

A year ago I sat in front of my computer, thinking about hosting a challenge during the last six month of 2009. I started the Everything Austen challenge and was so thrilled to have over two hundred participants. Since it was such a big hit, I’ve decided to do it all over again. Welcome to Everything Austen II!
I love everything Jane and there are plenty of books and movies available to satisfy any Austen fan. Whether it’s a novel about the Bennet sisters fighting zombies, a TV mini-series in which a modern day British girl swaps places with Elizabeth Bennet or Colin Firth’s unforgettable portrayal of Darcy, Austen is all around us. Even if you haven’t read any of Jane Austen’s novels, mostly likely you’ve seen some of the movies or heard about all the Austen-themed books available today.
The details! The Everything Austen Challenge will run for six months (July 1, 2010 – January 1, 2011)! All you need to do is pick out six Austen-themed things you want to finish to complete the challenge. You have until Thursday, July 15th 2010 to officially sign up.
What is considered Austen-themed? Obviously, any of the books Jane wrote herself count, so if you’ve been contemplating reading one of her novels, now is the time! Or, maybe watch the different movie versions of Pride and Prejudice. You could even try reading one of the many sequels written by various authors or listen to the audio book version in your car on your way to work. There were even a few people during last year’s challenge who worked on cross-stitch patterns inspired by Austen. Truly, the list can be endless! All you need to do is pick six Austen-themed items to read, watch or craft to participate. Note that you can mix it up a bit – maybe commit to watching three movies and reading three books – or if your TBR pile is huge, pick out six movies you would like to watch – YOU DECIDE! Also, you can combine this with another challenge. For example, if you are going to participate in Carl’s RIP challenge this fall, maybe add Northanger Abbey to your list. Or read a couple books during the next Dewey 24 hour read-a-thon.
Here’s the most fun part – now you get to look through your bookshelf, DVD collection, or visit your local library or indie bookstore to find some Austenesque items!
How you can sign up! Grab one of the challenge buttons above and write a post detailing what six Austen-themed things you are going to do over the next six months. Then come back here and use the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post to link directly to your introductory post. It’s that easy! If you don’t have a blog but would like to join anyway, just leave a comment on this post.
Check back often! Everything Austen II will officially begin on July 1, 2010 with my review of Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland. I will also be posting a wonderful guest post that Lindsay has written about two of my most favorite things (Jane and DESSERTS)! Throughout the challenge I will be hosting various giveaways and guest posts, so make sure to stop by my blog often.
The Details! Once the challenge starts in July, you will see a tab at the top of Stephanie’s Written Word titled Everything Austen II. This is the place you will click on each time you have a new review post up relating to the challenge. A Mr. Linky dedicated just for your reviews will be found by clicking on that tab. Please note that the Mr. Linky that you currently see below is just for signing up for the challenge (not for your reviews throughout the challenge). Be sure to check back often to see who else is reading and watching. You will also find a list of all the participants.
Talk about it on Twitter! I’ll also be tweeting (my Twitter ID is @SWrittenWord) about the challenge using hashtag #everythingausten so make sure to follow me for updates and information.
Stumped as to what six things you would like to pick for this challenge? Take a peek at the below list for some suggestions (you don’t have to pick from the lists below – just thought it might be helpful):
Any of Jane Austen’s novels
Movies based on Austen novels:
Pride & Prejudice BBC version
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Sense & Sensibility
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Mansfield Park
Persuasion
Austen-themed movies:
Bridget Jones’s Diary
Bride & Prejudice
Clueless
Lost in Austen
The Jane Austen Book Club
Jane Austen in Manhattan
Books & Movies based on Jane Austen’s life:
Jane’s Fame by Claire Harman
A&E Biography: Jane Austen
Jane’s Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World by Claire Harman
The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James
Just Jane by Nancy Moser
Becoming Jane Austen by Jon Spence
Cassandra and Jane: A Jane Austen Novelby JillPitkeathley
Becoming Jane movie
Sequels to Pride & Prejudice:
The Darcys and the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
The Private Diary of Mr. Darcy by Maya Slater
The Plight of the Darcy Brothers by Marsha Altman
The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy by Mary Street
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
Austen for the twisted (Vampires & Zombies):
Pride, Prejudice & Zombies by Sean Grahame-Smith
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford
Mansfield Park and Mummies by Vera Nazerian
Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson
Books inspired by Austen works:
Willoughby’s Returnby Jane Odiwe
Lydia Bennet’s Storyby Jane Odiwe
Jane Austen for Dummies by Joan Elizabeth Klingel Ray
Me & Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter
The Jane Austen Handbook by Margaret C. Sullivan
Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
Austenland by Shannon Hale
Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Vanity and Vexation: A Novel of Pride & Prejudice by Kate Fenton
Pride, Prejudice & Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan
Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Pattillo
Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating by Lauren Henderson
The Man Who Loved Jane Austen by Sally Smith O’Rourke
Murder at Longbournby Tracy Kiely
Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Sheperd
Lost in Austen: Create your own Jane Austen Adventure by Emma Campbell Webster
For some more inspiration, check out these Austen blogs:
Austenblog
Austenprose
Jane Austen Reviews
Jane Austen Today
What’s in it for you? Other than reading great books, watching fun movies or getting all crafty, as an added incentive just for signing up for the Everything Austen II Challenge you will qualify to win a SIGNED copy of Scones and Sensibilityby Lindsay Eland! To win, just make sure to post about the Everything Austen II Challenge on your blog and sign up with Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post by July 15th. Please note that even though anyone can join up, only participants in the continental US can qualify to win the signed book. I will pick a winner at random from all the participants.
More prizes! I will also be offering prizes over the next six months, so check back often to see what Austen-themed stuff I have up for grabs for the participants!
SIGN UP HERE!!
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