Austen in August - Wrap-up

I started off this month with a guest post at Roof Beam Reader where I talked about my three types of Janeites. I had a few books that I had been meaning to read and this seemed like a perfect excuse to read them, it turns out that I picked books that might just appeal to readers in any one of these three groups.


First up is the book for the "I'll Read Anything" set.

Love is a Battlefield by Tamara Morgan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It was a really cute read, but I don't know if it impressed me enough to have me keep reading the series.  I originally decided to read it when I saw that Kate is a member of a Jane Austen Regency Reenactment Society. Or JARRS!

That being said there was just something about the story that didn't work for me and I can't even really put my finger on what it was, but there was just "something". I feel like the problems the characters kept facing could have easily been solved with simple conversations, I tend to like when things are harder to solve and they really have to work at overcoming their problems.


For you "Inbetweeners" I would suggest the following two books.

The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'll admit, I cheated. Since I was listening to this, I sought out reviews with spoilers so I could see where the story was heading because the first disc interested me, but I didn't know if I wanted to keep listening. After reading the review with spoilers, I kept listening and I'm happy I did, this was a refreshing adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.

I'll also admit that Sense and Sensibility is my least favorite Jane Austen work, I've read it once and will probably never force myself to read it again. So when I saw in the spoiler reviews that the plot doesn't perfectly follow Jane's tale, I knew it would be worth my time to finish listening to this story.

There were so many things that reflected Jane's original work, yet changed them so they fit in with her (Schine) story. She changes up characters but has the fit perfectly into the rolls they are supposed to play that you can't help but just go along for the delightful ride this story turns out to be!

CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW WITH SPOILERS

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As I finished this book I found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it and how much I liked it. I normally do not like these modern day adaptions of Jane Austen stories, but this one was different.

To start, I was pulled in my the cover first and the premise second.  Darcy as a rock star? I can read that! I liked the changes in the story to fit the plot of this book.

As others have noted there were editing flaws with the book and there were a few sections that I had to reread because of the changing POV, that kept this from being a 5 star book.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW

For you "Purists" and really for any one, I would suggest.

The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman by Lori  Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As with any interpretation of an author's work, Lori Smith uses what we know about Jane from her letters and those of her family to advise us on how Jane might advise us to live our lives. She uses examples from the books and it makes a nice little, light advice book.

I have had one little problem with the book and it's kind of had me question some other information in the book. Lori Smith writes

"Compared to Austen, we are a generation of hopeless romantics, just waiting to catch sight of the right person and fall head over heels into lifelong happiness. We may be surprised -- Austen wouldn't have any of that. Actually, she doesn't give us any successful stories of love at first sight. (45)"

I think that's wrong, I think Jane and Bingley were a successful love at first sight relationship, and through a discussion on Facebook (CNJ-JASNA) we think there are more.

That being said, there was a lot of nice information and ideas that we could think about incorporating into our lives.

All Roads Lead to Austen: A Yearlong Journey with Jane by Amy Elizabeth Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I honestly can't think of anything to write besides that I loved this book!

Amy E. Smith spent a year touring South America. She visited 6 countries and hosted a number of reading groups to discuss Jane Austen and her works. She didn't cover all six novels, the discussions she had with those she did were wonderful. During her travels she meets new friends, experiences new things, and gets sucked into the culture and the uniqueness that makes up these countries. She also has her own love story.

If I was the kind of person that marked up a book, there would have been so many great passages underlined or highlighted. I really think I'll be rereading this book again.

View all my reviews

The Regency Town House

The Regency Town House - 

Brighton & Hove heritage, conservation, community 

What is The Regency Town House you ask?

The Regency Town House is a grade I Listed terraced home of the mid-1820s being developed as a heritage centre and museum to focus on the architecture and social history of Brighton & Hove between the 1780s and 1840s. - from website

Want to know more about The Regency Town House?

The objectives of the Regency Town House are threefold:

• Raise the profile of Brighton & Hove as a historic location. 
• Encourage the better preservation of the city's built heritage. 
• Foster a wider appreciation of Regency architectural and social history. - from website

If only today's man put this much thought and time into dressing...a girl can dream!

Source: thecultureconcept.com via Crindalyn on Pinterest

Austen In August - Week 4

 This week I finished reading:

 Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


As I finished this book I found myself surprised by how much I enjoyed reading it and how much I liked it. I normally do not like these modern day adaptions of Jane Austen stories, but this one was different.

To start, I was pulled in my the cover first and the premise second.  Darcy as a rock star?  I can read that! I liked the changes in the story to fit the plot of this book.

As others have noted there were editing flaws with the book and there were a few sections that I had to reread because of the changing POV, that kept this from being a 5 star book.

(I'm working on writing a more detail review that will probably contain spoilers over the weekend.)


View all my reviews



and I started reading:

Save-the-Date----Oktoberfest

The Monmouth County Historical Society has sent us a 

Save-the-Date for Oktoberfest on October 12, 2012 

Allen House - Built c.1710

Oktoberfest will be held at 

the Historic Allen House

Beer-tasting!  Tavern fare!  

Music!  Raffles!

For tickets and further information please call 732-462-1466

Let's see if we can get a group together! 

If you are interested email us at centraljerseyjasna(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Opps

I just noticed that I provided a link to our Facebook page today for you to go look at the pictures, but I never posted the pictures to Facebook.  The pictures are now on Facebook.

If you were at this meeting and have more pictures please send them to us so we can share them with everyone.

-Amelia

Box Hill at Covenhoven House

On a lovely, surprisingly cool August day, the Central New Jersey chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America (CNJ-JASNA) met at the historic Covenhoven House in Freehold for our bi-monthly meeting. We feasted on a potluck lunch, complete with a surplus of sweet treats, while discussing good books everyone was reading lately.

Picture courtesy of Meridith. More pictures on our Facebook Page.

Afterwards, we were treated to a docent-led tour of the house by our very own Jere, who wore a period dress of her own design and making. We learned a rich history about this little corner of our state, particularly its role in the Revolutionary War. And, of course, we learned a great deal about the Covenhovens, who after becoming flush with money when they inherited $500, built this grand house in 1752. Being of Dutch descent, the Covenhovens incorporated Dutch, British, and Roman (then very popular) styles into their home's architectural design. Their lovely home consists of a large kitchen, parlor, and downstairs guest room along with three bedrooms upstairs (only two of which are open to the public). One of these upstairs bedrooms has a unique aspect, but you'll have to visit to see this wonderful surprise for yourself! Along the way, Jere explained various aspects of Georgian life in general and particulars about the Covenhovens' lifestyle.

Bringing things back around to Jane Austen, Jere noted that the house was later owned by an American sea captain who lived there with his family. They were known to entertain and host dances, just like the ones we read about in Austen's novels. The Covenhovens were also known to entertain, but Jane was only a toddler when the Battle of Monmouth was ongoing, at which time the Covenhoven House was seized by General Clinton to become the British headquarters in the area. Again, you must visit the house to hear the story of how the feisty 80-year-old Mrs. Covenhoven fought against the British in her own way!

The entire CNJ-JASNA group so loved our visit to the Covenhoven House that we have resolved to spend more time visiting historical sites in Monmouth County!


(Cross-posted to Miss JJ on Arts and Entertainment)

Thank you to Jen for this write up and to Meredith for taking pictures!

Austen in August - Week 3

I finished 3 books in the Reading Event so far and below are my three reviews.  - Amelia
 
Love is a Battlefield by Tamara Morgan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: It might be modern times, but Kate Simmons isn’t willing to live a life without at least the illusion of the perfect English romance. A proud member of the Jane Austen Regency Re-Enactment Society, Kate fulfills her passion for courtliness and high-waisted gowns in the company of a few women who share her love of all things heaving.

Then she encounters Julian Wallace, a professional Highland Games athlete who could have stepped right off the covers of her favorite novels. He’s everything brooding, masculine, and, well, heaving. The perfect example of a man who knows just how to wear his high sense of honor—and his kilt.

Confronted with a beautiful woman with a tongue as sharp as his sgian dubh, Julian and his band of merry men aren’t about to simply step aside and let Kate and her gaggle of tea-sippers use his land for their annual convention. Never mind that “his land” is a state park—Julian was here first, and he never backs down from a challenge.

Unless that challenge is a woman unafraid to fight for what she wants...and whose wants are suddenly the only thing he can think about.

Product Warnings:  The historical re-enactments in this story contain very little actual history. Battle chess and ninja stars may apply.

It was a really cute read, but I don't know if it impressed me enough to have me keep reading the series.  I originally decided to read it when I saw that Kate is a member of a Jane Austen Regency Reenactment Society. Or JARRS!

That being said there was just something about the story that didn't work for me and I can't even really put my finger on what it was, but there was just "something".  I feel like the problems the characters kept facing could have easily been solved with simple conversations, I tend to like when things are harder to solve and they really have to work at overcoming their problems.


The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: Jane Austen’s beloved Sense and Sensibility has moved to Westport, Connecticut, in this enchanting modern-day homage to the classic novel.

In Schine’s story, sisters Miranda, an impulsive but successful literary agent, and Annie, a pragmatic library director, quite unexpectedly find themselves the middle-aged products of a broken home. Dumped by her husband of nearly fifty years and then exiled from their elegant New York apartment by his mistress, Betty is forced to move to a small, run-down Westport, Connecticut, beach cottage. Joining her are Miranda and Annie, who dutifully comes along to keep an eye on her capricious mother and sister. As the sisters mingle with the suburban aristocracy, love starts to blossom for both of them, and they find themselves struggling with the dueling demands of reason and romance.

I'll admit, I cheated. Since I was listening to this, I sought out reviews with spoilers so I could see where the story was heading because the first disc interested me, but I didn't know if I wanted to keep listening.  After reading the review with spoilers, I kept listening and I'm happy I did, this was a refreshing adaptation of Sense and Sensibility.

I'll also admit that Sense and Sensibility is my least favorite Jane Austen work, I've read it once and will probably never force myself to read it again.  So when I saw in the spoiler reviews that the plot doesn't perfectly follow Jane's tale, I knew it would be worth my time to finish listening to this story.

There were so many things that reflected Jane's original work, yet changed them so they fit in with her (Schine) story.  She changes up characters but has the fit perfectly into the rolls they are supposed to play that you can't help but just go along for the delightful ride this story turns out to be!

CLICK HERE FOR FULL REVIEW WITH SPOILERS

The Jane Austen Guide to Life: Thoughtful Lessons for the Modern Woman by Lori Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: The Jane Austen Guide to Life playfully and poignantly examines Austen's life and novels for the timeless advice that still applies for today's women. Austen may not understand texting or tweeting or platform heels, but as an astute student of human nature, she can surely teach us an awful lot about ourselves--and we might just be surprised by what she has to say.

As with any interpretation of an author's work, Lori Smith uses what we know about Jane from her letters and those of her family to advise us on how Jane might advise us to live our lives. She uses examples from the books and it makes a nice little, light advice book.

I have had one little problem with the book and it's kind of had me question some other information in the book. Lori Smith writes "Compared to Austen, we are a generation of hopeless romantics, just waiting to catch sight of the right person and fall head over heels into lifelong happiness. We may be surprised -- Austen wouldn't have any of that. Actually, she doesn't give us any successful stories of love at first sight. (45)" I think that's wrong, I think Jane and Bingley were a successful love at first sight relationship, and through a discussion on Facebook (CNJ-JASNA) we think there are more.

That being said, there was a lot of nice information and ideas that we could think about incorporating into our lives.

View all my reviews

Are You a Jane Austen Mastermind?

This past weekend at Austenonly they asked this question.  It's in reference to the BBC 2 show Mastermind.  A woman on the show had her Specialist Subject as the completed works of Jane Austen.  She was asked 16 questions that only a specialist on that subject would know. 

Austenonly shared a  link to the video clip (can only be watched in the UK) and shared the list of questions.  Head on over to see how you do. Austenonly - Are you a Jane Austen Mastermind?

Write your answers down?  Think you did well?

Find out here: Austenonly - Mastermind - The Answers

I am not a specialist in the completed works of Jane Austen.  Out of the 16 questions I got 7 correct.

-Amelia

Covenhoven House

In the past we have held our Box Hill Picnic at Monmouth Battlefield Park, but this year we will be haveing our August meeting at the Covenhoven House in Freehold, NJ. 

Source: Monmouth County Tourism Covenhoven House

 The house was built circa 1753 by the Covenhovens.  This house was the headquarters for British General Henry Clinton prior to the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.  

The house is currently furnished according to the 1790 inventory of the estate.  The museum offers open-hearth cooking demonstrations to groups and does have days it is open to the public.

For more information you can visit the following webpages: Monmouth County  Tourism, The Monmouth County Historical Association, and for more pictures Covenhoven House - Freehold, NJ Patch. 

While I was looking up information for this post I got sidetracked into information on the Battle of Monmouth.  

The battle was a tactical British victory, as the rearguard successfully covered the British withdrawal. However, strategically it was a draw, as the Americans were ultimately left in possession of the field, and had, for the first time, demonstrated that the Continental Army regiments could stand against British regulars.[6]

It is also said to be the battle where the story of Molly Pitcher was first started.  She followed her husband to battle and help keep the cannons and men cool. The day of the battle it was so hot that many of the fallen were believed to have died due to heat stroke. When a man fell, she took up his position and fought beside her husband.

I think Jane would have be proud of her, what do you think?

Austen in August - Week 2

I've been immersed in Jane Austen works this week. Reading The Jane Austen Guide to Life during lunch, listening to The Three Weissmanns of Westport on my drive to and from work, and reading Love is a Battlefield before bed. I had hoped to be done them in time to give you some reviews today, but alas that didn't happen, so instead I'll provide you with my brief opinion with reviews to follow next week.

I mentioned this book awhile back either on here or on our Facebook/Twitter. Our heroine is Kate and she is a devoted member of the Jane Austen Regency Re-Enactment Society or JARRS. She is in charge of organizing their annual Vauxhall Gardens party. She finds the perfect spot, but there's a problem. Julian and his group have plans to use the spot for their Highland Games annual event. These two battle it out for both their events and love.

The book blurb does give fair warning that "The historical re-enactments in this story contain very little actual history. Battle chess and ninja stars may apply." I'm just getting to the battle chess and I have to say, I find myself chuckling while reading this book.

As with any interpretation of an author's work, Lori Smith uses what we know about Jane from her letters and those of her family to advise us on how Jane might advise us to live our lives. She uses examples from the books and it makes a nice little, light advice book.

I have had one little problem with the book and it's kind of had me question some other information in the book. Lori Smith writes that Jane never wrote about love at first sight and a relationship lasting. I think that's wrong, I think Jane and Bingley were a successful love at first sight relationship, and through a discussion on Facebook we think there are more. What do you think?

I'll admit this here, I'm a cheater. Let me explain, when listening to an audio book, I'll listen the the first disc before deciding if I'll listen to the whole book. When I finished the first disk of this book, I was torn. I wanted to keep listening, but I didn't feel invested enough to put in the time. So I went in search of a review with A LOT of spoilers. I'm so glad I did! I got an idea of where the book was heading (quite a different direction than S&S!) and it interested me enough to keep listening.

When I'm done, I'll write two reviews, one spoil free and one with spoilers! I just started disc 7 of 8 and I'm really enjoying the book now, so if you have this on your To Be Read list, I highly recommend picking it up soon and reading it!

How is your Austen in August reading going?

August Newsletter

Here's our August Newsletter!

Read a recap of our June Event with Elsa Solender.
Get information about our upcoming August Event.
Find out about a new change on the blog and so much more!



Send us an email if you would like to receive the newsletter in your email!

Death Comes to Pemberley - Some Reviews

Towards the end of last year there was a lot of talk about P.D. James's book Death Comes to Pemberley. Everyone was dying to read it (pun intended). In my opinion the book has gotten some mixed reviews. When the friend who wrote last week's review of Jane Austen by Carol Shields told me that her book club's July pick was Death Comes to Pemberley I asked if she would review that for us as well.

Below are two reviews of the book. 

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

 
My friend sent her review to me with a warning that it wasn't nice. She was honest in her review:

Written by P D James, a successful English mystery writer, this book gives little encouragement to read her other novels. Set six years after Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage, Death Comes to Pemberley, records a suspicious death involving the dastardly Mr. Wickham on the estate of Pemberley. As usual Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are left to throw out the trash regarding family indiscretions. The characters of Elizabeth and Darcy are unrecognizable. Where is the wit, their banter, their interactions?! Elizabeth and Darcy are rarely in the same room together. And when they open their mouths, I begin to wish they closed them. I guess after six years of marriage they have lost their ability for intelligent conversation and have become sedate, even boring landowners who have nothing to say to each other.

You can read her full review here.

Last is the positive review:

I read it in Dec 2011 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 1) P.D.James is a marvelous author and I was thrilled to see how she continued writing in the "Austen" theme. Time was 1803 and Elizabeth and Darcy are married with two sons. For me reading it, it was like a continuance of P & P and I was happy to hear how they married life was progressing. Of course since P.D. James is a mystery writer she included a dead body and our previous "Bad Boy" Mr. Wickham was allowed at Darcy's house.

Austen in August - Week 1

So this first "week" of August is only a few days long, but it is the start of Roof Beam Readers "Austen in August" reading event.

I wrote a guest post for the blog which is up today.  I talked a little bit about us and gave some book suggestions for the different types of Austen Readers.  You know the purists, the ones who will read anything even remotely related to Jane and her works and those of us who are bit picky in what we'll read.

Are You a Jane-ite? 

A few years ago I wouldn’t have said I was, but now that’s changed.  I’m the social media developer/webmaster for my local chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA).  It all started when a grad school friend of mine asked if I had seen their blog.  Yes, I’d seen it and their meetings sounded interesting, but I was wary, I didn’t want to be surrounded by a bunch of middle aged women obsessed with Mr. Darcy. 

We decided to check out their next meeting before we decided if we wanted to join JASNA.  Luckily it wasn’t a group of middle aged women obsessed with Mr. Darcy, it was a group of all aged women obsessed with Jane Austen.

We are the Central New Jersey chapter of JASNA. We typically meet four to six times a year to share in all things Jane. Previous meetings have included book discussions, movie viewings, guest speakers, concerts, and much, much, more. We love to read, and we spend a good portion of our meetings exchanging the titles of books.

Head over to Roof Beam Reader for the rest of my guest post.

Jane Austen and the Olympics

What does Jane Austen have to do with the Olympics you ask?  At the 2012 Olympic Games in London, she's got a bit of a connection.

Box Hill Olympic Rings

Box Hill happens to be one of the summits that the cyclists raced around this past weekend. You can see the layout of the Men's  and Women's Road Race that circled Box Hill here.



© Copyright Ian Capper and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons License


As we all know, Box Hill features prominently in Emma.

Mrs. Elton was very much disappointed. It was the delay of a great deal of pleasure and parade. Her introductions and recommendations must all wait, and every projected party be still only talked of. So she thought at first;—but a little consideration convinced her that every thing need not be put off. Why should not they explore to Box Hill though the Sucklings did not come? They could go there again with them in the autumn. It was settled that they should go to Box Hill. That there was to be such a party had been long generally known: it had even given the idea of another. Emma had never been to Box Hill; she wished to see what every body found so well worth seeing, and she and Mr. Weston had agreed to chuse some fine morning and drive thither. Two or three more of the chosen only were to be admitted to join them, and it was to be done in a quiet, unpretending, elegant way, infinitely superior to the bustle and preparation, the regular eating and drinking, and picnic parade of the Eltons and the Sucklings.

Quote from Project Gutenberg version of Emma.