chesilbeach Posted December 26, 2011 Posted December 26, 2011 (edited) 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 December 31, 2012 by chesilbeach Quote
chesilbeach Posted December 26, 2011 Author Posted December 26, 2011 (edited) 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 December 31, 2012 by chesilbeach Quote
chesilbeach Posted December 26, 2011 Author Posted December 26, 2011 (edited) 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 December 8, 2012 by chesilbeach Quote
chesilbeach Posted December 26, 2011 Author Posted December 26, 2011 (edited) 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 Roll on January the 1st (although not too quickly as I don't want to wish the holidays away!). Edited December 26, 2011 by chesilbeach Quote
Ben Posted December 26, 2011 Posted December 26, 2011 Subscribed, looking forward to reading your thoughts and reviews in 2012; hope it's a good reading year for you Claire. Quote
chesilbeach Posted December 26, 2011 Author Posted December 26, 2011 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 Quote
Ben Posted December 26, 2011 Posted December 26, 2011 (edited) 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 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. Edited December 26, 2011 by Ben Quote
Charm Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 Happy reading Claire, hope 2012 is a brilliant book year for you Quote
willoyd Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 (edited) 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 January 3, 2012 by willoyd Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 3, 2012 Author Posted January 3, 2012 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. Quote
willoyd Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 (edited) 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. Edited January 3, 2012 by willoyd Quote
karen.d Posted January 3, 2012 Posted January 3, 2012 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! Quote
Janet Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 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! Quote
pickle Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 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. Quote
Ruth Posted January 4, 2012 Posted January 4, 2012 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! Quote
Inver Posted January 5, 2012 Posted January 5, 2012 Highly recommend Carol Drinkwater's books. I loved them and read one after the othere when I bought them. Quote
willoyd Posted January 5, 2012 Posted January 5, 2012 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. Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 (edited) 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 February 21, 2012 by chesilbeach Quote
karen.d Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 This sounds like a fun read. I must add this to my TRB list! Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 (edited) 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 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 January 15, 2012 by chesilbeach Quote
frankie Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 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. Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 This sounds like a fun read. I must add this to my TRB list! Hope you enjoy them Karen. The first in the series is called Snobbery With Violence so that's the one to make a start with Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 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! Quote
frankie Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 You're welcome, I can't wait to see how you like them when you get to reading them! Quote
Ben Posted January 15, 2012 Posted January 15, 2012 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. Quote
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