Austenprose – A Jane Austen Blog

Posted in Austenesque Authors, Austenesque Books, Jane Austen Book Sleuth | Tagged Austen Sequels, Austenesque, Book Reviews, Jane Austen | 26 Comments

26 Responses

1. on 3 January 2010 at 8:03 am Megan

   I’ve not read many Austen-inspired books, partly becuase I’ve always been a purist, and also because I’d be afraid of being so jealous and finding the need to write my own when I’m far too busy writing other books!

   But your list intrigues me, and I may have to add one or two to my 2010 reading list. Did you see the book Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters? I saw a copy in HMV just before Christmas.

   I follow you on Twitter and always find your tweets interesting. I’ve added your blog to my favorites. :)

   ~Megan
   mossmountain.blogspot.com
   mossmountain.etsy.com

   
   
   • on 3 January 2010 at 5:48 pm Laurel Ann

     Hi Megan – thanks for visiting and your kind comments. I hope that you will try a sequel or two. I have known purist who have read them and been surprised. Try any of the Austen heroes books by Amanda Grange such as Mr. Darcy’s Diary, or Captain Wentworth’s Diary. I’m sure that others here would be happy to offer up their favorites too.

     Cheers, Laurel Ann

     
     
2. on 3 January 2010 at 10:59 am Janeen

   So many books, so little time as I always say! Thank you for sharing your list as it will be great to reference back to!

   
   
3. on 3 January 2010 at 11:59 am A Bookshelf Monstrosity

   Lovely post! I’ve go so many great ideas for my Jane Austen reading challenge this year. I’m doing a similar books by theme posting on Jane Austen variations tomorrow on my blog.

   
   
   • on 3 January 2010 at 5:49 pm Laurel Ann

     Hi – looking forward to your list!

     
     
4. on 3 January 2010 at 3:19 pm Bluestocking from The Bluestocking Guide

   Hey what about Lady Vernon and Her Daughter? I will post my review on that book tomorrow.

   
   
   • on 3 January 2010 at 5:50 pm Laurel Ann

     Hi Bluestocking – looking forward to your review. Unfortunately, I have not read it! My review copy went astray. ;-(

     
     
   • on 3 January 2010 at 7:31 pm Barbara

     agree Bluestocking – major snub – far and away the best of the Austenesque was Lady V – is your site bluestockingguide.com or something like that? already read the book and loved it – real interested to read your review

     
     
     • on 3 January 2010 at 8:05 pm Laurel Ann

       Not a snub Barbara. This list is based on books that I have read in 2009. It would not be honest of me to include books based on others opinions.

       
       
5. on 3 January 2010 at 3:22 pm shara

   with Bluestocking on this one – Lady Vernon was my favorite of 09 – and not even a mention? Also really enjoyed the Odiwe.

   
   
6. on 4 January 2010 at 11:06 am JaneGS

   As a hardened Janeite, I am scratching my head because I’ve only read one of your faves, The Grand Sophy, though I just started Lady Vernon and her Daughter, and Murder at Longbourn is next, and A Truth Universally Acknowledged is inevitable.

   In terms of sheer numbers, I’m wondering whether 2009 was the peak Austen-inspired publishing year. There sure were a lot of new titles this year.

   I really enjoy your site so much–partially for the excellent posts and partially because I can stay up to date on what’s good and bad in Austen Inc. without having to read everything myself.

   Happy 2010!

   
   
   • on 5 January 2010 at 2:16 am Laurel Ann

     Jane – you have chosen well. Lady Vernon, Murder at Longbourn and A Truth should set you up for some time. Enjoy!

     
     
7. on 5 January 2010 at 3:15 am Elizabeth "JaneAustenite"

   I have only read a couple of the books on the list (and I am avoiding P&P&Zombies!) but thanks for the wonderful reviews. Although I have heard mixed reports of it, “Willoughby’s Return” is on my to-read list.

   Best wishes,
   Elizabeth
   janeaustenite.wordpress.com

   
   
8. on 6 January 2010 at 4:03 am Alexa Adams

   Great list. I tried to compose something similar but was so overwhelmed I abandoned the effort. I have read the majority of the books (I skipped some of the modernizations – not my favorite) and am totally with you on Willoughby’s Return and A Truth Universally Acknowledged. I did not think Lady Vernon and her Daughter was as satisfying as some of the other commenters, so it’s absence did not surprise me, but I am sorry you have not read/listed Wayward Love: Captain Fredrick Wentworth’s Story by Regina Jeffers, which was very good. Oh – and I must say I thought Mr. Darcy’s Dream the least satisfying of Elizabeth’s Aston’s books. I was disappointing after enjoying so many of her other novels. And (I can’t seem to stop)The Grand Sophy was great – one of my favorite Heyer books so far. I also adored Friday’s Child and Cotillion.

   
   
   • on 7 January 2010 at 12:32 am Laurel Ann

     Hi Alexa, thanks for the recommendations. I will check out “Wayward Love”, by Regina Jeffers. I know she self published it, but Ulysses is publishing an edition this year, so I can include it in my 2010 reading. Many have remarked that “Darcy’s Dream” was not Aston best effort, but I still enjoyed it. I am looking forward to her new novel in April “Writing Jane Austen.” It is a contemporary novel though. You can not go wrong with Georgette Heyer, but “Grand Sophy” was extra special. Thanks for your comments.

     Cheers, LA

     
     
9. on 7 January 2010 at 6:44 pm Austenesque Vermont ~ & Other Austen Sightings… « Jane Austen in Vermont

   [...] speaking of Austen blogs, Laurel Ann at Austenprose has posted a list of her favorite books of 2009 [those she has read of course!] – many titles to add to your TBR pile, along with her [...]

   
   
10. on 8 January 2010 at 9:34 am diaryofaneccentric

    Thanks for this list! I just bought Jane Bite’s Back, so I’m glad to see it on there. I thought P&P&Z was fun, but it wasn’t great.

    –Anna

    
    
11. on 9 January 2010 at 9:08 pm Rebecca

    I have not read many Austenesque books yet, but those I have I have adored. I voted for Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (I have Rude Awakenings but have not read it yet) and Jane Austen: An Illustrated Treasury. I had to stop reading the Treasury after P&P because I had not read the rest of the books and it was giving too much info away! But I loved the book and voted for it anyway :). I will pick it up again as I go through the rest of Austen’s books. I have Mansfield Park so it or Persuasion will probably be next. I am dying to read Persuasion!

    
    
12. on 13 January 2010 at 8:38 pm Elizabeth

    Fantastic compilation! Wonderful to find these all together! Will be sending this along to other Austenphiles I know!

    
    
13. on 30 January 2010 at 2:32 pm Chatting with Beth Pattillo, author of Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart – and a Giveaway « Austenprose

    [...] a similar format to her previous novel Jane Austen Ruined My Life (2009) which was one of my Top 20 Favorite Austenesque Books of 2009. Set in contemporary times, young heroine Claire Prescott is at a crossroads in her life, travels [...]

    
    
14. on 3 February 2010 at 4:01 am Library Loot « The Captive Reader

    [...] this on Austenprose’s Top 20 Favourite Austenesque Books of 2009 and could not [...]

    
    
15. on 6 March 2010 at 1:28 am The Darcy Cousins, by Monica Fairview: A Review « Austenprose

    [...] humor, wit and a bit of social commentary Fairview has proven again why she was my top choice of Austenesque debut authors of 2009. She is well on her way to becoming a nonpareil in Austen paraliterature and I recommend The Darcy [...]

    
    
16. on 8 May 2010 at 12:49 pm Judie

    I just finished reading The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy and absolutely loved it. I usually shy away from sequels and re-tellings, but I’m planning to comb your lists now. Thanks so much for bringing my attention to it.

    
    
    • on 10 May 2010 at 6:03 pm Laurel Ann

      Judie – so glad you enjoyed The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy. It was a bit controversial, but well written.

      
      
17. on 2 January 2011 at 12:47 am My Top 20 Jane Austen Books of 2010 « Austenprose – A Jane Austen Blog

    [...] My Top 20 Jane Austen Books for 2009 [...]

    
    
18. on 2 January 2012 at 9:50 pm Top 20 Jane Austen-inspired Books of 2011 « Austenprose – A Jane Austen Blog

    [...] My Top 20 Jane Austen Books for 2009 [...]

    
    

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