Jane Austen July TBR 2021

In all the previous Jane Austen July’s I have aimed to read all six of Jane Austen’s novels or finish the ones I have yet to read for the year. However, as you can probably tell from my blog and Instagram, I have not been in much of a reading mood the past quarter year.

Recently, the only subject I have wanted to read is Austen or anything related to her, and how perfect that it coincides with Jane Austen July.

Below, I will be listing each of the challenges and what I plan to read and watch or what I already have.

1) One of Jane Austen’s six main novels

Right now I am reading Mansfield Park. I am hoping to also read Emma and if there is time Northanger Abbey. These three are my top three Austen novels so it makes it perfect for when I am in a reading rut.

Earlier this year I read Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice. Sense and Sensibility is my least favourite of Austen’s novels so I might skip it entirely this year.

2) One of Jane Austen’s other pieces of work such as a novella, letters, short stories, etc.

I have had Austen’s book of letters sitting on my Austen shelf for a while, so I might read a few of those. I just want something short.

3) A book by a contemporary of Jane Austen’s

I still want to read The Monk by Matthew Lewis as it is mentioned in another favourite book of mine, Northanger Abbey. However, it is long, and I am really unsure if I will like it.

So sticking with the theme of Mansfield Park, I am going to read Lover’s Vows. This is the play that is performed during the book. I am very interested to see how it might alter my reading of Mansfield Park.

4) A retelling of an Austen novel

I am going back to where my love of Austen began. I am currently reading Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter. This book made me fall in love with Austen because my first few tries of Austen were not great. However, I connected with this story as a teen, and I could not put it down. It has been years and years since I have read it. So far, I am loving it even more than I remember. I think just knowing so much more about Austen helps with the different level of enjoyment.

5) Read a non fiction book about Jane Austen or the time period.

Last year I stared Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley. I got a good chunk of it read, but I was taking a lot of notes while reading which really slowed me down. I am hoping to make more progress in this book.

6) Watch a direct movie adaptation of Jane Austen.

I completed this. So far I have watched several. I have watched Sense and Sensibility (1995), Persuasion (2007), Pride and Prejudice (2005), Mansfield Park (1999), and Northanger Abbey (2007.) I am hoping to watch the BBC mini series of Emma from 2009 and any other adaptions that strike my fancy.

7) Watch a retelling of a Jane Austen story.

This is the challenge that actually got me in the mood to read some Austen. I watched Austenland three nights in a row. It is in my top three movies of all time, and I never get sick of it. Another movie in my top three is another Austen adaption called Bride and Prejudice. I plan on watching it sometime this month.

I am hoping this sparks my reading bug again. What are you reading for Jane Austen July?