What are you reading?

[Zuzana]

Let us know what are you reading right now. Whether it is JA related or not.

[Zuzana]

I'm reading Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. It's part of my Travel-Around-the-World TBR Takedown challenge. I have to finish it in February. Not much time left.

[Laurie B]

I'm reading all kinds of stuff for my Cleaning Out the TBR Closet 2021 challenge. I'm trying to clear off everything I added in 2014 when I joined Goodreads. One of those is I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend, which I think will be next.

[Zuzana]

Laurie, sounds like it would fit nice into the Setting category of JA challenge. :)

[Laurie B]

Zuzana wrote: "Laurie, sounds like it would fit nice into the Setting category of JA challenge. :)"

Why, yes, yes it would. :D I'm working on my challenge post as we speak.

[Zuzana]

Good luck with your challenge then!

Do you plan to make a list or just fit in books as you go. My approach is a combination of both - I usually make a list and then go on and read totally different books. ;)

[Laurie B]

I made an outline with a few things I'd like to read/watch. But if I read/watch anything else with this group, or anything else that works, I'll fit those in. Should be fun!

[Zuzana]

Yes, I hope we'll all have fun.

If you know which movies you'd like to watch, drop their titles in the 2021 Group Schedule thread. I'll try and make some of them our Group Watch-alongs. So far I have planned only March (Bridgerton) and April (2005 P&P and 2017 Love & Friendship).

[Laurie B]

Though I've long been a fan of JA's books, I've never read a full, adult biography of her. I've only read juvenile bios (I'm a youth librarian). But as I'm reading I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend, I'm discovering things I was not really aware of - like Jane's brother George. This book is fiction, but it's based at least loosely on Jane's life. I immediately did some searching to see what I could find about the real George and found this interesting article: http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-l...

Today I double checked the last biography I'd read (Who Was Jane Austen?) because I couldn't remember if it mentioned George or not. I'm happy to report that it does include him and even mentions his possible condition and that he was sent to live with a foster family. It's only a paragraph, so I didn't think much of it at the time.

All that to say - as soon as I finish this book, I think I'm going to be more eager to read a full JA biography.

[Zuzana]

Lucy Worsley writes about George, too. Why and where he was.

When I first read about Jane Austen I was surprised about her negative boarding school experience. She contracted typhoid fever and almost died.

Thanks for the link, Laurie.

[Laurie B]

Hailey wrote: "What is the TBR Closet Challenge? Is it a group or an unofficial challenge? I'm intrigued."

It's a yearly challenge in the NBRC (Nothing But Reading Challenges) Group that Zuzana and I are both in. Basically, it's a way to motivate yourself to read (or delete) books that have been languishing on your TBR shelf for years. You set your own goal and report throughout the year. There's also a spreadsheet to track your progress and the mods post everyone's percentages each month. It's a lot of fun and has helped me get to so many books I had forgotten about.

NBRC Group
Cleaning Out the TBR Closet 2021

[Laurie B]

Hailey wrote: "Thank you so much!
"

I look forward to seeing you there if you decide to join the group! :D

[Laurie B]

I just finished on audio and thought it was wonderful! I really enjoyed the premise of the story, as well as all the discussion of JA the characters had, as well as the parallels to Austen's books. Highly recommend! I also found this Goodreads interview with the author interesting.

I don't think this fits in any of the Challenge categories (correct me if I'm wrong)...but I can use it for my spell-it-out.

[Zuzana]

This one's on my radar, too. I've heard only good things about the book. Thanks for the recc, Laurie.

And you're right, it belongs in the Spell-it-out category.

[Zuzana]

I'm reading The Story of the Country House: A History of Places and People by Clive Aslet. Not focused only on the regency era - but still really interesting especially for non- British folks like me.

[Roya]

Hi all! I'm currently reading Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin and Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty. Really enjoying them both so far. If you haven't read Uzma Jalaluddin's book Ayesha at Last (a Pride and Prejudice adaptation) I highly recommend!

[Melindam]

Currently reading "Before Lunch" by Angela Thirkell. I discovered her last year thanks to goodreads recommendations.

It's worth checking her out, if you are interested in forgotten/neglected classics.
Her books take place bw the 2 world wars as well as during/after ww2. She offers good characterisation, gentle humour & English countryside - nice cosy readings. Although she's not on par with Austen, I would still recommend her.

[Laurie B]

Melindam wrote: "Currently reading "Before Lunch" by Angela Thirkell. I discovered her last year thanks to goodreads recommendations.

It's worth checking her out, if you are interested in forgotten/neglected class..."

Looks interesting! Can these be read in any order?

[Melindam]

No need for that. :)

I have read 3 of her books & I liked "Pomfret Towers" the best so far. One of the MCs reminds me a bit of Fanny Price. :)