Can you believe it? Austenesque Reviews is 1️⃣4️⃣. 🎂
My blog is a high schooler! 🤯
We’ve been together so long. So many of us! 🫶🏼
I feel incredibly lucky to connect and share Jane Austen, reading, and my love for Austenesque books with you all! 🥰
Thank you so much for the encouraging support and friendship. It sustains all my efforts and keeps me going. 🙌🏼
~ Now let’s celebrate! ~
I decided to celebrate Austenesque Reviews’s Blogiversary this year by turning the tables a little and answering YOUR questions.
I had quite a bunch sent in via Instagram (see my answers below).
And I’ll reply to any questions left for me in the comment section.
~ Blogiversary Q&A ~
What inspired you to start your blog? Author Mary Lydon Simonsen – back before 2009, I just shared reviews on Amazon, she reached out to me and said I should think about starting a blog.
What’s your favorite variation, ever? So impossible to answer! lol! Variations are one of my favorites and I’ve read so many that it would be hard to choose just one. So how about I go with two of my earliest favorites – which would be Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds and Darcy’s Voyage by Kara Louise. I first read both of those books before I started my blog when they were self-published in 2007. I think they kind of sealed my love for reading Austenesque.
Have you ever wanted to quit blogging? Not yet! There have been times when I wish it could be a full-time job …*sigh* Can you imagine? So much time for reading, reviewing, and posting! 🤩
What was the first Austen inspired book you read? Jane Fairfax by Joan Aiken. It was recommended
to me by a family friend, and I spent so long looking for it in libraries, Borders, and other bookstores (this was back in 2002 – lol). I eventually found it on Amazon. 😄
What’s a JAFF trope that you thought you didn’t like, but have now come around to? Previously married. I thought seeing Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth in a previous marriage would be hard to witness, but I really don’t seem to mind it as long as it is done well.
That’s a lot of books on your shelves – how many? I counted just for you…currently my shelves hold 853 books!
Do you have an all-time favorite variation that you have read? I don’t have one – I have dozens. There are many that I love so much and consider top faves that it would be quite a long list.
Have you ever considered writing an Austenesque novel yourself? Actually no. I don’t think I’m creative that way. Plot ideas and what could be done with them never seem to pop into my brain.
What are your favorite modern-day JAFFs? Any origin novel but especially P&P and Persuasion. For P&P I love anything by Cat Andrews and Cat Gardiner. I also adore the whole series by Sonali Dev – it’s just so brilliant. Some Persuasion faves would be Persuade Me by Juliet Archer and Find Wonder in All Things by Karen Cox. Some more obscure picks would be A Higher Education by Rosalie Stanton and My BFF by Ruth Phillips Oakland.
What has been the most rewarding part of your blog? Seeing it continue to exist and be read by others! I started my blog without knowing what I was doing, without a readership and following, without people in my real life that were interested in what I was writing. But that didn’t seem to matter. People have found it, and for some strange reason still stick around.
Is there a Jane Austen-inspired place you want to visit? Even though I’ve been Chawton, Lyme Park, and Bath, I think it would be amazing to go on a week-long Jane Austen road trip to hit all the sites in England, including Lyme, Devon, Winchester, and Chatsworth.
What is your favorite type of Austenesque work? (variation, POV retelling, modern, etc.) I love them all, but I especially love variations, modern adaptations, and secondary character stories.
Are Austen variations evolving? And if so, how? Definitely! Because so many books about these characters are already in existence, I think authors are pushing to be more inventive with their premises, are pursing bolder ideas outside of canon, and sometimes are a little looser with their frameworks. It’s been great to see how things continue to evolve.
Is there a character from Jane Austen’s books that you can truly dislike? While I’m a big fan of
seeing characters redeemed, I think there are some for which that will never be possible. And they would be Mrs. Norris and Fanny Dashwood.
How do you keep up with all the Austenesque releases??? Like how do you find out? Lots of ways – following authors on their social media, subscribing to their newsletters, browsing Goodreads, but mostly hours and hours on Amazon….like a lot. Every month.
If you could write a letter to Jane Austen what would you write? I’d probably spend several pages telling her everything I love about her novels and characters and express my undying gratitude for all that she did as a woman and an author, and lastly I’d launch into some questions (in this scenario, I’m imaging she would reply 😄). My questions would be of the nosiest sort – What plot changes did she make to the early versions on P&P and S&S? How would she continue Sanditon? Has she ever been in love? Which of her heroes is her favorite?
After all these years, have you ever found, even for a little moment, P&P variations boring or overwhelming? I don’t think I would say I have ever found variations boring or overwhelming, but there are sometimes aspects that feel boring – like if a plot or scene is super close to the original or feels redundant. Or if there is a parts with heavy narration or information that either is too much telling or nonessential. I’d say the sheer number of books published and the endless possibilities with these characters can be overwhelming!
What are your top three favorite Austenesque books of all time? Sooooooo hard to pick only three! 
How can I? lol. I really think my list of favorites extends to a much higher number, but to mix it up, I’ll pick some that I love because they are so unique – The Year In Between by Christina Morland, The Persuasion of Miss Jane Austen by Shanon Winslow, and The Mercy’s Embrace Trilogy by Laura Hile.
Do you read books that aren’t Jane Austen themed? What’s your favorite genre? I do. In small amounts. I read 85-90% Austenesque. But I also like reading Regency Romances and historical romances. I think I like period novels overall and I’m definitely all about there being some romance.
Do you like spicy P&P variations? I do! As long as the story has a good plot still.
What genre of Pride and Prejudice variations are you drawn to most? Ones with emotional turbulence, reflective internal character development, and a gradual yet impassioned journey to love.
These questions were amazing! Thank you to everyone who sent one in on Instagram!
I will randomly choose 1️⃣ questsion-er from this list to receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card. (check instagram later today for drawing)
But I think I can handle answering some more questions…
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
To celebrate Austenesque Reviews turning 1️⃣4️⃣, I will give away another $20 Amazon Gift Card (to the Amazon store of choice) to 1️⃣ lucky commentor who leaves a question for me in the comments below.
It could be a question about Jane Austen, blogging, books, non-Austenesque things, life, or Fezzik. 😄 I’m happy to answer them all if I can!
- This giveaway is open worldwide.
- This giveaway will end September 30th.
Wow that’s incredible and congratulations on 14byears and hoe many more have enjoyed these blogs whenever I have chance thank you again
Thank you, Wendy! I appreciate it so much.
Which minor Austen character’s story/variation have you not read yet, but you would love to see in your inbox?
Love this! And I’ve thought about it often – my picks would be James Morland and William Price! I can just feel the hero potential those two have!
No questions, just a huge congratulations on 14 fantastic years!
Thank you so much, Lucy!
Congratulations to you on your 14th Blogiversary, Meredith! I appreciate all you do for the JAFF community! 🙂
Thank you, Kelly! I’m very happy to be a part of this community!
Congratulations on still having such an engaging, successful and interesting blog 14 years on! Thanks for supporting the community
Thank you, Jessie! I’m always hopeful that my posts are still engaging and interesting!
Happy Anniversary! How would you say Jane Austen has affected your life the most? I read Pride and Prejudice when I was 13 and it truly molded the kind of strong woman I wanted to be. On learning more of the author, it only solidified my determination to want more for myself and I find myself always looking at people and situations through her eyes.
Thank you, friend!
I feel the same way! I discovered Jane Austen at 16 and I feel like it molded me too – to be true to myself, to not act false, to spend time observe others, etc. Her characters are timeless and the situations and personalities she wrote about are still ones we see today – so in a way – I felt like I have a guide book on how to handle myself if I ever encounter any of them.
This is THE blog to follow! Your recommendations are always spot-on. Thanks for years of sharing – and here’s to many more!
You are so very kind to say that, Tiffany! Thank you!
Happy anniversary!!! Such a milestone. Not a Jane Austen question but I love Georgette Heyer and I saw some of her books on your shelf. Which one is your favorite? Mine is these old shades, devils cub and Venetia. I have more than 1 lol. Would love to know your favorites.
Thank you, Susan!!
Yes! I’ve read maybe 16+ Georgette Heyer books so far and I would pick some of the many favorites as yours, with Venetia being my very top. But I also loved Frederica, Sylvester, and Cotillion.
Happy 14th Anniversary! Who are your favorite Jane Austen heroines and heroes? Who are your least favorites?
Great question!
I really love all of her heroines – definitely Elizabeth Bennet, but I have special love for both Marianne Dashwood and Emma Woodhouse because of how much they grow.
For heroes – Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightley, Colonel Brandon, and Mr. Tilney.
I sometimes fall out of charity with Captain Wentworth, and I don’t think Edmund Bertram or Edward Ferrars are as worthy…
14 years! Incredible! I really don’t know how you manage it along with working and travelling. I’m grateful that you do as I love your posts and lists. As you know, my favourite stories are based on the life of ODC. I first found JAFF in 2014 and that’s mostly all I’ve read since then. I do like your annual Georgette Heyer read, I’m so sorry my recommendation of The Unknown Ajax wasn’t a favourite of yours, I’ll try to do better next year! I loved meeting you at Lyme Park and maybe we’ll manage it again some day? I love all your photos so keep up with your travels. I can’t spend dollars on the U.K. site and I haven’t actually asked a question so please don’t include me. Here’s to many more years of blogging!
You are such a dear, Glynis. Thank you!
Don’t you be sorry. It was a very popular choice, and I think it would be hard for any book to follow Frederica because I found that one so charming!
Meredith, I love your blog so I’m grateful that Mary encouraged you those 14 years ago. I particularly enjoy your lists and reviews. Thank you for your hard work and devotion to an author we all love, Jane. Hugs to you and Mr. Bingley.
Thank you, Joy!! I am too! What a path she sent me on!!
Happy 14th anniversary to your blog! I have found so many treasured books from your recommendation! Thank you!
Thank you, Tamara! That is such a compliment, I am so happy to hear it!
Meredith, many congratulations on the 14th birthday of your blog! I have been largely absent from the Austenesque world these past few years, but I frequently sneak back to check out your reviews and blog posts. I am terrible about commenting though, so when I saw it was your book blog’s birthday, I said, “Christina, get your act together and comment!” And then, wow…I saw “The Year in Between” listed as a book you loved. (I promise I was going to comment before I saw that!) I am beyond honored!
Thank you, Meredith, for all you do to celebrate Austenesque fiction. The work you do for the community is invaluable. Can’t say it enough: thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hi Christina! I know I’m not alone in saying this – but you are greatly missed!
I’m so honored by your kind words! I am so grateful!
Congratulations on 14 years! I hope you know what a huge impact you’ve had on the JAFF community. You should be very proud of yourself and we’re all grateful. What’s something you’ve learned about blogging now that you’ve been at it for so long?
You are so lovely, Heather. I’m very happy to be a part of the JAFF community.
To answer your question – I think I’ve learned that blogging can definitely feel like a job, and that is better to make sure you enjoy what you are doing and who you do it. I try to make sure anything I say yes to doing is something I’m actually excited about reading or doing. Otherwise it could feel more like an obligation and I wouldn’t be able to act in an authentic way.
Happy Anniversary, my question – is there anything you’ve read that annoys you. Personally, I know that I’ve come across stories where favourite characters act OOC, which really bugs me, especially if there is nothing in the book spiel to highlight this.
Great question. I think I’m in the same vein – I’m a little bothered when characters act out of character for the time period – like Mr. Darcy pouring his heart out publicly to others, or conversations becoming a little too personal in a public way. It feels out of Regency norms when that happens.
Congratulations and happy Blogiversary!!!
I love the way your blog stirs my appetite for reading. (I sometimes have a hard time picking what book to read next so… 😉 )
I appreciate the way you write why something worked or didn’t work for you.
And I had a “brother” who looked very much like Fezzik so… 🙂
Have fun!
Thank you, Alexandra! I’m so appreciative! I really love hearing that you find my blog helpful!
Haha! love that your brother looks like Fezzik!
Meredith, I am very glad that you blog! I’ve learned a lot through you, and I especially appreciate your end-of-the-month book list.
Do you know where Mary Simonsen is lately?
Thank you, Ginna! I am so happy to hear it!
That is a good question. I know several years ago she stepped back from writing Austenesque sadly. She is very involved with her grandchildren, so I think she maybe has other delightful ways to spend her time.
Happy anniversary! Do you enjoy the fantasy Austenesque books? If so, which are your top favorites?
Thank you!!
Yes, I do! I recently loved A Season of Magic by Sarah Courtney. I’ve read others I love too – Dangerous Magic by Monica Fairview, Mr. Darcy’s Enchantment by Abigail Reynolds, and Mages and Mysteries by Victoria Kincaid.
Happy 14th Anniversary on your blog, Meredith!!!!
Thank you, Shelley!
Happy 14th Blogiversary!
Since you travel a lot, is there somewhere you’ve visited in the US which has given you Austenesque vibes?
denise
An obvious choice might be Williamsburg, Virginia and Mount Vernon. And The Biltmore could have some Pemberley vibes, although it is very much in the wrong time period.
Yes to all!
14 years! My goodness. I will raise a virtual toast to you. I have been reading and enjoying your blog for a long time. I admire your energy and consistency because you’ve maintained such high quality content for all this time.
I believe you don’t read ebooks so my question is: are there any books available as ebook only that you’d like to read if they were available in hard copy?
And a second question which is: are there any books that NEED to be enjoyed as hard copy because they’d lose something in another format?
Thank you, Ceri!! I appreciate all your kind words!
Great question. Luckily, most books nowadays a lot of authors are consistently publishing their works in both paperback and ebook. But there are some earlier Christina Morland stories I’m dying to read and hoping will one day be in paperback!
Happy anniversary!!! What plot has you thought about that no one has written about yet?
I don’t really have a lot of plot ideas come to me. And I’m not sure if I can think of one that no one has done before. Maybe some twists with secondary characters? I like the idea of playing with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet and remarrying. Like what if Mr. Bennet remarried and it was to Lady C? Or Maybe Mrs. Bennet remarried a colonel in the militia?
Congratulations on your 14th Blogiversary, Meredith!!! I definitely enjoy this blog and find your reviews to be extremely helpful in discovering new and new-to-me Austenesque books to read!! 😀
I really enjoyed seeing your favorite Austenesque books included in your post, and I’m thrilled that I already own two of them, and, after reading this post, I just purchased the third (Laura Hile’s).
My favorite Austenesque book is Abigail Reynold’s Mr. Darcy’s Enchantment; I re-read it at least once a year, if not more often. It’s my comfort-food of Austenesque books!! 😀
I’m not usually a fan of time travel books in any genre, but I am curious: which is your favorite Austenesque time travel book?
Congratulations again, Meredith!!! Happy Blogiversary!!
Warmly,
Susanne 🙂
Thank you, Susanne! I greatly appreciate your kind words. And I’m thrilled to hear you picked up Mercy’s Embrace – I hope you love it!
Nine Ladies by Heather Moll is my most favorite time travel story. It is fabulous!
Huge Congratulations on your 14th blogiversary! Major props for keeping an exhausting pace of reading and reviewing books. Thank you for your monthly list of JAFF publications!
Thank you, Cassandra! I appreciate the support, and I’m so glad to hear you are a fan of monthly lists!
What is your favorite fiction book that isn’t JAFF?
A tie between Jane Eyre and To Kill A Mockingbird. I feel a deep love for both of these books.
Congrats on your blogiversary! I have a few questions. Do you enjoy reading any other “fandoms”? I know quite a few people who read JAFF also read North & South variations and wondered if this might be the case with you. Is there a villainous character you like to see redeemed or a virtuous character that you enjoy being turned bad? Is there a trope you absolutely hate no matter how good the story is?
Great questions, Michele!
The only the other fandom I’ve dipped a toe into is Jane Eyre. I would love to explore some N&S variations, but I actually haven’t read North and South yet – I’ve only seen the movie.
As for a villainous character I’d like to see redeemed – I’d pick Henry Crawford. And I can’t explain it, but I do feel like it is interesting twist when Mr. Bennet or Jane are turned bad. It must be because it isolates Elizabeth some more?
Hate is a strong word, and I don’t think I actually hate this trope, but I think one of my least favorites is insta-love.
Has it been fourteen years? Amazing! Way to go holding down life and keeping the blog going. Fezzik is a cutie. I enjoy seeing pics of him on your hiking adventures and at the beach. How old is he?
Congrats and wishing you many more golden years of Austenesque Reviews, Meredith!
It has gone fast, right?
I appreciate, Sophia! Thank you!
Fezzik is 2 and ten months. I’m super happy to hear you enjoy the Fezzik content.
Congratulations on your milestone anniversary! That is an amazing accomplishment. You provide such a service guiding those of us who read JAFF, as well as a service to us authors helping us get our stories out there and read. Yes, I too would like to know if Jane was ever in love. And Jane Fairfax was also one of my first Austenesque reads besides canon.
Thank you, Sallianne! That’s great to hear you read Jane Fairfax too!
Congratulations on 14 years of blogging and promoting Jane Austen variations! Your reviews have guided my reading choices for years! Please keep it up!
Thank you, Lily! I’m so glad to hear you have found my reviews helpful.
I t is wonderful that you able to allocate as much time to JAFF and your successful life as you do – I an in awe that you are able to live your dream and achieve so much. I always look forward to your BLOG and share your thoughts. Do you have an archive we can visit for past years?
Your comment is such a delightful compliment, Frankie. Thank you!!
Yes, if you want to see posts by month you can find that under the Archives tab in the right side bar.
But I also have a nifty review index you can browse through – you can search by author, Jane Austen novel, sub genre, and rating.
Congratulations, Meredith. I don’t have a question as the one presented were excellent. I just wanted to throw in my support and add my voice to the others that say we love you and appreciate all you do for the JAFF Community. Blessings and many more blog anniversaries.
You are a dear, Jeanne! Thank you so much for your friendship and support!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! It’s amazing to see how fast time goes and before we all know it you will hit 15 years and then 20! Ok, questions…. What non canon JAFF character(s) have you fallen in love with & one that you can’t stand (if that is possible). And what is the longest JAFF book that you have read & was it worth it? Thank you again for sharing all of this with all of us!!
Thank you, Glory! I know! I can’t believe how quickly the years go by.
Great question. Lord Saye by Amy D’Orazio, Patrick McGillvary by Laura Hile, Lord Dyfed Brougham would be the first ones that come to mind, but I know there are others – such as specific servants or children that I’ve absolutely adored.
One I can’t stand would be Lady Gisela Grantham by Brenda Webb – but I know there are others that I’m not thinking of.
And lastly, according to Goodreads the longest books I’ve read are The Annotated Mansfield Park by David Shapard and A Quest for Mr. Darcy by Cass Grafton – and both rae definitely worth it!
Wonderfully happy blog days to an avid blogger. This blog is filled with so much inspiration and awesome recommendations. I’m thinking about Music since we both are music teachers. I always try to include some music in my books and I like it when Lizzy sings. Since you teach piano I wonder which “music related” stories you might recommend? Regency or modern. Since you like cat Gardiner she has a wonderful story in her next anthology where Darcy plays the cello and Lizzy dances. I know you will love it. She has a lovely Spotify list and I love it when he plays Moon River for Lizzy. That is unless she changed that song since it was posted on the forum. Great fun.
Thank you, dear friend! And what perfect question for you to ask. Coincidentally many modern Persuasions I love feature music – Preludes by Riana Everly, Sway by Melanie Stanford, and Find Wonder in All Things by Karen Cox. But I also love Fitzwilliam Darcy Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud and Longbourn’s Songbird by Beau North.
I cannot wait to see that book by Cat Gardiner
Hi Meredith – Congratulations on 14 years of Austenesque Reviews!! Time has flown. I remember your blog was the first I began to follow many years ago when I discovered JAFF. Now JAFF has become my favorite genre. I appreciate your reviews and have found our taste in novels to be very similar. I know if it’s a 4- or 5-star review, I will love it too. Over the last couple of years, I have listened to quite a few audiobooks of JAFF and I’m enjoying that so much. Stevie Zimmerman and Harry Frost are two of my favorite narrators. Have you listened to many JAFF audiobooks? I would also love to hear your thoughts on those. I’m so thankful you began your blog so many years ago. You have done so much for the JAFF community of writers and readers, and I wish you many more years of blogging. Happy Anniversary!! –Leslie
Thank you, Leslie! I’m so happy you have stuck around this long!
To answer your question, I know it is shameful to admit this – but I have not listened to many audiobooks. Maybe just 1 or 2. And neither of them were by the talented Stevie Zimmerman or Harry Frost.
My choice to not listen to a lot of audiobooks is mostly due to my fear that I would treat it like background noise/music and not pay attention closely. I have music on so much and my mind is hard to get to rest. Also, I know I am primarily a visual learner so I feel like the act of reading with my eyes is the best way for me to ingest a story.
Wow, 14 years. I would think it hard to imagine if I wasn’t coming up on 13 years as a published author (JAFF wasn’t my first foray into publishing!). I wonder, do you listen to music as you read for reviews? I tend to throw on baroque classical music when I am working on JAFF, or sometimes I’ll put a film adaptation on in the background.
Congrats on your own anniversary, Christina!
Yes, I do. Unless I am outside. I love classical music and my Jane Austen soundtrack playlist.
Are there any tropes or types of stories you avoid reading?
My least favorite trope would be insta-love. So if I know that in advance I’ll try to avoid it.
But I think I’m open-minded to all others.
Congratulations on 14 years!
What is your favorite trope in Austenesque?
I love so many, but I’m a big fan of forced marriage/marriage of convenience and isolated alone.
Congratulations on the anniversary of your blog. Do you identify most with one particular Austin character? This doesn’t have to be a favorite character, it could be one you feel acts and reacts like you would in similar situations.
I feel like a mixture of the three eldest Bennet sisters sometimes. Like Jane, I try to have a positive outlook on everything. Like Elizabeth, I take comfort in the outdoors and love going on my rambles. And like Mary, I’m socially awkward.
Happy Anniversary, Meredith!!! I can’t believe it’s fourteen years already! Time flies indeed. I haven’t posted any comment in a while but I couldn’t miss your very important anniversary. And since I always wish I could be the protagonist of my favourite books, my question is: have you ever dreamed of being the heroine of a novel? If so, what novel?
Thank you, Maria! So lovely to see you!
I love imagining myself to be the protagonist of the books I read.
I think I will pick Emma – I would love to live in Highbury and have my very own Mr. Knightey!
Congratulations! Your reviews and lists are so valuable to JAFF fans. I know if you like a book, I will also. Thanks for all you do.
I am so glad you find the lists and reviews I share to be helpful!
Happy Blogiversary! Your blog has made such a difference to my JAFF reading!
Would you travel around the world to speak to your global followers and lovers of JAFF?
That is really lovey to hear!
I would definitely travel around the world (in a heart beat!)….speaking to people is another thing. Can I do it one-on-one?
I’ve loved your blog from the first time I discovered it, Meredith, and it’s only gotten better. I love your choices of top three. It’s hard to narrow it down. I don’t think I could, though I think I could get two in there: The Journey by Jan Hahn and Undoing by L.L. Diamond. After that, there are many vying for third choice. The hundreds of JAFFs I’ve read pale in comparison to your list, though.
Suzan – Undoing is one of my top favorites too!!!
You are lovely, Suzan! I am really glad to hear you think that!
I tried my best to come up with unique ways to answer those, because any tops I have are much more than three!
Congratulations!! Is there a Jane Austen character that you feels needs more attention?
Ooh! I l definitely would love to see William Price or James Morland have their own tale. But also, I think it would be fun to see already established couples in the spotlight – like Mr. and Mrs. Dashwood, or Sir Walter and his wife.
Congratulations on 14 years! Thank you for all the amazing reviews, author interviews and giveaways. What is your favorite Austen movie adaptation?
Thank you so much, Kim!
I will always be partial to the Gwenyth Paltrow Emma as it was the first one I saw and I love everything about it!
But I do love so many. And some that aren’t straight Austen adaptations – like The Jane Austen Bookclub, Austenland, Bridget Jones’s Diary.
Happy 14th Blogiversary Meredith!
Thank you so much for opening the window to the JAFF world to us, it has been such a fantastic time! Thanks to you, many of us can share and celebrate our love for Jane Austen. You’ve created such a friendly community 🙂
I hope you keep enjoying this adventure and no doubt I’ll keep accompanying you through this “jungle” of wonderful readings 😉
Don’t you think Jane Bennet would deserve more stories about herself? I know she’s kind and sweet but I think authors could give her a “fresh” twist without changing her personality. We’ve seen many stories about Lizzy, Mary, Kitty and even Lydia but I think Jane could find her own place in more interesting premises.
And, another question…which austenesque variation you would like to see turned it into a television series?
Un abrazo muy fuerte, amiga mía
Hola, mi amiga! Gracias por tu palabras!
I definitely do hope you continue to join me! I love your company!
I love the idea of more stories about Jane Bennet. If I’m honest, like Fanny, Elinor, and Charlotte, I think she deserves better.
That’s the dream right there! I would say so many of them would make amazing movies! But I’ll go with any of the books in The Rajes series by Sonali Dev. Her characters rae ones I think everyone would instantly be able to connect with and the scenes she paints are so vibrant – many of which are about food, poltics, and fancy parties. I think they would be amazing!
Un abrazo para ti!
Thank you for all you do for the readers–and authors–of Pride and Prejudice variations, which are the only ones I read. You have helped me so much in searching for more and more books in the genre, which I only discovered 15 years ago.
Betty Campbell Madden
Thank you, Betty! I appreciate your kinds words!
Thank You for your Blog! I love it!
I wonder what book you are reading now? And what is next on your list?
I’m currently reading The Truth About Family by Lucy Marin. I just started it today and I am loving it so far.
My next read will be One Bride and Two Grooms by Christie Capps
Congratulation for achieving a terrific milestone, Meredith! I think I came across your blog back in 2010 or 2011 when JAFF novels was starting to be released by traditional publishers like Sourcebooks. Back then I do occasionally read about your musician husband (Pedro if I’m not mistaken). But I don’t hear often about him anymore. How is he? Hope I’m not being nosy.
I have another question. How do you keep your books free from dirt and dust? From the photos that you shared, it looks clean. Do you vacuum the area around your bookshelves often? And is there silverfish or insects that eat at the pages causing it to have brown marks? Sorry if it is too personal for you to answer. I have OCD and I can’t bear to look at my books which are no longer in pristine condition.
Thank you, Sylvia! I actually don’t do much to protect my books. I try to keep them as nice as I can, but because I bring them places – the beach, on trips in my backpack – it is inevitable that some of them show some wear. Even the shelves don’t seem too collect as much dust as other areas in my house. I just need to dust the shelves with a duster occasionally. Luckily, no insect problems yet.
congratulations! I found you a few years ago and have never left! My question is which of Jane’s novels or short stories do you wish or want more variations of? P&P is of course most favorites but I have always wished for different versions of Emma.
Aww! Love your loyalty, Jennifer!
Oohh. I love the idea of more Emma versions and variations! It’s odd, but P&P seems to be the book that inspires the most variations. I’ve read a Mansfield Park variation and a Persuasion, but not too many others. I think Northanger Abbey variations would be fun to explore.
Happy aniversary !!! Time sure flies when your reading, doesn’t it. I love your blog, and have read so many books that have become favorites thanks to your reviews. If you could only buy one JAFF novel type which one would it be… I often wondered about that myself. Would i pick a favorite, second chances or friends to lovers. Or for a theme recommended by someone I have not read myself yet, like a mysterie? Hope you will continue this blog for a long time!
Thank you, Charlotte! Fun question. I don’t think I will ever get tired of forced marriage/marriage of convenience stories. Even if that is all I read.
Congratulations! I have been following your blog for about 11 or 12 years and loved finding so many gems. It was because of your blog that I even gave JAFF a chance, was such a snobby Austen purist before. I kinda wanna see if I can find my first comment on here…lol
So when can we expect you to write a book of your own? A book about being a JAFF blogger and all that you have learned along the way or your own JAFF????
I’m so honored you have been with me so long, Danielle! And wow! I’m so glad you decided to give JAFF a chance!!
Haha! I don’t know if writing is in my wheelhouse. I’d be too worried it would be boring. Is such a book even something people would want to read?
Also, I found your first comment on my review of The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer.
Congratulations. 14 years is a long time to do anything!
Truth! loll! Thank you!
Congratulations !! That is really phenomenal. Couple of questions (and it seems silly but I wouldn’t have asked without an invite – I assume you’re super busy and just wouldn’t have asked), and I hope I’m not asking anything that is posted already: Do you have a book total? Was it/is it hard giving critical feedback to authors who don’t get a high rating on your score? Did you find it hard to keep reading and blogging when you were just starting out? What kept you going? That’s a ton of work! Thanks for sharing all your insights with us!
Yes! You are very much invited to ask questions at any time, busy or not!
I just counted the books on my shelves a few weeks ago, and I have 853 books. This blog has 875 reviews at the moment.
Yes! It is VERY hard! I try to do it as fairly and kindly as I can because our little corner of the internet, is not so anonymous. Authors are often the ones handling their own publicity and promoting and contacting bloggers and readers for reviews.
It was actually easy when I started. I was already reading and reviewing on Amazon pretty steadily for some time. I feel like it is sometimes harder to write reviews now – I’m always worried I’m repeating myself or talking about the same things in each review.
If you could rewrite the words of Jane Austen, which character’s fate would you change?
There are a few. But I think Charlotte Lucas would be first in line.
Thank you so much for the giveaway Meredith and congratulations 🙂
My question: if you could pick one childhood book to foget and read over again what would it be?
@WordsThatStay1 on twitter if I was lucky enough to win 🙂
I don’t know if I have any books from my childhood that I feel that way about. I think my passion for reading came on more in high school. And from that time I would pick P&P. It would be fun to experience it all again and go in not knowing ALL that I do. lol