**Summer Reading Challenge** - 1/12/12 - 28/2/13

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Our season of heat, humidity and bushfires is finally here, and we want to celebrate making it through winter, enjoying the magnificent new growth in spring, and while getting ready for the New Year and 2013, enjoying the Summer sunshine and beautiful beaches!

When you've made your list, post it here in this thread, so everyone can see what you've chosen, then you can cross them off as you read them:)



Festivals during Summer in Australia

http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index...

1. Celebrate Australia! Choose a book from one of our many Aussie authors for this one.



2. Lighten the load! We will continue to chip away at our TBR shelves... Choose at least one book from your TBR list.

3. Food! We all love food, and the summer fare is yummy! Choose a book relating to summery foods, salads, barbeques, pavlova, recipes, anything where summery foods might be a topic or even the title!

http://www.goodreads.com/search?query...
http://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep...



4. Choose a book with a word related to SUMMER in the title (e.g. summer, heat, beach, holidays etc., I‘m sure you can think of many examples) OR a book that the story is set during summer
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/39...
http://www.dymocks.com.au/Search/resu...

5. Australia Day is on the 26th January, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australi...) so find something relating to the First Fleet, a National Day, family bbqs and get togethers, even Anzac biscuits...anything relating to our special day.

http://www.australiaday.com.au/



6. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is held in February. http://www.mardigras.org.au/ It’s one of the largest festivals in the world and is a major draw card for Australian tourism. So choose a book with a gay character or written by a gay author.

http://www.goodreads.com/genres/glbt

7. Christmas is almost upon us, and we will be hearing continual Christmas Carols from now on. Find a book about Christmas, but make sure there's reference somewhere to Carols in the story! e.g.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53...
http://www.goodreads.com/search?query...



8. New Release...choose a book which is released between 1st December, 2012 and 28th February 2013...it doesn't have to be by an Aussie author!

http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=New...
http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=New...

9. Have you checked out the excellent Literature Map website http://www.literature-map.com/? Type in the name of a favourite author, choose the author closest to him/her and select one of their books to read.

10. It’s Valentine’s Day in February! Choose a book with a touch of Romance. You'll be sure to find one you like from http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=Rom.... But feel free to interpret 'Romance' however you want. Could be romance, love of family or friends, love of a cause, country or even God. As long as it's a significant theme in the story it's OK.:)



And finally, for all of you who have MASSIVE TBR lists, and those who'd like to re-read and never have time.....

11. Choose a fantasy, paranormal or horror book from your TBR list

12. Choose a well-loved book, and re-read it, just because you can:) (if you don't want to do a re-read, choose a non-fiction from your TBR list)

LAY BACK, RELAX AND ENJOY A WONDERFUL SUMMER OF READING

[Sally906]

It's here!!! It's Here!!!!

Squeeeeeal!!!!!!

Doing a happy dance!

[MarciaB]

Thanks Brenda - Awesome challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "It's here!!! It's Here!!!!

Squeeeeeal!!!!!!

Doing a happy dance!"

I thought you might be happy Sally ;) Now it's time to sit down and figure out our summer reading....woohoo, that's the best part!! lol

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marcia wrote: "Thanks Brenda - Awesome challenge :)"

You're welcome....out comes our thinking caps;)

[Mish]

Wonderful Brenda. Now to work out what to read :)

[Paperback Princess]

With this challenge are we meant to complete from 1-12?

[Trina]

Paperback Princess wrote: "With this challenge are we meant to complete from 1-12?"
Yep, that's the goal! Good luck for picking books and completing!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Paperback Princess wrote: "With this challenge are we meant to complete from 1-12?"

Yes you choose books that you want to read, corresponding to the #1-12, and list them in here, and read them over the three months, crossing them off as you go:)

[Mish]

Paperback Princess wrote: "With this challenge are we meant to complete from 1-12?"

Yes that's right. Pick a book to read for each category and you've got the Summer months to read all 12 books selected.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "Wonderful Brenda. Now to work out what to read :)"

Good luck....I love the choosing part;)

[Zen]

Crikey, this is a challenge indeed Brenda :) I'm going to be reading in my thesis area through the summer (in prep for next March start) but I may tag along with you all on some categories, just for fun. In fact, I can probably build some of my study books in. Love the Literature map by the way - that's just fabulous :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zenmoon wrote: "Crikey, this is a challenge indeed Brenda :) I'm going to be reading in my thesis area through the summer (in prep for next March start) but I may tag along with you all on some categories, just fo..."

Good luck with it Karen, I'm glad you'll join in...great you can add your study books to the challenge:) Isn't the literature map fabulous!! I love it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

1. Celebrate Australia! ...book from Aussie author.... Suspect by Michael Robotham ★★★★★

2. Lighten the load! At least one book from TBR
a. The Time of Women by Elena Chizhova
b. Spare Change by Bette Lee Crosby
c. Sisters Of Mercy by Caroline Overington ★★★
d. Body Count by P.D. Martin ★★★★★

3. Food! Book related to summery foods Last Chance Cafe by Liz Byrski

4. Related to SUMMER in the title OR is set during summer... As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry ★★★★★

5. Australia Day ...relating to our special day.... Everything I Knew by Peter Goldsworthy

6. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras ..gay character or author.... The Likeness by Tana French ★★★★★

7. Christmas/Christmas Carols book with carols in the story ... The Christmas Train by David Baldacci ★★★★★

8. New Release - in the months of summer ... The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LaBan 8/1/13 release ★★★★★

The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke 22nd Jan 2013 release.

9. Literature Map .... I put in Lisa Gardner and the closest was Lisa Scottoline so my book is Devil's Corner ★★★★

10. Valentine’s Day ....my interpretation is Ripple by Tui Allen ★★★★

11. TBR fantasy/paranormal/horror... Paper Dolls by Anya Allyn released 13/12/12 ★★★★★

12. Re-read or non-fiction TBR ... my choice TBR ... Anne Frank Remembered: The Story Of The Woman Who Helped To Hide The Frank Family by Miep Gies

Phew!!! That took awhile:) Of course, all subject to change;)

[Cindy]

Fabulous challenge Brenda, so much variety..whoop whoop, yeah.
Just read the challenge to my 14 year old daughter and she was very enthusiastic, looks like a might have a reading partner... even better.

[Elaine]

Now I wish I'd seen this before committing to the challenge. I'm actually going to have to think about this!!! Not just be told what to read. Can I copy your list Brenda? Only kidding and thanks for the challenge and the invite.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Cindy wrote: "Fabulous challenge Brenda, so much variety..whoop whoop, yeah.
Just read the challenge to my 14 year old daughter and she was very enthusiastic, looks like a might have a reading partner... even be..."

Wow Cindy, that would be fantastic!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Now I wish I'd seen this before committing to the challenge. I'm actually going to have to think about this!!! Not just be told what to read. Can I copy your list Brenda? Only kidding and thanks fo..."

Don't be scared Elaine, just do what you can:) I always try to choose ones I own, so I can whittle them down, and the above are all ones I own!! But do your best, and the most important thing is to enjoy your reading:)

[Janine]

I love having an excuse to re-arrange the books in my TBR shelves so here is what I have found.
1. Celebrate Australia Barra Creek by Di Morrissey 2/12/12 3*
2. Lighten the Load A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell 12/12/12 4*
3. Food Last Chance Cafe by Liz Byrski 24/12/12 4*
4. Summer in Title Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand 5/1/13 3*
5. Australia Day The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville 29/12/12 3*
6. Gay Character When Tony Met Adam by Suzanne Brockmann 8/12/12 2*
7. Christmas My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr 6/12/12 3*
8. New Release The Lady Most Willing...: A Novel in Three Parts by Julia Quinn will be released 26/12 10/1/13 3*
9. Literature Map typed in Nora Roberts and got Susan Elizabeth Phillips Glitter Baby
10. Valentine's Day Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman 19/12/12 3*
11. Fantasy, Paranormal or horror Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
12. Re-read Birthright by Nora Roberts 13/1/13 4*

[Trina]

A tentative list:

1. Celebrate Australia! Choose a book from one of our many Aussie authors for this one: Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

2. Lighten the load! We will continue to chip away at our TBR shelves... Choose at least one book from your TBR list: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (hoping to read this before the movie comes out)

3. Food! We all love food, and the summer fare is yummy! Choose a book relating to summery foods, salads, barbeques, pavlova, recipes, anything where summery foods might be a topic or even the title!

4. Choose a book with a word related to SUMMER in the title (e.g. summer, heat, beach, holidays etc., I‘m sure you can think of many examples) OR a book that the story is set during summer: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson (fire being my summer word)

5. Australia Day is on the 26th January, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australi...) so find something relating to the First Fleet, a National Day, family bbqs and get togethers, even Anzac biscuits...anything relating to our special day: I think I'm going to stretch this one and read While I Live by John Marsden, including it cause it's about a war and I haven't read it in years. It's a stretch, but it's all I've got for it right now.

6. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is held in February. http://www.mardigras.org.au/ It’s one of the largest festivals in the world and is a major draw card for Australian tourism. So choose a book with a gay character or written by a gay author: (I love that this is included, and I haven't read many LGBTQI* books, which is odd, considering I belong to that group) Queer by William Burroughs

7. Christmas is almost upon us, and we will be hearing continual Christmas Carols from now on. Find a book about Christmas, but make sure there's reference somewhere to Carols in the story!

8. New Release...choose a book which is released between 1st December, 2012 and 28th February 2013...it doesn't have to be by an Aussie author!

9. Have you checked out the excellent Literature Map website http://www.literature-map.com/? Type in the name of a favourite author, choose the author closest to him/her and select one of their books to read: searched John Green, got Jay Asher, so Thirteen Reasons Why.

10. It’s Valentine’s Day in February! Choose a book with a touch of Romance: Atonement by Ian McEwan (I have no idea if it's actually a romance...)

11. Choose a fantasy, paranormal or horror book from your TBR list: The Waste Lands by Stephen King

12. Choose a well-loved book, and re-read it, just because you can:) (if you don't want to do a re-read, choose a non-fiction from your TBR list): going for non-fiction, with Dry by Augusten Burroughs

some of these might change, and I'll have to find books for the ones I left blank. I'll be seeing what everybody else posts!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Damn im going to be doing some serious thinking to get a full list on this one.

Brenda you didn't waste any time coming up with yours. O_0"

Took me quite awhile though Michael!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great lists there Janine and Trina:) Well done!

[Zoey]

Great challenge again Brenda. Thanks :)

Off to my bookshelf I go...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zoey wrote: "Great challenge again Brenda. Thanks :)

Off to my bookshelf I go..."

Glad you like it Zoey...enjoy the choosing;)

[Sally906]

OK - here is my list - a couple still to be decided :)

1. Celebrate Australia! Choose a book from one of our many Aussie authors for this one.

Drip Dry by Ilsa Evans

2. Lighten the load! Choose at least one book from your TBR list:

Following the Wrong God Home by Catherine Lim

3. Food! Choose a book relating to summery foods, salads, barbeques, pavlova, recipes, anything where summery foods might be a topic or even the title!

Phredde and the Ghostly Underpants - Stories to eat with a mango by Jackie French

4. Choose a book with a word related to SUMMER in the title (e.g. summer, heat, beach, holidays etc., I‘m sure you can think of many examples)

The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall

5. Australia Day is on the 26th January, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australi...) so find something relating to the First Fleet, a National Day, family bbqs and get togethers, even Anzac biscuits...anything relating to our special day.

Escape to Murray River Robert Elmer

6. So choose a book with a gay character or written by a gay author.

In the Name of the Father by Gerri Hill

7. Find a book about Christmas, but make sure there's reference somewhere to Carols in the story!
Merry's Christmas: a love story by Susan Rohrer

8. New Release...choose a book which is released between 1st December, 2012 and 28th February 2013...it doesn't have to be by an Aussie author!

The Skeleton Key by Tara Moss

9. On the Literature Map website type in the name of a favourite author, choose the author closest to him/her and select one of their books to read.
My current new discovery favourite author is Debora Geary – the closest to her was Robyn Carr

Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr

10. It’s Valentine’s Day in February! Choose a book with a touch of Romance.

Bonded In Brazil by Rhiannon Ellis


11. Choose a fantasy, paranormal or horror book from your TBR list

[[book:Confessions of a Vampire's Girlfriend|7831744] by Katie MacAlister

12. Choose a well-loved book, and re-read it, just because you can:)

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "I thought you might be happy Sally ;) Now it's time to sit down and figure out our summer reading....woohoo, that's the best part!! lol ."

Done! :)

Not much work got done at work this afternoon - but I looked very, very busy - LOL!!!

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: " Last Chance Cafe "

I enjoyed that one - was my new release for the Spring challenge

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Sally! Boy, you are lucky you can get away with doing it at work...and yes, you would have looked VERY busy...lol

Glad you enjoyed Last Chance Cafe..I've had it to read for awhile:)

[Elaine]

Oh, my. Here goes!!!

1. Celebrate Australia:

2.Lighten the Load:

3.Food:

4.Related to Summer:


5.Australia Day:

6.Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras:

7.Christmas:

8.New Release: The Last Runaway

9. Literature Map, typed in Alison Weir and got

10. Valentine's Day:

11.Fantasy/Paranormal/Horror:

12.Re-read or Non-fiction:

[Elaine]

Didn't quite work out the way I'd hoped. Is this good enough Brenda or do I need to put in the title and author? I'm really hopeless at this.

[Elaine]

Thanks Michael.

[Zoey]

Here is my list...

1. Aussie Author - The Dead of Night John Marsden
2. TBR
(a)Score! Jilly Cooper
(b) Pandora Jilly Cooper
(c)Katharine the Virgin Widow Jean Plaidy
3. Food - The Shadow of the Pomegranate Jean Plaidy
4. Summer related title - The Opal Desert Di Morrissey
5. Australia Day - Dawn: One Hell Of A Life Dawn Fraser
6. Gay Character - Lord John and the Private Matter Diana Gabaldon
7. Christmas Carol - Six Geese A-Laying Sophie Kinsella
8. New Release - The Agincourt Bride Joanna Hickson
9. Literature Map - put in Diana Gabladon & got Sara Donati - Into the Wilderness Sara Donati
10. Romance - Fifty Shades of Grey E.L. James
11. Fantasy/Paranormal/Horror - Dead Until Dark Charlaine Harris
12. Non-Fiction - Tokyo Hostess: Inside the Shocking World of Tokyo Nightclub Hostessing Clare Campbell

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Didn't quite work out the way I'd hoped. Is this good enough Brenda or do I need to put in the title and author? I'm really hopeless at this."

Elaine, that's fantastic! Well done:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent list Zoey:)

[Elaine]

Zoey wrote: "Here is my list...

1. Aussie Author - The Dead of NightJohn Marsden
2. TBR
(a)Score!Jilly Cooper
(b) PandoraJi..."

It's funny Zoey but I almost put in Plaidy's The Shadow of the Pomegranatefor my Food choice too. Looks like we have some similar tastes.

[Christy]

I love love LOVE these challenges and am working diligently on my list!! I agree choosing the books is the best part!!
Thanks Brenda - great challenge!

[Sabina]

I'm having trouble coming up with books for my list (which should be impossible considering the massive amount of books I have here!). These are subject to change of course too. =)

1. Celebrate Australia! Book from Aussie author: by Melina Marchetta

2. Lighten the load! At least one book from TBR: - Alison Goodman


3. Food! Book related to summery foods: I'll pick out of these when I get to it - depends what grabs my attention at the time

4. Related to SUMMER in the title OR is set during summer: by Lauren Oliver

5. Australia Day: TBA

6. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (gay character or author): Maybe or if I can find one of them at the library.

7. Christmas/Christmas Carols book with carols in the story: TBA

8. New Summer Release: Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes ★★★★

9. Literature Map: I put in Kristin Cashore and have picked Melissa Marr so I'll read

10. Valentine’s Day:

11. TBR fantasy/paranormal/horror: by Liz Jensen

12. Re-read or non-fiction TBR: TBA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "I love love LOVE these challenges and am working diligently on my list!! I agree choosing the books is the best part!!
Thanks Brenda - great challenge!"

You're welcome Christy...look forward to seeing your list:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good choices there Sabina:)

[[deleted user]]

seeing as i will have the net at home soon, I am IN!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yay Melanie!!! (You must be finished your yearly one you set yourself by now?)

[[deleted user]]

sigh, not even close! I have not updated in a bit but Im way way behind! to much moving and settling into new jobs

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Melanie wrote: "sigh, not even close! I have not updated in a bit but Im way way behind! to much moving and settling into new jobs"

I bet you can't remember what you've read to update it;) And you do have an excuse:)

[[deleted user]]

These are my selections
Celebrate Australia - The House of Memories

Lighten the load - Trust your Eyes

Food- The Plum Tree

Summer- The Island House

Australia Day - Out of Australia

Mardis Gras - The Book Club

Christmas - Christmas Past

New release - Dancing to the Flute

Literature map - put in Jodi Picoult - for Audrey Niffenegger

Valentines Day - The Ship of Brides

TBR Fantasy - Mark of the Dragon Queen

TBR Non - Fiction - The Rape of Europa: The Fate of Europe's Treasures in the Third Reich and the Second World War

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice list Jen:) I thought you were reading The Secret Keeper now?

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "Nice list Jen:) I thought you were reading The Secret Keeper now?"

Oh true I got excited and forgot the challenge hadn't started yet lol thank you for pointing that out

[MarciaB]

Michael wrote: "Great lists everyone. Only 14 more days to go before we can all start.

I am still thinking about the composition of my list. :)"

Yeah, me too Michael - hopefully, with only 14 days left now, I will get to finish my second rainbow of the Spring Challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Nice list Jen:) I thought you were reading The Secret Keeper now?"

Oh true I got excited and forgot the challenge hadn't started yet lol thank you for pointing that out"

LOL...well there's a good excuse to get another one in there;) and the one you've chosen is also a great one:)

[MarciaB]

Michael wrote: "Marcia wrote: "Michael wrote: "Great lists everyone. Only 14 more days to go before we can all start.

I am still thinking about the composition of my list. :)"

Yeah, me too Michael - hopefully, w..."

Michael, I sure hope I don't disappoint you :)

[Jackmeister]

Summer Reading Challenge, it sounds tough but I'm in,

1 - Celebrate Australia - Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden
2 - Lighten The Load - Heartsick by Chelsea Cain
3 - Food - The Dreadful Lemon Sky by John D McDonald
4 - Summer - Laguna Heat by T Jefferson Parker
5 - Australia Day - Still thinking??
6 - Mardi Gras - LA Heat by P A Brown
7 - Christmas - Still thinking ??
8 - New Release - Suspect by Robert Crais
9 - Literature Map - Three Shirt Deal (I typed in Robert Crais and got Stephen J Cannell)
10 - Valentines Day - Valentines Day Is Killing Me by Leslie Esdaile
11 - Fantasy/Horror - Stolen Angels by Shaun Hutson
12 - Reread - Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly

How did you guys get the book covers in there?