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Claire's book list 2012


chesilbeach

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2011 reading blog - 141 books

2010 reading blog - 130 books

2009 reading blog - 143 books

2008 reading list - 63 books

2007 reading list - 97 books

2006 reading list - 82 books

 

2012 BOOKS READ

 

Key:

Books and eBooks from 2011 TBR or earlier

2012 books

2012 eBooks (iBooks or Kindle)

Reading circle and local reading group books

My year of Jane Austen books

Re-reads

 

Books read:

January

1. Hasty Death by M. C. Beaton

2. Sick of Shadows by M. C. Beaton

3. Our Lady of Pain by M. C. Beaton

4. Emily Goes To Exeter by M. C. Beaton

5. Belinda Goes To Bath by M. C. Beaton

6. Penelope Goes To Portsmouth by M. C. Beaton

7. Beatrice Goes to Brighton by M. C. Beaton

8. Deborah Goes to Dover by M. C. Beaton

9. Yvonne Goes To York by M. C. Beaton

10. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

February

11. Now All Roads Lead To France by Matthew Hollis

12. Mark Steel's In Town by Mark Steel

13. Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman

14. Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

15. Prophecy: Caelestis & Aurorea by F. E. Heaton

16. The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine

17. Persuasion by Jane Austen

18. Prophecy: Dark Moon Rising by F. E. Heaton

19. Mistress Masham's Repose by T. H. White

20. Pied Piper by Nevil Shute

21. Quantum of Tweed by Conn Iggulden

22. The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

March

23. Siren by Tricia Rayburn

24. Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

25. Moonwalking With Einstein by Joshua Foer

26. Captain Wentworth's Diary by Amanda Grange

27. Run Rabbit Run by Kate Johnson

28. Corvus by Esther Woolfson

29. A Backward Place by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

30. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

31. Reunion by F. E. Heaton

32. The Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame

33. William - An Englishman by Cicely Hamilton

34. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange

35. The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery (Abandoned)

36. An Equal Stillness by Francesca Kay

37. The Olive Season by Carol Drinkwater

38. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell

39. For A Few Demons More by Kim Harrison

40. The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett

April

41. The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams

42. A Week In December by Sebastian Faulks

43. Sweet Honey, Bitter Lemons: Travels in Sicily on a Vespa by Matthew Fort

44. One Dog And His Boy by Eva Ibbotson

45. Can't Be Arsed by Richard Wilson

46. The Colour by Rose Tremain

47. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

48. The Bolter by Frances Osborne

49. Lost Christmas by David Logan

50. Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange

51. Drink Deep by Chloe Neill

52. Out Of Sight, Out Of Time by Ally Carter

53. Eye Of The Tempest by Nicole Peeler

54. Last Breath by Rachel Caine

55. The Calling by Kelley Armstrong

56. Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead

57. Mrs Ames by E. F. Benson

58. Hollywood Secrets by Gemma Halliday

59. Hollywood Confessions by Gemma Halliday

May

60. Guernica by Dave Boling

61. Coral - A Pessimist in Paradise by Steve Jones

62. Wicked by Gregory Maguire

63. The Olive Harvest by Carol Drinkwater

64. Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

65. A Handful of Honey by Annie Hawes (Abandoned)

66. Fragrant Harbour by John Lanchester

67. The Science of Doctor Who by Paul Parsons

68. Tamara Drewe by Posy Simmonds

69. Wilma Tenderfoot and the Case of the Fatal Phantom by Emma Kennedy

70. Abandon by Meg Cabot

71. Spellbound by F. E. Heaton

72. Letters to Alice by Fay Weldon

73. 666 Charing Cross Road by Paul Magrs

74. Artichoke Hearts by Sita Brahmachari

June

75. I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

76. The Opposite of Fate by Amy Tan

77. The Factory Of Light by Michael Jacobs

78. There But For The by Ali Smith

79. The Children's Book by A. S. Byatt

80. Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

81. Mirrors of the Unseen by Jason Elliot

82. Pompeii by Robert Harris

July

83. Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd

84. The Hare With Amber Eyes by Edmund De Waal

85. The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh

86. The Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen

87. Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks

88. The Olive Route by Carol Drinkwater

89. The Infinite Book by John D. Barrow

August

90. The Year Of The Death of Ricardo Reis by Jose Saramago

91. Wild Mary by Patrick Marnham

92. The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard

93. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

94. Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh (Abandoned)

95. Emotional Geology by Linda Gillard

96. Mr Lonely by Eric Morecambe

97. The Music Of The Primes by Marcus du Sautoy

98. Hy Brasil by Margaret Elphinstone

99. A Carpet Ride to Khiva by Christopher Aslan Alexander

September

100. Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous

101. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

102. The Thoughts and Happenings of Wilfred Price, Purveyor of Superior Funerals by Wendy Jones

103. The Woman Who Died A Lot by Jasper Fforde

104. Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

105. Minerva by M. C. Beaton

106. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

107. The Taming of Annabelle by M. C. Beaton

108. Deirdre and Desire by M. C. Beaton

109. Daphne by M. C. Beaton

110. Diana the Huntress by M. C. Beaton

111. Frederica in Fashion by M. C. Beaton

112. Notes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson

113. A Moment of Silence by Anna Dean

114. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

115. Wickham's Diary by Amanda Grange

116. Biting Cold by Chloe Neill

October

117. Hollow Pike by James Dawson

118. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

119. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

120. Henry Tilney's Diary by Amanda Grange

121. Agatha Raisin: Hiss and Hers by M. C. Beaton

November

122. How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran

123. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

124. Seeking Crystal by Joss Stirling

125. Black Dawn by Rachel Caine

126. The Pedant In The Kitchen by Julian Barnes

127. The Vanishing Act by Mette Jakobsen

128. Storm Front by Jim Butcher

129. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivy

130. Trains and Lovers by Alexander McCall Smith

131. The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds by Alexander McCall Smith

132. The Watsons by Jane Austen

December

133. Divorce Islamic Style by Amara Lakhous

134. Tempest's Fury by Nicole Peeler

135. Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble by M. C. Beaton

136. The Chimes by Charles Dickens

137. Emma by Jane Austen

138. Winter's Kiss by F. E. Heaton

139. Findings by Kathleen Jamie

140. Refining Felicity by M. C. Beaton

141. Perfecting Fiona by M. C. Beaton

142. Enlightening Delilah by M. C. Beaton

143. Finessing Clarissa by M. C. Beaton

144. Animating Maria by M. C. Beaton

145. Marrying Harriet by M. C. Beaton

 

Edited by chesilbeach
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BOOKS TO BE READ

 

Key:

2012 books

2012 eBooks (iBooks or Kindle)

Reading circle and local reading group books

My year of Jane Austen books

 

1. Qissat by Various

2. The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz

3. The Various Flavours of Coffee by Anthony Capella

4. Head Over Heel: Seduced by Southern Italy by Chris Harrison

5. Twelve Minutes of Love: A Tango Story by Kapka Kassabova

6. Sightlines by Kathleen Jamie

7. The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

8. Polly by M. C. Beaton

9. My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey

10. The Journal of Dora Damage by Belinda Starling

11. The Rehearsal by Eleanor Catton

12. Can Anyone Hear Me? by Peter Baxter

 

Jane Austen:

1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

2. Mr Knightley's Diary by Amanda Grange

3. Death Comes To Pemberely by P. D. James

4. Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin

 

Persephone:

1. Mariana by Monica Dickens

2. Little Boy Lost by Marghanita Laski

3. House-Bound by Winifred Peck

Edited by chesilbeach
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MY YEAR OF JANE AUSTEN

 

I've decided that the time has come to indulge in a re-read of the Jane Austen novels, as well as trying to actually finish Emma which I never managed to do so far! I'm also going to read some of the contemporary novels that have revisited some of the characters from Austen's books as well as Claire Tomalin's biography. I'm also going to watch some of my favourite television and film adaptations, and may even look out some new ones I haven't yet seen.

 

These are the Jane Austen books I will be reading this year:

1. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

2. Persuasion by Jane Austen

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

5. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

6. Emma by Jane Austen

7. The Watsons by Jane Austen

 

 

These are the contemporary novels I will be looking at reading (although I'm going to try the diaries by Amanda Grange, but if I don't like them, I may remove the remainder from the list) - I may add more to this over the course of the year:

8. Mr Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange (Pride and Prejudice)

9. Mr Knightley's Diary by Amanda Grange (Emma)

10. Captain Wentworth's Diary by Amanda Grange (Persuasion)

11. Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange (Sense and Sensibility)

12. Wickham's Diary by Amanda Grange (Pride and Prejudice)

13. Henry Tilney's Diary by Amanda Grange (Northanger Abbey)

14. Edmund Bertram's Diary by Amanda Grange (Mansfield Park)

15. Death Comes To Pemberley by P. D. James (Pride and Prejudice)

16. The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine (Sense and Sensibility)

17. An Assembly Such as This by Pamela Aidan (Pride and Prejudice) (recommended by frankie)

18. These Three Remain by Pamela Aidan (Pride and Prejudice) (recommended by frankie)

19. Duty and Desire by Pamela Aidan (Pride and Prejudice) (recommended by frankie)

 

 

This is the biography I would like to read:

20. Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomalin

 

Other miscellaneous books:

21. Letters to Alice: On First Reading Jane Austen by Fay Weldon (recommended by willoyd)

Edited by chesilbeach
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So, that's my book list all set up for this year. I'm hoping to finish all the physical books left on my TBR, so that by the end of the year, I'm in a state where I can just read on my Kindle as this is my preferred mode of reading now. Ideally I'd like to be at the stage where I only have a few books on my TBR list at any time, as I feel this will give me more flexibility in what I choose to read. I know this is always the plan at the beginning of every year, but I have managed to get mine down from over 100 last year, so fingers crossed I can achieve that this year :lol:

 

Roll on January the 1st (although not too quickly as I don't want to wish the holidays away!).

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Thanks Ben, I'm going to try and be a bit more varied in my reading this year, but definitely want to work on the Austen reading plan :smile2:

I'm certain I'll be giving Pride and Prejudice a re-read in the next few weeks before my 18th century fiction exam, and as I really enjoyed it I may delve into some of other works as well (particularly Northanger Abbey as I have that waiting for me on Kindle). Austen's one of those authors I'm certain I'll read more of eventually, so I look forward to reading how you get on with the challenge. :smile2:

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I've decided that the time has come to indulge in a re-read of the Jane Austen novels, as well as trying to actually finish Emma which I never managed to do so far! I'm also going to read some of the contemporary novels that have revisited some of the characters from Austen's books as well as Claire Tomalin's biography. I'm also going to watch some of my favourite television and film adaptations, and may even look out some new ones I haven't yet seen.

How about the other lesser known fiction that she wrote? e.g. Lady Susan?

I can also really recommend Fay Weldon's book Letters to Alice on first reading Jane Austen all about reading Jane Austen, and indeed about fiction in general. It's a slim book (barely 150 pages), and highly readable.

Edited by willoyd
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How about the other lesser known fiction that she wrote? e.g. Lady Susan?

I can also really recommend Fay Weldon's book Letters to Alice on first reading Jane Austen all about reading Jane Austen, and indeed about fiction in general. It's a slim book (barely 150 pages), and highly readable.

I'm still in two minds about the other works, simply because I was under the impression that they were unfinished works, and I'm not sure how I feel about a work that an author hasn't completed. I may read them, I think I'll see how I get on.

 

I'm adding the Fay Weldon book to my wishlist right now - sounds very interesting, thanks. :)

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I'm still in two minds about the other works, simply because I was under the impression that they were unfinished works, and I'm not sure how I feel about a work that an author hasn't completed. I may read them, I think I'll see how I get on.

Lady Susan is a complete novella. There are also a whole host of completed shorter stories and other writings (including her History of England), mostly from her teens. They make interesting reading in the build up to her 'big' novels. There are one or two unfinished works too, including Sanditon, The Watsons and Catharine.

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I have and have read The Watsons it was an unfinished novel but finished by a distant relative, it was a long time ago but I think it ran along similar lines to Pride and Prejudice....not sure I would recommend it though as it was a long time ago. Good luck in the Austen challenge though.

 

I also bought Death comes to Pemberley with some vouchers if you get there before me I would love to read you review.

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I also bought Death comes to Pemberley with some vouchers if you get there before me I would love to read you review.

Hi pickle - you may find this useful in the meantime - I read Death Comes to Pemberley back in late November:

http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/5954-willoyds-reading-2010-2011/page__view__findpost__p__278383.

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  • 2 weeks later...

After a terrible first week of reading this year, I needed something to bump start my reading, and decided to read the remainder of the Edwardian Murder Mystery series by M. C. Beaton, Hasty Death, Sick of Shadows and Our Lady of Pain.

 

These books follow the exploits of Lady Rose Summer and her companion Miss Daisy Levine as they struggle against the rigid strictures of Edwardian society and become embroiled in the mayhem of the murders investigated by Captain Harry Cathcart and his man servant Beckett. Very lighthearted, good fun, and easy reading from one of my favourite humorous authors.

Edited by chesilbeach
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Lady Susan is a complete novella. There are also a whole host of completed shorter stories and other writings (including her History of England), mostly from her teens. They make interesting reading in the build up to her 'big' novels. There are one or two unfinished works too, including Sanditon, The Watsons and Catharine.

Thanks for the info, willoyd, I'll be looking into these later in the year :)

I'm planning to read Jane Austen books this year, plus a lot fo the classics. I hope 2012 proves a good year of reading for you!

Good luck with your Austen challenge. :) I have both Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility on my 'to read' pile - I must attempt at least one of them in 2012!

I have and have read The Watsons it was an unfinished novel but finished by a distant relative, it was a long time ago but I think it ran along similar lines to Pride and Prejudice....not sure I would recommend it though as it was a long time ago. Good luck in the Austen challenge though.

 

I also bought Death comes to Pemberley with some vouchers if you get there before me I would love to read you review.

I'm also planning to reread some Austen this year. Not all of them - but probably Emma, Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion.

 

Will, thanks for the tip re the Fay Weldon book - have added it to my wishlist!

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to a proper re-read of them all, and my first forays into the books that have been inspired by them. I have to admit, I watched nearly all of the television and film adaptations I have over Christmas (and it's quite a few!) and it's only whetted my appetite even more. I've started Sense and Sensibility and have already chuckled over Fanny convincing John not to give his sisters any money :lol:

Highly recommend Carol Drinkwater's books. I loved them and read one after the othere when I bought them.

Thanks Diane. I read the first one when it was first released, and both me and OH loved it. He's read all the other books, but I've never got round to starting on them ... something I really must remedy!

 

Edited by chesilbeach
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Hello Claire, have a happy reading in 2012! :)

 

As you are doing an extensive reading of all things Jane Austen this year, I thought I'd tip you about a book series that I own (haven't read them yet!) that would go nicely with your theme. Pamela Aidan has written a trilogy of Pride and Prejudice, but from the point of view of Mr Darcy. I lent my copies to a few friends a few years back and they seemed to like the books. Here's a link with info.

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Hello Claire, have a happy reading in 2012! :)

 

As you are doing an extensive reading of all things Jane Austen this year, I thought I'd tip you about a book series that I own (haven't read them yet!) that would go nicely with your theme. Pamela Aidan has written a trilogy of Pride and Prejudice, but from the point of view of Mr Darcy. I lent my copies to a few friends a few years back and they seemed to like the books. Here's a link with info.

 

Thanks frankie :)

 

The Pamela Aidan books sound good, and they get good reviews on amazon too, so they've been added to my wishlist - thanks! :smile2:

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Pamela Aidan has written a trilogy of Pride and Prejudice, but from the point of view of Mr Darcy.

That sounds like a good premise, as I've often wondered how Darcy would have perceived everything. I'm adding this to my wishlist too, Frankie, thanks. :smile2:

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