Annual Aussie Author Challenge 2013

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some good ones there Margaret! Lots of us are reading Bay of Fires and I absolutely loved Treespeaker...

[Carol]

I'm starting with Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, Tim Winton's Cloudstreet, Graham's Carter's Against the Unknown and Paula Vince's The Risky Way Home. Also Roz Baker's Sooner or Later We All Get Even This is the third in her series but I've already read the first two.

[Melanie]

The Book Thief is one of my favourite books! Nice list

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carol wrote: "I'm starting with Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, Tim Winton's Cloudstreet, Graham's Carter's Against the Unknown and Paula Vince's The Risky Way Home. Also Roz Baker's Sooner or Later We All Get Ev..."

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
Against The Unknown by Graham Carter
The Risky Way Home by Paula Vince
Sooner Or Later We All Get Even by Roz Baker

Are you doing 3 male authors for January Carol? Well done!!!

[Carol]

Brenda wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'm starting with Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, Tim Winton's Cloudstreet, Graham's Carter's Against the Unknown and Paula Vince's The Risky Way Home. Also Roz Baker's Sooner or Later..."
I'll be aiming for the three male authors in Jan, but will be overseas for a couple of those weeks - in Cambodia, so not likely to be reading much.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carol wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'm starting with Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, Tim Winton's Cloudstreet, Graham's Carter's Against the Unknown and Paula Vince's The Risky Way Home. Also Roz Baker's ..."

Good luck with it, and have a wonderful time:)

[Carol]

I'd so love it if someone was prepared to include my 'Suzannah's Gold' or 'Mary's Guardian', in their list when it gets to the female authors. They are historical novels - fiction and lots of Aussie history.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carol, if you open your own thread in the Aussie Authors section, you can promote your books, and mention the challenge there... http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

If you're not sure on how to open your own thread, just let me know...

[Mish]

This challenge is a great opportunity for Authors in Aussie Reader group to promote your book and for us readers to become aware of them, and perhaps pick up or add your book to our reading challenge.

However it would be appreciated if you could not promote or mention the book in this thread though, but set up your own thread in the Aussie Authors section were you can promote your books and mention this challenge there. Cheers Mish :)

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

[Maggie]

Yes I will happily join in this challenge, haven't worked out which books to choose yet, that will be my task for this afternoon.

[Carol]

Brenda wrote: "Carol, if you open your own thread in the Aussie Authors section, you can promote your books, and mention the challenge there... http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

If y..."

Thanks Brenda, Done

[Melanie]

Melanie wrote: "Ill join in but I think I will just post as I read them, rather then making a list, I want to be more spontaneous about reading next year"

haha :)

[Melanie]

Oh gosh I keep on altering my list:

January - Male Author - January By Gabrielle Lord
February - Female Author -Finnikin of the Rock By Melina Marchetta
March - New Release - Bay of Fires By Poppy Gee
April - Favourite Genre (fantasy) - Eon: Dragoneye Reborn By Alison Goodman
May - Male Author - I am the Messenger By Markus Zuzak
June - Female Author - On the Jellicoe Road By Melina Marchetta
July- New Release - Doomsday By Chris Morphew
August - Favourite Genre - (fantasy) - Sabriel By Garth Nix
September - Male Author - Checkers By John Marsden
October - Female Author - Burnt Snow By Van Badham
November - New Release -Amber Road By Boyd Anderson
December - Favourite Genre - (fantasy) -Darkfall By Isobelle Carmody

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Again, some good ones Melanie:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

January male author - Jasper Jones
February female author - Let The Dead Lie
March new release - The Rosie Project
April fav genre - Frantic
May male author - Cloudstreet
June female author - Song of the Jikhoshi
July new release - The Shadow Year
August fav genre - Stardust
September male author - Underdogs
October female author - March
November new release - Blood Secret
December fav genre - Beyond Fear

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some good titles there Phrynne:)

[Michelle]

I've finally decided on a tentative list for this challenge. I own a lot of these already so hopefully that will make things much easier.

January Male Author –
February Female Author -
March New Release -
April Favourite Genre -
May Male Author –
June Female Author –
July New Release -
August Favourite Genre –
September Male Author –
October Female Author –
November New Release - TBA - Still thinking about this one
December Favourite Genre –

[Elaine]

Michelle wrote: "I've finally decided on a tentative list for this challenge. I own a lot of these already so hopefully that will make things much easier.

January Male Author –
February ..."

Some great reads there Michelle. I loved The Broken Shore but then again I'm a bit partial to Peter Temple. And there's no one better than Bryce Courtenay for great storytelling.

[Mish]

Nice list Michelle. Yes I agree with Elaine, The Broken Shore is wonderful & thrilling

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some great reads there Michelle!

[Cath]

I'm up for the challenge. It's my first time,so will see how I go. Thanks for the list from the First Tuesday book club as this will help inform my choices.

[Michelle]

Elaine wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I've finally decided on a tentative list for this challenge. I own a lot of these already so hopefully that will make things much easier.

January Male Author – [bookcover:Temple|1..."

I'd never heard of Peter Temple until researching titles for this challenge so am excited to try something from him. And yes, Bryce Courtenay is one of my favourite authors.

[Mish]

Cath wrote: "I'm up for the challenge. It's my first time,so will see how I go. Thanks for the list from the First Tuesday book club as this will help inform my choices."

Wonderful Cath, glad to see you're giving it a go :)

[Deb]

Here are my proposed books for this challenge but of course they are subject to change





Nov New Release TBA

Dec fav genre TBA

[Dale]

Okay I'm going to make a start.
January either Fontanelle by Andrew Lansdown(again) or one by Matthew Reilly. Husband reads them all and I have never read one.Fontanelle: A Collection Of Poems
February The Children by Charlotte WoodCharlotte Wood The rest will be added at a later date.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I enjoyed The Children Dale:) Good for you...not too many days until we can all start this challenge now:)

[Zoey]

Have mad a couple of changes/additions to my list


January - Male Author - Gone by Chris Nyst
February - Female Author - The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey
March - New Release - Bay of Fires by Poppy Gee
April - Favourite Genre (crime)After the Darkness by Honey Brown
May - Male Author - Bad: The True Story of Australia's Biggest Ever Murder Investigation by Michael Duffy
June - Female Author - Farewell to Lancashire by Anna Jacobs
July - New Release - Secrets in Time by Alison Stuart
August - Favourite Genre (crime) - Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing by Gabrielle Lord
September - Male Author - Final Custody by George Eliot
October - Female Author - There's a Bear in There by Merridy Eastman
November - New Release - The Farmers Wife by Rachael Treasure
December - Favourite Genre (Historical Fict.)The Innocent by Posie Graeme-Evans

[Missa]

I'm going to start with this list and see how I go with it. Between working (hopefully in a new position) and planning a wedding I'm pretty sure 2013 is going to be a busy year for me but I am determined to give this challenge my very best shot! I'm writing this list from my iPhone and cannot for the life of me figure out how to put links for the book titles and authors instead of plain text. Anyway, here goes:

January - male author: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
February - female author: Puberty Blues by Kathy Lette
March - NR: Bay of Fires by
April - favourite genre: On the Jellicoe Road by Poppy Gee(YA)
May - male author: Bad: The True Story of Australia's Biggest Ever Murder Investigation by Michael Duffy
June - female author: Get Well Soon! My (un)Brilliant Career As A Nurse by Kristy Chambers
July - NR: Dead Girl Sing by Tony Cavanaugh
August - favourite genre: The Mistake by Wendy James (crime fiction)
September - male author: I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
October - female author: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
November - NR: Fractured by Dawn Barker
December - favourite genre: Pearl in a Cage by Joy Dettman (modern/contemporary fiction)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Missa wrote: "I'm going to start with this list and see how I go with it. Between working (hopefully in a new position) and planning a wedding I'm pretty sure 2013 is going to be a busy year for me but I am dete..."

Ashleigh, I'm pretty sure you can't link the books from your iPhone....if you can see the 'add book/author' link on the top RHS of this comment box, you click on that to do the search, and add your book..if you can't, you'll have to do the post from your computer to get the links:)

[Kathryn]

I'm keen to get started on my Jan read - only 3 more days before I can start! My Jan, Feb and Oct reads have been on my TBR for ages (I can't remember where they came from, but they were stuck in my diary before I started using Goodreads earlier this year!) and it's interesting to see them appearing on other people's lists while I added the Jun, Aug and Sept reads after watching the First Tuesday Book Club's Top 10 Aussie Books to Read Before You Die and my Dec read is not something I've considered reading before, even though it is iconic...

Now I just need to restrain myself from reading the whole list at once!

Jan: Male: Band-Aid for a Broken Leg by Damien Brown

Feb: Female: Get Well Soon! My (un)Brilliant Career As A Nurse by Kristy Chambers

Mar: New Release: either -

Amber Road by Boyd Anderson,

Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell or

Fractured by Dawn Barker

Apr: Favourite genre - historical fiction The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans

May: Male: The Far Country by Nevil Shute

Jun: Female: The Harp In The South by Ruth Park

Jul: New release: TBA

Aug: Favourite genre: The Secret River by Kate Grenville

Sept: Male: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Oct: Female: Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman

Nov: New Release: TBA

Dec: Favourite genre: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's a great list Kathryn:) And it's scary to hear you say it's only 3 days until we can start!!!

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "That's a great list Kathryn:) And it's scary to hear you say it's only 3 days until we can start!!!"

I know, it is a little scary - where did 2012 go, exactly??? And I'm sure this year will fly by also!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "That's a great list Kathryn:) And it's scary to hear you say it's only 3 days until we can start!!!"

I know, it is a little scary - where did 2012 go, exactly??? And I'm sure this ..."

Shhhh!! My birthday comes around too quickly as it is;)

[Missa]

Thanks Brenda! I'll edit the links in when I can jump on a computer (my laptop has recently gone kaput)..

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Missa wrote: "Thanks Brenda! I'll edit the links in when I can jump on a computer (my laptop has recently gone kaput).."

Thanks Ashleigh:) (should have received a new one for Christmas;))

[Neil]

Bring on the new year with stage one of the reading challenge. Getting as excited as the NYE fireworks!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Not long now Neil!

[Maggie]

I'm hoping to read one or two a month. My books so far:

Male authors:
The Devil's Numbers READ 3.5 Stars January
Ghost Beyond Earth READ 4 Stars January
The Daughters of Mars
Wake in Fright
Rotten Gods

Female authors:
Earthly Delights READ 4 Stars February
Heavenly Pleasures READ 3 stars February
An Unquiet State
Year of Wonders
Threshold
Nefertiti Street: A Woman's Search To Reclaim Her True Feminine Spirit

Genre books:
Empty Chairs: Much more than a story about child abuse BIOGRAPHY READ 4 STARS
Faint Echoes Of Laughter BIOGRAPHY READ 3 STARS
Exit Wounds - One Australian's War On Terror BIOGRAPHY
Hell on the Way to Heaven BIOGRAPHY
Band-Aid for a Broken Leg BIOGRAPHY
Get Well Soon! My (un)Brilliant Career As A Nurse BIOGRAPHY

New Releases:
?Dead Girl Sing
?The Rosie Project

[Melanie]

Eeekk!! 2 more days and we are starting this awesome challenge!:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "I'm hoping to read two a month. My books so far:

Male authors:
The Devil's Numbers
Ghost Beyond Earth
The Daughters of Mars
Wake in Fright
Rotten Gods
I am the Messenger

Female authors:
Earthly D..."

Brilliant Maggie!! Faint Echoes Of Laughter and Empty Chairs by Stacey Danson are amazing:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Melanie wrote: "Eeekk!! 2 more days and we are starting this awesome challenge!:)"

You can start at 1 minute past midnight on the 1st Melanie;)

[Maggie]

P S

I'll be looking for Aussie author new releases throughout the year, but, like everyone else it seems, will read

Bay of Fires and
Web of Deceit.

Can I include The Good Little Girl? I know it was released at the end of 2012, so is it allowed or not?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maggie wrote: "P S

I'll be looking for Aussie author new releases throughout the year, but, like everyone else it seems, will read

Bay of Fires and
Web of Deceit.

Can I include The Good Little Girl? I know it ..."

It should be 2013 releases Maggie, but I won't tell;) Enjoy!

[Kellyanne]

Will be posting as I go:

January: The Book Thief
February: Small Shen
March:
April:
May:
June:
July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December:

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Your January choice is an awesome read Kellyanne!

[Melanie]

Oh gosh we are starting tomorrow!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Melanie wrote: "Oh gosh we are starting tomorrow!!"

Yes, all of a sudden it's almost here!!! :/

[Mish]

Yay let the challenge begin :)

[Kathryn]

Hooray - I've just finished a non-fiction about the gastronomic history of Australia - One Continuous Picnic: A History of Australian Eating by Michael Symons - interesting, but rather heavy going toward the end. Looking forward to something a little lighter!! Unfortunately my first for the Aussie Author Challenge is another non-fiction but I think it will be an easier and quicker read than this one! Or I could start The Beach House to continue my Summer Reading Challenge, or continue with Fingersmith (also for SRC) - too many choices!!! Shame I don't have 3 sets of eyes & 3 brains so I could start them all at once!

[Julia]

I'm in!

Australian female authors are easy because I'm a member of Romance Writers Australia - the difficulty for me is male writers as I dislike books by Bryce Courtney and John Marsden and really, really hate Matthew Reilly's books.

So I've decided on The Book Thief for January. Hopefully I will break my streak when it comes to Australian male authors! :)


January -
February - (Thinking)