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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kelly wrote: "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 Wit..."

Congratulations Kelly!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Going well Trevor and Steve!

[Steve]

Bleh, my sixth, Circle of Friends is starting to actually annoy me. It also doesn't help that one of the characters shares a name (same spelling and everything) with a person that bullied me in high school. I may end up picking up a different book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Bleh, my sixth, Circle of Friends is starting to actually annoy me. It also doesn't help that one of the characters shares a name (same spelling and everything) with a person that bullied me in hig..."

Give it the flick Steve...not worth it!

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "Give it the flick Steve...not worth it!"

I'm currently in the "It will get better ... right?" stage, so we'll see.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Give it the flick Steve...not worth it!"

I'm currently in the "It will get better ... right?" stage, so we'll see."

Is the genre maybe a little too far removed from your normal taste Steve?

[Steve]

Phrynne wrote: "Is the genre maybe a little too far removed from your normal taste Steve?"

Well, it seemed okay when I was writing my third list, and it's listed as Historical Fiction. It's only the late fifties, so maybe I am just too young (born in the 80s) for it.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Steve wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Is the genre maybe a little too far removed from your normal taste Steve?"

Well, it seemed okay when I was writing my third list, and it's listed as Historical Fiction. It's only t..."

That's why you can never trust lists. Whoever put it under historical fiction was reaching a bit hard I think!

[Steve]

Phrynne wrote: "Whoever put it under historical fiction was reaching a bit hard I think!"

The top genre is 'Chick Lit', so perhaps I'm allergic -- but so is My Sister's Keeper, so I don't know.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Steve wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Whoever put it under historical fiction was reaching a bit hard I think!"

The top genre is 'Chick Lit', so perhaps I'm allergic -- but so is My Sister's Keeper, so I don't know."

Yes - there is good and bad in all genres. I actually like Maeve Binchy but her older books are very dated now. Perhaps that's why they called it Historical fiction!!!

[Louise]

Only 1 more to go!
1. International Women's Day: Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey
2. Reduce: Blue Coyote Motel, Dianne Harman
3. Recycle: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Douglas Adams
4. The Ides of March: Shadows in Bronze, Lindsey Davis
5. St Patrick's Day: Pygmalion: A Romance in Five Acts, George Bernard Shaw
6. Australian Labour Day: The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, Douglas Adams He’s a private detective… of sorts…. 
7. Colours of Autumn: The Silver Pigs, Lindsey Davis
8. Easter: Easter Bunny Murder, Leslie Meier
9. Anzac Day: Gilgamesh, Joan London
10. Mother's Day: Where the Bodies Are Buried, Christopher Brookmyre
11. TBR List: The Wars of the Roses, Robin Neillands
12. TBR List: True Grit, Charles Portis

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Going well Louise, good on you:)

[[deleted user]]

Well, I managed 6 out of 10!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Tanvi wrote: "Well, I managed 6 out of 10!"

You've still got 10 days Tanvi:)

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "Well, I managed 6 out of 10!"

You've still got 10 days Tanvi:)"

Sadly, those 10 days will be taken up with assigments. :(

[[deleted user]]

Louise wrote: "Only 1 more to go!
1. International Women's Day: Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey
2. Reduce: Blue Coyote Motel, Dianne Harman
3. Recycle: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Douglas Adams
4...."

Yay, well done!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Tanvi wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "Well, I managed 6 out of 10!"

You've still got 10 days Tanvi:)"

Sadly, those 10 days will be taken up with assigments. :("

Well congratulations on a job well done! And good luck with your assignments.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Michael!

[Nicola]

Finished one of my TBR Books
The Map of the Sky / Félix J. Palma

one more to go!

[Kathryn]

After several changes to my initial selections, I'm finished the Autumn Challenge. I read all 12, with an extra one for the first category!


1. International Women's Day - Read a book about a strong female character either fiction or non-fiction.

The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith 4★

The Fiction Class by Susan Breen 3★

Clean Up Australia Day - 3.3.13 -
2. REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf
The Woman Who Wasn't There: The True Story of an Incredible Deception by Robin Gaby Fisher 2★

3. RECYCLE - Read any book from the library
The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham 2★

4. The Ides of March - 15.3.13 -
Read a book with a murder or assassination in the plot.
Bloody Brisbane: Murder In The River City by Jack Sim 3★

5. St. Patrick's Day - 17.3.13 -
Read a book written by an Irish author, set in Ireland or has an Irish character.
An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor 4★

6. Australian Labour Day - Choose a book whose main characters are working class people, e.g. construction, office or health workers, policemen or teachers.

A Mercy by Toni Morrison - slaves - 1★

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.
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke 4★

8. Easter - 29.3.13 - 1.4.13 -
Read a book that YOU would associate with Easter: death and resurrection
90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life by Don Piper 3★

9. Anzac Day - 25.4.13
Amber Road by Boyd Anderson 3★

10. Mothers Day - 12.5.13 -
The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins 4★


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

I read The Comfort of Figs by Simon Cleary 3★ and at first I really enjoyed it - set in Brisbane, the author described places I could recognise which made it interesting. After a little while the story seemed to drag, so that slowed my reading down - I'm not sure whether this was the fault of the book or because I was reading a fast-paced book at the same time that this seemed to suffer by comparison - maybe a combination of both!

I was going to prioritise Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse, and I have borrowed it from the library, however I was a bit daunted by the size of it and I didn't think I could finish it in time (along with the other books I'm trying to finish at the same time!) so I moved on to my next pick which was Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear and I loved it!! 4★ And I'll definitely be reading more of hers - the second in the series is already on my TBR! So Grand Days will still get read, just not for this challenge!

[Steve]

Kathryn wrote: "After several changes to my initial selections, I'm finished the Autumn Challenge. I read all 12, with an extra one for the first category!"

Well done!

[Kathryn]

Steve wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "After several changes to my initial selections, I'm finished the Autumn Challenge. I read all 12, with an extra one for the first category!"

Well done!"

Not as well done as you, Steve! How many are you up to on your 3rd list now??

[Louise]

Yay! I've finished. Just in time to sort out my Winter reading and to finish my last assignment of the semester. Rock on!

1. International Women's Day: Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey
2. Reduce: Blue Coyote Motel, Dianne Harman
3. Recycle: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, Douglas Adams
4. The Ides of March: Shadows in Bronze, Lindsey Davis
5. St Patrick's Day: Pygmalion: A Romance in Five Acts, George Bernard Shaw
6. Australian Labour Day: The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, Douglas Adams He’s a private detective… of sorts…. 
7. Colours of Autumn: The Silver Pigs, Lindsey Davis
8. Easter: Easter Bunny Murder, Leslie Meier
9. Anzac Day: Gilgamesh, Joan London
10. Mother's Day: Where the Bodies Are Buried, Christopher Brookmyre
11. TBR List: The Wars of the Roses, Robin Neillands
12. TBR List: True Grit, Charles Portis

[Mish]

Yay Congratulations everyone :)

[Steve]

Kathryn wrote: " How many are you up to on your 3rd list now??"

Currently reading my sixth. Expecting to finish the seventh before the end of the month.

[Elaine]

Finished my 9th for this challenge St Patrick's day The Likeness which I thoroughly enjoyed and gave 4 stars to. Don't think I'm going to finish the challenge on time but I might just be able to fit one more in.

[Steve]

I've finished my sixth of my third list, Circle of Friends, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "After several changes to my initial selections, I'm finished the Autumn Challenge. I read all 12, with an extra one for the first category!


1. International Women's Day - Read a book about a str..."

Congratulations Kathryn, great result!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Louise wrote: "Yay! I've finished. Just in time to sort out my Winter reading and to finish my last assignment of the semester. Rock on!

1. International Women's Day: Kushiel's Dart, Jacqueline Carey
2. Reduce:..."

Well done Louise! Great effort!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my 9th for this challenge St Patrick's day The Likeness which I thoroughly enjoyed and gave 4 stars to. Don't think I'm going to finish the challenge on tim..."

You are doing extremely well Elaine!

[Amber]

A very satisfactory end to my Autumn Challenge, four stars for Fingersmith. Finished, with time to spare!

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 ★★★★★ (3 for the story and an extra 2 for the gorgeous illustrations)

[Steve]

Amber wrote: "A very satisfactory end to my Autumn Challenge, four stars for Fingersmith. Finished, with time to spare!"

Well done!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Amber! Well done:)

[Steve]

Since this challenge is nearly over (Boo!), what happens to this thread?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Since this challenge is nearly over (Boo!), what happens to this thread?"

We just archive them Steve, so you can access it at any time:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my 9th for this challenge St Patrick's day The Likeness which I thoroughly enjoyed and gave 4 stars to. Don't think I'm going to finish the c..."

Thanks Brenda...nowhere near the calibre of you or Steve but I am enjoying it. Hope to catch up on a few in the June challenge!!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my 9th for this challenge St Patrick's day The Likeness which I thoroughly enjoyed and gave 4 stars to. Don't think I'm going ..."

Everyone has their own speed of reading Elaine...you mustn't compare yourself to others:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my 9th for this challenge St Patrick's day The Likeness which I thoroughly enjoyed and gave 4 stars to. Don't t..."

No...not comparing Brenda just stating the facts. I'm pretty sure you guys are the exception not the norm. :)

[Trevor]

Just finished my last book of the autumn challenge, here's the full list of what i read:
1. International Women’s Day – Cold Light by Frank Moorhouse
2. Reduce - Love and Death on Long Island by Gilbert Adair
3. Library - The 39 Steps by John Buchan
4. Murder - HHhH by Laurent Binet
5. St Patrick's Day - The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Tóibín
6. Worker - Hide and Seek by Ian Rankin
7. Easter - The Secret Life of France by Lucy Wadham
8. Autumn - Death Comes To Pemberley by P.D. James
9. ANZAC - My Brother Jack by George Johnston
10. Mother's Day - Room by Emma Donoghue
11. TBR - Thérèse Raquin by Émile Zola
12. TBR - Father's Day by Tony Birch

Loved the challenge and enjoyed all of the books apart from the first mother's day book I gave up on. Looking forward to the Winter challenge.

[Steve]

My seventh of my third list, The Anvil of Ice is done, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

As Trevor said, looking forward to the Winter challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Trevor! Great result:)

Well done again Steve.

[Nicola]

Finished!!!! and with one day to spare, woulld have been sooner but assignments got inthe way....

1. International Women's Day

The Iron Lady: A Biography of Margaret Thatcher / Hugo Young

Clean Up Australia Day
2. REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf

All That I Am / Anna Funder

3. RECYCLE - Read any book from the library

Plum Lucky / Janet Evanovich

4. The Ides of March

The Accusers / Lindsey Davis

5. St. Patrick's Day

And Another Thing... / Eoin Colfer

6. Australian Labour Day

The Time of Their Lives: The Eight Hour Day and Working Life / Australian Society for The Study Of Labo
The history of the movement

7. Colours of Autumn

The Rosie Project / Graeme Simsion

8. Easter – I don’t associate Easter much with anything but thought this book would be interesting!

Easter Bunny Murder / Leslie Meier

9. Anzac Day

Anzac Day: The Undying Debt / J. G. Pavils

10. Mothers Day

Lady Susan / Jane Austen

11. & 12. Two books from my TBR list –
The Map of the Sky / Félix J. Palma
and
A Short History of the WorldH.G. Wells

Now onto my winter challenge!

[Mish]

Nicola wrote: "Finished!!!! and with one day to spare, woulld have been sooner but assignments got inthe way....

1. International Women's Day

..."

Wonderful Nicola :)

[Elaine]

I'm on my tenth for this challenge,my Anzac day read A Fortunate Life . What an amazing story. I am really enjoying it but clearly will not complete the challenge. Not to say I haven't thoroughly enjoyed trying to get there!!!!

[Nicola]

Elaine wrote: "I'm on my tenth for this challenge,my Anzac day read A Fortunate Life. What an amazing story. I am really enjoying it but clearly will not complete the challenge..."

Elaine, I haven't always finished my challenges either! I just try to fit those books in the next challenge!

[Elaine]

Nicola wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I'm on my tenth for this challenge,my Anzac day read A Fortunate Life. What an amazing story. I am really enjoying it but clearly will not complet..."

Thanks Nicola. Yes I normally do that too but I've actually had to say no to the Winter challenge. Although I have been sneaking peaks at what everyone has chosen to read and I must say I'm very tempted to change my mind!!!

[Nicola]

Elaine wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I'm on my tenth for this challenge,my Anzac day read A Fortunate Life. What an amazing story. I am really enjoying it but clearly w..."

Hey! Go for it and just do what you can! It's not a competition, just an avenue for getting some reading time in!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Nicola, congratulations!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "I'm on my tenth for this challenge,my Anzac day read A Fortunate Life. What an amazing story. I am really enjoying it but clearly will not complete the challenge..."

You have done exceptionally well Elaine, congratulations!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I'm on my tenth for this challenge,my Anzac day read A Fortunate Life. What an amazing story. I am really enjoying i..."

Well said Nicola, I agree entirely!