Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016 discussion
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Mr. Bennet's Library 101+ Books
JW-welcome to this cosy little corner of this virtual world,where,I'm delighted to see,you're seated in a big,comfy armchair,waiting to be welcomed into the illustrious Mr Bennet's Library! In no way should you feel intimidated,we here,are a very welcoming and engaging group,where differences of opinions are allowed and,dare I say applauded!!!
You have read and obviously enjoyed an amazing number of books,and yes,it can be slightly daunting joining any group of people mid way through the year,but please believe that you'll feel right at home before long! At heart,this group,from all corners of the globe,are kindred spirits!!
Mary, thank you for your comment. Yes, Sheila and the others scare the socks off me with their reading prowess. I've read the comments for some time and have appreciated how y'all treat each other. It felt safe. I kept asking myself how on earth could I keep up. I then realized that I wasn't expected to keep up. With a group like this...you jump in the pool when you can and when you can't or just want to sit on the sidelines...you don't. I am so looking forward to playing in the waters and just enjoying the company of people who love to read. Yeah!! Thanks again for the welcome. JWG
More than welcome,JW! Looking forward to sharing opinions and good book reviews with you in the not too distant future!!!
Mary wrote: "More than welcome,JW! Looking forward to sharing opinions and good book reviews with you in the not too distant future!!!"
I didn't mention it, but I do have reviews for each of those books in both Amazon and GR. Amazon was where I ran into Sheila. Now, I have to figure out how to eat, sleep, do chores, read, post comments and live within my reading passion and book budget. How do y'all do it?
Mod
So glad you listened to Sheila and joined us. Glad to have you.
@ Sheila- thanks for inviting JW. More the merrier. :)
I am so very elated that JW is finding friends and many happy experiences here. (I knew she would.) The beginning of another long and rewarding relationship for us all. She is certainly doing very well all on her own but then we are happy to view others' successes and cheer them on.
Mod
JW-we beg,borrow and steal,survive on very little sleep and read!
Wow, look at all these posts...I missed while I was taking a nap. I was up late finishing #95) When Mary Met The Colonel 4-stars. I have just posted my review. Hope you like it. Sheila, Mary, Sophia,and Debbie, y'all have made me feel so welcome. Is there a certain time that you designate for getting together to chat? I didn't think to ask. I don't want to miss participating. Now that I've had lunch, I can hit my TBR pile again. I've got a challenge to make. See ya, JWG
Mod
Sheila, Mary, Sop..."
Not really! Most of us pop in when we have time and throughout the day or night. Pick up a conversation thread any time you want.
JW-you've just had lunch!!!! It's 8pm here in my little corner of the world!!! No,is the answer to your question,as we are all in different time zones!!!!
So whenever you felt like posting a comment, feel free!!
Sophia wrote: "J. W. wrote: "Wow, look at all these posts...I missed while I was taking a nap. I was up late finishing #95) When Mary Met The Colonel 4-stars. I have just posted my review. Hope you like it. She..."
That is great...I love this site. Thanks again for allowing me in without having traversed the other levels. Since I had been talking with Sheila for some time...I was already compiling my list for her challenge. So, if I bomb out...you can blame her. Sorry Sheila for throwing you under the bus. JWG
Mary wrote: "JW-you've just had lunch!!!! It's 8pm here in my little corner of the world!!! No,is the answer to your question,as we are all in different time zones!!!!
So whenever you felt like posting a comm..."
As I reply to your post it is 2:00 p.m. and I am on my deck with my laptop. The weather has gone from a 102 and 103 degree heat index to a very comfortable temp with limited humidify.
Hey, we have an old saying here in KY, if you don't like the weather hang around for a few minutes and it will change. We get all seasons here. That is why I have such a completed reading list. We were snowed in most of the winter and I took advantage of it. Thanks for the comments. JWG
Whatever you get up up for the rest of your day,enjoy it!
Mary wrote: "Whatever you get up up for the rest of your day,enjoy it!"Thank you my dear, you have a great rest of the evening. JWG
Yes, we are all over the world with some of the readers who drop in to comment. rights now it is 3:13 PM here in Pennsylvania. And that comment about if you don't like the weather, wait a minute - I heard that so many times when we resided in Killeen TX where my husband was stationed at Ft. Hood...no mountains to stop the progress of cold fronts or heat waves, etc. Very windy and the women all have those gauzy scarves to match every outfit to keep their hair in place.
Sheila wrote: "Yes, we are all over the world with some of the readers who drop in to comment. rights now it is 3:13 PM here in Pennsylvania. And that comment about if you don't like the weather, wait a minute - ..."We lived in southern Kansas in the late 90s and I learned a LOT about weather and heat while we were there. Their saying was you could be standing in a mud hole and dirt would still blow in your face. The wind never stopped. I only saw one dust storm while I was there and hope to never see another. WOW!!! Those people are hearty. I loved them and we had the best time. Thanks for your reply. Jeanne
Just finished reading another one by Amy/Alex9903. http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... Repressed Feelings
Amy and I exchanged personal messages and she is fine with me posting a review of this unpublished work. It is long and the premise is another new one (at least new to me) in which memories from the past generations surface and threaten to destroy modern day Darcy's stability, his reputation and all his relationships. 351 pages on my PC as I copied and pasted to enlarge the font. I did contact Amy again for a story description.
96) Only In His Dreams Melanie Schertz 3-stars
Sheila wrote: "Just finished reading another one by Amy/Alex9903. http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... Repressed Feelings
Amy and I exchanged personal messages and she is fine with me posting a rev..."
I remember that one, Sheila, very good, although the 1800s story was so sad, I sobbed like nobody's business, reading those parts!
Yes the author warned me about needing tissues
Sheila I'm trying to create an account at meryton.com but it keeps saying my email address is already in use. Any ideas? I'm useless at this stuff!!!
I'm not great on tech. issues either,but maybe you could set up a new email address specifically for that site??
I'm bad enough with the one I have. I'll just have to pass. Thanks anyway Mary.
Teresa wrote: "Sheila I'm trying to create an account at meryton.com but it keeps saying my email address is already in use. Any ideas? I'm useless at this stuff!!!"The only thing I can think of is to look for a contact link and leave a message for the administrators. It is very frustrating at times and I am a senior citizen who flies by the seat of her pants so I am not an expert. Claudine might have a idea if you want to leave her a message.
I just finished re-reading Northanger Abbey. Here's part of my review:I love the way Jane Austen creates her characters through their dialogue. John Thorpe is a recognizable example. How many ladies HAVEN'T been out with a guy who's such a gearhead that he doesn't realize that perhaps his date isn't interested in the differences between a Mustang and a Corvette? The same guy who brags and embellishes his supposed accomplishments? And is certain he knows what's best for you and makes decisions for you without really listening to you? Yeah, THAT guy. I hate that guy. Jane Austen describes him to a "T" (although, in John's case, it's actual horses rather than horsepower that he's obsessed with).
And then there's his sister, Isabella Thorpe. Have you ever known somebody who gushes and fawns all over you as though she's your bestest friend in the whole entire world, but she turns out to be just using you? Who pretends not to notice guys but makes sure that she's in the most prominent spot so they can't help but notice her? Who knows how to make them fall at her feet even though she's a flat-out phony? Yeah, THAT "friend." Ms. Austen's got that type pegged here, too. I'm really glad Isabella gets hoisted by her own petard so James Morland doesn't get stuck married to that nasty piece of muslin.
Then there's Mrs. Allen's ridiculous preoccupation with clothing. I could go on with numerous other examples, but you get the idea.
If anyone wants to read all my reflections about the book, here's the link to the review page:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...
Haven't updated my list in a while:131. The Secrets of Netherfield Abbey: Pride and Prejudice and Witches - 2 stars
132. Overthrowing Such Schemes -4 stars
133. Listen to Your Heart: A Pride and Prejudice Variation -3 stars
134. A Rival for Mr. Darcy - 2 star
135. Mr. Darcy's Journey: A Pride & Prejudice Variation -5 stars
136. Echoes of Pemberley - 4 stars
137. The Elizabeth Papers - 5+ stars
138. Darcy's Determination: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - 2 stars
139. Northanger Abbey - 5 stars
Mod
Jane Austen did nail those characters and we all do know those types.
Whew, you are really cruising through the books. Bummer there were a few just ok ones, but better than DNFs.
Debbie,I see you've given a 5+ to The Elizabeth Papers. I must read this book. We'll done on all the books you've read!
Teresa wrote: "Sheila I'm trying to create an account at meryton.com but it keeps saying my email address is already in use. Any ideas? I'm useless at this stuff!!!"Have you tried signing in with your user name and password, if you have forgotten your password, click on the link
I'll give that a whirl Susan thanks. If I have to ask my son anything more I'll have to start paying him:)
J.W. Garrett’s Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016 YTD Tracker (continued)97) A Father’s Sins: J. Dawn King: 4-stars
Lookit you go, Jeanne! Seems like you'll be a full-fledged resident of Mr. Bennet's library very soon. The rest of us look forward to having you join us!
LOOK at you J.W. should I hold my breath?...you are about to step in...good golly, Miss Molly...come on in.
Polish that old,leather,comfy armchair,draw it s little closer to the fire and prepare yourselves for JW's entrance into Mr B's library!!!! Great job,JW!!!
I read Georgiana's Friend by Colin but couldn't find the listing to put it in my books here. I would give it 3 stars. The writing is well put together and I loved a major part with Mr Bennet. The love story was all on Elizabeth's side which is just wrong. It is pointed out to Darcy that she is salivating over him so after one night's thinking he proposes to her. As he was proposing to E, I kept rooting for her to reject him. That is not how I should be feeling with a variation but I couldn't help it. I would have rejected him. I really don't know how she could accept him with any shred of self-respect left intact. Anyway, I am sure some of you loved this and for that I am happy. Even if I am not a fan of a book, I am glad that the author and other authors put themselves out there and continue to write P & P fan fiction. I also read Even More Ardently, only to find that I have read it before. Loved it again!
Mod
Haha, that's funny about the re-read. I've done that before I started keeping notes and reviews on books I've read. Glad it was good a second time.
Thanks guys. Mary...you are a hoot. I love your description of the comfy chair and fire. If it wasn't hot as blazes here I would welcome it. Whew! Summer in KY is murder. Sheila, don't hold your breath, your husband will be angry when you turn blue in the face.
Debbie, I'm looking forward to putting my toe into Mr. B's library.
Spent Saturday at our family get together. We didn't have to call the COPS, no one went to jail or to the hospital. Yeah it was good. Joking guys, my Dad is 90 and his brothers are in their 80s and 70s.
Sophia wrote: "One sided romance is no fun.Haha, that's funny about the re-read. I've done that before I started keeping notes and reviews on books I've read. Glad it was good a second time."
Sophia, I finally had to create a word document and file of my reviews and books read. I couldn't keep up. However, I've only been doing this since last year so all those books I read forever ago and wasn't writing reviews then are somewhere in the recesses of my mind. That is a daunting thought.
Talia wrote: "I read Georgiana's Friend by Colin but couldn't find the listing to put it in my books here. I would give it 3 stars. The writing is well put together and I loved a major part with Mr Bennet. The l..."Do you have a link to the actual story - Georgiana's Friend
Susan wrote: "Talia wrote: "I read Georgiana's Friend by Colin but couldn't find the listing to put it in my books here. I would give it 3 stars. The writing is well put together and I loved a major part with Mr..."No, I don't but I can send it to you if you like.
J. W. wrote: "Sophia wrote: "One sided romance is no fun.Haha, that's funny about the re-read. I've done that before I started keeping notes and reviews on books I've read. Glad it was good a second time."
So..."
Cataloguing my books has been a progression for me, starting in 2012. I started with a written list of the books with the dates I finished reading them. Then I realized (after rereading some clunkers) that I should also indicate a rating. Then the list got too long to easily locate a book, so I created an Excel spreadsheet, allowing me to change the list order to chronological, alpha by author, or alpha by title at the click of my mouse. But I still couldn't always remember the specific storylines, especially with books that had some similarities. When I finally got active on GR, I realized I could keep track of my books more easily here, and I'm now disciplining myself to write reviews for every book I read. Oh, my! How anal am I???
Mod
Haha, that's funny about the re-read. I've done that before I started keeping notes and reviews on books I've read. Glad it was good a sec..."
Not anal, just an organized book lover. ;)
I have three lists going for different reasons. One is alphabetical by author with 3*'s indicating I reviewed it but there are also designations as to whether it is paperback or kindle, JA or not. Then I have a file with all my reviews for unpublished books as someone stated their reviews disappeared from GRs for the unpublished books. And lastly I also began a synopsis of unpublished stories in one file before I realized I could post reviews of unpublished stories on GRs. I do try to give myself a synopsis of those even if I have reviewed them so as to remember what the story was about. If I don't do that I have found myself re-reading certain ones, i.e., The Best Part of Love...which certainly bears re-reading since it is a great story.
Gosh ye're all so organised it puts me in the shade!! I've just bought a notebook and will force myself to put my reviews in it for now. This GR site is hard work:)
Don't do it if it isn't your "thing". I just have always liked keeping lists and sorting things out. We are not mentioning our "habits" to make you feel you have to do the same nor so that we shame anyone into copying us. Just do what you enjoy and what you benefit from...it's a hobby, NOT a job.Happy Fourth to all my fellow USA citizens. Remember our troops, please.
Sheila wrote: "Don't do it if it isn't your "thing". I just have always liked keeping lists and sorting things out. We are not mentioning our "habits" to make you feel you have to do the same nor so that we shame..."Yes, I agree with Sheila, Teresa. When I look at it rationally, I know my organizational system is pretty darn OCD! Stay sane, girl!
And a Happy Independence Day, USA!
Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016
Books mentioned in this topic
North and South (other topics)My Pride, His Prejudice (other topics)
Dear Father Christmas: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (other topics)
From This Day Forward - The Darcys of Pemberley (other topics)
An Inconvenient Courtship (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Michele Paige Holmes (other topics)Penelope Hughes-Hallett (other topics)
Penelope Hughes-Hallett (other topics)
Juliet Archer (other topics)
Jane Odiwe (other topics)
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As far as stars...I read y'all's reviews and pick the ones I think I will like. That way I don't have a lot of low stars. I've hit a few that shocked me. I even have a one star. That was too bad, it was so unnecessary. Thanks for the welcome. JWG