Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2025 discussion
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October Group Read- Where in England Is Jane Austen?
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I'm up for an English road trip through Austen country!
Here are my possibilities:
1. Steventon - Colour My World: A Pride & Prejudice variation by Barry Richman
2. Southhamton - Introducing Mrs. Collins by Rachel Parris
3. The Vyne - Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly
4. Sidmouth - A Seaview Christmas by Julie Klassen
5. Bath - Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding
6. Godmersham Park - Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters by Adriana Trigliani
7. London - Marianne by Alice McVeigh
8. Lyme - Dancing with Dragons by Maria Grace
9. Chawton Cottage - A Very Plain Young Man by Christina Dudley
10. Winchester - The Elopement by Gill Hornby
I rolled a five so I'll be visiting Bath and reading Anne of Avenue A!
Here are my possibilities:
1. Steventon - Colour My World: A Pride & Prejudice variation by Barry Richman
2. Southhamton - Introducing Mrs. Collins by Rachel Parris
3. The Vyne - Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly
4. Sidmouth - A Seaview Christmas by Julie Klassen
5. Bath - Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding
6. Godmersham Park - Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters by Adriana Trigliani
7. London - Marianne by Alice McVeigh
8. Lyme - Dancing with Dragons by Maria Grace
9. Chawton Cottage - A Very Plain Young Man by Christina Dudley
10. Winchester - The Elopement by Gill Hornby
I rolled a five so I'll be visiting Bath and reading Anne of Avenue A!
I want to try for a Bonus Round so I'll use the same group of books with a different set of novel-related locations.
1. Kellynch - Colour My World: A Pride & Prejudice variation by Barry Richman
2. Pemberley - Introducing Mrs. Collins by Rachel Parris
3. Meryton - The Elopement by Gill Hornby
4. The Cobb - A Seaview Christmas by Julie Klassen
5. Mansfield Park - Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters by Adriana Trigliani
6. Highbury - Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly
7. Sanditon - Dancing with Dragons by Maria Grace
8. Barton Cottage - Marianne by Alice McVeigh
9. Woodston - A Very Plain Young Man by Christina Dudley
10. The Pump Room - The Bennet Heir: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melissa Anne
I rolled a six that means I'm headed to Highbury for some murder for the holidays! ;)
1. Kellynch - Colour My World: A Pride & Prejudice variation by Barry Richman
2. Pemberley - Introducing Mrs. Collins by Rachel Parris
3. Meryton - The Elopement by Gill Hornby
4. The Cobb - A Seaview Christmas by Julie Klassen
5. Mansfield Park - Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen's Unsung Characters by Adriana Trigliani
6. Highbury - Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly
7. Sanditon - Dancing with Dragons by Maria Grace
8. Barton Cottage - Marianne by Alice McVeigh
9. Woodston - A Very Plain Young Man by Christina Dudley
10. The Pump Room - The Bennet Heir: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melissa Anne
I rolled a six that means I'm headed to Highbury for some murder for the holidays! ;)

I am very excited to see that Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding have been back in action again. Their first two were excellent.

3) Roll a pair of dice.
If you roll a pair of dice you will never land on number one

1 Steventon - Colour my world
2 Chawton - The guardians of pemberley
3 Oxford - Comeuppance
4 London - Fixed Stars
5 Bath - The World of Jane Austen (An Illustrated A-Z)
6 Lyme - From highbury with love
7 Winchester - Guiding protecting
Katja wrote: "Number them one to ten (you pick the order).
3) Roll a pair of dice.
If you roll a pair of dice you will never land on number one"
ha! That is a very good point. I guess to be fair, one should start their list with two and go to eleven. :)
3) Roll a pair of dice.
If you roll a pair of dice you will never land on number one"
ha! That is a very good point. I guess to be fair, one should start their list with two and go to eleven. :)
Craftyhj wrote: "I am definitely in - I shall come up with my list in the next few days. I am off to Devon for a week tomorrow so I had better include Barton Cottage.
I am very excited to see that Audrey Bellezza ..."
Hope your visit to Devon is fun. And, yes, you really must include some Devonshire locations for your list.
And, I'm with you about the Bellezza and Harding books. So glad they seem to be making a series of it for each of the novels.
I am very excited to see that Audrey Bellezza ..."
Hope your visit to Devon is fun. And, yes, you really must include some Devonshire locations for your list.
And, I'm with you about the Bellezza and Harding books. So glad they seem to be making a series of it for each of the novels.
Sam wrote: "Steventon,
Chawton Cottage,
Godmersham Park,
Chawton House),
Reading, Oxford,
London,
Southhampton,
Bath,
Lyme,
Sidmouth,
Worthing,
Dawlish or Teignmouth,
Manydown Park The Vyne,
Stone..."
No, need to perfectly match up book settings with real settings- unless you want the challenge of that. :)
Chawton Cottage,
Godmersham Park,
Chawton House),
Reading, Oxford,
London,
Southhampton,
Bath,
Lyme,
Sidmouth,
Worthing,
Dawlish or Teignmouth,
Manydown Park The Vyne,
Stone..."
No, need to perfectly match up book settings with real settings- unless you want the challenge of that. :)
writer... wrote: "A timely find!
I’ll work on a list, Sophia, and thanks for a fun challenge …"
Sure thing! Look forward to seeing your list and pick. :)
I’ll work on a list, Sophia, and thanks for a fun challenge …"
Sure thing! Look forward to seeing your list and pick. :)

so we choose a place jane would have known or been too - like lets say bath and then choose a book that took place there - like The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen?


Stoneleigh Abbey- A Lively Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - Corrie Garrett
Sydney Place—A Golden Opportunity: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - J Marie Croft
Alton—Of Sense and Sensibility - R. Katze
Royal Crescent- Possibilities: A Contemporary Retelling of Persuasion- Debra White Smith
Camden Place- Wits & Wagers - Amy D’Orazio
Lyme Park-Prevailed Upon to Marry - Mary Smythe
Devon— A Life Worth Choosing: A Jane Austen "Pride and Prejudice" Variation - Anngela Schroeder
Meryton - A Perpetual Estrangement: Jane Austen's Persuasion Reimagined - Alice B Ryder
Royal Crescent - Step Lively, Mr. Darcy - Laura Hile
Patricia wrote: "im a little unsure.
so we choose a place jane would have known or been too - like lets say bath and then choose a book that took place there - like [book:The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen|..."
Yes, to your first part of choosing places like Bath, London, Chawton, etc. But as to the second part, you don't have to match your book picks up to the setting. So, you could do some exact matches like Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen or you could pick a book that took place in New York City.
Find your ten settings and go wild picking what books you want to let the dice choose for you to read! :)
so we choose a place jane would have known or been too - like lets say bath and then choose a book that took place there - like [book:The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen|..."
Yes, to your first part of choosing places like Bath, London, Chawton, etc. But as to the second part, you don't have to match your book picks up to the setting. So, you could do some exact matches like Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen or you could pick a book that took place in New York City.
Find your ten settings and go wild picking what books you want to let the dice choose for you to read! :)
Craftyhj wrote: "Goodness - we are nearly at the end of the month already. I must get on this today (but first I must get on the treadmill and run ...)"
LOL, priorities, Heather! ;)
LOL, priorities, Heather! ;)
writer... wrote: "Deane—Complementary: A Jane Austen’s Persuasion variation - Juliette Rouge
Stoneleigh Abbey- A Lively Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - Corrie Garrett
S..."
Oh so fun seeing the locales you chose and what books you have for consideration. :)
Stoneleigh Abbey- A Lively Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation - Corrie Garrett
S..."
Oh so fun seeing the locales you chose and what books you have for consideration. :)

Stoneleigh Abbey- A Lively Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variation -..."
So many more that make me want to take another go ! But… I’m already holding my breath to make a start with these ;)
Thanks for your reading prompt creativity!
writer... wrote: "Sophia wrote: "writer... wrote: "Deane—Complementary: A Jane Austen’s Persuasion variation - Juliette Rouge
Stoneleigh Abbey- [book:A Lively Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variati..."
It is fun to come up with ways to keep us all grabbing our books off the shelf with excitement. Thank you!
Stoneleigh Abbey- [book:A Lively Companion: A Pride and Prejudice Variati..."
It is fun to come up with ways to keep us all grabbing our books off the shelf with excitement. Thank you!

2. Meryton - The Briar Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melanie Rachel
3. Cambridge - The Winter of Our Discontent: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Grace Gibson
4. Hartfield - I Could Write a Book by Karen M. Cox
5. Thornton Lacey - Revisit Mansfield Park: How Fanny Married Henry by Sarah Ozcandarli
6. Godmersham Park - Jane Austen: Writing, Society, Politics by Tom Keymer
7. Box Hill - What Happened on Box Hill by Elizabeth Gilliland
8. Lyme - If I Loved You Less by Noelle Adams
9. Bath - Tides of Bath: A Retelling of Persuasion by Newton Priors
10. Fullerton - Murder at Northanger Abbey: Sequel to Jane Austen's Spoof on the Gothic Novel by Shannon Winslow
11. Barton Cottage - The Year in Between: A Sense and Sensibility Variation by Christina Morland
12. Expectations: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
by Julie Cooper
I threw a 9 so it is off to Bath - Tides of Bath: A Retelling of Persuasion by Newton Priors
(in case you were worried Sophia I haven't been on the treadmill for the last 36 hours - I just forgot to come back and add my list!) 🏃🏻♀️
Craftyhj wrote: "I have tried to match my locations to the books,
2. Meryton - The Briar Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melanie Rachel
3. Cambridge - [book:The Winte..."
Haha, no, I'm forgetful like that. If you had been stuck on your treadmill, you'd have lost consciousness or expired before my nitwit brain remembered you.
Way to go matching up your reading picks with the locations. Wish we could give bonus points for the effort. We'll both be reading in Bath. :)
2. Meryton - The Briar Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melanie Rachel
3. Cambridge - [book:The Winte..."
Haha, no, I'm forgetful like that. If you had been stuck on your treadmill, you'd have lost consciousness or expired before my nitwit brain remembered you.
Way to go matching up your reading picks with the locations. Wish we could give bonus points for the effort. We'll both be reading in Bath. :)

Box Hill Sanditon Before and Beyond
Sanditon: Before and Beyond: A suitable ending to the unfinished work by Jane Austen

Winchester Sanditon on Reflection

Down Ampney(birthplace of my favorite composer) Sanditon: What Might Be
by Kristin Livingston

SalisburyBrinshore reread (9yrs ago!)

Durham A Return to Sanditon A Return to Sanditon
by Anne Toledo
Oxford
Preference & Neglect: A Darcy & Lizzy Pride & Prejudice Variation in Sanditon
Jayne Bamber
The dice says Brinshore!

2. Meryton - The Briar Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Melanie Rachel
3. Cambridge ..."
excellent let's have coffee at the Pump Room
Sam wrote: "I rolled 5 - The World of Jane Austen (An Illustrated A-Z)"
Fun times! You, Heather and I are all in Bath for our reading. :)
Fun times! You, Heather and I are all in Bath for our reading. :)
Kirk wrote: "Places I've been visited(perhaps I'll add Chawton etc)...only one dice for me as I'm operating at 1\2 speed....perhaps the books soon...
Box Hill
Winchester
Down Ampney(birthplace of my favorite c..."
I'm sure your visit with your book will be just as delightful. And, who is that fav composer from Down Ampney?
Box Hill
Winchester
Down Ampney(birthplace of my favorite c..."
I'm sure your visit with your book will be just as delightful. And, who is that fav composer from Down Ampney?

2. Meryton - The Briar Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by [author:Melanie Rachel|15556858..."
Coffee would certainly be preferable to the waters!

2. Meryton - The Briar Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by [author:Melani..."
definitely! I have been to several of the spa towns but never been quite brave enough to take a sip. but then we have Pharma instead

Box Hill
Winchester
Down Ampney(birthplace of ..."
Ralph Vaughan Williams! Sadly, his father passed when he was three. Luckily, his mother was a Wedgewood! Apparently little RVW asked how old the earth was? His mother said " The bible says seven days. Uncle Charles says it is a bit older. It is wonderful either way!"

Box Hill
Winchester
Down Ampney..."
what a fabulous quote!

Box Hill
Winchester
Down Ampney..."
So in reality you have Box Hill twice over, considering that Vaughan Williams lived in that neighborhood for a long time. (Though he’s more associated with Leith Hill on the other side of Dorking, because he lived at Leith Hill Place.)
Kirk wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Places I've been visited(perhaps I'll add Chawton etc)...only one dice for me as I'm operating at 1\2 speed....perhaps the books soon...
Box Hill
Winchester
Down Ampney..."
Aha!
LOL, what a quote!
Box Hill
Winchester
Down Ampney..."
Aha!
LOL, what a quote!

Box Hill
Wincheste..."
Sadly, Leith Hill Place wasn't open to the public in 2011. I think I read that the National Trust was thinking of closing it again.
Books mentioned in this topic
Sanditon: What Might Be (other topics)Sanditon on Reflection (other topics)
Sanditon: Before and Beyond: A suitable ending to the unfinished work by Jane Austen (other topics)
Brinshore (other topics)
The Briar Bargain: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Melanie Rachel (other topics)Melanie Rachel (other topics)
Melanie Rachel (other topics)
Grace Gibson (other topics)
Karen M. Cox (other topics)
More...
For Jane Austen's 250 anniversary, lots of folks have delved into the details of her life. I thought it would be fun if we did a bit of that here with a game connecting our reading challenge to the various places Jane visited or lived.
For the game:
List ten locations where Jane lived or visited (yes our Golden TEN) below in the comments.
1) take each geographical location from Jane Austen's life and pair it with a book you wish to read (any Austenesque or Austen-related book, any release year, edition, etc).
2) Number them one to ten (you pick the order).
3) Roll a pair of dice. Roll again if you get too high a #.
4) Whichever number you land on, match it to the location and number of your book and this is where you'll go to read your book starting October 1st.
and, because I know folks are busy and might not have time to look up locations, here are some possibilities for you:
Where in England is Jane Austen?
Steventon, Chawton Cottage, Godmersham Park, Chawton House), Reading, Oxford, London, Southhampton, Bath, Lyme, Sidmouth, Worthing, Dawlish or Teignmouth, Manydown Park The Vyne, Stoneleigh Abbey, or Winchester
BONUS:
Oh, and if you want a bonus round, feel free to do a second list of locations from Austen's novels and do a second dice roll!
Bon chance, friends!