Austenesque Lovers TBR Challenge 2020 discussion

Starting this year off with something from Jane sounds just the thing. Perhaps you haven't had the opportunity to read all her completed novels or you want to dive into her minor works or letters. Maybe you want a re-read...or enjoy in a new format like audio. All are welcome.

Make your pick from among her fiction and non-fiction writings then leave a comment here with your choice. Spend the month of January immersed in Jane Austen's writing.

Incidentally, with Sanditon TV adaption showing in the US this month, perhaps you want a refresher. Feel free to choose this incomplete novel or one of the completed versions by Austen and another author.

Happy to reread ( hopefully via audio) for this year's start.

I will go for sandition, the watsons, or one of the books that other authors completed of her unfinished novels :)

I've read 4 of the big 6 this year(thanks book clubs!). Working on another one and have one to read for a late January discussion. Will roll them into this challenge if I don't finish them by the end of the year. Great idea!!!

Back to basics--I love it! There's a new Watsons completion coming out, and if it is available in time I'll read that.

Abigail wrote: "Back to basics--I love it! There's a new Watsons completion coming out, and if it is available in time I'll read that."

Do you mean
?

Tis out! I liked it but didn't love it.

I've got a completed Sanditon that I haven't yet read, so I'll go for that.

Yay to have so many takers on Going Classic.

I haven't decided whether it will be Sense & Sensibility in audio or an annotated version, but it will be S&S for my pick.

would the manga classics count towards this?? there's sense and Sensibility, Emma and p and p

Yes, that is the one I meant, Kirk, thank you! I wonder why Amazon hasn't been pushing me to buy it since it's on my wish list--my usual indication that a book has been released. I don't expect to like it either, since I believe it to be a plot with unresolvable problems, but I'm always interested in how authors wrangle the complexities.

Patricia wrote: "would the manga classics count towards this?? there's sense and Sensibility, Emma and p and p"

Absolutely!

I don't know. I have an audio P&P narrated by Rosamund Pike I have been meaning to listen to for a while.
I really want to read . I thought I owned the book, but I just looked and it isn't there. To my amazement, I guess I didn't buy it when I thought I did.

Ahnya wrote: "I don't know. I have an audio P&P narrated by Rosamund Pike I have been meaning to listen to for a while.
I really want to read . I t..."

Whoops! I've done that a few times. I think that is the version that I have in paperback.

I am going to read because it is one I have not read in the annotated version and I am super excited to discover all the hidden gems I have missed before. :-)

That is what I love about the annotated versions, too, Danielle!

I can't decide whether to reread Emma or Persuasion in January. Both are lovely.

Decisions... decision... LOL! May need to flip a coin, Dana. :)

I've read P&P and recently listened to Sense and Sensibility. I hope to listen to 2 more this year. I'm hoping Emma and unsure of the other.

It will be fun to see which one you pick, Sara.

This will be the month I finally finish Mansfield Park! I’ve started the book several times, but it just never enthralled me the way the rest of her work does.

Lois wrote: "This will be the month I finally finish Mansfield Park! I’ve started the book several times, but it just never enthralled me the way the rest of her work does."

As Mr. Darcy said in the film, "(You) shall conquer this!" :)

Judy wrote: "I started reading Emma yesterday. I have 2 audio versions, the Kindle version and a paperback- so will probably do a combo of all of them. :)"

Great plan, Judy! You can finish in double the time then and get a richer experience with all those mediums.

In 2019 I read the uncompleted versions of "The Watson's" and "Sanditon". I also listened to audio books of all of Austen's other books when I was driving. Pride and Prejudice is and has always been beyond compare to me, but after reading (or listening) to each of them again after a long period of time, I was really surprised at how differently I viewed them and I would put them in a completely different order of favorite to least favorite than I would have previously with the exception of P&P. This took me by surprise so I think this classic challenge is a great idea as our enjoyment and perspective can completely change over time. That and it was a lot of fun to go back to the originals!

That is so true, Dawn. I'm a late appreciator of Northanger Abbey because I read it after a fifteen year gap. :)

Sophia, that was the one that surprised me the most. I definitely undervalued it previously but thoroughly enjoyed it this time!

That's the never-ending pleasure of Jane Austen, Dawn--as we go through life and grow and change, her works grow and change with us! They're so rich that there's always something new to be discovered even as we savor the familiar.

Dawn wrote: "In 2019 I read the uncompleted versions of "The Watson's" and "Sanditon". I also listened to audio books of all of Austen's other books when I was driving. Pride and Prejudice is and has always bee..."

I think as we go through life we appreciate different things and our perspective is changed so we notice and enjoy different parts of our favorite books. For me, I love reading the annotated versions because I like knowing all the details, they really bring to light what a genius Jane Austen was in her time and ours. Having the culture and social aspect mentioned helps to understand some words, expressions, or attitudes that can easily be overlooked today. Like the word condescend had a different meaning then, a more positive one, so that makes a lot of things take on a different tone.

I hope you read them again and find even more to love and appreciate!

My current WIP features Mrs Jennings in a big way, so I am currently re-reading 'Sense & Sensibility', rewatching the S&S movies, and reading scholarly articles about Mrs J (who happens to be one of my favourite JA characters - I like her so much that she is the one I use as my inspiration when making and wearing Regency dress.)

She has a heart as big as Texas, doesn't she? I love her too.

Abigail wrote: "She has a heart as big as Texas, doesn't she? I love her too."

She's just so secure in her own skin - and wants to share any and all that she has with others, as you say. She's great!

I shall! I’ll promise myself yet another rewatch of Colin Firth as Darcy as a reward when I finish!

Momtoten wrote: "My current WIP features Mrs Jennings in a big way, so I am currently re-reading 'Sense & Sensibility', rewatching the S&S movies, and reading scholarly articles about Mrs J (who happens to be one o..."

I'm listening to S&S for my January pick, too. I adore Mrs. J as one of the best characters in that story. Not quite to the point she arrives on scene, but anticipating it. :)

With all the JA audios I bought Im spoiled for choice and cant make up my mind ! 😊 Glad there's more month left for deciding...
so I've managed 2 audios thus far and totally enjoyed both -
Beth Kesler narrating with authentic accented character has provided much enjoyment of Sanditon and Emma

Kicking off the year with Pride and Prejudice.

I am going through a bit of a rough patch with my family, and need something to cheer me up. Jane Austen always cheers me up, so I rewatched 1995 P&P, and am about half way through my audio book.

I haven't read P&P for almost 20 years. Like everyone says it is amazing how much time, age, and experience changes your perspective. I remember not understanding Charlotte Lucas at all, and why she would ever marry Mr. Collins. Now, I can see she made the best out of the circumstances life gave her. I don't think it occurred to me 20 years ago (at the ripe old age of 18) how little power, or choice women had.

I am most of the way through Rose Servitova's completion of The Watsons and liking it quite a lot. The Watsons

Okay... I've got to ask. Glassic??

Ahnya wrote: "Kicking off the year with Pride and Prejudice.

I am going through a bit of a rough patch with my family, and need something to cheer me up."

I'm sorry to hear that Ahnya! I'm praying for you right now!

Ahnya wrote: "Kicking off the year with Pride and Prejudice.

I am going through a bit of a rough patch with my family, and need something to cheer me up. Jane Austen always cheers me up, so I rewatc..."
Best wishes! I watched a bit of P&P 95 a short while ago via a watch party.

Marlene wrote: "Okay... I've got to ask. Glassic??"

Buahaha! TYPO. :)

Ack! Family can be the very devil and that can get exacerbated during the holidays. Sorry to hear it, Ahnya! Glad P&P could be a comfort.

I just finished my audio of Sense & Sensibility. S&S was sensational, but the production I picked was subpar.

Sophia wrote: "I just finished my audio of Sense & Sensibility. S&S was sensational, but the production I picked was subpar."

Sorry to hear about the production, Sophia. Which version was it you were listening to?

Trout Lake Media. It was very inexpensive and I wouldn't have minded so much since I listen to rough productions often enough, but it was missing a chapter. LOL

Ah, that would make a difference. If you ever feel the need for a more up-market production of S&S, or indeed any other unabridged Jane Austen novel, then I can highly recommend those featuring the performance of Juliet Stephenson. She's also done a performance of North and South, which I have in my Audible library but haven't yet listened to. (Note to self: whyever not?).

Yes, I have listened to a few of the Naxos' productions that feature her as narrator and totally agree.

LOL, you had better get on that listen, little lady. ;)

Thanks everyone for the well wishes and the prayers, they are much appreciated. I'm hoping now that the holidays are over things will calm down.

I am loving this reread/listen of P&P. Rosamund Pike has been an excellent reader. Her deep voice is really interesting for some of the characters, and I find myself getting different perspective on certain characters because of it. Like Jane for instance. I have always liked Jane, but saw her as very naive. Deepening her voice makes her sound less naive, and more hopeful, wanting to believe the best in people.

Yes, that would be a godsend if it all just cooled off for you.

Oh neat! I never thought about the timber of the voice influencing something like that, but I thought she did a fab Jane, too. Glad this version of P&P is going great.

Oh neat! I never thought about the timber of the voice influencing something like that, but I thought she did a fab Jane, too. Glad ..."

I forget she played Jane. I never watch that version because I cant stand Kiera Knightley, but she would be lovely as Jane.

I agree, she was a most excellent Jane, and the only one who has been pretty enough. So many filmmakers seem afraid to have her looks eclipse Elizabeth's.

Abigail wrote: "I agree, she was a most excellent Jane, and the only one who has been pretty enough. So many filmmakers seem afraid to have her looks eclipse Elizabeth's."

Ahh! I've often wondered about that, and I'll bet you're right!