Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2017 discussion

Mr. Darcy says, “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Please post updates in separate comments. Books and book cover links may be utilized by clicking the 'add book/author' link above the comment box.

wosedwew wrote: "Mistress: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, with Parts Not Suitable for Those Who Have Not Reached Their Majority
Chaos & CourtshipPride's Remedy[book..."

Yay! Off to a good start, Wosedwew! :)

Look at you go! Great.

Hi! I think I'm going to make this challenge level. I just keep track of my books on my GR 2017 reading challenge. most are JAFF almost none are not! Probably easier to count those that are not! Anyway, Just thought i'd participate here too!

So, what's your top 3 favorite JAFF books?

Wow, Sara, that’s an amazing goal for your challenge! I’m rushing but will get back to you with my top three favorites.

Abigail wrote: "Wow, Sara, that’s an amazing goal for your challenge! I’m rushing but will get back to you with my top three favorites."

Thank you. I'm at like 160 already so I'll probably make my goal. But many are short so i feel like they should not count.

Top level is 101 to 200 books, Mr. Bennet's Library...so, yes, you made it and set the bar extremely high for the rest of us. But we all cheer each other on...so well done!!! Relax and enjoy the coasting on for the rest of the year!

Thanks Shelia! I just enjoy reading again and can't seem to get out of JAFF world!

I am stuck there also but once in awhile I read a N&S variation and just recently finished the Outlander series.

Don’t worry about not counting the short ones! We’re all very permissive around here. For instance, I include Regency-era books on my list that don’t even have Austen characters, just because they’re “inspired by.”

Okay, let’s see: I love the two three-volume versions of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy’s point of view: the books by Pamela Aidan and Stanley Hurd. Among modern-day P&P versions, Longbourn's Songbird is really nice, as are The Muse: A Pride and Prejudice Variation and Boots and Backpacks: Pride & Prejudice on the Appalachian Trail, Roughly. My absolute favorite modern-day one is Pen and Prejudice, and two written quite a long time ago by Paula Marantz Cohen are also good, in a comic vein (one is named Jane Austen in Boca). I adore the series by Stephanie Barron with Jane Austen herself as a sleuth; the first is Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor.

Another that’s about Jane herself and is quite lovely is Syrie James’s Jane Austen's First Love. I tend to get critical about a lot of the period ones because I am fussy about correct period language, but I thought the magickal books by Beth Deitchman (the first being Mary Bennet and the Bloomsbury Coven) were delicious. Other members will probably come up with completely different lists, and most readers here focus more on the period novels than the modern ones, so they’d be better at recommending than I in that area. Happy reading!

Welcome, Sara!

Glad to have you join us. Whew! Great job of reading.

My favorites are:
Susan Kaye's Frederick Wentworth, Captain duo
Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen Mysteries series
Barbara Cornthwaite's George Knightley, Esquire duo

My favourite author of modern variations is Cat Gardiner. The modern books Abigail mentioned are all excellent, too. I'd like to add The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Ada Bright and Cass Grafton. Cass has also written a wonderful Regency trilogy A Fair Prospect: Volume I, II & III.

There's so many good authors who write in the Regency era, it's difficult to pick out just a few but I can recommend KaraLynne Mackrory, Joana Starnes, Victoria Kincaid, Pamela Lynne, Maria Grace, Jennifer Joy and J. Dawn King.

A couple of books set in another historical era are the two Great War Romances by Ginger Monette: Darcy's Hope: Beauty from Ashes: A WWI Pride & Prejudice Variation and Darcy's Hope at Donwell Abbey: A WWI Pride & Prejudice Variation.

I have read just about all you have mentioned and enjoyed them also. I have not read The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen but have it on my Wish LIst.

Sheila wrote: "I have read just about all you have mentioned and enjoyed them also. I have not read The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen but have it on my Wish LIst."

You should definitely read it, Sheila!

Thanks for the suggestions ladies. Some I have not read and look forward to it. I tend to like regency more than modern but have read some good modern ones. My favorites are:

The Journey
The Falmouth Connection
Rainy Days - An Alternative Journey from Pride and Prejudice to Passion and Love
Alone with Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
A Remedy Against Sin: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet
Compromised!: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Rumours & Recklessness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Brenda Webb

To name a few. :)

Oh yes, verra nice....

Thanks, Sara!

Sara wrote: "Thanks for the suggestions ladies. Some I have not read and look forward to it. I tend to like regency more than modern but have read some good modern ones. My favorites are:

[book:The Journey|134..."

I have read all of these also as well as all of Brenda Webb's books. Great selections.

Thank you. I've read all of Brenda's as well. Love her. And Kara Louise

I have read all of these plus all of Brenda Webb's JAFF books. Excellent selections.

242) The Gentlemen are Detained 4 stars
243) A Fine Line: A Pride & Prejudice Variation 4 stars
244) An Accidental Darcy 4 stars
245) All Night with Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 4 stars
246) A Promise 3 stars
247) Prevailed On To Marry: A Pride and Prejudice Alternative Story 3 stars
248) Wish Upon a Star 4 stars

Sara-well done on having read this selection of books! Seriously impressive!!!

Mary wrote: "Sara-well done on having read this selection of books! Seriously impressive!!!"

Thank you. Many are short so it's easy to read so many. I do prefer the longer ones though but sometimes a short tale can be fun!

Sara wrote: "242) The Gentlemen are Detained 4 stars
243) A Fine Line: A Pride & Prejudice Variation 4 stars
244) An Accidental Darcy 4 stars
245) [book:All Nigh..."

Do you have a link to The Gentlemen are Detained?

http://www.meryton.com/mrr/dolly1981/...

Thank you...got it.

264) Prom and Prejudice 4 stars
265) The Triumphant Emergence of Elizabeth Darcy 5 stars (NOT COMPLETE YET)
266) Perfect Fit: A Modern Tale of Pride And Prejudice 4 stars
267) What Mr. Bennet Knows 4 stars
268) Foiled Elopement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 4 stars
269) A Ball at Pemberley 4 stars
270) Lady Catherine Regrets 4 stars
271) Over You 3.5 stars MA

Well done Sara!!!

Sara wrote: "264) Prom and Prejudice 4 stars
265) The Triumphant Emergence of Elizabeth Darcy 5 stars (NOT COMPLETE YET)
266) Perfect Fit: A Modern Tale of Pride And Prejudice 4 stars
267) What Mr. Bennet Knows..."

Excellent progress...there will have to be a new level created just for you....parliament library?

Sheila wrote: "Sara wrote: "264) Prom and Prejudice 4 stars
265) The Triumphant Emergence of Elizabeth Darcy 5 stars (NOT COMPLETE YET)
266) Perfect Fit: A Modern Tale of Pride And Prejudice 4 stars
267) What Mr...."

Oh no, I hope not. Maybe Prince Regent Library? Jane Austen library? HA!

Hello Sara -- I made it!
A cheery greeting to the Darcys and I can find a quiet corner amidst the bookshelves! A footman to climb the ladder to retrieve books in high places is all
I will require.

201. Mendacity and Mourning 4 Stars
202. Lessons of Advantage 2 Stars
203. Foiled Elopement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 4 Stars
204. The Inseparable Mr. and Mrs. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation 4 Stars
205. Feather in the Wind: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 4 Stars
206. From Admiration to Love: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 4 Stars

Yay!! I'm so glad. There's plenty of room, tea and books for you here!!

Wow oh Wow....fantastic journey. Congratulations on making that level.

Congrats Wosedwew! I can't wait to read more of your excellent reviews!!

Woohoo! Way to reach the top, wosedwew! *Tossing the virtual confetti*

Oh, must hush, the Master of Pemberley is giving me the stink eye from his chair by the fire.

We must remember to be gracious guests!

Woohoo!! Everyone is flying through Mr. Darcy's Library... wow!!

Our beloved Mr Darcy's library!!! Can just imagine how happily ensconced you are in that comfy chair by the fire!!! Enjoy! Congrats on attaining such heights!!!!

272) Mr Darcy's Wedding 3 stars
273) Longbourn's Songbird 5 stars
274) Legally Darcy: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice 4.5 stars
275) A Matter of Chance 4.5 stars

so many books too little time!

Sara it won't be long until you hit your 300 mark. Maybe there should be a level called Pemberley's Library. Oh well, Mr. Darcy's Library is an accomplishment in itself. That is where I aim to go and spend my time. I desire no further level. Nor do I think I could manage it. However, great job.

J. W. wrote: "Sara it won't be long until you hit your 300 mark. Maybe there should be a level called Pemberley's Library. Oh well, Mr. Darcy's Library is an accomplishment in itself. That is where I aim to go a..."

Thanks. I don't think i need another level. Maybe i just need to branch out and read other books more! HA! Though I do read stuff other than JAFF!

Incredible total, Sara—especially considering that you read other books!

Well, I don't read that many other books. So far, maybe like less than 10 of other genres. LOL! But, thank you!

Sara wrote: "272) Mr Darcy's Wedding 3 stars
273) Longbourn's Songbird 5 stars
274) Legally Darcy: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice 4.5 stars
275) [book:..."

Oh neat! I adore Longbourn's Songbird. I still need to read A Matter of Chance. Glad to see these were all good ones for you, Sara.

Sophia wrote: "Sara wrote: "272) Mr Darcy's Wedding 3 stars
273) Longbourn's Songbird 5 stars
274) Legally Darcy: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice 4.5 star..."
I loved both. Longbourn's Songbird is much deeper than Matter of Chance. But once I was in Matter of Chance i was hooked and rooting for the couple.

ok, another update from me. 288) Pride, Prejudice, and Push-Up Bras 4 stars
289) Prude & Prejudice 3 stars
290) Feather in the Wind: A Pride and Prejudice Variation 3.5 stars
291) Compulsively Mr. Darcy 4.5 stars
292) Proud and Prejudicial: A Modern-Day Reimagining 2.5 stars
293) Netherfield Prep: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' 4 stars

Been on a bit of a modern kick lately. Anyone have any favorites I should read?

Good lord, Sara, closing in on 300! Impressive.

My favorite modern-day adaptations are Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen (she also wrote a good Persuasion-based one), Pen and Prejudice by Claire M. Johnson, and—if you count a near-future book that’s about JA herself as modern, The Jane Austen Project by Kathleen Flynn. I admired Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld as a very competently-written novel, though it wasn’t to my taste.

If you can take near-modern, Longbourn's Songbird by Beau North is a lovely book. In general her work is emotionally rich and satisfying. **Oops! I see you read that recently—my bad.** If you are comfy with sex scenes, Boots and Backpacks: Pride & Prejudice on the Appalachian Trail, Roughly by K. C. Kahler was pretty good, and lots of people like the works of Cat Gardiner but I can’t say because I haven’t read them.

I should note that what I fancy tends to be fiction that goes light on the romance and heavy on character and theme.

Abigail wrote: "Good lord, Sara, closing in on 300! Impressive.

My favorite modern-day adaptations are Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen (she also wrote a good Persuasion-based one), [book:P..."
Thanks Abigail. I've read all of your recommendations except Jane in boca and The Jane Austen project. I think I'll add them to my list.

Hope you enjoy them!

Sara wrote: "ok, another update from me. 288) Pride, Prejudice, and Push-Up Bras 4 stars
289) Prude & Prejudice 3 stars
290) [book:Feather in the Wind: A Pride and Prejudice Vari..."

If you like modern adaptations: have you read Karen M. Cox's books? 1932 and Undeceived among those I liked. As well as all of Cat Gardiner's? I did not look through your list so if you have I can only say that my mentioning them here is also a recommendation to any others who might like to try some excellent modern adaptions.

Wow. I cannot believe i did this. No wonder I'm a bit P&P'd out. LMAO! I watched the emma movie yesterday. Loved it. maybe I;ll see if that book has any FF.

294) London Outskirts 4 stars
295) A Weekend with Mr. Darcy 4 stars
296) Mr Darcy Likes It Wild: A Pride and Prejudice Diversion 3 stars
297) Epic Fail 4 stars
298) Unleashing Mr. Darcy 4 stars
299) Gentlewoman Urgently Seeks Husband 3.5 stars
300) I will have you By: KauriFish https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3281203/... 3.5 stars