The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
I have unsuccessfully tried to read Pride and Prejudice, but have never got anything out of it. I did have much more success with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. This book, however, while having some of the tone of Jane Austen books, was easily accessible. Perhaps it is the "modernization" that does it. I was able to sympathize with Mary and follow the experiences. Maybe it was the application of modern sensibilities into centuries old characters that did it. The book follows the life of the "other sister". She is more intellectual and doesn't fit in well with the cultural life and ideals of the day. She eventually finds love, rejecting a wealthy suitor in the process. This is so 21st century.
