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

[Janine]

I have finished!
1. Australian Author - Barra Creek by Di Morrissey 3*
2. TBR - A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell 4*
3. Food - Last Chance Cafe by Liz Byrski 4*
4. Summer - Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand 3*
5. Australia Day - The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville 3*
6. Gay Character - When Tony Met Adam by Suzanne Brockmann 2*
7. Christmas - My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr 3*
8. Summer new release - The Lady Most Willing...: A Novel in Three Parts by Julia Quinn 3*
9. Literature Map - Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips 3*
10. Valentine's Day - Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman 3*
11. Fantasy - Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 3*
12. Re-read - Birthright by Nora Roberts 4*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Janine! Great result!!

[Ben]

I'm finished as well!

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]

Fantastic, well done Ben!!

[Nicola]

Another one has bitten the dust! I've finished
The Woman Who Changed Her Brain: And Other Inspiring Stories of Pioneering Brain Transformation / Barbara Arrowsmith-Young
It was extremely interesting, although I did wonder how she managed to exist and get where she is today with all the learning disabilities she had!

[Lesley]

I recently finished my food-related read My Life in France, rated it 3 stars. Has anyone else read this? My guess is Julia Child is the Margaret Fulton of American cooking.

[Trina]

Updated list!

1. Aussie author: Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

2. TBR: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 5/5

3. Food: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 5/5

4. Summer book: The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson 5/5

5. Australia Day: While I Live by John Marsden 4/5

6. LGBT*: Queer by William Burroughs 5/5

7. Christmas: hoping to get a copy of Let It Snow 5/5

8. New release: The Agincourt Bride by Joanna Hickson 3/5

9. Literature map: searched John Green, got Jay Asher and so I'll be reading Thirteen Reasons Why 5/5

10. Valentine's day: Atonement by Ian McEwan

11. Fantasy/paranormal/horror: The Waste Lands by Stephen King 5/5

12. Reread or non-fiction: Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku 5/5

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Trina and Michael!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're doing really well:) You should finish it with your holidays giving you lots of reading time;)

[Catherine]

UPDATE 8/12



1. A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz
2. Geist by Philippa Ballantine
3. The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi
4. Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
5. Australia Day - MAYBE The Girl from Botany Bay by Carolly Erickson
6. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
7. The Greatest Gift: The Original Story That Inspired the Christmas Classic It's a Wonderful Life and Matchless: A Christmas Story
8. New Release: A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan, Brandon
9. A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
10. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
11. Dragon Haven by Robin Hobb
12. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

[Elaine]

Hi Cath,
Just wondering what you thought of A Fraction of the Whole ? I had it on my list as well but found that I just couldn't get into it. Read about 40 pages and just had to leave it.

[[deleted user]]

Here's my updated list: I've swapped out my NF read

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 ★ ★ ★ ★1/2

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 - Blogging the Smart Way - How to Create and Market a Killer Blog with Social Media

[[deleted user]]

One to go!

[Catherine]

Elaine wrote: "Hi Cath,
Just wondering what you thought of A Fraction of the Whole ? I had it on my list as well buund that I just couldn't get into it. Read about 40 pages and just had to leave it."

Hello Elaine. It gets better as the story progresses, I ended up liking it. Very rich characters. Just read a few more chapters and if you still not enjoying it, read another book. :-)

[Catherine]

Thanks Michael :-)

[Elaine]

Cath wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Hi Cath,
Just wondering what you thought of A Fraction of the Whole ? I had it on my list as well buund that I just couldn't get into it. Read about 40 pages and just had to leave i..."

I might go back to it, Cath. I normally don't like giving up on a book and this one came highly recommended. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback. Good luck with the rest of the challenge.

[Trina]

Read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this morning, it was lovely of course. It'd been a long time since I'd read it! Two to go!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done everyone! Some great results there:)

[MarciaB]

Ok, so I still have 6 to go, whew:

3. Food -
Georgia's Kitchen

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

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

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

11. Fantasy / Paranormal from TBR
TBA

12. Non-Fiction from TBR
TBA

[MarciaB]

Here's my review of Hooked - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Catherine]

I have four more books to read. I hope I get to complete this challenge. I'm changing my selected books for challenge number 5 and 10.

5. Australia Day - The Harp in the South
10. Valentines Day - Norwegian Wood

[Jackmeister]

I have read seven of my twelve books so far,

Still to read are,
5 - The Story Of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay - Australia Day
7 - The Spy Who Came For Christmas by David Morrell - Christmas
8 - Suspect by Robert Crais - New Release
11 - Stolen Angels by Shaun Hutson - Fantasy/Horror
12 - Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly - Re-read

Books Read
1 - Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden - Aussie Author - 3 stars
2 - Heartsick by Chelsea Cain - To Be Read - 5 stars
3 - The Dreadful Lemon Sky by John D. MacDonald - Food - 4 stars
4 - Laguna Heat by T. Jefferson Parker - Summer - 4 stars
6 - L.A. Heat by P.A. Brown - Gay Character/Author - 3 stars
9 - Three Shirt Deal by Stephen J. Cannell - Literature Map - 5 stars
10 - Valentine's Day Is Killing Me by Leslie Esdaile - Valentines Day - 2 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing very well Cath and Jackie:)

[Sally906]

Janine wrote: "I have finished!
1. Australian Author - Barra Creek by Di Morrissey 3*
2. TBR - A Walk in the Park by Jill Mansell 4*
3. Food -..."

Congratulations

[Sally906]

Ben wrote: "I'm finished as well!

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 - Th..."

Well done too :)

[Sally906]

OK - I have finished the summer challenge!!!

Here's my list:


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 is to do with our convict past

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Sally! Great result.

[[deleted user]]

Finished! Yay!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Jen!!!

[[deleted user]]

I finished The Stormcaller and The Chocolate Run
I have started Lord John and the Private Matter and
The Last Runaway

[Catherine]

9/12

Finished Norwegian Wood .

WOW!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Getting there Michael!

[MarciaB]

Updated:

3. Food -
Georgia's Kitchen

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

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

11. Fantasy / Paranormal from TBR
Hidden

12. Non-Fiction from TBR
Bush Nurses: Inspiring true stories of nursing bravery and ingenuity in rural and remote Australia

[MarciaB]

Michael wrote: "Only two to go Brenda. Should do those ones easy considering im on holidays. :)"

Fabulous Michael - won't be long now!

[MarciaB]

Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Finished! Yay!"

Congrats Jen :)

[[deleted user]]

Marcia wrote: "Jennie - Daystarz Books wrote: "Finished! Yay!"

Congrats Jen :)"

Thanx Marcia :-)

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Jen!!!"

Thanx Brenda :-)

[[deleted user]]

i finished and i am still reading and i started i still have one more book to get from my library

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Arena:)

[Zoey]

Finished!!! :)

1. Aussie Author - The Dead of NightJohn Marsden 4★
2. TBR
(a) Score! Jilly Cooper 3.5★
(b) PandoraJilly Cooper 3★
(c) Katharine the Virgin Widow Jean Plaidy 4★
3.Food - The Shadow of the Pomegranate Jean Plaidy 4★
4. Summer related title - The Opal Desert Di Morrissey 3★
5. Australia Day - Dawn: One Hell Of A Life Dawn Fraser 3★
6. Gay Character - Lord John and the Private Matter Diana Gabaldon 3★
7. Christmas Carol - Six Geese A-Laying Sophie Kinsella 3★
8. New Release - The Agincourt Bride Joanna Hickson 4★
9. Literature Map - put in Diana Gabladon & got Sara Donati - Into the Wilderness Sara Donati 5★
10. Romance - Fifty Shades of Grey E.L. James 3★
11. Fantasy/Paranormal/Horror - Dead Until Dark Charlaine Harris 4★
12. Non-Fiction - Tokyo Hostess: Inside the Shocking World of Tokyo Nightclub Hostessing Clare Campbell 2.5★

Another excellent challenge, looking forward to the next one

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Woohoo! Well done Zoey!!!

[Zoey]

Brenda wrote: "Woohoo! Well done Zoey!!!"

:)

[Elaine]

Zoey wrote: "Finished!!! :)

1. Aussie Author - The Dead of NightJohn Marsden 4★
2. TBR
(a)Score!Jilly Cooper 3.5★
(b) Pandora[bookcover:Pandora|33921..."

Good job, Zoey. Well done on finishing. Somehow I don't think I'm going to make it. I've got 4 to go and I've got three of them on the go at the moment, in the hope that I can get through them. All digits crossed!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Eight finished now. :)

1: Celebrate Australia by Elliot Perlman*****

2: Lighten the load by Helen Goltz****

3: Food [boo..."

Well done Michael...you'll get there!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha!! I actually noticed you had 'seven finished' then when I looked again, it said 8!! I thought...boy, he reads quick;P

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Fastest in the South not lol. :D"

Haha!!

[Kirsten]

Yay!! Finished :D Took me forever to finish The Summer Tree because I listened to the audiobook. I haven't really done many audiobooks before, and they take SO MUCH LONGER than reading the book myself. Handy when I'm doing the housework though!

1. Celebrate Australia (Aussie Author) - Tales from Outer Suburbia This book was amazing! *****

2. Lighten the Load! (TBR) - Fray ****

3. Food! - An Edible History of Humanity ***

4. Summer - The Summer Tree

5. Australia Day - Seven Little Australians ****

6. GLBT Author - The Picture of Dorian Gray

7. Christmas - A Christmas Carol ****

8. New Release - Scent of Magic *****

9. Literature Map - Queen of Sorcery ****

10. Valentine's Day - Last Dragon Standing ****

11. Fantasy TBR - Touch of Power *****

12. Re-read - The Hobbit ****

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Kirsten! Great result:)

[[deleted user]]

I finished

[Catherine]

10/12

Finished 8. New Release A Memory of Light .