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Book Recommendation:

If you like Jane Austen's works, or if you think you might want to try Jane Austen's works, I highly recommend Love and Friendship.

This parody is one of Austen's earliest works, and it laughs at the absurdity of acting entirely based on emotion. This work is funny and short, which may be reassuring to anyone who is hesitant to read Austen. I highly recommend this book!

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MCSquared turned 1 this week!

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Book Recommendation

If you are looking for a mystery book that keeps you on the edge of your seat without keeping you from sleeping at night, look no further! An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder is the latest book in the Countless of Harleigh mystery series, and (like all the others) it is great!

Frances and George are finally able to take their trip to Paris, though not under the circumstances they wished.

When George's aunt requests his help investigating the death of a prominent artist she knows, the couple leaves for France. Once they arrive, secrets about George's private and independent aunt are revealed. Frances and George must solve the murder before the killer comes after their family.

I have no idea why this series is not more popular because every book in it is wonderful. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries. If you are new to the series, I would begin with the first book, A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder. This read is well worth your time, and I can not recommend this series enough!

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Book Recommendation:

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales From the Making of The Princess Bride might just be one of my new favorite books. The Princess Bride is my favorite movie and before I began reading As You Wish, I was a little concerned that the book would take away some of the movie's magic. It actually did the exact opposite. This book gave me even more appreciation for the movie.

As You Wish was written by Cary Elwes, who played Westley. This funny and heartfelt book describes what went on behind the scenes of this incredible movie including Elwes' injury from joy riding on Andre the Giant's ATV, the many hours of training that went into "The Greatest Swordfight in Modern History", and many more stories. This book is incredible, and a must-read for anyone who enjoys The Princess Bride.

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Book (and movie!) Recommendation:

About a year ago, I happened across the movie Austenland and decided to watch it. It was great. A couple of months ago I was looking to see if it was streaming anywhere, and I couldn't find it. While I was searching, I did find that there were books, so I read both Austenland and Midnight in Austenland in no time at all.

Austenland, by Shannon Hale, is the story of Jane, a woman who is so obsessed with the 1995 BBC miniseries adaptation of Pride and Prejudice that her elderly aunt leaves her a ticket to Austenland, an immersive Regency experience where Jane can live out her daydreams. However, Jane's best friend Molly does not believe that it will live up to Jane's expectations.

The 2013 movie Austenland is based on the first book, with a few slight changes. The movie does emphasize humor more than the book does, but I think it works really well. Each character was cast perfectly. Austenland is a great adaptation, and a really fun movie to watch. I think I enjoyed it even more on my second viewing.

Midnight in Austenland is the story of Charlotte, an entrepreneur and single mother who is no longer sure where she fits in her kids' lives. She decides to take a trip to Austenland, though something about the place seems off. Without giving too much away, Midnight in Austenland plays on Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey instead of Pride and Prejudice.

Both of these books and this movie were great! Any modern fan of Jane Austen would really enjoy these books and this movie!

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Book Recommendation:

I just read The Countess of Harleigh series, and they were so good! The series reminds me a little bit of the few Aurora Teagarden moves I have seen since both involve a main character who happens to have people she knows well/has interacted with die, and she has to help solve the case.

If you are interested in turn of the century mysteries that also includes some romance, you will probably enjoy The Countess of Harleigh Mysteries. The first book is A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder.