Everyone welcome avid Austenesque reader, Stephanie! I feel like I’ve known Stephanie a long time now, she has been active member and participant on Austenesque Reviews for so many years, she feels like a dear friend!
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You: Tell us about yourself
My name is Stephanie Littlejohn. I live out in the rural wilds of Oklahoma. I work for the University of Oklahoma full time and I’m also a full-time student working on my Bachelor’s Degree in Administrative Leadership. Too much time spent reading textbooks, never enough time to read what I want.
Your Induction:
- When and how did you discover the Austenesque/JAFF genre? I’ve always been an avid reader. Long ago and far away when I was in Jr. High, we were given P&P to read as an assignment. I loved it and explored what else she had written becoming a Janeite for life in the process. About 2010 I was searching the “Romance” genre at my local Borders store for new Nora Roberts and the words “Mr. Darcy” jumped off the shelf at me.
- What was the first Austenesque novel you ever read? Abigail Reynolds To Conquer Mr. Darcy was the novel I first discovered and subsequently read. It opened the door to the possibility that there were more of the genre out there. I combed the shelves and found more in the Lit section and I was hooked.
- What did you think of it? I liked it, I liked the possibilities it brought to light. More Austen!!
Your Habits:
- About how many Austenesque novels do you read a month? A year? In the old days (before I went back to school) I probably read 4 or 5 a month. Currently, I’m lucky if I get in one in a month’s time. I’ll say a good annual average is 10.
- Around what percentage of your total reads a year are Austenesque novels? Hmmmm, at least 75%. Maybe 80%.
- Where/how do you obtain the Austenesque books your read? I currently get almost all of my books on my Nook Tablet. This allows me to carry them with me wherever I go. I LOVE real books. The smell of them, the heft of them (don’t get me started on actual bookstores)…but carrying a book with me everywhere (in my backpack) is not only hard on the book, but also if I finish one I’ve always got another just a couple taps away. I have a couple of books that are only available on Kindle on an app on my phone but that’s really hard to read so they remain unread for the moment.
- What is your favorite time of day to read? I like to read at night. I work in a constant whirl (I work in HR) so at the end of the day it winds me down and clears my head or replaces the madness with a story I can get lost in. This, in turns, facilitates sleeping. All in all it makes me easier to get along with. I read for my sanity. LOL
- What is your favorite place to read? Some years ago, my DH bought me a very large recliner. It is
wide enough to fit two people, but I use it to curl all of me into and hunker down with a book, a blanket and my tea.
- What do you like to listen to when you read if anything? On the whole, I don’t listen to anything. I get so lost in what I read that the rest is irrelevant (including the husband). Occasionally I will turn on classical music to add to the calming effect if the day has been particularly hellacious.
- What do you like to drink or eat when you read if anything? Bingley Teas has a blend called “Mrs. Bennet’s Nerves”. It is my very favorite calming elixir. No eating, although I occasionally indulge in a bit of wine. Usually just a couple cups of tea.
- Do you read more than one book at a time ever? My immediate response was NEVER! But I have to add a caveat: I do occasionally have two books going at once. But ONLY if one is for school and one is for pleasure. The story stays in my head, so to go back and forth screws up my brain.
- Do you ever read the ending of a book first? (Laughing) No. This is funny because I have a friend who is always arguing with me and can’t believe I never want to know how it ends before I get there. For me, reading a book is a lot like life. You never know for sure how the road is going to go or where it’s going to end. You have to enjoy the journey and the stops along the way or else nothing else makes sense.
- Do you ever reread? Yes. I have a “shelf” on my Nook for “Favorites”. It’s the books that I will read when I want to get lost for a while but need to pop in and out and not read for long stretches at a time. If it’s a book I’ve read, I can go in and out of it, knowing where it goes and not becoming despondent because I don’t have more time to read and develop the story. If I could get paid for reading my life would be perfect. LOL
Your Collection:
- Collectively around how many Austenesque works do you own? This took some calculating. I have 131 in two formats. I knew I had an addiction, didn’t know just how much of one!
- Where do you store your Austenesque collection? The paper ones are in a (jammed) bookshelf in
my office/dressing room. DH is talking about building me some bigger bookshelves. Yay!!
- What format are most of your Austenesque books in – paperback, ebook, or audiobook? The majority is in ebook format and the rest are paper books. I don’t have a single audiobook. I can’t listen to books. I like to be able to go back and re-read a page or mark a page with a note so I can come back to it again.
- How many Austenesque books are currently in your TBR at this moment? My TBR has 18 books in it. I have another list of ones I need to buy and read (which currently has 9 on it).
Your Faves:
- Pride and Prejudice Variation: Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner by Jack Caldwell
- Pride and Prejudice Sequel: The Darcy Saga by Sharon Lathan. I know that’s stretching it…It’s more than one book, but it’s an interwoven series. I adore them all. Okay okay…if I have to pick JUST one…I’ll go with Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One. It’s the first book and I guess the truest “sequel”.
- Pride and Prejudice Modern Adaptation: I’m honestly not a big fan of modern adaptations. But Compulsively Mr. Darcy by Nina Benneton was fun.
- Minor Character Story: this is an easy one. Caroline Bingley by Jennifer Becton.
- Non-Pride and Prejudice Sequel: Three Colonels by Jack Caldwell. P&P is represented but so are S&S and such. This is one of my very favorites.
- Non-Pride and Prejudice Modern Adaptation: The Importance of Being Emma by Juliet Archer.
- Reference/Nonfiction Work: The Wicked Wit of Jane Austen
- Austen-Inspired Original: Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight
- Original Character: Dr. George Darcy! (created by Sharon Lathan)
- Austenesque Genre: I like sequels. The variations are fun and make you re-examine the novel as Jane wrote it just imagining the possibilities. However, I think the whole reason that I got into JAFF was because I wanted to know what happened next. I love series for that reason. You can see what happened next week and next year in the lives of these characters that you’ve become so invested in.
Your Desert Island 5: (You are about to be stranded on a desert island for unspecified amount of time you must select what you will bring)
- Five Austenesque/Jane Austen Movies: Emma (2009 BBC), Becoming Jane (2007), P&P (1995 BBC), S&S (1995), Persuasion (2007)
Would You Rather?:
- Have Lady Catherine or Mrs. Norris as a mother. Oh dear me. Ummmmm…Mrs. Norris. She could at least be corralled at times. Lady Catherine was just full steam ahead.
- Live in Bath or live in London. London. There’s just so much to entertain. LOL
- Be besties with Eleanor Tilney or Georgiana Darcy. Georgie.
- Dance every set at a ball or go horseback riding through the countryside with friends. Well, since I am terrible at both…I’ll pick horseback riding through the countryside because I’d rather be out and about with friends than in a crowded, stifling room.
- Marry Edmund Bertram or Edward Ferrars. I’m going to have to go with Edward. Edmund, whilst loyal, is a little too milquetoast for me.
- Attend a strawberry-picking party at Donwell Abbey or attend the theatre with the Gardiners. Strawberry picking! Is Mr. Knightley anywhere around? I must straighten my bonnet.
- Go shopping with Lydia Bennet or have tea with Mrs. Elton. LOL I’ll say shopping with Lydia. She might be a ridiculous flirt but conversation would be full of the wares available and the benefits of a particular style and not narcissistic rambling (even though dear Mrs. Elton doesn’t say herself that she’s fabulous, she only knows her friends think so).
- Discover and read the finished manuscript (by Jane Austen) of The Watsons or Sanditon. The Watsons
You Right Now:
- What Austenesque novel(s) are you currently reading at the moment? (Actually re-reading)Darcy and Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship by Sharon Lathan in preparation for the release of the second volume this summer
- What Austenesque novels are on your wish-list? The Second Chance, Dear Mr. Knightley, Remembrance of the Past, A Match for Mary Bennet, Mr. Darcy’s Pledge…
- What Austenesque novel do you wish someone would write? I wish there was more written on Emma. I know that she is not the favorite of a lot of people, but I just adore Mr. Knightley and wish someone would write some variations on Emma. As many scenarios as have been created for poor Darcy and Lizzie, SOMEONE could come up with some workable ones for Emma and Knightley.
- What do you love most about Austenesque novels? I love the comfort of them. Yes, sometimes they are angsty or heartbreaking, but the characters are familiar. The locations are familiar and it’s easier to figure out who is related to whom. I often feel like I’m reading about old friends on a new adventure. I read other things, but in the end I come back to another Austenesque novel (often one suggested by Meredith) because it makes me much nicer at the end of the day.
No blogs, I don’t have that much to say =D. I’m Stephanie L on most of the boards and blogs I frequent.
I would just like to say a big thank you to the authors because you keep me sane and to the Austenesque community as a whole: I live in an area that doesn’t understand or celebrate the things that I hold so dear (Jane, JAFF, classical music, sushi…LOL). I get my fix (so to speak) through the conversations and posts on the various blogs and sites that celebrate JAFF. I appreciate being included! Meredith, you rock. That’s all I can say.
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Thank you, Stephanie! I’m so honored! Thank you for being so willing to take part in this series, it has been such a pleasure to know you these past years!!
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Want to see some more Ardent Austenesqe Admirers? CLICK HERE!
Thank you Stephanie for sharing that with us. It was a real pleasure to read. I love the Sharon Lathan series too and have read all her books. I too like Emma but my favourite after P & P is Colonel Brandon. My family and friends think I am a bit “strange” as I love all things P & P and I have quotes framed around the house etc. so reading this site and knowing there are others like me who love JA keeps me sane. We are very lucky to be part of this blog and a huge thank you too for all the authors who write these wonderful variations/sequels.
I’m rather fond of Col. Brandon myself but I always wish him to be appreciated for himself and not as a bit of a consolation prize. =D
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who lives in an Austen embracing desert! Lucky we can all hang out at Meredith’s place!
You all are so sweet! Yes, we can fanout over Jane Austen and her characters here all day!!!
Wooo Hooo! I’m so thrilled to be a part of this series! You all are awesome and it’s just fun chatting with you all. I never realized that my old friend chair looks rather like a cushy elephant…LOL =D
So glad to be here, and thanks again Meredith! I really do feel like we’re old friends even though we’ve never officially “met”.
Woot woot! Stephanie! So happy to share this post with everyone! 🙂 Hopefully we will get to meet one day!
Hello, Stephanie, so nice to read about you and your love of Jane Austen and JAFF. I love these introductions to other, especially when we can learn which books you love. I do have some Sharon Lathan but not all so will make a note of which ones you noted. Many others you mentioned I have read and do love. Your chair looks really comfortable. And this tea? Where do you get Bingley teas? Is this an Internet site? I currently drink a lot of green tea but like to explore new flavors. Camomile for nerves was a choice but it isn’t the best flavor. Your life sounds very busy. Have a good day.
The tea is from a website: http://www.bingleysteas.com/jane-austen-tea-series There are several different varieties (with lovely Austenesque names). My favorites are Mrs. Bennets Nerves and Emma’s Perfect Match (which is green tea with actual dried strawberries in it). Chamomile on its own leaves a lot to be desired but mixed with other things it’s rather nice.
Thanks for dropping by Sheila!!
Ooooh! Yes, Sheila, we must introduce you to Bingley’s Tea – I second Stephanie’s recommendation about Emma’s Perfect Match – I love fruit teas!!
Yes, I did look it up but am overwhelmed by choice – want to order more than just one and I have a son-in-law in Seattle who is waiting to see what i think as he, too, is a tea lover. So any other recommendations?
Hello Stephanie!
So let’s see: you’re a Janeite and JAFF fan, ebook reader, tea and occasional wine drinker, classical music and sushi lover. You and I need to be friends. Yup, I decided. Oklahoma is a little far from where I am, sadly, but that’s the only thing keeping me from knocking on your door to come over and hang out. I’ll bring some tea and we can compare nook titles and them go out for sushi.
Thanks for telling us a little bit about yourself!
I love it! It would be amazing to have someone who enjoys the same things (particularly that grouping of things) as I do! Well, I’m glad we’ve met and I virtually offer some wine and sushi between friends!
You should try George Knightly, Esquire, a two-book set by Barbara Cornthwaite. I read it on my iPod’s Kindle ‘app’ – don’t know if it’s available for Nook. Since we’re on the subject of Emma, I’m waiting for someone to write of the Bath courtship between Mr. And Mrs. Elton. That story might be as good a tale as Ms. Becton’s.
I actually have that set (it’s in the bookcase on the top shelf, laying sideways =D) in paperbacks. I love all things Mr. Knightly so always keep my eyes open. I’ve always wondered how much “courting” Mr. and Mrs. Elton actually did. Did they talk over each other constantly? LOL That would definitely be a great story.
Agreed! I’d loved to see Mrs. Elton in Jennifer Becton’s hands!
Hi Stephanie! I’m convinced that others are just ‘missing’ the ‘Jane Austen DNA gene’…the books on your bookshelves are almost the same as mine! I too love Sharon Lathan’s ‘Darcy Saga’ and just finished “The Courtship’. Looking forward to the release of her next one too. I will have to check out some of the books you have indicated that I know nothing about. I love this ‘sharing between JAFF friends’ and learning a bit about each other. I’ll also have to check out these ‘Bingley Teas’.
Meredith is brilliant offering this series of interviews! It’s so much fun to chat and “meet” you all. I think that the convivial atmosphere of the JAFF community is amazing. Bingley Teas has so many options, you’ll find something you just have to try.
I’m so happy to hear that others are enjoying these posts as much as I am! I’m so happy we can all connect and share our love of Jane Austen together! 🙂 LOL! Those poor souls, must be sad not to have the Jane Austen DNA gene!
Carole, I love your comment about the “Jane Austen DNA gene”! I totally agree, of course. Folk just don’t know or understand what they’re missing. Mind you, during the recent football World Cup, I did ask my husband and son which they’d rather watch on TV. Given the choice of football or P&P 1995, they both chose P&P, thank goodness! We’re not a household of football fans, as you may have guessed!
I’ve just recently read my first two Sharon Lathan books from the Darcy Saga. Thoroighly enjoyed them both and will be getting more when time and budget allow.
Such an enjoyable post, Stephanie! It was nice to ‘meet’ you through your interview and see your special reading area and shelves. Mr. Knightley is a treat for sure.
Thanks for coming by Sophia Rose! Nice to “meet” you as well.
Hello Stephane from another Stephanie.. It was nice getting to know you. Just wanted to say I agree that more EMMA stories should be written. Mr Knightley is a literary crush of mine.
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one with the Mr. Knightley crush! Let’s keep our fingers crossed some of the lovely Austenesque authors out there decide to take Emma on. =D
I really enjoyed your post. I am so totally with you about the NOOK. When camping I used to have to pock 4 or 6 books I might want to read but now I carry nearly 2000 so I don’t have to anticipate what I might be in the mood for.
I too have a favorites shelf so I can reread books when I’m in the mood. I love that I can read at night and not turn on a light and so not dixturb hubby. How about you?
Thank you for letting me get to known you.
I’m not so sure about camping…I’m not much for sleeping on the ground O:-)…however I can completely embrace the concept of not having to carry around that many books. I like to travel so the Nook makes it sooo much easier to have plenty of reading material and even the option to buy some on the spot should the urge hit.
I forgot about the beauty of the light! Yes! Doesn’t keep hubby up, he can sleep with the lamp on, but it helps so much on planes and in cars whilst someone else is driving. Thanks for coming by Deborah!
Hi Stephanie!
Glad to meet you!. I enjoyed the interview because I agree with you in what you say about reading like a sort of ” therapy” in our chaotic times where we are working all day and we need ” fresh air” for our minds 😉
I love reading and when I do it, everything vanishes around me, I don’ t even realize about noises LOL
It’s wonderful the sweet virtual space Meredith has created because it gives the chance of communicating with people who share the same preferences in reading and coming from different cities and countries! It’ s great, so thanks Stephanie for sharing your thoughts and thanks Meredith!
Greets from Spain!
So lovely of you to visit and comment, Teresa! Thank you so much for the kind words! This blog wouldn’t be anything without lovely readers such as yourself!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who reads and the world becomes invisible. LOL Annoys my DH some days, but after 15 years he’s learned to just leave me be.
Love that you’re in Spain! The beauty of the world wide web!
Hi from the UK, Stephanie. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences of the Jane and JAFF world with us. It’s lovely to get to “know” people better when all we see is a name and possibly a photo.
Like you, I’m pretty isolated in my interests where I am in Northern England. As a JAFF rookie, only “joining up” this year, I discovered that one author, Cassandra Grafton, had been living in the same town as me, just as she moved to Switzerland. How’s that for timing? We’ve met once since, when she made a visit back, and plan to meet again sometime, but that’s it for actual rather than virtual connections. Now I have all of you lovely people to “meet” and chat with online.
Mr. Knightley is also one of my favourites. Mark Strong is MY Mr. Knightley, from the 1995 version with Kate Beckinsale as Emma. It’s rather unusual to see him playing a role other than a “hard” man or out-and-out “baddie” but I thought he did it rather well. It would be great, as you say, to see more JAFF based on Emma. Reading about the Elton’s courtship as Leslie says above would probably be a hoot. Perhaps we could put it to Jack Caldwell? I think I’d pay good money to read that story if Jack wrote it.
It’s a shame Bingleys Teas aren’t available over here. Shipping from the US would be prohibitively expensive most likely. I could do with some of Mrs. Bennet’s tea with the week I’m having at work so far!
Thanks once again to yuo and to Merdith for hosting.
Mark Strong was very good as Mr. Knightley in Emma. I love the dance scene at the end. The looks they give each other during that whole Harvest Dance part were well played. As you said, he usually plays bad, if not evil, guys, i.e., Septimus in Stardust.
Sheila, I agree totally about the dance at the end of that version of Emma. Stardust is a fantastic film, isn’t it? I love Neil Gaiman’s work and would be really excited about a proper dramatisation of Neverwhere. But that’s a wholly different discussion.
I just re-watched that version of Emma while making some of my Polish Star ornaments. I truly love Mark Strong in that movie – very handsome, and strong and gentlemanly – sigh!
OK, Anji and Sheila, you know me too well. I had to pull Mr. Strong up on Pinterest because a visual didn’t appear in my weary brain. Yes, very handsome, strong and gentlemanly. Definitely a departure from what I had remembered him from. I think I like the bald look better for him. Nice!
Yes, Joy, the bald look does look good on him. Not all men can pull that off successfully. I suspect that he may have been wearing some sort of artificial enhancement in the hair department as Mr. Knightley.
I had to Google Mark Strong. LOL Though I own all versions of Emma, I don’t know his name. I’m really not much for movies and TV in general (unless it’s Austenesque or cooking), so I have never seen him in anything else. He was very good and I loved the “additional” scenes at the end with the harvest dance and the Eltons disbelief. LOL It’s like getting an extra peek (akin to the kiss at the end of P&P 2005).
Jack Caldwell would give the Eltons a serious working over. I concur, that would be a really fun ride.
I love that you smell books, Stephanie. Me too! Especially new ones. I asked Rose Fairbanks if she smelled the books from her first shipment and she did. Look at all that we have in common.
The secret to finding the book you long to read is to write it yourself. If you want to read of the romance (or lack of romance) between Mr. and Mrs. Elton – write it. Even if it’s a short story and not a full-blown book – write it. That’s how all of us got our start. We had a story to tell that we longed to read. So – write it.
I’ve not seen the version of Emma with Mark Strong. I’ll Google him now. I have three Pinterest boards for Darcy, Bingley, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Maybe I need one for Knightley as well.
Thanks so much for letting us get to know you. I always smile when I see the same names in the comment section of blogs. And now, we know what the “L” stands for. Greetings from Ecuador.
I have a very long love affair with books and I’ve discovered when you love something you are aware of the smallest things. LOL I love the smell of books; old, new, it doesn’t matter. I enjoy walking into the old libraries and the smell of the books is like a big hug. Hi, I’m Stephanie, I’m a bibliophile. Thanks for being part of the fan club! =D
I understand the instinct to write what I want to read. The problem with that is though I can write a mean essay (for school), when it comes to longer writings I get frustrated, I want to escape into it and not think about it and where it’s going (not sure if that makes sense). I can write short stories, but anything longer drives me batty. It’s much easier to enjoy and appreciate what others are writing and mull about what else might come from a much more talented pen than mine!
Thanks for chatting Joy! I love that we can have this conversation nearly 3000 miles apart! Oh, and yes, I use the “L” because otherwise my name is soooo lonnnngg. LOL
I love your answer about re-reading books and being able to put them down without worrying where it’s going maybe I need to do that more often, I always seem to read a new book when I have important things to be doing, like assignments! Thank you for sharing, your answers made me think I need to branch out I am very much stuck in P&P inspired JAFF 🙂
Yes!! During the school term, I do a lot of re-reading because I need to write a whole lot of papers and too much time reading non-textbook things tends to eat into my homework time. =D One benefit I’ve discovered is that after reading 3 chapters on ethics in the workplace or Social Issues (a current topic), my brain functions so much better if I write a little bit and then read something that takes my brain to a nicer place (like Pemberley or Donwell Abbey).
I love P&P JAFF and there is sooo much written for it, but it is fun to visit another part of Jane’s world occasionally. Brings in new people to love!!
Thanks for commenting Tamara!
Hi Stephanie! These interviews feel like meeting up with old friends. I’m the friend who’s always a bit late and a dollar short–if it were only a dollar! I agree there really must be a gene called “Janeite!” Besides enjoying these interviews, including authors, the comments are lots of fun to read. Also, I get new ideas to spend money I don’t have. Just ordered from Bingleys Teas!
Thank you, Stephanie, for sharing, and thank you, Meredith, for all you do!!