Introduce Yourself & Announce Challenge Level

[Ceri]

I loved it, Sheila, it's such a funny read. I also have an earlier adaptation of Northanger Abbey which I enjoyed but it's nowhere near as good as the 2007 one. I thought the leads captured their characters perfectly, he's charming and funny and she's adorably naive and innocent.

[Abigail]

I’m another who has come late to a full appreciation of Northanger Abbey. I now recommend it to any teenagers interested in Jane Austen, partly because of Catherine’s youthful awkwardness and challenges navigating an unfamiliar social landscape. A YA classic before there was a YA category!

[Barb]

Debbie wrote: "Hi, everyone. I'm fairly new on Goodreads and stumbled on this group through a recommendation. (Thanks, Claudine!) I've loved Jane Austen's books, especially Pride and Prejudice, for many, many yea..."

Debbie, I am with you at the Mr Bennet level! As a librarian I should be reading a wider variety of material, but I am so hooked on JAFF! I think part of it is the community of JAFF readers and writers. Such a fun group!

[Claudine]

I completely agree Barbara. I should read some different books or turn on a TV, yet I just want to read JAFF!! The JAFF community is amazing and makes it such an enriching experience.

[Dung]

I'm always amazed at how many JAFF related books everyone has read. Out of 142 books I've read this year, around 30 are non JAFF related. I agree with Barbara and Claudine, I feel that I should turn on the tv, watch a movie, but just want to read some more P&P stories. I can't get enough!

[Sophia]

Isn't that a wonderful feeling? I enjoy my books a whole lot more than movies or TV even though those are fun, too.

That's a great year of JAFF reading, Dung. Congrats on that.

[Reina]

Hello all, and Happy New Year! Thanks, Sophia, for this group, and to Meredith at Austenesque Reviews for mentioning this challenge. I've been reading Jane Austen since middle school (which was many, many years ago!) and have read some Austenesque books over the years. This year, I want to reread all of Austen's books, and some of the Austenesque books that have been waiting in my tbr list. But, I'll be starting at the Marianne level. :)

[Anne]

Sheila wrote: "Cat Gardiner

Beau North"

Thank you Sheila!!

[Rita]

Hello everyone, my name is Rita and I’m from Portugal.
I discovered JAFF a few years ago but I had been reading and enjoying the books all by myself until last year! That is when I discovered other people online who adored this type of literature as much as much as I do, so I’m thrilled to be a part of this group.
I used to think I read a lot. I read every change I get, and can honestly say I read more than anyone else I know…But with this group I discovered than in fact I do not read that much! It amazes me how some of you can read so much! It is wonderful! But I guess that I’ll have to be realistic with myself and join Level Four, Catherine Morland.
P.S – I’ve very new at goodreads, so I’m still trying to understand how this works :)

[Maria]

Anne wrote: "Hi everyone!! My name is Anne and I was a member of this group challenge for 2015 and it was great, so here I am again :) Over the past year I finished reading all of Austen's novels that I hadn't ..."

So happy to see you here again, Anne! Hope you can meet your goal, my friend! ;)

[Sheila]

Welcome to our play ground! Happy New Year

[Claudine]

Welcome Rita!! I love seeing so many reading friends joining this group! Trust me, you read plenty... I can't wait to follow you on here. This group and all of its features are so wonderful to be part of! Have fun playing here around on the site! Happy New Year!!

[Anne]

Maria wrote: "Anne wrote: "Hi everyone!! My name is Anne and I was a member of this group challenge for 2015 and it was great, so here I am again :) Over the past year I finished reading all of Austen's novels t..."

Thank you m'dear!!

[Anastasia]

Hi everyone! My name is Anastasia, and I joined last year's group, but never participated. I'm hoping to make a dent in my pile this year, but I also like to read a lot of other things, so I'm only aiming for the Catherine Morland level, but we shall see where it goes from there!

I live on the East Coast and work as a scientist. My love affair with Jane Austen began when I read P&P for a school assignment, and it's been going strong ever since. I collect book adaptations/sequels/etc., and I think I own all the movie adaptations by this point.

Can't wait to see what other people are reading this year!

[Sheila]

Welcome. I also own all the Jane Austen film adaptations. And I live in Pennsylvania. Hope you find time to read. We have lots of recommendations.

[Abigail]

Hope you find the time to enjoy the pleasures of Austenesque fiction this year, Anastasia!

[Sophia]

Reina wrote: "Hello all, and Happy New Year! Thanks, Sophia, for this group, and to Meredith at Austenesque Reviews for mentioning this challenge. I've been reading Jane Austen since middle school (which was man..."

So glad to have you look us up, Reina. We are a fun group and love welcoming new members.

A long time Austen lover then. :)

Look forward to seeing you enjoy your rereads and try working through the Austenesque books on your TBR Pile. Good Luck with Marianne!

[Sophia]

Rita wrote: "Hello everyone, my name is Rita and I’m from Portugal.
I discovered JAFF a few years ago but I had been reading and enjoying the books all by myself until last year! That is when I discovered other..."

Yay, Rita's here! So glad you could be part of the group. I thought I was the only one who read JAFF and Jane Austen, too. Loved finding this wonderful group of folks on line to share my love.

Good luck with the Catherine level. And feel free to ask if something about GoodReads is confusing. Can't promise I know the answer, but there are lots of helpful, knowledgeable people in the group. :)

[Sophia]

Glad you could come back for the new challenge year, Anastasia.

Look forward to seeing you tackle Catherine Morland level. And that's okay if you don't have as much time to participate. We all know how real life keeps us busy. Jump in whenever you want. :)

[Therasa]

Greetings! I have been in love with Austen's works since very young and have bemoaned how few works she was able to write. I first fell in love with P&P, but have since grown to love Persuasion the most. I was only recently introduced to JAFF and am amazed at the breadth of works and Austen-lovers that exist. I had never met someone who seemed to love her worlds as I did. How happy I am to be incorrect. Unfortunately, I have already started another reading challenge, and as a SAHM and Master student, I fear that I will only have time for Caroline Bingley. Sigh, I do hope to surprise myself and join the ranks of Marriane Dashwood.

[Sophia]

Yes, isn't it fantastic to find out that there is more beyond Jane Austen's original stories? I felt the same way and it was fun discovering JAFF and Austenesque stories. I share your love of Persuasion as a favorite. I just read a good modern retelling, Sway by Melanie Stanford.

Oh my, yes, life sure does intrude so Caro it is. I'll be rooting for you to make it into Marianne level, Therasa!

[Anji]

Hi. After failing miserably to keep involved last year, despite joining and reading/listening to a lot of JAFF, I'm determined to do better this year! I'm aiming for Catherine Morland but hoping it'll end up a lot higher. I'm one down already, thanks(!) to a gastric bug that kept me in bed for a day and a half starting on the first day of the year.

[Sheila]

Oh, so sorry to hear you are sick. Hope you feel better soon. Which one did your finish? I am trying to complete the zombie trilogy so I can get back to more romantic JAFF reads.

[Sophia]

Yeah, yuck about the bug, but glad you're feeling better.

And that is super that you're going for it again, Anji. We of course love to have you back and look forward to seeing you make your goal. No problem if sometimes you get busy and can't comment. Catherine Morland level is a good start and that's good that you've already got one book down. :)

[Paige]

Therasa wrote: "Greetings! I have been in love with Austen's works since very young and have bemoaned how few works she was able to write. I first fell in love with P&P, but have since grown to love Persuasion the..."

Hi! I am a Caroline Bingley level challenger, too! My circumstances aren't conducive to reading a large number of books for this challenge, but I adore Jane Austen and love this group! One thing I think I would like to do is reread all of the Austen novels, since it has been so long for me. I am interested to see what the now more mature me would discover, and what new favorites I might have. I think I will appreciate Persuasion more.

[Paige]

Sheila wrote: "I have two versions of Northanger Abbey on DVD and love the one with JJ Feild. That book has a lot going for it even if it was a mockery of novels, etc."

I feel the need to watch this. :-)

[Therasa]

Sheila wrote: "I have two versions of Northanger Abbey on DVD and love the one with JJ Feild. That book has a lot going for it even if it was a mockery of novels, etc."

I have been looking for Northanger Abbey movies but have been unsuccessful. I am currently trying to read The Mystery of Udolpho. I have been struggling due to the hectic holidays and family in town. I enjoy reading books that have been mentioned in others.

[Abigail]

Hi, Therasa, I’m currently reading The Mysteries of Udolpho, too! Or trying to; it does go on a bit. I’ve made it into volume 2 but had to take a break to read other things for a while. It’s entertaining to see what Jane Austen was making fun of!

[Anji]

Sheila wrote: "Oh, so sorry to hear you are sick. Hope you feel better soon. Which one did your finish? I am trying to complete the zombie trilogy so I can get back to more romantic JAFF reads."

Hi Sheila, I read The Last Waltz by Pat Santarsiero. Review posting very soon. Just read your review and I couldn't put it better. Totally agree about the historical stuff but like you, decided to go with the flow.

[Sheila]

I find I am so much more able to enjoy a book if I don't nit-pick. After all it takes a LOT of research to get everything correct. I would have a problem just with the language of the period much less everything that was going on in history at the time. The Last Waltz was very touching for me. But I refuse to read her Thursday's Child - can't stand the premise!

[Reina]

Thanks, Sophia, for the welcome!

[Nicole]

Nicole here. I am aiming for challenge level Mr. Bennet's Library 101+ Books this year.

[Abigail]

That’s really impressive, Nicole! Too many books to review them all, I imagine, but we all look forward to hearing about titles you especially enjoy.

[Sophia]

Yay, go for it, Nicole! :)

[Meredith (Austenesque Reviews)]

Thank you to Sophia for setting up another group so we can enjoy this interaction and challenge together for another whole year!

I participated in the 2015 challenge at the Anne Elliot level and I am planning on doing so again for 2016. My goal for 2015 was 12 books and now I'm shooting for 16.

Since I am book blogger, a lot of what I read are from review requests and not necessarily my TBR pile. So I've chosen to count only the books that are from my TBR pile and not review requests in this challenge. (Since those are the books that are often neglected!)

Looking forward to seeing everyones' reads!

[Ahnya]

Ceri wrote: "I am another one who read Northanger Abbey this year and I just LOVED it. Alyssa, if you'd like to try another Austen this year then I'd like to suggest that one, and if you like adaptations there ..."

I own this adaptation, and I think it is wonderful as well. It is hard to find film adaptations of Northanger Abbey.

[Julia]

Hi! I just found out about the challenge. I'm going to try for Level 4: Catherine Morland. Later this year I may upgrade the challenge ;-)!

[Abigail]

Welcome, Julia! You’ll find lots of support (and temptation) here.

[Sophia]

So glad you could return, Meredith!

And yes, when doing review requests, so often the older ones on the shelf are neglected. I like your idea of only counting those. Good luck and look forward to seeing you get your sweet 16. :)

[Sophia]

Yay! Glad you found us, Julia. The more the merrier of course. Starting with Catherine and working your way forward is a good plan. We love encouraging each other on to greater heights (and tempting each other to add to the pile, too). :)

[Danine]

Hello, I'm Danine from California's Silicon Valley. I'm fairly new to the group, joining the 2016 Challenge at Level Three Anne Elliot: 10-20 books. I've loved Jane Austen since college, and have been immersed in costume and Regency dance for the past 30 years with our local Bay Area English Regency Society. I'm also one of the Regional Coordinators for the Northern California Region of the Jane Austen Society of North America. I enjoy re-reading JA novels because I notice different things every time. Look forward to seeing what others are coming up with on their shelves.

[Sophia]

Howdy, Danine!

Thanks for joining up for the challenge at Anne Elliot level. Look forward to seeing you beat the challenge and look forward to seeing what you get read. Best of luck!

Oh wow, you're one of the cool Janeite kids with your involvement in such neat organizations.

Re-reading Austen's books is showing me something new each time, too. I did Northanger Abbey last year and now I'm going through the annotated P&P. It's a fun way to get something new out of it.

[Abigail]

Hi, Danine, fellow member of JASNA NorCal here! (Sadly, not able to be a coordinator as you are, but your work is hugely appreciated!) You’ll find plenty to lead you down the Austenesque garden path here.

[Danine]

Lovely meeting you at the December gala! Yes, the RC job is keeping me out of trouble for now. Do you know that Swan's books in Walnut Creek would love an Austen speaker for their in-house book club? Thought you might have something to contribute there.

[Abigail]

Thanks for the tip, Danine! I’ll follow up on it.

[Teresa]

Hi, I've just joined. I'm only learning how to navigate Goodreads at the moment. Would someone explain to me about the levels. I'm reading about Mr Bennet level and Anne Eliot level but I can't seem to find a description of it anywhere. Would be grateful for any help.

[Abigail]

Hi, Teresa, the levels are based on how many Austenesque/JAFF books you hope to read in 2016. The number of books for each level is listed in the title of the thread:
• Caroline Bingley level, 1–5 books
• Marianne Dashwood level, 6–10 books
• Anne Elliot level, 11–20 books
• Catherine Morland level, 21–50 books
• Emma Woodhouse level, 51–75 books
• Henry Crawford level, 76–100 books
• Mr. Bennet’s Library level, 101+ books

It’s up to you what level you choose! You can also move from one level to another, and you can comment in any thread, regardless of what level you’ve chosen. It’s all about the fun!

[Sophia]

Teresa wrote: "Hi, I've just joined. I'm only learning how to navigate Goodreads at the moment. Would someone explain to me about the levels. I'm reading about Mr Bennet level and Anne Eliot level but I can't see..."

Hi Teresa!

So glad you could join us. Our challenge levels are named after some of the Austen book characters and are posted on the group page just below this intro section. I see that Abigail has detailed out each level and amount of books perfectly for you in her comment.

Feel free to check out all the discussion topics on the group page and ask anything you need to know. There are many helpful and friendly folks here in the group and we're glad to have you. :)

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "Hi, Teresa, the levels are based on how many Austenesque/JAFF books you hope to read in 2016. The number of books for each level is listed in the title of the thread:
• Caroline Bingley level, 1–5 ..."

Appreciate your welcoming, helpful spirit, Abigail! :)

[Sheila]

Welcome. And another good thing is that we share how we like a book which gives the others an idea of another book to put on the TBR pile. Or not... And sometimes it is discovering a new author which is always exciting.