waiting on wednesday (14)

I’m participating today in "Waiting On" Wednesday. It is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, and its purpose is to spotlight eagerly anticipated upcoming releases.

I was introduced to Jane Austen and her wonderful books in high school. My English and Journalism teachers teamed up to invite the senior girls to their houses to watch the BBC five-hour version of Pride and Prejudice (yes, that sort of thing happened at my teeny-tiny private school). This started a long love affair with Austen, but also with Austen re-tellings and riffs. A couple of years ago I read Austenland by Shannon Hale (who also writes Grade A YA fantasy), and I enjoyed it quite a lot. I was thrilled to hear that it was being made into a film, and ecstatic to find that a sequel/companion novel is on its way! Midnight in Austenland will be published by Bloomsbury USA, and releases on January 31, 2012.

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite
Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world. How could it not turn out right in the end?

What books are you waiting on?

22 comments:

Goldilox said...

Thanks for visiting! I am following you now as well.

This sounds pretty good, and thats saying a lot since this is SO far outside my usual genre! :)

Goldilox
goldiloxandthethreeweres.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I've heard quite a bit about this author. I didn't know about these two reads! I'm curious! I myself loooooved Pride and Prejudice. I should really read more Jane Austen :)

Mariana S said...

I havent read Austenland, but I´ve heard good things about it. Nice pick

Thanks for visiting us

Mariana @Smart Girls Read

Natalia Belikov said...

Hello =)
thanks by stopping by but you checked out my WoW from last week =9. This one is the one from today =P if you want to see it ^^
http://dazzlingreads.blogspot.com/2011/08/waiting-on-wednesday_17.html

Yuor choice looks interesting =9 thanks for sharing!

Susanne said...

I haven't heard of either of these books, but they sound really interesting. Will have to check them out.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Michelle @ In Libris Veritas said...

I'm not very familer with practically any of Austen's works but there are so many books out that revolve around her I'm almost tempted to pick up one. I've read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies but I hardly count that.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Oh, sounds interesting. Thanks for breaking me into it today! :)

♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!

Gwendolyn B. said...

Oh, this does sound like fun! I'll have to read AUSTENLAND soon. And thanks for pointing me in the direction of Shannon Hale - looks like she has quite a few books I might enjoy!

melannie (: said...

Austenland, oh my how incredible does that sound!!!

lovely pick!

will have to check it out when it's finally out.

Jennie said...

I hadn't heard of this book before. It sounds really good! I have to check the first one out.

Lindsay Cummings author said...

love that antique-y title! here's my WOW post w/2012 books! hope you'll stop by and let me know what you are looking forward to reading! http://lindsaycummingsblog.blogspot.com/

SimplyMe said...

Sounds really good! Great pick, thanks for stopping by my blog :) Happy Reading!

Vera said...

I loved pride and prejudices when I was in school. I will check this book out

danya said...

Oooh, this sequel sounds a little bit darker and spookier than Austenland! A body in the secret attic room? O_O Sounds like fun! :D

Gaby G said...

I haven't read Austenland but I have heard it's good. Great pick!

Michelle @ Much Loved Books said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog :), now following you :D

Tales of Whimsy said...

O me too! This looks so good!

Sky said...

Sounds look

Katie said...

Thanks for stopping by! I've never heard of these but they look amazing! I'll check it out.

Molli @ Once Upon a Prologue said...

HEE. This book sounds SO SO cute!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

nomadreader said...

I really enjoyed Austenland too (it was even good on audio, which doesn't always work for me.) I'll have to look for its sequel!

Erica said...

This one loosk awesome! Can't wait for it :)

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