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

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "It should be in the book in your glove box? Or go to the garage, they will do it for you? Good luck!"

It's in the house somewhere, used it early last year after my round the world holiday!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "It should be in the book in your glove box? Or go to the garage, they will do it for you? Good luck!"

It's in the house somewhere, used it early last year after my round the world h..."

Fair enough:)

[Christy]

Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Finished my 6th book The Hours and am going to dive in to my seventh which of course I've changed to The House At Riverton and we'll see if..."


Thanks Brenda! So far The House At Riverton is SOOOOO good, I may actually get a few more books in!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Finished my 6th book The Hours and am going to dive in to my seventh which of course I've changed to The House At Riverton a..."

That's good:)

[Lesley]

I finished this Summer challenge a few days ago, so just posting my completed list.


1. Aus authorIndelible Ink 3 stars.
2. TBR Tinkers 4 stars.
3. Summer food My Life in France 3 stars.
4. Summer title Summer At Gaglow 2 stars.
5. Aus Day One Mans Journey: A Feverish Race To Cross The Continent 4 stars.
6. gay Mutiny on the Bounty 5 stars.
7. carols A Christmas Carol 3 stars.
8. new A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea 4 stars.
9. literature map No Country for Old Men 2 stars.
10. Valentine's Curfewed Night 2 stars.
11. fantasy When She Woke 2 stars.
12. non-fiction My Life, Queen of the Court 3 stars.

From this lot I recommend One Man's Journey which is a work of fiction based on Stuart's explorations north from Adelaide into the NT around the same time as the Burke and Wills trek from Melbourne. Interesting reading.

I won an advanced copy of A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea and loved it. A coming of age story set in Iran in the 80s. Rather too long but wonderful writing.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Lesley!

[[deleted user]]

I have finished this challenge I just finished

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Arena! Good job:)

[Nicola]

Alright - finally finished
Outlander/Diana Gabaldon
and have started my next audio book
The Black Box/Michael Connelly
That only leaves a few pages in one book and another whole one to go - will do my best!

P.S. Found my car stereo code - so am back online while travelling!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Awesome Nicola! Good luck...a few days to go;)

[Bronwyn]

Once again I did not get this challenge finished unfortunately but I will try again next month - he is my tally for 3 month's though. A far cry from the last couple of years when I did the challenges completed.

1. Aussie Author – The Women In Black by Madeleine St John – ****
2. TBR – Being Wicked by Lacy Danes – ***
3. Food – A Taste For It by Monica MeInerney ***
4. Summer, Heat, Hot, Beach, Holidays on cover or story relating to summer - -Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood – *****
5. Something relating to Australia Day – Bella's Run by Margareta Osborne
6. Gay Character -
7. Christmas –The Gift: Home for Christmas / All I Want for Christmas by Nora Roberts
8. New Release -
9. Literature Map -
10. Valentines Day – Maid for Love by Marie Force - ebook ***
11 TBR List – Paranormal, Fantasy and Horror – Night's Cold Kiss by Tracey O’Hara ****
12. Non-Fiction or Re-read

[Bronwyn]

Nicola wrote: "Alright - finally finished
Outlander/Diana Gabaldon
and have started my next audio book
The Black Box/Michael Connelly
That only leav..."

Good on you for getting through Outlander for this challenge, such a big book - did you enjoy it?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bronwyn wrote: "Once again I did not get this challenge finished unfortunately but I will try again next month - he is my tally for 3 month's though. A far cry from the last couple of years when I did the challen..."

Well done Bronwyn! You got quite a few books done, and as long as you enjoyed your reading, that's the main thing:)

[Elaine]

Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll try harder with the Autumn challenge. I knew getting a job would cramp my style!!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll try harder with the Autumn challenge. I knew getting a job ..."

Congratulations, but that's ok Elaine, you gave it a good nudge!!! You should be proud of that:) How's your new job going?

[Mish]

Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll try harder with the Autumn challenge. I knew getting a job ..."

Well I think that's excellent Elaine. Well done to you :)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll try harder with the Autumn challenge. I knew..."

Thanks Brenda. Job's okay,although it has really eaten into my reading time!!! I find that now I go to bed and actually fall asleep before I've even read a page.
I shouldn't complain though...I did have it good for such a long time.

[Elaine]

Mish wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll try harder with the Autumn challenge. I knew..."

Thanks Mish. I must say although I didn't finish, I really enjoyed the challenge. Looking forward to the next one.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll try harder with the Autumn ch..."

Pocket money for more books;) Then when you retire, you won't have to buy any;)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll try harder wit..."

Funny thing is I haven't bought a book since I started work. I was actually saying to my hubby today that I'm having withdrawal symptoms from it being so long since I bought a book. His reply..."Have you read any of the books Santa brought you?" Of course I haven't!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep reading them but I'll..."

Haha! My hubby says the same...but of course you HAVE to buy them still;)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will still keep readin..."

I knew you'd understand.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Well I'm 2 books short of finishing this challenge and it looks like I won't read those in a day. I will st..."

:D

[Jackmeister]

I'm done!! Finished #12 the re-read today!

1 - Aussie Author - John Marsden - Tomorrow, When the War Began - 3 stars
2 - To Be Read - Heartsick by Chelsea Cain - 5 stars, difficult read though.
3 - Food - The Dreadful Lemon Sky by John D. MacDonald - 4 stars
4 - Summer - Laguna Heat by T. Jefferson Parker - 4 stars
5 - Australia Day - The Story of Danny Dunn by Bryce Courtenay - 3 stars
6 - Gay Character/Author - L.A. Heat by P.A. Brown - 3 stars
7 - Christmas - The Spy Who Came For Christmas by David Morrell - 3 stars
8 - New Release - Suspect by Robert Crais - 4 stars
9 - Literature Map - Three Shirt Deal by Stephen J. Cannell - 5 stars
10 - Valentines Day - Valentine's Day Is Killing Me by Leslie Esdaile - 2 stars
11 - Fantasy/Horror - Stolen Angels by Shaun Hutson - 2 stars
12 - Re-read - Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly - 5 stars

Yay!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Jackie!! Excellent result! Some good reads there too, and it looks like you enjoyed most of them:)

[Nicola]

I've finished
The Two Forgers: A Biography Of Harry Buxton Forman & Thomas James Wise/ John F.R. Collins
and currently 1/2 way through my last 2 books - there's a good chance I can get them finished today!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Nicola!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

How's everyone else going...just a few hours left of summer! Thank goodness..I've had enough of it this year!

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "How's everyone else going...just a few hours left of summer! Thank goodness..I've had enough of it this year!"

They say it's the hottest summer we've in Perth since 1971/2! and although I love the hot weather I am also sooo over it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "How's everyone else going...just a few hours left of summer! Thank goodness..I've had enough of it this year!"

They say it's the hottest summer we've in Perth since 1971/2! and alt..."

The heat and the humidity have been over the top! If I had wanted to experience it, I would have moved to far NQ!!!!!! lol

[Steve]

I for one am thankful of the cool change that is currently moving through Sydney ...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I just saw that it's raining in Sydney and 19, and raining in Canberra and 16!!! And it's 30 here and humid!!!lol

[Amber]

1. Aussie author - Nine Days by Toni Jordan ★★★★
2. TBR - Buddhaland Brooklyn by Richard C. Morais ★★★
3. Summer food - Peaches for Monsieur le Curé by Joanne Harris ★★★
4. Summer title/set in summer - The Summer Book by Tove Jansson ★★★★
5. Australia Day - The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay (Unfinished)
6. LGBT author or character - Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg (I was unable to get this from the library)
7. Christmas carols - I read plenty to my kids, including The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore
8. Summer new release - Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey ★★★★
9. Literature map - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough ★★★
10. Valentine's Day - Hannah and Emil by Belinda Castles (Just didn't get to this one!)
11. TBR fantasy, paranormal or horror - Coraline by Neil Gaiman ★★★★
12. Non-fiction TBR - The First Year: Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by M.E.A. McNeil (Unfinished)

I didn't manage to read my last 4 books as I've hit a bit of a slump lately. But I'm glad I read the other eight :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Amber:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I know, crazy isn't it! It's pouring here now, after being 30 today, and very humid!!!

[Kim Marie]

I've come to the end of this Challenge with two books unread and one unfinished but I've found a few new authors and enjoyed everything that I did read :)

1. Celebrate Australia - Preloved by Shirley Marr - 4 stars
2. TBR - The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes - 4 stars
3. Summer Food - The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen - 3.5 stars
4. Title/Summer - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - 4 stars
5. Australia Day - Four Fires by Bryce Courtenay - Unfinished
6. Gay/Lesbian - Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death by Gyles Brandreth - 3 stars
7. Christmas Carols - The Spy Who Came For Christmas by David Morrell - 3.5 stars
8. New Release - Unread
9. Literature Map - The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie from Brent Weeks - 4.5 stars
10. Romance - Puppy Love by Frauke Scheunemann - 3.5 stars
11. Fantasy - A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin - Unread
12. Re-Read - The Black Prism by Brent Weeks - ready now for The Blinding Knife

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kim Marie wrote: "I've come to the end of this Challenge with two books unread and one unfinished but I've found a few new authors and enjoyed everything that I did read :)

1. Celebrate Australia - Preloved by Shi..."

Well done Kim, that is a great result!

[Kim Marie]

Thanks Brenda, it was fun!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kim Marie wrote: "Thanks Brenda, it was fun!"

As long as you enjoyed it, that's the main thing!

[Nicola]

I finally finished the Summer challenge - only a couple of days late! Last 2 books were:
Vixen / Mary Elizabeth Braddon (volume one only!)
and
The Black Box/ Michael Connelly

It's been lots of fun and now onto the Autumn challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Nicola!

[Nicola]

Thank you! It was hard going at times but well worth it! I'll remember to check the lentgh of my audio books the next time.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Thank you! It was hard going at times but well worth it! I'll remember to check the lentgh of my audio books the next time."

Oh dear! I remember one that seemed WEEKS long!!! Drawn out and toooo long...I got through it, but never again!

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Thank you! It was hard going at times but well worth it! I'll remember to check the lentgh of my audio books the next time."

Oh dear! I remember one that seemed WEEKS long!!! Draw..."

Yes- I started Outlander in November, and was able to listen on the bus when I was allowed to return to work, but thne I started drving again and my car stereo wasn't working! But all good now - back on tracj with everything (and I hate having car passengers now as I can't listen to my book!)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ha! I remember the same wish....