Two new novels for Austenites
Plus more fall reading guides, exciting YA, and my new favorite accessory
Hey, readers!
Thank you for all of the enthusiasm for my fall reading guide! I thoroughly appreciated all of the kind messages, email forwards, and social media shares…it makes a huge difference in helping grow this newsletter. And thank you to everyone who signed up for a paid subscription this week as well…I hope you enjoyed your five extra book recommendations! Remember you can upgrade to a paid subscription at anytime to get full access to the back catalog of newsletters, including the bonus books from the fall reading guide. This month I’ll also be sharing a behind-the-scenes podcast episode with books that almost made the list, the buzzy books I DNF’d, trends I’m noticing, and more!
As for my post-reading guide reading life, it was fast and furious this week but then I stalled out a bit. I read three delightful palette cleansers following a slew of heavy litfic. I enjoyed each for what it was, but now I’m struggling to figure out what’s next. I’m not quite ready to resume my booker reading, but three “delightful” books in a row is definitely my upper limit, so I’m trying to find something a little weird and off-the-beaten path to shake me out of this mini-rut. Any suggestions are highly appreciated!
This week in books.
This week I read…
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray. This silly work of Austen pastiche was the first book I read after finalizing my Five for Fall selections, and it was a definitely fun palette cleanser. The story takes place at George and Emma Knightley’s estate Donwell Abbey where they’re hosting a house party for some very familiar Austen characters: the Wentworths, the Brandons, the Bertrams, and, of course, the Darcys. Also among the party is Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s teenage son Jonathan and Juliet Tilney, daughter of Henry and acclaimed author Catherine. When George Wickham shows up it’s clear there’s bad blood between the Pride and Prejudice scoundral and many of the Knightleys guests–that’s made more obvious when he’s found murdered in the middle of a dark and stormy night. Jonathan and Juliet–the only two guests with alibis–team up to solve this locked room mystery and readers are treated to a fun romp with some of Austen’s most beloved characters. While this premise is admittedly silly, I enjoyed being back in the world of Austen in Gray’s hands. Of course some of the characterization didn’t feel true to my understanding of Austen, but I thought her writing style worked well and she managed to pay tribute without taking herself too seriously. The mystery element felt a little hand-waved to me, but that didn’t bother me here. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin. I just loved this book so much. It was a perfect palette cleanser and a perfect book for giving me Austen vibes without rereading Austen (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). To me, Kitty was the perfect heroine for a Regency romance. She was take charge and passionate and strong-willed, but it didn’t feel like Irwin was inserting a modern woman into the Regency period. I love how she worked within the historical constraints to make something charming and original. I highly recommend this one to any Austen fans—and it’s a “chaste” romance so take note whether you really do or really don’t want any steaminess on the page. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
I have started so many books this weekend and I can’t get into anything. I read soooo much in August, that I’m allowing myself to take a little break and catch up on all my podcasts. And if you want to hear about everything I read in August and behind-the-scenes of my fall reading guide, now’s a great time to try out a paid newsletter subscription!
If you are an international reader or just prefer UK covers, you can also order books through my Blackwell’s affiliate page!
Links I love.
The Booker shortlist was announced this week.
LitHub recommends 22 new novels to read this fall.
Nine books to read about Queen Elizabeth II.
Books about the back-to-school experience for children of all ages.
I was very excited to learn that The Incendiaries is being adapted for television.
Six great YA love stories and five new YA books to read this fall.
End notes.
Five things making me happy this week:
Reading whatever suits my fancy. While I love reading for a purpose (Novel Pairings episodes, reading guides, prize lists, etc.), it’s delightful to get back into reading…or NOT reading…based on my mood.
House of the Dragon. I’m really enjoying this new Game of Thrones spinoff, but mostly I’m enjoying embracing my inner nerd through long deep dive podcast episodes and discussing theories with my husband.
Shopping for fall clothes for Louise. Our favorite Hanna Andersson is having a great sale right now. I can’t wait to see her in these overalls!
My pages out bookshelves. Of course I could never leave them this way because how could I ever find anything?! Plus I’d miss looking at the spines. But it’s kind of fun to have this temporary setup…it’s weird and chic and a great photo backdrop.
The Calpak Luka Belt Bag. I resisted the belt bag (aka rebranded fanny pack) trend for awhile, but this week I caved. I decided I needed something to hold all of my things that I could easily throw in a diaper bag when necessary or just use on its own. I decided on the Calpack bag and I LOVE it. It’s actually a little bigger than I had initially wanted so it’s not super convenient for tucking it into another bag, but it makes up for that in many ways: two inner pockets, an outer pocket that fits my phone, double zippers for easy access at any angle, AND it fits my phone, my wallet, keys, a diaper, baby snacks, and the Munchkin toddler water bottle. I’ll be using this bag daily for a long time to come.
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Readers, I hope your reading life is free from ruts, but that you’re giving yourself a break if needed! For questions, comments, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing fictionmattersbooks@gmail.com or responding directly to this newsletter. I love hearing from you!
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Happy reading!
Sara