Jane Austen 2022 Book Bingo Challenge Rules
- Choose a square and read a book that fits the category of that square. You win a bingo by forming a line of finished squares either vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
- The “Free Jane” square is won by partaking in a non-book form of media relating to Jane Austen or her works. (See the next section for examples).
- One book can only count towards one square even if that book could conceivably belong to several categories.
- For a book to count it must be read after January 1st 2022.
- After you complete a bingo send an email to me with the subject line “BINGO!” at nkleinert@sbcglobal.net with a list of the categories and the books you read and/or what you chose for the “Free Jane’ space. I will contact you with information on how to claim you prize.
- Everyone who completes a bingo wins a prize. (One BINGO prize per person).
- GRAND PRIZE goes to the FIRST person to obtain a BLACK-OUT. In
- other words- one must read one book from each category for a total of 24 books plus “Free Jane” space.
- You must be a member of JASNA to receive a prize.
Explanations of Categories & Book Examples
The following is an explanation of the types of books that fit each category along with some book suggestions. The examples given are by no means exhaustive; there are a multitude of books that could fit a single category. It is very possible that a single book could fit more than one category, but it may only be used once on the BINGO board.
B
An Annotated Version of a JA Novel- Read an annotated version of one of Jane Austen’s six finished novels. There are many out there, but I would recommend any edited by David M. Shepard.
Poetry or Book mentioned in JA Novel- Read a book by a poet or author mentioned in a Jane Austen novel, for example William Cowper, Sir Walter Scott, or Lord Byron OR a novel or play mentioned directly, for example The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe or “Lovers’ Vow” by Elizabeth Inchbald.
Multicultural Retelling of JA Novel- Read a novel based on Jane Austen’s work in which the characters come from culturally diverse backgrounds. e.g.: Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal, Pride by Ibi Zoboi, and Sensei and Sensibility by Karen Tei Yamashita
“Jane Austen” Mystery- Read a book in which characters based on Jane Austen or her works solve a mystery. e.g.: Death Comes to Pemberley* by P. D. James, The Phantom of Pemberley* by Regina Jeffers, and any of Stephanie Barron’s Jane Austen mysteries*
History Book about the Georgian or Regency Era- Read a book of history that takes place during the Georgian or Regency Era. e.g.: The Regency Years* by Robert Morrison, An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England* by Venetia Murray, and Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune by Rory Muir
I
Jane Austen Life Coach- The books that fit this category tend to be memoirs whose authors found meaning and inspiration from Jane Austen’s life and works. e.g.: A Jane Austen Education* by William Deresiewicz, Austen Years by Rachel Cohen, and Growing Older with Jane Austen* by Maggie Lane
Literary Analysis of JA’s Work- Read a book of nonfiction that analyzes Jane Austen’s works. e.g.: Jane Austen’s Women* by Kathleen Anderson, Jane on the Brain* by Wendy Jones, and Jane Austen: Literary Critiques* by Norman Sherry
Jane Austen’s Juvenilia- Read a book of Jane Austen’s Juvenilia including “Lady Susan”
Mash-up with Monster, Fantasy, or Time Travel– Read a retelling of a Jane Austen novel that adds elements of fantasy, monsters, or time-travel. e.g.: Pride and Prometheus* by John Kessel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies* by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith, and Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict* by Laurie Viera Rigler
Continuation or Variation of a JA Novel- Read a novel that either tweaks the events or continues the story of one of Jane Austen’s works. e.g.: A Life Worth Choosing* by Anngela Schroeder, Mr. Darcy’s Daughters* by Elizabeth Aston, and Old Friends and New Fancies* by Sibil G. Brinton
N
Retelling that is NOT Pride & Prejudice- Read a book based on the characters or events of one of Jane Austen’s novels EXCEPT Pride and Prejudice. e.g.: Later Days at Highbury* by Joan Austen-Leigh, Murder at Mansfield Park* by Lynn Shepherd, and By the Book* by Julia Sonneborn
Jane Austen as a character in a Novel- Read a book in which Jane Austen herself becomes a fictional heroine in a novel. e.g.: The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen* by Syrie James, Jane and the Damned* by Janet Mullany, or any of the Jane Austen Mysteries* by Stephanie Barron.
Free Jane- To win this square you need not read a book. You need only to participate or interact with some other form of media pertaining to Jane Austen. For Example, watch a movie based on a Jane Austen novel, attend a Zoom lecture about a subject relating to Jane Austen, or attend one of the JASNA book group discussions. The choice is yours.
Book about Social Customs during Regency Era- Read a nonfiction book that describes what life was like during the lifetime of Jane Austen. e.g.: Jane Austen’s England* by Roy & Lesley Adkins, Jane Austen: The World of her Novels* by Deirdre Le Faye, and What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool
Jane Austen’s Letters- Read a book of Jane Austen’s Letters.
G
Biography of a Person living at the same time as JA- Read a biography of a person living in England at the same time as Jane Austen. e.g.: L.E.L.: The Lost Life and Scandalous Death of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, the Celebrated “Female Byron” by Lucasta Miller and Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon
One of the Six Original JA Novels- Read or Re-read one of Jane Austen’s six completed novels.
Historical Fiction that takes place during the Regency Era- Read a book of historical fiction that takes place in the Regency Period that is NOT directly related to Jane Austen. e.g.: Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer, Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian, and Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Retelling from a Different Character’s Point of View- Read a retelling of one of Jane Austen’s novels from a different character’s point of view. e.g.: Jane Fairfax* by Joan Aiken, Longbourn* by Jo Baker, and Captain Wentworth’s Diary* by Amanda Grange
Book of Proper Conduct written in JA’s Era- Read a book of proper conduct written during Jane Austen’s Lifetime. e.g.: The Mirror of the Graces* by A Lady of Distinction and Sermons to Young Women by James Fordyce
O
Non-JA Novel published during the Georgian or Regency Era- Read a novel published just before or during Jane Austen’s lifetime. e.g.: Evelina* by Fanny Burney, A Gossip’s Story* by Jane West, and Belinda by Maria Edgeworth
A Modern Retelling of one of JA’s Novels- Read a novel in which the events of a Jane Austen novel are rewritten to take place in the modern day. e.g.: Emma* by Alexander McCall Smith, Pride and Prejudice and Mistletoe* by Mellissa de la Cruz, and Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld
Biography of Jane Austen- Read a biography of Jane Austen. e.g.: Jane Austen: A Life* by Park Honan, Young Jane Austen, Becoming a Writer* by Lisa Pliscou, and Jane Austen* by Carol Shields
Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novels- Read BOTH of Jane Austen’s unfinished works: Sanditon and The Watsons.
A Novel in which the Characters are Inspired by JA or her works- Read a novel in which the characters are inspired by Jane Austen’s life or works.e.g.:The Jane Austen Book Club* by Karen Joy Fowler, Austenland* by Shannon Hale, and The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
Note about the BINGO board: The board is the same for everyone, but it’s up to each person, individually, to choose which books they wish to read to complete a bingo. However, I have designed the board in such a way that to do so you must read books from several different genres.
Books that are marked with an “*” indicate books that are available through our JASNA Greater Sacramento Circulating Library.
