I thought I was being good in choosing only 4 reading challenges this year…and then I discovered several Jane Austen challenges. Those of you who know me well know I can’t resist anything by or about Jane Austen and her characters, and since I already planned to read more Austen and Austen-themed novels this year, I don’t feel too bad about caving.
Austenprose is hosting The Sense and Sensibility Bicentenary Challenge 2011 from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2011, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of Austen’s first novel. I’m trying to be disciplined, so I’m signing up for the “neophyte” level of 1-4 books.
I will commit to reading this one for sure:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, which I read last when I was in high school
I hope to read these as well:
Eliza’s Daughter by Joan Aiken
Willoughby’s Return by Jane Odiwe
Colonel Brandon’s Diary by Amanda Grange
Austenprose is hosting the Being a Jane Austen Mystery Reading Challenge 2011 from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2011, during which participants will read selections from the mystery series by Stephanie Barron. I’m signing up for the “neophyte” level of 1-4 books.
I will commit to reading this one for sure:
Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
If I enjoy it, I will continue the series, whose 11th installment will be released this year.
The Life (and lies) of an inanimate flying object is hosting the 2011 Jane Austen Challenge, which runs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2011. I’m going all out with this one and signing up for the “fanatic” level of 6+ works by Jane Austen and 6+ Austen-themed novels. I haven’t made a complete list for this challenge, but this is what I have so far:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Emma by Jane Austen
selections from The Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen: Volume VI: Minor Works
Old Friends and New Fancies by Sybil G. Brinton
The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen
Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski
Mr. Darcy’s Secret by Jane Odiwe
Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louse
A Faithful Journey is hosting the 2011 Jane Austen Reading Challenge from Jan. 2 through Dec. 31, 2011. I especially like that there isn’t a required number of books for this challenge. We can read as many or as little as we want, provided they are original works by Austen or Austen-themed novels. Even movies count! I’m going to set a personal goal of 5-10 for this challenge, though I’m sure with all the Austen-themed books I read, that won’t be too hard. Here’s my list so far:
The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen
Darcy and Fitzwilliam by Karen V. Wasylowski
Mr. Darcy’s Secret by Jane Odiwe
Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louse
It shouldn’t be too hard to complete these since I can count books for more than one challenge, but I like to mix things up a bit, so we’ll see how it goes. Wish me luck, and I hope some of you will join me in one or more of these challenges.
Disclosure: I am an Amazon associate.
© 2011 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Thank goodness you are an Austen addict. I’m thrilled that you are reading my book. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Karen Wasylowski’s debut novel. I read a short story of hers on meryton.com, and it was exceptional.
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I guess I am addicted. 🙂 You’ve made me really excited about Wasylowski’s book.
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Anna,
I’m impressed you could spell Wasylowski; it took me months to get it right after my little maiden name. And, I hope you get a chance to read my book. It is my first and therefore very dear to my heart. Mary thanks once again for supporting me. Three weeks to go until it comes out and I’m not sleeping anymore. Does this ever get better?
Karen
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Karen, thanks so much for stopping by! I will be reading it in Feb., and I believe welcoming you as a guest blogger. Looking forward to it!
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How fun! I love the idea of focusing one entire year on a certain theme of reading challenges.
I wish you the best of luck – and look forward to reading all these Janeite reviews.
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I can’t get enough of Austen. I hope I don’t get burned out on all the sequels and re-tellings, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts.
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🙂 Of course you can never resist anything Jane Austen 🙂
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I knew you’d understand. 🙂
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Anna, thank you for the lovely shoutout! I sincerely hope you enjoy Willoughby’s Return and Mr Darcy’s Secret!
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Thanks, Jane. I’m looking forward to reading them!
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I’m glad you’ll be reading Willoughby’s Return…good book! You are more of an addict than I am…lol
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It appears so. 🙂 I remember you telling me how much you enjoyed it.
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These are perfect for you!
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Totally! 🙂
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I am so envious that you have access to all those books!!!!
Would love to see your reviews as well.
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I am very lucky that these books are so accessible here. I don’t know what I’d do with myself otherwise. ;P
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Reading Austen is so much fun! What a great way to challenge yourself this year. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Heather! I am having a lot of fun with these books.
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Have fun with your Austin challenges.
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Thanks, Carol!
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I’ll have to come back when I have more time to click on the various ones that you’re doing. I’m doing the mystery challenge but like you I’m sure I’ll add more 😀
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I had a feeling you’d be doing at least one of these! 😉
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Great reading challenge selection and BOOKS Anna. Have fun. I look forward to your reviews.
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Thanks for hosting, Laurel Ann!
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[…] on 6 January 2011 at 10:04 pm | Reply I Couldn’t Resist: 2011 Jane Austen Challenges « Diary of an Eccentric […]
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[…] Anna – Diary of an Eccentric […]
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[…] in exploring the rules, etc. I found that there are several Jane Austen challenges for 2011. The Diary of an Eccentric blog lists several. So, at the end of this first week of January I am going to ponder my options. I […]
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I have read too many bad Austen-inspired books and now hide from them. I may be missing some good ones but the fact that they are churned out so fast makes it hard to find them. I will have to see if tempted by any of your reviews!
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I’ve been lucky in that I’ve only read a couple that I really didn’t like. Most of them are enjoyable enough, and there have been a handful that were really, really good.
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Holy smokes that’s a lot of Jane Austen challenges! I’m tempted to join them all but I think I’ll stick to just the one hosted by Austenprose.
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That is a lot of Austen challenges, but some of the books are review copies and others are ones that I was planning on reading this year anyway, so I thought, why not?
Glad you’re taking part in at least one!
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oh wow, I love Jane Austen too. Happy reading 🙂 These sound like fun challenges!
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Thanks! I’m really looking forward to them.
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There’s always room for more Jane in one’s life! 😀
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Yes, definitely!
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Good luck Anna! I’ll be watching for your reviews.
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Thanks, Darlene!
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awesome!! Someone adores Austen ^_^
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I guess I do! 🙂
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