10 reason I am thankful for the Austenprose Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary reading challenge!!

My Christmas books

This reading challenge has truly changed my life and I am so thankful to Laurel Ann for doing the Austenprose Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary reading challenge!! Since signing up in March I have had a most wonderful year!

Ten reasons this challenge has changed my life!!!!

1. I finally got my sister in law to read P&P, she absolutely loved it and has followed me in this reading challenge reading all the books that I have read. We now have a another common Interest, we both have each other to talk to about Austen and this has brought us closer together. I also bought her one of these bags for Christmas and she loved it. She said "only people in the know, will know what this bags about!!"

My Christmas bag

2. It has rekindled my love of reading, as a mother of three I never have the time but now I make time (being selfish is really hard, but worth it, if the end result is more Austen & JAFF!!), it is my escape from the stresses of life and has brought me real joy.

3. It has improved my English, although my lectures at university think I need to transfer to the English literature course. I am pretty sure I run the risk of being kicked off of the course if they read one more "pray do tell" in one of my assignments lol!!

4. My husband to be and I now have another shared Interest, Downtown Abbey. We had seen it on BBC1 but because we missed the first series we did not watch it. I saw it advertised on Austenprose and bought the box set, we watched one episode a night and finished in time to watch the forth series.

5. I started to purchase old furniture, I even went as far as restoring pieces and painting them in the shabby chic style, purchasing chalk paint and finishing with wax.

6. I Invested in some replica 18th century playing cards and started to learn the card games that feature in Austen's books.

7. As a result of seeing a Pride and Prejudice theatre production at Chatsworth house for the reading challenge, it is now one of my favourite retreats and  I have been three times this year!!!!

8. I have had the biggest Christmas list ever this year, usually when my partner asks what I want I say "nothing it's about the kids." Well this year I handed him a long list of Austen related items, including an "I'd rather be reading Pride & Prejudice" cooking apron but the majority were books. All the books I read for the reading challenge were on my kindle so I narrowed down some of my favourites as I wanted hard copies. (I did not get the Fitzwilliam trilogy by Pamela Aiden much to my chagrin, so will have to get it myself).

My Christmas t-shirt

9. Reading the JAFF stories has really made me evaluate how I live my own life, my morals, my values and what I really want in life. Most of all a determination to be happy everyday!

10. Finally I have been inspired to write my own What if . It will probably take me years! Especially as I am studying, but my sister in law says I have a good idea for a story and is encouraging me to pursue it, just for fun mind you! My biggest challenge I feel will be writing in regency dialogue.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Laurel Ann for letting me take part in this challenge. I have enjoyed it more than you could comprehend and I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments and reviews. Thank you again and happy New Year to Austenprose and all its wonderful members.

Pride and Prejudice BBC mini Series 1995

This review is bias as I cannot help praising a masterpiece!! My thoughts are written in a bullet point style.

I love the house it is so elegant, with lovely furniture and ornaments. Mrs Bennet's hat and pelisse for church is gorgeous.

I love the little details like the torch runners in front of the carriage, the facial expressions at the assembly and the drunk man outside falling into the trough.

When Elizabeth lands in the mud on her way to Netherfiled. When Elizabeth's mother visits Netherfield and Elizabeth sighs and closes her eyes, too funny.

Mr Collins shoving people out of the way when Lady Catherine is leaving the church at Hunsford.

Elizabeth holding her laughter at the table when Mr Collins visits, at one point she has to put her spoon full of soup down less she choke on it!

At the ball when Mrs Bennet is talking about the fact that Bingley was there first, the look on Bingley's face when he turns around is priceless!!

When Charlotte asks Elizabeth to visit and write, she seems as if she is going to cry, probably the thought of being isolated with Mr Collins in Kent.

Elizabeth rolling her eyes at the piano when lady Catherine is speaking.

I never looked at it before but when Mr Darcy visits Elizabeth at the parsonage before proposing, I thought that each time he was going, it was to propose but was nervous; but I think he was practicing what Elizabeth had advised him about conversing with people.

THE PROPOSAL

Darcy's pacing is excellent you can feel the tension, his build up as he tries desperately to summon some courage, you really see his vulnerability. Mr Darcy almost looks like he is going to cry when Elizabeth refuses him and he walks over to the mantel piece. Elizabeth is very calm, wow. When Mr Darcy hears about Wickham you can really hear the sarcasm. His manner and his remarks when referring to Elizabeth's family is like he is getting his own back on her for refusing him. I am sure he knew it would hurt. When I first watched this I thought Elizabeth was venomous in her speech portraying angry cutting remarks, but after I saw it a few times I thought she was very assertive, direct and did not mince her words, it had to be said!

Mr Collins's little wave to Charlotte when Elizabeth is leaving Hunford, I was crying with laughter!!

When Elizabeth first sees Pemberley her reaction is great. Mrs Reynolds is lovely. I love the fencing scene as it adds to his masculinity. THE POND SCENE I do not like, but the consequences of it I love. The fact that Darcy is not formally attired enhances to his and Elizabeth's embarrassment, not to mention it adds to his humility. The wet curls on his forehead gorgeous!!!!

I Love the bit when he says her opinion is worth the earning, his facial expressions are great. When he is watching her in the carriage when she leaves Pemberley and she looks back.

The Piano scene at Pemberley has to be one of my favorite scenes (even though it is not in the book.) His slight smile and their look of mutual understanding when Elizabeth goes to turn the pages for Georgiana after Miss Bingley attempts to talk about Wickham.

Miss Bingley's face when Darcy says Elizabeth is one of the most beautiful women of his acquaintance.

How Darcy holds her hand at the inn when she receives the news from Jane, oh swoon so sweet!

When Darcy is in deep thought and Miss Bingley says "I hope you are not pinning over the loss of Elizabeth Bennet" and he abruptly says "what" the look on Miss Bingley's face is Capital !!!

When Mr Collins visits the parsonage and Kitty says "I'm not going to sit with him for anyone" and runs off. Later you see her peering into the window while her sisters are sitting with Mr Collins, hilarious.

Mrs Phillips talk with Mrs Bennet about the rumors in Meryton of Mr Wickham, so funny.

The scene where we see what Darcy is doing to recover Lydia, him rapping on the door with his cane.

Lydia is so rude when she tells Jane she must go first because she is married.

THE SECOND PRPOSAL  The tension while Elizabeth and Darcy walk and when Kitty finally says can she go and see Maria, you know it's coming! Elizabeth's embarrassment as she thanks him and his declaration of not trifling with him as his affections and wishes have not changed was said so quickly, it must have been so hard for him. I have not much to say except who could not love that scene.

When Mrs Bennet is trying to get Jane and Bingley on their own and she says "wink at you pray what a notion why would I be winking at my own daughter" lol

Lady Catherine's set down was a powerful scene indeed..

Finally the kiss in the carriage with the snow falling!!! 

Rainy Days by Lory Lilian

Before the Netherfileld ball Mr Darcy and Elizabeth find themselves confined to Mr Bennet's fishing cabin, following a storm. These opening scenes are so intense, that I had not realised I was holding my breath until panic set in! As a result of this confinement they start to work through some of Elizabeth's dislike of Mr Darcy and he is made privy to the fact that Wickham has been tarnishing his name. 
Following this change of events the Netherfield ball becomes quite a different affair to the original, complete with high drama and action! Wickham is present and stirring trouble and Darcy is enlightened to Mr Collins intentions towards Elizabeth. Most surprisingly what I liked about this was that Mr Bennet and Darcy had a chance to get to know one another including a full explanation of Mr Wickham's misdeeds.

The departure from Netherfield still takes place but for different reasons, although Caroline still writes her ill fated letter concluding that they are not to return. We follow both Elizabeth and Jane to London and I am sure you will guess the rest. 

Now, here they were together, alone — dangerously alone. He followed her, watching from behind. Her hair was in great disorder and soaking wet. Her dark curls had escaped their hairpins and lay in heavy waves about her shoulders and back. Her dress and shoes were mud-soaked, and yet he was sure she had never looked more beautiful. What a simpleton I am! While I tried to conceal my preference for her, I was never in any danger of raising expectations; she simply hates me - L.Lilian

Lory always creates a standout character in her books and Lady Matlock is brilliant in this. She makes it her business to see that Elizabeth holds her own among the ton. I loved these little details, for instance Lady Matlock hosts a ball and makes sure that Elizabeth outshines everyone, starting with the most important thing the dress! When Elizabeth enters on Darcy's arm I felt like one of the guests, my head turned and my jaw dropped open, capital!

She turned majestically and, before leaving, threw her husband a last glance over her shoulder. “And, Lord Matlock, if you decide to remain in this house, I strongly advise you to change your manner of addressing us and never again raise your voice to such an unacceptable level, or upon my word, I shall call you ‘Lady Catherine’ for the rest of your life.” - L.Lilian

I think it is really funny that couples as powerful as the Matlocks appear on the outside as a typical patriarchal family, but in truth, underneath the surface, it is very much a matriarchal family. It certainly made for a entertaining read. I Loved Elizabeth's influence on Georgiana and their interactions were sweet to witness. Darcy is lovely, while at the same time he is still an imposing figure, who's authority commands attention. He is most demanding of his respect, so it was funny to see both him and his uncle Lord Matlock brought down a peg or too by the women! This book was my first introduction to lory lilian and she is becoming a fast favourite! I look forward to more great stories form this author.

A Darcy Christmas by Amanda Grange/ Sharon Lathan/ Carolyn Eberhart

The fact that I read this with three weeks till Christmas made this book all the more special, although it saddens me that my Christmas won't be anything in comparison. I suppose that is another reason I love Austen because she hails from an era with values I love and adore; when people were grateful with less presents and more emphasis on family time spent together in games, eating and merry making. 
This book comprises of three short stories.

The first story was a delightful twist on a Christmas Carol, at first I thought it was a copy of the original but it was not, yes scrooge is visited by three ghosts but he's not the only person these spirits visit as Mr Darcy can soon attest to. I suppose I need say no more, except to say Darcy does not propose to Elizabeth after she thanks him for his kindness to poor Lydia, as he feels she would still refuse him and he does not want the embarrassment. Georgiana plays a lovely ghost of Christmas present and I'm sure you can guess who is the ghost of Christmas future!!

Georgiana smiled faintly at this teasing. What she really wanted for Christmas was a new sister. One with laughing eyes who made her brother smile. - C.Eberhart


The second story Elizabeth and Darcy spend Christmas with Jane and Bingley who have just had their first child and Elizabeth is pregnant with her first. It's a delightful little story although I felt in comparison to the other two that were short but seemed to have a beginning middle and end, this felt like an excerpt of a story which  left me wanting more, never the less is was pleasant.

He had always known he must marry and provide an heir for Pemberley, but with Elizabeth it was so much more than that. It was not just marrying and then having done with it; it was going through life together, exploring its new experiences side by side. And it was this, having a child together, becoming a family. -A.Grange


The last story was my favourite and also the biggest surprise, my first ever introduction into the world of JAFF was an excerpt of Two shall become one by Sharon Lathan and I did not like it, so never read it. So the fact that the third story was by her was a surprise indeed, as it turned out to be my favourite of the three. As a result I am now read said book mentioned. Now when reading Lathan you have to imagine Kiera and McFadden for it to work but Darcy's Christmas you did not have to. It was snippets of different Christmases over their time married together and with each one their family grew. It was so wonderful that my own Christmas is going to pale in comparison; I know I certainly will  not be playing snap Dragon and I won't be attending a twelfth day masquerade! Which is such a shame as I dearly Iove to laugh.

Michael did not hesitate for a second, stepping boldly up to the fiery bowl and unerringly plucking an almond from the middle. He watched the capering flames lick over his fingers for a span of heartbeats before extinguishing behind his lips, chewing the crispy nut with delight. - S.Lathan