Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Challenge 2025 discussion

Golden Ten Prompts

1. Longest on your TBR pile

2. Started, but didn't finish A Learned Romance by Elizabeth Rasche

3. Originally published 10+ years ago (can have updated editions)


4. Personal Book Recommendation (not just a reviewer suggestion)

5. Book got a bad rap (has an average rating below 3.5)

6. Underrated Book (less than five reviews and published longer than a month)

7. "Of Course I Liked the Gift!" (or won or got free in an author newsletter)

8. In the Off Season (a holiday or seasonal book in a different time of the year)

9. Next in a Series

10. A Loaner

11. Uncharted Waters (something unknown about it or not your usual fare)

12. Austen Adjacent (JAFF and Austenesque do not count)

Patricia wrote: "Golden Ten Prompts

1. Longest on your TBR pile

2. Started, but didn't finish A Learned ..."


*tossing virtual confetti* Way to go, Patricia!

Any suggestions for uncharted waters that's not too long, but short?

It's not my usual style for books about dragons, paranormal, horror etc. ( example I've tried reading court of thorns and roses and didn't make past couple chapters)

I'd really like to try to reach all 12 of golden ten



2. Would for austen adjacentbook, the book by Rebecca Romney jane Austen's bookshelf count towards this?

Patricia wrote: "Any suggestions for uncharted waters that's not too long, but short?

It's not my usual style for books about dragons, paranormal, horror etc. ( example I've tried reading court of thorns and roses..."

I am not much for horror, paranormal, etc. either, but here's a couple I did enjoy:
Tempt Me: A Pride & Prejudice Variation
Vampire Darcy's Desire: A Pride and Prejudice Adaptation
(now I have re-read your note and I have to admit that neither of these books are short.)

wosedwew wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Any suggestions for uncharted waters that's not too long, but short?

It's not my usual style for books about dragons, paranormal, horror etc. ( example I've tried reading court of..."

lol

Patricia wrote: "Any suggestions for uncharted waters that's not too long, but short?

It's not my usual style for books about dragons, paranormal, horror etc. ( example I've tried reading court of thorns and roses..."

Hi Patricia,

I love magical/paranormal versions, below are a few that are not too long...

There is a really short one set in the fae world only 69 pages
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

Elizabeth adams has some paranormal versions, that arn't novel length:
Cursed, Think of me, Meet your mark, a curative touch, the peculiar talent of Miss Elizabeth Bennet
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Elaine Burkett has some magical variation that are around 175 pages
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Pemberley by moonlight
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Thank you both for suggestions! I have a couple by Elizabeth Adams on my tbr pile so I'll look into hers. 😀

for austen adjacent will - count towards it?

Patricia wrote: "for austen adjacent will - count towards it?"

Sure does, Patricia! In truth, any Regency era romance, fiction or non-fiction could be stretched to match this category.

Sophia wrote: "EXPLANATION

Beyond the TBR pile challenge... beyond the Group Reading Activities... there is the Golden Ten!

Since this is a big anniversary year for our group, I wanted to give us more of a chal..."

whats meant by #4 personal book recommendation? How do I know what book to use for that?

Patricia wrote: "Sophia wrote: "EXPLANATION

Beyond the TBR pile challenge... beyond the Group Reading Activities... there is the Golden Ten!

Since this is a big anniversary year for our group, I wanted to give us..."

If an individual (not just in their review) recommends the book either to you or even a recommendation to those in our group, it counts. Like when we do the December challenge each year and we all list the books we loved best for the year and recommend others read them or if anywhere in the comments someone recommends a book.

But, you are always welcome to go to the Questions section and ask others to recommend you a book or post a recommendation request here, too (if you have specifics of what type that would be even better).

I hope its ok that for #7 it is a reread. According to GR i read it but my kindle says I havent. So far I am not recalling the story.

Patricia wrote: "I hope its ok that for #7 it is a reread. According to GR i read it but my kindle says I havent. So far I am not recalling the story."

Yes, especially since you might not have actually read it in the first place. :) I've accidentally marked books on GoodReads before for various shelves- its easy to do- and Kindle usually is good about showing a percentage marker or a download if its been accessed before.

my last one - challenge complete :)

8. In the Off Season (a holiday or seasonal book in a different time of the year)
Christmas on Gracechurch Street: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Hailey Jones [2025.09.18] 4*https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Kudos, Jen!

Jen wrote: "my last one - challenge complete :)

8. In the Off Season (a holiday or seasonal book in a different time of the year)
[book:Christmas on Gracechurch Street: A Pride and Prejudice Variation|2417656..."

Woohoo! Tossing the virtual confetti for a golden finish, Jen!