Jasmine's’s Comments (group member since Jul 08, 2020)

Jasmine's’s comments from the Aussie Readers group.

January Featured Author - Angela Marsons
Duration: 1/01/25 - 31/01/25
Level: Hard
10/10
4/4 AA

TASKS:

#1. Read a book set in England - The Nurses of Eastby End Anna Jacobs AA 5* 19/01/25
#2. Read a book from a series - Kiss the Girls James Patterson 5* 06/01/25
#3. Read a book which has a number in the title - 15th Affair James Patterson 4* 04/01/25
#4. Read a book set in a country other than your own - The Innocent David Baldacci 5* 22/01/25


SPELL OUT:

S - Southern Ruby Belinda Alexandra AA 5* 04/01/25
C - In Too Deep Lee Child 4* 16/01/25
R - Jail Break Ross Greenwood 4* 07/01/25
E - Eruption Michael Crichton 5* 09/01/25
A - All the Birds, Singing Evie Wyld AA 5* 10/01/25
M - Nightingale Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 02/01/25

February Featured Author - Liz Byrski
Duration: 1/2/25 - 28/2/25
Level: Hard
9/9
HARD - Tasks & Spell Out (minimum 4 AA)

TASKS

#1. Liz Byrski was born in London and spent most of her childhood in Sussex. As an only child she spent a lot of time alone, much of it buried in books.
**Read a book set in England OR
Fear on the Fens Joy Ellis 4* 01/02/25


#2. After moving to Perth with her family in 1981 Liz again established a freelance career writing for Australian publications including The Australian, Homes and Living, Cosmopolitan and Weekend News.
**Read a book where the author's initials fit into COSMOPOLITAN
I Came to Say Goodbye Caroline Overington AA 4* 17/02/25

#3. In the nineties Liz was a broadcaster and executive producer with ABC Radio in Perth and later an advisor to a minister in the Western Australian State Government; she now lectures in Professional and Creative Writing at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, and has PhD in writing with a focus on feminist popular fiction.
**Read a book where the first letter of each title word fits into CREATIVE WRITING (minimum 2 words)
Wild Card Simon Rowell AA 4* 18/02/25

#4. Liz lives between Perth and Fremantle and in addition to enjoying the company of family and friends, she spends most of her time reading, writing and walking. She has two adult sons and twin grandsons.
**Read a book set in Australia
The Tilt Chris Hammer AA 5* 22/02/25

BONUS
**Read a book by Liz Byrski

SPELL OUT Using either first letter of title (disregarding "A", "An" or "The" if you choose to) or either the first or last initial of the author. For the difficult letters - Q, X and Z, you may use a book in which the letter appears somewhere in the title or author's first or last name.

Liz Byrski (first, last or both)



P The Perfumist of Paris Alka Joshi 4* 08/02/25

E Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone Benjamin Stevenson 4* 12/02/25

R Red Dust Fleur McDonald AA 5* 09/02/25

T The Hunger Games 0: The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes Suzanne Collins 4* 06/02/25

H How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers Tim Harford 4* 15/02/25

Annual Vowel Book Titles 2024
Duration: 1/1/24 - 31/12/24
Aussie Authors 6/6
50/50

PLEASE READ IN THEIR DEDICATED MONTHS.

January/February - A Akin

AAll My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir Beth Moore 3*15/01/24
K The Memory Keeper's Daughter] 4* 18/01/24
I The Wind Knows My Name Isabel Allende 4* 12/01/24
N The Notebook Nicholas Sparks 5* 16/01/24



March/April - E Eternal

E Hunted on the Fens Joy Ellis 3* 20/03/24
T The Bookbinder Pip Williams AA 3* 13/03/24
E Eternal Lisa Scottoline 4* 03/04/24
R The Dressmaker Ham Rosalie AA 3* 10/03/24
N A Walk to Remember Nicholas Sparks 3* 02/03/24
A An Uncommon Woman Nicole Alexander 5* 16/04/24 AA
L Lion: A Long Way Home Saroo Brierley AA 5* 10/03/24



May/June - I Invisible

I In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex Nathaniel Philbrick 3* 08/06/24
N Paper Chains Nicola Moriarty AA *4 18/05/24
V Cutting for Stone Abraham Verghese 4* 24/05/24
I Invisible Danielle Steel
S Kakadu Dawn Annie Seaton *4 06/05/24 AA
I What the River Knows Isabel Ibañez 3* 14/05/24
B Wild Lavender Belinda Alexandra AA 5* 22/05/24
L Gulliver's Wife Lauren Chater AA 4* 27/05/24
E Stalker on the Fens Joy Ellis 5* 02/05/24



July/August - O Orphan X

O Dressed by Iris Mary-Anne O'Connor AA 5* 01/10/24
R Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do Eve Rodsky 3* 06/10/24
P Infinite Country Patricia Engel 4* 26/08/24
H Homecoming Kate Morton AA 5* 06/07/24
A Cinnamon Gardens Anna Jacobs AA 4* 28/07/24
N The Cedar Tree Nicole Alexander AA 4* 11/08/24

X Orphan X Gregg Andrew Hurwitz 5* 29/08/24



September/October - U Upgrade

U Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens David Mitchell 4* 04/11/24
P The Sunnyvale Girls Fiona Palmer 29/10/24 4* AA
G Gifts For Our Time Anna Jacobs AA 5* 20/09/24
R Storm Child Michael Robotham AA 4* 21/09/24
A A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets James Bowen 3* 14/09/24
D Darkness on the Fens Joy Ellis 4* 20/10/24
E Fire on the Fens Joy Ellis 4* 03/09/24



November/December - Your book choice can start with any letter but must have all five vowels in the title The Black Mountain

T The Tea Gardens Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 07/12/24
H Hekla's Children James Brogden 3* 22/12/24
E Secrets on the Fens Joy Ellis 5* 07/12/24

B My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry Fredrik Backman 4* 27/12/24
L Lost Roses Martha Hall Kelly 4* 25/12/24
A An Anonymous Girl Greer Hendricks 5* 08/12/24
C Caleb's Crossing Geraldine Brooks AA 4* 23/12/24
K The Secret Life of Bees Sue Monk Kidd 5* 04/12/24

M The Black Mountain Kate Mosse 4* 30/12/24
O Ordinary Grace William Kent Krueger 5* 28/12/24
U Under the Dome: Part Two Stephen King 4* 02/01/25
N The Mountains Sing Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai 5* 09/12/24
T The Things That Matter Most Gabbie Stroud AA 5* 16/12/24
A The Bee and the Orange Tree Melissa Ashley 5* 18/12/24
I The Whale Rider Witi Ihimaera AA 4* 15/12/24
N The French Photographer Natasha Lester AA 5* 13/12/24

Finished 29/12/24
Annual United in Reading Calendar 2024
Duration: 1/1/24 - 31/12/24
Level: Medium
24/24 books (8 AA )

REMEMBER, YOUR BOOKS MUST BE READ IN THE MONTH STIPULATED!

January:
** Australia Day, Jan 26: Read a book set in Australia, OR read a book by an Australian author.
Shallows Tim Winton AA 3* 06/01/24
** In Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, Jan 27: Read an historical fiction novel, OR read a book where the complete title fits in HOLOCAUST (3 word minimum)
The Wind Knows My Name Isabel Allende 4* 12/01/24



February:
** Day of Women & Girls, Feb 11: Read a book by a female author OR read a book with a strong female MC
The Island of Sea Women Lisa See 5* 19/02/24
** Royal Hobart Regatta, Feb 12: Read a book with a boat on the cover OR read a book with a large body of water on the cover (show cover)
The Midnight Watch David Dyer AA 4* 21/02/24



March:
** Harmony Day, March 21: Read a book with an ORANGE cover (show cover) OR read a book which promotes or discusses equality.
A Woman Is No Man Etaf Rum 5* 15/03/24
** Easter weekend in Australia, March 29 ->: Read a book about what Easter means to you (briefly explain) OR read a book which has a family, including children.
Lion: A Long Way Home Saroo Brierley AA 5 *10/03/24



April:
** World Health Day, April 7: Read a book which has a character who is a doctor or nurse OR read a book with something healthy on the cover (show cover)
How Bad Are Bananas?: The Carbon Footprint of Everything Mike Berners-Lee 4* 29/11/24 better late then never
** ANZAC Day, April 25: Read a book depicting Australians or New Zealanders during war OR read a book where the title starts with one of the letters in ANZAC
An Uncommon Woman Nicole Alexander 5* 16/04/24 AA



May:
** Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during WWII, May 8: Read a book set in WWII OR read a book where both the author's initials show in REMEMBRANCE
The Narrow Road to the Deep North Richard Flanagan AA 3* 30/05/24
** Mothers Day (Australia), May 12: Read a book where the MC is a mother OR read a book with flowers on the cover (show cover)
Gulliver's Wife Lauren Chater AA 4* 27/05/24



June:
** Day of the Seafarer, June 25: Read a book set on the ocean OR read a book with a boat on the cover (show cover)
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex Nathaniel Philbrick 3* 08/06/24
** Asteroid Day, June 30: Read a Science Fiction novel OR read a book set in the future (tell us when)
Written in 1932 predicting the 21st century Brave New World Aldous Huxley 2* 18/06/24



July:
** First day of NAIDOC week, July 7: Read a book with Indigenous characters OR read a book where the first title letter appears in NAIDOC
A Woman of Firsts: The Midwife Who Built a Hospital and Changed the World Edna Adan Ismail 5* 10/07/24
** World Chess Day, July 20: Read a book where people play games e.g. chess, cards, bowling etc (tell us what) OR read a book with either a black or white cover (show cover)
The Brothers Hawthorne Jennifer Lynn Barnes 4* 16/07/24



August:
** World Humanitarian Day, Aug 19: Read a book with a title that starts with "H" OR read a book where characters are caring for others
The Shed That Fed a Million Children: The Extraordinary Story of Mary’s Meals Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow 4* 19/08/24
** International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Aug 30: Read a book featuring a kidnapping OR a read a book where something goes missing
Thieves on the Fens Thieves on the Fens 4* 15/08/24



September:
** Day of Charity, Sept 5: Read a book which was a gift OR read a book you'll donate after reading it
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth Gordon D. Fee 4* 29/12/24 late
** Day of Service and Remembrance or 9/11 Day, Sept 11: Read a book set in the US OR read a book where a tragedy takes place
Fire on the Fens Joy Ellis 4* 03/09/24



October:
** Day of Older Persons, Oct 1: Read a book which features older characters OR read a book with an older person on the cover (show cover)
What Can I Do? My Path from Climate Despair to Action Jane Fonda 5* 16/10/24
** Day of Rural Women, Oct 15: Read a novel set in rural Australia OR read a book with a rural outlook on the cover (show cover)
The Inn Candice Fox 20/11/24 3* AA



November:
** Remembrance Day, Nov 11: Read a book with a RED cover or red poppies on cover (show cover) OR read a book with "11" together in the page count (show count)
An Anonymous Girl Greer Hendricks 5* 08/12/24
** Universal Children's Day, Nov 20: Read a book with a child/children on the cover OR read a children's book (over 125 pages)
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry Fredrik Backman 4* 27/12/24



December:
** First Sunday of Advent, Dec 3: Read a book with a PURPLE cover (show cover) OR read a book where the MC is preparing for something (briefly tell us what)
The Tea Gardens Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 07/12/24
** New Year's Eve, Dec 31: Read a book you've been meaning to read all year OR read a book with a cheery, colourful cover (show cover)
The Mountains Sing Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai 5* 09/12/24

Annual 2025 Challenge A-Z Titles
Duration: 1/1/25 - 31/12/25
25/26

A Abroad in Japan: Ten Years In The Land Of The Rising Sun Chris Broad 2* 02/02/25
B The Briar Club Kate Quinn 5* 16/04/25
C Call Me Evie J.P. Pomare AA 4* 27/01/25
D Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? Crystal Smith Paul 4* 24/04/25
E Eruption Michael Crichton 5* 09/01/25
F Fifteen Wild Decembers Karen Powell 3* 26/01/25
G The Ghost Ship Kate Mosse 5* 12/03/25
H Holiday in Death J.D. Robb 4* 18/02/25
I Identity Nora Roberts 5* 01/03/25
J Jack & Jill James Patterson 4* 11/02/25
K Kiss the Girls James Patterson 5* 06/01/25
L The Light We Lost Jill Santopolo 5* 12/05/25
M Mary, Mary James Patterson 4* 03/10/25
N Nightingale Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 02/01/25
O One Golden Summer Carley Fortune AA
P The Priory of the Orange Tree Samantha Shannon 4* 09/08/25
Q A Quiet Retreat Kiersten Modglin 4* 11/08/25
R Retribution Sarah Barrie 4* 01/05/25
S Spells for Forgetting Adrienne Young 4* 09/03/25
T Tiger Men Judy Nunn AA 16/07/25 5*
U The Unwedding Ally Condie 4* 23/06/25
V The Valley Chris Hammer AA 4* 14/04/25
WWarrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries Kate Mosse 4* 05/05/25
X Texas Ranger James Patterson 4* 09/05/25
Y Yes No Maybe So Becky Albertalli 4* 03/02/25
Z Terror in Topaz A.M. Stuart AA 4* 01/09/25

i'd like to join in too tx

Finished 23/12/24
Annual Aussie Author Challenge 2024 - Everything is Australian
Duration: 1/1/24 - 31/12/24
Level: Hard
34/36

1. KANGAROO
In South Australia there is a beautiful place called Kangaroo Island where you can see kangaroos on the beach.
** Read a book where you can find the letters A, R, O in the title (in any order)
The Bee and the Orange Tree Melissa Ashley 5* 18/12/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in Kangaroo Island.
The Things That Matter Most Gabbie Stroud 5* 16/12/24
** Read a book set near a beach or with a beach on the cover.
The Secret River Kate Grenville 4* 18/06/24

The Secret River by Kate Grenville The Bee and the Orange Tree by Melissa Ashley The Things That Matter Most by Gabbie Stroud

2. DINGO
Australia may have some of the worst poisonous creatures in the world but our apex predator is a wild dog! There are lots of them to be found on Fraser Island in Queensland.
** Read a book where you can find the letters G,N,O in the title (in any order)
Golden Earrings Belinda Alexandra 5* 07/02/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in Fraser Island.
You Don't Know Me Sara Foster 4* 20/02/24
** Read a book set in Queensland
An Uncommon Woman Nicole Alexander 5* 16/04/24

An Uncommon Woman by Nicole Alexander You Don't Know Me by Sara Foster Golden Earrings by Belinda Alexandra

3. KOOKABURRA
When a flock of these birds start laughing it is hard not to laugh with them. They are the noisy relations of the Kingfisher family but they prefer to eat lizards to fish. The Kookaburra is one of the emblems for NSW.
** Read a book where you can find the letters B,R,O in the title (in any order)
Before You Knew My Name Jacqueline Bublitz 4* 19/06/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in kookaburra.
Wild Lavender Belinda Alexandra 5* 22/05/23
** Read a book set in New South Wales
The Cedar Tree Nicole Alexander 4* 11/08/24

The Cedar Tree by Nicole Alexander Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz

4. KOALA
These cuddly creatures spend about eighteen hours per day asleep in their eucalyptus trees. Even though they may look like a teddy, Koalas are not bears!
** Read a book where you can find the letters O,L,A in the title (in any order)
Caleb's Crossing Geraldine Brooks
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in eucalyptus
The Woodlea Novella Collection Alissa Callen 4* 01/06/24
** Read a book which has trees on the cover.
Someone Like You Karly Lane 4* 07/10/24

Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks Someone Like You by Karly Lane The Woodlea Novella Collection by Alissa Callen

5. COCKATOO
The Gang Gang Cockatoo is an emblem of the Australian Capital Territory, which is the home of our capital city, Canberra.
** Read a book where you can find the letters T,C,O in the title (in any order)
The Secret Chord Geraldine Brooks 5* 13/11/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in Gang Gang Cockatoo
The Round Yard Alissa Callen 4* 25/11/24
** Read a book set in Canberra or any of our state or territory capitals. (Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Hobart)
The Story Of Danny Dunn, Bryce Courtenay 20/11/24 5*

The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks The Round Yard (Woodlea, #4) by Alissa Callen The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay

6. QUOKKA
Found in Western Australia and called the happiest animal in the world because it has a smiley little face.
** Read a book where you can find the letters U,O,A in the title (in any order)
The Plague Stones James Brogden 3* 15/05/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in happiest
Outback Roads: The Nanny Annie Seaton 4* 16/01/24
** Read a book which makes you smile.
Midwife in the Jungle Fiona McArthur 4* 08/12/24

The Plague Stones by James Brogden Midwife in the Jungle (Aussie Outback Medical Romance #9) by Fiona McArthur Outback Roads The Nanny (The Augathella Girls #1) by Annie Seaton

7. PLATYPUS
This strange creature frequents freshwater rivers all around Australia. Sadly numbers are dwindling and we do not often see them.
** Read a book where you can find the letters P,S,A in the title (in any order)
The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea Melanie Cellier 4* 07/04/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in platypus.
The Codebreaker's Secret Sara Ackerman 4* 28/08/24
** Read a book with some association to water or swimming.
The Midnight Watch David Dyer 4* 21/02/24

The Princess Companion A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (The Four Kingdoms, #1) by Melanie Cellier The Midnight Watch by David Dyer The Codebreaker's Secret by Sara Ackerman

8. POSSUM
Very cute but they can also be a big pest. The possum is the emblem for Victoria
** Read a book where you can find the letters U,M,S in the title (in any order)
When Things Are Alive They Hum Hannah Bent 4* 13/10/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in possum
Dressed by Iris Mary-Anne O'Connor 5* 01/10/24
** Read a book set in Victoria.
The Dressmaker: A Novel Rosalie Ham 3* 10/03/24

When Things Are Alive They Hum by Hannah Bent The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham Dressed by Iris by Mary-Anne O'Connor

9. CROCODILE
There are saltwater crocodiles in the sea and freshwater ones in the rivers but mostly in the Northern Territory. If the sign beside the waterhole says No Swimming then don't swim.
** Read a book where you can find the letters C,D,E in the title (in any order)
Hekla's Children James Brogden
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in crocodile.
Gulliver's Wife Lauren Chater 4* 27/05/24
** Read a book set in the Northern Territory
Kakadu Dawn Annie Seaton *4 06/05/24

Kakadu Dawn (Porter Sisters #6) by Annie Seaton Hekla's Children by James Brogden Gulliver's Wife by Lauren Chater

10. TASMANIAN DEVIL
As the name suggests this animal is found in Tasmania. Not sure why it acquired the name Devil but I suppose it isn't the prettiest furry friend you have ever seen.
** Read a book where you can find the letters T,D,L in the title (in any order)
The Divine Feline: A chic cat lady's guide to woman's best friend Belinda Alexandra 4* 26/05/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in Tasmanian Devil
The French Photographer Natasha Lester 5* 14/12/24
** Read a book set in Tasmania
The Narrow Road to the Deep North Richard Flanagan 3* 30/05/24

The Divine Feline A chic cat lady's guide to woman's best friend by Belinda Alexandra The French Photographer by Natasha Lester The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan

11. NUMBAT
One of our rarer creatures which lives in Western Australia.
** Read a book where you can find the letters T,M,A in the title (in any order)
The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty Melanie Cellier 4* 22/08/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in numbat.
Paper Chains Nicola Moriarty 4* 18/05/24
** Read a book set in Western Australia
Shallows Tim Winton

The Princess Game A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (The Four Kingdoms, #4) by Melanie Cellier Shallows by Tim Winton Paper Chains by Nicola Moriarty

12. WOMBAT
A long, long time ago these furry chaps were the size of elephants. Can you imagine the size of their burrows? Today they are a much more reasonable size and the Hairy Nose Wombat is the emblem of South Australia.
** Read a book where you can find the letters T,B,A in the title (any order)
A Tale of Beauty and Beast Melanie Cellier 5* 04/06/24
** Read a book where the author's initials can be found in Hairy Nose Wombat
Silver Wattle Belinda Alexandra 5* 15/04/24
** Read a book set in South Australia
Stone Country Nicole Alexander 3* 18/03/24

Stone Country by Nicole Alexander Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra A Tale of Beauty and Beast (Beyond the Four Kingdoms, #2) by Melanie Cellier

Finished 04/10/25

Annual Challenge - Book Bingo
Duration - 1/1/25 - 31/12/25
Level: 2
25/25
6/6 AA

1 Across

a. Male author The Good Dog Simon Rowell 4* 07/03/25 AA

b. Cosy mystery The Last Devil to Die Richard Osman 4* 04/10/25

c. Published in 2025 Agony in Amethyst A.M. Stuart AA 4* 04/08/25

d. Part of a series Four Blind Mice James Patterson 4* 04/07/25

e. One word title Sylvia Bryce Courtenay 3* 26/07/25



2 Across

a. Four word title City of Night Birds Juhea Kim 4* 20/07/25

b. New to you author Murder at the Dolphin Hotel Helena Dixon 4* 12/06/25

c. Young adult Throwback Maurene Goo 4* 23/01/25

d. Fave genre Whitethorn Bryce Courtenay AA 5* 23/03/25

e. Female author The Most Fun We Ever Had Claire Lombardo 3* 15/05/25



3 Across

a. Blue cover A Fatal Grace Louise Penny 3* 30/01/25

b. Set in Australia The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots Loretta Hill AA 4* 14/06/25

c. By a favourite author White Gardenia Belinda Alexandra AA 5* 07/04/25

d. Title starts with D Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? Crystal Smith Paul 4* 24/04/25

e. Aussie author Tiger Men Judy Nunn AA 16/07/25 5*



4 Across

a. House on the cover Society of Lies Lauren Ling Brown 4* 10/04/25

b. Female MC Echoes on the Fens Joy Ellis 4* 30/04/25

c. Male MC Pop Goes the Weasel James Patterson 5* 13/04/25

d. Book you bought Hades Candice Fox AA 5* 30/01/25

e. Borrowed from library The Light We Lost Jill Santopolo 5* 12/05/25



5 Across

a. Mystery The Half Sister Sandie Jones 4* 08/01/25

b. Has a place in the title Abroad in Japan: Ten Years In The Land Of The Rising Sun Chris Broad 2* 02/02/25

c. Set in another country Yellowface R.F. Kuang 4* 08/06/25

d. Author’s name begins with T Birds in Flight Anni Taylor AA 5* 02/02/25

e. Colourful cover The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year Margaret Renkl 4* 01/06/25

January Featured Author - Angela Marsons
Duration: 1/01/25 - 31/01/25
Level: Hard
10/10
4/4 AA

TASKS:

#1. Read a book set in England - The Nurses of Eastby End Anna Jacobs AA 5* 19/01/25
#2. Read a book from a series - Kiss the Girls James Patterson 5* 06/01/25
#3. Read a book which has a number in the title - 15th Affair James Patterson 4* 04/01/25
#4. Read a book set in a country other than your own - The Innocent David Baldacci 5* 22/01/25


SPELL OUT:

S - Southern Ruby Belinda Alexandra AA 5* 04/01/25
C - In Too Deep Lee Child 4* 16/01/25
R - Jail Break Ross Greenwood 4* 07/01/25
E - Eruption Michael Crichton 5* 09/01/25
A - All the Birds, Singing Evie Wyld AA 5* 10/01/25
M - Nightingale Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 02/01/25

Annual A-Z Road Trip finished
Duration: 1/1/25 - 31/12/25
26/26

I am going on a road trip, and I'm spying with my little eye...

A - Armour - Twelfth Knight Alexene Farol Follmuth (on cover) 3* 29/06/25
B - Bird - The Hunger Games 0: The Ballard of Songbirds and Snakes Suzanne Collins (on cover) 4* 08/02/25
C - Cat - Cat & Mouse James Patterson 4* 07/03/25 (in title)
D - Dress - Just Rewards Barbara Taylor Bradford (on cover) 5* 03/07/25
E - Ear - Sapphire Skies 5* 20/04/25 Belinda Alexandra (on cover) AA
F - Feathers - The Taxidermist's Daughter Kate Mosse (on cover) 4* 15/01/25
G - Gun - Texas Ranger James Patterson (on cover) 4* 09/05/25
H - Hand - bookcover:The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots|13232142] The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots Loretta Hill (on cover) AA 4* 14/06/25
I - Insect - The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year Margaret Renkl (on cover) 4* 01/06/25
J - Jail - Jail Break Ross Greenwood (on cover) 4* 07/01/24
K - Kid- I Came to Say Goodbye Caroline Overington (on cover) AA 4* 17/02/25
L - Lily - City of Night Birds Juhea Kim (on cover) 4* 20/07/25
M - Mandala - The Mountain Shadow Gregory David Roberts 4* 18/03/25 (on cover) AA
N - Nunchucks - Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone Benjamin Stevenson (on cover) AA 4* 12/02/25
O - Orange - The Priory of the Orange Tree Samantha Shannon (in title) 4* 09/08/25
P - Palm leaves - Terror in Topaz A.M. Stuart(on cover) AA 4* 01/09/25
Q - Queen - Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries Kate Mosse (in title) 4* 05/05/25
R - Rocks - The Ghost Ship Kate Mosse 5* 12/03/25 (on cover)
S -Scarf - Saffron Lane Anna Jacobs (on cover) AA 4* 10/08/25
T - Tree - Whitethorn Bryce Courtenay (on cover) AA 5* 23/03/25
U - Umbrella - Agony in Amethyst A.M. Stuart (on cover) AA 4* 04/08/25
V - Volcano - Eruption Michael Crichton (on cover) 5* 09/01/25
W - Window - Watching You Lisa Jewell (on cover) 4* 19/01/25
X - Fox - The Last Devil to Die Richard Osman (on cover) 4* 04/10/25
Y - Yin & Yang - Throwback Maurene Goo (on cover) 4* 23/01/25
Z - Zip - Hunter Ross Greenwood (on cover) 3* 27/09/25

Annual Challenge 2025 - Calendar of Books
Duration: 1/1/25 - 31/12/25
Level: Hard
22/24 6AA

TITLES

January Jail Break Ross Greenwood 4* 07/01/25
February Fear on the Fens Joy Ellis 4* 01/02/25
March The Mountain Shadow Gregory David Roberts AA 4* 18/03/25
April All the Stars in the Sky Sarah Lyons Fleming 4* 22/04/25
May The Most Fun We Ever Had Claire Lombardo 16/05/25
June Just Rewards Barbara Taylor Bradford 5* 03/07/25
July Just Between Us Adele Parks 4* 29/07/25
August Agony in Amethyst A.M. Stuart AA 4* 04/08/25
September The Secrets of Eastby End Anna Jacobs AA 4* 03/09/25
October One Golden Summer Carley Fortune AA 4* 29/10/25
November The Nowhere Child Christian White AA 5* 21/11/25
December Double Cross James Patterson



AUTHORS

January Lisa Jewell Watching You 4 19/01/25
February Fleur McDonald Red Dust AA 5* 09/02/25
March Kate Mosse The Ghost Ship 5* 10/03/25
April Belinda Alexandra Sapphire Skies AA 5* 20/04/25
May Gabrielle Meyer When the Day Comes 5* 04/05/25
June James Patterson Violets Are Blue 4* 03/06/25
July James Patterson Four Blind Mice 4* 04/07/25
August Anna Jacobs Saffron Lane AA 4* 10/08/25
September A.M. Stuart Terror in Topaz AA 4* 01/09/25
October Richard Osman The Last Devil to Die 4* 04/10/25
November Kayte Nunn The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant AA 4* 04/11/25
December Boy Swallows Universe Trent Dalton AA

Annual Challenge 2025 - A-Z "Real Life" Locations
Duration: 1/1/25 - 31/12/25
25/26

A - Australia - Memorial Days Geraldine Brooks 3* 08/04/25 AA
B - Brisbane - Boy Swallows Universe Trent Dalton AA
C - California - The Unwedding Ally Condie 4* 23/06/25
D - Dubai - The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization Vince Beiser 4* 02/04/25
E - England - The Secrets of Eastby End Anna Jacobs AA 4* 03/09/25
F - Fairhaven, Kent UK - The Last Devil to Die Richard Osman 4* 04/10/25
G - Gallipoli - Nightingale Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 02/01/25
H - Hawaii - Eruption Michael Crichton 5* 09/01/25
I - India - The Mountain Shadow Gregory David Roberts AA 4* 18/03/25
J - Japan - Abroad in Japan: Ten Years In The Land Of The Rising Sun Chris Broad 3* 02/02/25
K - Kentucky - Horse Geraldine Brooks AA 5* 10/02/25
L - London - The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant Kayte Nunn AA 4* 04/11/25
M - Morocco - The Mademoiselle Alliance Natasha Lester AA 5* 03/06/25
N - New Orleans - Southern Ruby Belinda Alexandra AA 5* 04/01/25
O - Olifantshoek, South Africa - The Map of Bones Kate Mosse 5* 25/03/25
P - Pompeii - The Wolf Den Elodie Harper 4* 16/02/25
Q - Quebec - A Fatal Grace Louise Penny 3* 30/01/25
R - Russia - White Gardenia Belinda Alexandra 5* 07/04/25 AA
S - Singapore - Terror in Topaz A.M. Stuart AA 4* 01/09/25
T - Tasmania - Tiger Men Judy Nunn AA 16/07/25 5*
U - USA - In Too Deep Lee Child 4* 16/01/25
V - Vietnam - The Women Kristin Hannah 5* 12/01/25
W - Williamsburg, NYC - When the Day Comes Gabrielle Meyer 5* 04/05/25
X - Texas - Texas Ranger James Patterson 4* 09/05/25
Y - Yorkshire - Fifteen Wild Decembers Karen Powell 3* 26/01/25
Z - New Zealand - When We Believed in Mermaids Barbara O'Neal 5* 29/06/25

Annual Australian Authors Challenge 2025
Duration: 1/1/25 - 31/12/25
Level: Hard
35/36

Male Authors
1. Gregory David Roberts The Mountain Shadow 4* 18/03/25
2. Bryce Courtenay Sylvia 26/07/25 3*
3. Christian White The Nowhere Child 5* 21/11/25
4. Chris Hammer The Tilt 5* 22/02/25
5. Simon Rowell Wild Card 4* 18/02/25
6. Trent Dalton Boy Swallows Universe
7. J.P. Pomare Call Me Evie 4* 27/01/25
8. Adrian McKinty The Chain 5* 31/03/25
9. Benjamin Stevenson Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone 4* 12/02/25

Female Authors
1. Fleur McDonald Red Dust 5* 09/02/25
2. Candice Fox Hades 5* 30/01/25
3. Belinda Alexandra White Gardenia 5* 07/04/25
4. Geraldine Brooks Year of Wonders 3* 18/06/25
5. Anna Jacobs Saffron Lane 4* 10/08/25
6. Phillipa Nefri Clark The Secrets of Palmerston House 4* 21/04/25
7. Loretta Hill The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots 4* 14/06/25
8. Caroline Overington I Came to Say Goodbye 4* 17/02/25
9. Sara Foster Beneath the Shadows 4* 29/04/25

2025 New Releases
1. Wild Dark Shore Charlotte McConaghy release date 04/03/25 5* 26/05/25
2. Memorial Days: A Memoir Geraldine Brooks release date 04/02/25 3* 08/04/25
3. The Mademoiselle Alliance Natasha Lester release date 26/03/25 5* 03/06/25
4. One Golden Summer Carley Fortune release date 06/05/25 4* 29/10/25
5. Legacy Of Hunters Ridge Sarah Barrie release date 01/01/25 5* 18/04/25
6. The Secrets of Eastby End Anna Jacobs release date 08/05/25 4* 03/09/25
7. Cockatoo Cove Maya Linnell release date 03/06/25 5* 02/08/25
8. The White Crow Michael Robotham release date 01/07/25 4* 05/09/25
9. The Knitting Club at Wagtail Ridge Janet Gover release date 01/01/25 5* 25/05/25

Favourite Genre (Historical Fiction)
1. Sapphire Skies Belinda Alexandra 5* 20/04/25
2. Horse Geraldine Brooks 4* 10/02/25
3. Whitethorn Bryce Courtenay 5* 23/03/25
4. Southern Ruby Belinda Alexandra 5* 04/01/25
5. Nightingale Fiona McIntosh 5* 02/01/25
6. The Woman in the Green Dress Tea Cooper 4* 30/03/25
7. The Perfumer's Secret Fiona McIntosh 5* 26/05/25
8. Terror in Topaz A.M. Stuart 4* 01/09/25
9. The Forgotten Letters of Esther Durrant Kayte Nunn 4* 04/11/25

Finished 14/12/24

A-Z Authors
1/1/24 - 31/12/24
26/26
Minimum 6 AA's

A This is the Story of a Happy Marriage Ann Patchett 4* 11/05/24
B Unforgiven Sarah Barrie AA *5 14/01/24
C American Dirt Jeanine Cummins 5* 21/01/24
D The Lost Symbol Dan Brown 3* 17/02/24
E The Memory Keeper's Daughter Kim Edwards 4* 18/01/24
F Midwife in the Jungle Fiona McArthur AA 4* 08/12/24
G Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls Lauren Graham 5* 08/04/24
H Summer of '69 Elin Hilderbrand 4* 05/01/24
I The Wind Knows My Name Isabel Allende 4* 12/01/24
J Crime on the Fens Joy Ellis 5* 08/01/24
K Someone Like You Karly Lane AA 4* 07/10/24
L The Island of Sea Women Lisa See 5* 19/02/24
M The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea Melanie Cellier 4* 07/04/24 AA
N The Fifth Letter Nicola Moriarty 5* 08/04/24 AA
O Delirium Lauren Oliver 4* 14/06/24
P 3rd Degree James Patterson 3* 30/01/24
Q The Yes Woman: How to reclaim your power by finally saying No. Grace Jennings-Edquist AA 3* 14/12/24
R The Turn of the Key Ruth Ware 5* 09/07/24
S Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health Rick Smith 29/11/24 5*
T The Six Anni Taylor AA 4* 22/03/24
U An Expert in Murder Nicola Upson 4* 29/11/24
V Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt 5* 10/07/24
W Shallows Tim Winton AA 07/01/24
X Seven Women: And the Secret of Their Greatness Eric Metaxas 3* 06/11/24
Y Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy 5* 05/02/24 AA
Z Before You Knew My Name Jacqueline Bublitz AA 4* 19/06/24

Finished 15/12/24

Annual Challenge 2024 - A-Z "Real Life" Locations
Duration: 1/1/24 - 31/12/24
26/26 6AA min

For the difficult letters Q, X, Y and Z, you may use locations where the letter appears somewhere in the location name. Only real locations will work for this challenge - NO fictional places allowed.

A Australia Silver Wattle Belinda Alexandra AA 5* 15/04/24
B Beaufort, NC A Walk to Remember Nicholas Sparks 3* 02/03/24
C China Mao's Last Dancer Li Cunxin 4* 25/03/24
D Denmark The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well Meik Wiking 4* 01/02/24
E Ecuador Through Gates of Splendor The Martyrdom of Five American Missionaries in the Ecuador jungle Elisabeth Elliot 4* 30/04/24
F Foula Island, Scotland The January Man: A Year of Walking Britain Christopher Somerville 3* 07/05/24
G Greece Before We Were Innocent Ella Berman 3* 01/10/24
H Hong Kong When Things Are Alive They Hum Hannah Bent AA 4* 13/10/24
I India Lion: A Long Way Home Saroo Brierley AA 5* 10/03/24
J Jeju Island The Island of Sea Women Lisa See 5* 19/02/24
K Kentucky Daniel Boone: Frontiersman Janet Benge 4* 27/05/24
L London UK A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets James Bowen 3* 14/09/24
M Marseille Wild Lavender Belinda Alexandra AA 5* 22/04/24
N New South Wales The Secret River Kate Grenville 4* 18/06/24 AA
O Osaka, Japan Shōgun James Clavell 4* 08/08/24
P Pittsburgh The Memory Keeper's Daughter Kim Edwards 4* 18/01/24
Q Queensland An Uncommon Woman Nicole Alexander 5* 16/04/24 AA
R Russia The Lace Weaver Lauren Chater AA 4* 31/05/24
S South Carolina The Secret Life of Bees Sue Monk Kidd 5* 04/12/24
T Tipperary, Ireland The Cedar Tree Nicole Alexander AA 4* 11/08/24
U USA Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States James C. Scott 3* 15/12/24
V Vienna The Wind Knows My Name Isabel Allende 4* 12/01/24
W Washington DC Along Came a Spider James Patterson 4* 23/02/24
X Oxford, England The Bookbinder Pip Williams AA 3* 13/03/24
Y Yemen Cutting for Stone Abraham Verghese 4* 24/05/24
Z New Zealand The Whale Rider Witi Ihimaera AA 4* 13/12/24

Finished 09/12/24

Annual Genre Challenge 2024
Duration: 1/1/24 - 31/12/24
Level: Out Of Control
36/36

Contemporary
Still Lives Maria Hummel 4* 09/02/24
Infinite Country Patricia Engel 4* 26/08/24
American Dirt Jeanine Cummins 5* 21/01/24

Historical Fiction
The Light in Hidden Places Sharon Cameron 5* 15/02/24
The Midnight Watch David Dyer 4* 21/02/24
An Echo in the Bone Diana Gabaldon 4* 14/02/24

Non Fiction
The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well Meik Wiking 4* 31/01/24
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls Lauren Graham 5* 08/04/24
Potty Training Magic: The Fun Way to go Nappy-Free Fast Amanda Jenner 2* 18/02/24

Mystery
3rd Degree James Patterson 3* 30/01/24
Beautiful Death Fiona McIntosh AA 4* 13/08/24
The Soulmate Sally Hepworth AA 5* 23/01/24

Romance
You Don't Know Me Sara Foster AA 4* 20/02/24
The Break Marian Keyes 4* 03/03/24
The Beast's Garden Kate Forsyth AA 5* 05/02/24

Fantasy
Happily Ever Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red Melanie Cellier 2* 04/03/24 AA
The Princess Pact: a Twist on Rumpelstiltskin Melanie Cellier AA 4* 02/07/24
The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea Melanie Cellier 4* 07/04/24 AA

Young Adult
The Elite Kiera Cass 4* 21/04/24
The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty Melanie Cellier AA 4* 22/08/24
The Light in Hidden Places Sharon Cameron 5* 15/02/24

Rural Romance
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart Holly Ringland AA 4* 27/04/24
The Sunnyvale Girls Fiona Palmer 4* 29/10/24 AA
North Star Karly Lane AA 4* 29/06/24

Award Winner/Nominee
Postmortem Patricia Cornwell 4* 27/04/24
The Mountains Sing Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
Augustown Kei Miller 3* 03/02/24

Historical Mystery
The City of Tears Kate Mosse 4* 22/04/24
The Lost Symbol DanBrown 3* 17/02/24
What the River Knows Isabel Ibañez 3* 14/05/24

Thriller/Suspense
Once There Were Wolves Charlotte McConaghy AA 5* 05/02/24
Kakadu Dawn Annie Seaton *4 06/05/24 AA
Homecoming Kate Morton AA 5* 06/07/24

Memoir/Biography
This is the Story of a Happy Marriage Ann Patchett 4* 11/05/24
Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After Heather Harpham 4* 19/08/24
Once Upon A Tyne: Our Story Celebrating 30 Years Together on Telly Anthony McPartlin 5 * 26/02/24

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Easy
7/7 at least 2AA

#1 Your favourite genre
Watching You by Lisa Jewell 4* 19/01/25

#2 Written by one of your favourite authors
The Black Mountain by Kate Mosse 4* 30/12/24

#3 Your favourite colour cover
The Bee and the Orange Tree by Melissa Ashley AA 5* 18/12/24

#4 Your favourite place as the main setting
Red Dust by Fleur McDonald AA 5* 09/02/25

#5 Takes place during your favourite time period
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly 4* 25/12/24

#6 Takes place during your favourite season
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai 5* 09/12/24

#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year
The Tea Gardens by Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 07/12/24

Finish 25/11/24

Spring Challenge: Opposites Attract!
Duration: 1/9/24 - 30/11/24
Level: Medium
Progress: 8/8 8AAs

UK / Fiji
#1.a Gifts For Our Time by Anna Jacobs AA 5* 20/09/24
#1.b A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao 31/10/24 3* AA

City / Rural
#2.a Dressed by Iris by Mary-Anne O'Connor AA 5* 01/10/24
#2.b The Round Yard by Alissa Callen 4* 25/11/24 AA

Male MC / Female MC
#3.a The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay 20/11/24 5* AA
#3.b Someone Like You by Karly Lane 07/10/24 4* AA

Ancient times / Modern day
#4.a The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks AA 5* 13/11/24
#4.b Storm Child by Michael Robotham AA 4* 21/09/24

Finished 19/08/24

Winter 2024 Challenge - Reading Resolutions
Duration: 1/6/24 - 31/8/24
Resolution: Clean up TBR list
Level: Extra Hard
16/16 4AA

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin 3* 02/07/24
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki 4* 15/06/24
Delirium by Lauren Oliver 4* 14/06/24
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave 4* 02/06/24
Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith 3* 10/06/24
A Beautiful Spy by Rachel Hore 4* 02/06/24
The Chancellor's Secret by Susanna Gregory 3* 12/07/24
The Woodlea Novella Collection by Alissa Callen AA 4* 01/06/24
Cinnamon Gardens by Anna Jacobs AA 4* 28/07/24
The Cedar Tree by Nicole Alexander AA 4* 11/08/24
Homecoming by Kate Morton AA 5* 06/07/24
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 4* 16/07/24
The Shed That Fed a Million Children: The Extraordinary Story of Mary’s Meals by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow 4* 19/08/24
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba 5* 12/08/24
The Secret River by Kate Grenville AA 4* 18/06/24
The 5th Horseman by James Patterson

Spring Challenge: Opposites Attract!
Duration: 1/9/24 - 30/11/24
Level: Medium
Progress: 8/8 8AAs

UK / Fiji
#1.a Gifts For Our Time by Anna Jacobs AA 5* 20/09/24
#1.b A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao 31/10/24 3* AA

City / Rural
#2.a Dressed by Iris by Mary-Anne O'Connor AA 5* 01/10/24
#2.b The Round Yard by Alissa Callen 4* 25/11/24 AA

Male MC / Female MC
#3.a The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay 20/11/24 5* AA
#3.b Someone Like You by Karly Lane 07/10/24 4* AA

Ancient times / Modern day
#4.a The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks AA 5* 13/11/24
#4.b Storm Child by Michael Robotham AA 4* 21/09/24