Annual Aussie Author Challenge 2013

[Elaine]

I just finished Bay of Fires. Poppy Gee for this challenge and gave it 3 stars. I did write a review but inspite of Brenda's best efforts to teach me how to link it, I just couldn't remember how!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "I just finished Bay of Fires. Poppy Gee for this challenge and gave it 3 stars. I did write a review but inspite of Brenda's best efforts to teach me how to link it..."

Here you go Elaine;)

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bad luck it wasn't as enjoyable as it seems it should be by the blurb Elaine. I'm hoping I'll like it:)

[Neil]

Finished my first book of challenge, Jessica while holidaying on Phi Phi Island. What a story about on tough little cookie!

[Mish]

Good going Neil :)

Jessica by Bryce Courtenay

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Bad luck it wasn't as enjoyable as it seems it should be by the blurb Elaine. I'm hoping I'll like it:)"

Thanks for that Brenda. I noticed Margaret_M read it and enjoyed it so it may just be one of those types of books. I'll be waiting on your thoughts once you do read it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Bad luck it wasn't as enjoyable as it seems it should be by the blurb Elaine. I'm hoping I'll like it:)"

Thanks for that Brenda. I noticed Margaret_M read it and enjoyed it so it ma..."

Janine in post #304 wasn't that impressed either Elaine :(

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Bad luck it wasn't as enjoyable as it seems it should be by the blurb Elaine. I'm hoping I'll like it:)"

Thanks for that Brenda. I noticed Margaret_M read it and enjo..."

Yes that's right. I was prepared to buy this book but I might just hold off for the time being.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I will start this one tonight, so hopefully I will enjoy it:) I will let you all know my thoughts soon enough:)

[Christy]

Finished my first 2...
Dirt Music 2*
The House At Riverton 5*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my second for March Bay of Fires by Poppy Gee

Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Neil]

Forgot to mention that I'm into my second book of challenge, Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. Half way through, wow what an action packed story from the first page. I'm so glad that I've got more of his books found in Vinnies during my work trips around the country.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Neil wrote: "Forgot to mention that I'm into my second book of challenge, Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. Half way through, wow what an action packed story from the first page. I'm so glad that I've got more of ..."

Ice Station by Matthew Reilly

[Nicola]

Running a bit late on February's book but finished it last weekend - now to finish my March one!
February
Mem's The Word /Mem Fox
March
For the Term of His Natural Life / Marcus Clarke

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I hope you enjoy Marcus Clarke's book Nicola...but March's read is New Release for 2013;)

[Nicola]

That's true! Have been so busy I got mixed up... I've started reading it so will make April my 2013 book!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "That's true! Have been so busy I got mixed up... I've started reading it so will make April my 2013 book!"

OK you enjoy!!

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "I'll be very interested on your thoughts when you get to Amber Road Kathryn:)"

Well, I finished Amber Road last week. I liked it, or, at least, I liked parts of it. Victoria's grasping after Sebastian (the next-door neighbour) when he had shown no interest in her other than as a friend and playmate was annoying and I felt embarrassed for her. I also didn't like the way she seemed to be pretending to be someone she wasn't and it felt like she was presenting a facade to the world. I felt she improved in this respect after the war broke out and she had to work out how to keep body and soul together, but these elements still arose throughout the story and left a sour taste in my mouth each time. I felt she was a better person during the war than she was before it, and I'd like to think that her war-time experiences (and other subsequent events that I won't mention for fear of spoiling it for anyone else) would lead her to live a more genuine life afterward, content with her lot in life.

On the plus side, I learnt a lot I wasn't aware of about the Japanese occupation of Singapore during WWII, and I liked the style of writing that was mainly from Victoria's point of view (but still in the third person), and the first page or two of some of the chapters written in the first person by her brother. And I've realised that I can use this for my WWII book for the Autumn Reading Challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'll be very interested on your thoughts when you get to Amber Road Kathryn:)"

Well, I finished Amber Road last week. I liked it, or, at least, I liked parts of it. Victoria's gra..."

Thanks Kathryn...it sounds like a story that gets better after the first 100 pages or so. I was reading it for NetGalley, and had to tell them it wasn't for me. I know of others who did the same with it, that's why I was so interested to hear your thoughts. I agree with your opinion of Victoria and Sebastian...she seemed very juvenile, very young in her views. I didn't like her at all!

[Neil]

Finished 2nd book, Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. Was a frantic book read at a frantic pace. Now for book 3, Dawn one hell of a life by Dawn herself (this is also in conjunction with the March female challenge).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Neil wrote: "Finished 2nd book, Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. Was a frantic book read at a frantic pace. Now for book 3, Dawn one hell of a life by Dawn herself (this is also in conjunction with the March fema..."

Ice Station by Matthew Reilly

Dawn: One Hell Of A Life by Dawn Fraser

[Christy]

Finished my March New Release which is early since it won't be released until April - Thank You Net Galley!!!

by Fiona Mccallum

What an enjoyable read! I gave it 5 stars and am very excited to have found this Aussie Author. I'll be reading more of hers for sure!!

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Sally906]

I have read my March book:

March - New Release -
Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell

Fabulous book!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "I have read my March book:

March - New Release -
Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell

Fabulous book!"

Wasn't it awesome Sally!!

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "Wasn't it awesome Sally!!"

Absolutely - hanging out for the next one now - LOL!!!

[Missy]

Question, do the books have to be based in Australia?

I've noticed a few books written by Aussies that are set abroad that I'd like to read, if they count? :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Wasn't it awesome Sally!!"

Absolutely - hanging out for the next one now - LOL!!!"

Haha! I think we might have a while to wait;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Missy wrote: "Question, do the books have to be based in Australia?

I've noticed a few books written by Aussies that are set abroad that I'd like to read, if they count? :)"

As long as the authors are Aussie, Missy...it doesn't matter where they're based:)

[Sharon]

I have finished my March read by M.K. Hume.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Sharon:)

[Dale]

Added two kids boks as March reads new releasesWord Hunters: The Lost Hunters andMy Life as an Alphabet
Both read now

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you Dale:)

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Wasn't it awesome Sally!!"

Absolutely - hanging out for the next one now - LOL!!!"

Haha! I think we might have a while to wait;)"

Not at all she is working on it now - probably next year :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Wasn't it awesome Sally!!"

Absolutely - hanging out for the next one now - LOL!!!"

Haha! I think we might have a while to wait;)"

Not at all she is..."

Next year is a long time away;)

[Sally906]

Have started on my April book - it is a debut book from an Australian Author and is set in my home town of Darwin:



Peace, Love and Khaki Socks by Kim Lock

Due for release in May, I have read the first chapter and have been sucked right in. Can tell the author has spent time in Darwin, her description of a muggy build up day is spot on!

[Zoey]

March read done

Dead Girl Sing Tony Cavanaugh 3★

[Catherine]

I'm so behind. Busy with university. I have to continue reading this book
March - New Release: Bay of Fires by Poppy Gee for month of July. Sorry =(

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Cath wrote: "I'm so behind. Busy with university. I have to continue reading this book
March - New Release: Bay of Fires by Poppy Gee for month of July. Sorry =("

Don't apologise Cath! It's a shame, but uni definitely takes priority over reading for pleasure;)

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "It's a shame, but uni definitely takes priority over reading for pleasure;) "

What? Reading for pleasure was the only way I didn't go completely stir crazy when I was in uni!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "It's a shame, but uni definitely takes priority over reading for pleasure;) "

What? Reading for pleasure was the only way I didn't go completely stir crazy when I was in uni!"

Yes, but sometimes you just CAN'T fit it in:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished my April read Frantic. It was an excellent read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Finished my April read Frantic. It was an excellent read."

Glad you enjoyed it Phrynne:)

[Bronwyn]

Zoey wrote: "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..."

I hope you enjoy Farewell to Lancaster, I loved that series

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ravenfeast: Farewell to Legend is this the one Bronwyn/Zoey?

[Zoey]

Brenda wrote: "Ravenfeast: Farewell to Legend is this the one Bronwyn/Zoey?"

No, this one Brenda Farewell to Lancashire :)

Thanks Bronwyn, I have all 3 in the series sitting on my shelf waiting to go. Looking forward to making a start

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zoey wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Ravenfeast: Farewell to Legend is this the one Bronwyn/Zoey?"

No, this one Brenda Farewell to Lancashire :)

Thanks Bronwyn, I have all 3 in the series sitting on my shelf waiting ..."

Thanks Zoey...I put in Farewell to Lancaster, which I now see is wrong, that's why it didn't come up:)

[Bronwyn]

I am slowly getting through my list with some changes. I get my books from the library I had Shadowfever out for my Irish read but I had to give it back as they would not renew it again as someone was waiting for it. I think this is about the 3rd time I have tried to read this book, hopefully I will get to it this year. I find lately though I tend to get through more audio books than books I have to sit down and read. Here is what I have managed to read so far.

1. **
2. ****
3. ****
4. **** (policeman, clergy woman
5. **** (Irish author)
7, *****

It good to see the lists of what people are reading in this challenge and I have managed to add a few more books to my TBR list.

[Dale]

Reading for April my favourite genre poetryTaking Flight poems andHouse for all Seasons
I came across a Monica McInerney book I had not read. Thought I'd read them all except for her newest one, and was going to use Family Baggagein favourite genre for April which is mainstream fiction -books about relationships. But once I got hold of Family Baggage I couldn't help myself but put the book I had been reading aside and read this before April arrived. The review is here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Kathryn]

I loved Family Baggage when I read it too, Dale. I liked your review, however that link doesn't actually work...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

There you go:)