Oh, this next book is a fun one. I picked it up at a used library book sale early this spring. It’s been sitting on my nightstand ever since. A few nights ago I picked it up so I could give it a quick perusal and write a post about it. I never got as far as the post.
Do you remember “choose your own adventure” stories from grade school? You would read a little and come to a choice:
If you choose the river route, turn to page 37.
If you choose the meadow path, turn to page 49.
Weren’t those fun books? Here’s a “choose your own adventure” book Lizzy Bennet-style.
Lost in Austen: Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure
by Emma Campbell Webster
Here’s part of the book’s description from the back cover: 
“Create Your Own Jane Austen Adventure begins in Pride and Prejudice, but your decisions along the way will lead you into the plots of Austen’s other works, and even newly imagined territory.”
The book suggests dividing a piece of paper into five sections with the following headings: accomplishments, intelligence, confidence, connections, and fortune. As you read, you add or deduct points from certain categories. Why do this? Well, the books says, “While you can gain points, you can also lose them, which could harm your chances of marrying happily and affect the outcome of your adventure.” I want to be happily married, so I’m keeping track. What’s that you say? I’m already married? Oh, you know what I mean. I’m a rule-follower, so I’m keeping track of my points.
RIght now I have 220 points in confidence but only 70 in fortune. The heading “accomplishments” is divided into two parts: accomplishments and failings. My only accomplishment so far is that I learned the Boulanger dance, but the book tells me this skill will have no effect on my marrying well. Under failings I have no style, no taste, and no beauty (Thanks a lot, Miss Bingley.).
It’s been a hoot to read. I’m still in the Pride and Prejudice section, but it will be fun to continue reading into other Austen tales. When I need a break from Crime and Punishment, this will be the book I choose.
Lost in Austen… It’s one of the books on my nightstand.