Happy June readers! Wow, did May go by fast! For Mr. Bingley and me, it was a month filled with beautiful weather and we did are best to get outside and enjoy it as much as possible on our screened-in porch, hammock, and by eating outside at every restaurant that we can. 🙂
I even convinced Mr. Bingley to do his work out on the porch with me a couple times. 🙂
We also had a lot of family time this month with Mother’s Day, mom and I had a memorable time at our traditional visit to The Wilmington Tea Room. The food really is so delicious!
And we had a lot of fun celebrating my younger brother’s graduation from college!!! So proud of him! And I’m so glad he is staying in town and setting himself up as a piano tuner/technician! (I didn’t want him to leave me!)
NETHERFIELD UPDATE: We’ve finally got to the fun part of seeing houses! We went to see four houses so far and of those four, we are only considering one. The house has a beautiful property, “extensive grounds,” and a great building for my business, but some of the rooms are small, the house overall has a strong smoke odor, and at almost 3 acres the price is a little high… :/ So we aren’t ruling that one out, but we will keep looking!
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Want to know what Austenesque fun I’m getting into this month?
…here is what’s on this month’s
Austenesque Agenda:
~ TO REVIEW ~
~ TO READ AND REVIEW ~
~ YOU CHOOSE! ~
Last month, Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay won over Joanna Trollope’s Sense and Sensibility. What will win this month’s Wild Card/Pick from my massive TBR/Reader’s Choice? I’m in the mood for some Emma!
A young adult and a mystery – two types of novels I haven’t read in awhile! Which do you want me to read and review? To vote, leave a comment in the comment section.
~ TO CONTINUE READING THIS MONTH ~
About 1/3 into this. 🙂 Really enjoying the hidden storyline for Charlotte Lucas!
~ FEATURED AUTHORS VISITING THIS MONTH ~
Joy Dawn King – June 9th
What about you, friends? What do you want to read this month?
Loved your photos! It looks like it was such a busy month!
Good luck with Netherfield-hunting, and I hope you find something that suits you best.
Have a great summer, whatever you do xx
Thank you, Joana! I love how instagram makes me look a decent photographer! 🙂 Thanks for the lovely wishes, it was such an eventful month that the house-hunting got pushed to the side a little, good thing we aren’t in a rush! I hope you have a lovely summer as well!!
The Highbury Murders
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 0 / THM -1
Hi Meredith,
Thank you for sharing all this with us – love your photographs and Netherfield looks fabulous so good luck with the house hunting. I am waiting for your review on “The Scenes Jane Austen Never Wrote” as I am off to California in August and it is a 14 hour flight from Heathrow so will need a good chunky book to keep me occupied! xx
Thank you, Michelle! Ooh! What a fun trip! I hope I will have my review up by then! 😉 But yeah…I don’t think you could go wrong taking this big tome with you! It will definitely fill up those hours!
I loved the chapters about Mr. Collins’ cucumber and his radishes and how they are stolen – ROFL! Had to send info on that to ALL my girlfriends. Did not like Charlotte’s secret – just not Charlotte, to me. Wrote review on Amazon.
For me the mystery review sounds just a little more interesting. Love your photos. Congrats to your brother. Good luck with continuing house hunting.
Ooh I haven’t gotten to those scenes, Sheila! They sound funny! I liked the explanation of why Charlotte was so eager to marry Mr. Collins, that part made sense to me…but I’m still only 1/3 of the way through so I don’t know anything else yet.
Thanks for all the kind words!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 0 / THM – 2
Emmalee would be my choice as I have been toying with adding it to my TBR massive pile. Love your outdoor photos. Best wishes with your house hunt. Invite along Mr. Darcy for his advice as he is an expert in property management. Of course, if you find Mr. Darcy, you will have tons of your friends and acquaintances coming out of the woodwork to help. Looking forward to our visit next week.
LOL! Yes, we should definitely invite Mr. Darcy along and get his opinion. Mr. Bingley greatly relies on Mr. Darcy’s advice. 😉 I just hope he doesn’t offend the neighbors with his pride!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 1 / THM – 2
I’m voting for the Highbury Murders. Emma is one of my faves and I am not a fan of modern adaptations (personal choice, I know =D). Funny story: Went to a job interview last week with a University English professor whose focus is nineteenth century British authors…she asked my favorite Austen book and was very surprised I chose Emma. Nothing like being in the minority. Of course you choose Mr. Bingley for a life partner and I chose Mr. Knightley. LOL
I envy your gorgeous weather. Ours is pretty thru the window, but the high humidity makes the rest a bit challenging.
House hunting is exciting and frustrating by turns. We bought a bank repo for a steal and then have spent the last 13 years making it what we want. Good luck! Sending positive vibes across the ether!!
That’s awesome, Stephanie! I bet she was pleasantly surprised that you knew and read more than one JA novel! Mr. Knightley…*sigh* he is lovely! I think we will have weather like yours soon…I’m trying to enjoy it while I can. 😉
Thanks for the positive vibes! We need them!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 1 / THM – 3
Thanks for sharing your family photos! There’s nothing better than having family close by!
Best of luck with the house hunting adventure. TI have no doubt that you’ll find the one that’s the right ‘fit’ for the Bingley family.
I’m eagerly waiting for your review of the Scenes Jane Austen Never Wrote. But I haven’t even heard of a single book on your to read and review list! That’s weird. Usually there’s at least one I’m familiar with. I’m often amazed at the sheer number of books out there that are inspired by just 6 books written 200 years ago.
I vote for the Highbury Murders!
🙂 My parents and brother are a 25 minute drive away and I absolutely love it. The rest of our family is 12 hours away in NY, where we all used to be and I do miss the big family get togethers we would have.
🙂 I better finish the Scenes Jane Austen Never Wrote, pronto! People are waiting! That is interesting, Heather. I think they all are very recently published so that might be why. It is astounding, isn’t it?
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 1 / THM – 4
Look forward to what you have coming for this month. Thanks for sharing your family life and how the house hunt is going. Both your Emma choices look good to me. I’ll go with the Jenni James.
Thank you for all your kind words, I’m glad you don’t mind my blathering on! 🙂
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 2 / THM – 4
I vote for the Highbury Murders! Thank you for today’s blog. Good luck with house hunting and congratulations to your brother.
Thank you!! You all are so kind! 🙂 xoxo
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 2 / THM – 5
The Highbury Murders…..I’ve already read and enjoyed it a lot..
Good luck house hunting…
That’s good to know! Thank you! 🙂
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 2 / THM – 6
Hi Meredith!
How lucky both you and Mr. Bingley are with such beautiful views and lovely days enjoying your hobbies! 🙂
Speaking about the books to vote, I vote for the Highbury murders!, I think Emma would be a smart detective although, maybe she needs the realistic point of view of Mr. Knightley LOL!
Thank you, Teresa! I think our wonderful time of enjoying the outdoors all day might be ending. The last two days reached 90 degrees and were pretty humid! :/ But it was lovely while it lasted!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 2 / THM – 7 Emma would definitely be good about getting into everyone’s business, but she may be a little blind to some things! 😉
Your photos are so lovely. They make me want to drop in and have a glass of ice tea and just chat!!!!
Good luck with your hunt for Netherfield.
Congrats, Brother and Happy Mother’s Day to your mom.
I’ll vote for the mystery.
My June reading are Against His Will by Nancy Kelley, The Companion of His Future Life by Jack Caldwell, Tree of Life by Ginger Monette, and An Unexpected Lady by Lelia M. Silver (so far). I just finished Rain and Retribution, and liked it very much. As you said, Meredith, it is very real in that there is darkness, but love and happiness too.
Happy June!
Yes, I wish you would, Catherine! Would be thrilled to receive such a visit. Thank you for all your kind words and wishes! That’s a wonderful reading list – do you post your thoughts anywhere when you are done reading? Like on amazon or goodreads? I’d love to know what you thought of some of these books, especially the ones I’ve enjoyed. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed Rain and Retribution, it definitely had more shade, which was a refreshing change!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 2 / THM – 8
Oh Meredith I can’t decide but some of my family live in Highbury, so I’m voting for that! I haven’t read any of your book selections although I have bought a Father’s sins & The Second chance. The title Follies past sounds intriguing. I cant wait to read your reviews. Happy house hunting 🙂 You already know what I plan to read in June but I’ve been distracted already and read three books not on my June itinerary. I’m like a crow who gets distracted by shiny things lol
Wow, 3 books already! That’s fast! 🙂 I look forward to seeing what you think of A Father’s Sins and the Second Chance! I just finished A Father’s Sins, I liked the premise a lot and I’m about to start The Second Chance! Can’t wait! 🙂
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 2 / THM – 8
The only one of these selections I’ve read is Emmalee, and I must say I did enjoy it, but more as a light read than a serious, thought-provoking one. I thought the storylines of Pride & Popularity and Persuaded (also by Jenni James) were more thorough explorations of their respective stories. But, then again, Emma was never one of my favorite Austen heroines!
On another note, I just picked up The Beresfords based on your recommendation, and I was astonished at how much I liked it! Fanny is becoming rather a favorite of mine 🙂 . She reminds me a bit of Jane Eyre. (Speaking of which, have you checked out the Autobiography of Jane Eyre series on YouTube? It’s modeled on Lizzy Bennet Diaries, but, in my opinion, digs even deeper into the characterization of Jane and all the emotional struggles she goes through. I was surprised by how well it fit into the modern world! If you haven’t, you should totally check it out!)
Sienna, I had to pull up The Autobiography of Jane Eyre on You Tube seeing your comment above – spent most of the day watching 92 episodes to catch up – LOL. Good thing for me I am retired. Very enjoyable.
I’m with you about Pride and Popularity and Persuaded, Sienna! Pride and Popularity was wonderful! 🙂
I’m so thrilled you read The Beresfords and thought as highly of it as I did! Fanny does have a lot in common with Jane Eyre, as a quiet, introvert, I identify with and admire both characters. I am actually way behind on The Autobiography, haven’t kept up with it as I ought! Think I might start over and binge watch like Sheila!!! 🙂 Sheila, what did you think? Have you seen The Lizzie Bennet Diaries?
Funny you should ask. I started those and never finished – so I may have another binge day coming up next week….I was thinking of doing that before you asked. Just read Saving Elizabeth Bennet last night after watch the “Autobiography”. I did go for a walk before doing that. Loved it – have to post a review today.
I can see me watching the Autobiography again when it comes to an end – that was very enjoyable. Only stopped to eat and take bathroom breaks – LOL.
Ooh! Yes you do. Love LBD, Mr. Bingley is a fan too! 😉 Will go check out your review, I haven’t read that one yet.
That sounds like a fun way to spend the day!
I’ll select The Highway Murders because I would love to know what you think about this little-known work (in my opinion that is). I’m still reading Val McDermid’s Northanger Abbey as I’m a slow reader and take my time to enjoy the story.
Looking forward to what you think of that, Sylvia! I’ve been trying to make more time for reading during the week, I love being in Jane Austen’s world and having my head full of her characters.
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 2 / THM – 9
Congrats to your brother, Meredith!! It’s a huge satisfaction to graduate from college! 🙂 What an interesting month you have ahead of you 🙂 I can’t wait to read your reviews! Well, although it hasn’t got many votes, I’d choose “Emmalee” because I’ve heard good things about Jenni James and I’m curious to hear your thoughts about it 🙂
I wish I could visit The Wilmington Tea Room! The food must be delicious 😉 and their website is lovely!
Thank you, sweet friend! I would love it if you could visit our lovely little tea room! It is such a sweet place!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 3 / THM – 9
I vote for The Highbury Murders. I can begin to imagine Mr. Knightly and Emma assisting each other or shall I say Mr. Knightly watching over Emma to keep her out of trouble of her own making. Congratulations to your brother!
Thanks, Eva!!! My brother appreciates all these lovely wishes! 🙂 That does sound like the right dynamic between the two!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 E – 3 / THM – 10