Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2020 discussion
Challenge Overview
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Introductions
Glad to have you back, Madenna! That's quite a TBR to work your way through!
Abigail wrote: "Glad to have you back, Madenna! That's quite a TBR to work your way through!" Agreed and I need to make it worse . . :)
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Oh yes, you have a nice pile to work through there and hopefully the job will be settled in and allow you more reading time. :)
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I was checking periodically the 2019 challenge to find new books. So, thank you to all those 2019 posts!
New to JAFF, didn't think it would appeal to me. But,..."
Glad you're diving in with both feet, Carolyn. Always fun to find out how you came to JAFF and what your favs of Austen's novels are. :) Cheering you on to the big 4-0!
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This challenge (and JAFF in general) are my reading version of that favorite comfy sweater. Even when I'm not actively reading s..."
Woohoo! Glad you're back, Lady Murmur!
And, that is a fabulous endorsement for our group that I heartily agree with. : Miss Charlotte gives you her curtsey of welcome.
I said I was going to do better in this group in 2020 and I hope I will but I'm really struggling with health issues at the moment and I'm not sure what will happen. I'll check in and see how things are going but I'm don't know yet what my participation will be like.
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You get better and don't worry about pressuring yourself to participate. Whenever and however much you can. :)
Thanks Sophia. Have a hospital appointment coming up so hopefully I'll have some answers then and can get back on track with life.
This discussion group exploded while I was offline. I just want to say welcome to our returning friends and a hearty welcome to all the new faces/names that I see in this thread. We are so excited to see you in our group. I know there are some out there who haven't decided to get their feet wet yet and will just watch and think about joining. Well, that is OKAY. If and when you decide, come on in... the water is fine. We love having you and if you want to jump in on a discussion... help yourself. Have a blast, y'all.
Teresa wrote: "I said I was going to do better in this group in 2020 and I hope I will but I'm really struggling with health issues at the moment and I'm not sure what will happen. I'll check in and see how thing..."Teresa, I prayed for your health. Sounds like it's no picnic.
I'd like to request prayers for my father-in-law. He's visiting us for Christmas, and has some weird infection in his mouth that makes almost all food taste terrible. He has lost 30+ pounds since this occurred.
Marlene, that sounds terrible! How scary to lose that much weight so quickly, and frustrating to see food but not able to enjoy it. Thinking of him and all of you!
hi!! My name is Rachel, I'm currently living in Denver, and its my first time here! I love this as an idea to keep track of what I'm reading, see what other Austenesque works other folks are loving (both published and unpublished). A few years ago I stumbled upon N&S fanfiction and loved it more than I thought I would. So when I was looking to take a break from the Outlander series (I love them, but they are a lot to take in), I dipped my toe into JAFF and haven't looked back, I especially can't get enough of watching D&E fall in love over and over again. Looking forward to finding many more great reads with y'all! Last year I got to just over 100 austenesque books, so I'll target this year to hit that range again and see if I can achieve Colonel Brandon level.
wosedwew wrote: "Welcome to the group, CarolynYes -- Yuletide: A Jane Austen-inspired Collection Of Stories is by some of my favorite authors. All short stories; all very well done"
Agreed! I'm only about half way through this, but I love all these authors so I feel confident about the rest!
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You are so very welcome, Rachel. Glad you discovered our cozy little group of fans and could join the challenge. Several of us love N&SFF, too (you probably saw the new antho, Falling for Mr. Thornton: Tales of North and South).
Jump in wherever you like in the discussions and cheering you on to shaking hands with Colonel Brandon. :)
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Oh Marlene! How awful for the poor guy. Sure did say a prayer and continue to wish him well.
I'm keeping you guys in my prayers. Teresa, I hope you are better soon. Marlene, it is hard watching a loved one be ill. I hope they find out what is causing the problem. Blessings to you guys. Hello to all the newbies. You are certainly welcome.
Marlene wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I said I was going to do better in this group in 2020 and I hope I will but I'm really struggling with health issues at the moment and I'm not sure what will happen. I'll check in an..."Thank you Marlene. I understand the losing weight bit. I too have lost a lot of it in the last six weeks. I'll light a candle for your father-in -law and say a prayer.
Hi everyone, Michelle here (screen name Chelle). I'll be joining in from Michigan. I plan on shooting for Pemberley again this year. My TBR list (mostly non-JAFF) is at 256 right now. I had a book goal last year to end the year with fewer books on the list than I started with, which was 243. As you can see, didn't quite make that goal, although I do consider it an accomplishment that it only went up by 13! Happy reading!
Welcome back, Michelle. I expect mine has grown, too, and by a lot more than yours! I'm planning on including my acquisitions in my monthly summaries in 2020. I've no idea what my current TBR total is, but considerably more than yours, I suspect (can never resist a freebie or bargain!).
Michelle wrote: "Hi everyone, Michelle here (screen name Chelle). I'll be joining in from Michigan. I plan on shooting for Pemberley again this year. My TBR list (mostly non-JAFF) is at 256 right now. I had a book ..."I refuse to calculate the number of books my TBR has increased...not knowing is so much safer....lol Not like I would do anything to really fix anyway. :-)
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Welcome, Michelle!
And wow, that is a goal that I find impressive or that you only missed breaking even by 13. We'll be cheering you on as you try again. :)
Hi everyone! I'm Victoria, and I'm from Canada. I've been an Austenesque group member since 2015, but am fairly quiet! I generally get to the Anne Elliot level, and that's probably where I will end up this year, and that's ok!I am really trying to tackle my TBR pile, going through the list on goodreads. It means I might be missing out on some new hits so I am going to try and participate in more discussions.
I love a funny P&P alternate universe, or sequel. I'm firmly set in the past, and find modern retellings a bit harder to love.
Welcome to everyone who is returning, and to those newbies! I saw that some are facing health issues this year, and I really hope that things become easier and good health prevails!
Welcome back, Victoria! Those pesky TBRs do just grow and grow if we don’t give them special attention, don’t they? Look forward to seeing what you read in 2020!
Mod
No worries about being a little quiet. We're just glad to have you along. That's great that you're hitting your older TBR Pile, but I'm sure there will be plenty of fun discussions to keep you abreast of the new releases. :)
Miss Anne welcomes you back for the challenge and hopes to see you finishing off her level with aplomb.
Hi I’m Beryl🙋🏽♀️ I first read Pride and Prejudice then watched the movies as well as Emma and becoming Jane. I read couple of comic versions and I love every format. I’m going to start with the Charlotte Heywood level. I have a huge TBR list which includes the original versions that I had already read in short form.
Mod
Those were all such lovely movie adaptions including the one about Jane herself.
I love your goal of reading all the originals. Miss Charlotte welcomes you on your challenge journey. :)
Sophia wrote: "Yay! Glad to have you back, Ahnya, and marvelously repping UT and Northanger Abbey!I blame you for my late falling in love with Henry Tilney. :)
LOL, the research project looks big, but I'm glad..."
NO REMORSE! Henry Tilney is simply delectable!
Abigail wrote: "Glad to see you back, Ahnya! I certainly understand how research projects can eat into your JAFF time--that's the case for me as well. But you're smart to plan for recreational reading as well! I l..."I'm glad there are people here in the group who understand research. It is fun and rewarding, but very time consuming.
According to Goodreads I finished with over 1000 reads for 2019 but only 183 of these were Austenesque. Of these 183 most were re-reads especially of Mary Bennet and/or Colonel stories. Depending on how many will be published in these two categories next year, will depend how many books I shall read (or re-read). At least this year I managed to get my un-read historical mysteries and modern crime books down to below 50 left to read.
That's a stunning amount of reading, Susan!
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You will end up being our expert on Mary B/Col Fitz stories, Susan. I love them as main characters, too. :) Well done on slicing that pile down to 50 left. :)
Susan wrote: "According to Goodreads I finished with over 1000 reads for 2019 but only 183 of these were Austenesque. Of these 183 most were re-reads especially of Mary Bennet and/or Colonel stories. Depending o..."Wow, that's an amazing number under your belt! Wish my TBR list (any of it) was that small.
Hi, everybody! Thought I'd already checked in here, but I just realized I'd joined the group and neglected to post my annual introduction.Before that, though, I want to encourage a big group "Thank You" to Sophia, our fantabulous moderator, who establishes this GR group every year, sets up all the different discussion topics, and cheers everyone on so enthusiastically. We're so lucky to have you as our fearless leader, Sophia! Big shout-out and toast to you, my dear!
As for me, I don't even remember when I first read P&P - somewhere in my 20s, I believe. (I'm in my 60s now.) It immediately became my favorite book that I would (and still do) re-read regularly. It was in 2012, after one of my re-reads shortly after I'd gotten my first Kindle that I discovered JAFF. You know how, at the end, there's a page that essentially says, "Here are some books others who've liked yours have read"? Yep. Opened up a whole new world of Elizabeth Bennet and Darcy romances, and I became an instant addict. And here I am, still reading 'em!
My TBR pile gets bigger instead of smaller because of this group, which I first joined in 2016. There are just too many intriguing-sounding books and not enough hours in the day to keep up!
I'm born and bred in the USA - grew up on Long Island in NY, lived in Southeastern Pennsylvania from 1977-2013, and now my husband and I are retired and living in warm and beachy Myrtle Beach, SC!
But be warned - hubby and I are in the process of buying an RV. You in North America might find me on your doorstep during our pending travels! We anticipate a trip through the Midwest up to Canada (family near Chicago - friends in Sarnia) sometime this summer, and we'll definitely be in SE PA (I'm looking at you, Sheila!) for a few weeks in June.
Happy New Year of reading to all my fellow JAFFers. It's lovely to see you all here!
Mod
Before that, though, I want to encourage a big group "Tha..."
Yay! Debbie's back in the house. :) Always a pleasure to put the group together each year and have everyone join to share the reading year. :)
Hi guys! I was mostly a lurker in 2019, but I've still enjoyed popping in and seeing what you guys are discussing from time to time. In 2020, I'm hoping to have a much better and deliberate reading year, where my main goal is knocking out some of the books that have been on my TBR for a long time. Love this group and looking forward to another year. :-)
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{throwing virtual confetti} all hail our wonderful hostess, Sophia!💗
Hi everybody, it's so good to see your posts and to get to learn more about you all.My name is Ceri and I am here representing Wales, in the UK. I first found Austen on my mother's bookshelves as a teenager (13 or 14), back in the 1990s. I read S&S and then moved onto P&P and fell in love with it. I had no idea there was such a thing as the Austen-inspired genre until, like some of you, I got a kindle, and my reading horizons broadened from re-reads of Austen and Heyer to a whole new genre.
I have a book blog, Babblings of a Bookworm which focuses almost entirely on Austenesque books. I don't have time to read as much as I'd like to, due to work and making sure I spend time with my family! Last year wasn't a great reading year for me, although I need to thank Anji, for convincing me to start reading audio, because I read quite a few audio books last year during my housework, walks and commutes. and I really enjoy them. The only thing is that I struggle to read Austenesque this way, because I need to listen to a different genre than I read with my eyes or I worry I will combine the stories!
I plan to read more this year. I aim to read about 30 Austen-inspired books if I can, which will take me to Catherine Moorland level.
All the best to all of you on your reading challenges this year! I don't always post, but I enjoy reading your comments, and adding things to my TBR on your recommendations!
ETA: I forgot to extend my thanks to our lovely hostess Sophia. Thanks for creating this group and doing such a good job of creating a welcoming atmosphere for us all. (hugs)
I like that Judy, a lurker!! I think I'm in that group as well. I don't really like a lot of Austenesque but I read non fiction about Austen. I love to keep up with the group though because I there are some nice people here and it's still great to be able to discuss Jane and the love we have for her books.
Mod
My name is Ceri and I am here representing Wales, in the UK. I first found Austen on my mother's bookshelves as..."
Hail to our rep from Wales! So glad you could join up again and I am crossing my fingers that you get to read as much as you wish this year. Love visiting your warm and friendly blog and no worries if you don't always get to post a comment here. Join when you can. :)
Miss Catherine is eager to see you when you reach her level.
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I made my overall reading goal (and my goal for this group) smaller thi..."
Howdy, Judy!
Lurk away when you need to. Glad you got your Austenesque reading mojo back and are ready to tackle the challenge. :) Yay for a Sense & Sensibility fan. Persuasion is my fav.
Glad to have you back! :)
Hello Everyone. This is the first group I've joined on GR. I have always been somewhat of a closet Janeite. Not because I was ashamed of my obsession, but I never had anyone that shared it or understood it. When anything Austen related ever comes up, my enthusiasm always seemed to produce looks of confusion and the "smile and nod" that I usually interpret as "You are one crazy lady, how quickly can we broach another topic!" I've always longed to have people to share my slightly obsessive love of Austen and let's be honest, Mr. Darcy! I discovered my love for Jane when, as a young mother, I was watching my friend's baby as a swap and when the baby was sleeping, I found "Pride and Prejudice" on her bookshelf and having never read it, decided to give it a go. Of course I had to leave her book when I left, but the book didn't leave me! When I got home I could think of nothing else and did not rest until I got my hands back on it and I think I stayed up all night to finish it that very day. That was many years ago. I shortly after discovered the 1995 series. I had no idea this world of fanfiction existed until a few years ago and was leary as my first sampling was not a positive experience, but have tried again the past two or three years and have discovered so many amazing authors and stories! I created this GR profile separate from my original just for Austen related books so I could remember which ones I read and how I liked them. I am devouring them and still don't seem to be able to put a dent in my TBR pile but I'm excited to keep chipping away!!!
Good morrow. I am both a writer and a reader of JAFF. I've been a JA devotee since 1998, lurker at Republic of Pemberley since 1999, fan-fiction reader since 2009, and writer since 2013. I usually have no trouble meeting the Team Darcy level, but to be on the safe side, I will officially join Team Brandon as I hope to possibly finish writing on my current WIP.
I would like to say that I have not done anything like this before, nor have I been active on Goodreads. However, I appreciate a reading challenge in my preferred genre.
Godspeed on your goals, one and all!
Ceri wrote: "Hi everybody, it's so good to see your posts and to get to learn more about you all.My name is Ceri and I am here representing Wales, in the UK. I first found Austen on my mother's bookshelves as..."
Yep, follow your blog and love it!!!
Welcome to all who are joining or rejoining. I love hearing everyone's stories about their life in Austen!
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What a wonderful story and so glad you dove into our group, Dawn! Hopefully we will be a lovely positive experience and I know you'll find your tribe of Darcy-loving Janeites here. :)
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I usually..."
Shazam, Momtoten! You've been a fan for a long time. I can't wait to see what books you've enjoyed and thoughts on books you can share with us.
LOL, Colonel Brandon will welcome your company happily and we'll still cheer you on to reaching Darcy's library as well as finishing up your WIP. :)
Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2020
Books mentioned in this topic
Falling for Mr. Thornton: Tales of North and South (other topics)Yuletide: A Jane Austen-inspired Collection Of Stories (other topics)
Rational Creatures (other topics)
Dangerous to Know: Jane Austen's Rakes & Gentlemen Rogues (other topics)
Rational Creatures: Stirrings of Feminism in the Hearts of Jane Austen's Fine Ladies (other topics)
More...
My name is Madenna and I am pleased to join this merry group for the third time. I have somehow managed to make it to Mr Darcy's Library the last two years and look forward to visiting again in 2020.
Where am I from: I currently live in Fishers, IN USA which is just outside Indianapolis.
How I cam to admire JA's books: I found a variation at the recommendation desk at the local library and loved it. I have not stopped since. The movie love came only after the written word!
How big is your TBR pile: My Goodreads Austenesque TBR pile is about 200. I confess that I did not add to it much this year or participate in to many discussions due to a change in jobs.
Favorite JA story: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite JA character: Elizabeth Bennet - Flawed but strong