Hello my dear readers! So sorry if it feels like I haven’t been around much. February was a month of insanity! My goodness is 2015 off to a very chaotic start for Mr. Bingley and I, I hope the rest of the year gets a little calmer!
As I mentioned in the ARC giveaway post a couple of weeks ago, we are moving out of our house (actually we just finished moving out of our house this past weekend!) We aren’t moving into our dream house just yet, we are in an apartment for now! (A throwback to our early dating years and first year of marriage.)
Why did we move?
Good question, at the beginning of the month our landlord asked if we could break our lease early so he could sell the house. For some reason he needs/wants to sell this house soon.
After talking a lot and exploring our options, we thought it might be beneficial for us if we did move earlier than expected. Our businesses (mine especially) have long ago outgrown being run out of our home, so we thought this might be a great opportunity to try moving our businesses to a rented office space.
So we decided to do as requested and agreed to end our lease early!
Two weekends ago we moved our businesses to this awesome storefront that completely fits all our needs and was an incredibly lucky find!
And this past weekend, we moved out of our home of almost 6 years and into a little apartment close by. Whew! Two moves in two weeks, business life and home life are now separate. Not sure if we will want it to stay this way forever, but for now it works out well!
Needless to say, we are glad to have this behind us, it was a long month of indecision, communication, busyness, and instability. Looking forward to feeling settled again!
The only downside to this move is my precious collection of books has to go into storage for the time being. I want them to remain in good condition, so we put them in plastic totes and we are storing them in my office (where I can keep my eye on them!) 🙂
I have a tiny pile I keep with me at the apartment. Mostly just the books I plan on reading in the near future. 🙂
But hopefully not too many months from now, all my books and I will be reunited! 😉
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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! ~
Let’s do a grab bag month! I have three very different types of novels on my TBR pile. What one are you interested in seeing me read and review the most? I bet many of you have never heard of Uninvited Guests by Jane Gillespie, it is a sequel to Northanger Abbey published in 1994 about the Thorpes! To vote, leave a comment below!
~ FEATURED AUTHORS VISITING THIS MONTH ~
Lisa Pliscou – March 11th
Rachel Berman – March 16th
Laura Chapman – March 23rd
So much to look forward to!!! How about you? What are your plans for this month?
Congratulations on your successful moved!
I am really, really interested in the Jane
Gillespie novel…Northanger Abbey…have
never heard of it.
Thank you! It is great to have no moves coming soon on the horizon! So over it! 😉
I’ve only read 3 novels by Jane Gillespie (no reviews!), I’m eager to read some more!
Thanks for voting! EW – 0 / AR – 0 / JG – 1
Congratulations on surviving and thriving your two moves! It sounds like your businesses are growing and that is wonderful. I really like your heart bookends. I also really enjoy how you let us in on your reading, reviewing, and guest plans for the month, and how you often let us vote on a book you read and review. I will vote for Uninvited Guests!
Thank you, Paige! You are so kind! I’m so very fond of my heart bookends! They are especially precious to me because my grandfather made them for me when I was young! Have always made sure I put them to good use!
Glad you enjoy the preview each month! I do it to help me stay organized, but I love sharing my plans (and my life with Mr. Bingley) with you all! I greatly appreciate all your feedback! It’s been fun to do the voting, I love reviewing what you all want me too!
Thanks for voting! EW – 0 / AR – 0 / JG – 2
Wish I had your energy levels, Meredith! Two moves, all that life planning, and a heavy month of reviews, visiting authors, etc., on top of it! Am excited because two of the books you plan to review are on my TBR. I’d vote for the Abigail Reynolds book–the one with the Thorpes is intriguing, but could I really stand to read an entire book focused on the Thorpes?? I prefer my comic-relief characters in small doses.
I don’t know what Mr. Bingley and I were thinking, Abigail! We moved business and home on two separate weekends and didn’t take any days off work. I feel like I worked for 3 weeks straight with no day off! 😉 LOL! Good point about the Thorpes!
Thanks for voting! EW – 0 / AR – 1 / JG – 2
I think I am most interested in A Match for Mary Bennet – not heard of this one either
Thanks for voting! EW – 1 / AR – 1 / JG – 2
Be still my heart. THREE guest authors this month, and all new to me. Woman, you are amazing. Ah…to be young again. Congrats on surviving your exhausting February!! 🙂
I am going to vote for ‘A Match for Mary Bennet’ because I’ve loved nearly all the transformations and future happiness that Austenesque authors have written for the other Bennet sisters. And Mary is probably the hardest to love.
Reynolds is an auto-buy for me, so I would read your review with relish if you do hers. And the Northanger Abbey sequel is intriguing though it’s my least favorite of Jane’s. No matter what you decide on I’ll be happy.
I know! I noticed that too, and was excited that there would be three new authors for us all to meet together this month! I’m so glad February is over, lol!
Thanks for voting! EW – 2 / AR – 1 / JG – 2
Congratulation on your bussiness place 🙂 and I hope you will enjoy and have great moments in the flat.
I can imagine how different your life muts be from house to flat, but at least you are reminded of good moments from the past. To be in a house or a flat doesn’t matter much as long as you are together .:D
You are going to be busy with lots of readinds from what I see ! For vote, it would go to Abigail Reynolds’s novel 🙂
Thanks, Mariam! We are enjoying both so far! Especially now that we are nearly all unpacked! We spent our first 2 years together in a “flat” and loved it! It’s great to revisit those days! Looking forward to staying busy with reading instead of packing! LOL!
Thanks for voting! EW – 2 / AR – 2 / JG – 2
Uninvited Guest is not available on kindle from Amazon and only has one review and NO sample available to read. And in looking at the other book, A Match for Mary Bennet, it is written by a Franciscan nun – wow! Plus it has a Sample plus many very long and good reviews so I am going to vote that you read the latter one. I have already read The Darcys of Derbyshire so am voting for one with which I am not familiar so I can learn if I should add it to my Wish List. Abigail’s book was excellent in my opinion (as always).
BTW: I very recently read both The Muse and Boots and Packpacks – I know you will enjoy them. They both got top ratings from me. Dearest Friends – Sophia Rose reviewed this on Amazon and it sounds interesting. I will have to look at the JA one but may have read parts of that already. Her writings are always on top.
Hi Sheila! That’s great that you have good things to say about my upcoming reads! I’m looking forward to them all! 🙂 Isn’t that interesting about Eucharista Ward? I believe she has also written a sequel for S&S!
Thanks for voting! EW – 3 / AR – 2 / JG – 2
Please review Abigail Reynold’s book The Darcy’s of Derbyshire. I would like ot know what your businesses are if you have time to leave a reply. Oh, Boots and Packpacks is great!
Thanks for asking, Eva! I run a music studio that gives private one-on-one lessons on various instruments and Mr. Bingley is in music production, he composes, creates, and records music for various needs and uses. 🙂 We were doing this all from home up until two weeks ago!
Thanks for voting! EW – 3 / AR – 3 / JG – 2
Oooh The Muse!! I loved it! Usually there’s always something that doesn’t entirely work for me in modern adaptations (Persuade Me is the only exception so far), but this one was great! I hope you like it! 🙂 I own Books and Backpacks and plan to read it soon. I’ve heard very good things about it and look forward to your thoughts.
Enjoy your new apartment! Hope March is more relaxing for you, Meredith! 😉
I’ll vote for Abigail Reynolds’ book. 🙂
I’ve heard a lot of people say that about The Muse, Maria! 😉 Thanks for the kinds wishes! Already March is off to a way more relaxing start than February was! :
Thanks for voting! EW – 3 / AR – 4 / JG – 2
I think the one I would pick for a review would be, “A Match for Mary Bennet.”
Thanks for voting! EW – 4 / AR – 4 / JG – 2
Whew! Quite the undertaking! Glad you got your office moved and settled into your apartment. I don’t blame you wanting to keep an eye on your books.
I vote for the Uninvited Guest.
🙂 It is great to be settled! Just want to stay home and read all day now!
Thanks for voting! EW – 4 / AR – 4 / JG – 3
I loved The Muse, have fun reading! My vote goes to Abigail Reynolds, she wrote my favorite variation, The Last Man in the World!
That’s great to hear, Arjanne! Looking forward to reading it! That’s my favorite variation too! Love the intense angst in that one!
Thanks for voting! EW – 4 / AR – 5 / JG – 3
Wow! March is such a great month here on Austenesque Reviews, Meredith! Looking forward to reading your posts and reviews! I am thinking what a joy it will be once you are able to unpack all of your books! It will be like welcoming old friends back home. 🙂
I hope it is, Jakki! I’m excited! So many new authors and books! 🙂 I will be savoring that moment for sure! I will be missing them dearly!
I wish you the very best in your new apartment and in your big place for business!. And, speaking of the novels to choose, I haven´t read “Northanger Abbey” (I know, it´s a shame, LOL) so, I vote for “a match for Mary Bennet”. I hope your March will be fine and calm!
Thank you, my friend! 🙂 NA is a very fun novel, hope you try it someday, Mr. Tilney is not to be missed! 😉 I hope you have a wonderful March as well!
Thanks for voting! EW – 5 / AR – 5 / JG – 3
Can’t not vote for the local author. Count me for AR!!! Happy Not Moving!!!!(for a while!)
Yes! Looking forward to a month that does not have a double impending move at the end of it! Thanks!
Thanks for voting! EW – 5 / AR – 6 / JG – 3
Congrats on the move! I hope you find your dream home soon and that it has room for a library as big as Pemberley’s!!
Thanks, Joana! This move did interrupt pursuing plans for our dream home, but now that things are settled we can begin again! I’d be supremely content with a little nook full of empty shelves! 🙂 Hope you are doing well!
Oh Meredith, I am glad you have your books somewhere you can still access them but I miss your beautiful bookcase! I have the Eucharista Ward book but I haven’t read it yet. Aside from a book based on S&S, she also wrote a continuation of The Watsons. I think my vote is for the book by her 🙂
Hope you have a lovely March, I’m guessing it will certainly be less stressful than February, moving is hard work!
It was sad to leave the bookcase, but the truth is, my collection was starting to outgrow the space I had. I like putting books by the same author or publisher/imprint together. But due to lack of space, I was forced to separate some, and that bothered me! LOL! Interesting, I need to add the other books by Eucharista Ward to my wishlist! Hope your recovery is going well! How fun to be catching up on some Jane Austen movies!
Thanks for voting! EW – 6 / AR – 6 / JG – 3
Good luck! My February was super stressful too in less fun ways than moving. Here’s to a far better March.
I would vote for Uninvited Guests…..as it would put Northanger Abbey on my to reread list.
Thanks, Theresa! I’m so sorry to hear you had a stressful month too! Hope March treats you so much better and that things are nice and calm! And that you have lots of time to read!
Thanks for voting! EW – 6 / AR – 6 / JG – 4
e is ok. I go for The Darcys of Derbyshire.
Thanks for voting! EW – 6 / AR – 7 / JG – 4
Congratulations for your business place!!
I understand you: when I am not at home for days, I really miss my books!!
I think “A match for Mary Bennet” could be interesting…
Thank you, Carmen! So far it has been working out really well! 🙂 I’m not much for valuables or material things, but my book collection is very special to me! More so than any other material things I own (aside from my piano!)
Thanks for voting! EW – 7 / AR – 7 / JG – 4 Neck to neck!
I’m going to have to go with Abigail’s book. It’s one of my go-to stories when I need a quick pick-me-up. So, please add my vote for that one. I would like to read the other two as well though.
It is the only work of Abigail’s I haven’t read yet! 🙂 Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Thanks for voting! EW – 7 / AR – 8 / JG – 4 Neck to neck!
My goodness you two have been busy! Last time we moved house, it was only to the house next door. That was tiring enough and we had loads of time to do it. I think the tiring part came from partially living in two houses at once and not really feeling at home in either for a while. I really hope you end up in your dream “Netherfield” really soon! Glad to see that storage of your books is a priority.
Of your four to read and review, I’ve read Boots and Backpacks and The Muse (loved them both!) and Dearest Friends is in the Austeneque TBR collection on my Kindle. I’m saving up for the box set of the Jane Austen Clothbound Classics.
My vote for the You Choose section goes to Uninvited Guests. We don’t get enough sequels/variations for Jane Austen’s other works. I’ve read Abigail’s book but hadn’t come across Eucharista Ward before. Another name to look out for.
The rest of the month is busy for me with work. Going all over the place to various locum engagements. I will be driving through the West Yorkshire town of Bingley going to and from work tomorrow and will be thinking of all my Austenesque friends as I do so, especially you, Meredith!
Hi Anji! Thank you for the kind words! Mr. Bingley and I very simple people and are finding so much happiness in the simplicity and lightness of apartment living! 🙂 It’s also wonderful to have our privacy back, before all the studio’s students and parents would be coming into our home, sitting in our living room, etc. We are liking this change!
This is my first JA Clothbound Classic – may have to go get them all! Didn’t before because of the lack of shelf space! So very lovely, though!
Very true about Jane Austen’s other works! I love to read about these lovable and memorable characters!
Thanks for voting! EW – 7 / AR – 8 / JG – 5
Hope your month goes well and that it isn’t too hectic with all the traveling! Have fun in Bingley! Sounds like a very amiable place to visit! 😉
Wow two moves, I dislike moving as I hate unpacking, it’s times like that I wish I had a magic wand. A lovely selection of books and things planned for March. I have only read AR out of your three but I really like it 🙂 Therefore it has my vote, good luck with the unpacking, I agree best to keep an eye on your books!
LOL! We thought the unpacking part was fun, the real pain was in the packing! Thanks so much for stopping by, Tamara! Hope you have a fabulous month!
Thanks for voting! EW – 7 / AR – 9 / JG – 5
My vote is for the Abigail Reynolds book. It is one I have on my Nook but haven’t read yet.
Awesome, Peggy! Hope you get to read it soon!
Thanks for voting! EW – 7 / AR – 10 / JG – 5 Looks like we have a winner!
I was pleasantly surprised to see you’re reviewing The Muse this month! Thanks to all of the other commenters for the Muse Love. Hope you like it, Meredith!
As someone who’s moved apartments 3 times in 2 years, I can only sympathize with how stressful that is, but it’s all to a more exciting and prosperous end! Good luck with it and congrats!
I’m also going to have to go with Abigail’s book. I haven’t read it yet, and I’d love to know what you think.
Greatly looking forward to it, Jessica! 🙂 It definitely has received a lot of love! That’s awesome!
Wow, that’s a lot of moves. The stressful parts are definitely when everything is pending and unsettled. Glad to have it wrapped up and down now though!
Thanks for voting! EW – 7 / AR – 11 / JG – 5 Looks like we have a winner!
I don’t envy you, with 2 moves at the same time! It is kinda fun going through things and seeing what you want to keep or get rid of. I think I made about 20 trips to donation places when I moved. It was crazy. I’m happy you found a retail space that meets your growing needs! I’m thinking of dusting off my clarinet and playing again but I’ll probably scare off all the living creatures in the area. Watching Mr. Holland’s Opus probably had a lot to do with that.
Lots of your March books are high up in my tbr list so that’s exciting! I haven’t heard of The Marrying Kind, gonna have to go look that one up!
Mr. Bingley and like to donate a lot of our things too! Going from a house to an apartment definitely made us go through some of possessions! LOL! That’s awesome, you should play again! Is there any community bands you could join in your area? Great movie!