Jane Austen July 2025 discussion

A thread to discuss what you're currently reading! What is everyone starting Jane Austen July with?

I'm starting with Northanger Abbey, Anne Lister's Diaries and Just as You Are by Camille Kellogg

I started reading Northanger Abbey - I follow the proposed readalong schedule.

And whenever I have any free time, I read (or listen to) The Regency Revolution by Robert Morrison for Challenge #3. I've finished the first chapter on Crime, and it was really interesting - I'm really looking forward to the remaining chapters.

And yesterday I also watched Clueless, thus completing Challenge #7. I only watched it as a teenager, somewhere in the late 90's, and I forgot how fun and enjoyable this film was.

Currently reading a book that unbeknownst to me, is set in Jane Austen’s day: Precious Bane by Mary Webb. It’s not at all Austenlike, though.

Northanger Abbey and finishing the Annotated Pride and Prejudice. It's the Shapard annotated edition. Started it last Jane Austen July and still slogging through it. I don't know how he managed to make a fast paced book slow, but he did.

Shapard does have a tendency to over-notate! I prefer the Harvard/Belknap annotated editions (except for the Northanger Abbey one), but they’re very expensive.

I'm reading Northanger Abbey, Miss Austen by Gil Hornby, and What Matters in John Austen by John Mullan. I don't usually more than 2 books at a time but I couldn't help myself!

I'm using the JAJ readathon to restart my exercise routine ;) I pedal for as long as the reading-du-jour requires. The only problem is that the Shaphard NA is quite heavy. Hard on my wrists!

Also reading What Matters in Jane Austen, upon recommendation from Katie's YT channel. So far, I love it!

I just finished a loooong term paper on Bettina Fischer-Starcke's Corpus Linguistics in Literary Analysis, so I will count this as non-fiction about Jane Austen.

I also recently finished the wonderful Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby.

I own quite the collection of DVD related to Jane Austen. I will rewatch some of them, but there are no firm plans at this point.

Thank you so much for setting this JAJ! It's my first but won't be the last!

I started strong with a retelling of S&S Scales and Sensibility which is a very loose in period retelling that also adds dragons to the mix. I honestly didn't expect to enjoy it quite so much. If you want more info, you can check out my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Also, realising that I also can read Anne Lister diaries for some of the prompts... not helping my already stuffed tbr 🙈

I am also starting with Northanger Abbey. Its a reread for me and though I didn't particularly care for it the first time around, participating in a readalong really helps. This month I also plan to read Emma, Jane Austen Juvenalia.

And for a historical novel set in Austen's time I am going with Outcasts by Sarah Stegall. Its set in 1816 about that fateful stormy night when Mary Shelley, Lord Byron and Percy Shelley challenged each other to write a ghost story and Mary sat down to write the great classic Frankenstein

I am currently reading What Kitty Did Next, The Romance of the Forest, The Letters of Jane Austen, and of course Northanger Abbey.

I should mention that The Romance of the Forest has me intrigued. I am only on chapter 2 and am already into it.

I just picked up again Mansfield Park, which I'm ashamed to say I started reading in spring 2020. I really like the book, it's so brilliantly written, I just... I know I won't like the ending, but I'm determined to finish it this month. I read three chapters today (30-32) and aaah, this book, those characters... 💗

I'm starting off with Northanger Abbey in two editions - in English and in Portuguese (my native language), so I can compare my favorite passages. It's my first time reading this novel.

I started early with Mansfield Park narrated by Juliet Stevenson and today started her Juvenilia and Flamebringer by Elle Katherine White (P&P fantasy with dragon riders).

I’ve started with her Juvenilia, specifically Frederic and Elfrida. Quite different to what I was expecting - much more farcical than her main novels.
Also re-watched Love & Friendship which was just as delightful as I remembered. Def does humour better than most other filmic adaptations of JA.

Judy wrote: "I'm reading Northanger Abbey, Miss Austen by Gil Hornby, and What Matters in John Austen by John Mullan. I don't usually more than 2 books at a time but I couldn't help myself!"

Miss Austen is fab. Do try Godmersham Park which is the story of Anne Sharpe, the governess to Fanny Knight.

It is a lovely story which made me cry.

Love and Friendship is hilarious.

Lucie wrote: "I'm using the JAJ readathon to restart my exercise routine ;) I pedal for as long as the reading-du-jour requires. The only problem is that the Shaphard NA is quite heavy. Hard on my wrists!

Also ..."

Godmersham Park would be fabulous as an adaptation.

Liz wrote: "I am currently reading What Kitty Did Next, The Romance of the Forest, The Letters of Jane Austen, and of course Northanger Abbey."

What Kitty Did Next is great. Jane's letters is so funny, quite cutting in places.

Helen wrote: "... and Flamebringer by Elle Katherine White (P&P fantasy with dragon riders)."

Omg, I'm stealing this!
There clearly never is quite enough Austen & dragons books 🤭


I also started Praying with Jane: 31 Days through the Prayers of Jane Austen yesterday, and I'm nowhere near the intended audience for this... so I'm not sure if I'll finish it. I have to try again when I'm not so sleepy...

Hello everyone,
Happy 3rd day of Jane Austen July.
Has anyone read "Of Magic and Manners?" by C.E. Murphy
It is quite a long book so I am wondering if it is worth my time.
Thank you.

Finished A Hazard of Hearts by Barbara Cartland

Well, this was so much fun. Don't get me wrong, it's a cliched trashy Regency romance and yet the plot is so bonkers that I couldn't help but like it. All of the genre cliches thrown into one book: a pure virginal yet spunky heroine, a mysterious hero with a dark secret, a crazy mother, gamblers, highwaymen, smugglers, abductions, balls, a gothic mansion with secret passages, laudanum addiction, fake deaths and the list goes on. Somehow the book was all the more enjoyable as a companion piece to my re-reading of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. This is the kind of trash I imagine Catherine and Isabella would love to read.

I came across this book (and the author that was totally unfamiliar to me) thanks to the movie adaptation A Hazard of Hearts (1987) starring a very young Helena Bonham Carter, Diana Rigg, Christopher Plummer, Edward Fox and others. What a cast!



You can watch the movie on YouTube: https://youtu.be/etdrBKw3v1o

BTW The author Barbara Cartland was accused of plagiarism by Georgette Heyer. Heyer wrote: "On perusing the first two novels of Miss Cartland's trilogy I was astonished to find the number of identical or infinitesimally altered names and titles ... I also found what might best be described as paraphrases of situations I had created, and a suspicious number of Regency cant words, or obsolete turns of speech, all of which I can pinpoint in several of my books." It never came to court.

I'm currently reading Persuasion

Currently just finished re-reading Northanger Abbey. Meant to read it more in step with the read along, but my partner landed in the hospital over the weekend - and in between blood draws and X-rays and whatnot I have had the time to finish it. And it has been a wonderful companion and diversion.

I enjoyed the book the first time I read it, but even more so this time around. A lot of that has to do with how I feel about Catherine (essentially with more understanding and less feeling of cringe), which I will probably address more in the spoilery comments thread.

Zuzana wrote: "I came across this book (and the author that was totally unfamiliar to me) thanks to the movie adaptation A Hazard of Hearts (1987) starring a very young Helena Bonham Carter..."

That looks interesting! I think I'll skip on the book for the moment, but I might steal the movie 😁



I just finished Lover's Vows and I have to say, I didn't expect to enjoy it quite so much! I listened to LibriVox recording and it was excellent, would recommend! (It's only two hours long, so a truly quick read.)
You can find the link in my review + some of my thoughts if you are interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Zuzana wrote: "Finished A Hazard of Hearts by Barbara Cartland

Well, this was so much fun. Don't get me wrong, it's a cliched trashy Regency romance and yet the plot is so bonkers that I couldn't..."

Thanks for sharing the movie link! :)

Jassmine wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "I came across this book (and the author that was totally unfamiliar to me) thanks to the movie adaptation A Hazard of Hearts (1987) starring a very young Helena Bonham Carter..."

Th..."

I will be listening to Lovers' Vows on LibriVox too! :)

I finished reading the unfinished novel Sandition a few days ago and am rereading Northanger Abbey. I prefer to read one book at a time and maybe an audio book as well. :)

I just finished The Watsons and am listening to Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. Not sure what I will start next.

I finally finished Mansfield Park (it was on my currently-reading pile forever), I'm a bit hangover after finishing the book and also sad. I'm not considering whether I want to join the Northanger Abbey readalong or if I want to save this one for later... it's the last of JA main novels that I didn't read yet...

Hello,

I finished reading Northanger Abbey and I loved it. Gripping story ;) .
I will put my thoughts about this book in the wrap up discussion.

I discovered a retelling of Jane Austen that seems amazing, to check the 4th challenge of Jane Austen July.
It is Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James.
The synopsis is "Two great literary minds – master of suspense P. D. James and literary icon Jane Austen – come together in Death Comes to Pemberley, a bestselling historical crime-fiction tribute to Pride and Prejudice."
I am looking forward to read this retelling!

Thaizi wrote: "Hello,

I finished reading Northanger Abbey and I loved it. Gripping story ;) .
I will put my thoughts about this book in the wrap up discussion.

I discovered a retelling of Jane Austen that seems..."

Hi Thaizi,

Death Comes to Pemberley is okay. I read it many years ago as I am a huge fan of PD James's writing. If you can find the TV adaptation do watch it. It is very well done.

Hi Michelle,

Thank you so much for the tip.
I also like P.D. James a lot, especially Adam Dalgliesh mysteries.

I will check TV adaptation.
Maybe, I will read the book and see the adaptation or vice-versa.
To compare the book and TV series ;)

Thanks,
Thaizi

I'm currently reading Northanger Abbey, The Murder of Mr Wickham, Just As You Are and The Secret Diaries of Anne Lister. Lots on the go, but I haven't managed to finish anything yet!

I am reading Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Stephanie Marie Thornton and it is such a disappointment! Clearly an Austenite is not the right audience for this book. So many research errors I can’t count them, right up to getting the date of Waterloo wrong. And then the modern dialogue! Just one example, Mary Godwin (Mary Wollstonecraft’s daughter) speaking to Percy Bysshe Shelley on their third meeting, as they are necking in a graveyard and planning to run off together:
”Percy, this feels unhinged.”
“It is, but I’ve never felt like this with anyone, like we’re simply meant to be.”

Shelley, for crying out loud, talking like a teenager at the mall!! Gaah, this is the July read in another group so I’m trying to struggle through it, but it’s a sore trial.

Abigail wrote: "I am reading Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Stephanie Marie Thornton and it is such a disappointment! Clearly an Austenite is not the right audie..."

Oh, no! I'm planning to read it too. I actually bought a physical copy of it and I'm obsessed with Mary W.S. so I'm going to read it either way, but... I really hoped this book will be good from the blurb 🙈

Yeah, me too! Sigh.

I'm currently reading Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley, and Unequal Affections by Lara Ormiston. I've already finished What Kitty Did Next by Carry Kablean. It was okay, just cosy fanfiction, a little bit predictable, but I must admit that I usually don't read much retellings of classics. And I've finished Der goldene Topf (The Golden Pot) by ETA Hoffmann, first published 1814, which I didn't like at all, fairytales are not my cup of tea, but I sometimes feel obliged to read some German classics too. ; )

Just started Sense and Sensibility.

Katie wrote: "I'm currently reading Northanger Abbey, The Murder of Mr Wickham, Just As You Are and The Secret Diaries of Anne Lister. Lots on the go, but I haven't managed to finish anything yet!"

Hi Katie,

How are you finding "The Murder of Mr. Wickham?"

Thaizi wrote: "Hi Michelle,

Thank you so much for the tip.
I also like P.D. James a lot, especially Adam Dalgliesh mysteries.

I will check TV adaptation.
Maybe, I will read the book and see the adaptation or vi..."

Hi Thaizi,

You are welcome.

Do try both.

Have you watched the recent Dalgleish Mysteries? I think that they are fantastic.

Katie wrote: "I'm currently reading Persuasion"

Aww Persuasion is so lovely.

Hello Michelle,
There is a recent Dalgleish Mysteries? 😲 I will check it.

Thaizi wrote: "Hello Michelle,
There is a recent Dalgleish Mysteries? 😲 I will check it."

Hi Thaizi,

Yes with Bertie Carvel on Channel 5 in the UK. I live in Ireland but I watched it on that.

It is an excellent series which I believe was filmed in Northern Ireland.

I'm starting with Northanger Abby and My Dear Cassandra, a book I found at the used book store, which is a collection of her letters to her sister with biographical notes and lots of pictures.

Anastasia wrote: "I started reading Northanger Abbey - I follow the proposed readalong schedule.

And whenever I have any free time, I read (or listen to) The Regency Revolution by Robert Morrison for Challenge #3...."

Regency Revolution sounds a perfect book for JAJ. I might swap my #3 if I can get a copy. Thank you!

Zuzana wrote: "Finished A Hazard of Hearts by Barbara Cartland

Well, this was so much fun. Don't get me wrong, it's a cliched trashy Regency romance and yet the plot is so bonkers that I couldn't..."

I believe I read this as a teen long ago, and liked much better than most of the other Cartlands I'd read. Thank you for the reminder because I had forgotten the title - and can now even watch a film of it!

Renuka wrote: "Thank you for the reminder because I had I had forgotten the title - and can now even watch a film of it."

Be prepared for a wild ride, Renuka. I cannot comprehend how such great actors got roped into a project like this. That said, it's so much fun. :)

Thanks - and will share how I find it !!

Jassmine wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "I came across this book (and the author that was totally unfamiliar to me) thanks to the movie adaptation A Hazard of Hearts (1987) starring a very young Helena Bonham Carter..."

Th..."

Book is availabale on Internet Archive...in case push comes to shove for you ;)
I'm going to do both and ditch Georgette Hayer maybe - unless I find The Corinthian online.

NA, and A Hazard of Hearts.
Will get into one or two of the others over the weekend.

Unexpectedly enjoying NA this time around. Was at the bottom of my list before...