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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Glad you liked Kill Alex Cross Christy...I have that one here to read yet:)

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Just finished my first book for the Spring Challenge (Strong Women) Cold Light, now onto Love and Death on Long Island, which has been on my "to read" list for far too long."

Hey Tr..."

Just showing my UK background, after 17 years I still can't get used to the seasons being back to front

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Just finished my first book for the Spring Challenge (Strong Women) Cold Light, now onto Love and Death on Long Island, which has been on my "to read" list for far too..."

I checked your profile, in case you're from overseas Trevor!!! Never mind, I knew what you meant;) lol

[Christy]

Brenda wrote: "Glad you liked Kill Alex Cross Christy...I have that one here to read yet:)"

Brenda this is honestly one of the BEST Alex Cross books I've read! WOW! I love James Patterson! Think you'd enjoy it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Glad you liked Kill Alex Cross Christy...I have that one here to read yet:)"

Brenda this is honestly one of the BEST Alex Cross books I've read! WOW! I love James Patterson! Thin..."

Sounds like I'd better move it up my list then Christy!!

[Steve]

I am now half done, having just finished Shattered. Review is http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I am now half done, having just finished Shattered. Review is http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Steve you know you have 3 months to read all your books?? ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Glad you liked Kill Alex Cross Christy...I have that one here to read yet:)"

Brenda this is honestly one of the BEST Alex Cross books I've read! WOW! I love James Patterson! Thin..."

Now I'm embarrassed!!! I just checked my copy to move it up, and I've read it already!! I loved it and gave it 5 stars....I was thinking of Alex Cross, Run which I have yet to read!!!

[Christy]

Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Glad you liked Kill Alex Cross Christy...I have that one here to read yet:)"

Brenda this is honestly one of the BEST Alex Cross books I've read! WOW! I love James ..."

That's why we use Goodreads ;). I would never be able to keep track either! I tend to read the Alex Cross books slowly so I always have one but am not sure I can wait. May have to polish the next 2 off quickly!

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "Steve you know you have 3 months to read all your books?? ;)"

Well, yeah ... :-)

Maybe I shall take a break with Lord of the Fading Lands (and the next four books in the series).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Glad you liked Kill Alex Cross Christy...I have that one here to read yet:)"

Brenda this is honestly one of the BEST Alex Cross books I've read! WOW!..."

I have 2 of the newer ones here...Alex Cross, Run and Merry Christmas, Alex Cross plus others of James Patterson's...too many books, too little time;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Steve you know you have 3 months to read all your books?? ;)"

Well, yeah ... :-)

Maybe I shall take a break with Lord of the Fading Lands (and the next four books in the series)."

I think you might have to do a double, like a couple of the members did with the spring challenge...they finished, then did a whole new challenge with the same guidelines, and ALMOST finished that one too!!! You are doing really well Steve!!

[Christy]

Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christy wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Glad you liked Kill Alex Cross Christy...I have that one here to read yet:)"

Brenda this is honestly one of the BEST Alex Cross books ..."

Always!!! ;)

[Lesley]

Just finished my #3 library read Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? 5 stars, beautiful writing.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I finished my #2, Reduce, a little while ago Tiger Paw by Charles A. Cornell. It was brilliant. My review to follow:)"

As promised, my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Christy]

Finished #3 tonight in Tin God positively fantastic! 5*
Will write a review tomorrow which I normally don't do but this book was that good and I received it as an ARC from the author. Great read!

[[deleted user]]

I have finished my first book

[Lynxie]

Finished my first! Next of Kin by Ann Somerville ★★★

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Arena and Lynxie!

[Amber]

I've finished my 9. Anzac War related book -
Hannah and Emil by Belinda Castles ★★★

I'm about 3/4 of the way through my Recycle book. Not sure if I'll be writing reviews sorry...

A question for those of us who are reading Les Misérables for their challenge, which edition/translation will you be reading?

[Amber]

Two down :-)

3. Recycle - Mr Chen's Emporium by Deborah O'Brien ★★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sweet Ginger wrote: "Finished the first two!

1. International Women's Day - The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead (Sydney Sage!) ...REVIEW

Clean Up Australia Day:
2. REDUCE - Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor ...."

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Well done Ginger:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Two down :-)

3. Recycle -
Mr Chen's Emporium
by Deborah O'Brien ★★★"

Doing well Amber:)

[Trevor]

2nd book completed The 39 Steps, still reading, and enjoying my next book Love and Death on Long Island

[Louise]

Trevor wrote: "2nd book completed The 39 Steps, still reading, and enjoying my next book Love and Death on Long Island"

Did you like The 39 Steps? I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also saw a production of it last weekend - a farce based on the Hitchcock movie, rather than directly from the book. Very funny!

[Jessy]

Just finished my second challange book in the dentist waiting room of all places lol Good way to distract yourself lol

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jessy wrote: "Just finished my second challange book in the dentist waiting room of all places lol Good way to distract yourself lol

"

Go Jessy!!

[Trevor]

Louise wrote: "Trevor wrote: "2nd book completed The 39 Steps, still reading, and enjoying my next book Love and Death on Long Island"

Did you like The 39 Steps? I thoroughly enjoyed it. I also saw a production ..."

Yes I enjoyed the novel, very far fetched, but that was what I was expecting. Was a very easy read too.

[Lesley]

Also just finished my second book Bad Blood which was my Easter choice.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Michael:) You got anything to fill those spots with yet? ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have just finished my fourth...#6. Working class character (detective) The Black Echo by Michael Connelly 5★s. Review to follow!

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "I have just finished my fourth...#6. Working class character (detective) The Black Echo by Michael Connelly 5★s. Review to follow!"

4th book already! Good work Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just finished my fourth...#6. Working class character (detective) The Black Echo by Michael Connelly 5★s. Review to follow!"

4th book already! Good work Brenda :)"

Thanks Mish:)

[Jessy]

Wow 4 books down already your really going strong Brenda!!!

[Kathryn]

At this rate, Brenda, you could do the challenge twice over!

[Jessy]

Kathryn wrote: "At this rate, Brenda, you could do the challenge twice over!"


Yeah Brenda you eager beaver lol you got two months to do it lol ;oD

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks guys:) I have lots of books to read, so I try to incorporate them into all my challenges:)

[Elaine]

Just finished my second book for this challenge. The World Beneath . I gave it 3 stars. It was an enjoyable read and the second book I've read this year set in Tasmania. Now I want to go even more than before!!! Not sure what I'll read next.

[Jessy]

Third book down I really really liked it but I thought the ending was a bit abrupt. Considering it was over 350 pages long I just thought maybe some more time could have been spent on the ending. But apart from that I loved it. It was a good Aussie bush setting, and having grown up in the country the author really got the nuances right!!

[Kathryn]

Well, I've read 4 books that fit into my autumn reading challenge, although only 1 so far is what was on my original list!

1. International Women's Day - Australian events 1.3.13 - 30.3.13 - - Read a book about a strong female character either fiction or non-fiction.
Either:
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection by Alexander McCall Smith, or
The Fiction Class by Susan Breen

- or both...!


Clean Up Australia Day - 3.3.13 -
2. REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf
I read The Woman Who Wasn't There: The True Story of an Incredible Deception by Robin Gaby Fisher - still debating over whether to give it 2★ or 3★... It might have been 4★ if there'd been something else to the book other than what you're able to gather from the title and the blurb... And the writing style was a little weird, given that you not it's not true from the beginning.

3. RECYCLE - Read any book from the library
I read The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town John Grisham 2★ I've realised why John Grisham writes fiction - non-fiction is not his speciality. However, if his research is accurate, the incompetence (or corruption??) of the police force is stunning (frustrating and infuriating, but stunning!) - it was several decades ago - I do hope things have changed now...

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

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★ Loved, loved, loved it!! Simple book, easy to read. I love stories set in beautiful rural surroundings. This reminds me of the James Herriot series, but in Ireland. I'll be reading more of this series!


6. Australian Labour Day used to be called Eight Hours Day
Choose a book whose main characters are working class people, e.g. construction, office or health workers, policemen or teachers.
Either:
A Mercy by Toni Morrison - I think slaves should count, shouldn't they? - OR
The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth - midwife - sadly, I think I'll have to wait to read this one - far too many reserves at my local library!

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 - I'm not convinced I'll like this (might be too sci-fi for my tastes, but am going to try), so I have a backup:
The Far Country by Nevil Shute - and I'm reading this for another challenge already!!


8. Easter - 29.3.13 - 1.4.13 -
Read a book that YOU would associate with Easter:
90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life by Don Piper - Easter means the death and resurrection of Jesus to life, for me, and this book is the author's account of 1.5 hours he spent in heaven, having been declared dead.


9. Anzac Day - 25.4.13 - Read a book depicting the ANZACs or anything connected to war where our Australian and/or New Zealand troops took part.
I was going to read The War Diaries Of Weary Dunlop by E.E. Dunlop, however I read Amber Road by Boyd Anderson for another challenge and realised it fitted in here! 3★ - the main character annoyed me, but improved after the first 100 pages or so. I learnt a lot about the Japanese invasion and occupation of Singapore I hadn't realised previously. Can't say I'm terribly motivated at this point in time to find out whether Boyd Anderson has written any other books - even when it only means clicking on the link to his name!!

10. Mothers Day - 12.5.13 - Read a book depicting mothers/grandmothers and family; with a special connection to Mothers/Grandmothers:)
The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins

And finally, for those of you who read quickly and want more......

11. & 12. Finish the challenge with at least two books from your TBR list - Just because you can!!
I might pick from these books if I have time to read extras(!) - or I may yet pick completely different books! It will depend on which are easily available!
Grand Days by Frank Moorhouse
The Little Shadows by Marina Endicott
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
The Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett
The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
The Comfort of Figs by Simon Cleary
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

[Trevor]

Kathryn wrote: "Well, I've read 4 books that fit into my autumn reading challenge, although only 1 so far is what was on my original list!

1. International Women's Day - Australian events 1.3.13 - 30.3.13 - - Re..."

Take a punt on
Grand Days, it's a great book. I've just finished Cold Light which is the last book in the trilogy, and the weakest of the three.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done guys! Everyone is doing well!

[Kathryn]

Thanks, Trevor - I'll make Grand Days a priority! And isn't it a shame when further books (and movies) in a series aren't as satisfying as the first? Do you think it's because something is new and fresh and different the first time but if the author (or director/scriptwriter etc) tries to repeat their success with something similar it can't be new and fresh and different again?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I am currently reading my sixth book ( Calculated In Death which is really good) but after that I have to pause until April because I have crossed over with other monthly challenges! Good. It means I can read anything I like for a week or so.

[Christy]

I almost forgot to tell everyone I finished my 3rd book, a TBR in Tin God by Stacy Green - 5*

Can someone please help me link my review? Thank you

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "I almost forgot to tell everyone I finished my 3rd book, a TBR in Tin God by Stacy Green - 5*

Can someone please help me link my review? Thank you"

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

When you have posted your review Christy, you copy and paste the url link which is at the top of the page... it always has the word "review" in the link...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I have just finished my fourth...#6. Working class character (detective) The Black Echo by Michael Connelly 5★s. Review to follow!"

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 5th - #4..Murder or Assassination.. The Orchid Murder: Untangling a Web of Unsolved Murders and Legal Malpractice ..Review to follow 22/3/13.

This is how it looks at the moment:)


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 - Barry and the Fairies of Miller Street by Barry Dickins (Mother is waiting to have baby, while Barry goes to Nan and Pop's)

11. TBR - Mine To Avenge by Kerry Letheby

12. TBR - Dark Horse by Honey Brown

[Elaine]

Gosh Brenda...you'd think I'd be used to you racing through these challenges by now but I'm still amazed at how fast you polish them off!!! I'm excited cause I just started my third in this challenge. Hopefully I'll stay on track with this one and actually finish it.

[[deleted user]]

I have read 3 books for this challenge I have read these books



I am reading now and