2025 Jane Austen Challenge (msg 310/279 for Achievement List)

[Luís]

Many welcome, Lindenblatt!

[Lindenblatt]

John wrote: "Like you, I'm very interested in a Jane Austen puzzle; there seem to be several different puzzles available (I might go for a 500-piece puzzle to start with). Is there one in particular that you're considering?..."

Thanks for the kind welcome, John & Luis! Looking forward to this group.

For puzzles, I found a 1000-piece puzzle called 'The World of Jane Austen'. It's a collage of her works "with 60 Characters and Great Houses to Find".

[Sharon]

New member here and I'll be joining the challenge. I'm a knitter, so in addition to reading, I'm thinking of a Regency-style knit. This is lovely!

[John]

Welcome Sharon, and delighted that you might be completing a different aspect of the challenge. A regency-style knit sounds intriguing; do you have any specific garments or patterns in mind?

[Sharon]

John wrote: "Welcome Sharon, and delighted that you might be completing a different aspect of the challenge. A regency-style knit sounds intriguing; do you have any specific garments or patterns in mind?"

Thank you for the welcome, John. I don't have any specific ideas yet but possibly a drawstring reticule. Perfect for the ball!

[John]

Sharon wrote: "Thank you for the welcome, John. I don't have any specific ideas yet but possibly a drawstring reticule. Perfect for the ball! "

You seem to be in good company, Sharon - apparently Jane Austen mentioned knitting in her letters to her sister, and Mrs. Bates in "Emma", Mrs. Smith in "Persuasion", and Mrs. Jennings in "Sense and Sensibility" all mention projects or engage in knitting. And I saw a claim that reading Jane Austen and knitting both have a quiet, meditative quality. Mmm - maybe that's why, when I try to talk to my wife when she's knitting she snaps "Be quiet, don't talk to me - I'm counting!"

[Luís]

Welcome Sharon.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Sharon wrote: "Thank you for the welcome, John. I don't have any specific ideas yet but possibly a drawstring reticule. Perfect for the ball!..."

I wasnt sure what a Reticule was so here is what I found:



This is crocheted but very pretty!!

Happy to have you join in Sharon and cannot wait to see what you come up with!

[Anisha Inkspill]

Sharon wrote: "New member here and I'll be joining the challenge. I'm a knitter, so in addition to reading, I'm thinking of a Regency-style knit. This is lovely!"

this is very creative and interesting, when I am reading Jane Austen novels I don't think about the setting or fashion.

[Anisha Inkspill]

I finished listening to Jane Austen Collection Volume 2: Emma, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion 📖 ✅ 4* my review .

I started listening to this back in December, and to continue my journey to get more familiar with Austen’s novels, I am now listening to Jane Austen: The BBC Radio Drama Collection, a collection of all 6 novels that have been adapted for radio drama.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Radio drama! How exciting that would be.

[Anisha Inkspill]

Lesle wrote: "Radio drama! How exciting that would be."

yes, I've listened to the first one (Mansfield Park) and the sound design is really good, it fully takes advantage of the medium and hope I have the time to listen to it again.

[John]

212 years ago today, Pride and Prejudice was first published.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Wow John that is an incredible thought!

[Catherine]

Just finished the audio version of Pride and Prejudice. I've read this book many times but this was the first time I completed it on audio. The audio added so much to the novel, particularly with regard to the witty conversations. I found myself laughing out loud as I commuted to work because more of the nuances were apparent.
I recommend the audio version in addition to the print version.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

That is wonderful to hear Catherine. Never thought about that aspect of an audio book!

[Fannie]

I just finish (re)reading Pride & Prejudice during the night.

[John]

Catherine wrote: "Just finished the audio version of Pride and Prejudice. I've read this book many times but this was the first time I completed it on audio. The audio added so much to the novel, particularly with r..."

Thank you Catherine - I've added this to the achievements list.

[John]

Fannie wrote: "I just finish (re)reading Pride & Prejudice during the night."

"during the night?" - now that's commitment, Fannie!

[KC]

So far this year I've...

*Read Emma
*Read Northanger Abbey
*Read Lady Susan
*Watched a 2020 film adaption of Emma on Amazon Prime

[Milja]

Hi! I’m a new member, and I’d like to re-read some Austen books this year for sure! Perhaps at least Persuasion, since it’s one of my favourites by her. I also lately bought a dvd box set collection of BBC adaptions of Austen’s novels. Currently watching the Pride & Prejudice miniseries!

[John]

Milja wrote: "Hi! I’m a new member, and I’d like to re-read some Austen books this year for sure! Perhaps at least Persuasion, since it’s one of my favourites by her. I also lately bought a dvd box set collectio..."

welcome Milja - we're delighted that you're re-reading Jane Austen this "special" year. It will be very interesting at the end of the year to see which novels are our favourites, and which biographies, movies, etc we've most enjoyed. I hope you're enjoying the mini-series.

[Milja]

John wrote: "Milja wrote: "Hi! I’m a new member, and I’d like to re-read some Austen books this year for sure! Perhaps at least Persuasion, since it’s one of my favourites by her. I also lately bought a dvd box..."

Thank you – I am two episodes in and enjoying it so far!

[Rachel]

Hello! I'm a new member and saw this. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I've read every full Austen novel except Northanger Abbey. No reason why, just haven't, so this is a great excuse to get to it!

[KC]

Read Persuasion today and so far it's my favorite. Once I've read all of the full books, I'm going to check out the Jane Austen: The BBC Radio Drama Collection recommended above...it's in my Audible library waiting. I also want to watch the BBC film adaptions, I'll look into the box set mentioned above as well. Thanks for the recommendations!
__________________________________________________

This year I've:

*Read Emma
*Read Northanger Abbey
*Read Lady Susan
*Watched a 2020 film adaption of Emma
*Read Persuasion

[Milja]

Rachel wrote: "Hello! I'm a new member and saw this. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I've read every full Austen novel except Northanger Abbey. No reason why, just haven't, so this is a great excuse to get to it!"

Oh yeah, you definitely should! It's quite a short but very entertaining book!

[John]

Rachel wrote: "Hello! I'm a new member and saw this. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I've read every full Austen novel except Northanger Abbey. No reason why, just haven't, so this is a great excuse to get to it!"

Welcome Rachel - and I hope you enjoy Northanger Abbey.

[John]

KC wrote: "Read Persuasion today and so far it's my favorite. Once I've read all of the full books, I'm going to check out the Jane Austen: The BBC Radio Drama Collection recommended above...i..."

Thanks KC - you're setting a great pace for the rest of us! Emma seems to be the favourite novel at the moment - but there's still a long way to go.

[Laurel]

I'm determined to read all her published works this year.

I've finished The Letters of Jane Austen and Juvenilia & Early Works this month.

[John]

Laurel wrote: "I'm determined to read all her published works this year.

I've finished The Letters of Jane Austen and Juvenilia & Early Works this month."

That's an excellent target, Laurel - and you're off to a great start.

[Anisha Inkspill]

it's brilliant to see what every one is reading, letters and early works I've only read parts in passing, and I also enjoyed listening to The Jane Austen BBC Radio Drama Collection 📖 ✅ 4* here's my review .

[Anisha Inkspill]

Rachel wrote: "Hello! I'm a new member and saw this. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I've read every full Austen novel except Northanger Abbey. No reason why, just haven't, so this is a great excuse to get to it!"

me too, and yeah Northanger was the one I had not around to until this year.

[Anisha Inkspill]

Milja wrote: "Hi! I’m a new member, and I’d like to re-read some Austen books this year for sure! Perhaps at least Persuasion, since it’s one of my favourites by her. I also lately bought a dvd box set collectio..."

wow!!! enjoy the collection

[Milja]

Anisha Inkspill wrote: "Milja wrote: "Hi! I’m a new member, and I’d like to re-read some Austen books this year for sure! Perhaps at least Persuasion, since it’s one of my favourites by her. I also lately bought a dvd box..."

Thanks, I will!

[Pam, Southwest Enchanter]

I finished the World of Jane Austen jigsaw puzzle. It was a really good one! Now, I will have to start reading some books.

[Anisha Inkspill]

Pam wrote: "I finished the World of Jane Austen jigsaw puzzle. It was a really good one! Now, I will have to start reading some books."

that's brilliant

[Lindenblatt]

Pam wrote: "I finished the World of Jane Austen jigsaw puzzle. It was a really good one! Now, I will have to start reading some books."

Congratulations! Mine arrived yesterday in the mail, so I'll be giving this a try soon.

[John]

Pam wrote: "I finished the World of Jane Austen jigsaw puzzle. It was a really good one! Now, I will have to start reading some books."

Congratulations Pam, that's the first jigsaw to appear on the achievements list - but it sounds like there will be more!

[Luís]

Pam wrote: "I finished the World of Jane Austen jigsaw puzzle. It was a really good one! Now, I will have to start reading some books."

Many congratulations, Pam. Great achievement!

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

Congrats, Pam! I enjoy jigsaw puzzles too.

[John]

Finished Northanger Abbey today - it was unexpectedly funny.

[Anisha Inkspill]

John wrote: "Finished Northanger Abbey today - it was unexpectedly funny."

yes, that surprised me too but I got this from an abridged novel and a drama and if I have the time will read the unabridged

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Pam wrote: "I finished the World of Jane Austen jigsaw puzzle. It was a really good one! Now, I will have to start reading some books."

I love puzzles too!! Great job Pam :)

[Pam, Southwest Enchanter]

Lindenblatt - I hope you enjoy the puzzle also! The insert shows all of the characters (~70), including Austen, and explains who they are.

[Anisha Inkspill]

Miss Austen I noticed the kindle book is on a limited time deal on Amazon UK. I have seen the screen adaptation, the story did not work for me but it will be interesting to see what you all make of it.

[Kathy]

I finished reading and listening to Pride and Prejudice. I first read the book in 2015 and had forgotten all the lovely details and the humor. Elizabeth's direct talk is just wonderful. Here's Elizabeth speaking to her sister, Jane, about the coming marriage of their cousin Mr. Collins to their friend Charlotte Lucas:

"My dear Jane, Mr. Collins is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man; you know he is, as well as I do; and you must feel, as well as I do, that the woman who marries him, cannot have a proper way of thinking. You shall not defend her, though it is Charlotte Lucas. You shall not, for the sake of one individual, change the meaning of principle and integrity, nor endeavour to persuade yourself or me, that selfishness is prodence and insensibility of danger, security for happiness."

[John]

Last night I went to see "Pride and Prejudice..sort of" - an award-winning hilarious and joyful take on the novel, played by an all-female cast of 5, swapping effortlessly between roles, and with fantastic comic delivery and timing. Their portrayal of Mr Collins was perfect. Glasgow audiences still have a reputation of being difficult to impress, but last night the entire (packed) theatre audience were on their feet as soon as it ended. Go and see it if you get the chance.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

John that sounds like so much fun and glad the audience was all appaulding such a wonderful evening!

[Kathy]

That sounds like a wonderful performance and audience reaction.

[Milja]

I finished watching the BBC Pride and Prejudice last night. I enjoyed it a lot, but I don't think anything can compare to the 2005 movie version...

I also listened to Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend a little while ago, and I'd definitely recommend it! It has some interesting discussion about the literary canon, the rare book industry, and, of course, the writers that inspired Jane Austen!