Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)’s
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(group member since Nov 16, 2021)
Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while)’s
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from the Aussie Readers group.
Showing 141-160 of 358
Love, friendship and the importance of family.
The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman ⭐⭐⭐⭐+ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An edge of your seat mystery/thriller
The Girl in the Dark by Zoë Sharp ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Confusing, disappointing.
Only the Guilty Survive by Kate Robards ⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A dual reality concept that works really well!
The Other Year by Rea Frey ⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An absorbing historical mystery
The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I feel shattered in the best possible way after finishing
Swimming to Lundy by Amanda Prowse ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Australian crime fiction -
Return to Moondilla by Tony Parsons ⭐⭐⭐.8https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A quietly magical and emotional mystery.
Memories of the Lost by Barbara O'Neal ⭐⭐⭐.6 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Bordeaux Book Club by Gillian Harvey Charming and uplifting ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
All done, Brenda! 💕📚July Featured Author - Greg Woodland
Duration: 1/7/24 - 31/7/24
Level: HARD
9/9
AA🦘 5/5
TASKS
#1. Greg's first crime novel The Night Whistler was published by Text Publishing in 2020, and the sequel, The Carnival is Over was published in 2022.
**Read a book where the first letter of each title word fits into THE NIGHT WHISTLER
In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan COMPLETED 26.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#2. The Night Whistler was shortlisted for the 2021 Ned Kelly Awards Best Debut Crime Novel. The Carnival Is Over was shortlisted for the 2023 Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction.
**Read a book where BOTH the author's initials fit into NED KELLY AWARDS
The Skeleton House by Katherine Allum AA🦘 COMPLETED 11.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#3. Greg's award-winning short films and documentaries have screened at national and international film festivals and TV channels.
**Read a SHORT STORY (more than 125 pages/less than 250 pages) show page count
Wedding Bells by the Creek by Janet Gover AA🦘 COMPLETED 02/07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... 128 pages#4. Greg has lectured in Scriptwriting at Macquarie University, UTS, and AFTRS. Script editing credits include feature films ‘Moon Rock for Monday’, 'Shayda', ‘Don’t Tell’, ‘Needle’, ‘Cold Turkey’, ‘The Bet’, The Tropfest 2013 Best Film Winner 'We've All Been There', 2016 AWG John Hinde Science Fiction script award winner.
**Read a book which has been made into a MOVIE or TV series
Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves (The Vera Stanhope TV series) COMPLETED 05.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...BONUS
**Read a book by Greg Woodland
The Night Whistler by Greg Woodland AA🦘 COMPLETED 30.09.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...SPELLOUT
G -
The Godmothers by Monica McInerney AA🦘 COMPLETED 18.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...R -
The Reach by B. Michael Radburn AA🦘 COMPLETED 09.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...E -
The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn COMPLETED 31.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...G -
The People in the Photo by Hélène Gestern COMPLETED 29.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August Featured Author - Rhys BowenDuration: 1/8/24 - 31/8/24
Level: MEDIUM
9/9
AA 2/2
TASKS
#1. Rhys Bowen is a well renowned, best-selling author of mystery novels.
**Read a Mystery.
The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page COMPLETED 26.08.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#2. Rhys has written three very successful series, Her Royal Spyness, Molly Murphy and Constable Evans.
**Read a book from a series AND where BOTH the author's initials can be found in 'Constable Evans'
The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves COMPLETED 28.08.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#3. Rhys was born in the UK but now lives in the USA, spending the summer in California and the winter in Arizona.
**Read a book set in the USA
Only the Guilty Survive by Kate Robards COMPLETED 15.08.24 ⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#4. Rhys Bowen is a pen name. Her real name is Janet Quin-Harkin.
**Read a book written under a pen name OR
The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne COMPLETED 31.08.24 ⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...BONUS
**Read a book by Rhys Bowen
The Rose Arbor by Rhys Bowen COMPLETED 13.08.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...SPELL OUT - RHYS
R -
Return to Moondilla by Tony Parsons AA🦘 COMPLETED 06.08.24 ⭐⭐⭐.8 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...H -
A Class Act by Julie Houston COMPLETED 06.08.24⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Y -
Ya-Yas in Bloom by Rebecca Wells COMPLETED 20.08.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...S -
Sanctuary by Garry Disher AA🦘 COMPLETED 20.08.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
ALL DONE!Count me in please. 💕📚
June Featured Author - Nora Roberts
Duration: 1/6/24 - 30/6/24
Level: HARD
8/9
AA 🦘 4/4
TASKS
#1. Nora Roberts is a well renowned author of romance novels. Since 1999 every one of her novels has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list
**Read a romance.
Wallaby Lane by Maya Linnell AA🦘 COMPLETED 11.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐.8 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#2. Under the pen name of J.D.Robb Nora has written a very long mystery series, called the In Death series
**Read a Mystery
Smoke and Mirrors by M E Hilliard COMPLETED 06.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... #3. Nora has always lived in the USA although she claims Irish ancestry and often includes Irish characters in her books.
**Read a book set in Ireland
For Once In My Life: The BRAND NEW beautifully heart-warming book club read from Sian O'Gorman for 2024 by Siân O'Gorman COMPLETED 30.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#4. Most of us know J.D.Robb is a pen name but did you know Nora Roberts is as well? Her birth name is Eleanor Marie Robertson.
**Read a book written under a pen name
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith COMPLETED 18.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...BONUS
**Read a book by Nora Roberts. (or J.D. Robb)
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb COMPLETED 30.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐.8 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...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.
NORA
N -
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty AA 🦘COMPLETED 30.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...O -
On Call by Ineke Meredith COMPLETED 03.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...R -
Storm Child by Michael Robotham AA🦘 COMPLETED 28.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...A -
Death Holds the Key by Alexander Thorpe AA🦘 COMPLETED 08.06.24 ⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sign me up please, Brenda! 💕📚July Featured Author - Greg Woodland
Duration: 1/7/24 - 31/7/24
Level: HARD
9/9
AA🦘 5/5
TASKS
#1. Greg's first crime novel The Night Whistler was published by Text Publishing in 2020, and the sequel, The Carnival is Over was published in 2022.
**Read a book where the first letter of each title word fits into THE NIGHT WHISTLER
In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan COMPLETED 26.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#2. The Night Whistler was shortlisted for the 2021 Ned Kelly Awards Best Debut Crime Novel. The Carnival Is Over was shortlisted for the 2023 Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction.
**Read a book where BOTH the author's initials fit into NED KELLY AWARDS
The Skeleton House by Katherine Allum AA🦘 COMPLETED 11.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#3. Greg's award-winning short films and documentaries have screened at national and international film festivals and TV channels.
**Read a SHORT STORY (more than 125 pages/less than 250 pages) show page count
Wedding Bells by the Creek by Janet Gover AA🦘 COMPLETED 02/07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... 128 pages#4. Greg has lectured in Scriptwriting at Macquarie University, UTS, and AFTRS. Script editing credits include feature films ‘Moon Rock for Monday’, 'Shayda', ‘Don’t Tell’, ‘Needle’, ‘Cold Turkey’, ‘The Bet’, The Tropfest 2013 Best Film Winner 'We've All Been There', 2016 AWG John Hinde Science Fiction script award winner.
**Read a book which has been made into a MOVIE or TV series
Hidden Depths by Ann Cleeves (The Vera Stanhope TV series) COMPLETED 05.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...BONUS
**Read a book by Greg Woodland
The Night Whistler by Greg Woodland AA🦘 COMPLETED 30.09.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...SPELLOUT
G -
The Godmothers by Monica McInerney AA🦘 COMPLETED 18.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...R -
The Reach by B. Michael Radburn AA🦘 COMPLETED 09.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.2 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...E -
The Dubrovnik Book Club by Eva Glyn COMPLETED 31.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...G -
The People in the Photo by Hélène Gestern COMPLETED 29.07.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Search Party marks a move in genre for author Hannah Richell. I have loved everything this author has written, and The Search Party is no different. It crackles with tension as the readers tries to determine who is missing, who is in hospital and, most importantly, who is responsible.Decades long friendships aren't always all they are cracked up to be. Inevitably some people are more successful than others, have better lifestyles - or so they think! The keeping of secrets can take a toll on friendships and lies will always out. A secret is not a secret unless only one person knows. Partners change the dynamics of old friendships, especially when old ones are discarded and new blood brought in.
Children also alter the dynamics. Parents boast and compare. Children don't always get on. There always has to be one weaker one, the one that gets picked on. And not necessarily only by the other children.
All these models are in play in The Search Party. What starts out as a trial run for the glamping business Max and Annie have set up quickly deteriorates into a maelstrom of anger compounded by a storm that cuts off all access to the outside world.
Most of these characters are not at all likeable, particularly Dominic. You'll soon see why. Suze and Annie are at the other end of the spectrum, the other characters falling somewhere in between. But in The Search Party, the characters are secondary to the plot. From the prologue on, Richell keeps her readers guessing. The story is told from multiple points of view, the flashbacks to earlier events in the form of police interviews. Layers of suspense are interspersed with those of dread and foreboding. The reader is kept in the dark for as long as possible as to the identities of the characters in danger which only adds to the suspense.
Twisty, fast-paced and thrilling, suspenseful and chilling. Hannah Richell has hit a home run.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
FINISHED! 💕📚I'm in please. 💕📚
Autumn 2024 Challenge
Duration: 1/3/24 - 31/5/24
Level: HARD
13/13
✅AA🦘: 6/6
TASKS: Each title must contain the following:
1. A colour.
The Sisters of Blue Mountain Beach by Kalan Chapman Lloyd COMPLETED 29.05.24 ⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅2. A number.
One Long Weekend: The BRAND NEW uplifting book club pick from NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER Shari Low for 2024 by Shari Low COMPLETED 07.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅3. A first name.
The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up by Laura Pearson COMPLETED 09.04.24 ⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅4. A place.
The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle by Annie Rains COMPLETED 31.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅5. A form of water.
Red River Road by Anna Downes AA🦘COMPLETED 02.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅6. A day, month or season
With Winter Comes Darkness by Robbi Neal AA🦘COMPLETED 06.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
SPELL OUT: FOLIAGE
✅F -
The Hidden Hours by Sara Foster AA 🦘 COMPLETED 06/03/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅O -
One by One by Freida McFadden FINISHED 31.03.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅L -
Last Best Chance by Brooke Dunnell AA 🦘COMPLETED 10.04.24 ⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅I -
If I Should Lose You by Natasha Lester AA 🦘 (pub. date 03.04.24) COMPLETED 05.04.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅A -
Can You Tolerate This? by Ashleigh Young NZA COMPLETED 08.04.24 ⭐⭐⭐.9 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅G -
The Bookshop on Jacaranda Street by Marlish Glorie AA 🦘COMPLETED 20.04.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅E -
In Her Place by Edel Coffey COMPLETED 22.04.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
FINISHED! May Featured Author - Sophie GreenDuration: 1/5/24 - 31/5/24
Level: HARD 10/10
AA🦘 5/5
TASKS
✅#1. Sophie Green is an author and publisher who lives in Sydney. In her spare time she writes about country music on her website, Sunburnt Country Music.
**Read a book where the first letter of each title word fits into SUNBURNT COUNTRY MUSIC (2 word minimum) AND a STANDALONE book
Secrets of Riverside by Mandy Magro AA 🦘 COMPLETED 09.05.24 ⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅#2. Sophie's debut novel was The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club
**Read a DEBUT novel
The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green COMPLETED 06/05/24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...#3. Sophie is internationally published and her five published novels in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 have all been Top 10 Bestsellers
**Read a book set internationally (to you)
Wind In The Wires by Joy Dettman AA 🦘COMPLETED 30.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅#4. Sophie's debut novel was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards for General Fiction Book of the Year 2018, and longlisted for both the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year 2018 and the Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction 2018.
**Read a CONTEMPORARY novel
Behind a Closed Door by J.D. Barker COMPLETED 14.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅BONUS
**Read a book by Sophie Green -
The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green AA🦘COMPLETED 23.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...SPELLOUT - AWARD
✅A -
A New Dawn at Owl's Lodge by Jessica Redland COMPLETED 22.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅W -
With Winter Comes Darkness by Robbi Neal AA 🦘 COMPLETED 06.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅A -
The Art of Murder by Fiona Walker COMPLETED 26.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...✅R -
Red River Road by Anna Downes AA 🦘COMPLETED 02.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
✅D -
The Birds And Other Stories (Virago Modern Classics) by Daphne Du Maurier by Daphne du Maurier COMPLETED 12.05.24 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Count me in too please. 💕📚Friday 7th June
Forgotten on Sunday by Valérie Perrin 29 pages
The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan 104 pagesDAILY TOTAL = 133 pages
Saturday 8th June
Forgotten on Sunday by Valérie Perrin 44 pages
The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan 82 pages
Death Holds the Key by Alexander Thorpe 76 pages (COMPLETED)DAILY TOTAL = 202 pages
RUNNING TOTAL = 335 pages
Sunday 9th June
Wallaby Lane by Maya Linnell 80 pages
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith 56 pages
The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan 94 pagesDAILY TOTAL = 230 pages
GRAND TOTAL = 565 pages
