There's something timeless about Jane Austen's stories. I've been reading Jane and Austen inspired novels for years, ever since I first cracked open Pride and Prejudice in high school and studied Persuasion (my favorite!) in college. Visiting Jane Austen's House Museum in Chawton, England was one of my favorite days. You can check out my post here. I guess you could say I am a Janeite!
Can you believe it's been seven years since I updated my Jane Austen read-alikes list? There's so many new books to add; the titles are linked to my review when possible. Let me know what you think!
20 Books To Read If You Enjoy Jane Austen:
1. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner - I adored this story about a group of people from Chawton, England and how their love of Austen brought them together.
2. Sanditon by Kate Riordan - It's based on Austen's unfinished novel and a must read, especially if you enjoy the show on PBS.
3. Jane and the Year Without Summer by Stephanie Barrow - Jane Austen as a detective! Yes, please! Really this entire series shouldn't be missed if you enjoy Austen and a good mystery.
4. Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson - A modern retelling of Sense and Sensibility.
5. Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld - An outstanding modern take on Pride and Prejudice and one of my favorites.
6. Miss Lattimore's Letter by Suzanne Allain - An Austenesque tale for fans of the Regency period.
7. The One That Got Away by Melissa Pimentel - A modern retelling of Persuasion.
8. A Dangerous Alliance by Jennifer Cohen - A YA historical tale that has some major Austen vibes.
9. Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe by Melissa de la Cruz - A YA holiday tale based on Pride and Prejudice.
10. Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James - This is an adorable glimpse into young Jane Austen's teenage years.
11. Ross Poldark by Winston Graham - Although this has a lot more adventure than some of Austen's novels, it was very reminiscent of Austen. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel and loved the PBS show based on it.
12. The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen - This book reads like a Jane Austen novel. It's quiet, slow in all the right areas, and the romance is sweet.
13. Austenland
by Shannon Hale - This book had me laughing out loud. A Jane Austen fan
goes to an Austen-themed resort with the hopes of finding a Mr. Darcy.
You have to see the movie, too!
14. Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by
Laurie Viera Rigler - I read this one many years ago (before I had this
blog) and I loved the concept of falling into another time period, such
as Regency England.
15. Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler - This is a continuation of the above story...very entertaining!
16. The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler - A book club solely dedicated to Jane Austen? Sign me up. It examines how Austen's themes are timeless.
17. Jane Austen in Scarsdale: Or Love, Death and the SATs by Paula Marantz Cohen - This book deals with a high school counselor and an old love reentering her life. It is inspired by Persuasion.
18. Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg - An adorable YA modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
19. I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison - This is one of my favorite Austen inspired young adult novels.
20. The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret Sullivan - This is the perfect companion to Jane Austen's novels. It's chock full of interesting tidbits.
On My TBR List:
My Jane Austen Summer by Cindy Jones
Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James
Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence
Jane Austen Made Me Do It (stories by various authors) edited by Laurel Ann Nattress
The Clergyman's Wife by Molly Greeley
Longbourn by Jo Baker
Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron
The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudio Gray
So, what do you think? Have you read any of these book? Do you have any Austen read-alikes to recommend to me? Let me know in the comments below.
I'm a big fan of Poldark - I've only got the last book in the series to go. The new tv series is also really cool.
ReplyDeleteI love Poldark too! Such a great series and TV show, which I feel like never happens. Thanks for visiting, Lauren.
DeleteA great list of books. I've read Longbourne, and that is very good. Most Jane Austen fans would probably also enjoy Georgette Heyer's books.
ReplyDeleteI will have to check out Heyer's books. Thanks for the recommendation and dropping by, Michelle.
DeleteI just read The Jane Austen Project and liked it very much. A team goes back in time to try and find an unknown manuscript by Jane Austen that is mentioned in a letter found in a library. Well written and intriguing concept.
ReplyDeleteI just read The Jane Austen Project and enjoyed it very much. A team goes back in time to try and retrieve an unknown completed manuscript by Jane Austen which was mentioned in a letter of Janes found in an old collection in a university. Well written and an intriguing idea!
ReplyDeleteAnother to add to your TBR list: The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen by Cass Grafton and Ada Bright
ReplyDeleteVery cute story!!