Hi my dear and wonderful blog friends!
How are you all? I hope you are safe and well. And I am so thankful that I have you, this blog, and these wonderful books to turn no matter what is happening in the world. 💕
I’m afraid I don’t have much to show for what I’ve been up to in May. It was a really busy month work-wise. We put on some mini-virtual recitals for our students (since our big in-person recital is currently rescheduled). And it was a lot to coordinate and learn, since none of us have done it before. 🎹 
But it went off really well (just this past weekend!) and it was so sweet to see our students play and their families tune in! We are so proud of all our students’ hard work and willingness to try something new! 💻
And the other very exciting thing that happened in May was the local beaches reopened! And I got to return to reading on the beach again. 🏖
Going to the beach twice was my reward for the hectic and busy work month! I love how you can experience the beach with so many of your senses. It might be one of my favorite settings in nature. 🌊
How about you, friends? What did you do in May?
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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 ~
~ FEATURED AUTHORS VISITING THIS MONTH ~
Kay Bea – June 1st
Victoria Kincaid – June 10th
L.L. Diamond – June 15th
Laura Hile – TBD
Shannon Winslow – June 26th
This looks like a great lineup. So cool you had a virtual recital. Our music store cancelled, though they did do something for the graduating seniors. Of your list, I’ve only read Laura Hiles book and look forward to her visit. Looks like I have some reading to do! Happy June! ♫
Thank you, Jennifer! I’m really glad we did it…we could have gotten away with canceling it too and no one would have minded. But this was special and went well.
I am looking forward to Laura’s visit too!! Her new book sounds wonderful!
I wish I had a beach nearby to read at! I love the sound of the waves. 🙂 The virtual concert had to be fun though I know you hope everything gets back to normal soon. Love all you have lined up for June. I am reading and loving Laura Hile’s latest and have L L Diamond’s book up next. Always love Shannon Winslow’s work so that will be a must have and I look forward to your opinion of all the other new tales. Thank you for taking our minds off everything depressing with your reviews and interviews!
I agree – the wave sounds are so soothing!
It was fun…so cute too! My favorite part was seeing other family members tune in.
Isn’t it so exciting to have all these new books from these authors to enjoy?!
I have to catch up on Laura Hile’s latest chapters to her book. I plan to read Shannon Winslow’s new one. And have been reading the posted chapters of LL Diamond’s apropos story so will finish that one also, hopefully. Read Love Unsought (2 times unpublished and as an ARC), Strong Objections to the Lady, Its Always Been You and Two More Days at Netherfield. Now reading Jack Caldwell’s newest one. Love your photos. Skin cancer cases in my family so I avoid the beach. But do like the sounds of the waves. Glad you got your recital in and I am sure your students are also happy about that.
Ooh, Shelia, you almost have read all the books on this agenda! 😉
It is smart to be safe, but I’m sorry you have to avoid the beach.
Yes, they were! They thought it was fun and less nerve-wracking!
Thank heavens for you and your wonderful beach reads and reviews. Nothing is normal but those things give me some semblance of it. Happy reading! Be well. XO
Same here, friend. Going to the beach felt very normal for me…I couldn’t get over it at first! Hope you are well!! Happy graduation to Ellary!!!
So busy! I don’t know how you do it all? I’m so pleased you are back to reading on your beach, it doesn’t seem to be busy so should be ok.
I’ve read a few of these but I look forward to your reviews and interviews this month as always.
Stay safe.
It can be if you go to a crowded spot, but I like to be away from people at the beach if I can!
Hope you get to enjoy a lovely June, my friend!
What a grand mix. You have excellent selections there. I hope you have an enjoyable time reading, reviewing, and hosting this month.
Thank you, Suzan! It is a lot to look forward to!! I’m excited!
So glad you’ve been able to enjoy the beach!
denise
Me too!!
Hi Meredith!
This June Agenda is so full of events!
I’m waiting for your opinion of “Beauty and Mr Darcy”: it seems so beautiful not only for the cover but the fairy tale involving the Bennet sisters and Charlotte 🙂
And I’m very curious about “Confined with Mr Darcy”: I wonder about how fast L.L Diamond has written such a modern story. And the cover is so cool!. I guess being confined with Mr Darcy shouldn’t be a nightmare but a dream LOL
And “Murder at Northanger Abbey” has also caught my eye!. The cover in red provides a spooky atmosphere!.
Have a good June!. I’ve just returned to work a few days ago and I’m readjusting to the new situation. It’s kind of stressful because of the cleaning stuff but when it becomes usual I think it will be easier 😉
Hi Teresa! It is a beautiful cover, isn’t it? And I love that is incorporates so many characters!!
I think Leslie did write it fast, but it looks wonderful! I can’t wait to check it out as well!
And yes, I am so excited about a NA story by Shannon Winslow! It is a very striking cover!
That is wonderful that you are returning to work. Hope all goes well with the transition! Happy June!
That’s neat how you set up the virtual recital and that it turned out well. I think I’d have preferred that when I was a shy piano student. LOL
And, yay for getting back to the beach.
I enjoyed a couple of those on your list and have a couple to read, too.
Wishing you a lovely June!
Yes! I think it helped everyone feel less nervous because they couldn’t “see” the full audience really. 🙂
Hope you enjoy a wonderful June as well!
I am playing catch-up in my reading challenge. Full-time care-giving takes a lot of my time and we are staying in to keep hubby healthy. He is in remission and we don’t want him to get sick or the COVID. I own several of the books you listed, have several on my wish-list, and some I am looking forward to seeing what you think about them. Then you have author visits that are always so much fun. I do so enjoy your blog and always look forward to seeing what new pictures you have in the mast-head. You and your Mr. Bingley [hello, Mr. Bingley] are so creative and fun. Blessings and stay safe and healthy.
I am sure you are taking good care of your hubby, Jeanne! He is lucky to have you. Thank you so much for your kind words and your lovely encouragement for my blog. Hugs!
Technology is amazing! I just wish I was more tech savvy! Your line-up looks great for June. I have only read one in your line-up so far, ‘Strong Objections to the Lady’ and loved it. I hope to add a few others to to this months reading agenda for myself. I have no idea where May went and June is looking to be just as busy with either outdoor or indoor projects. Glad you are enjoying the beach as there is nothing like being by the water!
I’m not the most tech-savvy, so I’m glad we didn’t have any dilemmas, because I wouldn’t have known how to fix them!
Hope you are enjoying a lovely June, projects are a fun way to keep busy!!
What a month ahead to look forward to. I’m rubbing my hands in anticipation. I’m so glad to see new outdoors photos from you, hurray!! This is gonna be a big one. 😀
Our May went like this: Niece’s Birthday celebrated remotely, same w/Mother’s Day, a couple of Dr’s appts. again, remotely, and keeping our fingers crossed as our kids put a bid on a house, bid accepted and plenty of phone calls, texts and emails all about said house. June 1st was closing day for them. As we all know this is such a big step. Wheee!
I am so glad you are anticipating the reviews and author visits this month!! I’m excited for it all too!
That is a very eventful May! How exciting for your kids!! I hope they love their new home!
First, I have heard so much of The Jane Austen Society and hope to read of that review soon!
Second, Beauty and Mr Darcy sounds quite tempting.
Finally, Confined with Mr Darcy is going to be a load of fun!
Glad there were 3 books that caught your eye in this month’s agenda! Hope you are enjoying a wonderful month!
A virtual recital is brilliant, Meredith. Your reading lineup is really interesting. I have had Aphrodite on my list for a while and am anxious for you opinion. Best, LA
Thank you, Laurel Ann. I’m just glad it worked out. 🙂
I loved Artemisia and am looking forward to another Regency romance!