I have a weird habit of processing things through book recs. Why? Idk. But if I see something happening in the world or something I’ve played/watched/seen trending in the world, you can bet your ass I have some book recs for it. They’re mostly YA tho since I mostly read YA as a YA librarian. I DO have some adult ones up my sleeve tho so don’t count me out.) But because I have so many of these and no where to put them…..
Today was Jane Austen’s birthday. She would have been 250 lol So of course I had the idea to put up some Jane Austen retellings. I don’t think I’ve read any of her actual works lol I’m not a classics kind of girl. So I did my best and picked up some of these that you can read if you’d rather just read the re-tellings too!
First and Then by Emma Mills
I was drawn to this one way back when because it was about football. And then I saw that it was rumored to be Pride and Prejudice meets Friday Night Lights. It came out in 2015, but I still enjoyed it. I don’t even think I realized it at the time I read it either. I think anyone that also likes sports will be ok with this re-telling.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
I originally picked this one up because it’s by the incomparable Ibi Zoboi. It’s another Pride and Prejudice retelling, but it was so good! I would recommend this one any Jane Austen fan who wants a re-telling but still keeps it close to the original. This one tackles gentrification, first loves, and so much more.
Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron
I wanted to add this one since it’s Emma and not another of the ten billion Pride and Prejudice retellings I have on that one graphic lolol But I think I left these off intentionally somehow. I’m not a huge fan of Emma’s messy ass story lol She was good at what she did, but she caused a bunch of bs while she was at it lmao I would recommend this to adults who are looking for something other than Pride and Prejudice, with a laugh out loud funny, own voices twist.
Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli
This one was really good! And if you read it now you can get it before it gets to Netflix and before the Winter Olympics that happens early next year. Something to note, this is not figure skating like I thought it was. She is actually in Ice Dancing, which while just as good, it is not the same. I would recommend this to those looking for a Persuasion retelling. All the pressure in her family and her messy second chance at romance makes Persuasion a wild read.
So what do you think? Have you read any of these? What about other Jane Austen retellings? Will you read anymore? Let me know in the comments!