Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2024 discussion

Explanation
Any questions you might have or a discussion you want to discuss with other members can be added here. GoodReads technical questions included.

And, we will all put our heads together to hopefully give you a helpful answer. :)

I have gotten my Mom so interested in Jaff (and a little bit my dad) She is asking for a suggestion for a really good book on Jane Austen, a biography, but not dry.

I would appreciate your suggestions.

Sam wrote: "I have gotten my Mom so interested in Jaff (and a little bit my dad) She is asking for a suggestion for a really good book on Jane Austen, a biography, but not dry.

I would appreciate your suggest..."
Many enjoy Claire Tomlin. However, she makes so many wild assumptions I can't say I enjoy it upon rereading. Also slow read it with JASNA-AL, who all ripped it for wild assumptions. For example, Tomlin says cousin Eliza taught JA music 🎶 when JA was 11. What? Her mother didn't teach her? Neither school she attended w Cassandra taught ANY music? Park Honen makes far less assumptions and was a pleasure to read. I have greatly enjoyed the short Bios in the past...ie Carol Shields and Margaret Kennedy. Doing to reread Carol Shields soonish as I requested it and received it in a book exchange.

*greatly enjoyed*

Thank you Kirk, I added Carol Shields' book to my amazon cart. Will you let me know what you think of it when you have read it?

Sam wrote: "Thank you Kirk, I added Carol Shields' book to my amazon cart. Will you let me know what you think of it when you have read it?"

YES! Will try to speed up my reread. :)

Lol, no need to rush on my account ;)

has anyone else's app for goodreads been loading slowly today? it's usually quick but been waiting a while

Patricia wrote: "has anyone else's app for goodreads been loading slowly today? it's usually quick but been waiting a while"

I log in, which has been normal speed. However, I can't add pgs or % to currently reading books...grrr.

Sam wrote: "Lol, no need to rush on my account ;)"

Yes, there is. :) And I'm in between book club books and books due to the PL.

Patricia wrote: "has anyone else's app for goodreads been loading slowly today? it's usually quick but been waiting a while"

Yes, GR does seem to load slowly today and sometimes not at all.

I also have noticed the issue with no ability to update progress on current reads.

Yesterday, Goodreads was down off and on all day. If you're getting slow loads or a page not loading, I always check downdetector.com to see if it's my internet or the site is down.

Whenever its that time of the year for the Reading Challenge to be loaded on and open for people to join it, GoodReads can't handle the volume of people on so it does slow downs. The quirks should be better in a few days when that frenzy is done.

Sam wrote: "I have gotten my Mom so interested in Jaff (and a little bit my dad) She is asking for a suggestion for a really good book on Jane Austen, a biography, but not dry.

I would appreciate your suggest..."

I've read a few that I've enjoyed:

The Friendly Jane Austen: A Well-Mannered Introduction to a Lady of Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters: A Family Record
(I got this one free on Kindle and I think its still available)
Jane Austen at Home

Thank you Sophia!

"Update Progress" is back!

wosedwew wrote: ""Update Progress" is back!"

Yeah!!!!

Sam wrote: "Lol, no need to rush on my account ;)"

I loved my reread! So much brilliance in a small tone.

The only thing I strongly objected to was her repeated negative comments on "Lady Susan". Dept of Irony: I probably strongly agreed with her during my first two readings of this bio. Now, I quite fond of Frederica and Reginald thanks to the movie 'Love and Friendship", "played" Reginald(and his father) in a shortened version at my former JASNA region, and "dear" old friend Boxhillboo00's short continuation(hahahahahaha!).

Kirk wrote: "Sam wrote: "Lol, no need to rush on my account ;)"

I loved my reread! So much brilliance in a small tone.

The only thing I strongly objected to was her repeated negative comments on "Lady Susan"..."

Cool! Thanks Kirk!

I have a few now in my Amazon cart. I think they will be interesting reading.
There are also a few in librivox as audiobook. But that would be for me. My Mom doesn't do ABs.

I have a LOT of books I need to enter, and I want them to go towards my 2023 reading challenge. Will it automatically count towards last year’s challenge if I enter a 2023 date in the “date finished” field? Should I wait until I’ve recorded my 2023 books before setting a goal for the 2024 challenge? Please help!

Yes, if your finished reading date is in 2023, the book will count toward your 2023 challenge.

I doubt you need to record all your 2023 info before you set a 2024 goal.

Happy Reading -- in both years!

Tandie wrote: "I have a LOT of books I need to enter, and I want them to go towards my 2023 reading challenge. Will it automatically count towards last year’s challenge if I enter a 2023 date in the “date finishe..."

If you put the 2023 dates in then it will go toward the GR 2023 challenge. That should work for the challenge tracker, too. I'm not a hundred percent sure that the books won't slip onto the 2024 tracker, but they shouldn't unless you put in 2024 for the dates.

Sophia, last year I set up a 2023-JAFF-challenge shelf in my books. I then linked it to a shelf in the 2023 group. Is my own shelf good enough, without the link to the group? I found I don't have the patience to type in each individual book here in the group, as I've seen that many do.

EDIT - I've just looked at Sam's tracker and realize how nice it is to see the fan fiction stories listed, most of which are not on Goodreads. I'll try to list those, and maybe link to the Challenge shelf in My Books.

Liz H wrote: "Sophia, last year I set up a 2023-JAFF-challenge shelf in my books. I then linked it to a shelf in the 2023 group. Is my own shelf good enough, without the link to the group? I found I don't have t..."

Looks like you spotted a benefit you want to use. Great!

But, just so you know. You can track your reads by using your own shelf if you like and don't need to use either tracker here. If listing under each level is hard on your time, you're welcome to just mention totals and refer back to your shelf if folks want to see your list (they will have to follow or friend you to see them, if I recall). Mostly, I just want the challenge to be fun and not work for you. :)

Liz H wrote: "Sophia, last year I set up a 2023-JAFF-challenge shelf in my books. I then linked it to a shelf in the 2023 group. Is my own shelf good enough, without the link to the group? I found I don't have t..."


Thanks Liz! Everything I do I learned from all the wonderful folks in this group. It is great to pick up all kinds of tips and reading suggestions here.

I would like to ask for recommendations, I wanna read stories focused on Lydia after his marriage with W. Is here the place to ask for that?

Amazon put out a great one called Mrs. Wickham, I think I listened to it on audible. She really grows up in that one.

another "Lydia redeemed" story is Jann Rowland's
A Life from the Ashes

I noticed a lot of JAFF call it Purvis Lodge, when in my copy of P&P, and on Gutenburg.org it is Pulvis Lodge. Does anyone know why this is?

In P&P 1995, Kitty and Mrs. B call it Purvis Lodge. I think it might date to that. Or not.

Thanks. I assumed it was something like that.

I have several copies of Pride and Prejudice, both print and kindle, and all show it as Purvis Lodge in Chapter 50 (or Volume III Chapter VIII, depending upon the edition).

Debbie wrote: "I have several copies of Pride and Prejudice, both print and kindle, and all show it as Purvis Lodge in Chapter 50 (or Volume III Chapter VIII, depending upon the edition)."

That's interesting. In the Gutenberg edition, as well as my print copy, it shows Pulvis. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1342/... on page 215.

Probably both Gutenberg and your print copy were scanned; it’s common for scanned editions to substitute letters. Purvis is correct.

Abigail wrote: "Probably both Gutenberg and your print copy were scanned; it’s common for scanned editions to substitute letters. Purvis is correct."

Thanks. That is interesting.

This isn't a question or an answer, but I couldn't decide on a place for it, so here goes.

I got this note from Amazon this morning:
 
Dear Customer,
We discovered that your recent order of Answered Prayers was an unauthorized version. We've refunded you the original purchase price to the payment method used for this order, which you should see in the next 3-5 business days (not including processing time by your bank).

I have always wondered if those stolen stories that were sold ended up benefiting Amazon or not. It appears the money might be refunded after the stolen work is exposed. Let's hope so.

wosedwew wrote: "This isn't a question or an answer, but I couldn't decide on a place for it, so here goes.

I got this note from Amazon this morning:
 
Dear Customer,
We discovered that your recent order of Answer..."

I am glad to think that the money goes back to the customer. Pretty smart, too, because the customer is probably going to use their book money on a future purchase from Amazon. :)

Do you know which story the stolen book was?

Good to know they are responsible about some things. Even if they drive us crazy in others.

Katja wrote: "Do you know which story the stolen book was?"

The book I bought that will be refunded was "Answered Prayers" by Truman Capote -- his final, unfinished book that insulted most of his "swans" in one way or another.

oh i see

Hi there.

Like some of my friends here, I’m taking part in the 2024 Bingo on Rita Deodato’s From Pemberley to Milton blog. I’m a bit stuck on the “Darcy isn’t British” category. Rereads don’t count and as I’ve read the following, I’m looking for some suggestions. Preferably, I don’t want to buy a new book and am hoping I may have one buried in my Unread shelves. So, here’s the list of the ones I have read:

Mr. Darcy's Mail-Order Bride: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
President Darcy: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
Darcy in Hollywood: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
All of Karen M. Cox’s books

There may be others I’ve read but can’t bring to mind right now. I’ll update this list if I do remember. Please feel free to name as many as you wish!

How about Ayesha at Last?

Abigail wrote: "How about Ayesha at Last?"

Yes, I’ve got that one!

I'll list a bunch from my pile and maybe one will work for you, Anji.

Pemberley by the Sea
Perfect Fit: A Modern Tale of Pride And Prejudice
The Muse: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Longbourn's Songbird (also good for another era)
Villa Fortuna - A Romantic ComedyUndeceived: Pride & Prejudice in the Spy Game
1932
Undercover - An Austen Noir
Denial of Conscience
Seasons in Time
Son of a Preacher Man
Green Card
An Obstinate, Headstrong Girl
Pemberley Ranch
The [book:Pursuing the Times
[Darcy Files: Compilation of Pride and Prejudice-Inspired Short Romances|195715711]
The Sheik of Araby: Pride and Prejudice in the Desert
The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy Author: Sara Angelini February, 2010
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star
Compulsively Mr. Darcy
All My Tomorrows
First Impressions
Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice
Boots and Backpacks: Pride & Prejudice on the Appalachian Trail, Roughly
Lucky 13: Matchmaking and Misunderstandings
Pen and Prejudice
Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits
The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet
Pride and Modern Prejudice
Evan And Darcy
First Impressions: An Amish Tale of Pride and Prejudice
President Darcy: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
Ayesha at Last
Unmarriageable
Engaging Mr. Darcy
Darcy in Hollywood: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
Matters of the Heart
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors
Pride and Preston Lin
Pride
Pride and Protest
An Unexpected Harvest: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
Sanctuary: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation: Volume 1
Dance the Tide: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
The Worst Darcy
Senator Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Contemporary Variation
Prejudice & Pride
Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe
The Wrong Mr. Darcy
Longbourn Library: A Novel of Pride, Prejudice, and Books
A Matter of Chance
Prejudice Meets Pride
Honor and Hope
Reflections: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Lizzy and Jane
Murder at Longbourn
First (Wrong) Impressions: A Modern Pride & Prejudice
House of Daughters: A Romance Set in 1920S Ottoman Turkey Inspired by Pride and Prejudice
The Best Laid Flight Plans
The Duchess and the Cowboy
It's Always Been You
Veni Vidi Vicious : A Viking Pride and Prejudice variation
Love, Chocolate, and a Dog Named Al CaponeLove and Loathing
Lose Me
Pride, Prejudice, & Turkish Delight
Drive and Determination
Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match
A Searing Acquaintance: A Modern Pride & Prejudice Variation
Darcy's Bodie Mine: A Pride & Prejudice Western Variation
Austenistan
Live, Love, Longbourn


Most of these are moderns or alternate eras. I didn't include Young Adult or New Adult, but there are plenty of non-Brit Darcy among them, too. Hope this helps you all with your Bingo. ;)

Zowie, Sophia, what a list! I know you are doing it for Anji but I’m diving in to plunder it for ideas. 😍

Abigail wrote: "Zowie, Sophia, what a list! I know you are doing it for Anji but I’m diving in to plunder it for ideas. 😍"

Yes, Abigail! Peruse away. I was hoping to help others and Anji with this list. I think it has books that would work for up to four or five of their BINGO squares. Plus, it helps me remember what I have on the shelf and still need to read in some cases. :)

Sophia wrote: "I'll list a bunch from my pile and maybe one will work for you, Anji.

Pemberley by the Sea
Perfect Fit: A Modern Tale of Pride And Prejudice
[book:The Muse: A Pride a..."


Wow! Now that’s what I call a list! Many thanks, Sophia. There’s many on that list that I now realise I’ve read, too. If I don’t go with Abigail’s suggestion, I’m sure there’s a number there that I’ve also got hidden away.

Great list Sophia. I started Eligible with low expectations as I had read a lot of negative comments on it. I liked much more than I expected.

Just been checking through your list, Sophia. Turns out that I’ve read 19 of them and I have 16 of them on my Unread shelves. Spoilt for choice!