Austen in April Group Read

[Sophia]

The focus for this reading challenge is all about the Austens.

Your book choice may be fiction or non-fiction and any genre and sub-genre so long as it has Jane Austen or her family as the focus. No limitations on the source or the release year.

Possible choices might be memoirs, biographies, letters, historical fiction, biographical fiction, journals, non-fiction topics and scholarly discussions on Jane Austen, her family, her known associates, analysis of her writing, her home life, etc.

If you're game, choose your book and leave a comment below and then begin reading by April 1st. Feel free to come back and chat about what you read and thought about it.

[CindySR]

oooh, my kind of assignment. I have many fitting that description on my tbr list, now to choose....

[Abigail]

Darn—that’s what I’ve been reading all through February! Biographies, scholarly texts, and Miss Austen by Gill Hornby—which would suit this challenge well if anyone has been meaning to read it. (I haven’t been counting the scholarly stuff and bios toward my Austenesque challenge because in most cases I read/reread only the sections relevant to my Watsons research.)

[Katja]

I thought maybe this one https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Mostly because it has Austen in the title and it's in my kindle library Must have been a freebie at some point.

[CindySR]

I'm going with this one because it's short and at least 2 fellow groupsters gave it 5 stars!

Jane Austen's Country Life

[Abigail]

I enjoyed that book a lot, Cindy! I’m a city-bred girl and it gave me a lot of perspective I might have missed. Readable and beautifully illustrated.

[CindySR]

Abigail wrote: "I enjoyed that book a lot, Cindy! I’m a city-bred girl and it gave me a lot of perspective I might have missed. Readable and beautifully illustrated."
When I saw your high rating I said "this is it".😁

[Abigail]

Aww, gee! {blushes}

[Sophia]

Katja wrote: "I thought maybe this one https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Mostly because it has Austen in the title and..."

Sounds good, Katja!

[Sophia]

CindySR wrote: "Abigail wrote: "I enjoyed that book a lot, Cindy! I’m a city-bred girl and it gave me a lot of perspective I might have missed. Readable and beautifully illustrated."
When I saw your high rating I ..."

I feel the same way about an Abigail-approved book, Cindy. Good pick!

[Sophia]

Abigail wrote: "Darn—that’s what I’ve been reading all through February! Biographies, scholarly texts, and Miss Austen by Gill Hornby—which would suit this challenge well if anyone has been meaning to read it. (I ..."

You absolutely can count those readings. I don't see it as any different to reading shorter pieces that may come separately, but are also compiled into anthologies or boxed sets. :)

[Abigail]

That would certainly pad my tally for this year! Thanks, Sophia.

[Sophia]

I'm considering those on this list and will narrow it down when we get closer to April.

First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by Charles Lovett
A Jane Austen Daydream by Scott Southard
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison
The Life of Jane Austen by John Halperin
Dearest Cousin Jane by Jill Pitkeathley
Jane Austen Lives Again by Jane Odiwe
A Memoir of Jane Austen by James Edward Austen Leigh
The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen A Flynn
Jane & Me: My Austen Heritage by Caroline Jane Knight
Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley
Jane Austen and Food by Maggie Lane
Jane Austen and Names by Maggie Lane

[Abigail]

So many good ones on that list, Sophia!

[Sam]

Oh dear, this is not my forte.
Is it enough that I watched Lucy Worsley's Jane Austen at home? LOL


Or I am currently listening to The Jane Austen society. If that works, I can put it on hold till April.

[Sophia]

Sam wrote: "Oh dear, this is not my forte.
Is it enough that I watched Lucy Worsley's Jane Austen at home? LOL


Or I am currently listening to The Jane Austen society. If that works, I can put it on hold til..."

That could count, Sam. But, you've got a bit so maybe another book will cross your path by then. :)

[ladymurmur]

Sophia wrote: "I'm considering those on this list and will narrow it down when we get closer to April.

First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by Charles Lovett
[..."

Oooh! I have a few of those on my shelf, Sophia. Thank you for the ideas.

[Sophia]

ladymurmur wrote: "Sophia wrote: "I'm considering those on this list and will narrow it down when we get closer to April.

First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by C..."

You're welcome! Glad to put some ideas on your radar.

[Sam]

Sophia wrote: "Sam wrote: "Oh dear, this is not my forte.
Is it enough that I watched Lucy Worsley's Jane Austen at home? LOL


Or I am currently listening to The Jane Austen society. If that works, I can put it..."

Mmmmm, wouldn't bet on it, lol

[Sophia]

Sam wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Sam wrote: "Oh dear, this is not my forte.
Is it enough that I watched Lucy Worsley's Jane Austen at home? LOL


Or I am currently listening to The Jane Austen society. If that work..."

If you want, I can expand to another list of all the ones I've got on my shelf that I've already read to see if one of them triggers an idea for you. I don't mind. :)

[Sam]

OK, thanks!

[Sophia]

For those who need some further ideas for this one, here is a list of books from my shelf that I've read and will count for the challenge.

1. Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barron (whole series)
2. Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Patillo
3. Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James
4. The Friendly Jane Austen: A Well-Mannered Introduction to a Lady of Sense and Sensibility by Natalie Tyler
5. The World of Jane Austen by Nigel Nicholson
6. Jane Austen in Style by Susan Watkins
7. Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer by Lisa Pliscou
8. Jane by the Sea: Jane Austen's Love Story by Carolyn V Murray
9. A Jane Austen Christmas: Celebrating the Season of Romance, Ribbons and Mistletoe by Carlo deVito
10. A Visitor's Guide to Jane Austen's England by Sue Wilkes
11. Jane Austen's England by Roy A Adkins
12. The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
13. The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen: An Uplifting, Comedic Tale of Time Travel and Friendship by Cass Grafton and Ada Bright
14. Secrets in the Snow by Michaela MacColl
15. Jane Austen, Her Life and Letters: A Family Record by William Austen-Leigh
16. Behind Jane Austen's Door by Jennifer Forest
17. Jane and Dorothy: A True Tale of Sense and Sensibility: The Lives of Jane Austen and Dorothy Wordsworth by Marian Veevers
18. The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James
19. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
20. Bitch In a Bonnet: Reclaiming Jane Austen From the Stiffs, the Snobs, the Simps and the Saps, Volume 1 by Robert Rodi
21. Miss Austen by Gill Hornby
22. Jane in Love by Rachel Givney
23. Jane Austen's Best Friend: The Life and Influence of Martha Lloyd by Zoe Wheddon
24. Jane Austen's Cousin: The Outlandish Countess de Feuillide by Geri Walton
25. Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners: Compliments, Charades Horrible Blunders by Josephine Ross
26. According to Jane by Marilyn Brant

This is a hodge-podge of non-fic, time travel, chick lit, historical fiction, historical mystery, and historical romance. Hope it helps others. :)

[Sam]

Thank you! Going with this one -
Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer by Lisa Pliscou

[Sophia]

Glad to help, Sam!

[Loren]

In April I will be, finally, in Italy for two weeks but I want to try to read Behind Jane Austen's Door, maybe I'll start it as soon ad I've finished with The Unthinkable Triangle: A Pride and Prejudice Variation for March 🤔

[Sophia]

SummerJade wrote: "In April I will be, finally, in Italy for two weeks but I want to try to read Behind Jane Austen's Door, maybe I'll start it as soon ad I've finished with [book:The Unthinkable Tria..."

Fun that you get to go home for a visit. Sounds like you've got a good reading plan. :)

[Sam]

SummerJade wrote: "In April I will be, finally, in Italy for two weeks but I want to try to read Behind Jane Austen's Door, maybe I'll start it as soon ad I've finished with [book:The Unthinkable Tria..."

Your plans to visit home sound wonderful! The perfect time of year too

[CindySR]

CindySR wrote: "I'm going with this one because it's short and at least 2 fellow groupsters gave it 5 stars!

Jane Austen's Country Life"

oh, oh, oh! I'm saving my first choice for later this year and switching to Jane Austen: A Life I just realized I have it on other challenge lists.

[Sophia]

CindySR wrote: "CindySR wrote: "I'm going with this one because it's short and at least 2 fellow groupsters gave it 5 stars!

Jane Austen's Country Life"

oh, oh, oh! I'm saving my first choice for..."

Woohoo, more bang for your buck!

[writer...]

Definitely interested... will be thinking of a choice to add a bit closer to date when its availability at library is known...

[Sophia]

Sounds great, writer! :)

[Triscia]

Sophia wrote: "For those who need some further ideas for this one, here is a list of books from my shelf that I've read and will count for the challenge.

1. Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barron (whole serie..."

This is an exciting challenge, and thanks for the list, Sophia! This would also help for my research in the Regency period haha I can't wait to get started.

I'll also be critically analysing this. It covers a scholarly topic I'm particularly interested in (although there are only 6 reviews on GR haha)
Social Jane: The Small, Secret Sociology of Jane Austen by Christopher Wilkes

[Sophia]

Triscia wrote: "Sophia wrote: "For those who need some further ideas for this one, here is a list of books from my shelf that I've read and will count for the challenge.

1. Jane Austen Mysteries by Stephanie Barr..."

Glad my list could set you up nicely, Triscia!

[writer...]

Sophia wrote: "Sounds great, writer! :)"

Thanks Sophia and for reminder of JA mysteries, a definite fav! 5+*s

[Craftyhj]

I have an unlistened-to Stephanie Barron on my Audible account and also an unread copy of A Visitor's Guide to Jane Austen's England on my Kindle so maybe I’ll manage both during April.

[Sophia]

Craftyhj wrote: "I have an unlistened-to Stephanie Barron on my Audible account and also an unread copy of A Visitor's Guide to Jane Austen's England on my Kindle so maybe I’ll manage both during Ap..."

That would be fabulous if you knocked out two for this one. :) But, if you polish off one, still pretty snazzy.

[Sophia]

writer... wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Sounds great, writer! :)"

Thanks Sophia and for reminder of JA mysteries, a definite fav! 5+*s"

Heartily agree!

[Patricia]

Sophia wrote: "I'm considering those on this list and will narrow it down when we get closer to April.

First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen by Charles Lovett
[..."

charles lovett book was one of my favorites! according to jane too, anything by syrie james i recommend, :)

[Sophia]

Excellent to know, Patricia. :)

[Kirk]

Little People Big Dreams Jane Austen


A very very short sweet reread (2022...the year of the rereads). Perhaps later in the month I'll check in with another book. :)

[Loren]

Kirk wrote: "Little People Big Dreams Jane Austen


A very very short sweet reread (2022...the year of the rereads). Perhaps later in the month I'll check in with another book. :)"

I read it last year, it's really sweet and I would say perfect for children.

[Sophia]

I love that there are children's selections introducing Jane Austen and her novels.

[Barb]

Will read my outstanding ARC Jane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Baron

[Sophia]

Barb wrote: "Will read my outstanding ARC Jane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Baron"

Great pick, Barb!

[abmom]

My April read was
The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen: An Uplifting, Comedic Tale of Time Travel and Friendship https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... This is a very charming story. It hasctime travel, lots of friendship, some romance and most of all, it has Jane Austen in flesh(?). The authors have done a great job of looking at our time period through Austen's eyes. A very enjoyable story. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Sophia]

abmom wrote: "My April read was
The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen: An Uplifting, Comedic Tale of Time Travel and Friendship https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...-..."

I thought so, too. I like the way Jane Austen was portrayed and enjoyed the sequel. :)

[MichelleH]

I'm choosing Lucy Worsley's Jane Austen at Home. I have another in this category but it's much longer and it's already the 6th, and I need to finish another before I get started. Soooo...

[writer...]

reading now and enjoying!
101 Things You Didn't Know About Jane Austen: The Truth About the World's Most Intriguing Romantic Literary Heroine

[Sam]

Oh you guys are so good. I have to get on mine!

[Abigail]

I wasn’t sure I’d get around to this challenge but it looks like I will be reading (rereading) The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner later in the month, as one of my JA reading groups has chosen it for their April read.