**Autumn Reading Challenge - 1/3/13 - 31/5/13**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Ok I can't wait any longer :). When will the Winter Challenge be announced? I'm just dying to put my list together :)"

Haha!! A little excited are we Christy!!! 15th May is the release date:)

[Christy]

Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Ok I can't wait any longer :). When will the Winter Challenge be announced? I'm just dying to put my list together :)"

Haha!! A little excited are we Christy!!! 15th May is the re..."

I am VERY excited!! But that gives me more time to dig into my forever growing pile of TBR books ;)

Thanks for sharing and happy reading all!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Ok I can't wait any longer :). When will the Winter Challenge be announced? I'm just dying to put my list together :)"

Haha!! A little excited are we Christy!!! 15t..."

So glad you're excited Christy:)

[Amber]

Two to go! I have to get Fingersmith from my Mum before I can start reading it, so I may have to wait until the weekend. So I guess I'll be reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory next :-)

1. Strong female - The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson ★★★★☆
2. Reduce- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes ★★★★☆
3. Recycle - Mr Chen's Emporium by Deborah O'Brien ★★★☆☆
4. Murder - The Child Thief by Brom ★★★★☆
5. Irish - 'Tis by Frank McCourt ★★★☆☆
6. Workers - The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick ★★★★☆
7. Colours of Autumn - Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
8. Easter - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
9. Anzac War related - Hannah and Emil by Belinda Castles ★★★☆☆
10. Mother's Day - The Harp in the South by Ruth Park ★★★★☆
11. TBR - The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood ★★★★☆
12. TBR - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame ★★★★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Amber:)

[Sally906]

Nicola wrote: "The Rosie Project / Graeme Simsion 5* without a doubt, fantastic."

Been hearing good things about this one - will HAVE to cave in and get my hands on it sooner rather than later!!!

[Sally906]

All finished now – Whoo hoo – here is my final list:


1. International Women's Day - Read a book about a strong female character
Changeless by Gail Carriger

Clean Up Australia Day:
2. REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf
Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen

3. RECYCLE - Read any book from the library
Out of the Rain: Marriage Wanted\Laughter in the Rain by Debbie Macomber

4. The Ides of March - Read a book with a murder or assassination in the plot.
Meaner than Fiction by Lindy Cameron - lots of real murders in this book!

5. St. Patrick's Day - Read a book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland or has an Irish character.
The Irish Warrior by Kris Kennedy

6. Australian Labour Day - Choose a book whose main characters are working class people, e.g. construction, office or health workers, policemen or teachers.
Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell – Paramedics and Police

7. Colours of autumn - Choose a book which has red, gold, brown, orange or yellow in the title or whose cover is primarily an Autumn colour.
A Tall Man in a Low Land: Some Time Among the Belgians by Harry Pearson

8. Easter - Read a book that YOU would associate with Easter, explain your connection when posting your book choice
Pastors' Wives: A Novel by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen - because Easter is one of the busiest times in the church calendar, and Ministers/Pastors and congregations rely on the unrecognised hard work behind the scenes of the Pastor’s wives

9. Anzac Day - Read a book depicting the ANZACs or anything connected to war where our Australian and/or New Zealand troops took part.
Katarina by Kathryn Winter – set in WWII Europe where Australian troops served.


10. Mother’s Day - Read a book depicting mothers/grandmothers and family; with a special connection to Mothers/Grandmothers
The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins

11. & 12. Finish the challenge with at least two books from your TBR list - Just because you can!!

The Time of the Hunter's Moon by Victoria Holt

Manthropology: The Science of Why the Modern Male Is Not the Man He Used to Be by Peter Mcallister

Now to wait patiently for the Winter list....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Sally! Well done:) (Won't be long!)

[Steve]

Sally906 wrote: "Now to wait patiently for the Winter list.... "

You and me both! And yes Brenda, I know. :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

All done:)

1. Strong female character - Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell (Det. Ella Marconi) ★★★★★

2. Reduce - Tiger Paw by Charles A. Cornell ★★★★★

3. Recycle - House for all Seasons by Jenn J. McLeod ★★★★

4. Murder or Assassination - The Orchid Murder: Untangling a Web of Unsolved Murders and Legal Malpractice by Christine Hunt ★★★

5. Irish (character) - Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb★★★★★

6. Working class character - The Black Echo by Michael Connelly (Detective Harry Bosch #1) ★★★★★

7. Colours of Autumn - A Thousand Pardons by Jonathan Dee ★★★★

8. Easter - Death by Chocolate by Julie Anne Lindsey (chocolate!) ★

9. Anzac War related - The Mine by John A. Heldt ★★★★

10. Mother's Day - Fractured by Dawn Barker ★★★★★

11. TBR - Mine To Avenge by Kerry Letheby ★★★★★

12. TBR - Dark Horse by Honey Brown ★★★★★

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "All done:)"

Woooo! Well done!

[Steve]

And my first book of my third list, Love Among the Chickens is done, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Steve, and congrats on your first of third;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Steve wrote: "And my first book of my third list, Love Among the Chickens is done, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...."

You still have 22 days left to do this. Easy! ( for someone who reads as fast as you do anyway)

[Steve]

Phrynne wrote: "You still have 22 days left to do this. Easy!"

Haha. I don't think so, especially given the five Wheel of Time books at roughly 900 pages each. I am expecting to finish seven, perhaps eight.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "You still have 22 days left to do this. Easy!"

Haha. I don't think so, especially given the five Wheel of Time books at roughly 900 pages each. I am expecting to finish seven, perh..."

You are totally unbelievable!!!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Steve wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "You still have 22 days left to do this. Easy!"

Haha. I don't think so, especially given the five Wheel of Time books at roughly 900 pages each. I am expecting to finish seven, perh..."

Do you sleep?

[[deleted user]]

I just finished reading I have finished this challenge

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Arena!

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "All done:)"

Well to you too!!! :)

[Elaine]

Just started my 8th book for this challenge, Colours of Autumn, Kinglake-350 . Not really liking my chances of completing the challenge but I'm enjoying trying!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Just started my 8th book for this challenge, Colours of Autumn, Kinglake-350. Not really liking my chances of completing the challenge but I'm enjoying trying!!!"

And that's the main thing:) I'll be interested in your thoughts of this one too Elaine, when you've finished...

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Just started my 8th book for this challenge, Colours of Autumn, Kinglake-350. Not really liking my chances of completing the challenge but I'm enjoyi..."

Brenda this one is a tough one for me to read as I know people who live in Kinglake and St Andrews. My friends survived but there were others who didn't or who lost everything.Also I don't live too far from these areas. As I read I have goosebumps and think "there but by the grace of God go I." We really musn't take anything for granted.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Just started my 8th book for this challenge, Colours of Autumn, Kinglake-350. Not really liking my chances of completing the challenge..."

It was a terrible time Elaine, and I thought you'd probably be close to those areas...I hope you can get through it ok, but don't upset yourself with it:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Just started my 8th book for this challenge, Colours of Autumn, Kinglake-350. Not really liking my chances of completin..."

No.. I've waited for the right time to read it. Enough time has passed and it's not summer so I think I can handle it. I really have been wanting to read it as I think it's important to know more of what happened on a day that will always be remembered as one of the worst days in Victoria. It's too easy to become complacent, especially as time passes. Mind you I haven't been able to visit King Lake at all, although I hear that it's all looking much better now, of course. Thanks for your thoughts Brenda.

[Amber]

8. Easter - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl ★★★☆☆

One more to go! :-)

[Elaine]

Finished my 8th for this challenge.Kinglake-350 . I gave it 5 stars and would highly recommend it but not for the faint- hearted.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my 8th for this challenge.Kinglake-350. I gave it 5 stars and would highly recommend it but not for the faint- hearted."

So glad you enjoyed it Elaine. I would like to read it one day:) I hope it helped you too...

[Steve]

I have finished the second of my third list, The Eagle Has Flown, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Trevor]

Finished my tenth book of the challenge , now it's onto my Ides of March book

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done guys:)

[Nicola]

Have finally finished
The Iron Lady / Hugo Young
Was very interesting, especially because I lived in England for some of her 'reign'.
Now onto my ANZAC and Labour day books and also starte Lady Susan, so should be finished in time!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you Nicola:)

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Well done guys:)"

Thanks Brenda, just hoping I have time to finish all 12 of my books

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well done guys:)"

Thanks Brenda, just hoping I have time to finish all 12 of my books"

You have over two weeks to read two books Trevor...you can do it!!! :)

[Steve]

The third of my third list, Bee Season is done, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Nicola]

Finished Lady Susan by Jane Austen last night. Absolutely loved it! I thought I had read all of Jane Austen but it seems there's a few I missed.

Have also finished my Labour Day book The Time of Their Lives: The Eight Hour Day and Working Life / Australian Society for The Study Of Labo Very interesting collection of essays defining the history of the 8 hour working day in various parts of Australia and beyond...

only my ANZAC book to go and hopefully I 'll finish my TBR books are well!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Nicola...you're getting there:)

[Ben]

Didn't get into Every Dead Thing as much as I hoped, it was a bit all over the place unfortunately. I'm burning through Wool now but not sure I will get done with my last couple of picks!

1. Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh ★★
2. Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard ★★★★
3. Raylan by Elmore Leonard ★★★★
4. Luther: The Calling by Neil Cross ★★★★
5. Every Dead Thing by John Connolly ★★
6. A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane ★★★★
7. The Cold Commands by Richard K. Morgan
8. The Jerusalem Syndrome: My Life as a Reluctant Messiah by Marc Maron ★★★
9. Kokoda by Peter FitzSimons ★★★
10. TBC
11. The Human Division by John Scalzi ★★
12. Wool by Hugh Howey

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You've done really well Ben! Perhaps you can incorporate what you don't get done into the Winter challenge?

[Ben]

Yeah, I think The Cold Commands would fit nicely!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ben wrote: "Yeah, I think The Cold Commands would fit nicely!"

Sure would!

[Steve]

And the fourth of my third list, O is for Outlaw done, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Lynxie]

Time for an update:

1. Strong women: Tough Girl by Libby Heily ★★★

2. REDUCE - TBR shelf: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell ★★★

3. RECYCLE - the library: Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King

4. Murder or assassination: The Ninth Orphan by James Morcan ★★★★

5. Luck O the Irish: A Thirty-Something Girl by L.M. Stull ★★★

6. Working Class: Next of Kin by Ann Somerville ★★★
Occupation: Policeman

7. Colours of Autumn: Forgotten Fox by Lena Horn

8. Easter: Advent by Natasha Duncan-Drake
Reason: Hunters are prevalent in the book, one must be a good hunter to get all the easter eggs! ★★★★

9. Anzac Day: The Mine by John A. Heldt ★★★

10. Mothers Day: Partials by Dan Wells - not sure about this Mother connection, but unless I find something else this will probably be it.

11. TBR: Linked Through Time by Jessica Tornese ★★★

12. TBR: Monsieur by Emma Becker ★★

May not finish, but I've given it a good go :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Michael and Lynxie:)

[Nicola]

Finished my Anzac Book - nowhere near as captivating as the 8 hour day book!
Anzac Day: The Undying Debt / J. G. Pavils

already onto my TBR books and still 12 day to go!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Nicola!

[Kelly]

1.Cleopatra: A Life
2.The War of the Worlds
3.To the Lighthouse
4.Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders
5.The Picture of Dorian Gray
6.Singled Out: How Two Million Women Survived Without Men After the First World War
7.The Casual Vacancy
8.The Enchanted April
9.The ANZAC Book
10.Son of a Witch
11.So Much to Tell You
12. Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves

Finished my last book today.

[Trevor]

Finished my assassination book HHhH by Laurent Binet, which I thoroughly enjoyed. My short review is: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Now to choose my twelfth and last book from my TBR pile.

[Steve]

My fifth of my third list, Patriot Games is done and dusted. My review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....