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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My review for my last one read, Dudes Down Under .. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "I changed my last TBR from The Time of Women as I just couldn't get into it, to Dudes Down Under , so I have finished this challenge now:)

My updated challenge list:

1. Celebrate Australia! ...bo..."

Wow, great job Brenda. That's an awesome effort!!!

[Elaine]

Zoey wrote: "Update so far

1. Aussie Author - The Dead of NightJohn Marsden 4★
2. TBR
(a)Score!Jilly Cooper 3.5★
(b) Pandora[bookcover:Pandora|339215..."

Zoey you're doing amazingly well. I'm really in awe of how fast some of you guys can read. I've got 6 more to read for this challenge and I don't think I'm going to make it. Mind you it doesn't help that I'm reading 2 books at the moment that aren't part of any of the challenges but they were calling out to me and I just had to read them!!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I changed my last TBR from The Time of Women as I just couldn't get into it, to Dudes Down Under , so I have finished this challenge now:)

My updated challenge list:

1. Celebrate A..."

Thanks Elaine:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Mind you it doesn't help that I'm reading 2 books at the moment that aren't part of any of the challenges but they were calling out to me and I just had to read them!!!!..."

Well, surely you can incorporate them into your challenge Elaine? ;) You are doing really well...don't beat yourself up! As long as you're enjoying your reading, it doesn't matter really, does it!

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Mind you it doesn't help that I'm reading 2 books at the moment that aren't part of any of the challenges but they were calling out to me and I just had to read them!!!!..."

Well, s..."

No, that's exactly right Brenda. I just don't like not finishing what I start. I could include them in the January challenge but I don't think they'll fit into the Summer reads. Nevermind, I'm still really enjoying this and it's great to see what everyone else is reading. And adding to my TBR!!!

[Elaine]

Michael wrote: "I know what thats like Elaine when a books is crying out to be read. It says "read me you know you want to" and we go "alright then" :D"

Absolutely, Michael. You can't resist and it doesn't matter that you've got all these other books you've chosen to read, you have to read THAT one!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Mind you it doesn't help that I'm reading 2 books at the moment that aren't part of any of the challenges but they were calling out to me and I just had to read them!!..."

Michael wrote: "I know what thats like Elaine when a books is crying out to be read. It says "read me you know you want to" and we go "alright then" :D"

Haha! I think we all do it...hence my extras I've also read;) And enjoyment is the key:)

[Nicola]

Finished the TBR book - The Light Behind The Window / Lucinda Riley and loved it!

[Trina]

Finished my non-fiction pick Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku. Rated it 5 stars, it was very enjoyable, maybe my favourite science read so far.

[[deleted user]]

Wow awesome lists, everyone going great!
I've ended up swapping out my Non Fiction read as I'm going to need a much longer timeframe to get through my original choice - it's so heavy going and I don't want to rush it. So I've gone with At Home: A Short History of Private Life

[Elaine]

Just realised I've read 7 books towards this challenge not 6 so that makes me feel a bit better.

Finished:

1. Celebrate Australia A God for the Killing 3 stars

2. Lighten the load Defending Jacob 4 stars

6. Sydney Gay/Lesbian Mardis Gras My Ántonia 4 stars

7. Christmas The Christmas Pearl 4 stars

8. New release The Last Runaway 4 stars

10. Valentine's Day To Be Sung Underwater 4 stars

12. Nonfiction or reread The Zookeeper's Wife 3 stars

[Elaine]

Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Wow awesome lists, everyone going great!
I've ended up swapping out my Non Fiction read as I'm going to need a much longer timeframe to get through my original choice - it's so heavy going and I d..."

I love Bill Bryson. He has a way of making everyday, mundane things seem really interesting. Every book of his I've read I've found very entertaining. Hope you enjoy it, Jennie.

[Kirsten]

Elaine wrote: "I love Bill Bryson. He has a way of making everyday, mundane things seem really interesting. Every book of his I've read I've found very entertaining. Hope you enjoy it, Jennie. "

I agree! At Home was one of my favourites of his.

[Nicola]

Another one down....
GLBT Author Seriously...I'm Kidding / Ellen DeGeneres

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Just realised I've read 7 books towards this challenge not 6 so that makes me feel a bit better.

Finished:

1. Celebrate Australia A God for the Killing 3 ..."

Well done Elaine:)

[Sally906]

I'm reading my last 2 now - and then I will be able to relax for February and do some personal reading just because I can :)

Am heading of to Europe in June and given myself a list of 12 books each set in one of the countries we will be visiting - have read 4 and have 8 to go - sofebruary will be the month to knock them off I think :) Before the Autumn challenge starts - LOL!!!

Oh - I am reading

The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall (my book that has "Summer" in the title)and Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome(my "re-read")

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

How exciting Sally! How long will you be away?

[[deleted user]]

Just finished my 10th book for this challenge - another excellent fantasy novel by Katie W. Stewart ★ ★ ★ ★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Just finished my 10th book for this challenge - another excellent fantasy novel by Katie W. Stewart "

Glad you enjoyed it Jen!

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Just finished my 10th book for this challenge - another excellent fantasy novel by Katie W. Stewart "

Glad you enjoyed ..."

And I see there`s going to be a sequel to Treespeaker Brenda

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Just finished my 10th book for this challenge - another excellent fantasy novel by Katie W. Stewart "

Gl..."

Oooh really?? How exciting!! When is to be released, do you know?

[[deleted user]]

Nope I just had a look at Katie`s page and it has a possible cover for it if you scroll right to the bottom it has a bit of a blurb also. I am reading the site and her other one now to see if there`s any info there.
http://www.katiewstewart.com/books.html

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That will be great, let me know what you find:)

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Just finished my 10th book for this challenge - another excellent fantasy novel by Katie W. Stewart [bookcover:Mark of..."

I just sent her fan mail lol Ive never done that before! I think theres a hint of maybe this year? on her other page for the sequel

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Good on you Jen! We will wait and see then:) Thanks.

[Ben]

Well done Brenda! I have one book left and then I'll be done as well. Consider Phlebas (my literature map choice) was a bit of a disappointment in the end, but some of the author's more recent books still sound good so I will give him another chance later on.

1. Aussie Author - Pilgrims by Will Elliott
2. Lighten the Load - The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe ★★★★
3. Food - Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard ★★★★
4. Summer - The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi ★★★
5. Australia Day - 1788 by Watkin Tench ★★★★
6. Mardi Gras - The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan ★★★★
7. Christmas - Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey ★★★★
8. New Release - Gun Machine by Warren Ellis ★★★★
9. Literature Map - Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks ★★
10. Valentines Day - Driven by James Sallis ★★★
11. TBR Fantasy - The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe ★★
12. TBR Non-Fiction - Race Matters by Cornel West★★★★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow Ben, you're sailing along!

[Ben]

Brenda wrote: "Wow Ben, you're sailing along!"

Yeah, I've surprised myself a bit! Looks like I'll have about a month to knock over a couple of extra TBR books before the autumn challenge.

[MarciaB]

Review for is here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[MarciaB]

My latest, updated challenge list:

1. Celebrate Australia -
The Girl in the Hard Hat - complete and review posted

2. Lighten the Load -
A Beautiful Place To Die - complete and review posted
AND
Home by Dark - complete and review posted

3. Food -
Georgia's Kitchen

4. Word relating to Summer -
The Beach House - complete and review posted

5. Australia Day -
Rough Diamond - due for
release 30 January 2013 - complete and review posted

6. Sydney Gay & Lesbian (GLBT) - Gay character -
Secrets of the Tides - complete and review posted


7. Christmas (incl Carols) -
Twelve Days of Christmas

8. New Release (Dec - Feb) -
Hooked - due for release 29 January

9. Literature Map -
Black Ice
(Similar to Linda Howard)

10. Valentine's Day -
Me Before You - complete and review posted
AND
Queen Of The Road - complete and review posted

11. Fantasy / Paranormal from TBR
TBA
12. Non-Fiction from TBR
TBA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marcia wrote: "My latest, updated challenge list:

1. Celebrate Australia -
The Girl in the Hard Hat - complete and review posted

2. Lighten the Load -
A Beautiful Place To Die - complete and review posted..."

Doing well Marcia:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ben wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Wow Ben, you're sailing along!"

Yeah, I've surprised myself a bit! Looks like I'll have about a month to knock over a couple of extra TBR books before the autumn challenge."

That will be good Ben..it's always nice to get a few of them out of the way:)

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "How exciting Sally! How long will you be away?"

4th June - 28th June - going on a river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam - with 2 days stop over in Singapore there and back. Been saving for this one for a long while :)

[Nicola]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "How exciting Sally! How long will you be away?"

4th June - 28th June - going on a river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam - with 2 days stop over in Singapore there and back. Been ..."

Sounds like fun! Wish I was going as well.... Was in Amsterdam and Singapore this time last year, along with a few other stops on my whirlwind round the world trip! Have fun...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "How exciting Sally! How long will you be away?"

4th June - 28th June - going on a river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam - with 2 days stop over in Singapore there and back. Been ..."

Oh wow!!! That will be totally amazing! I hope the weather is good to you...you will have a ball! Lots of photos in our photo thread when you come back Sally:)

[MarciaB]

Doing well Marcia:)"

Thanks Brenda - not as quick as the last one though (lol)!

[MarciaB]

Michael wrote: "Great going Marcia. :)"

Thanks Michael :)

[Kathryn]

Updated list - 10+1 / 12 completed! Two to go! Looking forward to A Possible Life: A Novel in Five Parts next!




1. Celebrate Australia: Nine Days by Toni Jordan 3★

2. TBR: The Prodigal Daughter by Jeffrey Archer 4★

3. Food: The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara 4★

4.Related to Summer: The Beach House by Jane Green 3★

5. Australia Day: The Lieutenant Kate Grenville 3★

6. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters 2★

7.Christmas: Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K. Paul 5★

8. New release: A Possible Life: A Novel in Five Parts by Sebastian Faulks

9. Literature Map, typed in Jeffrey Archer and got Wilbur Smith
Those in Peril by Wilbur A. Smith 2★ (probably really only worth 1.5★)

10. Valentine's Day: Paris in Love by Eloisa James I thoroughly enjoyed this - it wasn't quite what I was expecting, being snippets of the author's blogs/Facebook status, but it sounded like a lovely time in Paris! 3★

Am also including The Surgeon's Wife by William H. Coles since I read it for another challenge and it fits into this group. 2★

11.Fantasy/Paranormal/Horror: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

12.Re-read or Non-fiction: Band-Aid for a Broken Leg Damien Brown 4★

[Mish]

Great Kathryn. You're doing well :)

[Melissa]

Melissa wrote: "My reviews so far:

1. Celebrate Australia http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
3. Food Related http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
4. Summer http://www.goodreads.com/review/sh..."
6. Mardi Gras
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
7. Christmas. The night before Christmas. I read this to my kids every Christmas eve.
9. Literature map. I typed in Anne Rice and went with James Patterson http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
10.Valentines Day http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
11. Paranormal http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
12. Re-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Melissa]

My daughter Ashleigh's progress so far.

1. Aussie author
3. Food
4. Summer
7. Christmas
10 Valentines Day
11. Paranormal
12 Re read an old favourite

[Elaine]

So only 5 more to go in this challenge. Those left are:

3. Food: Chocolat

4. Related to Summer: The Last Rose Of Summer which I changed to after not being able to get Prodigal Summer

5. Australia Day: The Secret River

9. Literature map: Typed in Alison Weir and got The Lady of the Rivers

11. Fantasy/Paranormal/Horror: The Historian

Fingers crossed I make it as this is my first official challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations guys! Awesome results:)

[Trina]

Finished my new release, The Agincourt Bride, rated it three stars. I've got four to go.

[[deleted user]]

Reading #11 book for this challenge: Dancing to the Flute

[[deleted user]]

Half Way!


1. Celebrate Australia (Aussie Author) -Shadows

2. Lighten the Load! (TBR) -Unearthly

3. Food! - TBR

4. Summer - The Sea of Tranquility

5. Australia Day - On the Jellicoe Road

6. GLBT Author - Will Grayson, Will Grayson

7. Christmas- Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

8. New Release -Uses for Boys

9. Literature Map - Christopher Paolini to Cinda Williams Chima so - The Demon King

10. Valentine's Day - Asphodel

11. Fantasy TBR - Throne of Glass

12. Re-read - The Hobbit

[Melissa]

Another one for the list

3. Food related (my only memory of this from highschool was tomato day) http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Lesley]

To bring my list up to date with 4 still to go
1. Australian author - Debra Adelaide 'The Household Guide to Dying'.
2. TBR - Michael Chabon "The Yiddish Policeman's Union'.
3. Food - Thomas Fox Averill 'The Secret of the Tsil Cafe'
4.Summer
5.Australian/Anzac - Patsy Adam-Smith 'Hear the
Train Whistle Blow/Goodbye Girlie'
6. Gay - Robert Dessaix 'Corfu'
7.Carols - Charles Dickens 'The Christmas Books. Volume 2'
8.New release.
9. Literature Map -
10.Romance
11. Fantasy - Paul Collins 'Dragonlinks'
12 Reread - David Eddings 'The Mallorean Chronicals' set of 5.

[Mish]

1 The Household Guide To Dying
2 The Yiddish Policemen's Union
3 Secrets of the Tsil Caf
5 Hear the Train Blow & Goodbye Girlie
6 Corfu
7 The Christmas Books, Volume 2: The Cricket on the Heart/The Battle of Life/The Haunted Man
11 Dragonlinks
12 David Eddings The Mallorean Chronicals


You doing well Lesley :)