Austen Lovers TBR Challenge 2021 discussion
Y-T-D Tracker
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Elin's attack on WTR
Best wishes with that. I tackled those already on my Kindle recently and made a small dent. I am hoping to read one to those per week in the new year so as to keep paring down the pile. Granddaughters always come first...enjoy...they do grow quickly. I am missing almost a whole year of my four grandchildren growing as they all live an hour or more away! And with the quarantine we stay home for the most part.
Thank you, Sheila. I tackled my kindle this year and got it down from 262 to 30-something but that was before the December sales. Well, at least, I saved a lot which was the purpose. I have had a savings year and paid off my car.
I do visit my granddaughter and my mother who needs some help but limit my interaction with everyone else. My children have special needs so they have only one teacher for the short amount of time they are at school.
We have been lucky so far in Norway with little disease until the last month but I am used to avoiding interaction with other people because of my lung damage from the swine flu in 2009. If I catch a cold it always develops into pneumonia which makes socializing not worth it ;)
When I get a cold it immediately goes into bronchitis and I did have pneumonia once. I hope Norway continues to be safer than the USA. It is just awful here. Great job getting the number on your Kindle down. That's a lot of books read. I am trying not to buy any books but I did rejoin KU as it is free for 2 months and then the regular price kicks in. Happy New Year.
I joined KU too. Best/worst thing I ever did... Who needs sleep, right?
Sam, I have twice quit KU in order to catch up on reading books that I bought or won or were given to me. (I have been honored to receive some ARCs from author - that means Advanced Reader Copies.) I rejoin, of course.
Sam wrote: "I joined KU too. Best/worst thing I ever did... Who needs sleep, right?"I commute to work every day (normally, not this past year with all the closures) on the bus. Reading on my kindle helps relive those stresses. I read "real" books on the Sabbath, but KU has given me a world of JAFF and it is awesome!
How does one receive ARCs? I see that so much in other reviews.
Posting regular reviews of all the books you read helps bring you to the attention of authors. The more you read and post the more likely you would be to be offered an ARC. You are asked to write a review but they cannot demand it of you.
You can also sign up at author and publisher websites.Some will send an e-mail asking for ARC readers
https://booksprout.co/arcs/featured
You can sign up at BookSpout which always has a lot of ARCs available. It might be hard to find JAFF there although I know there is some. You can sort by categories: mystery, historical romance, etc.
Sheila wrote: " I am missing almost a whole year of my four grandchildren growing as they all live an hour or more away! And with the quarantine we stay home for the most part.."That boggles the mind! I'm sorry to hear that.
wosedwew wrote: "You can also sign up at author and publisher websites.Some will send an e-mail asking for ARC readers"
I get mine from NetGalley. But my choices are limited because I don't have a blog.
January:Read: 20
JAFF: 15
ABNYR: 59 (64)
WTR: 538 (551)
Written: 92081
SotT 0.0k(33k),
SON 3 0.0k (51.8) E:1
WLR. 25195(24799)E:3(4)P
Oblivion. 49014(11042)E:1
TEoH. 51904 (5323)
JAFF :
Charlotte Haywood 1-5:
1.
You chose me
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13779633/1/
Emma, 1.7k oneshot extension scenes 2020 movie, 4.5*
2.
Games of Love and Cruelty https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
A mesmerizing, enthralling modern variation where ODC have a clandestine hate/love relationship. 5*
3.
What was he thinking?
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13538101/1...
Oneshot 1k, D's reflections upon his expectations in a wife. 3.5*
4.
Proving him Wrong 12k
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13480498/1...
E doesn't share the insult with the Meryton society. Bennet brother. Delightful story but, unfortunately, it looks abandoned.
5.
A Marriage of True Affection: Pride and Prejudice Continues https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Sequel, vignettes, steamy. 4*
Marianne Dashwood 6-10:
6.
A Fine Mind
Unpub 25k download, (I got a copy to read through because of my experience as a mother of two autistic boys.) Absolutely fabulous! 5*
7.
A Little Whimsical in His Civilities https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Brilliant, wordy, sarcastic, hilarious, RR 5*
8.
What's Past Is Prologue https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Unengaging, Jane went to Derbyshire, FMS of gratitude, Flooding at Rosings - mismanaged, E conjecture troubles out of thin air. 3*
9.
1932 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Depression, MoC, thrilling, steamy. 5*
10.
One Winter's Ball: A Pride and Prejudice Christmas Story https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... 3*
Anne Elliot 11-20:
11.
Where Love Resides: A Pride and Prejudice variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
My twist to Jane, novella. For obvious reasons, I do not rate my own stories...
(PS: I decided not to be so cowardly and add Unforgivable Sinner as well, a brave move indeed.)
12.
Sanctuary: Volume 2 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Slow burner, Jane and E comes to blow, E moves in with D. MA. 5*
13.
Townhouse Confidential https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Weird modern, M. 3*
14.
Twnty Mnths https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Disappointing compared to the unpublished version. 3.5*
15.
Far From The Tree (DL) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
E a dB, unique, clever, funny, long winded.
4*
Miscellaneous:
1.
The Duke and I, Julia Quinn https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Hilarious, thrilling, steamy. RR. 5*
2.
The Regency Underworld, Donald Low https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Research: (pb) Informative, detailed, specific, Thomas Rowlandson drawings. 5*
3.
The Viscount Who Loved Me, Julia Quinn ttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/861326.Th...
Bridgerton 2, Anthony, dog in park, Pall Mall game 5*
4.
Better With You, Rachel John https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Contemporary romance, chaste. 5*
5.
The Warrior's Wager, Mia Pride https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Classical antiquity steamy romance, compelling, predictable and a tiny bit ridiculous. 3*
Elin wrote: "January:Read: 20
JAFF: 15
ABNYR: 59 (64)
WTR: 538 (551)
Written: 92081
SotT 0.0k(33k),
SON 3 0.0k (51.8) E:1
WLR. 25195(24799)E:3(4)P
Oblivion. 49014(11042)E:1
TEoH. 51904 (5323)
JAFF :
Charl..."
Nice! Not sure what all the abbreviations mean, but good going!
I am fond of abbreviations and keywords. I understand if it is confusing but my posts would be miles long if I did not shorten them, lol. Here are some explanations Sam. I use () for last months numbers to see the progress or the total.ABNYR: already bought no yet read
WTR: Want to read (not bought)
SoTH: Sign of the Times, modern mashup of all JA's stories.
SON: Saga Of Nidaros: Viking era saga
WLR: Where Love Resides, my twist on Jane
TEoH: The Earl of Harpenden, Bennets of elevated rank trope
E: edit or Elizabeth
P: published
RR: ok to reread
NRR: not a candidate for rereading.
M: mature content
MA: mature graphic
MoC: Marriage of convenience
FMS: Forced marriage scenario
ODC: our dear couple
Yes, all the one's on top listed with abbreviations is mine, those are stories I am currently working on. I use this list for a lot of different purposes. I number the books I read :)
Elin wrote: "Yes, all the one's on top listed with abbreviations is mine, those are stories I am currently working on. I use this list for a lot of different purposes. I number the books I read :)"I find myself intrigued :) Will you let me know when it is completed? I'd love to read it.
I will notify you, Sam. I have 2 chapters left plus the editing so it will be posted not so far into the future ;)
February :Read: 11
JAFF: 9
ABNYR: 56 (59)
WTR: 504 (538)
Written: 56958 (147485)
Still Waters. 2913 (55963) E:2 prep p
Oblivion. 564 (49578)E:1(2)
TEoH. 10326 (62231)E:3 beta
MoP. 43176 (0)
(Master of Puppets a WCS- worst-case scenario)
JAFF :
Anne Elliot 11-20:
16.
Angel of the Centerfold https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Reread published version. 3.5*
17.
Ember: A Fantasy Austen Retelling https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
YA, NRR, chaste, 2.5*
18.
A Darcy Christmas: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Jumping about in time and space with shrewish E and doormatish D. NRR. 3*
19.
Pride and Prejudice Down Under https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
You got to speak Australian to enjoy this book. Every tenth word was incomprehensible slang, not worth the bother. Abandoned
20.
Is Esteem Enough? : A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
A clever twist on the characters. 5*
Catherine Morland 21-50:
21.
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13653449/7...
Fabulous angst fest, FMS, epic, 250k, 75 ch. 5+++*
22.
Hell Hath No Fury, Elizabeth Adams
Oneshot, free Valentine's day story. 4.5*
23.
Married in Haste: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
FMS after NF ball. E submissive to her lady's maid/companion/governess Mrs Y. Long winded, ending anticlimactic. NRR. 2.5*
24.
Fallen https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Slow, child out of wedlock trope with Mr D senior as the father of CB child, E believe it is junior. Ab. at 60%. P219.
Miscellaneous:
6.
Philip's Rules https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
A ridiculously stupid heroine with a brat step-daughter, implausible plot marrying a duke. MA(exessive)+dom, skimmed through too much to rate but likely 2* NRR.
7.
Who's That Earl https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Spy, mystery, highland, slightly steamy, light and airy, fun, dragged in the middle. 3.5*
If this readingslump continues, I might not make my reading goal this year.
Great progress, Elin. Glad you had some high rated ones included for your enjoyment.
Thank you, Sheila!BTW, I forgot to mention that I had a second story stolen in February. Baby Blue Eyes was published as Just an Innocent Kiss. (Thank you to my fabulous readers who caught the plagiarism the day it was published, I am amazed.) I filed another infringement report and it was taken down but I am fed up with it.
My daughter got a viral infection that settled in her stomach and nerve system. I had just come home from a couple of days in the hospital with her because her CRP and white blood cell count were so high, not to forget that she fainted from the pain. It could hardly have come at a worse moment which is probably why I got raving spitting mad this time, groan, sigh, harrumph...
Elin wrote: "Thank you, Sheila!BTW, I forgot to mention that I had a second story stolen in February. Baby Blue Eyes was published as Just an Innocent Kiss. (Thank you to my fabulous readers who caught the pl..."
Elin, I hope your girl is recovering and back at home.
I continue to pray for your daughter daily. So sorry to hear about his latest setback. And also sorry to hear about the stealing of your story. Don't blame you for being spitting mad!
Thank you, Rose and Sheila. Embla has, thankfully, recovered from her infection :)
yay! Glad to hear Embla is feeling better! I had a virus settle in my nervous system next to my brain a few years ago and it was so unpleasant! Sending more healing thoughts!
Thank you, Rachel! It certainly has been unpleasant and a little scary before we found out what it was...
Elin wrote: "Thank you, Rachel! It certainly has been unpleasant and a little scary before we found out what it was..."Elin, I am so glad your daughter is doing better!
Elin I’m sorry to hear your daughter was sick. How very distressing. And what a mess with those stories being stolen. Just out of curiosity, does Amazon (was it on Amazon? I think the last one was) take any steps beyond taking the stolen copy down? Do they inform you of what else they do?
Thank you, Julieta!Amazon sends me an email when the book has been taken down and that's it.
I have read the Kindle Direct Publishing agreement and that states that Amazon claims the money from the sales of plagiarised books. The thief will not get any money because it takes 2-3 months after a book is sold until the author gets paid which is a relief but the question remains; why would they keep on doing it?
I am taking some steps to prevent this from happening to me which is publishing the ones I have posted and not post my new finished stories on the free sites.
I will remove the books that are up on the free sites, one by one, beginning with Still Waters who is at the final reading with my editor as we speak. Hopefully, it will be up within a week or two and affordable. I am going to publish it for 99 cents, add it to KU and hope I break even with the expense of cover image and a professional editor but I am not overly confident. I need to sell a ridiculous amount of books to manage that so I might have to up the price on the next one. I cannot afford the expense of an editor on 15 novels without some return...
I would like to remove all my stories from the free sites but the link to the posted version is the only way I can prove that the stories are mine so I cannot do that either. Sigh...
Elin, some authors leave 1 to 3 chapters and remove the rest of their story to still have ownership. I am happy to hear you are publishing Still Waters.
Elin wrote: "Thank you, Julieta!Amazon sends me an email when the book has been taken down and that's it.
I have read the Kindle Direct Publishing agreement and that states that Amazon claims the money from t..."
Oh, Elin, I am so sorry to hear further of all the problems this causes for you.
I can't imagine. So much work to create a story, and to have that happen......
I am contemplating leaving three chapters and take the rest down. I need to decide if I am just going to take them down without warning my readers or warn my readers and risk the plagiariser downloading them before I do it. I feel bad that my readers would be punished for one person's actions but it is infuriating to have something you have soent months working on, stolen.I have to praise JAFF authors who are touchingly generous with sharing their knowledge, helping and encouraging me to publish.
Lory Lillian and Don Jacobsen in particular but everyone I have spoken to and some even contacted me after the second plagiarism to offer their expertise. I am amazed!
What a lovely community to be a part of!
I have even hijacked Lory's editor, Jo Abbott. She has experience with non-native English writers which is a great advantage and she is an absolute gem.
I have also been so fortunate to have Sue and Rachel offer to beta read my stories and they are like wizards catching misused words, tenses, moods and fix my formatting issues. I count my lucky stars to have them.
I think that one should not demand money for unedited books which is why it will take me a long time to get it all published. Particularly my older stories need a lot of work before I can send them to my beta readers and editor but I have written an alternative ending to Silence Implies Consent which will be my
the second book published, too.
My third will be a new story called the Earl of Harpenden, a Bennet of elevated rank trope before I tackle Veni Vidi Vicious who needs a total rewrite but I am looking forward to attacking that. I cringe when I read it because the mistakes are glaringly obvious to me now but I must be glad that I have progressed...
Thank you, Shelly, Sheila and Marlene. Your kind words mean a lot to me.
Elin wrote: "I am contemplating leaving three chapters and take the rest down. I need to decide if I am just going to take them down without warning my readers or warn my readers and risk the plagiariser downlo..."Elin, on one hand it sounds so stressful, but on the other hand it is very exciting to see that you have taken steps to advance your hard work to professional publication. You and your stories deserve it!
How wonderful that other have reached out with their advice and assistance. I wish you good luck and am holding off on reading Silence Implies Consent until I can purchase the new version :)
Aw, thank you, Sam!It is a lot to consider, not only editing, formatting and publishing but I have had to change quite a few covers because I have bought the image on Canva and their license does not specify the number of ebooks you are allowed to use it on, only prints. Not to forget taxes and stuff when you start your own "company". Although I would never have taken the step to publish without the plagiarism, it is an absolutely thrilling thought to have a published book on Amazon :)
So happy that some well known JAFF authors have reached out to you. Happy to support you on Amazon with your books.
Good luck, Elin.I am happy to see you taking this big step forward.
Always happy to help get this good content out into the world! Can't wait to see what you do with VVV- its one of my faves!! :)
Aw, thank you, Rachel!I am not exactly sure what to do with VVV (except for a massive grammatical clean up). I have written a Norwegian variation with original characters that is about 180k, I am contemplating "borrowing" from that series, making it a much longer book and add the battle of Hafrsfjord (I love writing battle scenes) which was the battle that united all the little kingdoms in Norway into one country. That would change the arrival in Norway to another part because I would have them "win" Nidaros in this battle which leads to Darcy's parents being alive or his father may have left his kingdom to Wickham as his illegitimate son (illegitimate sons of frills were equal to legitimate children and would inherit). Oh my, I just got a fabulous idea, thank you, Rachel!
There is also some historical mistakes I need to correct like the language. The Norse and the old English language were similar, they understood each other perfectly which is kind of an embarrassing mistake to have
made...
March:Read: 11
JAFF: 9
Written: 37404 (186443)
Still Waters: 358 (56321) E:7 editor
Silence Implies Consent: 5497 (50398) E:2 beta
TEoH. 0 (62231)E:3 beta
MoP. 31491 (74667)
JAFF :
Catherine Morland 21-50:
25.
Sanctuary: Volume 3 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Bill C is out of prison and comes for E, wedding. 5*
26.
Along for the Ride https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Hilarious banter, Rosings CF engage D&E to win AdB. 5*
27.
It's Always Been Us https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
YA, 1st person. NRR.
28.
Mr. Darcy's Twelfth Night: A Steamy Pride and Prejudice Sequel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Steamy sequel, 4*
29.
A family of their own
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/13602859/4/
Amnesia trope, chaste, 4*
30.
Dashing into Disaster https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Modern S&S, cute and chaste. 4*
31.
The Long Journey Home: A Pride & Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Thrilling, fun kidnapping at NB. 5*
32.
Queen of Winter: A Pride and Prejudice Novella https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Romantic Darcy rescue Elizabeth. 5+*
33.
In Want of a Wife https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Moderns PnP, antiqueshop. M 4*
Miscellaneous:
8.
An Offer From a Gentleman https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Bridgerton 3, Benedict and Sophie, Cinderella. 4*
9.
The Memoirs of a Highland Lady, Elizabeth Grant, research.
https://www.ebooksread.com/authors-en...
Highly recommended for authors interest in the time period of 1797- 1830. Highlands, London, Hertfordshire, Ramsgate, Scarborough etc... Ladled with interesting tidbits from everyday life and proved that young girls were not so sheltered and ignorant of the ways of the world... 5*
Thank you, Sam, it is going splendidly. It is finished (yay).I am on the formatting now and being 'a do it yourself' kind of girl with no knowledge to support me, I am struggling (sigh).
I write on my phone which means I lack the tools in word to fix the paragraphs and kindle create is not available for android.
I have kicked my fossil of a laptop into action and I am testing my patients on it as we speak, lol. If it hasn't hit the wall by the end of this day, I am hopeful that Still Waters will very soon be available on Amazon (fingers crossed).
Elin wrote: "March:Read: 11
JAFF: 9
Written: 37404 (186443)
Still Waters: 358 (56321) E:7 editor
Silence Implies Consent: 5497 (50398) E:2 beta
TEoH. 0 (62231)E:3 beta
MoP. 31491 (74667)
JAFF :
Catherine ..."
Massive progress, well done.
April:Read: 17
JAFF: 14
Written: 21713 (208156)
SIC: (50398) E:(2) beta
TEoH: 1023 (63254)E:(3) beta
MoP: 18110 (92777) E:2
The Salmonlord: 647
(I wasn't supposed to start something new but I cannot help myself, can I... PnP is much about a cultural clash between the different layers of society and this story, unfolding during the Regency era in a Norwegian mountain will explore that. Several of my reviewers on FF and AO3 has asked me to write PnP in Norway and I suddenly had an idea...)
JAFF :
Catherine Morland 21-50:
34.
Still Waters: A Pride and Prejudice variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Edited, published.
35.
Pride & Perception: a Pride & Prejudice variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Delightful and compelling Bennets of elevated rank trope. 5*
36. So Much Wickedness
https://m.fanfiction.net/s/12748890/1...
Entertaining bad Colonel/Bingley, Elizabeth rescue Darcy story. Reread. 4*
37.
A Gentleman's Honor: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Unputdownable, well written, absolutely fabulous mystery. 5+++*
38.
That Explains Everything; a Pride & Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
A twist from Rosings. 3*
39.
The Year in Between: A Sense and Sensibility Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Epic, beautifully written, compelling, deep and thoughtful, favourite S&S variation. 5+++*
40.
Travelling Towards Happiness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Sweet 3,5*
41.
This Disconcerting Happiness: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
I gave it 3* in 2018, I have no idea why.
Riveting, Mr B is ill and dies on ODC's wedding day. Reread. 5*
42.
Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth: Breathtaking: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Romance https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Brighton, reflection-heavy, unengaging. 3*
43.
Mr. Darcy In Love: Books 1-4 Complete Series https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Freebie. Juvenile with no understanding of the era. 2*
44.
How to Fall in Love with a Man You Thought You hated https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Funny romcom, courtship, predictable. 4*
45.
Smile, Mrs. Wickham https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Oneshot about Lydia. 4*
46.
An Unsuitable Governess: A Pride and Prejudice Variation https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4.... 4*
47.
Losing Lizzy: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
D kidnapped by pirates. 5*
Miscellaneous:
10.
Romancing Mister Bridgerton https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My favourite couple, Colin and Penelope. Hilarious. 5*
11.
The Odyssey https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Beautiful poetry, a good translation with rhyme. A family tree and a map would have been helpful. It was difficult to get a grip on it all but the Greek were bloodthirsty and human nature hasn't changed much over the millenniums. 5*
12.
If You See Kay Lie https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Christmas crackers humour, tedious. 2*
Yay, my good book radar is back and my new year's resolution is off.
I force read through my kindle list of purchased books last year and thought I should tackle my "want to read" on GR this year. I admit I much more enjoy reading whatever I want whenever I want compared to forcing myself through something I "should" read.
Fantastic, Elin. Just so you are enjoying the journey. Should not be forced as to "should reads" but "want to reads".
Definitely, Sheila, I have learned my lesson--no more should reads :) Thank you!
I wonder if any of you are having trouble with GR updates by email?I am currently being bombarded with updates but they are several weeks old (sigh).
In 2020 I wrote 500 000+ words, I aim for less in 2021 and to focus more on my reading, knitting and adorable granddaughter (not necessarily in that order). 250k seems manageable.