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

[Kirsten]

Stuck for ideas for a new release and an Australia day book. Do you think 7 Little Australians would be suitable for the Australia Day one?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jackmeister wrote: "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..."

1. Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

2. Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

3. The Dreadful Lemon Sky by John D. MacDonald

4. Laguna Heat by T. Jefferson Parker

6. L.A. Heat by P.A. Brown

8. Suspect by Robert Crais

9. Three Shirt Deal by Stephen J. Cannell

10. Valentine's Day Is Killing Me by Leslie Esdaile

11. Stolen Angels by Shaun Hutson

12. Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kirsten wrote: "Stuck for ideas for a new release and an Australia day book. Do you think 7 Little Australians would be suitable for the Australia Day one?"

Most certainly Kirsten, that would be perfect for Australia Day :)

[Zoey]

Just edited my list to add my new release

8. New Release - The Agincourt Bride Joanna Hickson

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice Zoey...I have yet to find my NR!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well, I just discovered I have an ARC of a NR, so I will use that one:) The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke to be released 22.1.13

[Zoey]

Well done Brenda :)

I was checking out the 2013 New releases lists on listopia, found a few I liked on the Historical Fiction list & looked them up on Book Depository. They had The Agincourt Brideto pre-order for $9.00. How could I resist :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Wow that is an amazing price for a NR Zoey! Good on you:)

[Brit]

Okay after having a good long hard think (and some browsing) I've come up with...

1. Solomon's Song - Bryce Courtenay
2. Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer because potato peel pies are food!
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty - Jenny Han
5. Cloudstreet - Tim Winton
6. City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
7. The Christmas List - Richard Paul Evans
8. Speechless - Hannah Harrington
9. Dirt Music - Tim Winton
10.The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne
11. Dracula - Bram Stoker... had this in my Winter challenge but never got around to reading it!
12. Rowan of Rin : The Journey - Emily Rodda

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Brit!

[Elaine]

Zoey wrote: "Well done Brenda :)

I was checking out the 2013 New releases lists on listopia, found a few I liked on the Historical Fiction list & looked them up on Book Depository. They had The Agincourt Bride..."

Well done Zoey. I had a look at that and it sounds like a good read. Might have to pinch it for my NR!!! I'm still looking. All the ones I want to read don't come out till later in the year.

[Zoey]

Elaine wrote: "Zoey wrote: "Well done Brenda :)

I was checking out the 2013 New releases lists on listopia, found a few I liked on the Historical Fiction list & looked them up on Book Depository. They had The Ag..."

Thats one of the best things about these challenges Elaine, checking out everybodys picks & adding them to your own ever growing list of TBRs

[Kirsten]

1. Celebrate Australia (Aussie Author) - Tales from Outer Suburbia

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 - TBA - Stuck for ideas - Help?

9. Literature Map - Queen of Sorcery

10. Valentine's Day - Last Dragon Standing

11. Fantasy TBR - Man I have so many of these! The Soul Weaver

12. Re-read - The Hobbit

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good looking list Kirsten:) There are a few ideas on the NR's, check out people's lists, or go to the Listopia list to see if there's anything you like there... http://www.goodreads.com/search?q=201...

[Jackmeister]

Michael wrote: "Jackie if your on a laptop or puter just go to add/book author type in your book click on search then when it comes up at the bottom you will see add link cover. choise wich one you want then add. :)"

Oh, Dopey me, thanks Michael! I'm using an Ipad. lol

[Elaine]

Zoey wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Zoey wrote: "Well done Brenda :)

I was checking out the 2013 New releases lists on listopia, found a few I liked on the Historical Fiction list & looked them up on Book Depository. ..."

I know Zoey. It is great and one of the reasons my TBR list keeps getting longer and longer!!!

[Jackmeister]

Brenda, thanks for fixing my list for me, was I supposed to pick all Australian authors? I may have to revise!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jackmeister wrote: "Brenda, thanks for fixing my list for me, was I supposed to pick all Australian authors? I may have to revise!"

No not with this challenge Jackie...only where it's stated:)

[Elaine]

Elaine wrote: "Oh, my. Here goes!!!

1. Celebrate Australia:

2.Lighten the Load:

3.Food:

4.Related t..."

I've found my New release but not sure how to edit my list so I'll tack onto the end here.
8: New Release: The Last Runaway

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

To edit Elaine, go to your original post and hit 'edit', then you do what you did but it'll go to the bottom of your post. So then just cut and paste it into the right place, then edit post, and it'll be fixed!

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "To edit Elaine, go to your original post and hit 'edit', then you do what you did but it'll go to the bottom of your post. So then just cut and paste it into the right place, then edit post, and it..."

I can't do all that Brenda!!! Now you sound like my kids...they won't show me how to do it but they love to tell me how hopeless I am.Not that I'm saying that you're calling me hopeless!! I did try to edit my original list but then I didn't know how to cut and paste. Should I be admitting that?
I just got my hubby to show me how to do it...and it worked.Yay!!! Thanks Brenda.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "To edit Elaine, go to your original post and hit 'edit', then you do what you did but it'll go to the bottom of your post. So then just cut and paste it into the right place, then ed..."

Hahahaha!! Sorry, I thought you'd know how to cut and paste Elaine.....O_o!!!!!!!

[Davina]

1.Aussie author Good Oil by Laura Buzo

2. TBR List Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John

3. Food The Chocolate Run
by Dorothy Koomson

4. Summer Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

5. Australia Day
Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park

6. Gay Character A Girl Like You by Maria Geraci

7. Christmas (carols) Wolfsbane and Mistletoe by Charlaine Harris

8. New Release The Skeleton Key
by Tara Moss

9. Literature Map I put in Kelley Armstrong and came out with Patricia Briggs so I chose Cry Wolf

10. Valentines Day Remembrance by Michelle Madow

11. Fantasy, Paranormal,Horror The Spider Goddess by Tara Moss

12. Re Read The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

[Lesley]

It has been a bit tricky to select from my bookshelf for Summer; therein lies half the challenge I guess. This I what I have come up with.

3. Summer food My Life in France read 31 Jan, 3 stars
4. Summer Summer At Gaglow read 19 Feb, 2 stars
5. Aus. day One Mans Journey: A Feverish Race To Cross The Continent read 12, 4 stars
6. gay Mutiny on the Bounty read 10 Dec, 5 stars
7. carols A Christmas Carol read 30 Dec, 3 stars
9. literature map No Country for Old Men Faulkner led to Mccarthy, read Feb 10, 2 stars
10. Valentine's Curfewed Night: One Kashmiri Journalist's Frontline Account of Life, Love, and War
in His Homeland read 14 Dec, 2 stars
11. fantasy When She Woke read 4 Dec, 2 stars
12. non-fiction My Life, Queen of the Court read 8 Dec, 3 stars
1. Aus. author Indelible Ink read 23 Dec, 3 stars
2. TBR Tinkers read 17 Jan, 4 stars
8. new release A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea read 18 Feb, 4 stars

[Davina]

Lesley wrote: "It has been a bit tricky to select from my bookshelf for Summer; therein lies half the challenge I guess. This I what I have come up with.

1. Aus. author The Lambing Flat
2. tbr The Orphan Mas..."

I'm starting to agree Lesley trying to find the right books for the challenge does seem to be the harder part of the challenge. The other is getting it from the library.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great lists Davina and Lesley! It's fun trying to match your books with the challenge specifications, isn't it;)

[Davina]

Brenda wrote: "Great lists Davina and Lesley! It's fun trying to match your books with the challenge specifications, isn't it;)"

Yes. Definitely.

[Kirsten]

I find I try to take as many books from my to-read list as I can. It doesn't always work, but that's the beauty of the challenge - discovering new things to read.

[Kirsten]

OK, I've found the new release I want to read! It's the second in a series, so I'm changing my fantasy TBR book to the first one in the series (which was already on my TBR list BTW).

1. Celebrate Australia (Aussie Author) - Tales from Outer Suburbia

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]

Woohoo! Way to go Kirsten!!

[Lesley]

Yep, I try to select from my bookshelf for every seasonal challenge but still I have more than 100 titles to read. I don't often buy books, and if I do it's from charity shops and Bookmooch. The bookshelves at charity shops are my weakness, and I love to find the old classics.

[[deleted user]]

1. Celebrate Australia (Aussie Author) -Shine Light

2. Lighten the Load! (TBR) - The Passage

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good choices there Melanie:)

[Michael]

Very nice Melanie

[[deleted user]]

there are so many I need to get through! some are Netgalley so hopefully this will give me more of a push to get through them all!

[Michael]

Melanie wrote: "there are so many I need to get through! some are Netgalley so hopefully this will give me more of a push to get through them all!"

Gotta love netgalley

[[deleted user]]

Michael wrote: "Melanie wrote: "there are so many I need to get through! some are Netgalley so hopefully this will give me more of a push to get through them all!"

Gotta love netgalley"

That you do, that you do

[Cindy]

Here goes, have scoured the bookshelves at home and come up with the following - can't believe how many hours that took!

1. Celebrate Australia by Craig Silvey

2. Lighten the Load by Gardening Australia

3. Food by Kate Herd

4. Summer by Tracey Garvis-Graves

5. Australia Day by Thomas Keneally

6. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras by Justin Torres

7. Christmas by David Morrell- library borrow

8. New Release - Broken by AE Rought preordered from http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/

9. Literature Map Markus Zusak lead to Carlos Ruiz Zafón so

10. Valentine's Day by Sarah Winman

11.Fantasy, Paranormal or Horror by Stephen King

12. Non-Fiction TBR by Patrice Newell

[Christy]

Cindy wrote: "Here goes, have scoured the bookshelves at home and come up with the following - can't believe how many hours that took!

1. Celebrate Australia by Craig Silvey
2. ..."

Cindy I hope you enjoy Shadow of the Wind! It is my all time favorite!!

[Cindy]

Christy wrote:"Cindy I hope you enjoy Shadow of the Wind! It is my all time favorite!!"

Thanks Christy, it has been hiding behind a pile of books on the shelf for quite a while, am looking forward to the read

[Lesley]

Cindy, I have been meaning to buy The Contented Chook since it first came out. I have two substantial chookyards but no chooks, so was hoping this book might inspire me. Your gardening book sounds interesting too. Thanks for the title.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Cindy!

[Cindy]

Lesley said: Cindy, I have been meaning to buy The Contented Chook since it first came out. I have two substantial chookyards but no chooks, so was hoping this book might inspire me. Your gardening book sounds interesting too. Thanks for the title.

Hey Lesley I picked it up just this weekend gone and am restraining myself from reading it until the challenge - our chook pen is pretty basic so am looking forward to some inspiration - our girls have great personalities and free range in our backyard but I need to contain them better - they love to scratch around in the freshly planted vegie patch!

Brenda said: Great list Cindy!

Thanks Brenda.

[Paperback Princess]

I'm doing a tentative list at the moment and have found some fantastic info. I read mainly YA novels and couldn't find much but GR lists has been a fantastic source.

Here's a few YA Australian Authors:-
Rhiannon Hart (I think I'm going to use Blood Song for my Australian author)
Jessica Shirvington
Isobelle Carmody
Rebecca Lim
Cath Crowley
Alexandra Adornetto

Will post back soon with my list.

[Mish]

Looking forward to seeing your list Paperback Princess :)

Rhiannon Hart
Jessica Shirvington
Isobelle Carmody
Rebecca Lim
Cath Crowley
Alexandra Adornetto

Shine Light
Playing Beatie Bow

[[deleted user]]

Celebrate Australia!

Lighten the load!

Food

SUMMER

Australia Day

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Christmas

New Release...

Literature Map I put in Kristin Hannah and got

Valentine’s Day

Choose a fantasy

re-read

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice list Rena!

[Christy]

Here's my list - subject to change of course, but this time I'm really going to try to stick to it!! I love #2 as I can always fill in any extra books there!! :)


1. Celebrate Australia -
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

2. TBR -
a. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

b. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

3. Food - Chocolat by Joanne Harris

4. Summer - Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

5. Australia Day - The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville

6. Sydney Gay - Lesbian Mardi Gras - The Hours by Michael Cunningham

7. Christmas - There's Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber

8. New Release - Psychos: Serial Killers, Depraved Madmen, and the Criminally Insane by John Skipp

9. Literature Map - I put in Philippa Gregory and came up with Ariana Franklin so I'll read Mistress of the Art of Death

10. Valentine's Day - Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

11. TBR - Horror Book - The Shining by Stephen King

New Non-Fiction - The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I had WAY too much fun choosing these, and really hope I can sneak in a few extras before the year is over!!

Happy Reading and thanks to all for the help with the Australia Day suggestions - they all look really good.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Christy!! It is fun isn't it!! With 3 months to read it all, you could squeeze a few more in;)

[Adhityani]

I spent most evening putting this together... it's finally done! Presenting you... MY SUMMER CHALLENGE LIST, Ta-daaaa!

1. Celebrate Australia: A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz

2. TBR: Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

3. Food: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

4. Summer: Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver

5. Australia Day: A Commonwealth of Thieves: The Improbable Birth of Australia by Thomas Keneally

6. Gay and Lesbian: The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst

7. Christmas: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - it's a Christmas-themed book, so would have a reference to the Christmas Carol. Might re-read A Christmas Carol, too.

8. New Release: The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier to be released Jan 8, 2013 - I copied this from Rena :)

9. Literature Map: I have put in Jonathan Franzen and got Nicole Krauss - I'll read Great House for this challenge.

10. Valentine's Day: The History of Love by Nicole Krauss

11. Fantasy/Horror/Paranormal from TBR: I'll go for a double - Oryx and Crake and The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood

12. Well-read book: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez