Tuesday 1 July 2014

Planned Reading for July 2014

I did pretty well on June’s reading, reading nearly everything I planned including a book I started all the way back in March. July’s reading is brought to you while I am still under the shocking influence or seeing how much I’ve bought lately and still have unread! So I’m going to try and use up some of the things I’ve already bought.

Book Cover - Finding Favor by Lana Long
My Mansfield-inspired read this month will be Finding Favor by Lana Long. This is another young adult version of Mansfield Park that I picked up as a freebie last year. It has pretty good reviews from amazon.com, but hardly any on amazon.co.uk. 

Book cover - Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell
My Austenesque planned read is Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell. This is a story inspired by Pride & Prejudice but set in the midst of the American Civil War, which is something I know very little about. In fact I think most of my knowledge of this conflict has been culled from ‘Who Do You Think You Are’, the US version.

Book Cover - Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer
I may have mentioned this before but I am a huge fan of Georgette Heyer. I first read her books after I read the main works of Jane Austen and wanted to read more set in that period. I started reading this author a long time ago, and those of her books that captured me on the first read I’ve re-read, many times, while others I almost skim read the first time and haven’t picked up since. Sprig Muslin is one of those books for me, but I am told that it’s worth giving another chance.

Book Cover - In Consequence by Trudy Brasure
If you are a fan of Jane Austen’s work I’d highly recommend North and South by the Victorian writer Mrs Elizabeth Gaskell. It’s an absolutely wonderful story, kind of like Pride and Prejudice but with a social conscience agenda going on.  There was a four part adaptation of this book made 10 years ago starring the delicious Richard Armitage as Mr Thornton, so if you haven’t read it, you may have watched it, although the ending is a bit different (book is better in my opinion, most other people seem to prefer the series!). Similar to Austenesque fiction there are also a number of books inspired by North and South, and I plan to read one of those, In Consequence by Trudy Brasure.

These are my planned reads for this month, however, I usually read more than this. I don’t know if you saw it, but Meredith over at Austenesque Reviews recently did a Top 10 Summer Austenesque Reads, so I thought I might choose something from there. I have pretty much all of these books, but only read half. Here is the list, with links to my reviews where possible. I'll try and remember to link them back up from here when I post reviews.

Still to Read
All Roads Lead to Austen – Amy Elizabeth Smith
At the Edge of the Sea – Karen M Cox
Austenland – Shannon Hale
Austentatious – Alyssa Goodnight
Echoes of Pemberley – Cynthia Ingram Hensley

Have Read
Find Wonder in All Things – Karen M Cox - 4 star read
Morning Light – Abigail Reynolds - 4 star read
Pirates and Prejudice – Kara Lousie - 5 star read
The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice – Abigail Reynolds - 4 star read
When They Fall in Love – Mary Lydon Simonsen – not yet blogged.

I hope you have some good reads lined up for this month. Happy reading!

8 comments:

  1. I like that you're doing Mansfield inspired reading this year. I have not read any! I haven't read North and South by Gaskell either. I have it and have wanted to read it, but it sets forgotten on my kindle. :/ I have read Pemberley Ranch though. And I've read seven of your 10 top reads. So many, many good books! I wish I could read faster!! Happy Reading!

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    1. I always think that too, Candy. I have such a huge list of books I'd love to read but at the speed I get through things it would take me years to read them all, and that's if nothing new was released!

      If you can make space for it you should definitely read North and South, it's really a fantastic book, one of my absolute favourites. I am guessing you've watched the adaptation though, which always puts me off reading a book because I already know what happens, so what is the urgency?! N&S is worth it though :)

      I've enjoyed the Mansfield Park-inspired reading, and it's made me push things up the TBR that I might otherwise have overlooked.

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  2. Looks like you have some good books lined up to read. I loved Pemberley Ranch. It's really good. I love North and South (book and the wonderful movie adaptation) so I'll be looking forward to hearing what you thought about In Consequences. Enjoy!!=)

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    1. Hi Kelli, I never used to plan my reading but now that I do I really enjoy seeing the treats I have lined up!

      I haven't read anything based on N&S before, so I'm looking forward to it.

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  3. Awesome list, Ceri! And thank you for the lovely mention! I can't wait to see what you think of the books you haven't read yet, especially Austentatious!! :) I hope you enjoy a wonderful month!!!

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    1. I had hoped to read another of your recommendations, The Beresfords, but just before I wrote this blog post I added up how much I'd spent over the past few months that still remains unread so my conscience wouldn't let me buy anything. I will have forgotten by next month though ;-)

      Hope you have a good month's reading too!

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  4. In Consequence looks great, although I have seen the drama North & South, I really want to read the book, it keeps screaming at me every time I open my Kindle.
    I haven't read any of books on Meredith's list but I do have Pirates and Find Wonder. Still haven't read any Heyer but have bought some on your recommend. Happy reading Ceri :)

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    1. If you can fit it in North & South is definitely worth reading, Mr Thornton is even more lovely on the page then in the adaptation, and you can imagine him looking like Richard Armitage, yum!

      Exciting news re Heyers! Which ones did you buy? Are you still on your hols? Hope you're having fun :)

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