Happy New Year, friends!
I hope 2025 brings you so much happiness, peace, special moments, and reading time!
My 2024 ended with a good bit of festive fun! 🎄
We saw lots of Christmas decorations and went to a few of our favorite places that were all decked out. ✨
Fezzik dressed up…a lot. 🐾
My dad and I took a trip together to Mexico and saw Mayan ruins. 🇲🇽
And Fezzik and I once again took a a trip to western North Carolina and stayed in a cute cabin. 🏞️
And all that…plus Christmas, Austenesque Jolabokaflod, student recitals! What a month!
What did you have going on in December?
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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: JULIE COOPER EDITION ~
I have two fabulous-sounding Julie Cooper books in my TBR and I’ve heard amazing things about both. Which should I read first? (please vote in the comments)
~ YOU CHOOSE: BRONTË EDITION ~
I think these cold winter months are perfect to cuddle up with a Brontë-Inspired read and I have several that have been in my TBR pile for ages. Which would you want to see me read? (please vote in the comments)
~ FEATURED AUTHORS VISITING THIS MONTH ~
Emilia. Stratford – January 13th
G. L. Kriewald – January 27th
Starting the year a little bit quietly…but maybe that means there will be a lot of reading time! 🤞🏼
What are you looking forward to this month?
I read and gave 5 stars to both Julie Cooper books. But can’t decide which to recommend…sorry.
That’s great to hear that you gave both 5 stars!
Both Julie Cooper books are wonderful, as always. The Bachelor Mr. Darcy is a tad bit more lighthearted so that may help you decide.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed both. Thanks for the tip!
I have The Bachelor Mr Darcy, but would love a review of the newer “Abandoned at the Alter” title by Julie Cooper. Many thanks!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for voting!
Abandoned at the Altar and The Bronte Plot. Happy New Year, Meredith
Thanks so much for voting!!
Fun festivities! I vote for Rochester.
Looks like a good reading and visiting month.
I appreciate it!
I vote The Bachelor Mr Darcy and Mr Rochester. Happy New Year, Meredith! I’m looking for some calm this month before ramping up for travel to New Zealand and Fiji in February and March.
Please share all about your trip!! It is a dream trip of mine!
I loved Abandoned at the Altar and would to see what you think of it.
Oh wonderful! I’m so happy to hear it!
Happy New Year, Meredith!
Love your pics The Mayan ruins must be overwhealming!
I vote for “The bachelor Mr Darcy” and “Mr Rochester, a novel”
Happy reading moments!
Hi friend! They were incredible to behold.
Hope you are enjoying some reading time yourself this month!
I agree with Eva – Abandoned at the Altar and the Bronte plot.
we are having a major renovation of our master bath, which is quite exciting, so naturally it looks like we are going to have some major snowstorms in the DC area, which we have not had for several years. 🙂 Enjoy your qiuet time.
I hope the renovations go smoothly and that you are able to have some cozy reading time yourself! Especially with this cold and snowy weather!
looks like you had a wonderful month.
Yes! Not a bad way to close 2024!
Looks like a great line up and loved your holiday pictures.
Thank you! It was fun to capture these moments!
Looks like some great trips!
Voting: Abandoned at the Alter by Julie Cooper & Mr Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker
They were! Very different from each other.
Thanks so much for weighing in!
Happy New Year, Meredith! Love your pictures and I climbed to the top of that ruin back in 1981! I read both of Julie’s and loved them so will vote – Abandoned at the Altar. As for the three Bronte related books, they really sound rather amazing – I loved Katherine Reay’s – Dear Mr Knightley – so will vote for – The Bronte Plot!
I’m looking forward to hibernating for the rest of the month starting Sunday evening! October through the first week of January have been rather overwhelming this year. Looking forward to some peaceful days of reading.
Hi Carole! I’m so jealous! That would have been so fun to do. Hibernating sounds real good! And I echo your feelings about Oct-Dec…everything was on a constant go.
The bachelor Mr Darcy!! I have it on my wishlist and would love to know what you think of it!!
Excellent! Thanks for voting!
Such lovely photos as usual! My eldest brother has been in hospital so I haven’t done much this December. I’m looking forward to your posts. I can’t recommend any Brontë book as I haven’t read any. Happy New Year.
I hope your eldest brother is better and can return home soon!
I have read both books – so my recommendation is based on the mood you’re in. Do you want humor and some angst; or do you want betrayal by one of our usual favorites with lots of angst? With Julie Cooper, both are winners.
Good question! I’m glad to hear that you loved both though!