown.org/works/393...

$1.99 deal:

A Christmas Carol

Most of my friends here will know that I’m a huge sci-fi geek in addition to being a Janeite. As such, I’d like to give a shout out for The Martian by Andy Weir. I first came across it a few years ago as the pretty darned good film starring Matt Damon. Since then, I’ve read the book, which is even better and now, I’m alternating listening to the audiobook with listening to Pride & Prejudice and Planets: An Alternate-Reality Pride & Prejudice Science Fiction Variation (see - there’s a theme going on there!).

The audiobook version I’m listening to is narrated by Wil Wheaton, who played Wesley Crusher in Star Trek: The Next Generation (the sci-fi theme continues). He’s amazing! The only thing missing is a Yorkshire accent when we come across the character played by Sean Bean in the film.

Fact: Wil Wheaton is older (51) today than Patrick Stewart was (50) when ST:TNG was first broadcast back in 1990. How time flies!

Hello everyone. I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary. I hope the following testimonials will entice you to give it a try!

"I'm glad my curiosity won out! As a Christian, I wasn't sure if this book was for me, but another book reviewer set my mind at ease. I think Trupp's respect for Austen is equal to her love for her history and culture. I love Mr. Knightley in this version and that letter at the end... it's Austen worthy!"~ Cathy Stone, Youth Pastor and avid novel reader

"Trupp's orchestration of history and mystery enriches the ongoing collection of stimulating rewrites of classical novels. A gift to Austen fans, it will interest all readers curious about the hidden facets of "proper" social intercourse in Georgian England." ~ Yael Halevi-Wise, Professor of Jewish Studies and English Literature

"In The Jews of Donwell Abbey, Trupp brings sidekick Harriet Smith to the forefront, her mysterious origins are explained, and her ultimate happy ending turned into a lesson about tolerance, acceptance, and the miracles hidden within mundane lives. The perfect companion piece!" ~ Alina Adams, author of The Fictitious Marquis