Book Re-review: Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey
By Jane Austen

My Edition:
Paperback, 260 pages
2005, Barnes & Noble Classics
ISBN: 9781593082642

I wrapped up Austen Month by rereading Northanger Abbey and I’m so pleased with my choice. I thought I first read this when I was blogging, but it doesn’t look like I’ve got a review anywhere. I did rate it 2.5 stars initially and I know it wasn’t until I read the Marvel comic adaptation along with the modern novelization by Val McDermind that I understood the tone Austen was going for.

So, given the significant change in my star rating (I’d put it at 4.5 now) I thought I’d revisit my thoughts with this re-review.

Book Review: Dear Mr. Knightley

Dear Mr. Knightley
By Katherine Reay

My Edition:
Paperback, 327 pages
2013, Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781401689681

Sam is a 23-year-old orphan whose been given a grant to get a degree in journalism, as long as she writes frequent letters to her anonymous donor (who is not at all creepy for requesting this). Being decidedly bookish – so bookish in fact, that she often (awkwardly and pretentiously) quotes her favorite classic novels and does her best to embody their heroes and heroines – she finds this letter writing an easy task. Then she happens to randomly meet a very famous author, Alex Somethingorother, and somehow he finds her alluring (and endearingly awkward) and wants to see more of her. As she struggles through her journalism program and begins to fall in love with Alex, her letters become more like journal entries and she casually reveals her horrible past. Thus, she goes through some sort of transformation and discovers who she really is, or whatever.

If you’re too lazy to actually read my review (but, come on, just read it!) I think my blurb should give you a hint as to how I felt about this book.

Book Review: The Jane Austen Project

The Jane Austen Project
By Kathleen A. Flynn

My Edition:
Paperback, 373 pages
2017, Harper
ISBN: 9780062651259

Rachel and her colleague, Liam, are sent back to 1815 to befriend Jane Austen and steal her letters to her sister Cassandra and her unpublished work, The Watsons. Once immersed in the life of the Austen family, the two time-travelers find their mission harder to complete than they imagined. But they soon see the line between earning the trust of those who they mean to betray and not altering the course of history (and thus, the future) is a thin one.

Sweetbeeps bought me this book for my birthday last year and I can’t believe I didn’t read it right away (oh, wait, yes I can.) Thank gourd for Austen Month and Nicole’s urging that we buddy read this because I loved it!

Judging A Book By Its Cover: The Jane Austen Kama Sutra

This is my weekly post where I highlight beautiful books from my collection. We all judge book covers to some extent – I created this feature to highlight and appreciate the art and design elements of some of the books I own. If covers didn’t matter, publishers wouldn’t put out so many wonderful editions!

Austen Month Movie Wrap Up: Part 2

I wanted to review the other three adaptations I saw for the first (and hopefully last) time this month. Sadly, nothing in this batch stood out as something I’d revisit. Here’s part one, if you missed it.

Austen Month Movie Wrap Up: Part 1

I managed to watch 5 new-to-me Austen-related movies/shows this month and figured I’d do a recap of each. My thoughts are rather lengthy, so I’ve split this into two parts.

Book Review: Pride and Prometheus

Pride and Prometheus
By John Kessel

My Edition:
Paperback, 371 pages
2018, Saga Press
ISBN: 9781534411210
Expected Publication Date: February 20, 2018

I received this book for free from the publisher (thanks to Geek Girl Authority) in exchange for an honest review. Originally posted on Geek Girl.

Arriving in time for the 200^th anniversary of Shelley’s Frankenstein, this mash-up of classics follows Mary Bennet (of Pride and Prejudice fame) as she meets the mysterious Victor Frankenstein at a party. After running into him a few times, she learns his dark secret and meets the monster he’s created. Giving man and monster the benefit of the doubt, Mary hopes the haunted doctor could become more than a casual friend. But the creation of the monster’s bride could test even the long-suffering Mary’s kindness.

I’m game for almost any Austen adaptation or spin-off and I was intrigued by the combination of classics. I went into this book with middling expectations and was rewarded accordingly.

February Wrap Up

February!

This month I read 8 books for a total of 2,490 pages and an average of 89 pages per day. I’m pleased with how Austen Month wrapped up – in addition to 7 Austen-inspired books, I tackled one of my genre switch up books (romance) and watched four movies. Overall I’m very pleased with the books I read, but Austenland reigns supreme.

Movie Reviews: Austen Month

To round out my celebration of Jane Austen’s work, I watched a few movie adaptations she inspired. Naturally, I started with my favorite (hint: I rhymes with Bostonhand).

Book Review: Death Comes to Pemberley

Death Comes to Pemberley
By P.D. James

My Edition:
Paperback, 291 pages
2011, Vintage
ISBN: 9780307950659

Elizabeth and Darcy, happily married for six years and parents to two boys, are having their annual ball. The night before the ball, Lydia appears unexpectedly, frantically screaming that her husband has been murdered in the woods of the Pemberley estate. An investigation is launched and the Darcys and their family are pulled into a murder trial that could affect the rest of their lives.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, as I’ve read some disappointing sequels and reimaginings of Pride and Prejudice, but from the start, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the tone of characters.