Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2025 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.

GOLDEN TEN- Jane's manuscript for Susan (Northanger Abbey) sold for TEN pounds in 1803.

1)The Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris reread




2)Sanditon Before and Beyond
Sanditon: Before and Beyond: A suitable ending to the unfinished work by Jane Austen


3)Sanditon on Reflection


4)Sanditon: What Might Be
by Kristin Livingston


5)Brinshore reread (9yrs ago!)

Kirk wrote: "1)The Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris reread




2)Sanditon Before and Beyond
Sanditon: Before and Beyond..."

Love the Sanditon theme, Kirk!

We had the same idea about the Carrie Bebris one. :)

Count me in. Here's my preliminary (maybe liminary if I don't add more later) list:

1. Influence: A Modern Take on Austen's Persuasion by Ruth Mitchell
2. The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell
3. Pemberley Encounter: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Monica Fairview
4. Jane Austen: The Original Romance Novelist by Janet Lewis Saidi
5. Ghost Flight: A World War II Pride and Prejudice Variation by Don Jacobson
6. Dancing with Dragons by Maria Grace

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "1)The Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris reread




2)Sanditon Before and Beyond
Sanditon: Befo..."
Yeah!!!

I'm in. It has been a while since I did an all-modern list so;

1) The Best Laid Flight Plans by Leigh Dreyer
2) Holiday Mix Tape by Beau North
3) Rock Pride, Country Prejudice: A modern retelling by Leah Moyes
4) Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson
5) What Happened on Box Hill by Elizabeth Gilliland
6) Legally Darcy: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Denise O'Hara
7) Pride and Prejudice and Passports: A Modern Retelling by Corrie Garrett
8) The Keys for Love: An Austen-Inspired Romance by Wendi Sotis
9) Honor and Hope by Regina Jeffers
10) Frosted Window Panes by Kara Louise

Craftyhj wrote: "I'm in. It has been a while since I did an all-modern list so;

1) The Best Laid Flight Plans by Leigh Dreyer
2) Holiday Mix Tape by [author:Beau N..."

I love how you and Kirk are going with theme lists. Fun with the moderns, Heather!

These have been in my KU list for ages and keep getting pushed down or put off for newer and more exciting reads.

'I shall conquer this' and I'd be happy for the assist.

Sense of Worth: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

Guiding & Protecting: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Tides of Bath: A Retelling of Persuasion

Roots and Reversals: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Fixed Stars: A Pride & Prejudice Vagary

Fixed Stars: A Pride & Prejudice Vagary

Pride and Persuasion: A sequel to Jane Austen's Persuasion

Im in!

(I will be away on vacation so expect next week to get your pick!)

I'm in

1. The Cheapside Runners
2. The Cad, the Couch, and the Cut Direct
3. The Slipper Scandal
4. Some Particular Evil
5. Teaching Eliza
6. The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet
7. Pride, Prejudice, and Secrets
8. I Never Knew Myself
9. Saved by Mr. Darcy
10. Fine Eyes and Beastly Pride

Katie wrote: "I'm in

1. The Cheapside Runners
2. The Cad, the Couch, and the Cut Direct
3. The Slipper Scandal
4. Some Particular Evil
5. Teaching Eliza
6. The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet
7. Pride, Prejudi..."

Oh, Katie, that is an impressive list. Someone is going to have a difficult time choosing one for you ;)

Howdy, all!

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.

Kirk > Katie
Sophia > Patricia
Craftyhj > Sam
Sam > Kirk
Patricia > Craftyhj
Katie > Sophia

Happy Picking and Reading!

Howdy, Patricia!

Hope you have a lovely vacation and when you get back I have a book for you to read.

I picked a fun vacation romance with Mr. Darcy's Seaside Romance: All Go to Brighton: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Goodness Sam you have picked some of the less well read ones. Well done you. I haven't read any of them )and I took some of them out of my TBR this year as they had been there soooo long).

I think I will pick Tides of Bath: A Retelling of PersuasionTides of Bath: A Retelling of Persuasion

Have fun - I hope that dusty corner of your TBR doesn't make you sneeze.

Sam wrote: "Katie wrote: "I'm in

1. The Cheapside Runners
2. The Cad, the Couch, and the Cut Direct
3. The Slipper Scandal
4. Some Particular Evil
5. Teaching Eliza
6. The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet
7. ..."

And that someone is me! Yikes!

Hi Katie,
Sooo many ways to go with your list. It's a hot summer, so maybe short and fun?

Happy reading....The Cad, the Couch, and the Cut Direct!

Craftyhj wrote: "Goodness Sam you have picked some of the less well read ones. Well done you. I haven't read any of them )and I took some of them out of my TBR this year as they had been there soooo long).

I think..."

Thank you, Heather!

Kirk wrote: "1)The Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris reread




2)Sanditon Before and Beyond
Sanditon: Before and Beyond..."

Hi Kirk

I chose The Suspicion at Sanditon (Or, The Disappearance of Lady Denham)
I like the idea of a bit of mystery being involved in the story. Hope you enjoy!
(You always have the most eclectic choices...)

Sam wrote: "Kirk wrote: "1)The Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris reread




2)Sanditon Before and Beyond
Sanditon: Befo..."

Hi Sam...thank you!!!!

Craftyhj wrote: "I'm in. It has been a while since I did an all-modern list so;

1) The Best Laid Flight Plans by Leigh Dreyer
2) Holiday Mix Tape by Beau N..."</i>



Hi! I was torn but eventually decided on [book:Unleashing Mr. Darcy

I loved the book , and I hope you will too! (Though I am biased being a dog person) They even made a movie on hallmark channel based on it!

Sophia wrote: "Howdy, Patricia!

Hope you have a lovely vacation and when you get back I have a book for you to read.

I picked a fun vacation romance with [book:Mr. Darcy's Seaside Romance: All Go to Brighton: A..."


This is perfect as we just vacationed by the shore! :)

Patricia wrote: "Craftyhj wrote: "I'm in. It has been a while since I did an all-modern list so;

1) The Best Laid Flight Plans by Leigh Dreyer
2) Holiday Mix Tape ..."

I look forward to reading it - thanks Patricia.

Hi Sophia!
I choose Pemberley Encounter for you! I hope you enjoy it!

Katie wrote: "Hi Sophia!
I choose Pemberley Encounter for you! I hope you enjoy it!"

Thanks, Katie! I've heard it has some funny bits.

Unleashing Mr. Darcy by Teri Wilson

Thanks for the choice Patricia. I gave it a solid 3*. Fun as I read it but probably not one to go back to.

I enjoyed the Tides of Bath. The author did a great job of catching Wentworth's voice.

Sam wrote: "I enjoyed the Tides of Bath. The author did a great job of catching Wentworth's voice."

I am glad - it has been in my TBR for so long but perhaps I will bump it up to the top.

Sam wrote: "Kirk wrote: "1)The Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris reread




2)Sanditon Before and Beyond
Sanditon: Befo..."
Thank you Sam! Enjoyed yet another trip to Sanditon! My anchor dragged a bit in the middle but it was sail on!towards the end as multiple mysteries came a crashing on as waves upon the beach(yikes I'm sounding like Sir Edward!). And SPOILER......ALERT....ROCKS dead ahead......change course.....







there are NO DISPATCHINGS!!!!!!

Pemberley Encounter was definitely amusing in moments, but with the very low depression Georgie was in and some of the scenes, I'd say it was more drama than comedy.

And, I have to say this. I was shocked at this Mr. Darcy's behavior on three counts- first he thinks Miss Bingley is the best bet to counsel his depressed sister (let's set aside that this is the last person who should be anywhere near a vulnerable girl- what about her getting hold of the details of exactly what Georgie was up to in Ramsgate?), second, he is the hothead who acts so impulsively that even Bingley was advising him to think before he acted, and thirdly, he pitched an invited dinner guest out of the house to walk in her delicate dress slippers the five miles from Pemberley to Lambton all because he was persuaded to suspect her of thieving (when Darcy is a stickler for behaving like a gentleman). O_o Just wow!

The overall book was a good read, but this stuff left me bowled over with shock.

I heartedly suggest: The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary

Mrs wrote: "I heartedly suggest: The Jews of Donwell Abbey: An Emma Vagary"

Oh good! I've got that one still to read.