We are at that time again! Time to say goodbye to 2011 and say hello to 2012! I always love reflecting on the previous year and all that took place. For me and my little blog, it has been an extremely busy and exciting year! In 2011: I hosted my first month-long blog event, Austenesque Extravaganza, connected with many new wonderful Austenesque readers, participated in 2 reading challenges, signed up for Dear Jane where I have been enjoying correspondence with my lovely penpal in Belgium! Oh yeah, and I read my fair share of exemplary Austenesque novels.
What defines “fair share,” you ask? 62! 62 novels read and reviewed this yea!. Of these, 55 are Austenesque. Yes, some may say I have a narrow reading scope! But really there are so many Austenesque novels being published EVERY month that it is hard to find time to read anything else! It is all I can do to keep up!
So do you want to know which books receive my highest accolades and recommendations? Here they are!
Summary for 2011
Of the 62 novels I’ve read, here is the breakdown:
Austenesque Awards for 2011
Favorite Jane Austen Related Mystery
Murder Most Persuasive by Tracy Kiely
– Book 3 in Tracy Kiely’s wonderful Austenesque mystery series, as you may have guess, this on parallels Persuasion.
Favorite Pride and Prejudice Sequel
The Unexpected Miss Bennet by Patrice Sarath and Christmas at Pemberley by Regina Jeffers
– Two very different novels! The Unexpected Miss Bennet gives Mary Bennet a chance to shine and Christmas at Pemberley was filled with great meaning and many delightful subplots! Honorable mentions go to Pemberley Celebrations by Kara Louise and Caroline Bingley by Jennifer Becton, both were incredibly well done!
Favorite Non-Pride and Prejudice Sequel
Nachtstürm Castle by Emily C. A. Snyder
– YES! I loved seeing Henry and Catherine as newlyweds and of course they stumble upon a Gothic adventure!
Favorite Modern Adaptation
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud and Persuade Me by Juliet Archer
– Oh boy, there was no way I could decide between these two! I loved them so very much! Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star was a little bit of naughty fun and Persuade Me just had such excellet tension and emotional build up.
Favorite Young Adult Jane Austen Related Novel
Pride and Popularity by Jenni James
– Very excited about this series for Young Adult! Pride and Popularity was an extremely engaging adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for Young Adult readers! Best I read so far!
Favorite Austen-Inspired Novel
According to Jane by Marilyn Brant
Not a new release for 2011, but new for me! I finally go the chance to read it and oh-my-goodness was it well worth the wait!! I adored Ellie and desperately wish I had Jane Austen in my head!
Favorite Retelling/Point-of-View of a Jane Austen Novel
Henry Tilney’s Diary by Amanda Grange
– My new favorite for this remarkable series! I loved seeing everything from Henry’s point-of-view!
Favorite Non-Austenesque Novel
Nocturne by Syrie James
– Once again this award goes to Syrie James, one of my favorite authors! Last year I adored her Dracula, My Love, this year her evocative paranormal romance, Nocturne. (Syrie James has one an Austenesque award every year so far!)
Favorite Nonfiction/Reference
In the Garden with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson
– How I wish I had the patience and the time to create a garden like Jane Austen’s garden a Chawton Cottage. Filled with facts, history, and beautiful illustrations, this book is fantastic!
Favorite Pride and Prejudice Variation
Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise
– My favorite genre for Austenesque novels and the one I most frequently read from this year! Soooo many wonderful stories about Darcy and Lizzy falling in love! I greatly enjoyed the interesting premise Kara Louise created for this variation! Honorable mentions go to Mr. Darcy and the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton and Mr. Darcy’s Proposal by Susan Mason-Milks.
Favorite Jane Austen Paranormal
Mr. Darcy’s Bite by Mary Simonsen
– Mr. Darcy as a werewolf! Mary Simonsen creates such wonderful characters, Lord Fitzwilliam is definitely a favorite of mine!
What about you dear readers?
What Austenesque awards would you give?
Congratulations, Meredith, for a great year. Best wishes for a Happy, Gratifying, full-of-Austenesque-joy New Year!!!
i haven’t read much austenesque books, because i looks discovered your website few months ago with a giveaway ,i live in france so i can’t get into most of teh giveaway which US and CA, but i loved reading ” darcy’s obssession ” by abigail reynolds who has become one of my fav authour, i read many summary of many books, but all were not my type , i liked “mr and mrs darcy” by sharon lathan that i received from your giveaway even if i found it a bit …lovey dovey .
in 2012 ,i will read much more of course . 🙂
you gave some idea
happy new year
That is a great run down of your year and it was a very productive year. I had been reading the Jane Austen mystery series by Stephanie Barron and Carrie Bebris’ Darcy mystery series, but it was this year that I discovered the sequels, what-ifs and modern adaptions. Of these, I think Linda Wells’ Memory series, Abigail Reynolds’ & Mary Lydon Simonsen’s variations and modern tellings got my attention first, but then I found all the rest. There are few Austen authors that I have not read and I plan to remedy that.
Love your blog and wish you a wonderful new year of blogging!
Sophia
I’m honoured and flabbergasted and honoured! Thank you so much!
Meredith, great list of awards! Most of these books are high up on my list as well. I prefer Darcy’s Voyage to OMDWD. It is a three-way tie for me for fav. variation. I also loved The Truth about Mr. Darcy by Susan Adriani as well as Mr. Darcy & the Secret of Becoming a Gentleman by Maria Hamilton. I have only read Tracy Keily’s first novel. Have the second one on my nightstand patiently waiting to be read.
I hope next year brings just as many wonderful novels, reviews, & giveaways! Happy New Year!
Oh, Meredith, how delighted and honored I am to know that According to Jane made your list! Thank you!! So pleased that you enjoyed it, and I love seeing the novels of so many friends recognized here as well ;). Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Like my other Austen Author teammates, I am honored to be among those listed in this 2011 review. Thank you, Meredith, for spearheading the Extravaganza and for providing a format to highlight our novels. Happy New Year!
I loved the list. I had to go thru and review what you had for 2010 and 2009 as well. It’s hard to recall exactly what came out or was reviewed when. Then I went back thru most of the reviews for the categories I liked. Wow, what a lot of work you’ve put in. thank you so very much. We look forward to your reviews as always.
Meredith, Thank you for mentioning Mr. Darcy’s Bite, and I’m so glad you liked it. Have a wonderful 2012 and keep reading!
62 books read and reviewed? Meredith that is amazing!
I enjoyed your list very much. I agree with many of them. Stellar year in Austenesque fiction benefited greatly by your insights.
Thanks, LA
Delighted that Persuade Me is up there with the best – thank you! Have a great 2012!
Thanks so much for the nod to The Unexpected Miss Bennet!
Meredith:
Congratulations to you on your year of accomplishments with Austenesque Reviews. I am honored to have been even a little part of it! Look forward to what you have in store for us this year..
Barbara Tiller Cole
Meredith, I’m in awe – so many wonderful books and reviews this year. Congratulations to you and all the talented authors who received your 2011 awards! Wishing you more happy reading in 2012!
Best,
Susan