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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ben wrote: "It took me so long to get through my first one... got some catching up to do now!

1. Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh ★★
2. Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard
3. Raylan by Elmore Leonard
4. Luther:..."

But did you enjoy it Ben? It doesn't look like it, and that's a shame. Hopefully you'll power on now, and enjoy them all:)

[Ben]

Unfortunately not really, I couldn't get past the author's prose and most of the characters were pretty uninteresting. I thought I would like it but it wasn't really my thing. Onwards to other stuff!
Brenda wrote: "Ben wrote: "It took me so long to get through my first one... got some catching up to do now!

1. Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh ★★
2. Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard
3. Raylan by Elmore Leonar..."

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ben wrote: "Unfortunately not really, I couldn't get past the author's prose and most of the characters were pretty uninteresting. I thought I would like it but it wasn't really my thing. Onwards to other stuf..."

You're very good to finish it Ben!

[Steve]

There is my ninth finished, Star Trek: Children of the Storm, with the review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "There is my ninth finished, Star Trek: Children of the Storm, with the review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Wow how are you reading them so quickly Steve? They aren't short books either!! Well done.

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "Wow how are you reading them so quickly Steve?"

This one is because there is a restaurant very close to the apartment that my wife and I live in, and they played loud live music until 2am, which also meant that my wife and I didn't get to sleep until after that. Which gave me quite a lot of time to get pretty much halfway through it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Wow how are you reading them so quickly Steve?"

This one is because there is a restaurant very close to the apartment that my wife and I live in, and they played loud live music unt..."

Oh well that explains it Steve! Annoying though:)

[Ben]

Knocked a quick one out this afternoon to get rolling again... I'm a big fan of Maron's WTF podcast so enjoyed his first book published back in 2001. Really looking forward to his new one in a month or so now which will be a bit longer.

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. TBC
6. TBC
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 Sword of the Lictor by Gene Wolfe
12. The Citadel of the Autarch by Gene Wolfe

[Lynxie]

Finished another one:

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

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

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Just finished number 7 A Rose for the Anzac Boys. An easy read because it was very definitely YA. Some gruesome descriptions of life in the trenches in World War 1.

[Trina]

Took me ages to finish my second, but I did it finally (it's so big). five stars to A Clash of Kings for my reduce read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trina wrote: "Took me ages to finish my second, but I did it finally (it's so big). five stars to A Clash of Kings for my reduce read."

Well done Trina!

[Steve]

Ten. And OMG, did it reach into my chest and grab hold of my heart or what. My Sister's Keeper, my review is http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... And now for some tissues.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Ten. And OMG, did it reach into my chest and grab hold of my heart or what. My Sister's Keeper, my review is http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... And now for some tissues."

Great book, that one Steve!

[Ben]

Trina wrote: "Took me ages to finish my second, but I did it finally (it's so big). five stars to A Clash of Kings for my reduce read."

The next one is even better!

[[deleted user]]

I have finished and
I am still reading
and

[Christy]

Finished my 7th 5 *
And my 8th 4*

Almost done with my 9th and will update my list!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Arena and Christy!

[Steve]

Finished my eleventh, The Alchemyst, review is http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Finished my eleventh, The Alchemyst, review is http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...."

One to go Steve!! My challenge to you is...choose 12 more, and complete them by the end of Autumn...31st May...the way you're reading, you will do it, no problem at all;)

[Steve]

My last is New Spring, which kicks off the Wheel of Time. If New Spring grabs me, I might spend the rest of challenge deep in that. :-)

[[deleted user]]

Finished Cry, the Beloved Country (review coming - will be linked at my original post) and am just about to finish Angela's Ashes, my fourth book.

[Kathryn]

Tanvi wrote: "Finished Cry, the Beloved Country (review coming - will be linked at my original post) and am just about to finish Angela's Ashes, my fourth book."

I remember watching Cry, the Beloved Country many, many times for school - it's a very powerful story. I've read the book, but only once, and I can't remember it! I can only remember the movie - I can't even remember how the book compared with the movie!!

[[deleted user]]

Kathryn wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "Finished Cry, the Beloved Country (review coming - will be linked at my original post) and am just about to finish Angela's Ashes, my fourth book."

I remember watching Cry, the Belov..."

I didn't even know there was a movie!

[Kathryn]

The movie was great, Tanvi - just as well, since I had to watch it so often!

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "My challenge to you is...choose 12 more, and complete them by the end of Autumn"

Oh, if you insist. :-)

I've also finished New Spring, my twelth, with my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Due to that, this list does have a rather large Wheel of Time bent to it, but that shouldn't be a problem.

1. International Women's Day ★★★★☆

2. Reduce ★★★★☆

3. Recycle ★★★★★

4. Ides of March ★★★☆☆

5. St. Patricks Day ★★★☆☆

6. Labour Day -- main character is an accountant ★★★☆☆

7. Colours of Autumn ★★★★★

8. Easter -- Chocolate and Easter :-) ★★★★★

9. ANZAC Day ★★☆☆☆

10. Mother's Day ★★★☆☆

11. TBR ★★★☆☆

12. TBR ★★★★☆

[Steve]

First one from my second list finished, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Mish]

Congrats on finishing the challenge Steve. And I see you're off to a good start with your 2nd list :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Steve! I am very impressed. You have some great books on your new list too:)

[Ben]

Nice job Steve

[Steve]

Second book from my second list finished, In Pursuit of Platinum, with my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve, do you do absolutely nothing else but read? LOL I can't believe how quickly you're reading!!!

[Kathryn]

Tanvi wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Tanvi wrote: "Finished Cry, the Beloved Country (review coming - will be linked at my original post) and am just about to finish Angela's Ashes, my fourth book."

I remember watchin..."

Actually, Tanvi, I've just remembered, I think the movie I'm thinking of is Cry...something else...! I just happened to look at the blurb for
Cry, the Beloved Country, and it's not what I was thinking. The movie I was thinking of was about Steve Biko and a Caucasian journalist/newspaper editor whose name I can't remember.

Oh, this is it - Cry Freedom - it's a great movie! Now I can't remember whether I've read this book, or Cry, the Beloved Country, because that does sound familiar...! Maybe I should reread both!

[Amber]

I'm feeling like such a slow-poke - I've only managed to read 108 pages of Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China in 5 days! :-(

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "I'm feeling like such a slow-poke - I've only managed to read 108 pages of Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China in 5 days! :-("

I suspect you've been doing other things Amber:)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "I'm feeling like such a slow-poke - I've only managed to read 108 pages of Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China in 5 days! :-("

I suspect you've been doing other things Amber:)"

Yes - isn't it a shame that life intrudes on reading opportunities...
:-( Speaking of which, I need to get off the computer and get some exercise done - damage limitation mode after my Easter indulgences!

[Amber]

Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "I'm feeling like such a slow-poke - I've only managed to read 108 pages of Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China in 5 days! :-("

I suspect you've been doing other things Amber:)"

I guess so, but no more than usual! It's just that the last two books I read were a pleasure and went so fast compared to this one. It's interesting enough but a struggle for some reason. Plus, I think there are more words per page... The writing is tiny!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Put it down for awhile, and read something you will enjoy more:)

[[deleted user]]

@Kathryn: Oh, no wonder you were confused - they're both about apartheid, too. Since the book is based on the screenplay I'd stick to watching the movie if I were you and read Cry, the Beloved Country instead (sorry, can't link!).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Tanvi wrote: "@Kathryn: Oh, no wonder you were confused - they're both about apartheid, too. Since the book is based on the screenplay I'd stick to watching the movie if I were you and read Cry, the Beloved Coun..."

Cry, the Beloved Country there you go Tanvi:)

[Elaine]

Finished my 4th book for this challenge. No.1 International Women's Day From This Moment On . It was an enjoyable and honest read. I gave it 3 stars.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Glad you enjoyed it Elaine:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it Elaine:)"

Thanks Brenda. I'm glad I read it. I like her even more now.

[Zoey]

Update so far

1. Strong Female Character - Déjà Dead Kathy Reichs
2. Reduce - Jump! Jilly Cooper 3★
3. Reuse - Dead Girl Sing Tony Cavanaugh 3 ★
4. Murder - Bad: The True Story of Australia's Biggest Ever Murder Investigation Michael Duffy
5. Irish Author - Whitethorn Woods Maeve Binchy
6. Labour Day - Wicked!Jilly Cooper(Teachers) 2 ★
7. Autumn Colours - Virgin Earth Philippa Gregory
8. Easter - After the Darkness Honey Brown(Easter = Long weekend holidays - The main Characters are returning from a weekend holiday)
9. ANZAC - The Promise Lesley Pearse(Set during WW1)
10. Mothers Day - Handle with Care Jodi Picoult
11. TBR - Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade Diana Gabaldon
12. TBR - The King's Concubine Anne O'Brien

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Zoey:)

[Zoey]

Thanks Brenda. Only 3 done so far, but got the two 900+ pages out of the way :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zoey wrote: "Thanks Brenda. Only 3 done so far, but got the two 900+ pages out of the way :)"

Oh wow! Good on you....you'll fly through the rest then!!

[Ben]

Three down now. The Calling was a great prequel to the Luther TV series, very engaging and grisly at times.

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. TBC
6. TBC
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 Sword of the Lictor by Gene Wolfe
12. The Citadel of the Autarch by Gene Wolfe

[Steve]

And my third of my second list down, N is for Noose, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Trevor]

Finished book number four My Brother Jack by George Johnston, having not been to school in Australia I had not previously read this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Just started book number five, Irish author novel, which is The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Tóibín.