Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2018 discussion

Anne Elliot says, “I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.”

Please post your challenge updates in a separate comment. Books and their covers can be added by clicking on the 'add book/author' link right above the comment box.

Ah, my dear friend Anne! I have returned to finish a lovely stack of books this year. I'll drop in and update you about once a month to let you know how I'm doing on my challenge.

She was only Anne...only one of the greatest and longest suffering heroines of ALL TIME!!! Only deserving of one of the greatest letters of all time!

Kirk wrote: "She was only Anne...only one of the greatest and longest suffering heroines of ALL TIME!!! Only deserving of one of the greatest letters of all time!"

For sure!

I am going to start for this goal. I am hoping to get up to George Knightley though! :)

Patricia wrote: "I am going to start for this goal. I am hoping to get up to George Knightley though! :)"

Love it. Mr. Knightley is a true gent and will welcome your company nicely, Patricia! :)

Hi! I start here ;) but I hope to read more books

Elisabetta wrote: "Hi! I start here ;) but I hope to read more books"

Yay! And starting off with Anne is always a great idea to me. Wishing you well on the challenge, Elisabetta! :)

I am going to aim for this level, but I hope to get higher. I loved Anne Elliot, though, so I am happy to be here.

Dana wrote: "I am going to aim for this level, but I hope to get higher. I loved Anne Elliot, though, so I am happy to be here."

LOL, I start here and love that she's one of my favorite characters, too. Good luck, Dana! :)

1. Love Never Fails

I read this before in 2016. it was the first austen book that grabbed at me for this year.

1 down......to go!!!

Patricia wrote: "1. Love Never Fails

I read this before in 2016. it was the first austen book that grabbed at me for this year."

A lovely re-read to start your reading challenge off on a high note. :)

Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee
#12 A Wicked White Cravat by Anton M 4.0
#13 A Better Choice by Rafe Durk 4.0

Mary wrote: "1 down......to go!!!"

One step at a time gets you where you want to be eventually. Good start, Mary!

Kirk wrote: "Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee"

Anne loves having more friends dropping in for visits. :)

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee"

Anne loves having more friends dropping in for visits. :)"
Lovely thought indeed! And I'm rereading her book for AiB at the end of month.

Kirk wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee"

Anne loves having more friends dropping in for visits. :)"
Lovely thought indeed! And I'm rereading her bo..."

I love how your group does the rereads to keep the originals fresh to mind. I'm planning an Emma reread soonish since that is the novel that has been the longest since my last reread.

Patricia wrote: "1. Love Never Fails

I read this before in 2016. it was the first austen book that grabbed at me for this year."

Oh, what a great way to start the year! I'd forgotten about this one, but it's definitely a 5-star story worth a re-read. Good one, Patricia!

Kirk wrote: "Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee
#12 A Wicked White Cravat by Anton M 4.0
#13 A Better Choice by Rafe Durk 4.0"

Dang, Kirk! You ARE off to a brisk start this year! You're clearly enjoying your time here with your dearest Anne!

Ok, I am down 3...




Next in line is . I have already read this book, but it's been several years. Then I probably reread the original works of Austen. Because I love them so much!!

Kirk wrote: "Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee
#12 A Wicked White Cravat by Anton M 4.0
#13 A Better Choice by Rafe Durk 4.0"

Wow, Kirk! You are on fire! I have never heard of any of these titles.

Dana wrote: "Ok, I am down 3...


[bookcover:When Mary Met the Colonel: A Pride and Prejudice Novella|2..."

Oh wow! Way to go, Dana. Victoria's books can be a hoot. And good choice for a reread. I love KaraLynn's books, too. I'll be doing Emma as my first Austen re-read this year. Enjoy your next ones!

Dana wrote: "Ok, I am down 3...


[bookcover:When Mary Met the Colonel: A Pride and Prejudice Novella|2..."


I've had your #3 on my TBR list for a while. One of these days it'll make it to the top of the pile! Great start, Dana!

I'll start from here, like every year.

#1 . I found it harder to go through this one. The murder, the Crispin Needle... And Walter (Jane Austen's fiancé) looked like a fool to me. Why, he didn't notice all those strange things happening around him! And Jane trying to deceive him and marry him without acquainting him with the fact she was a vampire...
Eventually I found it quite amusing, though, but not as hilarious as the others.

Georgiana...I remember starting Jane Bites Back a long time ago. I can't recall if I finished it. I never knew there were more.

Georgiana wrote: "I'll start from here, like every year.

#1 . I found it harder to go through this one. The murder, the Crispin Needle... And Walter (Jane Austen's fiancé) lo..."

I forgot to finish this series. Whoops! I read books one and two and never got to this one. Glad you found it amusing even if parts of it were disappointing.

And yay for your first challenge book! :)

Debbie wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee
#12 A Wicked White Cravat by Anton M 4.0
#13 A Better Choice by Rafe Durk 4.0"

Dang, Kirk! You ARE off to a brisk start th..."
Thanks!! Anne recommended a diet of no Lit Crit to start the year. How can I say no?

Dana wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Hi again dearest Anne!

#11 Properly Humbled by Kimberly Tee
#12 A Wicked White Cravat by Anton M 4.0
#13 A Better Choice by Rafe Durk 4.0"

Wow, Kirk! You are on fire! I have never he..."

Thanks so much! Just check out the lists of Debbie, J. W., Wose...etc. Short, mostly sweet tales abound in them thar lists! Happy reading!

Dana wrote: "Georgiana...I remember starting Jane Bites Back a long time ago. I can't recall if I finished it. I never knew there were more."

I absolutely loved it! As well as Jane Goes Batty. This one took me a little more time to finish, but I definitely recommend the series!

Bye dearest Anne! :( :( Up to #20 with.....

#14 Lady Catherine's Lover
Sharp, Margaret Lynette * short but really sweet.. 3.0
Lady Catherine's Lover by Margaret Lynette Sharp


#15 The Other Mister Knightley: A novelette based on Emma by Jane Austen
West, Louisa 4.0
The Other Mister Knightley A novelette based on Emma by Jane Austen by Louisa West

#16 Sanditon
Austen, Jane
Oh Jane...this one had all the hallmarks of being a great fun one...the fun of the Juvenilia combined with your beyond earthly writing flair...

#17 Making Her Sentiment Known by Jack Caldwell 4.5

#18 After the Pemberley Ball
Sharp, Margaret Lynette * 3.75

#19 Curiosity and Correspondence by Mariafaith 5.0 earns my "this is why I read JAFF" comment.

#20 Pride by Jelach 4.0

Kirk wrote: "Bye dearest Anne! :( :( Up to #20 with.....

#14 Lady Catherine's Lover
Sharp, Margaret Lynette * short but really sweet.. 3.0
Lady Catherine's Lover by Margaret Lynette Sharp


#15 The Other Mist..."

Sensational!

Oh, and good to see that The Other Mr. Knightley was good. I've had my eye on that one.

Sophia wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Bye dearest Anne! :( :( Up to #20 with.....

#14 Lady Catherine's Lover
Sharp, Margaret Lynette * short but really sweet.. 3.0
Lady Catherine's Lover by Margaret Lynette Sharp


#15 T..."
Thank you!!!!

You STILL da man, Kirk! Well done!

Hardly the Captain of this level but thank you!!!! :)

Debbie wrote: "You STILL da man, Kirk! Well done!"

Lenora posted a link late last night/early am for A Better Choice!

9 A Better Choice by Rafedurk
fanfiction.net/s/10910629/1

#5
I loved this book. It was very thought provoking. Although I do feel that Darcy and Elizabeth were too physical, especially considering what was happening with another character. And that's as close to a spoiler as I will go. You'll just have to read it to see for yourself.

Intriguing,Dana!

Dana wrote: "#5
I loved this book. It was very thought provoking. Although I do feel that Darcy and Elizabeth were too physical, especially considering what was happenin..."

Yay for five down! Glad you loved it and it had you thinking!

I need to post to the Anne Elliot Level: Books 11-20

11. [Nonpub] The Suitors: Lucrezia: 5-stars
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
12. [Nonpub] The Annoying Truth: Sofie: 3-stars https://www.dwiggie.com/derby/old_200...
13. Mistaken: Jessie Lewis: 5-stars
14. [Nonpub] Pride, Prejudice and Perjury: 4-stars
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6468288/1/
15. [Nonpub] Their Share of Vexations: Lucrezia: 4-stars http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
16. [Nonpub] Letters From Derbyshire: Lucrezia: 4-stars
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?&...
17. [Nonpub] Mrs. Bennet is Dead: Charlott’s Gambit: Lucas and Mr. Bennet: 3-stars
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11823779...
18. [Nonpub] The Second Sister: Lucrezia: 4-stars
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
19. [Unpub] An Offer of Prudence: P.R. Hood: 3-stars
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12436654/1/
20. An Inconvenient Courtship: Dana R. Lynn: 3-stars

J. W. wrote: "I need to post to the Anne Elliot Level: Books 11-20

11. [Nonpub] The Suitors: Lucrezia: 5-stars
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
12. [Nonpub] The Annoying Truth: Sofie: 3-st..."

*whistles appreciatively* quite the list, Jeanne. Nice variety of fanfics and published there and looks like they all made for good reading.

#2 A very hot retelling. Sex and drug and rock and roll, you know. There were a few things I found stilted (both the bands formed by just three members: drums, guitar and bass, and Darcy and Elizabeth playing guitar, while Jane and Bingley being the main singers and playing bass, you know... (view spoiler)[And I don't want to talk about the drummers... (hide spoiler)] ), but it was a real pageturner, so I forgive Mrs. Rigaud. :D

Georgiana wrote: "#2 A very hot retelling. Sex and drug and rock and roll, you know. There were a few things I found stilted (both the bands formed by just three mem..."

LOL, yeah, it sounds a bit too convenient there, Georgiana, but glad you could enjoy it.

Georgiana wrote: "#2 A very hot retelling. Sex and drug and rock and roll, you know. There were a few things I found stilted (both the bands formed by just three mem..."

Oo, I read this one a few years ago. You sum it up very well Georgiana. It's a shame Ms. Rigaud hasn't written any more JAFF as I rather enjoyed it.

I've gotten as far Anne's Library! No reviews written yet, but at least you can see my ratings and bullet-point impressions:

11. Destiny by Design- Leah's Journey - 4.5 stars
Highly recommend. This is NOT a variation, but it shows a strong Austenesque influence. Follows a young Jewish woman, Leah Abramovitz, from 1900 to 1910, as her family is pushed out of their Russian homeland and must put down new roots in Argentina. Leah has some romantic miscues along the way to finding her own destiny. History buffs will enjoy this even more than I did, but I found it very enjoyable. It's eye-opening regarding the ethnic discrimination at that time and place. It's in the K.U. program, and it's currently on sale for $2.99. (Price goes up in a couple of days, I think.) Very clean content.

12. All the Things I Know - 5 stars
Excellent modernization of Pride and Prejudice. Loved it. Be warned that there is sexual content, tastefully described.

Debbie wrote: "I've gotten as far Anne's Library! No reviews written yet, but at least you can see my ratings and bullet-point impressions:

11. Destiny by Design- Leah's Journey - 4.5 stars
Highl..."

Congrats!!!! I'm very interested in #12...if I ever start reading anything other than very short stories!

Thanks, Kirk!

And I forgot one (it's another short story, Kirk...)

13. The Advent Calendar by L.L. Diamond - 5 stars
Part I: http://austenvariations.com/advent-da...
Part II: https://lldiamondwrites.com/2017/12/1...
Part III: https://lldiamondwrites.com/2017/12/2...
Part IV (conclusion): http://austenvariations.com/advent-da...

Lovely Christmas season modernization of P&P. Short story.

Debbie wrote: "I've gotten as far Anne's Library! No reviews written yet, but at least you can see my ratings and bullet-point impressions:

11. Destiny by Design- Leah's Journey - 4.5 stars
Highl..."

I do love the history and culture stuff so Destiny by Design sounds great.

Yay for climbing right on up. :)

Debbie wrote: "Thanks, Kirk!

And I forgot one (it's another short story, Kirk...)

13. The Advent Calendar by L.L. Diamond - 5 stars
Part I: http://austenvariations.com/advent-da...
Part II: https://lldiamondwr..."
Ooh... short story!!!

So I read #6, , yesterday. I wasn't sure if it was a 4 or a 5. Although for me, it was a bit more physical than I like, but it was all easy enough to skip. I have to say, I really enjoyed this author's storytelling. I had trouble putting the book down.