Hello my dear friends! I’m in shock with how fast April went by! What is happening this year…2015 seriously needs to slow down! 😉 I hope you all had a lovely April! Did you do anything fun or exciting? Mr. Bingley and I had a pretty low-key month…we worked hard during the week and enjoyed relaxing weekends at home. However, we did do something very fun on the last day of this month.
We went to an amazing concert by The Legend of Zelda Symphony. (We love our nerdy things!) They featured music from the video game, The Legend Of Zelda – a game my husband has been a fan and player of since his childhood. The orchestra was massive and of high caliber and the experience overall was just incredible. Mr. Bingley does a lot of work with video game music, recording, and composition – so there were numerous sources of inspiration for him at this concert. I greatly enjoyed hearing such moving music and learning more about my husband’s favorite video game (I’ve not played any Zelda myself, but I’ve watched him play a lot!)
After the concert we spend a fun day in Atlanta, Georgia and got to see some interesting sights on Segways (definitely a fun activity, highly recommend!)
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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! ~
This month we will call it the “Send Me a Letter” Edition! I have two pairs of fabulous Austenesque epistolary novels…I’ve read all 4 of these books before my blogging days so I don’t have reviews for any them posted. I’m definitely overdue for a reread on both series, but I want to which ones do you want me to read and review! Shall we see visit Pemberley and Netherfield in Jane Dawkins’s Letters from Pemberley and More Letters from Pemberley, or take a jaunt down to Highbury and London with Joan Austen-Leigh’s A Visit to Highbury and Later Days at Highbury? Whatever you choose, I will read and review both books! (To vote leave a comment below!)
This series is so old, I can even find decent sized images both covers!
~ FEATURED AUTHORS VISITING THIS MONTH ~
Rose Fairbanks – May 20th
Sarah Price – May 25th
May looks to be lovely, indeed! What plans do you have for this month?
I vote for Letters from Pemberley and the sequel. My son-in-law, daughter and my son are all into video games. In fact my daughter is an artist who creates characters for such. She and her husband met at a board gaming convention in Columbus Ohio. He has created a board game of his own. So I can appreciate all that love of nerdiness. My daughter has educated me on the difference between nerds and geeks! Us – this month- expect a new grandson…any day now. His mother, my daughter was born on Mother’s Day, 1984.
What an exciting month for you, Sheila! Looking forward to hearing of your new grandchild! What an exciting time for your family. That’s wonderful that your son-in-law and daughter share their nerdiness with each other. I do love being nerdy together with Mr. Bingley – yesterday we both wore Star Wars shirts and so many people wished us a Happy Star Wars today, it was a lot of fun!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 1 / Highbury – 0
I´m glad both of you enjoyed the concert of Zelda. I like going to concerts and I´m very fond of soundtracks, in fact, I have a lot of soundtracks of many films which I listen to while I´m reading, or writing or just relaxing.
Speaking of the books to choose, if I´m not wrong, Highbury is from Emma, isn´t it?, and this is the year of Emma no?, so, I vote for Highbury (I´m sorry Mr Darcy, LOL) and I hope it will help to your challenge 🙂
I love soundtracks too, Teresa! I think I probably have more soundtrack albums than I do any other genre (except maybe Classical!) Whether it comes from movies, musicals, or games I always love listening to such music.
You are correct about those being Emma-inspired novels. A Visit to Highbury is Emma from Mrs. Goddard’s point-of-view as she exchanges letters with her sister! LOL! Thanks for thinking of my personal challenge!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 1 / Highbury – 1
Sounds like you guys had fun in Atlanta. A couple of nice ones for review and I look forward to the guests.
I would like to see you read the first of the Highbury epistolaries for my vote.
We did! Thank you! Looking forward to May! 🙂
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 1 / Highbury – 2
Hi Meredith
You and Mr. Bingley always seem to have lots of fun. My daughter and her boyfriend love video games and are always on Xbox One. I vote for Letters from Pemberley and the sequel too like Sheila. I am decorating this month but I like DIY so it should be fun!
We do, Michelle! He is a great guy and I love our adventures together. That’s great that your daughter and boyfriend have fun with video games together. Everything I know about video games came from Mr. Bingley – it is his world and he introduced me into it all! Have fun decorating! I love DIY!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 2 / Highbury – 2
We love Legend of Zelda at our house! My son made a “Link” costume last year for a cos-play contest (learning how to sew on a machine) and won first place in the beginner category! We play the old “Link to the Past” game on the Wii. 🙂 I’ve always wanted to try a Segway tour. They look like fun.
I vote for the Highbury books. 🙂
And YAY for Holidays With Jane! 😉
That’s awesome that your son won a cos-play contest as Link!! That’s so cool! We saw some cos-players at the concert! Loved it! You should definitely try Segways – we plan to do a lot more of them in future! 😉
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 2 / Highbury – 3
The Jane Dawkins letters are lovely. So well written and easy to follow. A must read!
Glad you enjoyed them, Christina!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 3 / Highbury – 3
Thanks for telling us what you have been up to lately and what is planned for this month, Meredith. I would like to hear what you think about the Emma books. Btw, I’ve found a better image for Visit to Highbury: Another View of Emma. You can take a look here if you want.
A further search on Amazon reveal that it’s the same title as Mrs. Goddard, Mistress of a School but this book is published much earlier. If you want to see the book cover, visit the page.
Ohh! Thanks for the image recommendation! Much better! You are correct about the two titles, I like A Visit to Highbury better though – I would love to really visit Jane Austen’s Highbury! 😉
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 3 / Highbury – 4
Looks like you had such a fun April! Love hearing about all the great stuff you & Mr. Bingley are able to do. I vote for the Highbury one because I love Emma (esp. Mr. Knightley!) & always like to read more about that world. 🙂
Thank you, Amy! I’m always happy to share our adventures with you! If you haven’t read the books by Joan Austen-Leigh yet, you definitely should! They are out of print now and might be harder to track down, but are lovely stories that continue Jane Austen’s world!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 3 / Highbury – 5
I will look for her books! Thanks! 🙂
Hi Meredith! Both sets of books sound good but since you have a challenge to read some Emma books this year and since I’d like to discover more about some non P&P-inspired books my vote goes to Highbury 🙂
Thanks for remembering my challenge, Ceri – one you helped inspire! 🙂
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 3 / Highbury – 6
I have read none of the books (head bowed in shame). So, which would I chose for myself? At this particular second in time, I’m thinking the Highbury duo. Wait!!! Could I actually recommend a book that is not based on my beloved P&P? (I’m pondering……) Yep!
BTW, I believe the picture of you and Mr. Bingley in front of the concert hall is the best. Truly!
LOL! Too funny, Joy! Highbury is enchanting and charming, I don’t blame you for your choice! Thank you for your kind words! I like the photo too (not taken with a selfie stick!), it definitely reflects how happy we feel!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 3 / Highbury – 7
Hello Meredith, I’ve been so busy that my reading has demised to a page a DAY!!!! Help! Lol. The concert sounded like a great thing to go to soundtrack music is so important, mario will be forever stuck in my head I have unequal affections and the spring collection but haven’t read. Look forward to your review of Perculiar connection. As for what to read I think you know what I’m going to say, letters/Pemberley, yes please. Happy May Reading!
Hope life calms down for you soon, my friend! LOL! Yes, Mario music is so catchy, isn’t it? Mr. Bingley loves it! Hope you get the chance to enjoy some reading time this month! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 4 / Highbury – 7
I vote for Letters from Pemberley and More Letters from Pemberley.
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 5 / Highbury – 7
Thanks for taking us with you on your lovely trips!
The vote – so hard!!!!! I’m tempted by Highbury, we don’t see enough of Emma and Mr Knightley but Pemberley is my first love. Can’t you do both ;)?
OK, I’ll be bold. Highbury.
Sharing our travels with you all is so much fun! Thank you for checking out my post! LOL! It would be awesome to read all 4 books! 😉 Very true about Emma and Mr. Knightley!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 5 / Highbury – 8
My Goodness What A Great May Agenda!! You two have the most engaging and infectious smiles. Loved the pictures, thank you for sharing.
I’m going out of my comfort zone and vote for Highbury. But those might go on my wish list but never make it to the top long enough to buy unless I had read a review from someone who’s opinion I trust. So…..
But I’m with Joana, can’t you do both? 🙂 You see, you have spoiled us now. We think you can do EVERYTHING!!!. 😉
We all love you Meredith and all your nerdiness, list making, classical music loving (yaaaayyyy) cheek-pinching-worthiness self. 🙂
Thank you, Michelle! I’m glad you like the plans for this month! 🙂
LOL! I think a compromise could be reached…I can’t do all 4 books this month, but I promise to try and do all 4 within 2015! 😉
Thank you, sweet friend! Your kind words just warmed my heart! I’m so thankful you choose to read this blog and participate as much as you do! I love hearing all you have to share!
Thanks for voting! 🙂 Pemberley – 5 / Highbury – 9