**Winter Reading Challenge - 2013**

[Nicola]

Finished The Red Sailor/ Patrick O'Hara on Saturday and about 1/2 way through Brave New World / Aldous Huxley

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Everyone is making good progress!

[Amber]

Just finished reading my new "pick a friend" choice, The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman, ★★★★

I'm not sure what I'm going to read next, so many of my library requests have come in at once!

[Mish]

Amber wrote: "Just finished reading my new "pick a friend" choice, The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman, ★★★★

I'm not sure what I'm going to read next, so many of my library requests have come in at once!"

What are your choices Amber

[Amber]

Mish wrote: "What are your choices Amber"

So far I've got:
1. Aussie author, winter title: Winter by John Marsden
6. Graphic novel: Hamlet by Nicki Greenberg - I may change this to Maus
7. Non fiction: The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir by Anh Do
9. Author born June-August: Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (b. 22 June, 1964)
12. July TBR: Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

I've read a few pages of Bitter Greens and think I'll run with it :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've finished the second "Pick a friend" book - Kim Marie - The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Just finished my Aussie author "Winter" book, Winter by John Marsden. I know a few people have it as their #1 choice, so I won't spoil anything, suffice to say it was very good, though far too short.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I've finished the second "Pick a friend" book - Kim Marie - The Turn of the Screw by Henry James"

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

[[deleted user]]

I finished The Fireman Who Loved Me and I have started reading The Lovely Bones

[Elaine]

I have now chosen the last 3 books to add to this challenge.

They are: 1. Aussie author with Winter theme: Ice Station

6. Graphic Novel: The Kite Runner: Graphic Novel

10. International Children's Day: Catching Fire

I've started off with 7. Non-fiction Christina Stead, A Biography as I had started this a while back and had left it to read others. Hopefully I'll finish it this time.

[Louise]

Here's my list - with 2 +3 bonus books to choose. And I've finished the first one!

1. Aussie author with a reference to Winter. TBA
2. NON Aussie author with a reference to Winter. Mona Lisa Overdrive, William Gibson – set in during winter in the UK and USA (The Sprawl).
3. Pick a friend, and read a book from their list. Boneshaker, Cherie Priest from Paul McLaughlan’s list.
4. Literature Map. William Gibson gave Neal Stephenson, so I chose Cryptonomicon,
5. New Release for June, July or August 2013. TBA
6. Graphic Novel. The Great Gatsby Graphic Novel, Nicki Greenberg
7. Non Fiction. Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love, Dava Sobel
8. Suspense/murder mystery/thriller. A Snowball in Hell, Christopher Brookmyre.
9. Author born in one of these Winter months. Gaudy Night, Dorothy L. Sayers (born June 13)
10. International Children's Day. The Raven Boys, Maggie Stiefvater
BONUS
June. TBA
July. TBA
August. TBA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looks good Louise:)

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Elaine wrote: "1. Aussie author with Winter theme: Ice Station

Oh man I didn't even think of that!

[Zaryna]

Sally906 wrote: "Ellise wrote: "1. Aussie Author, winter plot:Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody..."

I really will have to pick up the Obernewtyn series - i read the first one when it first came out and loved it, then..."

It is the best series ever... been waiting so long for the last book to come out which comes out this year in October! you really should read them there amazing! :)

[Elaine]

Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "1. Aussie author with Winter theme: Ice Station

Oh man I didn't even think of that!"

Looks like you're another fast reader Liam, you could read this one as well, couldn't you? This will be my first Matthew Reilly book. My son is a massive fan so it was on his bookshelf.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "1. Aussie author with Winter theme: Ice Station

Oh man I didn't even think of that!"

Looks like you're another fast reader Liam, you cou..."

I hope you enjoy it Elaine, I really enjoy Matthew Reilly

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have just finished my first New Release, All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld

Review closer to publication date of 1/7...

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Elaine wrote: "Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "1. Aussie author with Winter theme: Ice Station

Oh man I didn't even think of that!"

Looks like you're another fast reader Liam, you cou..."

I absolutely love him, I haven't got any of his books on Goodreads because I haven't read them in a good few years (I had to draw hte line somewhere or I'd be adding books I read a decade ago), keep meaning to re-read them. Might do that :P

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "1. Aussie author with Winter theme: Ice Station

Oh man I didn't even think of that!"

Looks like you're another fast reade..."

Thanks Brenda. I'm sure I will. There must be a reason he has such a huge following.

[Elaine]

Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "1. Aussie author with Winter theme: Ice Station

Oh man I didn't even think of that!"

Looks like you're another fast reade..."

Fair enough Liam. Funny my son has read them twice as well. They must be good if they can withstand a re-read.

[Steve]

Gah, I haven't even finished my first yet! A Crown of Swords is quite long, though.

[Kelly]

I have finished Shiver now I am reading The Night Circus.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Gah, I haven't even finished my first yet! A Crown of Swords is quite long, though."

That's ok Steve, I'm sure you'll catch up;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished my first Ryders Ridge by Charlotte Nash 5★s

Review to follow"

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

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Just started The Kneebone Boy

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my second 12th of Never by James Patterson"

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

[[deleted user]]

I finished my third book The Lovely Bones and i am reading Shattered after i will read A Pirate's Love and City of Bones

[B the BookAddict]

I have just finished my third book The Last Time I Saw You my Literature Map book and am starting my #11 from my TBR The Things We Never Said.

Then I'm going to slow down a bit otherwise I am going to get absolutely nothing else done :)

[Mish]

Off to a good start Arena & Bette :)

[Donna R]

Bette wrote: "I have just finished my third book The Last Time I Saw You my Literature Map book and am starting my #11 from my TBR The Things We Never Said.

Then I'm going to slow down a bit otherwise I am goin..."

haha

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Changed my #8 book. :)"

Well done!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I really enjoyed it Michael...I hope it's the beginning of a series about Elly:)

[Lia]

I have finished my number 12 - TBR meh. Not bad. Just a quick easy read. I call them airplane/hotel books you know when you are away on a trip and don't want anything too taxing. If you like The Help this will be a let down. The themes are similar but no where near as well written.

Now onto no.2 loving it so far.

I do think I will have some adjustments to my list. But we will see.

[Lia]

Amber. All my library books have come in at once too. I have 8 lined up on my bedside table! From zero to 8 in a week! Must get reading.

[Lia]

Liam wrote: "Started Winter by John Marsden, seems pretty good."

That is my Aussie author choice too. Will wait for your review. L

[Steve]

I've finished my first #3 read, A Crown of Swords, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Now onto my first #11, The Path of Daggers.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Bloody Wheel of Time.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my second New Release Unseen by Karin Slaughter 5★s

5 down now:)

[Kathryn]

Five down, Brenda?? You've read five books since June started?? We're only six days into June! You'd better work out another list like Steve - you'll be finished by midway through June!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Five down, Brenda?? You've read five books since June started?? We're only six days into June! You'd better work out another list like Steve - you'll be finished by midway through June!"

I'm doing a double list Kathryn, two from each category:)

(PS I've actually read 6!)

[Kathryn]

I think I do remember seeing that now. At this rate you'll still be finished your 2 lists before June is over! They must be good reads! Enjoy :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Kathryn:)

[Bronwyn]

There are some good lists up there already and I am only just realising we are now doing the winter challenge. I will have to start to put a list together, I did manage to finish last challenge and I got to read some good books too but unfortunately it won't be tonight because I am falling asleep at my computer so I think it's time for bed.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent Bronwyn...good luck choosing your list:)

[Lesley]

Currently reading my second for this challenge, A Cook's Life for the non-fiction read.

[Kathryn]

Lesley wrote: "Currently reading my second for this challenge, A Cook's Life for the non-fiction read."

Ooh, that sounds good, Lesley - added to my TBR!!

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Just finished The Kneebone Boy by Ellen Potter - very good! Review to follow, but short version is it's a very good children's book.

EDIT: Review is here.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I just finished my second of #8..suspense/mystery/thriller .. Outback Fear by Suzanne Brandyn

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

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "I just finished my second of #8..suspense/mystery/thriller .. Outback Fear by Suzanne Brandyn"

Does that make four? You're racing along, Brenda! :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I just finished my second of #8..suspense/mystery/thriller .. Outback Fear by Suzanne Brandyn"

Does that make four? You're racing along, Brenda! :-)"

No that's 6 Steve :)