Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2025 discussion

Combining the fabulous year-long 250th celebration year of Jane Austen and our own Golden Ten Anniversary year with a little summer frolic courtesy of the Box Hill scene from Emma, our group read will present you with a little extra challenge if you so wish to accept.

In the Box Hill scene, Frank Churchill offered his fellow picnickers a game: "[say] either one thing very clever, two things moderately clever, or three things very dull indeed".

We are going to take this and make it a mini reading challenge.
You may choose one of three paths to meet the challenge requirement.

Here they are:
"One thing very clever" A non-fiction book about Jane or her family. (published any year)
OR
"Two things moderately clever" Two journal or news articles about Jane or her novels (and, any source is fair game even local Jane Austen society entries, blog or vlog posts, newspapers, magazines, e-zines, etc).
OR
"Three things very dull indeed" In a twist, we'll go the opposite of dull (because who wishes to read anything dull) and you can read/listen to three books/stories that meet the main challenge rules.

This is meant to be fun and very unlike that dreary crowd who gathered at the top of Box Hill in Emma so feel free to use broad interpretations of the three mini-challenge choices.

Let us know if you're participating and begin the challenge on the stroke of July 1st! We'd love to know what you ended up reading and what you thought so feel free to return and share about that.

I'm in!

I'll have to give it some thought, but I'll probably go with "one thing very clever" since its just one book and then try for one of the others if I have time.

I'm in - I shall have to consider which to go for.

Sophia wrote: "Combining the fabulous year-long 250th celebration year of Jane Austen and our own Golden Ten Anniversary year with a little summer frolic courtesy of the Box Hill scene from Emma, our group read w..."

What are the main challenge rules?? 🙃😊🙏

Nina wrote: "Sophia wrote: "Combining the fabulous year-long 250th celebration year of Jane Austen and our own Golden Ten Anniversary year with a little summer frolic courtesy of the Box Hill scene from Emma, o..."

For the general challenge:
The reading choice has to involve Jane Austen or her writing. Any format and any release year.

Hope you can do it, Nina! :)

I am going to choose A Jane Austen Year.
I think that covers Option One?

Sam wrote: "I am going to choose A Jane Austen Year.
I think that covers Option One?"

Sure does, Sam!

I think I am going to try Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock: A Girl of Genius and Feeling' by Jan Merriman

Sophia wrote: "Sam wrote: "I am going to choose A Jane Austen Year.
I think that covers Option One?"

Sure does, Sam!"

Yay! Thank you

Although I'm three things...looking at two things as NorCal is reading multiple Persuasions articles for July. Have way way overloaded on JA non-fiction this year but what's one more! Alas, the two I want to read most won't be available in July(Sutherland and Looser).Own one that I want to reread.

Craftyhj wrote: "I think I am going to try Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock: A Girl of Genius and Feeling' by Jan Merriman"

I did find her aunt remarkable after reading this one. Hope you like it, Heather!

Kirk wrote: "Although I'm three things...looking at two things as NorCal is reading multiple Persuasions articles for July. Have way way overloaded on JA non-fiction this year but what's one more! Alas, the two..."

Good timing on needing to read a few articles, Kirk. You'd never be dull even if you picked three things. :)

I finished my "one thing very clever" by choosing and reading
Jane Austen’s Favourite Brother, Henry by Dr. Christopher Herbert

This one was a review copy of a bio coming out in September. It probably offers nothing new fact-wise to those who've read a lot of Jane Austen or Austen family bios, but the author did excellent research and did a wonderful job of filling in the backdrop for each area of Henry Austen's life from his education as a boy through university through to his final years as a country curate. I was struck by just how high his star rose in society before it fell. Interesting take I can recommend written from the perspective of a retired bishop who's background made him a good choice to tell Henry's story.

Sophia wrote: "I finished my "one thing very clever" by choosing and reading
Jane Austen’s Favourite Brother, Henry by Dr. Christopher Herbert

This one was a review copy of a bio coming out in ..."

Well done Sophia. I have added that one to my watch list but it is eye-waveringly expensive in the UK. Maybe it welcome down with time.

Like Emma I have started mine but I shan't finish it this month!. Next month maybe ...

Craftyhj wrote: "Sophia wrote: "I finished my "one thing very clever" by choosing and reading
Jane Austen’s Favourite Brother, Henry by Dr. Christopher Herbert

This one was a review copy of a bio..."

Yes, I was glad to get a review copy b/c the cost is high here in the States, too.

Haha! Yes, that is a very Emma thing to do. :)

Back...back in BOX HILL(May 10, 2011!)....with

5 Persuasions articles for NorCal

Jane Austen and Mary Shelley and Their Sisters (meh)

and the Austen book of the year in my view...

Jane Austen in 41 Objects 5*****

Kirk wrote: "Back...back in BOX HILL(May 10, 2011!)....with

5 Persuasions articles for NorCal

Jane Austen and Mary Shelley and Their Sisters (meh)

and the Austen book of the year in my view...

Jane Austen i..."

Shazam, Kirk!

You killed it. Your Box Hill picnic challenge was three times over a win, it seems.

I love that you got to see the real Box Hill. :)

Sooo.....

I have finally finished my book for this challenge. Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock: A Girl of Genius and Feeling' by Jan Merriman

It was a little too dry for my tastes. I do like a biography but this needed more colour.

Craftyhj wrote: "Sooo.....

I have finally finished my book for this challenge. Jane Austen's Remarkable Aunt, Philadelphia Hancock: A Girl of Genius and Feeling' by Jan Merriman
..."

LOL, I've read four Austen-related bios from this publisher by various authors and they all have a similar 'dry' style. It's just so hard to find bios on the Austen extended family and friends that I will eagerly grab up whatever I can find. :)