Nothing ever moves in a straight line in Fowler's fiction, and in her latest, the complex dance of modern love has never been so devious or so much fun. In this newest work, six Californians join to discuss Jane Austen's novels. Over the six months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable, and love happens.

Received in the mail today from Lizanne. Great label! ;) Thank you for sharing!

I liked this book, but wasn't enthralled. Even though I am familiar with Jane Austen's books, I just didn't get the connections between her works and the characters who gather to read her works. Do you have to know Jane Austen word for word in order to have it all click? I will probably rent the movie so I can be shown, and not have to work it out for myself. I'm sure Miss Austen would be appalled.

Edited to add: I have worked some things out without watching the movie yet (highlight if you're interested in reading, as there may be spoilers). These are probably the most obvious correlations since I was able to "get" them. If I "get" more, I'll add them here.

Allegra is like Marianne in Sense & Sensibility. She feels everything deeply. She falls and is swept off her feet by her rescuer, her "Willoughby." After her "Willoughby" lies to her by omission, they break up. Allegra gets hurt again, and her rescuer this time is a thoroughly appropriate doctor ("Col. Brandon"), but unlike Marianne, Allegra's happy ending has her reuniting with "Willoughby."

Jocelyn is supposed to be Emma, the happily unmarried spinster who delights in matchmaking for her friends, not always with good results. She isn't looking for love, but finds it, nevertheless, in the most unlikely place--a science fiction convention.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is on its way to elle311 in Suffolk, Va. Enjoy!

This book came in the mail today, just in time to help me get through whatever Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hanna throws our way. Many thanks to grubsneerg for answering my ISO post in the Wish List forum and sending it as a RABCK. Your generosity and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated ;)

One of my goals this year is to read all the books sent to me by thoughtful and generous fellow BCer's. This was one of them. I usually like books about reading groups but really couldn't get into it. I couldn't feel a connection to any of the characters. This probably had to do with my starting this book some time ago and picking it up where I left off. I probably should have started at the beginning again. I did like Grigg, the only man in the group. He had an interesting history and was at home in this group, growing up in a family with three older sisters. Having only read two Austen books so far, the references didn't make any sense to me either. I think I will give this one another chance once I've read them all.

Thanks again grubsneerg for sharing! Still keeping up with your blog too ;)

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Release #1 Keep Them Moving Challenge
Release #5 The Reader Challenge
Release #5 The Movie Book Challenge

Hello!
What you have in your hands is an honest-to-goodness gift, no strings attached. You may keep it forever and ever, pass it on to a friend, or release it in the wild like I did. I know it may seem a little odd to find this lying around--it's my way of touching the lives of others in a positive way, with the hope that it made your day. ;)

If you are new to BookCrossing and find this book and this site, welcome! Enjoy the site, the book and hopefully the BookCrossing community. I hope you'll join BookCrossing (doesn't cost anything to join!) and if you do, please consider using me, elle311, as the member who referred you. Or you may remain anonymous!

If you are an old hand at BookCrossing, thanks for picking up the book! Either way, I hope you'll journal so all the previous and future readers can track this book's journey.

Happy reading and Happy BookCrossing!

This book is a part of the BookCrossing "The Reader" Challenge: to find and release books that somehow relate to the award winning book “The Reader” by Bernhard Schlink. The movie based on the book opens January, 2009 (in the U.S.). Be sure to check your local theatres for listings.

As an added bonus, if you have found this book before February 22 and join BookCrossing, you can enter our The Reader movie contest. Simply attend a screening of "The Reader" and save your ticket stub. Print your screen name on the back of the stub and send it to BookCrossing: The Reader Contest at 323 Pine Street, Sandpoint, ID 83864. We will hold a drawing shortly after February 22, 2009 to determine the winners and you will be notified by email if you have won. One more reason to sign up for BookCrossing today! (Full details available online at www.bookcrossing.com. )