Jane Austen July 2025 discussion

Let's start at the beginning . . . I'm Katie, one of your hosts (Books and Things on Youtube). I'm a huge Jane Austen fan.

And I'm Marissa, your other host (Blatantly Bookish on Youtube). I'm also a huge Jane Austen fan and I'm so excited that we decided to do Jane Austen July again this year! :)

Hello my name is Susy. I actually have never read Jane Austen and I am excited to read her work!

Hello my name is Andreea (Infinite Text on Youtube). I'm very excited to read Persuasion this year and hopefully one great Nonfiction book on Jane Austen

Hi, I'm Kailey (Books for MKs on Youtube). I've read Jane Austen's works many times, and my fave is Emma.
I really want to read a biography, "Jane Austen: A Life" by Claire Tomlin.

Hi everyone, I'm Maria from Greece and I love Jane Austen! I plan on reading one Jane Austen book each summer, so Jane Austen July suits me perfectly! This July I plan on reading Emma (my first time reading it in English- I'm really looking forward to it), and also Lucy Worsley's "Jane Austen at Home", after listening to Katie being so enthusiastic about it! ^_^

Hello all...my name is Elena and I am a self proclaimed Jane Austen junkie. I own multiple copies of her works as well as almost all of the movie/miniseries made. (Excessive I know but I can't help it 😊) I'm excited to be participating again this year.

Hello everyone, I'm Elaine (Elaine Howlin on YouTube) I'm so excited to join in this readathon!

I'm not sure what I'll read yet but I look forward to chatting with you all about Jane :)

Hello everyone, I'm Alana. I am no Youtuber but I do love hearing people talk about books. I read "Pride and Prejudice," my first Austen about a month ago and want to continue exposing myself as she is sooo many of my friends' favorite author. Looking forward to this challenge and talking to you all!

Ooh a few familiar faces in here! Thanks for inviting my Katie!
My name is Floor and I'm from The Netherlands. I also have a booktube channel, in Dutch. I mainly read Dutch translations, but I bought 2 of Jane Austen's novels in English back in March, so I'm excited to participate! It's one of my reading goals to read at least 5 classics this year. Because I've heard so many booktubers talk exciting about classics, I thought it's time for me to try them out now I'm 25!

I’m Linda. I’ve read Austen’s six major novels but would like to get to Lady Susan and hopefully join in on one of the readalongs too as it has been a while. I do start maternity leave on July 1st so as long as baby isn’t super early I should manage to get some reading done.

Lovely! Happy to join in again this summer as I adore Jane always. My favorite novel is PERSUASION. Looking forward to this year's readalong. I'm Tanya, 49, mom to boys ages 20 and 12 and I'm in Virginia. I work full time and read every chance I get! I also talk books on youtube on my channel, THE SAMPLER GIRL, when spare time allows. :)

Hi everyone! My name is Petra and I am from Finland (Petra U. in youtube). Pride and Prejudice was my first ever classic and really got me into reading. I can't wait to reread Sense and Sensibility because it has been years and years since I read it. This year I will be focusing on watching some Austen adaptations because I didn't manage to do so last Jane Austen July.

Hello! My name is Aleksandra and I (like many of you) love Jane Austen so much! Through her novels I got introduced to English classics about ten years ago and I have been enjoying them ever since, with Pride and Prejudice holding a special place in my heart :) I've read all her six novels but I really look forward to rereading some of them and tackling at least a couple of other challenges as well.

Hiya, I'm Liv. Like many of you, I'm a big Jane Austen fan. Not sure I will have time for the challenge but I have read all the main Austen books and a few non-fiction about Austen and her time. Hoping to be inspired to return to the world of Jane Austen. I do have a newly acquired beautiful Pride & Prejudice copy that needs to be read...

Hello! My name is Mª Jesús. I’m from Spain.
Jane Austen introduced me to the classics and I love her so much!
Really happy to participate for the first time!

Hi, I am Regina and I am a huge Austen fan. I came to Jane Austen kind of accidentally. As an undergrad, I signed up for a course and after the first couple of classes, I realized it wasn't the class for me. A friend suggested I enroll in the Jane Austen seminar he was taking. We read all of the novels, the Tomlin biography, and the juvenalia. We also studied the historical context of Austen's work.

I have revisited Austen many times. Most recently, I listened to all six novels on audiobook. I love the Juliet Stevenson versions. My favorite Austen novels are Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, but I do truly love them all.

I'm looking forward to discussing all things Austen with both Austen veterans and with those new to one of my favorite writers.

Hey fellow Austenites! I've read and reread Jane Austen's 6 novels numerous times, but my least read is Northanger Abbey so I think I will revisit that. And its been a while since I've read Mansfield Park so will perhaps read that too for good measure! :) Jane Austen is one of my favourite authors and I'm excited to be part of this!


Susana wrote: "Hello my name is Susy. I actually have never read Jane Austen and I am excited to read her work!"

Hi Susana, you are in for a treat! do you know the plotlines or are you coming to the novels completely fresh?

Hello fellow Jane Austen fans! I am excited for the Jane Austen Readathon! I participated last year too. I have the main novels of Jane Austen in the Everyman’s Library editions. I’ve read all but Sense and Sensibility which I’ve been saving for this year. I have a few other books that may apply for the Readathon too but might just have to add more. Happy Reading!

Oh hi! I’m Mike. Long time listener, first time caller. I’ve never read any Jane Austen before, but as an avid fan of Victorian literature, I do love discovering new ones. Looking forward to this!

Welcome all! Nice to see a mix of hardcore fans and people new to Jane Austen here :) Those of you who haven't read much Austen before - you're in for a treat!

Hello everyone! I’m Whit. I’m from NC, and I have two little ones (my youngest has her first birthday today!) and a fiancé.

I’ve been reading since I was very little, and it’s what I love to do most in the world. My favorites are HP, Gone with the Wind, Wives and Daughters, and IT.

I’ve only read one Austen novel (Northanger Abbey) and I adored it. I’m excited to read another, even if I can’t seem to decide which one lol

Hi! I'm Eva and I'd call myself a casual Jane Austen fan. I'm particularly looking forward to the readalong of Sense and Sensibility. (I read Northanger Abbey only half a year ago, so I'm only staying for the first half of the readalong.) It will also be a good opportunity to challenge myself to finally tackle the hefty volume that is The History of England, haha! I bought it at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath in March, where the shop girl looked adorable in her little dress and bonnet. :D

Good afternoon
I am Queen Pooh Bear, an ardent Janeite. I have been reading and studying Jane Austen for out 20 years now. I've been to Hampshire and Bath and to some Jane Austen events in the U.S.

Mike go into this without any ideas of what Victorian literature is. Jane Austen died long before Queen Victoria took the throne and just a short time before the queen was born. Jane basically invented the modern novel about real people in real places. Her novels are free from any excessive melodrama, flowery speeches, saintly people (except Jane Bennet) and according to the much loathed Charlotte Bronte, passion. Whatever you do, don't mention those sisters from Yorkshire to a Janeite!

For those just starting out I recommend reading The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things and going on YouTube to watch The Many Lovers of Jane Austen, with Prof. Amanda Vickery. Jane Austen Behind Closed Doors with Lucy Worsley is OK for a beginner I suppose. For context I recommend Behind Closed Doors: At Home in Georgian England and is fun to watch too.

I just read All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey with Jane which brings up some good discussion questions for first time readers. I recommend it.

Hello, I am Oscar.

Been reading Austen's work over the years. I have said that Emma is my favorite, and I guess I still stand by that, but sometimes during re-reads, I appreciate other novels in a new way.

Am re-reading Sense and Sensibility at the moment, actually, and want to go on an Austen kick, but I'll save something for July though. ;)

Hi I’m Chloe and I’m so excited to join the readathon

Hi. I'm Rebecca. Jane Austen is my favorite author, and Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book of all times. I've read it at least 17 if not 18 times. The only book by her that I have only read once is Northanger Abbey. I forget how many times I've read most of her other books. I've read Mansfield Park twice. The first time I read it I hated it, but I think I read it when I was to young to really understand what she was doing with the book. I read it again last year for Jane Austen July about 10 years after the first time I read it, and it blew me away. Can't wait to dive into more rereads and new books, and hear everyone else's thoughts! Currently am rereading Sense and Sensibility for oh gosh, the 15th time, I think.. like I said I've lost count.

Hello everyone, I'm Hayley from Sydney. I've loved Jane Austen ever since i was 7 when the BBC Pride & Prejudice aired on telly. My cousins and I used to fall about laughing quoting Mrs Bennett on car trips. I started reading the books as a teen and every time I reread them I love them even more. I have a soft spot for Emma and I am most like Elinor Dashwood.

Hello everyone, I'm Amanda, mum to 2 beautiful boys and I live in Derbyshire, uk (a county greatly admired by Jane Austen). I read my first Austen novel at 16 after the BBC first aired the Colin Firth P&P and I just immersed myself in all the novels quickly after that. I re-read all 6 novels last July for this readathon, so this time I'm going to concentrate more on non-fiction about Austen, which I have heaps to choose from. My children are autistic and it can get quite challenging at times. Jane is often a huge comfort and retreat for me xxx

Hay hay hay, I'm Bea! I'm spending this year re-reading Jane Austen's works: so far I've read Northanger Abbey, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and her short stories/unfinished works. I currently work as a substitute teacher, so I get a lot of evenings and weekends to read, and ramble along on walks (with audiobooks!).

I want to re-read Persuasion in July, and some other stuff, but I suppose that is a discussion for another thread. I look forward to seeing what everyone else is reading next month!

Ciao for now,
Bea

Much loathed Charlotte Bronte? But I love the Brontes! Regardless of whether it’s Victorian or not, I love all literature and love discovering new authors. (Or new to me)

Umm Jill from Northern California and I’m really looking foward to reading more Austen. As it’s happens both the read along books are still unread, so it’s perfect.

Khanh wrote: "Hey fellow Austenites! I've read and reread Jane Austen's 6 novels numerous times, but my least read is Northanger Abbey so I think I will revisit that. And its been a while since I've read Mansfie..."

I've actually just seen bits and pieces of the movie Pride and Prejudice but other than that I have no concept of the writing style of Jane Austen

Hello fellow Jane Austen lovers! I am Tia (Tia and all the Books on YouTube) and I am crazy for Jane Austen. Confession: my oldest daughter is named Emma and my middle daughter is named Darcy. Please don’t judge me too harshly. Lol.
I’m not sure which novels I’ll be rereading in July yet...maybe Emma. I have several retellings on my tbr. And I am SO excited to get some of them! Yay!

Hello, I’m Noël, and while I wouldn’t describe myself as a Janeite, she’s been growing on me. I first read P&P years ago and didn’t really like it so I never really gave Jane another shot. Then a year ago I read Mansfield Park and found myself liking it, gave P&P a second chance a few months later, and well, here I am. I plan to join in on the group reads and I also have Jane Austen at Home by Worsley. I may also try Lady Susan as the mood strikes me. I am also The Book Rook on Insta, don’t have a YT channel but often watch and comment.

Well this is exciting! Hello, I'm Jenny (used to be on Booktube but not anymore sadly), now mainly on Instagram @notestothemoon I have only every read Pride and Prejudice!! And not since my A levels, which were, let's just say, a while ago. I own Jane Austen at Home which I've been meaning to get around to reading for a long time. I'm also starting maternity leave at the start of July but not due until August, so if that isn't perfect timing I don't know what is :)

Hi everyone, I'm Dani and I'm excited to be joining this readathon. Thanks for the invite Katie and Marissa!

A while back I bought annotated versions of Jane Austen's six big novels so I cannot wait to dive into one of them. I wish I could do more than one plus one or more of the challenges but I have to be realistic.. so I decided to try and do at least 4 of the other prompts in Aug - Dec. :-)

I cannot wait to discuss with you all next month. Happy reading!

Regina wrote: "Hi, I am Regina and I am a huge Austen fan. I came to Jane Austen kind of accidentally. As an undergrad, I signed up for a course and after the first couple of classes, I realized it wasn't the cla..."

Hi Regina. I have reread Emma and Mansfield Park on audio and plan to do them all eventually. Funny you should say you like Juliet Stevenson so much, as I cannot stand her voice haha.
Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice are my favourite novels as well.

Elena (Elemar Living) wrote: "Hello all...my name is Elena and I am a self proclaimed Jane Austen junkie. I own multiple copies of her works as well as almost all of the movie/miniseries made. (Excessive I know but I can't help..."

Excessive? Nah. I'm right there with ya. We should start a club :-)

Hello everyone, my name is Talía and I'm joining you from Argentina. I've not read any of Jane Austen's works so this will be my first time, I'm so excited!

I'm actually a slow reader so I think I'll probably read only one of her main six novels, I've selected "Sense and Sensibility" to be my first, but I'm hopeful, so who knows?

Thank you for having me, happy reading!

Hi all, I’m Lisa from Ireland - not a booktuber but an avid watcher! I’ve read all of Jane Austen’s main novels (Persuasion and Emma are my joint favourites!) but this July I’ll be reading What Matters in Jane Austen as well as re-reading Sense and Sensibility which I didn’t enjoy as much of the others last time. I may even get to some of her letters as I loved Jane Austen at Home - Can’t wait to dive into Jane Austen again this July!

I am not surprised if Bronte disliked Austen since such doesn't seem that rare. Victoria Woolf, for example, really disliked the Victorians.

If anything, such seems common among writers. They criticize the previous generation and then set out to do something different. And while such criticism if often unfair or overbearing, it allows for each generation of writers to do something different and find their own voice and style.

Hi, everyone. I'm Eliza, almost thirty years old, and (confession) I have never, in my entire reading life, read anything written by Jane Austen. I want to rectify that. I have enjoyed many of the film and television adaptations, and I do own most of her novels, so I am raring to go!

Hello everyone! I'm Lorna. I first read Austen when I was eighteen, starting with Northanger Abbey. I thought it was hilarious and I could relate to the typical scenarios that make teenagers cringe. I then went on to enjoy her Scottish contemporary Susan Ferrier and her novel "Marriage". I've read all the main novels but Emma is my current favourite. I am going to reread that I think. I've read Lucy Worsley's Jane Austen at Home but I kept falling asleep. Any suggestions for a non-dry non-fiction immersive book on Georgian England would be wonderful. I like pictures.
I love both Austenland and Lost in Austen. I will probably rewatch the Emma TV series (confession - I rewatch it every few months or if I'm having a bad day).
Any suggestions for a good contemporary novelist?

Hello everyone! I'm Sofia. I love Jane Austen and my favourite book of hers would have to be Pride and Prejudice (though I do love Persuasion a lot as well). As I've read all six novels I'm looking forward to reading some of her shorter fiction this July!

Hello everyone, I'm Michelle and I have seen more movies of Jane's than I've read actual books of hers. I am looking forward to this challenge!

Hello everyone!

My name is Trina and I'm excited to join the group. I've read one Jane Austen book, Pride and Prejudice. I'm looking forward to this challenge...yay!

Hello everyone, I’m Maureen. I first discovered my love of Jane Austen when I was a teenager. I feel embarrassed to admit that for a few years I struggled to find any spare time for reading - terrible I know!

Jane Austen has always been my favourite author and this year I decided it was time to renew my love of reading. I’m so happy that I have managed to read Pride and Prejudice (twice), and have just finished Persuasion. I’m going to read Emma for the July challenge - it will be going on the train to work with me!

Hi, I'm Claudia (Spinster's Library on YouTube), and Jane Austen July was one of the first readathons - or possibly the first one - I ever participated in last year. I have read the six main Austen novels but none of her other works, so hopefully I'll get the chance to explore those this year, as well as getting a reread of Emma in. I'm also planning some hopefully fun Austen themed videos on my channel in July :)

Hi Claudia (Spinster’s Library), Katie and Marissa!
I’m Bonnie from Los Angeles. I subscribe to your wonderful youtube channels and look forward to watching videos about Jane Austen and her books and life during Jane Austen July. I like watching videos about the Readathons and find them very interesting and informative. I would gladly watch any others who make videos for Jane Austen July too.

I would be interested in learning more about where Jane Austen gained some inspiration for her stories. It seems marriage was of an utmost primary concern and subject during those days, far more so than in todays time.

I am also very interested in reading other authors who were contemporaries of Jane Austen. Perhaps someone could do a video about a Jane Austen book that is similar to or even opposite of a book by her contemporaries. Thank you so much!