July's reading delights, Austen and otherwise

[@TootightLautrec]

Oh my goodness, I've missed so much during my KZbin hiatus, especially this wonderful news about Tilly! I was fascinated with the playwright section here, as I don't know her work, but it'll be fascinating to see how an Austen contemporary explores similar themes in drama. Finally, I don't know Bowen's work at all, so that'll be a new adventure for me as well as teh Oskamp, which sounds like it's right up my alley. Thanks for another round up!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@TootightLautrec I do think you might like Elizabeth Bowen. And yes I am hugely excited for Tilly.

[@novellenovels]

I can’t wait to read Katie’s book in September. I know I will love it 😊

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@novellenovels you really will.

[@betinaceciliafeld9854]

Congratulations on Tilly's baby!!! I suspected she's in "that situation" (as we would say in Jane Austen's times as I learnt in her last video 😅) because of your comment on that video but I didn't want to be nosy so I didn't say anything about it then. How wonderful! Also, I reread Mansfield Park on audiobook this July too and loved it. I can't remember if it was my first or my second reread (I do know I tried to reread it in the past and DNF) and I found it absolutely fascinating because of Fanny's internal processes and thoughts while everybody else is doing things and going a bit crazy.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@betinaceciliafeld9854 thank you. It is late enough now to feel safe talking about it. I like what you say about Fanny's inner thoughts.

[@josmith5992]

You are totally right about Marzahn Mon Amour Ros, it’s such a life affirming book despite some heavy stories in it. My cat can’t bear closed doors either and always wants to be on the other side of them- whichever side that is 😉

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@josmith5992 that's cats 🐈

[@timheaney7408]

I loved The Trouble with Mrs Montgomery Hurst! I look forward to your video on it!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@timheaney7408 it is such fun, isn't it?

[@timheaney7408]

@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 Indeed!

[@tillysshelf]

Glad that you enjoyed the Hannah Cowley plays. I think I would quite like to read as some point - prose by Austen contemporaries can be a bit disappointing but a play with witty dialogue might be more enjoyable.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@tillysshelf Belle's Stratagem is definitely worth a read next JAJ.

[@59cubanita]

Hi Roz, I also reread Mansfield Park ( also as a audio/ book combination) and I really enjoyed it. I think I liked it more this time. Loved Marzahn Mon Amour when I read it last year. My best book of the month was Claudia Piñeiro, A Little Luck which I read in Spanish and thought it was magnificent.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@59cubanita I must read another Pineiro. Manifesto Park seems to improve each time I read it. I think Austen was particularly fond of Fanny as a lead character. She actually refers to her as "my Fanny" in the last chapter.

[@spreadbookjoy]

This is the second time this week I've seen someone discussing Bowen's Rome book - it's calling to me!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@spreadbookjoy have you been to Rome. That definitely helps with enjoying the book to the full.

[@spreadbookjoy]

@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 a long time ago but yes! I went while I was at uni and as part of my classical archaeology degree we studied the topography and architecture of Rome. The trip wasn’t part of the degree - I just wanted to see what I was studying in person!

[@janetay8798]

I just finished Mansfield Park and really enjoyed it! I also found it very funny and found myself laughing aloud (alone of course haha) throughout various moments. My gripe with many critical reviews of MS is that they forget and ignore the title. It's not about a heroine's story; it's not a romance; it's really about the happenings and people who visit and leave Mansfield Park.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@janetay8798 I'm glad you found the humour in it too. That's a very good point about the title. As you say it is more about the place and the people there.

[@constancecampbell4610]

Kate Atkinson’s latest short story collection would appeal to you, I think. Have you already read it? Title is Normal Rules Don’t Apply. Cheers!

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

@@constancecampbell4610 Atkinson is tremendous. But I would rather read another novel by her than a short story collection.

[@constancecampbell4610]

@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 I am a fussy reader and did not really enjoy her previous collection very much, but I found this one delectable. They are linked and speculative in nature, I think. But the new novel is coming soon, too. Super excited for that.