Reading the Chunksters discussion

This is the thread that will be used for anyone that wants to join in on the "Jane Austen Challenge" that I've set for myself in 2014. Please feel free to read all the books with me or just jump in for one or two.

Here is the schedule I've set for myself.

Jan-Feb: Emma
March: Pride and Prejudice
April-May: Sense and Sensibility
June: Northanger Abbey
July-August: Mansfield Park
Sept: Persuasion

I will not be posting reading schedules for each book BUT when you post about what you are reading, please begin your post with the chapter(s) that you are discussing. That way we can avoid spoilers if we want to.

I would love to join you for some of these. I've read P&P, S&S, and Persuasion, but Emma is on my immediate tbr. I might do the other two as well, if time permits. I think this is a wonderful project, thanks for initiating and sharing it!

I'll join you for Northanger Abbey - and you have it scheduled for right when Les Miserables is wrapping up - perfect!

What a great idea! I'm hoping to read Emma in 2014 but might already have too much on my plate for Jan / Feb.

I'll plan to join you for Mansfield Park in the summer. :)

I will probably join you for at least some of these :) January is way overloaded for me at the moment, but I could probably crank through Emma in Feb. I didn't enjoy it much the first time around, but maybe comments here will change my mind.

Perfect! I'll join you for the Pride and Prejudice read. Happy reading everyone!

Emma is the only book by Jane Austen I have not read. I will join you now!

Yay! I'm so glad I posted this, so I can have people to read all the books with me! Ii will be way more fun with people! Ok, I'm going to start Emma today!

Everyone, even if you haven't posted your interest, if you find yourself wanting to read one of these with me, please jump in! The more the merrier!

***Emma Discussion***

I have read chapters 1 to 6. Emma is quite a character. I am enjoying the story so far. I like the way the Jane Austen has included lots of humor which give the story flow.

I read them last year but I look forward to discussing them!

I've been thinking of trying some Jane Austen this year, just not sure when/if I'll get to them.. Great idea, Kristi!

Join us if one strikes your fancy!!

Last year, I decided to make it the year of Austen where I was going to read at least 6 Austen related books --- meaning the originals or retellings/continuations/directly inspired by.

I managed to read Emma and Pride and Prejudice as well as the two Austenland novels by Shannon Hale.

Since I'm not too interested in the current chunksters --- I'll join in here :-D

JoLene wrote: "Last year, I decided to make it the year of Austen where I was going to read at least 6 Austen related books --- meaning the originals or retellings/continuations/directly inspired by.

I managed..."

Welcome!!

I've started, but not gotten too far in yet. I'm planning on getting more read this weekend and then having some dazzling commentary...or just some normal commentary.

I might join you for P & P and Mansfield Park. I also want to read Emma, but can't fit it in, I don't think. I've read the others in 2013.

I've made it to chapter 20 and I have to say, Emma is quite the character. She seems to be an interesting mix of naiveté and forwardness. I particularly find interesting how she matchmakes without having ever been in a relationship and how she has opinions of people that aren't really based in facts.

I also had the not helpful realization that "Clueless" is an adaptation of Emma, so while I read scenes from that movie keep popping into my head. Slightly comical.

I have finished Emma and loved the book, she is quite the character. I agree she has a interesting mix of traits and will improve with maturity.

I'm having a hard time trying to think of how to discuss this book because she's such a ball of contradictions. Maybe as I read more I'll be able to add more to the discussion.

Clueless was my first exposure to the Emma story, but then there was the movie with Gwyneth Paltrow. I read this last year and I kept picturing her. After I finished, I re-watched the movie and then Masterpiece theater just did a version with Jonny Lee Miller in the role of Mr Knightley.

I do think that Emma is one of the most rounded of Austen's characters.

How so, JoLene?

I think that she has annoying traits and redeeming traits vs for example, Elizabeth Bennett who mostly had better traits. Most of my other exposure to Austen heroines were in film so maybe I'm wrong.

JoLene wrote: "I think that she has annoying traits and redeeming traits vs for example, Elizabeth Bennett who mostly had better traits. Most of my other exposure to Austen heroines were in film so maybe I'm wrong."

I don't necessarily disagree with you. I guess I also read somewhere that Austen thought Emma was a character "only she could love", which I think is hardly the case. Granted, I'm not finished, but she tries hard, and may be a little -- nearsighted, shall we say? But an enjoyable character nonetheless.

Hey hey! Only wanted to let you know I started reading Pride and Prejudice! I'm only 50 pages into it, but I really enjoy it so far. Anyone else out there ready for P&P?

Iselin wrote: "Hey hey! Only wanted to let you know I started reading Pride and Prejudice! I'm only 50 pages into it, but I really enjoy it so far. Anyone else out there ready for P&P?"

I'm not reading P&P as I've read it before - I greatly enjoyed it! I still plan on joining for the Northanger Abbey read in June as that's the last Austen on my list to read. I hope to have company then.

I hope you enjoy P&P!!

I listened to P & P last year on audio. I think that I prefer reading it --- wasn't a great reader (got a cheap version). Also, I think I know the story so well that I zoned out a lot more. :-)

I'm still working on Emma, but I'll be poking my head in for P&P. If people are looking for an audio version, librivox.org has a really great one that I LOVED. Her name is Karen Savage (and she's reader 3).

Thanks for the recommendation, as I'll be reading/listening to it soon.

Kate Reading is the narrator I have (from Audible). The reviews of her are good.

I am still reading Emma, loving the story! Hoping to complete it by Friday, and then diving straight into Pride and Prejudice. I've read it before, I read it at least once per year! I love the story.

We can begin discussion it, for those who are reading it. Maybe just start your post with "P&P" so we know which book you are talking about. How does that sound??

"P&P"
Has anyone started P&P yet? I read it in high school and watched ALL the new movies, but it will be nice to read it again!

I'm halfway through now and tremendously enjoying the writing. I keep track of my favourite scenes and quotes in a book and filled more than one page yet. Usually I jot down one or two quotes, but I really love Miss Austens style and her keen intellect.

I've just reread P&P. Always fun

When are we reading and discussing P & P? April?

Sandra, we're discussing now. Please feel free to add your comments on your reading here.

I haven't started it yet! Oh well, I'll read it another time because I can't add another book this month!

Sandra wrote: "I haven't started it yet! Oh well, I'll read it another time because I can't add another book this month!"

I Hear you. Whenever you do read it, just post your thoughts and start the post with P&P so we know what book you're talking about.

Maybe since I've already read S & S, which you're reading in April, I'll read P & P then, instead.

That sounds good!

Ok, I've been slacking, I'm going to start Sense and Sensibility this week, who's with me?

If you are commenting on previous Jane Austen books please start your post with:

P&P for Pride and Prejudice
and
Emma for Emma

I'll be commenting on P&P as well as S&S, so if you were going to read P&P in April, we'll have a good chat about that one too!

I want to listen to P & P but I'm listening to Ken Follett's Fall of Giants, so there's no way I can read P & P in April. I'll do Mansfield Park with you all in July/August and then read P & P and Emma when I can fit them in. But I DO want to read them this year!

Rereading Mansfield Park- totally off schedule

I'm still finishing up Emma -- but I will definitely jump into the Sense and Sensibility discussion, too!

As a side note, would anyone want to do Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and / or The Jane Austen Book Club after all the real Austen?

That would be fun Kara, I think I'd be up to that.

Sweet! I'm starting Sense & Sensibility now, and I'm super excited that the author on Librivox that read Emma also has a recording for S&S. Onward and upward!

There is also a book called All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey with Jane which might be fun to read after the books.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for audio edition of Sense and Sensibility?? I use audible and there are several versions.

Kara wrote: "Sweet! I'm starting Sense & Sensibility now, and I'm super excited that the author on Librivox that read Emma also has a recording for S&S. Onward and upward!"

I'm glad you found a good narrator, sometimes Librivox is hit or miss. I love them tho!

JoLene wrote: "Does anyone have a good recommendation for audio edition of Sense and Sensibility?? I use audible and there are several versions."

I am listening to the one with Wanda McCaddon as narrator, she's pretty good.

JoLene wrote: "Does anyone have a good recommendation for audio edit..."

If you do librivox.org, the 3rd reader is pretty good. I listened to her read Emma, as well, and she did different voices for the characters without making them silly.