Category: Classical Literature

Septemb-Eyre: A Jane Eyre Read-a-long! Declaration of Participation!

Posted Monday, 2 September, 2013 by jorielov , 20 Comments

Septemb-Eyre hosted by Entomology of a Bookworm

 

I first stumbled across The Classics Club several months ago, whilst I was initially creating Jorie Loves A Story. I am not remembering what led me to it precisely, although I’d imagine it had something to do with the book blogs I was discovering at the time! Always want to take a nose and peek at a blog, as you never know what your about to discover! Common interests, book challenges, read-a-longs, wicked sweet linkage to explore, dare I say, a new book to read? In this vein, I was settling it in my mind that I would properly join The Classics Club in January {2014}, which encouraged me to work on the bits of how I wanted to construct my personal Classics Challenge therein! More or less, this is how I came across: Septembre-Eyre: A Jane Eyre Read-A-Long! Hosted by Entomology of a Bookworm, who appears to have wanted to read this book nearly if not more dearly than I! What a better way to begin my Books of Eyre Challenge, then to read Jane Eyre with others!? Especially considering, August has grown to be a bit all-encompassing now that I added in Austen in August!
Specifics of this Read-Along Include: 
2 September 2013: Septemb-Eyre Declarations of participation & Introductions;
9 September 2013: Chapters I-XI;
16 September 2013: Chapters XII-XXI;
23 September 2013: Chapters XXII-XXIX;
and 30 September 2013: Chapters XXX-End.
A wrap-up posting about my adventures during Septemb-Eyre!

Why I have always wanted to read

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë:

 

There is something altruistic about the Brontë’s writings, and in the vein, of Ms. Charlotte, she had a way of penning the life of Jane Eyre who brought out this attribution in the fullest of light. Eyre, in my mind, was a humble woman with a caregiver’s soul. She never shied away from doing what was right, even if it put herself in a quandary of a position lateron. She led with her heart, pinched her nose towards a determined air of strength, and drew a measure of a breath for what life had given her the opportunity to have, rather than focus on what was lacking or unavailable for her to achieve. She took great courage in extreme adversity, and was led to a man named Rochester who never knew that the one thing he needed was a living angel to help show him the way back towards peace, redemption, and the blessings of life yet lived.

I knew of her story, long before I ever dreamt of seeing an adaptation of her life spilt out inside of a motion picture. As you might already have gathered by reading other entries in my blog, there is a curious notation of ‘how’ and ‘when’ I come to read the books that alight in my life. There is even a curious nodding in knowing why some books are first read, whereas others are first seen. This isn’t always the case, as exceptions to rules are always fluttering just outside of view. Yet. In this particular case, Jane Eyre arrived to my heart and eyes via the 1996 motion picture adaptation starring Charlotte Gainsbourg {as Ms. Jane Eyre} and William Hurt {as Edward Fairfax Rochester}. It was one of those early morns, where I was vexed by the anguish of a bout of unwellness that would not shake off of me rather easily, but instead, wanted to clinge to me, withering me away in a restless torrent of unease. By the time the clock nearly stroke 3am, I was well on my way towards punching the television remote to find ‘something!’ remotely sensible to be on at that particular hour! I did not think I’d find much, as anyone whose struggled to get through a night such as that, and dares the television to produce ‘something of a pang of relief’ will attest that the limitations of quality is more plausible! Therefore, before I could turn the channels to far afield, my knackered and weary self stumbled across a period drama! What great fortune, eh!? I sorted out how to sit comfortably, and started to drink in this gothic lit world. It took me a bit to realise what I was watching and what was unfolding before me. Jane Eyre, you see, is one of those classical works of literature I always fashioned I’d drink in through the text prior to sorting out which adaptation I wanted to watch next. In this way, I was quite gobsmacked that I was pleasantly delighted despite my otherwise vexing condition! I was watching Jane Eyre! I could hardly believe my fruitious good luck!

And, such begins my proper introduction into this lovely story! I never forgot my intention to read the book, nor did I ever forget the impression of the actors who in this particular version left a strong mark on my heart! The portrayals spoke to me, and etch themselves into my mind’s eye. I daresay, each new version I shall watch next will be bent against this original one that I found! It’s a story of self-reliance and self-motivated propensity to survive no matter what blight on your path life may afford you to circumvent. It’s a story of a woman who any young girl or mature woman can align her heart with and rally alongside as Jane Eyre finds her voice and her self-worth whilst setting up a life she can proud to call her own.

And, why I wanted to participate in a read-along verse reading it on my own:

Reading is such a sedentary and solitary experience, whereupon you may or may not ever cross paths with another reader who is as excited and enchanted by the texts that you find as riveting as though they were freshly printed and released the day you stumbled across them! Time is temporal for a lot of our activities in life, such as correspondences and letters, and in the exercise of examining works by authors who turn our eye and settle into our unconsciousness long before their words spark a breath of life inside us. In an ever expanding world of technologic shiftings, it’s harder yet, to find readers who truly are wrapped up and encased into the ‘classics’. Prior to find The Classics Club, I wasn’t even sure if it was still en vogue to be as enraptured as I am with this lot of literature! Except for a few kind souls I am sure, who are scholarly and keen on glimpsing the hidden truths in such long forgotten texts by modern students.

Reading one particular book in a collective of readership will be new to me, as I have just recently participated in my first ‘reading marathon’ {Bout of Books, 8.0}, by which, I can attest that falling rather ill twice in a score of seven days does not bode well for accomplishing your goals; although, on the flip-side, I did settle into a regular rhythm of absorbing the words, settings, and characters, for which I am evermore grateful! These are the moments where you wonder, what was the true goal and outcome we were meant to achieve!? You pause, a smile breaks through your thoughts, and you continue onward towards your next bookish challenge that has intrigued you to participate! Thus, arriving at: Septemb-Eyre as I cross-reference my reading of Jane Eyre as my first book towards my end-goals of Books of Eyre Challenge! I am whet with anticipation to see what the four weeks shall reveal, not only for me, as a new reader of this wickedly smashing book, but of the revelations of being a collective reader embarking into the life of Jane Eyre during the same time frame!

As I wander around to the other readers’ blogs,

I noted the following:

[These are my impressions on Introduction Day,
by which, I shall return each week to see their next impressions!
]

Charlene @ BookishWhimsy: She has perplexed me with her inquisitive enquiry about the ‘twist’ and what pray tell, are ‘silly posts’ as a method of updating!? Hmm,… methinks I will have to stay tuned with a whetted curiosity! Being that she is truly one of the biggest and most ideal cheerleaders for all-things Eyre, I am thankful to see she is participating!! I am not going to read her previous take on Eyre though — I’d be plumb too tempted to read about the bits that would be different from the film, and as that is how I am coming into the plot, I’d rather be happily surprised!

Kerry @ Entomology of a Bookworm: To read that she has four copies of Jane Eyre, but has yet to read one! I can relate to this, because I have at least two copies of Pride and Prejudice; two copies of Outlander; and two copies of a variety of other books that I am now forgetting! The reason being!? Whilst being packed or in-between relocating moves over the years, I never knew which box had which book! Laughs. It took until the [2005] adaptation of Pride and Prejudice for me to resolve that picking up the pocket edition was in my best interest! I read it then, as I read it this past August! I have yet to get through Outlander as both copies are tucked into boxes I have yet freed; except to say, I have read most of The Outlandish Companion, which was an unexpected gift for me during Nanowrimo 2008 by my Mum! :) As an aside, when I join The Classics Club, I can just imagine all the corridors of literature I shall be embarking down myself! :)

[Having read her comment on @ The Coffee Girl] Did not realise she wasn’t keen on Pride and Prejudice, perhaps after I am able to complete my posting of it, she might re-attempt it for a third time, as it truly is one of my favourite stories of all-time!! I am always so happy to get entrenched into Longbourn, Netherfield, and Pemberley!

[Side note: I attempted multiple times to leave a comment only to see it go “poof!” right before my eyes! What gives!?]

Loosheesh @ Loosheesh Can Read Too: A newbie to [tCC- I did not know they shortened it like that!] The Classics Club, who, like me, has been enchanted by all the lovely blogosphere events that either they host exclusively for members OR are little additions that anyone [like me!] can participate in! A bit like how Adam @ Roof Beam Reader hosted Austen in August!? She has a delightful sense of humour whilst describing her reading tendencies, and I love her light-hearted attitude! :) On the Darcy vs. Rochester war-of-heroes, I do suppose I will be the odd-duck out, as I lay claim to each of the men rather equally!

[Side note: Unfortunately, her blog is hosted at BookLikes, and without an account there I cannot leave her a proper comment, so I will be leaving them on my Septemb-Eyre updates postings. I could not find a contact email for her either! Quite sad! I wanted to drop her a bit of encouragement and talk about Jane Eyre!]

Coffee badge provided by Squeesome Designs and used with permission.Lori @ The Coffee Girl: I loved how we both chose to read Pride and Prejudice during Austen in August!! :) What happenstance that is! My review of the book is soon-to-be added to my blog, as I have only been working on it since the 18th of August, the day in which I first began it! For me, it was a re-reading, but only my second! despite my long history of appreciating it! She most likely will enjoy my post of this, and likewise, I look forward to reading hers after mine goes live! According to Adam, I have only today + the morrow to get my tail whipped into shape so it can be placed in the official Linky!

Ahem! I love how she fully fleshed out her first post, and gave the history of Jane Eyre in her life! Love it! I was not a bit surprised she’s more actively vocal in social media outlets — I think I am one of the lone book bloggers who picked her blog verse the rest of the lot! :) I had to smile whilst reading how she selected most of her reading list!! Ahh, the Gilmore Girls shall live evermore! Strangely, I never wanted to read Jane Eyre because of the cultural attachments it provoked,… it was simply one of those stories that alighted in my mind as being one that would wholly fulfill me and sustain inside my memory for a lifetime. There are certain stories and characters that never quite detach themselves from me, and I simply sensed this would be true of Jane Eyre!

Alas! A fellow gothic fiction appreciator! I wonder, pray tell, if she’s stumbled across Kate Morton as of yet!? I am seriously neglectful in my Morton reads, as I have checked out at least 3 of her books [at the library! of course, given the badges, eh?!], yet I am always wrapped up in something off the cuff that takes me away from the text! Deep sighs. [my choices thus far include: The Distant Hours, The Forgotten Garden, & The Secret Keeper] I do not share her itch for Faulkner, but the gothic fiction genre is one I am keen to explore! [Magical Realism is another that is closely hinged to it!]

Like her, I do agree, that the most important aspect of read-a-longs is that we each finish our chosen book in our own way. Even if it runs counter-current to the event, we must all do what is right for each of us. A bit like how I thought my delays in finishing Pride and Prejudice was somewhat of a disappointment, only to be cheered up by Adam himself by a message he sent me on his own Austen in August experiences this year! :) Truly. We each give as much as we can, to both reading, blogsophere events, and to our respective blogs. There are no epic fails and there is no right/wrong approach to our end goals!

I have been wanting to use one of these coffee badges in the worst way! I think I finally found a reason too as she is a coffee drinker! :) Despite my appreciation for tea, there are a few coffees that I enjoy drinking myself! My java of choice will forevermore remain: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Americano-Misto, as it was my first cuppa of java that felt as though it was only a slight deviation from my regular tea mistos! Light, airy, with rich undernotes of chocolate and berries! Joy in a cuppa! Then, as I started to etch out of my comfort zone with trying other variations, I have come to find joy in: straight-up espresso raspberry mocha latte! [if I were to look against calories, i’d do it up with ‘whip, rasp & choc syrup’!] Although, I do appreciate a good drip coffee as well, such as Highlander Grog! :) All the whilst, I am still and will remain a dedicated tea drinker! :)

[Side note: I attempted to leave a comment only to have it disappear on me again! What is up with my java settings!?!]

[UPDATE: Its not my java settings, its a disagreement between WP blogs + Blogger blogs! Oy for pete’s sakes, I went through this during the Bout! Double exasperated sighs! I finally could post my comment to Lori if I used Name/URL!]

Jacyln @ Covered in Flour: Her sensibility won me over, at the mentionments of: thirty-something addicted to books, adore Jane Eyre, books are scattered into boxes (smiles wickedly!), ANGLOPHILE (wait til she reads My Bookish Life!), enchanted by Brit Lit (if she only knew how much I was too!), TEA-aholic (double grins!), and hiker! Okay, so is it too soon to follow a new blog!? And, who isn’t keen on upstate New York!? Hmm,… back to her post! I best leave a comment before she wonders why I followed her without one! Laughs. I love her on the fly wit and how she just adores Eyre and that’s reason enough to read Jane Eyre! My sentiments were entwined as this for Pride and Prejudice!

Brooke @ The Blog of Litwits: She is one of the few who is re-reading this lovely story, as I am noting that we [the Septemb-Eyre girls; as a bloke hasn’t yet joined us!] fall into a few categories: re-readers, newbies, and dedicated through adaptation of motion picture [that would be me!]. I am enjoying reading our own unique journey towards Jane Eyre as they are each very personalised and individual! She is also a member of tCC, by which I can already tell I am going to enjoy being a member of myself, if it will continue to lead me to such wonderfully engaging readers such as these! :) Although I hadn’t recently purchased my copy, it is a new copy as well which has yet to be broached!

Madeleine @ Owl You Need is a Good Read: The poor dear reminds me of myself, one month ago, whilst launching JLAS, undertaking Austen in August, settled into Bout of Books, 8.0, participated in the first Blog Pen Pal Exchange, encountered an illness, a 4-day migraine, technical difficulties during the Bout & afterwards [more than half the Bout’er blogs wouldn’t load – who knew I needed to switch browsers!? I love! SeaMonkey now!], waylaid by fierce lightning and thunderstorms, AND just when I was thrilled to bits about all the lovelies I am reading, the hours ticked off the clock and I arrived at September before I could make a backwards glance and wonder, “Where did dear August go off too!?” I give her credit!! IF she can pull it off, I tip my hat in congratulations!! I learnt a hard lesson in not taking on too much, which will make me feel less stressed and provide more enjoyment out of the events I dearly want to participate in! Of course, I wouldn’t be a bookish girl worth her salt if I didn’t admit, that I just might get in over my head again (at some point), and relish the experience I gather even if I fall a bit short (again!)!!

And, she’s a librarian to boot! I wonder what she will do when she sees all the library love on my blog!? And, that she can get some for hers as well!? :) :) Those badges that Squeesome created on behalf of a suggestion of mine still makes me grin like a cheshire cat!! :) In full honesty, I think I came across her blog in the recent past!? I wonder!? Blog Nation or the Bout!? Hmm,… I know this, because I loved the entire concept of their blog! I always considered myself an ‘owl’ in many ways, as there are various metaphors for bookish souls, inasmuch as I adore the House of Ravenclaw! :) Ironically, I sort of forgot to give out the personal bits in my post, yet thankfully most of what might be curious to know about me is located under My Bookish Life! Again, I realise I am one of the minority who blogs but does not tweet or engage on other bookish sites.

Stacy @ Novel Meanderings of an Academic: I was happy to see that this is her first blogosphere event and that she too, is as enraptured by Jane Eyre as I am! I realise I’m coming into this from a different perspective, but ooh, anyone who adores Ms. Eyre is alright in my book! :) Laughs. Her parents gifted her an especially keen edition of the novel, which reminds me of the gifted copy of Little Women I received from mine! Parents and grand-parents of bookish girls definitely know how to surprise their kin time to time, eh!? :) I am most curious if she is still in school or is a professor!? Its hard to tell, as I hadn’t realised that her blog doesn’t have a lot posted on it until after I left my comment! A happy mystery!

Maggie @ An American in France: Its her first time reading Jane Eyre, and decided to take up this read-a-long after having completed Mansfield Park, a month beforehand! I am hopeful that the heart of Eyre will attach itself to her, because that is one of the special parts to Jane! I am now wondering, how all the newbies are going to feel about the story, as most did not see a film adaptation like I had!? Hmm,… only the weeks shall reveal! I must confess, ever since I went to her blog as a member of the Septemb-Eyres, I was curious about her life in France! A country I am reading more in literature, and a country of ancestral origins!

Cham @ Eat Ur Banana: [WP + Blogger are Disagreeing Again- this was meant to post on her blog!][By 10p Thursday, I am able to leave comments! I rock!] Good afternoon, Cham!  I am hoping that this note will post, because so far today, two of the Septemb-Eyre blogs I’ve tried to leave notes on [Estella’s Revenge + Good Books & Tea] have not yielded a live comment! I am not sure if its a disagreement with WP + Blogger again(!), or if its something else! I’ve checked all the java settings on my end, plus SeaMonkey has less hiccups than Explorer hence why I switched over — I digress! Technologic issues aside, I wanted to drop by and say, I’ve been stalking your blog since last night, curious when your post would go live! :) Laughs. I am starting Jane Eyre today rather than yesterday, as I nearly exhausted my eyes trying to finish Pride and Prejudice!! I think my world is always a bit chaotic when I have certain books I want to finish by certain deadlines! Laughs.

Wow! Your over 30% into the book already!? And, here I thought we were all going to just read the selected chapters each week! Wow. Impressed! I am a new reader of Eyre, but I am not a stranger to Eyre! You’ll have to visit my blog to sort out what I mean! I can relate to what you mean, as I used to only talk about books with my close circle of friends as well, but one thing I am enjoying about being a book blogger now is that I get to talk about books & bookish culture with some of the most giving and genuine readers I have ever met! :)

Rachel @ A Home Between the Pages: [hasn’t posted yet – I presume by 12th of September she is not participating?] Except to say, that her post on The Golem and the Jinni, intrigued me to no end, as I have been awaiting finding other readers who are as engaged into that story as much as I was! I simply was over the moon in pure joy reading her recollections, and I know how hard it is to capture the full essence of the story whilst attempting to write a blog post, because I had the same issues — its a story that is lit bright and deep in your mind and heart. Chava and Ahmed do not readily leave your conscience, which is why they were sprinkling out into my review of The Clockwork Man, which was my contributing piece for The Clockwork Carnival. They stay with you. They murmur their experiences in your ear. And, she is quite right, your slightly haunted by them, because its not a story that unhinges from you very readily!

Sam @ Tiny Library: [hasn’t posted yet – I presume by 12th of September she is not participating?] Except to say, that I read that she is reading Z: a novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, and I was most esteemed to see that, as that was one of my favourite reads of 2013!! I spent the greater portion of the first six months wrapped up in the lives of the Fitzgerald’s, as this is what I relayed to her on her blog: :) I came in search of your Septemb-Eyre post, but saw that you are reading Z(elda!) for which I have such a warm-hearted memory of reading this year myself! :) I decided not to blog about it as I was wrapped up with the Fitzgerald’s lives for the greater part of January-May, with the full measure of my joy overflowing when I went to see The Great Gatsby!! I had originally wanted to read the book prior to the film but in the end, I was simply thankful I had the opportunity to see the film in June rather than May, as I was a bit delayed getting to the theater! What a brilliant way to conclude a six-month emmersion as much as celebrating my birthday! As I get into Gatsby the novel either lateron this year or early next, I will re-visit the film! To me, this new version (its the only adaptation I have seen!) truly peered into their lives as an example of how outrageous a portion of their lives had become and how true to form all that insanity can yield. I kept smiling because pieces of Z floated to mind throughout the film!!

Meanwhile, I hope that you are having a nice visit with Zelda, and walk away with a good feeling like I did when the story concludes. Their lives were tumultuous yes, but there was a lot of mirth to them as well. The ending gutted me, but its the ending that was real.

What I had forgotten to relay to her though is that I was one of the First Impressions readers who read it through Book Browse, and participated in a book club discussion of the book.

Andi @ Estrella’s Revenge: I originally came by her blog via Bout of Books, 8.0, to which I was thankful to see she is involved with Septemb-Eyre! :) I am not sure what is wrong or why I cannot post my comments, but I had this one compose for Andi, yet it will not post on her blog! [I tried EVERYTHING: Name/URL, Anon, WP, & OpenID!] [By 10p, Thursday night, I am back and posting up a storm!] Hallo, Hallo Andi!  I was practically stalking your blog last night into the moon hours, wondering when your post would pop up! Laughs. I had such a fun time going to everyone’s blogs, dropping notes, and then, awaiting the ones who hadn’t posted to, erhm, post! As I mentioned on my post, it was nice to ‘see’ you again, after having concluded the Bout!  I couldn’t help but smile and chuckle throughout reading your “Intro!” to Septemb-Eyre! I should have known I’d be in for a unique read, as I was back-reading your blog a bit last night,… laughs. Petty thief. Classic! Cannot wait to read your weekly updates — they are sure to be as wickedly unique as this one! By the by, should I bypass “The Other Typist” completely or go in blind and compare notes with you lateron!? [ducks book flying in her direction at the mere mention of this book!]

Stephanie @ Strazzy Books: [hasn’t posted yet – by 12th of September, I presume she isn’t participating!?]

Tea and Book badge provided by Squeesome Designs and used with permission.Shan @ Good Books & Tea: First of all, I am thankful to see that not only are we a diverse group of readers who appreciate the classics, but we are equally diverse in what we like to drink as we read! I am a tea girl who digs coffee, and therefore, for me, heaven is a book with either a cuppa tea OR a cuppa java! :) Rock on, dear hearts! Now, then, she’s one of the newbie readers of Jane Eyre, such as I am, (alongside Kerry, our fearless leader!), even though I might have seen a motion picture adaptation AND know the gist of the story, that is in no way an indication that I know what actually transpires inside the novel! Therefore, I am a newbie, too! :) I am most curious to sort out what kind of tea she likes to drink the most, as I personally love the sinfully delish chai latte for a break from the everyday cycle. However, my favourite teas are always: green, white, red, and herbal! :)

After attempting to post this on the 3rd & 4th of September I truly give up! I wanted her to read this note: [On Thursday, the 5th, I sorted out I needed to switch browsers for the SECOND time this week! I am posting again in other words!] Shan, I am always up for a new citrus infused tea — which brand do you recommend if I were to try orange pekoe for the first time!? I left you a long reply over on my blog! :) Yes, I do concur with you!! We have populated quite a lovely group indeed in Septemb-Eyre! Cheers!

Sasha @ Sasha & the Silver Fish: [hasn’t posted yet – by 12 September I presume she isn’t participating] Except that she was mentioning tCC Master List that she has written up on her blog, and I noted that most of the titles that she wants to read are ones that I am not yet familiar, which was extraordinary, as most times when I come across tCC Master Lists, I can pick out more than half that I recognise! I love an unexpected day like this! :) I look forward to seeing her thoughts on picking up Jane Eyre, as I noted that she is re-reading it! I can say this, I am going to enjoy being in the fold of tCC come January! Lots of wonderful bookish soul are in that club!! :) :)

Alison @ The Bookish Girl Reads On: OOh my dear, dear stars! Pray tell, am I the only soul who finds an attraction to both Mr. Darcy AND Mr. Rochester!? For me, Darcy won me over with the letter he wrote to Elizabeth as it was so very reminiscent of a real-life event of someone I know personally, that I think when I read that for the first time in 2005, it simply eclipsed my heart in a way that could only naturally be logical for me! I would think though, that more would be esteemed to find him dashing after such a revelation, but perhaps, he comes off a bit too stilted and proud, even with the inclusion of the letter? Now as far as Rochester is concerned, he reminds me quite a heap of Mary’s Uncle in The Secret Garden, almost to the brink of wondering if getting nearer to him is possible or wanted? Yet. Both are heroes in their own ways, and their mannerisms were accepted by the women who loved them. Who truly is to say who was right or wrong, when love is forever blind!?

I enjoyed reading her maddening adventures in University, and how it nearly wrecked her for appreciating drinking in a book on her own terms and for pleasure, rather than dissection! I think that was a misstep in my thinking that I’d appreciate a Lit course at University; I suppose I juxtapositioned my own hopeful wishes on that scale but did not take into account the headache of the time schedules, the grueling structure of enquiries, and how in the end, you might not dare want to open up another book if it would spark a memory of the experience! She walked away with the ability to put tongue-and-cheek on the situation and still appreciates classical literature! I count that as a blessing!

MJ @ Creative Madness Mama: [hasn’t posted yet – by 12th of September I presume she is not participating!]

Jen @ Under a Gray Sky: [hasn’t posted yet – by 12th of September I presume she is not participating!]

Kwame @ The Wandering Bookmark: He mentioned that he has read Wide Sargasso Sea which is actually one of my selections for Books of Eyre that I will be reading this year! I am thankful that he didn’t spoilt the surprise and left it to our own inklings to seek it out! He is amongst the re-readers who embarking down a familiar path, but I do wonder, how each of them will react to the story at this point of time in their lives!? As I was discussing earlier on another blog or perhaps even my own (as it all blurs together at some point!), that our experiences and the time intervals can change our reactions and perceptions! Will be intrigued to watch her progress!

Crafts4Others: Joined as she was given Jane Eyre, as her Classics Club spin cycle choice! I have heard of those spin cycles, as apparently from what I have gathered tCC members are either joyfully celebrating OR are deeply worried they may or may not enjoy the book that has come up to read next! I am thankful that she is not only reading it to mark it off her tCC List, but will be joining those of us who have not yet read the novel!

to be continued shortly, as I am awaiting everyone’s introduction post! :) checked again on 8 September, still waiting!

And, the most humbling revelation is that Kwame is a bloke, for whom, I accidentally mistook for a girl! Oy vie! I promptly wrote him an apology and explained that I had complete egg on my face for not realising the gender of his name! Sadly, this is not the first time I have misunderstood a person’s name, but I always feel most grievous for the slight, as I am always trying so hard to get ‘names’ right! Of course, the other side of this for me, is sorting out how to properly ‘say a person ‘s name’, as I find myself betwixt a mystery on ‘that’! moreso than naught! Therefore, we are not just ‘Septemb-Eyre girls’, where the ‘Septemb-Eyre Collective: blokes and lasses together!’

Book badge provided by Squeesome Designs and used with permission.such as Jane Eyre!

{*NOTE: This particular post will serve as an archive of all the posts yet to come for this read-a-long. Therefore, you will find more links threaded to my postings as this continues to move forward in the box above which stipulates the time frame of the read-a-long itself. As you check back, be sure to click through to the next post in line! The same will be true on my Absorbing Lit page where this is cross-posted!}

This Jane Eyre RAL is hosted by:


Kerry’s Archived Posts on Septemb-Eyre

and is in conjunction with my reading challenge:

Books of Eyre Reading Challenge badge created by Jorie in Canva Photo Credit: Daniel Ruswick (Public Domain : Unsplash)

{SOURCES: Seriously wicked bookish + coffee badges {entirely FREE!} provided by Squeesome Designs! Blog badge for Entomology of a a Bookworm provided by the share codes off the blog itself. Jorie Loves A Story badge created by Ravven with editing through PicMonkey by Jorie.  Books of Eyre Reading Challenge badge created by Jorie in Canva Photo Credit: Daniel Ruswick (Public Domain : Unsplash).}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2013.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • Septemb-Eyre
Divider

Posted Monday, 2 September, 2013 by jorielov in 19th Century, Books of Eyre, British Literature, Classical Literature, Gothic Romance, RALs | Thons via Blogs, Septemb-Eyre, the Victorian era

Book Cover Reveal: Love At First Slight by J. Marie Croft

Posted Friday, 30 August, 2013 by jorielov , , , , 6 Comments

Parajunkee Designs
Love At First Slight by J. Marie Croft

Love at First Slight by J. Marie Croft 

Author’s Pin(terest) Boards:
Love At First Slight +
Textaisles (Victorian & Regency Lovelies)

Genre(s): Fiction | Romance | Historical | Regency | Jane Austen Sequel

Published by: Rhemalda Publishing, 1 October 2013

Available Format: Paperback | Page Count: 342

Synopsis of the story:

 “It may not be universally acknowledged,
but the unvarnished truth is that a young widow
in possession of a good fortune is not necessarily in want of another husband.”

In this humorous, topsy-turvy Pride & Prejudice variation, all the gender roles are reversed. It is Mr. Bennet’s greatest wish to see his five sons advantageously married. When the haughty Miss Elizabeth Darcy comes to Netherfield with the Widow Devonport nee Bingley, speculation—and prejudice—runs rampant.

William Bennet, a reluctant and irreverent future reverend, catches Miss Darcy’s eye even though he is beneath her station. However, his opinion of her was fixed when she slighted him at the Meryton Assembly. As her ardour grows, so does his disdain, and when she fully expects to receive an offer of marriage, he gives her something else entirely ….

 

Biography of the Author:

J. Marie Croft
Photo Credit: Glane Gorveatt

J. Marie Croft, a Nova Scotia resident and avid reader all her life, discovered Jane Austen’s works later than others but made up for lost time by devouring the six novels and as many adaptations and sequels as she could find. In the midst of reading prodigious amounts of Austen-based fan-fiction, she realized, “Hey, I can do that.” In her spare time, when not working at a music school or on a wooded trail enjoying her geocaching hobby, she listens to the voices in her head and captures their thoughts and words in writing. Her stories are light-hearted; and her motto is Miss Austen’s own quote, “Let other pens dwell on guilt and misery.” J. Marie Croft is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America (Canada) and admits to being “excessively attentive” to the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. She can be contacted at her website: J. Marie Croft

Why this particular story perked my interest to participate in the Cover Reveal?

When the email for this Cover Reveal alighted itself into my Inbox, I was immediately drawn into Ms. Croft’s take on Pride and Prejudice, where she single-handedly flipped the tail on the story which has become one of my most beloved reads!! Coincidently or naught, I have been re-reading Pride and Prejudice this month as a way to step back into Austen’s world, as I am a self-declared Janeite! This is the year I decided it was high time I dig into her novels inasmuch as the lovely offerings of re-tellings, spin-offs, sequels, and other such pieces of ‘after the canon’ contributions to the genre! The icing on the cake for me is to have had the opportunity to not only discover a sequel author for Jane Austen, but to find one of my first Canadian authors! I have always been readily intrigued by the literature of my northern neighbour, but I have not oft been able to discover their literary works! It’s quite the exciting proposition, isn’t it!? If Darcy were a woman and the singleton Bennett were a bloke!? What delightfully bewitching and romantically engaging intrigue this story shall reveal! It appeals straight to my adaptable heart, as one of my favourite re-tellings of classical literature are the motion picture adaptations of A Christmas Carol  where the gender role is exclusively feminine! An added dimension of tales that wrap around our hearts and endeavour all of us to ask, “What if?” I am most keen on reading this unique spin of Darcy & Bennett!

{*UPDATE: I did not realise she had such a lovely pin(terest) board full of inspirational sayings, clever phrases, Victorian & Regency clothing pieces, and all the lovelies you’d expect from a period sequel author to gravitate towards! I cannot even express how many are my ‘new favourites’ and how delighted I am in having learnt this board exists! I think author pin(terest) boards are warming on me!}

{*NOTE: I volunteered to be a blog stop on the Cover Reveal Tour for Love At First Slight. I was not compensated for this post, and my thoughts are my honest opinion based upon my first impression of having read the synopsis.}

{SOURCES: Cover of Love at First Slight, photograph of author J. Marie Croft, as well as press release information for the book itself were provided by Rhemalda Publishing. Cover Reveal badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs. }

*NEWSFLASH*:

In December 2013, I received this lovely book in exchange for an honest review by J. Marie Croft’s new publisher “Meryton Press“. Meryton Press took over the rights for publication when Rhemalda Publishing closed suddenly after this Book Cover Reveal went live. My review for “Love At First Slight” is coming to Jorie Loves A Story the weekend of the 13th of December 2013! Stay tuned!

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2013.

Divider

Posted Friday, 30 August, 2013 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Book Cover Reveal, Regency Era, Rhemalda Publishing, Romance Fiction, Sequel Authors

Sunday Showcase #2: Austen, her name is Jane Austen!

Posted Monday, 19 August, 2013 by jorielov , 0 Comments

Showcase Sunday

{Official Blurb} Inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and the Story Siren, the aim of Showcase Sunday is to highlight our newest books or book related swag and to see what everyone else received for review, borrowed from libraries, bought in bookshops and downloaded onto eReaders each week.

When you find yourself unexpectedly encouraged to seek out Austen, Ms. Jane Austen,…

You see, there is this little blogosphere event called: Austen in August, hosted by Roof Beam Reader, which seeks to encourage and inspire everyone to become caught up in all things *Austen!* for the entire month of *August!* :) It was my full intent to read each book I had selected during the past weeks since August dawned, however, I made a misstep in not realising how quickly the hours would fly right-on past me to the stratosphere as soon as JLAS Launched! Oyy vie!! Clearly, I did not schedule enough hours to fit everything into August that I dearly wanted too! Therefore, after I participate in the Bout [Bout of Books, 8.0], I will resume where I left off with *Pride and Prejudice* which I had been making inroads of finishing ahead of the 18th of August — had power surges + freak lightning storms not intervened!! Sighs. Technologic disadvantages aside, I am plumb fortunate that my local library has such a hearty girth of choice for a Janeite to find herself swimming in a sea of lovelies that come “After the Canon” of Jane Austen’s collective works!! You just never know what you’re going to unearth:

Jane Austen
Jane Austen [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons. Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
  • Vanity and Vexation: a novel of Pride & Prejudice by Kate Fenton
  • Presumption by Julia Barrett
  • Pemberley by the Sea | renamed: The Man Who Loved Jane Austen, I chose the original! | by Abigail Reynolds
  • Jane and the Unpleasantness of Scargrave Manor | Being a Jane Austen mystery | by Stephanie Barron
  • The Family Fortune by Laurie Horowitz
  • Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson
  • Pride, Prejudice, and Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan
  • Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal
  • Sandition and Other Stories by Jane Austen
  • Dancing with Mr. Darcy: stories inspired by Jane Austen & Chawton House by Sarah Waters

  Ontop of which, when you discover an author such as Andrea Barrett,… You never fathom that it would take such a long time to read her lovely books, and yet, that is what I am finding right now! I remember when I came across her book “The Voyage of the Narwhal”, and I was immediately slipped into her world!! There was something rather tangible and honest about how she writes her novels. I could only pin it to the thought of the writing process that I always respected learning from Ms. Natalie Goldberg; Ms. Barrett clearly knew exactly how to impart her heart into her narratives by ‘writing down the bones’ and soul of what she wanted to express. She transitions you out of your reality and into her perceptional sphere if only for the briefest of moments; long enough to know you want to go back and short enough to realise how special you were to stumble across a writer who takes her time to allow her muse to fully develop and envelope inside her. She’s prolific in a league of her own. I decided that being that I’m into my early thirties now, its high time I ‘stop’ awaiting the ‘perfect’ season to read Ms. Barrett’s novels nor stop hoping for the time to collect them!! The time is now, and now is the time I have chosen to read her collective works!! A small collection of the following are available locally, however, the rest I am ILL’ing:

  • Lucid Stars
  • Secret Harmonies
  • The Middle Kingdom
  • The Forms of Water
  • The Voyage of the Narwhal
  • The Air We Breathe
  • | Ship Fever
  • | Servants of the Map
  • | Archangel

*titles in bold came in through ILL; | titles represent story collections

I remember that I was 18 years of age when I first discovered Andrea Barrett, because I was in the thick of writing three manuscripts before a full-stop occurred that fateful December. A writer’s block ensued which was not broken until Nanowrimo 2008. I remember that I felt like I was on the edge of a brilliant discovery,… a new piece of literature that would open new horizons and new doors of literary enlightenment. Isn’t it fitting then, that I am picking up her books during the next adventure I am undertaking in my writing life!? Who knows what inspirations I shall draw out of her words and breathe back into my own writing pursuits!! For that is why I am a book blogger,… seeking literary enlightenment first, and a resurgence of my muse secondarily.

A conundrum of a muddlement: August’s hours are dwindling down and twinkling with fading light, and I find myself betwixt knowing if I want to ‘let go’ of Austen!! I was sitting here contemplating this very thing just the other day, noting that my heart had already made up its own mind as how to proceed! Of course, the simple resolution would be to table the notion of reading the books I selected this year for Austen in August, and re-attempt them 12 months from now, when Austen in August comes back into view!! Honestly, that’s as ridiculous as asking Elizabeth to wait at home whilst Jane was ill at Netherfield! :( And, then, *lightbulb!* Who says I cannot continue onward with my list!? I may only finish Pride in time to qualify as a participant this year,… but even that, is one book closer to my goal and of my intent to read Austen alongside other Austenites & Janeites! :)

My new reading plan is simply this: After Austen, [inspired by Austen in August] I will proceed to read and every book from my Austen in August Reading List, by which I shall archive my updates on my original post with a footnote explanation of what I am doing! In this way, I can accomplish what I wanted to do: spend time soaking into the books that followed the canon, introduce myself to characters other authors created based on Pride & Prejudice, and read two books past Pride: Persuasion & Sandition and Other Stories!

What about you!? If you were faced with the same tragic ending, would you re-write a happier ever after OR await the next year to follow your heart’s desire!?

Be sure to visit, Showcase Sunday’s Link Up Page for this week’s Meme, in order to scope out what everyone else is reading!

{SOURCES: Jane Austen image was provided by Zemanta, and inserted directly to the post via the related content widget. (content which is in either the public domain or available through Wikimedia Commons) Thus providing the related content with appropriate attribution and sourcing. I did update the attribution on Jane Austen to reflect the University of Texas Library! Showcase Sunday badge provided by for participants to use to promote the weekly meme by Books,  Biscuits, & Tea.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2013.

Divider

Posted Monday, 19 August, 2013 by jorielov in Inspired by Stories, Library Find, Literary Fiction, Re-Told Tales, Regency Era, Sequel Authors, Showcase Sunday, Spin-Off Authors

Austen in August 2013: A Reading Challenge!

Posted Thursday, 1 August, 2013 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

Austen in August badge created by Jorie in Canva. Photo Credit: Carli Jean (Public Domain : Unsplash)

Austen in August: is an annual reading challenge hosted by Roof Beam Reader. The goal is to read as many Jane Austen novels, stories, and unfinished manuscripts as you can whilst encompassing the spin-offs, sequels, re-tellings, and biographies that also exist about this wickedly dynamic author who is still able to captivate an audience 196 years after her death! Meanwhile, Austenprose is hosting a Bicentenary Pride & Prejudice Challenge which expired to join on 1 July 2013! Therefore, I am quite thankful I made it under the wire to join this one! As I want to have a main focus on *Pride and Prejudice*, yet wander into other stories as well! Sign-Up Page for Austen in August; Master Post to Link your Reflections on Austen.

Books I Want to Focus On:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen; Vanity and Vexation: a novel of Pride and Prejudice {original UK title: Lions and Liquorice} by Kate Fenton; Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor {Being a Jane Austen mystery} by Stephanie Barron; Pride and Prescience or A Truth Universally Acknowledged by Carrie Bebris; Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson; Two Shall Become One: Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Pride and Prejudice Continues by Sharon Lathan; The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy by Maya Slater; The Independance of Miss Mary Bennett by Colleen McCullough; Pemberley by the Sea {alternative title: The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice} and Mr. Darcy’s Obsesssion by Abigail Reynolds; Pride, Prejudice, and Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan; Dancing with Mr. Darcy: stories inspired by Jane Austen and Chawton House {anthology} by Sarah Waters; Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal (inspired by); Persuasion by Jane Austen; The Family Fortune by Laurie Horowitz (re-telling of Persuasion); and Sanditon and Other Stories by Jane Austen.

An extra addition: I was Jane Austen’s Best Friend by Cora Harrison*

{*} a random find whilst at the library!

Reasons I Want to Take on the Challenge:

Even before I first picked up “Pride and Prejudice”, I instinctively knew that I would be a life-long appreciator of Jane Austen! There was a drawing towards her works, her life, and her styling of writing that I cannot quite pin-point yet altogether know was threaded throughout my growing years and adulthood. I still remember for one of my birthdays {in my twenties} I purchased the “Jane Austen Library” out of one of the mail-order book clubs I was a member of at the time! I cannot recall directly if it was the Book-of-the-Month club OR another one, yet the books were hardback and had the most beautiful cover art I had then come across attributed to her collective works!

Prior to this, my Mum found the “Sense and Sensibility” screenplay {in hardback} which was directed by Emma Thompson. She also gave me a copy of the novel, in order to read and cross reference both texts. I remember beginning both quite eagerly, but I never properly became engaged into either! Around the time of the Keira Knightley adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice”, I felt that perhaps the stars were aligning and I could once again dig my heels into a book that had left me museful for most of my life! Especially with all the references being made in motion pictures {ie: “You’ve Got Mail”} making me ever the more curious,… I finally picked up a pocket hardback edition at Barnes & Noble! My greatest Austen moment thus far was being able to soak up the narrative during the opening week of the film and seeing it before it left the theaters! Quite chuffed I pulled that off, I must say!

When a friend of mine suggested reading Persuasion together, I thought that that would be a swell idea, except to say, my heart was not into it at the time, and this is one book that I simply added to my shelf! Which is why I have included as part of my August readings!

As homage to my quest to understand Jane Austen, and to make a nodding at the first book that enticed me to her works, I decided to focus on “Pride and Prejudice” and the books that were spun into life out of respect of her canon and out of the inspirations that the story led other authors to create.

Austen As I Read Her:

  1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

My Favourite Resources for Jane Austen:

  • Jane Austen Knits – despite being aware of this lovely zine which drops once or twice a year into our lives, I have not yet had the proper chance to collect the volumes! Each visit I make to Barnes & Noble, I find myself properly flushed with excitement over what the issue will contain! One day!
  • Austenprose
  • ? perhaps I shall find new ones ?

 The books I had intended to read during this reading challenge have been re-directed and absorbed into: Classics Re-Told: 19th Century & Gothic Classics. Please re-direct your attention to the new post all about the details of this challenge, by which, I have the opportunity to carry-on with my goals as I had originally conceived them! My first post for Austen in August serves a dual-purpose, as it will also mark the first contribution piece for Classics Re-told! Therein I discuss the wrap-up for Austen in August as well.

{SOURCE:  August in August badge created by Jorie in Canva. Photo credit: Carli Jean (Public Domain : Unsplash).}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2013.

Divider

Posted Thursday, 1 August, 2013 by jorielov in Austen in August, Inspired by Stories, Re-Told Tales, Reading Challenges, Sequel Authors, Spin-Off Authors

Books of Eyre Challenge 2013: Let us re-discover, Ms. Jane Eyre!

Posted Thursday, 1 August, 2013 by jorielov , 4 Comments

Books of Eyre Reading Challenge badge created by Jorie in Canva Photo Credit: Daniel Ruswick (Public Domain : Unsplash) I have been a supporter of Jane Eyre since I first learnt of her story! To uncover a self-directed / self-motivating reading challenge to consume not only the original “Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte” but to be encouraged to read sequel authors as well, is quite a smashing idea! One that I dare not pass up on the ability to undertake, as “Books of Eyre Challenge 2013” hosted by The Musings of ALMYBNENR, began on 1 January and concludes 31 December! Plenty o’ time for me to dig into this wicked sweet reading challenge and make a bit of headway!
Level Three: Governess {Read 15 Books} Ideally this is my goal!

My Declaration of Participation is thus: To start off by reading *Jane Eyre* by Charlotte Bronte, by which, I have yet to actually do! I have always had the very best of intentions, without a lot of positive results! After I conclude her original masterpiece, I will move onwards forward through the list I have populated below as the books that appeal to my literary wanderings,… seeking out books whose stories not only pay homage to the canon left behind by Ms. Bronte but take on a unique charted course of their own, delving into the same structure of characters and story. I have set my goal to read Eyre books lower than the number of Eyre books I have sought out. I did this as a calming balm not to worry if my intentions at the on-set differ towards the ending hours of 2013!

PERSONAL GOALS & MOTIVATIONS: for Books of Eyre 2013: To consume one Eyre book at a time, opine my impressions afterwards, and link my post to the Books of Eyre monthly list To seek out other participants entries as the months slide forward To seek out other book bloggers that might not realise this Challenge is underway, and to encourage their participation To attempt to listen to the musical versions of Jane Eyre To attempt to watch each motion picture adaptation of Jane Eyre

 

The Appealment of an “Eyre” Reading Challenge: I always had a sense of knowing that Jane Eyre would not only become a story and a {classic} novel that I would be wholly endeared too, but it would spark a curiosity to seek out stories and novels that were inspired into being due to Ms. Bronte’s canon! In this way, stumbling across a reading challenge to uncover and absorb into re-tellings, spin-offs, and sequels of the enduring Ms. Eyre was rather happenstance! There is such a breadth of heart woven into her story, bold determination, and a survival instinct to make do and make good no matter how your circumstances try to define you. It’s a powerful story of overcoming and never surrending who you are whilst defining how you will live and how you will thrive.

My initial introduction to Ms. Jane Eyre: Came during the early hours of a morning wretched by the plight of the sickly girl frustrated beyond hilt and despite to do something that could advert her misery! She plucked the remote control up off the nightstand and dared the tv to illuminate a movie that could curtail sleep and cast aside her anguish! She had to flip through several channels before stumbling across a seemingly British teleplay with gothic underpinnings! A few scenes in, she was not only hooked but she had abandoned the remote! A few scenes more and she deduced she was watching an adaptation of Jane Eyre! She felt betwixt with herself for even considering to watch this film knowing full and well that she had intended always to read this particular novel ahead of seeing its adaptation,… her eyes veered back to the discarded remote and her heart leapt out a response to qualm her furrowed brow. Her tired eyes moved back to the screen and she became fully entranced with Thornfield Hall!

Book Choices of Mine: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (original); Thornfield Hall: Adele: Jane Eyre’s Hidden Story by Emma Tennant (sequel); Rochester: A Novel inspired by Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre by J.L. Niemann (sequel); Rochester: Consummation: The Continuing Story Inspired by Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre by J.L. Niemann (sequel); Jane Eyre’s Daughter by Elizabeth Newark (sequel); Death of a School Girl & Death of a Dowager{Jane Eyre Chronicles: 1 & 2} by Joanna Campbell Slan (spin-off); Becoming Jane Eyre by Sheila Kohler (spin-off); Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (prequel); Adele, Grace, and Celine: The Other Woman of Jane Eyre by Claire Moise (sequel); Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (re-telling); The Ivy Tree by Mary Stewart (re-telling); Jeanna Starborn by Sharon Shinn (re-telling); Jane Eyre’s Husband: The Life of Edward Rochester by Tara Bradley (re-telling); The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (spin-off); A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont (sequel); Jane: A Modern Re-Telling of Jane Eyre by April Lindner; Jane Eyre’s Rival: The Real Mrs. Rochester by Clair Holland; Mrs. Rochester by Hilary Bailey (sequel); Jane Rochester by Kimberly A. Bennet (sequel); Wish You Were Eyre by Heather Vogel Frederick (spin-off); Mrs. Rochester: the surprising sequel to Jane Eyre by Warwick Blanchett; The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey (re-telling)  – 23 books found!

Plus, one musical score: Jane Eyre: the Musical: Original Broadway Cast Recording by Paul Gordon (composer); as well as film adaptations for *Jane Eyre* {1943; 1996; A&E, 1997; Masterpiece, 2006; 2011}, *Wide Sargasso Sea* {BBC, 2006; 1993}; an opera directed by Brendan Maher and a song by Stevie Nicks on her ablum “In Your Dreams”, and *Rebecca* {1940; 1997}!
Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com
{*UPDATE: 10 August 2013: According to this list featured over on Bookish Whimsy, as a personal accounting of all novels spun-out of the canon she wishes to read, I daresay, I will be participating next year, if Books of Eyre goes into a third year! I barely broached the surface, apparently! I’m still proud of myself for what I was able to find, but ooh! Look at all the books left to read!!}

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

Books of Eyre: by order of reading

  • Book One: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (2013) via Septemb-Eyre! (Chapters I-XI)
  • Book Two: Keeping Kate by Lauren Winder Farnsworth (re-telling) (2015) (review)
  • Book Three: Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (prequel) (2016) (review)
  • Book Four: All Hallows at Eyre Hall by Luccia Gray (sequel) (2016) (review)
  • Book Five:  Twelfth Night at Eyre Hall by Luccia Gray (sequel) (2016) (review)

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

This began as a month-long event I was participating, and I decided to expand it to become inclusive of my first Classics Club experience; thus making this a self-directed challenge and not limited to the constraints of it’s original event.

Fun Stuff for Your Blog via pureimaginationblog.com

{SOURCES: Books of Eyre Reading Challenge badge created by Jorie in Canva Photo Credit: Daniel Ruswick (Public Domain : Unsplash). It took me half a second to realise her blog name is really stating her name: ALMYBNENR! And, at a third glance it reads: Amber Lynn I used to know what this is called but forgive me, I have forgotten!  Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination.}

Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2013.

Divider

Posted Thursday, 1 August, 2013 by jorielov in Bookish Whimsy, Books of Eyre, Inspired by Stories, Re-Told Tales, Reading Challenges, Sequel Authors, Spin-Off Authors