Hello readers!
Austenesque Reviews is getting ready to celebrate it’s Blogiversary next month (turning 7! wow!) and I thought it would be super fun to celebrate by hosting a group read! I’ve only done one group read here and that was 3 years ago! I think I’m definitely overdue for doing another! 🙂
Instead of choosing a book that is new or about to be released, I thought it might be fun to do a throwback to a book I read before I started my blog and maybe one some new readers to the Austenesque/JAFF genre might not have had the opportunity to read yet. So I settled upon a work by one of my favorite authors….
~ The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James ~
~ The Book Description ~
Many rumors abound about a mysterious gentleman said to be the love of Jane’s life—finally, the truth may have been found. . . .
What if, hidden in an old attic chest, Jane Austen’s memoirs were discovered after hundreds of years? What if those pages revealed the untold story of a life-changing love affair? That’s the premise behind this spellbinding novel, which delves into the secrets of Jane Austen’s life, giving us untold insights into her mind and heart.
Jane Austen has given up her writing when, on a fateful trip to Lyme, she meets the well-read and charming Mr. Ashford, a man who is her equal in intellect and temperament. Inspired by the people and places around her, and encouraged by his faith in her, Jane begins revising Sense and Sensibility, a book she began years earlier, hoping to be published at last.
Deft and witty, written in a style that echoes Austen’s own, this unforgettable novel offers a delightfully possible scenario for the inspiration behind this beloved author’s romantic tales. It’s a remarkable book, irresistible to anyone who loves Jane Austen—and to anyone who loves a great story.
~ The Details ~
- This group read will begin on September 16th and will divide the book up into four sections.
- The group discussions will take place on AUSTENESQUE REVIEWS.
- We are so excited that the lovely Syrie James has agreed to do a LIVE CHAT with us on Sunday, September 25th upon conclusion of the group read! (A live chat is like chatting on Twitter or instant-messenger.)
- Participants of this group read will be eligible to win some lovely prizes!
- Even if you read the book before, you are welcome to join us in the discussions and live chat!
Would you like to join us?
All you need to do is obtain a copy of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by September 16th (I’ll post the reading schedule September 10th)
Amazon I Kindle I Barnes and Noble I Audio I Large Print
*Our international friends may be pleased to know that this book is translated into over a dozen languages! See Syrie’s website for details!
Count me in — sounds like fun, altho’ I doubt I’ll be able to attend the after-reading chat. Found a used PB copy on amazon with delivery scheduled for September 14. I love my kindle but always better to have a real paper book if you can.
Awesome! Would love to ave you take part! 🙂 The transcript of the chat will still be readable after the chat happens, so if you aren’t able to participate but still want to read it you can 🙂 I agree, paperback is best!
Oh, awesome. I’m in. I haven’t read this one yet, so I’m quite excited.
After your recent blog featuring Georgette Heyer’s Venetia, I–believe this or not, Meredith– truly thought how enjoyable it would be if you did a read-a-long. Considering how many of the comments were from people who had read it already and listed it as one of their favorites and how many of us love G.H. in general but hadn’t read it yet. Also, I can think of very few I wouldn’t love rereading.
This such a lovely community! Thanks Meredith.
Woot woot 🙂 That is a brilliant idea – I think reading Heyer together would be so much fun! Maybe next August! 🙂 I’m so glad you are interested in taking part!
Oh this sounds like fun! I’m pretty sure I have this one in pb on my shelf. 🙂
Awesome! I love the cover for this one, so elegant!
sounds like fun!
Hopefully! I’m excited! 🙂
Count me in. Sounds like fun!
Awesome, Debbie! Would be awesome if you could join us!
I’m in. I already have this book but just haven’t gotten round to it. Great to have a reason now to read it.
Woot woot! Yay! That works perfectly!
I call this serendipity. I have this book on my TBR pile and wanted/needed to read it still. I can participate in a fun group read and get one more book toward the Austenesque challenge. 🙂 Love Syrie’s books already.
Glad you picked this one and look forward to celebrating your 7th bloggoversary with you.
YAY! I’d be so honored to have you take part, Sophia! I know with your own reading, blogging, and moderating the GR group you keep yourself real busy! 🙂 And yes, this can count towards your TBR challenge! 🙂
I’m totally in! I own this, read it years ago and I adore it. Can’t wait for the discussion.
Awesome! Would love to have you participate! 🙂
Have just placed a hold on the book at my local library. Looking forward to taking part in a group read!
Fantastic! 🙂 Happy to have you participate again! 🙂
What a delightful idea! I very much enjoyed the one Syrie James book I read and look forward to this one as well. A nice thought to reach back to an earlier book–they come so thick and fast, it’s hard to keep anything in mind that isn’t of the moment.
I agree, Abigail! It is nice to reread some favorites, I hope to do that more often! 🙂 This is the first work I read by Syrie and absolutely adored it!
Oh a favorite read indeed. Great fun!
I agree! 🙂
Lovely ! Thanks, Meredith <3
🙂 Hope you can join us, Sharon!
I have the book, read it a few years ago and loved it. Would have loved to join in but I’m away on holiday from 15th September to 23rd! Enjoy the group read, everyone!
Thanks for stopping by, Cass! I know you will have a fab time on your holiday! 🙂
I too have read and loved this book! I will try to participate especially at the beginning but I have coming around the 17th until the end of the month (we go away from around the 24th) so may not be able to the live chat unfortunately. Looking forward to it though and congratulations!
Great, Carole! Would be thrilled to have you take part if you can fit it in. Sounds like you have some lovely plans for the month, though! 🙂
The book has been on my tbr list forever! I would love to do this, but it’s a very busy time of year for me. We’ll see how it goes. Fingers crossed!
Oh my friend, you will love this book and I would so love to have you read it with us if you can! 🙂 Hope it works out!
Thanks for hosting this! I read this so long ago, I no longer remember reading it, but I know I enjoyed it. 🙂 I hope to participate (added bonus to get another book read toward the GR Austenesque challenge!).
Same here, Reina! I know when I read it I was very emotionally invested and swept up by the tale! Will be curious to see if it is the same second time around! 🙂
this sounds like fun! WIll try and join in.
Awesome! We’d love to have you! 🙂
Goodreads tells me I read it in 2012 but wasn’t as successful I would hope. I’ll try to give it another chance.
Will try my best to participate! Must go through all my packed boxes to find the book… :/
Hope you find it easily, Dung! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Wow Meredith, it’s incredible that your site is already 7! Congratulations!
I really love group reads and always looking for one of them.
I’m happy that you choose this book for two reasons: number one, I can read it in Italian, sometimes it’s a pleasure to come back to my native language; number two, I have it on my kindle since so many years and never found the time to read it! I think this is the right occasion!
Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂
Hi Loren! Thank you so much! I can’t believe it is 7 years! I’m so glad you are a fan of group reads and are interested in joining us in reading Syrie’s book! It is incredible how many languages this book is translated into! How awesome that you can read it in Italian!