Welcome to Litsy!

I‘m just starting Godmersham Park after recently watching (and thoroughly enjoying) the new BBC series based on her previous novel, Miss Austen.

I always find myself hauling out, and flipping through, a bunch of my Austen biographies whenever I‘m reading anything about Jane!

This was a warm, kindhearted piece of Austen historical fiction that imagines a backstory for Fanny Austen‘s governess who went on to become close friends with Jane. It was the perfect story for me at this moment, and I always love it when that happens!

At half past six, in the bleak, icy evening of 21 January in the year 1804, Anne Sharp arrived on the threshold of Godmersham Park. #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

I'm wary of Austen-adjacent novels & have never read Hornby before, so this was a lovely surprise. It's a gentle, warm-hearted narrative following Anne Sharp through her years at Godmersham Park as governess to Jane Austen's niece, Fanny. Anne emerges as a character with depth, & I like that the book didn't lean on being cute. It kept me well-entertained through a busy week; it was just the kind of book I wanted to sink into at the end of the day.

I don‘t know if you can properly see all the amazing Austen goodies @DebinHawaii sent me, but I wanted to make sure everyone could appreciate my new favorite book mark! And I‘m over the moon about my new notebook and stickers, and can‘t wait to taste all my treats from Hawaii! I‘m floored by your generosity and I expect I won‘t stop smiling all day ❤️
#Pemberlittens

Deb, you‘re package arrived and I‘m feeling so spoiled! I‘m going to have to take 2 posts to properly gush about all the goodies you sent me!!! Thank you for running such a great #HeiressPride readalong and giveaway! I can‘t tell you how excited I am to have Godmersham Park! And the coveted pretty green cover 💚💚💚 Can‘t wait to start this one! #Pemberlittens

Just me reading books about Jane Austen, or books based on her books, but still not reading Jane Austen. Here strong minded and feminist Anne Sharp, fallen in status to be governess to Fanny Austen, strikes up a bond and friendship with Jane. It‘s heartbreaking watching Anne‘s fortunes constantly being determined by those “above” her in both gender and class, yet so refreshing to read a book about a burgeoning friendship between women. A good read

This was a beautiful book inside and out. I loved this story mixing fiction with real people. The writing style is so enjoyable. I hope she writes another Jane Austen inspired book

'Well, I wish we were not. Uncle Henry, do you think the French will invade us? It is getting terribly frightening.'

'Ha! They may well try it, but once they catch sight of the East Kent Volunteers, they will turn on their perfidious heels before you can say Bonaparte.' All the bravado, thought Anne, of a gentleman who risks his life every day in battle with rich clients and banknotes.

A country house, peopled by those who have known only contentment.... There is little of importance to be done, and yet all are busy. Time ticks by, its hours consumed by a rigorous timetable of pleasure: now they breakfast, now they learn (though just a little, and in a leisurely fashion). Then they walk, perhaps pay a visit? Goodness-the day has quite run away with one - dinner approaches!

I read anything connected to Jane Austen and while this is not a Jane Austen story, or a retelling, it is certainly adjacent as it is the fictionalization of the years that Anne Sharp was the governess to Jane‘s niece Fanny. It is full of great historical details and the reality for women of the time. Full review at http://booknaround.blogspot.com/2022/10/review-godmersham-park-by-gill-hornby.ht...

I really enjoyed this story about Anne Sharp and her life as governess to Fanny Austen, niece to Jane Austen. She becomes friends with Jane, her brother Henry and relationship between them.

I saw @Crinoline_Laphroaig post earlier today about this book and how beautiful the cover is. Imagine my disappointment when I checked out Amazon to get my own copy. Thank goodness for Book Depository! 😊

This is one of the most beautiful books I've seen in a long time. Cover looks like embroidery and the inside of book jacket like the backside with nots and threads. It's a brilliant idea for a cover. Sadly I don't know that it has earned space on my Forever Shelf.

While I LOVED Ms. Austen, by the same Author, I enjoyed Godmersham Park. It dragged a bit at the first but once Jane showed up I couldn't put it down. ⬇️

"She was witnessing here both sides of the fairy tale: the before, represented here by the modest but respectfully dressed womenfolk; the after, by Edward in his customary splendid attire."

? #AusteninAugust

Isn't this the coolest Dust Jacket? Looks like the backside of embroidery.
#AusteninAugust

It was to pretty yesterday afternoon to not pause for tea outside. I've high hopes for this book. LOVED Miss Austen.
#AusteninAugust

*I'll post another picture of the inside of the dust jacket.

I truly enjoyed this story. Poor Anne her life was not easy. It was interesting to see Jane from a different perspective. That as a friend and a sister. This author really did an amazing job bringing these very real people to life for the reader. #pemberlittens

I really enjoyed my recent read of Miss Austen so I went ahead and ordered Godmersham Park. I‘m so glad they stayed with the same “embroidered” cover design! The reverse of the book jacket looks like the back of a worked piece of embroidery, dangling threads and all.

This upstairs/downstairs novel tells the story of Anne Sharp, governess to Jane Austen‘s niece, Fanny. I‘m looking forward to it!

My #goldsborobook edition arrived in the post today! 💜 have any of my #pemberlitten friends read this yet? I can‘t wait to dive in

Besides #JaneandtheExcellentReadalong I want to read as many as possible of these. I've been saving Godmersham Park for #AusteninAugust. #PemberLittens