Someone Else Pick It For Me - February

[Sophia]

If you are willing to place one of your February reading choices in the hands of another person, leave a comment here with at least five books and no more than ten from your TBR shelf. Participants need to leave comments no later than January 25th.

Here's how it will work:
Sophia will match people up and leave a comment with a list of who will choose for whom.
When you see the person you are to pick for, then just look at their list in the above comments and leave a new comment with their name and the book you chose for them by January 31st.

You also need to watch and see what book your person chose from your list for you.
You have the rest of the month to read the book.

So if this sounds like something you would like to do, just comment below leaving your name and list of book choices for someone to pick your February book.

[Anji]

Hoping to join in with more of the group activities in 2020. Things went a bit pear-shaped in the latter half of 2019. I'll have a trawl through my TBR list and see what I can find. It'll probably be titles to fit in with my alphabet challenges again.

[Abigail]

I am feeling underinspired by Austenesque at the moment—maybe one of these will renew the affection!

1. The Suspicion at Sanditon by Carrie Bebris
2. The Poignant Sting: Homage to Jane Austen's Emma by Sherwood Smith
3. Pride, Prejudice, and Personal Statements by Mary Pagones
4. The Darcy Ring: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Mark Brownlow
5. Jane Austen's Ghost by Jennifer Kloester

[Sophia]

Several of these were books I meant to read in 2019 and a couple were started and need to be finished so I'm carrying them over for this year. Looking forward to what my book buddy chooses for me.

1. Mr. Darcy Loves Elizabeth Bennet: 4 Variations of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice by Elizabeth West
2. The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
3. Strong Objections to the Lady by Jayne Bamber
4. Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 1 by Robert Rodi
5. Holidays with Jane: Will You Be Mine? by Rebecca M. Fleming
6. The Jane Austen Dating Society by Fiona Woodifield
7. 1932 by Karen M. Cox

[Kristin]

1. Miss Bingley Requests: A Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation
2. Four Days in April
3.A Succession of Rain
4.Mr. Darcy's P&P POV - the abridged version
5. Snowbound - a P&P Novelette
6. Variations -- a series of Jane Austen “what-ifs”I
7. Intermezzo
8. March Madness Mash-Ups
9. Anniversary February
10.Irrevocably Gone

[Kirk]

1)Woodhouse Hall





2)Suspicion at Sanditon(reread)


3)Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas(reread)


4) Holidays with Jane:Will You be Mine (Reread)


5)Pride and Pyramids


subject to addition and revision!!! And I want no part of a couple of the lists above....very difficult. And another list contains my favorite book of 2019!

[Patricia]

Kirk wrote: "1)Woodhouse Hall


2)What Kitty Did Next



3)Suspicion at Sanditon(reread)
..."

which 1 was your favorite?

[Kirk]

Patricia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "1)Woodhouse Hall


2)What Kitty Did Next



3)Suspicion at Sanditon(reread)
[bookcover:The Suspicion at Sandi..."

PP and Other Flavors!!!

[Lois]

1. Jane and the Waterloo Map
2. Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners: Compliments, Charades Horrible Blunders
3. Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World
4. Chaos Comes to Longbourn: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
5. Dear Nameless Stranger: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

[Momtoten]

1) A Lively Companion
4) Darcy's Melody
5) From This Day Forward - The Darcys of Pemberley
6) A Quest for Mr Darcy
7) Heartstone

[Patricia]

[writer...]

December's choice was fun so i'll attempt a replay once i take time to make choices...

[Dawn]

1. Tact: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
2. Men Of Consequence: A Pride And Prejudice Variation
3. The Lady's Jewels: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
4. Accidentally Yours
5. Darcy's Redemption: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
6. Out of Obscurity
7. The Earl's Conquest

[Laura]

I am brand new to this group and this seemed like a fun way to get started.
1.Darcy's Ultimatum
2.Fully Persuaded
3.A Less Agreeable Man
4.Disciplined By The Darcy's
5.Through Each Other's Eyes
6.Twelfth Night At Longbourn
7.The Remarkable Miss Darcy

[Sophia]

Yay, Laura! It's a fabulous way to get started. Glad to have you along.

[Anji]

A bit late, I know but here's a list, all chosen as the first titles on my Kindle beginning with certain letters to fit gaps in my book title alphabet challenge.

1. Darcy and Elizabeth: A Most Unlikely Couple by Brenda J. Webb

2. Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary by Regina Jeffers

3. Georgiana Darcy: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by Alice Isakova

4. It Started with a Kiss: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Beth Wood

5. Jewels on the Water: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel by Rachel Elizabeth

6. A Lesson Hard Learned by Wendi Sotis

7. A Man with Faults: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Lory Lilian

8. Never So Bewitched By Any Woman: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Isabelle Mayfair

9. Obsession by Jann Rowland

10. Particular Intentions by L.L. Diamond

[Sophia]

Not late at all, Anji! :)

[Sophia]

Time for me to choose our partners!

I've drawn names and listed them below. The name on the left column chooses for the name on the right column.
Choices are made by returning to your person's earlier comment with their list of books. Simply choose a book from their list and comment below by January 31st.

Abigail > Lois
Sophia > Momtoten
Kristin > Dawn
Kirk > Laura
Patricia > Anji
Lois > Sophia
Momtoten > Kirk
Dawn > Kristin
Laura > Patricia
Anji > Abigail
Don't forget to check the comments for the pick made for you.
Feel free to stop back by and shared what you thought of the book that was picked for you.

Happy Reading, all!

[Sophia]

For Momtoten, I am choosing A Lively Companion since that's new to me and I'm curious to get your thoughts on it.

Crossing my fingers its a good one for you. :)

[Kristin]

Hi Dawn, I’m going to go for The Earl’s Conquest. I hope you enjoy it 😊

[Kirk]

Hi Laura! A warm welcome to the group.

I love a good Georgiana story so choosing
The Remarkable Miss Darcy.

Happy reading!!!

[Anji]

Hi Abigail, I've had a look at the blurbs for each of the books on your list. I haven't read any of them myself but the one that I'd like to read most is Jane Austen's Ghost, so that's the one I'm choosing for you.

[Laura]

Hi Patricia! I am glad to meet you. My pick for you is More To Love.
It sounds like a truly entertaining read. Enjoy!!!

[Patricia]

anji i choose Obsession by jann rowland. :)

[Anji]

Patricia wrote: "anji i choose Obsession by jann rowland. :)"

Many thanks, Patricia!

[Dawn]

Kristin wrote: "Hi Dawn, I’m going to go for The Earl’s Conquest. I hope you enjoy it 😊"

Kristin, I haven't read any on your list, but as I read about them I now have more I want to read, too! :-) The one that looked really fun that I am picking for you is March Madness Mash-Ups! I might even read it with you!!! I hope you enjoy it and maybe we can share thoughts.
I'm excited to read your choice for me, The Earl's Conquest!
Happy Reading!!!

[Momtoten]

Sophia wrote: "For Momtoten, I am choosing A Lively Companion since that's new to me and I'm curious to get your thoughts on it.

Crossing my fingers its a good one for you. :)"

Thank you. I've been wanting to read it but have held off because I knew I listed it in this challenge. LOL
the difficulty shall be waiting until February!

[Momtoten]

Kirk wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "1)Woodhouse Hall


2)What Kitty Did Next



3)Suspicion at Sanditon(reread)
[bookcover:The S..."

Kirk, since I have 'Suspicion at Sanditon' on my TBR list, I believe that I shall chuse that one, for I would appreciate hearing your views!
Godspeed!

[Kirk]

Momtoten wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "1)Woodhouse Hall


2)What Kitty Did Next



3)Suspicion at Sanditon(reread)
[bo..."
Thanks!!! I hope to love it a 2nd time around! Cheers!

[Abigail]

golly, I'm sorry, Lois--somehow I dropped off this thread and just remembered it! For some mysterious reason it happens a lot with the "Someone else pick it for me" threads.

I will pick for you Jane and the Waterloo Map so that you'll be ready when the next one comes out, supposed to be later this year!

And thanks for the pick, Anji!

[Lois]

Abigail,
There’s a new one planned? Amazing! She’s getting so close to Jane’s latter years that I thought perhaps she’d decided to end the series.

Thanks!

[Lois]

Sophia,
So sorry I’m late in replying! I’ve been away from the internet for a few days and missed the update to the thread.

I’m going to pick Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 1 for very selfish reasons—I’ve been considering reading that myself and can’t wait for you to share your review!

[Abigail]

Yes, I hear it's called Jane and the Year without a Summer. I've been very curious to see how Barron would handle Jane's illness and hoping she would tackle it. As far as I know there's no publication date yet.

[Sophia]

Lois wrote: "Sophia,
So sorry I’m late in replying! I’ve been away from the internet for a few days and missed the update to the thread.

I’m going to pick [book:Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From ..."

LOL, happy to be the test pilot on this one for you, Lois. :)

[Momtoten]

Sophia wrote: "For Momtoten, I am choosing A Lively Companion since that's new to me and I'm curious to get your thoughts on it.

Crossing my fingers its a good one for you. :)"

Dear Ms Sophia,
I discovered "A Lively Companion" through the Austen Readers Facebook group; someone on there mentioned that it was free that day on Kindle. I clicked the link and thought it sounded interesting. And it was.

I read "A Lively Companion", by Corrie Garret, in about four (interrupted) hours on Monday afternoon. It is a short, fun read, and I was very impressed. (For the record, I can be rather critical; of the thousand + JAFFs - Kindle and fan sites - I've read, I would only give 5 stars to less than 50.)
It is a somewhat unique presentation (always a plus for me), and the writing is cute and playful. There is a bit of bending credulity, but the writer presents it as tongue-in-cheek and within plausibility for the characters and story.

As much as I enjoyed this story, I noted on Amazon that there is a sequel, A True Likeness (both stories are on Kindle Unlimited), and I suspect that I am likely to loathe the second story because it sounds like it will include yet another Wickham/Lydia debacle (which I am heartily sick of reading!).
Perhaps, YOU could read the second volume and tell me if the debacle is averted because I really do not wish to taint my enjoyment of "A Lively Companion".

Have a blessed week!

[Sophia]

That is fabulous, Momtoten!

I'm so glad you enjoyed it and it will hit your top tier of best rated books.

LOL, I don't mind being the test subject of the sequel, but at the rate I'm going at my own stack it could be forever. ;)

[Kirk]

Abigail wrote: "Yes, I hear it's called Jane and the Year without a Summer. I've been very curious to see how Barron would handle Jane's illness and hoping she would tackle it. As far as I know there's no publicat..."

Her Instagram post mentioned June...I think.

[Kirk]

Momtoten wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "1)Woodhouse Hall


2)What Kitty Did Next



3)Suspicion at Sanditon(reread)
[bo..."
It took a while to arrive. Then it took me several days to open it. And reread it in two days. Definitely enjoyed my return to Sanditon and this mystery. Remembered some details and completely forgot others. Loved having images and voices from the current miniseries in my head. Looking forward to watching episode six in the next couple of days. Thanks again!!!!

[Anji]

Anji wrote: "Patricia wrote: "anji i choose Obsession by jann rowland. :)"

Many thanks, Patricia!"

Just finished reading Obsession. It seemed to take rather a long time to get to where it was going but having said that, I quite enjoyed it. Definitely a non-canon story, if anyone's thinking of reading it. It's set three years before the original and Elizabeth's only 17 and Darcy is 25.

[Laura]

Kirk,
Thanks for the welcome and the wonderful pick of The Remarkable Miss Darcy! It was a delightful read and I definitely recommend it.

[Kirk]

Laura wrote: "Kirk,
Thanks for the welcome and the wonderful pick of The Remarkable Miss Darcy! It was a delightful read and I definitely recommend it."

I'm glad to read that you enjoyed it!!!

[Abigail]

Hi, Anji, thanks for getting me to read Jane Austen's Ghost! It was fun though it didn’t feel particularly British to me. It’s set in the present BTW, for those who prefer period books. Here’s my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sophia]

Howdy, Lois!

Thanks for picking Bitch in a Bonnet because I needed the extra incentive to finish it. It was funny and even a little insightful, but the author also nearly incited me to riot. LOL Good to get a different perspective from my own now and then. :)

[Abigail]

Robert Rodi is certainly not shy about his opinions! I do think he's quite clever and funny, though irreverent and over the course of two volumes his shtick gets a little old. And I hatehatehate his take on Mansfield Park! But he makes you think even when he's infuriating you.

[Sophia]

You nailed it, Abigail. It was his take on Mansfield Park that had me ready to grab the boiling oil and pitchforks. ;) But, yes, I couldn't take away that he did his research and formulated some good points.

[Abigail]

I'm also impressed with how he can use modern cultural idioms while remaining true to the culture and spirit of Austen's time. I'm expressing that badly but you probably get what I mean. And I like that a hard-edged guy like him is so into Jane Austen that he devoted a couple of years to close readings of all her books and blogging his interpretations.

[Sophia]

Yes, I know what you mean. I think the cross era cultural idioms was what had me giggling the most. He could get carried away, but the initial launch into humor was great and gave tribute to Austen's wit in his own way.. I was struck by the homage he paid especially when I looked over his list of published materials.

[Abigail]

I love that sort of juxtaposition; it was at the heart of what I was trying to do in my Austenesque novel, and he carried it off with relentless brio.

[Sophia]

You were more subtle, but that was definitely not a bad thing. I loved your story. :)

[Abigail]

Thank you, my dear! I was merely indulging my private pleasure in thinking about what Jane Austen would have to say about certain modern social situations. I especially enjoyed taking her to Burning Man . . .