The Not-So Austen Bookclub discussion

Ladies and Gentlemen (as we are in this aristocratic atmosphere with our respectable members of our Not-So Austenian society, one must start properly) I believe it is time for us to know more about each other. We already know a few things here and there. But let's see what each one of us members has to say about him/herself.

Who are you?



Here are the rules (the full list can be found in 'Becca's Not-So Austenian Guide' coming out in... well... sometime *coughs*):

* It's something like a citizen card, written in points:

- Start with your name (if you like. A nickname can do, though the name is better)
- Your age.
- Where are you from (and share a little about your country/city for us to know if you like).
- What do you study / what's your job (if you survived studying - like myself)?
- Interests - or: what makes your soul shine?
- A dream of yours.
- How do you describe yourself?
- Anything else I forgot to add here - the point is: Tell us about you!

So, who are you?

- Lauren

- 28

- Texas. I live in a city about an hour or so away from Houston. I am about twenty minutes away from the Texas-Louisiana Border and I'm near the Gulf of Mexico. It's hot and humid here. Hurricanes like to come near us and there are lots of mosquitos. :)

- Interests are: yoga, reading, cooking, animals (especially my dogs), online shopping, hanging out with my family and friends

- I am shy and have a really hard time talking to people I don't know. I'm really close to my family. I prefer staying home in pajamas and reading a book/watching a movie than going out. I could live in sweatpants and a tank top. :) I tend to be pessimistic, I'm quite the dreamer, I love Mexican food, and I'm super sensitive (it's so easy to make me cry or hurt my feelings, it's ridiculous).

- I'm married to the best guy ever. He's my best friend and loves to read! We've been married for 4 years but we've been together for almost 11.

Okay, my turn!

Rimpy, that's my nickname. My real name is way too long, and its gonna be really hard for you guys to pronounce..So let's just stick with this!

I'm from Kolkata, previously Calcutta. One of the metropolitan cities of India. Its a busy city, but we're really famous for some really cool places to visit, and the yummy-licious delicacies made here!

I'm an eleventh grader. And sometimes work in a shop, or babysit to get some money, if I'm out of my pocket money.

My interests include reading, watching TV and movies, hanging out with friends and family, playing pranks, singing (I'm an awful bathroom singer!), and internet surfing.

I aim at becoming one of the best psychologists of the world. If that doesn't work out, I've got a backup. I would simply enroll in an Institute as a researcher of Zoology.

What to say about me? There's so many things! I'm the most crazy girl you'll ever meet! Totally outspoken, never say anything at other's back. If I need to say something about 'em, I say it in front of them. Rebel at heart, I look for justice. Always on the side of truth. I believe in "Satyamev Jayate", meaning the truth will always win, no matter what. I have an uncontrollable, silent anger, though it is seldom. Passionate. Optimistic. I'm a very bad cook. Daddy's little girl. Very close to my friends. Always smiling, I'm the ultimate problem solver. A typical Scorpian, nothing in the world can scare me, except spiders! I hate those pesky little creatures!

Rimpy! :)

Here it goes!

I'm Olivia

I'm 17, and 18 can't come soon enough!!

I'm from Colorado but moved to Arizona when I was pretty young, although, I visit Colorado a lot!

Well, I'm a junior in high school and am going to get a summer job!

My interests include reading, writing, playing soccer, watching tv, listening to music, and hanging with my friends, although, I usually prefer to stay home in sweatpants and a t-shirt, curl up on the couch, and read:)

I'm not really sure actually. I thought I knew what I wanted and then one day I wasn't sure anymore....

Hmmm How do I describe myself?? I'm not a very social person and prefer the comfort of being with a book. I love sweatpants and t-shirts. I'm addicted to sugar. I absolutely love candy. Give me a good book, some candy, and some sweatpants, and I'm happy:) I'm very easily entertained and hate boredom. I love blogging and coming on Goodreads.

Olivia wrote: "Here it goes!

I'm Olivia

I'm 17, and 18 can't come soon enough!!

I'm from Colorado but moved to Arizona when I was pretty young, although, I visit Colorado a lot!

Well, I'm a junior in high sch..."

Olivia, I think we could be best friends (just ignore the 10 yr age difference :) Curled up at home in sweatpants is like the best thing ever!

Where in Colorado are you from?

Lauren wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Here it goes!

I'm Olivia

I'm 17, and 18 can't come soon enough!!

I'm from Colorado but moved to Arizona when I was pretty young, although, I visit Colorado a lot!

Well, I'm a jun..."

Haha Age difference tends not to matter as much to me...not sure why? And I agree:) And just outside Greeley!

Hi guys,

I'm Sophie

I am a little bit older than most of you I think . . . 30 :-)

I am from Baltimore, Maryland originally, but live in Washington, D.C. now.

My day job is working for the Patent and Trademark Office, examining patent applications and deciding what latest and greatest inventions from around the world deserve patents. My night/weekend/bored at work job is writing!

My interests are writing, reading, running, spending time with my friends, hanging out with my two dogs, and traveling.

I have had a lot of dreams in the past ten years, but my longtime dream to write novels has finally come to fruition this year and I am busy putting everything I have into doing that now. I also really want to check off as many places as I can in 1000 Places to See Before You Die - I think that I've hit about 10 so far, so I have a long way to go!

I am somewhat shy and reserved, and prefer spending time with my closest friends rather than going out. I love bad horror movies, and make it habit to watch as many as possible on my Roku box. I like to play sports, even the ones I'm not very good at. I am an obsessive list maker, and my greatest joy is crossing things off my to-do list. I love to read, and rarely don't finish a book, no matter how bad it is. And if it is part of a series, I'm likely to read the entire series just to know how it all ends. I have a bad habit of reading the last page first because I'm curious by nature. Since getting my Nook, I don't do it as often, but sometimes I still cheat :-)

Any other quirks about myself would probably be an overshare, hehehe, so I'll leave it there for now!

Olivia wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Here it goes!

I'm Olivia

I'm 17, and 18 can't come soon enough!!

I'm from Colorado but moved to Arizona when I was pretty young, although, I visit Colorado a lot!

..."

:) hmm I don't think I know where Greeley is

And Sophie, it's nice to meet you! You sound like an awesome person. Though i hate horror movies - they give me nightmares, even the bad ones. :(

Oh oh..I forgot to mention my age. Oops! Sorry!
I'm 16!

Lauren wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Olivia wrote: "Here it goes!

I'm Olivia

I'm 17, and 18 can't come soon enough!!

I'm from Colorado but moved to Arizona when I was pretty young, although, I visit Co..."

Hahaha horror movies aren't for everyone! I like bad comedies too :-)

Lucinda wrote: "Dear Sophie,
It is lovely to meet you, and you come from a lovely part of the world (i have relatives in America). I wish you the very best of luck with your novel and i hope that you get to achiv..."

You too! This is such a great group, and it is so nice to meet so many people from around the world!

Sophie wrote: "Hi guys,

I'm Sophie

I am a little bit older than most of you I think . . . 30 :-)

I am from Baltimore, Maryland originally, but live in Washington, D.C. now.

My day job is working for the Paten..."

I want to live in Washington D.C. but I'm stuck in Arizona for now...

- Hi, I am Anna C. Hanson and my nick-name is Anna Banana and the only people who use it quite often are my family and not very many of my friends and my grandma because she loves calling me that!!

- I find that question to be too personal and I wouldn't like to post my age...

- Kanawha, Iowa isn't much of a place...it's hardly even there really and people rarely go through it and when they do..it's very fast and they never stop...mostly unless it's like my grandma or friends.

- I still am in high school so I haven't gone to college and chosen a degree and job quite yet.

- Well, first off all I really love reading about what most people would consider to be freaks of nature but what I would call misunderstood with often hideous deformities or other bizarre issues because they often feel as if they have become a part of my adopted yet very strange family which I explain later some time.

- I'll come back to that bit later.

- I have always dreamed to become a trained nurse or midwife and hold newborn babies in my arms while they give out their first wails that signal their entries into life except in Ethiopia where nurses are needed.

- Name: Colette Saucier. Yes, that is a nom de plume. As a writer with the occasional naughty bits in my novels, I feel I should protect the innocent (IOW, not embarrass my children!).

- Age: I am with Anna on that one - especially since most of said children are older than those of you in this group! I hope you do not have an age restriction!

- I live in Southeast Louisiana not far from New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

- In college, I studied philosophy, political science, history, and literature. Naturally, with a background in liberal arts, I work in the software industry. My true profession, though, is as a writer, and I am thrilled to be able to include that on my profile. I am also a copy-editor and hope I am able to improve the works of other authors.

- I love literature, history, traveling, dogs, wine and cheese, and the New Orleans Saints.

- After I become a bestselling author, I want to live in Tuscany.

- I am an insomniac and a voracious reader. I have a dry sense of humour and can be quite sarcastic, which means I am not everyone's cup of tea. I am honest to a fault, and I always keep my word.

- I love Austen, and I meticulously researched 19th century literary conventions and Regency England to create a new twist on Pride and Prejudice, which I hope readers will enjoy.

Nice to meet you Anna and Colette!

It's so great to know about you all, girls!

Finally I'm here!! Guess it's about time to tell you about... me.

Here's my ID card :D (the grinning smiley is not part of it :D)

- My name is Rebecca (Short form: Becky, and my personal pick: Becca. I usually sign it with a heart at the end of the 'a')

- Age 23

- Where am I from? hmmm, it's a tangle of names and places. Let me put it like this: Born in Croatia, lived in Switzerland and Germany, and now I'm in Palestine :) Yeah!

Now let me tell you a little about Gaza, the city I live in: Gaza's beautiful, what with its location, the weather and the sea <3 We all love it here despite the situation (u know). Our greatest problem is the siege, as the borders are closed since 2006 (no one goes out, nothing comes in, most of the time ). Another bad thing is the electricity: it comes 8 hours then goes off 8 hours EVERY SINGLE DAY.. Quite maddening, but we manage. We love life.. My friends and I love reading, and that's what matters! :) Here're 2 pieces written by a talented friend of mine about Gaza. U can read them if u have the time. You'll enjoy them, guaranteed.

http://hopeingaza.wordpress.com/2012/...

http://hopeingaza.wordpress.com/2012/...


My interests: READING and lots of reading, photography (I like to capture the beauty in things), eating chocolate, watching movies that are worth watching.

A dream of mine: ummmm I have plenty, but currenlty I dream of travelling the world learning about places (and meeting u all!)

I'm an enthusiast, I like to know everything about everything. I like chatting about books and having a good laugh.

:)

I guess I'm the youngest then! :)

Wow, Becca - how amazing! I also love to travel and cannot wait to have an opportunity to visit the Middle East.

Rimpy- you're grounded.

Oh no!! I am a teenager too!!!

Yes, but Rimpy was rubbing it in. ;)

I would send you both to your rooms and tell you to read "Pulse and Prejudice" but now I realize you are too young!

Why is Rimpy grounded?? Why would you send us to our rooms for stating the truth?

Jealousy - pure and simple! Oh, to be young again...

That's your excuse? Seriously!!!!! I could find a much more reasonable excuse.

;) Just wait until you're my age, but I'd love to hear your excuses!

Colette sounds like from Les Miserables.

- Start with your name - Claire is what they call me
- Your age - Twenty-something
- Where are you from - Perth, Australia - where nothing ever happens
- What do you study / what's your job? - I am a full-time mother and in 2 weeks I'll also be a part time uni student
- Interests - Reading I guess
- A dream of yours - To teach history in Europe
- How do you describe yourself? - Irresistably annoying :)

I would never call you annoying!! I am an odd-ball.

Okay guys, seriously what's going on? And why am I grounded? :(

Just teasing because you get to be youngest. ;)

Claire- I have friends going to Perth this summer - I hope they find something to do. Maybe they should meet up with you. You sound like fun. Plus one of them is a history professor (as is my husband). My dream is for HIM to get a teaching job in Europe.

Hey, that's not fair! *pouts in an angry way*
I should be pampered, because I'm the youngest! (I was kinda expecting that, not the teasing part!) :P

You are so right! Let me make it up to you. How about for your 18th birthday I send you a copy of "Pulse and Prejudice"?

It'll be cool, but I think that'll be hard. :(

Colette wrote: "You are so right! Let me make it up to you. How about for your 18th birthday I send you a copy of "Pulse and Prejudice"?"

What's "Pulse and Prejudice"?

It is the paranormal adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" told from the point of view of Mr. Darcy, vampire.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

The publisher is having a pre-sale of the eBook this week, exclusively on secretcravingspublishing.com; and it will be available on Amazon, B&N, Bookstrand, etc., next week. The print book will be out in October.

Hmm sounds interesting:)

Colette wrote: "Just teasing because you get to be youngest. ;)

Claire- I have friends going to Perth this summer - I hope they find something to do. Maybe they should meet up with you. You sound like fun. Plus o..."

HAHA. There is nothing to do in Perth! Naww thanks :)

Well here we go

- Zohal (That is my actual name)
- Aged 13
- Sydney in Australia- I love Australia a lot though I find Sydney is very expensive I'd much rather live in the central coast or maybe queensland
- I am in High school and have about 12 subjects in my timetable. Not bothered to list them all. I can live through studying as long as I find I can live a life and read books
- My interest are baking and reading. I am also interested in social media and chemistry.
- My dream is to publish a novel. My other dream would be to meet an author. My big big dream is to make a difference in the community/ world somehow
- I describe myself as optimistic, I like to look upon things positively and I always look on the bright side. I am a person who wants to make a difference in life somehow no matter how long it takes. I care alot (:

So that is me :) :)

Isabelle wrote: "Well here we go

- Zohal (That is my actual name)
- Aged 13
- Sydney in Australia- I love Australia a lot though I find Sydney is very expensive I'd much rather live in the central coast or maybe q..."

I love your actual name Isabelle..Its so sweet. :)

thanx (:

Thank you (:

Hey everyone! I'm a teacher who is off for the summer until next fall. I love to read and write over the summer. I even have a virtual blog tour going on for my books. Check it out, if you want to:

at Enchanting Book Tours. Here's the link: Dreaming Dangerously Virtual Book Tour

You can win a free paperback signed copy of both of my books, Dreaming Dangerously and Darkness Descends as well as a t-shirt for a grand pize. Also eBooks are being given away as well.





Check it out!

I'm Tiffani and I haven't been in school for quite a long time now, haha ;)

I try to make up for this by reading non-stop and always trying to learn new things. I'm currently holed up at home recovering from injuries relating to a car accident that makes it difficult for me to walk around much. The only nice part is the vacation from work (though I'm quite restless) and all the time in the world to read, read, read1 :)

I'm Anne.
I'm nearly 13 years old.
I'm from the U.S. (Delaware), but I live in Ontario, Canada in the summertime (now).
Since I'm only in 7th grade I don't study anything in particular besides the general subjects but my favorites are English and Maths.
I'm interested in a lot of things including writing, reading, math, science, and playing a lot of sports such as field hockey, swimming, basketball, and tennis.
I've always wanted to live in London or Paris and become a journalist or a painter.
I'd describe myself as shy and quiet with people I don't know but more talkative with people I do. People say I think a little highly of myself but what can you do ;) Also I am a perfectionist and can get obsessive about a lottt of things, such as organization and books.

Oh, and another thing: I absolutely love Jane Austen. I've read 3 of her books (Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility)and plan to read the other 3 over the summer. I finished Sense & Sensibility a couple of days ago and I think it was my favorite Jane Austen that I've read.

Tiffani wrote: "I'm Tiffani and I haven't been in school for quite a long time now, haha ;)

I try to make up for this by reading non-stop and always trying to learn new things. I'm currently holed up at home reco..."

Sorry to hear about your car accident, but glad you're okay and extra time to read is nice! I like to learn new things too which is a nice perk of reading.

*Anne* wrote: "I'm Anne.
I'm nearly 13 years old.
I'm from the U.S. (Delaware), but I live in Ontario, Canada in the summertime (now).
Since I'm only in 7th grade I don't study anything in particular besides the..."

Hi Anne! Nice to meet you! I'm shy around people I don't know either and talkative around those I do know too :)

Hi Hamza and Tiffani, it is lovely to meet you!! :) x
Oh, and Anne too!

Hello, Here's the information you need to know about me:

*Name? Althea, but every one calls me "Eiyah" or "Thea".
*Age? Ten.
*Where I live? PHILIPPINES!!! In Davao city!
*School? Colegio De San Ignacio, where 'Every child's a winner'! (and being called crazy's a compliment.) Grade 3.

*Interest? Reading and writing! Animals, fantasy, dragons, mythology, etc.
*My dream? Wow, most of them are kind of impossible... but, nothin' is impossible. I dream to be a author or a teacher or a lawyer. I dream of discovering any thing magical...I now it's sounds silly...

*'Bout me? Well, I think Rimpy and I will get along because I'm also one of the craziest girl ya'll met. I'm Christian and proud!
I like to say the expression "bloody" a lot thanks to a certain friend of mine...I LOVE DRAGONS!!!
I Think guilt is my fatal flaw, Seriously! If you met me it will be REALLY obvious...
I can't go posting something with out a smiley:)
I suck at spelling...
I LOVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS SO MUCH!!!:D
And the most important thing...I'm RANDOM!

Thank you for reading this, Sorry for the long post...

Becca wrote: "It's so great to know about you all, girls!

Finally I'm here!! Guess it's about time to tell you about... me.

Here's my ID card :D (the grinning smiley is not part of it :D)

I read it, and I thought it sounded a lot like me:)
- My name is Rebe..."

- Anna! Although my very very strange nickname is AnnaBananaWhoDoesn'tLikeBananas or ABWDLB weird right!
- Nearly 16..so close to driving....so close.
- I've lived in Washington (not D.C.) my whole life! I'd love to travel and see the world outside of the US!
- Well I'm in highschool..going to be a sophomore / in 10th grade
- I'm sure most of you have this same interest: READING! I love to read so much! I also love being with friends and fam, swimming, photography, and more..I just can't think of anything right now :)
- I plan on becoming a teacher, but my absolute dream is to be a writer! And then be a book reviewer! Can you think of a more fun job!?
- I'm very very shy, but I LOVE to be around people! I also never stop laughing! Like, ever ;)
- Almost every post I have on here will have some sort of smiley face! And this is very realistic for me because I'm always smiling in real life! :)

Rimpy wrote: "Okay, my turn!

Rimpy, that's my nickname. My real name is way too long, and its gonna be really hard for you guys to pronounce..So let's just stick with this!

I'm from Kolkata, previously Calcutt..."

OMG Rimpy! Its soooooooo good to have an Indian among so many people. To start with even Im Indian. I live in Bangsalore, now changed to Bengaluru. Im 13 years old. (Im a teen!!!!!!) I have many interests, you dont wanna know about them. I want to become an astronomer, archaeologist and an author. Bangalore is called the garden city of India. I am actually from Delhi. (So, Rimpy, we can talk in hindi, if you know hindi.) Ya I think that's that.