Marianne Dashwood Level 6-10 Books

[Sophia]

Marianne says, “The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!”

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[Kirk]

Back again! Team Marianne!!!!

[Sophia]

But something tells me that you'll be up shaking hands with at least Mr. Crawford this year. :)

[Kirk]

Sophia wrote: "But something tells me that you'll be up shaking hands with at least Mr. Crawford this year. :)"

(sorry about the Marianne rant here but....) Sorry but no, no, no! I will do many things to avoid that level, although it's very likely I won't be able to even read 1/3 that many next year. I greatly despise that character, made far worse by the fact that my favorite AiBer is a huge fan of his and all the (evil) Henrys. We spare about them on a meeting by meeting basis. Lol she's not on Goodreads, as far as I know, so she won't see that level....nevertheless GRRRRR!.

[Sophia]

Okay, maybe crossing swords? I probably just set the cat amongst the pigeons, didn't I? I doubt your friend is the only person to dig the rakes.

Personally, I cracked up when Fanny gave him those set downs. Guy had no idea where to go from there. She saw right through him. Even when he read Shakespeare so well. ;)

[Kirk]

Sophia wrote: "Okay, maybe crossing swords? I probably just set the cat amongst the pigeons, didn't I? I doubt your friend is the only person to dig the rakes.

Personally, I cracked up when Fanny gave him those..."

Lol, well said you! :) Of course, as I've said too often, I dated a "Mary Crawford" a number of yrs ago...so it's personal! :)

[Sophia]

Yes, that would be a surreal experience dating someone whose name instantly reminded one of a not so savory character. I think I would struggle not to pinch a George Wickham.

[Pamela]

I'm back at this level with hopes of surpassing it. My personal goal is to read at least one variation of each Austen novel (besides P&P) before August. Recommendations are welcome. :) Happy reading everybody!

[Claudine]

Mercy's Embrace looks like a great Persuasion variation!! I'll get to the series one day!!

[Claudine]

Join the Knightley group read with us in March. That'll cover your Emma read!

[Claudine]

Willoughby's Return looks good. But I'm a Willoughby fan, so I'm biased.

[Sophia]

That's a great challenge to yourself, Pamela!

And I agree with both Claudine's recommendations.

We are doing a George Knightley read by Barbara Cornthwaite for March, but folks can read it any time. I also liked Joan Aiken's Jane Fairfax.

Mercy's Embrace by Laura Hile and Susan Kaye's Captain Wentworth Duo are good for Persuasion.

Sherwood Smith writes a couple Mansfield Park variations that aren't bad (and they're novellas so go by quickly). I haven't read them yet, but I just got the C. Mitchell Mary Crawford stories that looked good.

Lucia Edgerton writes a couple Sense & Sensibility sequel novellas. And maybe Jane Odiwe's Willoughby's Return might appeal.

It's hard to find Northanger Abbey ones unless they are part of a series. I do have Vera Nazarian's paranormal one on my pile. I liked her P&P PNR spoof well enough so I imagine the NA one would be fun, too. Nachtsturm Castle by Emily Snyder was a fun one.

And Emma & Elizabeth by Ann Mychal are good for The Watsons.

[Claudine]

You're amazing Sophia!! Great list.

[Sophia]

You should see Meredith's list at her Austenesque Reviews' blog. Those are the best. :)

[Pamela]

Squee! Thank you, ladies! I have a new project launching next month and your suggestions are a huge help. Yay! Claudine, you will see that I, too, have a bit of a soft spot for Willoughby.

[Claudine]

Thanks Pamela! I can't wait for your next project!

[Lisa]

I'm still doing the Marianne level with a hope to surpass.

[Candy]

Hey, Everyone! I'm choosing Marianne this year. Sadly, I didn't make my goal for 2015 by one book. Hopefully, I can complete this level! haha! Happy New Year!! Thanks for hosting this challenge again, Sophia Rose!

[Sophia]

@ Lisa- Yes, best wishes on going past this level and into the next.

@Candy- ah, one? No way. Bummer. Hope to see you do it this year and very glad to see you back. You're Welcome! It's fun having a group for the challenge. :)

[Candy]

@Candy- ah, one? No way. Bummer. Hope to see you do it this year and very glad to see you back. You're Welcome! It's fun having..."

@Sophia Rose - I know, right? Haha! I've been putting together my 2015 challenge wrap up. I realized I had completed this challenge by one book! Yay! Although, I had to count some of my books published in 2015, but some I had counted anyway because I didn't realize they were that new! It was getting too confusing, so I just counted them all! --- That's what I'm going to do this year too. Count all Austenesque books I read because they usually sit around a couple of months before I get to them anyway! LOL! Like many of you, I have way too many books to read and I can't keep up!

[Erika]

Candy, that is what I did, counted all Austenesque books I read. Otherwise I would be so confused and would have been in trouble.

[Sophia]

Ladies, this works for me. It would be silly to stick it on the pile and let it sit for a while just to count it since the goal is to reduce and keep the TBR pile manageable. :) I'm pretty sure that my first two Austenesque reads will be the last two I got in December. Haha!

Go for it!

[Patricia]

I recommend searching for captain Wentworth by Jane odiwe. mercys embrace sounds good too

Amanda granges have books from the hero's point of view. Mr tilneys diary is one.
Mansfield revisited I loved

carrie bebris mystery series is good.

Abigail Reynolds Mr darcy noble connections and mistaking her character by maria Grace.

[Patricia]

joana starnes subsequent proposal is good too. I can't put it down

[Sophia]

That's a good list, Trish. I want to try Mansfield Revisited.

[Pamela]

I just finished Georgian & Regency Houses Explained. It's an interesting read, if you like history and houses. :)

[Sophia]

Well I do like that sort of thing, Pamela. :) But beyond that, I'm researching Georgian era so I could do with a book on the houses. I'll check this one out.

[Pamela]

Sophia, I read the kindle version, but this is one instance that I think a physical copy would be better. The formatting, with all the illustrations and references, was a bit off.

[Sophia]

Ah, yep, no what you mean. I had that mistake with a clothing Fashions of the period book. Thanks for the tip, Pamela!

[Kirk]

Lurching out of the 2016 starting gate with....

The Sense and Sensibility Screenplay and Diaries: Bringing Jane Austen's Novel to Film
Thompson, Emma


A Spot of Sweet Tea: Hopes and Beginnings Short Story Collection
Grace, Maria *



The World of Jane Austen
Nicolson, Nigel

[Sophia]

Great start, Kirk!

I enjoyed World of Jane Austen and the movie book about S&S. Bet it was bittersweet to see Alan Rickman in the movie book.

[Carmen8094]

Hello!
Previously I chose Anne Elliot level, but I have a lot of not-austenesque books to read (and to study, ouch!), so I think Marianne Dashwood level is better. Then, we will see :)

This month I have read


That girl, Darcy by James Ramos.
It was a nice surprise. All the characters (except Mr and Mrs Bennet) are 17-years old boys and girls at their senior year, and the gender roles are reversed.
It is a very funny and sweet story. There are no mature contents.
I am always happy to find a good modern retelling!

Here are my reviews
- on my blog, where it is possible to read in English (I hope Google translator works well...):
http://iltesorodicarta.blogspot.it/20...

-on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Happy reading!!

[Sophia]

This sounded fun with the gender-swap. Glad it was good, Carmen. I've got it on the list.

And sure, go for this level and maybe reach the next if you read more than you anticipated.

[Kirk]

In level(up to 8 books!) now with the following, all good ones:

Colonel Brandon's Diary (Jane Austen Heroes, #5)
Grange, Amanda *


Pride and Prejudice: ...and Kids | A Pride and Prejudice Variation


Jane and the Waterloo Map (Jane Austen Mysteries, #13)
Barron, Stephanie


Lizzy Bennet's Diary: Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Williams, Marcia


Sanditon: Jane Austen's Last Novel Completed
Austen, Jane

[Anji]

Well, I'm just about to graduate from this level, having finished my 10th one this morning!

[Sophia]

Woohoo! Onward and upward. Nicely done, Anji!

[Kirk]

The Carriage Ride: a Pride and Prejudice short story

Didn't care for it too much.

Teatime Tales: Short and Sweet Austen-Inspired Stories
Brown, Leenie

Enjoy these much more. Goodbye sweet Marianne...none have loved you but me....and those dead leaves too....:(

[Sophia]

Sad to see your dear Marianne go, but its for a great reason. Neatly accomplished and I noted that you're well established at the Anne level. :)

I do believe I have these Teatime Tales on my list for reads this year so I like seeing that you enjoyed them.

[Carmen8094]

Hello! In February I read two Amish retellings by Sarah Price.

(The matchmaker). It was a very nice retelling of "Emma". I liked the way the author adapted Jane Austen's novel in the Amish world. Above all I liked the way it is told that, at one point, Emma's world seems to go upside down. 4/5

(Second chances). It is a retelling of "Persuasion", that is my favourite novel. Perhaps for this reason, I expected too much from this book, that seems not so weel-finished like the others. It was fun to read, however. 3/5

Reviews coming soon.
Happy reading for this new month!!

[Sophia]

Oh cool, Carmen!

I just got the Sense & Sensibility one to read, but hadn't read the others. I tend to be a little more critical when its a retelling of my favorite one, too. I'll have to check out your reviews.

Great on getting two more read.

[Sophia]

Yay! Congrats for moving up a level, Loren. I'll have to check out your review.

[Sophia]

Yeah, that's tough to have a disappointing book when it's a tour book.

[Claudine]

I agree too. I thought the story was really good but the intimidate scenes seemed to "rub" people the wrong way. I'm sure her next book will take these reviews into consideration.

[Maria]

I didn't imagine that book was like that! In the blurb it say it's recommended for mature audiences but I thought it was OK. I think I'll pass...

[Kristin]

These are the books I have read so far this year :
Austenland :I
A Weekend with Mr. Darcy :I
Unleashing Mr. Darcy :D
Mister Darcy's Dogs: A Mister Darcy series comedic mystery :I
Whatever Love Is :)

I a couple more books I will be reading this year including and advanced copy of Eligible by Curtis Sittenfield :)

[Carmen8094]

The way you judged the books is really nice and funny, Kristin!

[Kristin]

Carmen8094 wrote: "The way you judged the books is really nice and funny, Kristin!"
Thanks :)

[Sophia]

Nice stack of reads, Kristin!

And yes, Carmen's right, cute rating system. :) I still need to read Austenland.

[Kristin]

Thanks :)I found Austenland a bit boring, I much preferred the film

[Sophia]

I've heard that. I'm keeping my expectations low. :)