Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016 discussion

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Challenge Levels > Mr. Bennet's Library 101+ Books

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message 952: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments OK, thanks. I was looking for a more expanded title such as was posted on AHA....guess I am not clever enough to think about an abbreviated title. But thank you again.


message 953: by Nicole (new)

Nicole Barton Sasser (bartonsasser) | 134 comments Sorry Sheila - Have been a little out of it. Yes the link provided above is correct, it has been on GR for years :) lol Lady Librarian


message 954: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments I did use the link and posted my review. I am so thankful you give us links now to unpublished stories as some of them are so good I and others want to make sure the readers here know about them and perhaps read them also. Thank you. Great work.


message 955: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments I finished Darcy By Any Other Name today. Wow, I want this book to be a movie, don't you? I would love to see it. Who would be cast for Mr Darcy and Mr Collins? The book was terrific as said over and over. The author has captured all the characters very well. I loved the scenes between Lady C and Caroline. If anything was lacking, it would have been nice to see more interaction between Darcy as Collins and Bingley. The what-will-Collins-as-Darcy do with Pemberley, etc angst was short lived. Phew, right? There were a lot of ways the author could have went with C as D angle and I think she hit it just right. The dialogue was well written and thought out. One last thought, what happened to Mrs Hill? I hope all the servants went to work at one of Mr Darcy's homes. :)


message 956: by Eliza (new)

Eliza Baum (elizabaum) | 176 comments Talia wrote: "I finished Darcy By Any Other Name today. Wow, I want this book to be a movie, don't you? I would love to see it. Who would be cast for Mr Darcy and Mr Collins? The book was terrifi..."

Yet another stellar review for this book. That does it--I'm buying it now. :P


message 957: by Sophia (new)

Sophia (sophiarose) | 1167 comments Mod
Looking forward to it, Talia!

Thanks for sharing. Glad she got it right when she did the switch up so it didn't go too far. Oh my, I would have nightmares of Collins in charge of Pemberley.


message 958: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Eliza wrote: "Talia wrote: "I finished Darcy By Any Other Name today. Wow, I want this book to be a movie, don't you? I would love to see it. Who would be cast for Mr Darcy and Mr Collins? The bo..."

It is pretty awesome.


message 959: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Sophia wrote: "Looking forward to it, Talia!

Thanks for sharing. Glad she got it right when she did the switch up so it didn't go too far. Oh my, I would have nightmares of Collins in charge of Pemberley."


I know, right? Shudder to think how C as D could pollute Pemberley.


message 960: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments I read A Moment Forever. I was one of the lucky ones who responded in time to get an ARC copy.

A Moment Forever is a WW2 romance/drama that has so much heart that your heart might break before the end. There are multiple romances here besides the Ducky and Pistol storyline. Each one endearing and realistic. This is the first Cat Gardiner book I have read through. Once I finished this one I bought her other titles. In this genre of literature, reviewers tend to generously label almost every author as "talented" but in this case they would all be correct. It is almost an understatement when applied here. Ms Gardiner has a way of turning a phrase and writes in a standard that is high above. I not only thoroughly enjoyed the book but I was often overjoyed having a romance that was written with so much mastery. I read a lot of JAFF which I love but rarely does one find the treasure that I did when I found Cat Gardiner.

Truth be told, I loved the book so much that I am planning to buy the hard copy to put on the shelf. I would like to thank Ms Gardiner for writing this impressive story and for writing for the JAFF community.


message 961: by Sheila (last edited May 30, 2016 07:34AM) (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments And I plan to reread this one A Moment Forever...more than once. She is so talented!


message 962: by Sophia (new)

Sophia (sophiarose) | 1167 comments Mod
Wow, this one really got to you in a great way, Talia. Love to see that. I'm definitely reading it. She is a wonderful, talented author.


message 963: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Sophia wrote: "Wow, this one really got to you in a great way, Talia. Love to see that. I'm definitely reading it. She is a wonderful, talented author."

She is definitely one of the top JAFF writers. I was super impressed. I kept bubbling with happiness from the beauty of her style. It was wonderful.


message 964: by Debbie (new)

Debbie (dmbrown) | 849 comments I agree with everything that Talia and Sheila said about the book. In my review, I called it "special," and it really is.


message 965: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments Talia, I just read your review on Facebook, saw it shared there and I wondered if I knew the writer of it! Having read your review and Sheila's, this sounds like a very special book.


message 966: by Debbie (last edited May 30, 2016 08:56AM) (new)

Debbie (dmbrown) | 849 comments I just reread Darcy Goes to War: A Pride and Prejudice Re-Imagining by Mary Lydon Simonsen last week. Not as good as A Moment Forever, but it's a wonderful WWII novel that is a 5-star read (from my perspective, anyway). That one is set in England rather than the U.S.


message 967: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 277 comments Ceri wrote: "Talia, I just read your review on Facebook, saw it shared there and I wondered if I knew the writer of it! Having read your review and Sheila's, this sounds like a very special book."

It's a wonderful read Ceri. I posted a review on it on GR as I was also lucky to get an ARC. Don't miss it!!


message 968: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Ceri wrote: "Talia, I just read your review on Facebook, saw it shared there and I wondered if I knew the writer of it! Having read your review and Sheila's, this sounds like a very special book."

I had no idea my review went to FB but I hope it inspires you to try the book.


message 969: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments Talia wrote: "I had no idea my review went to FB but I hope it inspires you to try the book."

It was a copy and paste, shared by author Pamela Lynne. Lovely review!


message 970: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Ceri wrote: "Talia wrote: "I had no idea my review went to FB but I hope it inspires you to try the book."

It was a copy and paste, shared by author Pamela Lynne. Lovely review!"


Thanks for letting me know where you saw it. I am glad that people like it since I never write a proper review or anything with spoilers.


message 971: by Pamela (new)

Pamela Lynne | 21 comments Talia wrote: "Ceri wrote: "Talia wrote: "I had no idea my review went to FB but I hope it inspires you to try the book."

It was a copy and paste, shared by author Pamela Lynne. Lovely review!"

Thanks for letti..."

Talia, I read your review on Amazon and it made me cry so I had to share it on FB! It was a beautiful review.


message 972: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Pamela wrote: "Talia wrote: "Ceri wrote: "Talia wrote: "I had no idea my review went to FB but I hope it inspires you to try the book."

It was a copy and paste, shared by author Pamela Lynne. Lovely review!"

Th..."


You are so sweet. I meant every word.


message 973: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Oh, I just realized that I was supposed to read Lady Susan this month. Did not even open it! Maybe in June...

I did read The Bennet and Darcy Arrangement which was not my favorite Schertz book. I really like the more wild side of Ms Schertz. I did order her new book to read this weekend though. The B & D Arrangement started with one of my least favorite themes that the Bennets and Darcys were friends when E & F were children. Already, I am not into it. So, probably the story was ok but it was not memorable.

I also read Lucky 13: Matchmaking and Misunderstandings which is by my new favorite author. Beefcake calendars? It was hilarious. I loved it. Another hit! If you are looking for a light read, this was great!


message 974: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments Talia wrote: "Oh, I just realized that I was supposed to read Lady Susan this month. Did not even open it! Maybe in June...

I did read The Bennet and Darcy Arrangement which was not my favorite ..."


Did you know that she has a Pinterest board and a Spotify music list to go with that book?
https://www.pinterest.com/cattgardine... - Lucky 13 Pinterest
http://l13datingdiary.blogspot.com/20...
http://l13datingdiary.blogspot.com/se... = last page of Lucky 13 blog (Val. Day)


message 975: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Sheila wrote: "Talia wrote: "Oh, I just realized that I was supposed to read Lady Susan this month. Did not even open it! Maybe in June...

I did read The Bennet and Darcy Arrangement which was no..."


Yes, I know it but it is way too much like work for me to go look all that up. :) Thanks for letting me know in case I missed it.


message 976: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments The blog posts are definitely worth looking at Talia, they really add to the story, especially the posts after the book finishes, as Sheila says.


message 977: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Ceri wrote: "The blog posts are definitely worth looking at Talia, they really add to the story, especially the posts after the book finishes, as Sheila says."

I have no extra time. If it isn't in the book, I can't do it.


message 978: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments Understandable, but a shame! I read the blog posts on my ipad as I was reading the book on my kindle. I'd have preferred it if they'd been incorporated into the book because they added a lot but it meant I had to keep switching devices which was a bit of a faff. I prefer to read on the kindle but it couldn't cope with the blog posts.


message 979: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Ceri wrote: "Understandable, but a shame! I read the blog posts on my ipad as I was reading the book on my kindle. I'd have preferred it if they'd been incorporated into the book because they added a lot but it..."

I read the book as a hard copy so no computer at the time. It would be best read on a computer or tablet so you could click on a link. In my mind, if it was important enough to include in the book, it should have been. I love long books but I don't have the time to go from a paperback to a website or my kindle to a website for more of an experience.


message 981: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Sheila wrote: "Well, I've reached my goal but am still plowing on:

91.) Mr. Darcy's Fault: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary Novella 4.5 stars
92.) [book:Elizabeth Bennet's Excellent Adventure: A Pri..."


Wow! Congrats to you! Very good!


message 982: by Claudine (new)

Claudine DiMuzio / Just Jane 1813 | 224 comments Great fun, right Sheila!! Glad to see that list has lots of wonderful reading experiences for you!!


message 983: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments Talia wrote: "I read the book as a hard copy so no computer at the time. It would be best read on a computer or tablet so you could click on a link. In my mind, if it was important enough to include in the book, it should have been. I love long books but I don't have the time to go from a paperback to a website or my kindle to a website for more of an experience."

Yes, some authors do pinterest boards, spotify playlists etc, and while I know some people love them for a more immersive experience, they are not things I'm likely to engage with, eats into my reading time! I think first I read Lucky 13 on my laptop as it was being posted online and so it was convenient enough to read the blog posts at the same time, and because I knew that the blog posts added to the story I read them along with the published kindle book, usually I probably wouldn't have looked them up.


message 984: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments My word, Sheila! You are motoring along there!


message 985: by Talia (new)

Talia (kneyda) | 217 comments Ceri wrote: "Talia wrote: "I read the book as a hard copy so no computer at the time. It would be best read on a computer or tablet so you could click on a link. In my mind, if it was important enough to includ..."

I have read books by other authors that do this sort of thing as well and I never look it up. I am glad that people like it but for me, I say just add it to the book.


message 986: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments I'd have preferred it in the book too, Talia, as I don't generally look up additional links, and I would have been even less likely to from a hard copy read.


message 987: by Eliza (new)

Eliza Baum (elizabaum) | 176 comments Congrats, Sheila! I'm up in the 90s now, so I'll be joining you and Debbie in the library soon. :-)


message 988: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments Hope to see you soon...it's the best room with the scent of old books and their leather binding and the crackle of a low fire as the nights are still a little cool. But during the day we open the windows.


message 989: by Sophia (new)

Sophia (sophiarose) | 1167 comments Mod
Woohoo!!!!! Way to go, Sheila. What's it like to breathe that rarefied air in Mr. Bennet's library? Haha!

Neat to see you reach your goal.


message 990: by Mary (new)

Mary | 452 comments Sheila,hope you're happily ensconced in Mr Bennet's library,sitting in that beautiful, polished,leather armchair by the fire,enjoying a glass of wine and finally relaxed enough to browse this great man's library!! Heartiest congrats!!!!


message 991: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments Thank you all for your comments of congratulations. Hope to see you soon.


message 992: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 277 comments Gosh Sheila how do you do it?!!! I read lots of different stuff and I'm in a couple of groups but I'm struggling to reach the target in the Anne Eliott challenge!!!!
I've been gardening non stop at the moment alright so that eats into reading time. We have fabulous weather here in Southern Ireland just now and it's over a year since it was this good so that's my excuse. But I'm soooo jealous when I see ye all reaching ye're goals.


message 993: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments Teresa, first of all I am retired. Secondly, my house is a condo so I don't have the garden outside like I used to take care of and my adult children live in other towns...the closest is an hour away so I don't have them stopping in. Not that I wouldn't enjoy that. But when I did work I didn't read nearly as much as I do now.

Southern Ireland - we visited and did a B&B tour from Dublin south, then west and then north to Shannon. Enjoyed the hospitality of the Irish. My husband golfed at Killeen GC while I did the Ring of Kerry tour.


message 994: by Teresa (new)

Teresa | 277 comments I'm fifty three Sheila and look after my daughter at the moment who has had a few years of mental health problems. Sometimes it feels like I'll never have any time to myself. My son lives with us as well. Sounds selfish I know but my reading is what keeps me going.

Going to Kerry for a weekend shortly. I do have to admit, we have spectacular scenery here in Ireland. Holidayed all over it when the kids were small. I love it. Would never ask to go anywhere else. Just wish I had more reading time:)


message 995: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments I think that reading is a fantastic escape route for when life is a bit hectic; make sure you protect your reading time, Teresa!

Kerry is one of the places on my bucket list for the simple shallow reason that it's pronounced the same way as my name, and I have often been misspelled as Kerry! I've never been to Eire, only Belfast, but the scenery in the surrounding countryside was lovely, I'd definitely like to visit over the Irish sea again :)


message 996: by Eliza (new)

Eliza Baum (elizabaum) | 176 comments I've only ever been to Dublin, but you guys are making me want even more to make it back overseas and expand my sightseeing!

I'm in my 30s. I have a husband, a demanding full-time job, and kids. Other than the "normal" ways of reading more (i.e., choosing to read instead of doing other things with that time), I think there are two things that help me:

1) Audiobooks are seriously the BEST THING EVER. And getting used to listening at 1.7 speed (doesn't even sound strange any more) helps, too. I think I've listened to 10-15 of them this year, usually commuting to work. I get crabby if I have to drive places with someone else in the car, because it means I can't listen! :-)
2) I'm strategic about the length of book I choose. I love long stories, but I've found that if I try to read one when I don't have a guaranteed stretch of time ahead of me (vacation, etc.), I can get stuck on one book for 1-2 months and lose momentum. Picking books I know I can finish in a night or two is very motivating. If all else fails, I pick up a novella.


message 997: by Debbie (new)

Debbie (dmbrown) | 849 comments Sheila wrote: "Hope to see you soon...it's the best room with the scent of old books and their leather binding and the crackle of a low fire as the nights are still a little cool. But during the day we open the w..."

Oh, it IS nice in here, isn't it, Sheila!


message 998: by Sheila (new)

Sheila Majczan (sheilalmajczan) | 700 comments Yes, Debby...so glad it was you waiting here as I know we share similar tastes and you can make good recommendations and you can point me to the correct shelf.


message 999: by Ceri (new)

Ceri | 224 comments I've started on audio books for the same reason Eliza. I've been listening when doing housework!


message 1000: by Debbie (last edited Jun 02, 2016 10:55AM) (new)

Debbie (dmbrown) | 849 comments Continuing to shelve books in Mr. Bennet's library! (It's been a while, and these have just been scattered about on tables and chairs instead of properly placed...)

111. Leaving Nothing to Chance - 5 stars
112. A Moment Forever - 5 stars
113. A Willful Misunderstanding - 4 stars
114. Yes, Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Novella - 4 stars
115. Mr. Darcy Returns: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - 2 stars
116. A Lady's Reputation - 5 stars
117. Darcy Goes to War: A Pride and Prejudice Re-Imagining - 5 stars
118. A Fine Joke - 5 stars
119. Of Time Gone By - 4 stars
120. Imperative: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice, Volume 1 - 5 stars


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