Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2015 discussion
Introduce Yourself & Announce Challenge Level
Hi, Pamela, we seem to be reading a lot of the same nonfiction works (I read Jane Austen's England and Jane Austen's Country Life: Uncovering the rural backdrop to her life, her letters and her novels last year, and have several more on my list for this year). Are you perhaps working on an Austenesque novel, or a historical novel set in the period? Tell us your secrets! I like the idea of your rewarding yourself with a JAFF novel after each work of history!
So I am just now getting around to saying hi the group, I meant to do it but got stopped by a book demanding to be read. :-)My name is Danielle and I just started reading JAFF a couple of years ago and wish I would have started sooner. I started with the book "Jane Austen Made Me Do It" because I wasn't sure I was going to like the genre and wanted a good sample of writers to see the range of books out there, I am so glad I did. I have found so many great books and authors that write JAFF and some, like Georgette Heyer, who are similar. On behalf of Amazon, and myself, I would like to thank all those who have given me recommendations.
I can't want to see what everyone reads and finding new books!
Danielle
Oh I forgot, I am taking the Catherine Morland level.Danielle
Mod
I use anthologies the same way to test drive new to me authors. Glad it was a hit and you're a fan now.
Best wishes with Catherine Morland!
Abigail wrote: "Hi, Joy, I’m glad you’ve joined! So glad there’s going to be a Jane-and-Bingley-focused adaptation; I always feel they are underrated.I don’t know whether I am a prude, but I agree with you that ..."
The Bingley/Jane is strictly Regency. I'm polishing up the last edits right now. Thanks for the welcome. This is my first reply on Goodreads, unless I did it before and was unaware.
Ceri wrote: "Hi Joy! Nice to see you here. I took a nosey as your shelf. I am not familiar with all of them , however, I spotted one which has sex scenes, The Last Man in The World. These are aft..."Thank you so much, Ceri. I'll make the adjustment.
Debbie wrote: "Joy,I see we have the same goal...Catherine Moreland Level. I am also eagerly anticipating your Jane/Bingley book."
Thank you.
The past three days have been miserable health-wise, BUT I've read 6 books on my shelf already. And, I've left reviews for all of them. That's a big glass of lemonade from those lemons. I may have to bump up to Mr. Bennet if I keep this up.
Given my list and that I now have all those books staring me in the face every time I open the kindle app on my iPad, I'm moving up to the Marianne level. I also have plans to be more deliberate in my reading this year, so hopefully...
Mod
Go Joy and Nancy! ;)
Hi! This is Alexa Adams, late to declare a level and get rolling. I'm striving for the Catherine Morland level. We'll see where that lands me in the end. About me - I write and blog about Austenesque at alexaadams.blogspot.com. I'm currently writing four different books, but insomnia provides amble reading time, so I think I can juggle it all. I live in Wilmington, Delaware, but my husband is current applying for a job in Zurich, so things might get very interesting in the near future. Looking forward to reading more Austenesque this year than I have since becoming a parent and chatting about it with you!
Mod
No rush! Lots going on for you, but glad you can participate in the challenge. O_o Zurich! That will make things interesting.
Good Luck with Catherine Morland!
Hi I am Shannon from PA. I have been reading Austen inspired books for a long time now. I really got into them after I finished the Fitzwilliam Darcy trilogy. Meredith at Austenesque Reviews is usually my go-to person for good recommendations. I am looking forward to browsing all of your shelves and reviews :) I am going to aim for the stars and shoot for the Mr. Bennet level. Usually my rate of reading is determined more by money than time and I end up re-reading a lot of books but I won't count those ;) So exciting to see that there are so many authors part of this group!
Mod
Glad you could join us. Oh yes, the Fitzwilliam Darcy trio is a hit with me too and one of my first reads. I warn you, if you poke around the virtual shelves that you'll end up with a huge TBR pile. Haha!
Woohoo, Mr. Bennet level here you come!
Nancy wrote: "Hi, I'm Nancy. I've been a fanfic reader for ages, and a JAFF reader for... oh man, at least 10 years now? I've gone so far off the deep end with JAFF that I now write it.I fell flat on my face w..."
Hi Nancy! I'm glad that you've joined the challenge! I have your books on my TBR list :-)
Beth wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Hi, I'm Nancy. I've been a fanfic reader for ages, and a JAFF reader for... oh man, at least 10 years now? I've gone so far off the deep end with JAFF that I now write it.I fell fla..."
Thanks for inviting me, Beth. This has already gotten me more excited about reading than I was last year, which is good. I hope you enjoy my books. :)
Nancy wrote: "Given my list and that I now have all those books staring me in the face every time I open the kindle app on my iPad, I'm moving up to the Marianne level. I also have plans to be more deliberate in..."You know I have a couple of books of yours on my list, I read one (His Good Opinion) and loved it but got sidetracked with school and moving and didn't get to the others. Now with you on here I will be reminded about them. :-)
Danielle
Paige wrote: "Oh, yes, me as well! And really great books keep coming to my attention and I keep adding them to my wish list. There is a wonderful world of lovely books books out there!"Like Nancy, I have lots of JAFF on my Kindle that needs reading, so it's good to have added incentive. I'm happy there are other authors in the group. I too have the problem of needing to do research rather than reading the "fun" stuff!
Victoria wrote: "I too have the problem of needing to do research rather than reading the "fun" stuff! ..."Victoria, if it's any consolation, it really improves the reader experience if the research is done, we really appreciate a well-researched book with no clangers in it even if you don't always get the thanks for it! Research is a thankless task I know, it's like the laundry, if you do it nobody notices or thanks you, but if you don't, that's when people notice that it's not been done!
Hi everyone, my name is Kim and I'll be joining in at the Catherine level. I love JAFF and have been reading mostly P&P variations, so I'm going to try to read something every month that relates to a different Austen book. I'm starting off the new year with Jane's Fame - How Jane Austen Conquered the World by Claire Harman. It's part biography and part reflection on Jane's cultural impact.
Ceri wrote, “Research is a thankless task I know, it’s like the laundry . . .”Sadly, I have the opposite problem! I love doing the research, always feel like I have one more thing I need to learn before a scene or plot point will be just right. Keeps me from actually writing, most of the time.
Mod
Good luck with Catherine level.
Hello!I'm Victoria, and I've been reading Jane Austen since I was 15, and JAFF since 2004. I had read Emma Tennant's Pemberley before that, but I wasn't a fan so it turned me off of JAFF until Linda Berdoll's first two novels.
I'm going to aim for the Anne Elliot level! I'm looking forward to reading your reviews!
Mod
Good luck with Anne Elliot!
That's neat that you came to Jane Austen at an early age. Glad you gave JAFF a second go even if the first book disappointed you. There is a bit of something for everyone these days. Look forward to seeing your choices this year.
I didn't discover the JAFF genre until 2012, but years ago I read Pemberley by Emma Tennant and I was quite disappointed with it too, Victoria. I read another book of hers since, this time based on Jane Eyre, which prompted me to write my first ever review because I disliked it so much, and since then I have given up on that author because she and I are not compatible.
Ceri wrote: " I read another book of hers since, this time based on Jane Eyre, which prompted me to write my first ever review because I disliked it so much, and since then I have given up on that author because she and I are not compatible."You made me curious, Ceri. Where can I read that review? :)
Georgiana wrote: "You made me curious, Ceri. Where can I read that review? :)"It's here, but it's a little bit mean :( It's my most popular review on Amazon to date though, so I think other people felt the same way I did. This book has since been renamed, I think it's called Thornfield Hall now.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/French-Dancer...
Ceri wrote: "Georgiana wrote: "You made me curious, Ceri. Where can I read that review? :)"It's here, but it's a little bit mean :( It's my most popular review on Amazon to date though, so I think other peopl..."
I found loads of mistakes in Pemberley, as though Emma Tennants read just once Pride and Prejudice and then wrote her sequel without remembering all the details.
It's not very professional, if you think the deep researches most authors of FF carry out. I don't know why they publish her books. You know, I was complaining they don't traslate many books into Italian, but Pemberley and Elinor & Marianne (I didn't read that one) were translated!
It's an odd thing isn't it. I've read self-published books and even unpublished fanfiction which is far better than some things published through traditional publishing houses. I think part of it is what publishers think will sell, but also if you read JAFF you are likely to be extremely familiar with the original stories because you've read so many books based on them so maybe we are just more likely to notice the lack of research. The P D James book, 'Death Comes to Pemberley' had some things in there that directly contradicted statements in Pride & Prejudice, for example. I was pretty shocked with how bad the research was in the Emma Tennant book though, because she'd literally only have had to read about two paragraphs to see what was said in the original in relation to Rochester's relationship to Celine, but it seemed as though she didn't do that.
Ceri wrote: ". I think part of it is what publishers think will sell, but also if you read JAFF you are likely to be extremely familiar with the original stories because you've read so many books based on them so maybe we are just more likely to notice the lack of research."But Pemberley one one of the first AUFF I read! And, at the time, I hadn't read so many times Pride and Prejudice, either, just 3 or 4. Maybe if Tennant had read it just once more, it could be better (she made confusion between Aunt Gardiner and Aunt Phillips, too!).
Besides I find that the traditional publishing houses should have better editors, because it's the editing I find lacking. And if you can tolerate it when the book is an autopublishing, it becomes unbearable when it is a "quality product". But then, you know, the financial crisis is everywhere...
The financial crisis is no excuse for that book, it's not a new one. I can't remember the details of Pemberley, only that I didn't think the characters were well-drawn. I must've read it about 20 years ago (feel old now!).
Hello! I'm Carmen and I'm from Naples, Italy. I started reading Austenesque novels two years ago, and a world opened to me!! My favourite Jane Austen's character is Emma, while my favourite book is Perusasion, so I love reading retelling of Anne and Capt. Wentworth' story.I choose Marianne Dashwood level, for now.
Thanks Sophia for creating this group where we can discuss with so nice persons!
Ceri wrote: "The financial crisis is no excuse for that book, it's not a new one. I can't remember the details of Pemberley, only that I didn't think the characters were well-drawn. I must've read it about 20 y..."This is a great discussion! I've also read traditionally published JAFF that has been filled with errors. I wonder if it has to do with the publishers and editors not necessarily knowing as much about Jane Austen as they should and seeing in JAFF a way to make money since it's so popular with so many readers?
But I have to admit to a secret mean little glee when I find such mistakes in traditionally published books. I have my own little publishing imprint with my writing partner, and we work very hard to make sure we catch all the errors before going to press.
Back when I was working in NYC, I used to send corrected copies of mass-market paperbacks to their publishers along with my résumé, asking for freelance proofreading work. I fear I gave more offense than enlightenment, as none of them ever contacted me to work for them. Even back then (1980s), the mass-market paperback houses mostly hired the bottom of the barrel, proofreaders they could get for below-market rates ($5 an hour in those days), and some houses required you to turn around a novel-length job in 24 hours. They did not appreciate a thorough job because they had to pay per correction, so more corrections cost them more money.
Errors of historical fact in JAFF are mostly the responsibility of the author, secondarily the responsibility of the copy editor. Most book copy editors (with magazines it’s different) are not required to check facts, but the good ones check anything that looks fishy. That said, if a copy editor doesn’t already have a background in Regency-era British history, that person won’t know what’s fishy in a JAFF novel and what isn’t. Even if we do point out errors, the author has the option of rejecting the suggested change. So it’s always safest to blame the author!
One of the joys for me of publishing with a small and local publisher was that I was allowed to go in to the offices and correct errors in my book (even aesthetic no-nos like two-letter word breaks) to my heart’s content.
Nowadays, it’s mostly ebooks that don’t get any good editing or proofreading.
Mod
Welcome and glad to have you join our group. It has already been a fun and fascinating group in which to chat and read. Ah, now you have two favorite books to read with your favorite heroine in one book and your favorite story in another. Very smart!
Good luck on the Marianne level!
Hi my name is Myra. Mother of 2 .I love to read and I love Jane Austen books.
I am going to try to read 15-20 Austenesque books this year. I am starting with the Darcy Madness. I can't wait to hear about everyone's different books!
Mod
So glad to have you! That's a great challenge. I love hearing about everyone's books too.
Abigail wrote: "Back when I was working in NYC, I used to send corrected copies of mass-market paperbacks to their publishers along with my résumé, asking for freelance proofreading work. I fear I gave more offense than enlightenment, as none of them ever contacted me to work for them"I'm sure they are over-touchy about that, but they shouldn't be!
Abigail wrote: "That said, if a copy editor doesn’t already have a background in Regency-era British history, that person won’t know what’s fishy in a JAFF novel and what isn’t. Even if we do point out errors, the author has the option of rejecting the suggested change. So it’s always safest to blame the author!"
Here in Italy we don't know if we have to blame the author or the translator (but they should do a good editing anyway, when the translation is ready.)
Sometimes I find so many inaccuracy I have to check the original to understand who I have to blame for the mistakes, whether is the author's fault or the translator's.
And as I translate myself, I know that a good editing is capital, both preceding and following the translation. And it should be done by someone who understands the historical and literary setting.
They changed some tiny but essential details on my translation of Il diario di Mr. Darcy, so that I can't recognize my Jane Austen, while Amanda Grange was very faithful... O_O
So maybe it's the editor's fault (or their lack of).
Hello, My name is Kristine. I live in the states. I love reading and all things Jane Austen. I'm starting out with the Marianne Dashwood Level and will see how it goes. i started a separate bookshelf but i'm not sure how to add it here. :)
Hi, Georgiana, it’s interesting to get a translator’s perspective! I have always thought translators were overlooked and underrated; whenever a scholar in a book I’m editing lists a translated work, I always look up the translator and add their name.
Abigail wrote: "Hi, Georgiana, it’s interesting to get a translator’s perspective! I have always thought translators were overlooked and underrated; whenever a scholar in a book I’m editing lists a translated work..."The real problem is that while an author can accept or reject the revision made by the editor, when a translator delivers the work, it doesn't come back. So I don't get the opportunity to ascertain that all the corrections are accurate.
Georgiana wrote, “I don’t get the opportunity to ascertain that all the corrections are accurate.”Oh, that would drive me crazy! I’m such a control freak, I refuse to let authors put me in their acknowledgments, just in case they restore something awful after I’ve finished my work.
Abigail wrote: "Hi, Georgiana, it’s interesting to get a translator’s perspective! I have always thought translators were overlooked and underrated; whenever a scholar in a book I’m editing lists a translated work..."I agree, Abigail. Translators are artists!
Mod
So glad you could join the challenge. Hope you read lots of good Austenesque books while conquering Marianne Dashwood level.
To make a shelf, just go all the way to the top of this page so you can see all the tabs. Click on the 'my books' tab. On the far left is a column of your shelves and a 'add shelf' feature. Click on that, give your shelf a name and then add the shelf. Now it will appear in your column of shelves and be available whenever you access books you've read or want to read.
To add a book to the shelf, you can do so by a few ways. After you add a book to 'want to read', 'read' or 'currently reading', you can go into the 'my books' tab at the top and edit the shelves to add it to your new shelf too. You can do it each time you do a review when at the top it allows you to 'shelf or tag' the book up in the area above the box for your review. Or you go to the book's page and hover your cursor over the 'want to read/read/currently reading' button to the far right side where the picture of the books appears that opens up allowing you to see your shelves to add your book to. Hope that helps and doesn't confuse. ;)
Abigail wrote: "Back when I was working in NYC, I used to send corrected copies of mass-market paperbacks to their publishers along with my résumé, asking for freelance proofreading work. I fear I gave more offens..."Abigail I used do the same thing with books, even textbooks...lol
I am glad I am not the only one who has done that. :-)It is so distracting for me to see grammatical or spelling errors. I know I make them myself when writing but when I get a textbook I expect it to be proofread thoroughly (multiple times) before being printed. I don't get paid to do it but I have done some proof reading for friends. Once for a legal book to help the author make sure that the way he was explaining the rules and procedures would be clear to a first year law student. I think if authors have friends that can help with proofreading it is a good thing.
Danielle
Hello!I joined the group a few weeks back, but have yet to post. Don't worry, though, I've been busily reading JAFF. :)
I'm Allison, and I'm from the Northeastern US. Pride & Prejudice has been one of my favorite novels since the first time I read it, but Persuasion turned me into a total Jane Austen nut. I got pretty heavily into JAFF a little over a year ago. In fact, I spent the past year reading JAFF almost exclusively. I read around 140 books in 2014 and about 120 of them were JAFF. I recently discovered the completed works on the Darcy and Lizzy forum, and I'm devouring those at the moment! Given that I topped 100 last year without a challenge to drive me, I think I'm going to shoot for the Mr. Bennet level!
I started tracking my books on a Google doc last year, but stopped doing it around June. I'm hoping to get it going again shortly (before it gets too far into 2015!) and track my reads there.
Lovely to be reading with you all!
Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2015
Books mentioned in this topic
Pemberley's Promise (other topics)Yours Forevermore, Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (other topics)
Mr. Darcy's Refuge: A Pride & Prejudice Variation (other topics)
Il diario di Mr. Darcy (other topics)
Elinor & Marianne (other topics)
More...
I love your reward system for doing your research and even better that your research is really interesting too. Both those books are on y list too. Good luck with the challenge!