Currently Reading

[Hope]

Today I started Marriage by Susan Ferrier as as work by a contemporary. The first chapter looks promising.

[Kristie]

I have reread Sense and Sensibility. I've also read Jane Austen's England: Daily Life in the Georgian and Regency Period. Probably starting The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh next.

[Gaby]

I've just finished "Love and Freindship and Other Early Works" (Challenge 2) It was hilarious! ("Run mad as often as you chuse; but do not faint-")

[Suzanne]

I'm several chapters into Mansfield Park now, both the audiobook and ebook, which I think are delightful ways to experience these classics. I can't wait to dive into Persuasion afterwards. I may try to do a reread of Pride and Prejudice, as I just finished the miniseries. I may also check out the Kiera Knightly version. it's been ages since I had read P&P!

Besides Bridget Jones's Diary and Clueless, I can't think of any other modern day retellings of Austen's books. I'll keep looking for one! I am definitely game for more books Elizabeth and Darcy.

[Sandra]

I've just finished re-reading Northanger Abbey and I'm now jumping straight into Lady Susan. Looking forward to it :)

[Ana]

I'm really enjoying Cassandra and Jane. I thought I wanted to read her letters but I'm glad I decided to go with this one instead. Is anyone reading it or has anyone read it?

[Janice]

I have just started reading Lady Susan (2nd time) for prompt # 2. I am still waiting for my other books to arrive from the library. I hope it won't be much longer as I am already behind now for the group read of Mansfield Park.

[Jan]

Beginning with Mansfield Park which I haven’t read before now. So far so good only on Chapter seven, but hope to catch up today.

[Gia]

Claireybooks wrote: "I am being so indecisive in my reading and have technically started almost all the books for each reading prompt and am flitting between them! The only book I've made real head-way with is the audi..."

Hello! Yes, I am also a bit scattered in my reading:) For me it's mostly because I have so little spare time this month. Sounds like you're on your way with the Jane Austen At Home audiobook; good job! Interestingly enough, I have made the most headway so far in reading At Home With Jane Austen by Kim Wilson.

[Liz]

For those of you reading all the books at once, I'm with you. I'm doing the same. I'm keeping to the timeline of Mansfield Park and then reading a chapter or 2 of the other books.

[Tasha]

One week into Jane Austen July, I am reading along with Mansfield Park on audiobook by Frances Barber and very much enjoying her narration.
My non-fiction is The Real Jane Austen by Paula Byrne which I think is my favourite biography I've read so far. Rather than a sequential retelling of events, each chapter is based on a significant object from Jane Austen's life. Just read the chapter on the subscription list for France's Burney's Camilla which then talked about the literary influences on Jane's writing which was fascinating.
Also read The Watsons and have started Miss Austen by Gill Hornby but not very far into it yet. Feel as though I've been jumping around from book to book this week.

[Ali]

I finished Northanger Abbey on the 5th, and I enjoyed it more than I honestly thought I would. I also watched "Bride and Prejudice" for my modern adaptation.

I'm continuing with The Other Bennet Sister, which is excellent so far, and I plan to start Frankenstein this weekend.

My month is off to a great start!

[QNPoohBear]

Tasha wrote: "My non-fiction is The Real Jane Austen by Paula Byrne which I think is my favourite biography I've read so far. ."

Me too! I'm so glad you're reading it. I found it thoughtful and unique. I read it right before a trip to England and was so excited to visit Chawton House and see the objects mentioned in the book.

[DONNA]

I finished Mansfield Park on July 4th and have started on Northanger Abbey! I'm going to watch the BBC Pride & Prejudice for my screen adaptation! Still figuring the others ones out! LOL! This is so fun...my first year doing it!

[Bonnie]

I’m engaging in some additional Jane Austen discussions to immerse myself in Jane Austen’s world even more. So far, I’m watching Katie’s prior videos about Jane Austen, and I watched “Who Was the Real Jane Austen? Behind Closed Doors” with Lucy Worsley by Timeline World History. I’m now watching “Jane Austen vs Emily Bronte, The Queen of English Literature Debate” by Intelligence Squared.All are excellent!

[Renuka]

I am late to the party - and will start on MFP which I did not take to in my first read in my teens, and put down half way the second time in my twenties.
So till Sunday I will try to read only MFP to catch up with the Readalong schedule, and to concentrate on it and see if my opinon changes.

After that, also take up and try to finish 'Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune', which I started last year as a part of the 3. Non Fiction on JA's time.

Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune: How Younger Sons Made Their Way in Jane Austen's England
The book is fantastic - extremely easy reading while packed with information.

It explains the situations of the second sons (Col. Fitzwilliam) so well and how much they contributed to the British Empire and the English Society of the time, and all the different ways they occupied themsleves - as explorers, map makers, in medical reseach as well as the traditional occupations as churchmen and military men, and even in commercial occupations and as bankers.
Their lives intersect with those socially inferior to them (the non aristocratic Colonels, Admiral Crofts, Captain Wentworths, Wickhams etc.), with whom the interarcted much more closely than would have been in ther youth, bringing social mobilty both ways.
Looking forward to finishing it.

I haven't finished JF letters, nor read Sandition (but I adored the wit while horrified with the menatlity of Lady Susan), loved Evalina and might flip through it again or try some Ivanhoe not read since teens.
There is also a book on translating JF which I would like to dig in to again.

I will post a fuller TBR later in the TBr part.

[Renuka]

Gaby wrote: "I'm starting with Mansfield Park. I've read it twice before in German translation and it has been one of my least favourite Austen novels so far. I'll read it in English this time and follow the gr..."

I like to read my Austens's in German and would love it if you could give the two MFP German titles and say which of the two you would recommend as a first try (even though you didn't really like them).
Thank you!

[Gaby]

Renuka wrote: "Gaby wrote: "I'm starting with Mansfield Park. I've read it twice before in German translation and it has been one of my least favourite Austen novels so far. I'll read it in English this time and ..."

My German edition of Mansfield Park is translated by Angelika Beck and was published by Insel Verlag. I did like it, but I like some of the other novels much more - my favourite is Persuasion.

[Mayra]

Claireybooks wrote: "I am being so indecisive in my reading and have technically started almost all the books for each reading prompt and am flitting between them! The only book I've made real head-way with is the audi..."

Yes! I have also started books and have yet to make any progress on any of them. I am currently reading 3 books and I never do that!

[Rachel]

Starting with #1 on the challenges list and reading Mansfield Park.

[Brandy]

Finished Persuasion and started reading The Other Bennet Sister as well as Pride and Premeditation. Two Pride and Prejudice adaptations because I couldn’t choose lol. They are quite different though as one is a murder mystery, so as not to get confused lol.

[Renuka]

Gaby wrote: "Renuka wrote: "Gaby wrote: "I'm starting with Mansfield Park. I've read it twice before in German translation and it has been one of my least favourite Austen novels so far. I'll read it in English..."

Thanks a lot - will try it and get back. I did see two German verisons of MFP so I will first check your one out. Was the Persuasion you like also from the same Verlag?
Thanks again

[Gaby]

Renuka wrote: "Gaby wrote: "Renuka wrote: "Gaby wrote: "I'm starting with Mansfield Park. I've read it twice before in German translation and it has been one of my least favourite Austen novels so far. I'll read ..."

My German edition of "Überredung" is from Reclam-Verlag, translated by Christian Grawe, but I bought it almost 40 years ago.

[Erin]

I finished Lady Susan, which was fun. I also read the poetry collection “Lyrical Ballads” by William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge.

As for a book about Jane Austen and her times, “The Genius of Jane Austen” by Paula Byrne was great. Hearing how Young Jane was involved in family theatricals and the plays she saw and the actors she admired was interesting. I got a kick out of reading that Austen played Mrs. Candour in School for Scandal in a private production. For any of us amateur actors, it’s nice to have that bond with Austen.

There’s a chapter dedicated to “Lovers’ Vows” and its parallels to characters in Mansfield Park. It might be a bit spoilery, but worth reading.

[Janice]

Today I finished Lady Susan. This is my 2nd time reading it and I loved it even more than the 1st time!!! Tomorrow, I will begin Mansfield Park and hope I can get caught up. I also have begun reading The Best Of Jane Austen Knits: 27 Regency-Inspired Designs by Amy Clarke Moore. I might get some ideas for Christmas gifts. :)

[Alina]

I just saw a very interesting documentary on Youtube. Who was the real Jane Austen? Behind closed doors. A Timeline World History Documentary
Narrated by Lucy Worsley.

https://youtu.be/tSW4u6uA8Cw

[Wendy]

I've started "Recipe for Persuasion" by Sunali Dev. I've decided to have the adaptations I read align with the books from the readalongs. I appreciate that the story is set in the Bay Area, close to home.

[Lorri]

Started Northanger Abbey at last!

[Rebecca]

Almost finished with the audiobook of Sense and Sensibility. Hoping to start Jane Austen's Anglicanism and Recipe for Persuasion soon.

[Bonnie]

I’m reading Mansfield Park and keeping up to date with the group read. I like it even more than the last time I read it. I watched an adaptation of Mansfield Park too. I just finished rereading The Other Bennett Sister which I also liked very much. I just started Miss Austen and The Real Jane Austen. I have many books on my tbr list for the readathon and hope I get to them too.

[Rachel]

Finished Mansfield Park today.

My favorite quote:
"Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery. I quit such odious subjects as soon as I can, impatient to restore everybody, not greatly in fault themselves, to tolerable comfort, and to have done with all the rest."

Amen!

[Alicia]

I'm enjoying a lot " Jane Austen at home" by Lucy Worsley. It is a detailed and very well-researched Biography. At the same time I'm reading some of JA letters that are mentioned in Worsley's book.
Last week i finished " Death Comes to Pemberly" and i'm sorry to say that it was a huge disappointment!

[Lorri]

My husband and I rewatched *Death Comes to Pemberley* last night. I am so glad I did not buy and read the book because I would have been miserable spending more time in that depressing story. Prompt #4 complete.

[Sarah]

I just finished Pride and Prejudice. I’m going to be honest. I’ve neglected Jane Austen all my reading life, and I now find that to have been a horrible mistake. I loved it so much!!! Now I have to decide what’s next—maybe I’ll join the second read along of the month lol

[Mayra]

Currently listening to The Jane Austen Diet: Austen's Secrets to Food, Health, and Incandescent Happiness. I stand behind any book that does not forbid me from eating bread, lol

[writer...]

Happily just downloaded from library my retelling selection,
Pudge and Prejudice

[QNPoohBear]

I started Sanditon. While I read it before, I haven't reread it since the TV show. I'm paying more attention to the little details that inspired Andrew Davies to try to figure out how he went so far off the rails!

[Theresa]

I have watched Persuation and am listening to Pride and Pre. and will start reading Mansfield Park in a couple of days.

[DONNA]

I watched Pride & Prejudice! I love the A&E version...I could rewatch it forever! (Let's be honest...I definitely will!)

[Ali]

I finished The Other Bennet Sister and loved it. I also just finished rereading Frankenstein for prompt #5. It's one of my favorite classics, so it's no shock that I had fun with it, but I especially enjoyed myself this time after just reading Northanger Abbey. I kept imagining Catherine's reaction!

I still can't decide which direct screen adaptation I want to watch, but that will be next.

[Janice]

Alina wrote: "I just saw a very interesting documentary on Youtube. Who was the real Jane Austen? Behind closed doors. A Timeline World History Documentary
Narrated by Lucy Worsley.

https://youtu.be/tSW4u6uA8Cw"

I love Lucy Worsley's documentaries. :)

[Kristie]

I just finished Sanditon: Jane Austen’s Last Novel Completed by Another Lady and I'm wondering if anyone else hated it as much as me? This other author is no where close to replicating Jane Austen’s wit or masterful storytelling and I probably would have dnfed it if I wasn't reading it for this challenge.

[Chera]

I've started with prompts 3 and 4. For the non-fiction, I started Lucy Worsley's Jane Austen at home last night, which I will keep reading all month (it's long and dense! But fascinating!).

In the TBR thread, I said my retelling would be Longbourn, which I did pick up on Tuesday, but I was very intrigued by Pride by Ibi Zoboi. I feel like reading a more contemporary interpretation at the moment.

The libraries finally opened for browsing this week, so I have visited three libraries in the past two days to get the books I wanted to fulfill many of the prompts. I'm just so happy to be able to go into the libraries again!

[Virginia]

I finished Emma. I am now reading Emma: A Modern Retelling.

[Eloise]

I completed the second through sixth challenges! I'm now left with the Mansfield Park read-along and my 7th task, which is to rewatch Bridget Jones' Diary. I'm still not in the mood to revisit it, but I will when I finished the Mansfield Park read-along.

I opted not to participate in the Persuasion read-along because I had already reread it earlier this year. Instead, I planned to read more retellings of Jane Austen's works and perhaps some articles about Jane Austen in general.

[QNPoohBear]

I'm almost done with Jane's fragment of Sanditon. Sir R is a WOULD-BE seducer and a wannabe Richardson not an actual seducer. He's stupid and doesn't have any original thoughts in his head. His sister is snooty and cold to everyone except when she wants something from Lady D who is on to Miss D's tricks. Miss B (Clara) is smarter than Sir E and well aware of what he wants. I think Andrew Davies went way off the rails with that one. At least War & Peace he only took what was in the translation of the text and then ran with it. That novel leaves a lot to be inferred between the lines, unlike Austen who tells us all we need to know.

[Lorri]

QNPoohBear wrote: "I'm almost done with Jane's fragment of Sanditon. Sir R is a WOULD-BE seducer and a wannabe Richardson not an actual seducer. He's stupid and doesn't have any original thoughts in his head. His sis..."

Nice analysis!

[Lorri]

I finished Northanger Abbey (prompt #1 complete) and started A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen-Leigh.

[Lana]

So far I've finished 'Lover's Vows' (which I didn't enjoy much, thought it was a bit predictable and preachy. It did help me understand some of the events in MP, though), 'Mansfield Park' (not my favourite Austen, but I enjoyed it and loved Fanny Price) and 'What Kitty Did Next' (a decent take on Kitty's life after the events in 'Pride and Prejudice'. It was okay, but nothing to write home about).
I'm currently reading 'Sanditon and Other Stories' and 'What Matters in Jane Austen.

[QNPoohBear]

I'm at the best part of Sanditon, when the trio of hypochondriac Parker siblings arrive. I'm in agreement with Arthur about cocoa. It's very fortifying. Also I'm in agreement about exercise... steep hills? Meh.