**Winter Reading Challenge - 2013**

[Trevor]

Just finished my first book of the challenge, my suspense book The Haunted Hotel by Wilkie Collins, which I gave 4 stars.

Next book will be my pick a friend book Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd.

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "No that's 6 Steve :)"

Six!! Slow down before you sprain something!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "No that's 6 Steve :)"

Six!! Slow down before you sprain something!"

Haha!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 7th, my first TBR Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark

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

[Amber]

Stayed up late last night to finish one of my TBRs, Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth - ★★★★★!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Stayed up late last night to finish one of my TBRs, Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth - ★★★★★!"

Sounds like you enjoyed it Amber:)

[Lia]

Amber. I really enjoyed it too. I loved the parallel stories. L

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

John Marsden's Incurable down, one half of my #10.

[B the BookAddict]

I finished my fourth book of the challenge last Friday. My #11 on my list. The Things We Never Said by Susan Elliot Wright.
While this book was my June TBR book, it could have easily fitted into the Winter theme. It was set in winter and a new release.

My review (only my 2nd so please be gentle) is at

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

[Kelly]

I'm reading The Drawing of the Three at the moment.

[Lesley]

Just finished A Cook's Life. An interesting insight into the acceptance of multicultural foods onto Australian tables from about the 1960s, and the beginnings of her Kitchen Garden program.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette wrote: "I finished my fourth book of the challenge last Friday. My #11 on my list. The Things We Never Said by Susan Elliot Wright.
While this book was my June TBR book, it could have easily fitted into ..."

Great review Bette, thanks for the recommendation:)

[Marianne]

Kelly wrote: "I'm reading The Drawing of the Three at the moment."

I just read The Wind Through the Keyhole and it made me want to read the Dark Tower series all over again

[B the BookAddict]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 7th, my first TBR Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark

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

Prolific reader indeed!

[Jenn]

Brenda wrote: "Bette wrote: "I finished my fourth book of the challenge last Friday. My #11 on my list. The Things We Never Said by Susan Elliot Wright.
While this book was my June TBR book, it could have easil..."

You readers put me to shame. I wish I could read as many books.... But this new author is on my list, so thank you for the review, Bette.

[Kathryn]

That is a great review, Bette! Certainly made me want to read it, so on to the list it goes!! I love books that switch between different peoples' stories, so when you said that, you had me!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 8th, #7, non-fiction Mother of Ten by J.B. Rowley

Review to follow

[Amber]

You're amazing Brenda! Well done :-)

I've knocked off my third, my non-fiction #7:
The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir by Anh Do ★★★★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "You're amazing Brenda! Well done :-)

I've knocked off my third, my non-fiction #7:
The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir by Anh Do ★★★★★"

Loved that book Amber:) And thank you:)

[Steve]

Finished my second #11 June TBR, The Path of Daggers, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Nicola]

Finished another two books
Brave New World / Aldous Huxley
Lola Bensky / Lily Brett

and started my next one
The Long Earth / Terry Pratchett

also listening to
The Drop / Michael Connelly

[B the BookAddict]

Just started my #2 Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. My fifth book.

But I just remembered I'm in the June Challenge so I better get cracking on those books now.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done guys, you're making great progress!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews to follow

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews to follow"

Well done Brenda. Is that your 10th book?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes it is Mish:) Thanks!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 8th, #7, non-fiction Mother of Ten by J.B. Rowley

Review to follow"

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews to follow"

Review for Song of the Jikhoshi
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews to follow"

Review of Vodka Doesn't Freeze
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Nearly finished Circle of Flight, the second half of my #10. I've been really slack the last few days, been too caught up in Europa Universalis. :P

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

And finished. Now onto either Winterbirth or Headhunters or Abaddon's Gate

[B the BookAddict]

Brenda wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews to follow"

Review of Vodka ..."

God, Brenda, do you get time for anything else besides reading? And you've done another review as well! I'm feeling a bit inadequate here...:)

[Elaine]

Bette wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews to follow"

R..."

You'll get used to that Bette. That's just Brenda. After a while you even learn not to take it personally!! Although the fact that she is such an incredibly fast reader never ceases to amaze me.

[Kelly]

I'm reading Fight Club next and then The Complete Fables.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews to follow"

R..."

Occasionally I'll do something else Bette;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Bette wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have finished 2 more: #1. Aussie Winter Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano and #10. YA/Childrens Song of the Jikhoshi by Katie W. Stewart

Reviews..."

:)

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Started Abaddon's Gate

[B the BookAddict]

Finished Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. Funny how books you dislike take the longest to read. empty flat words and one dimensional characters
Definitely wont ever be reading any of her books again. what a waste of time.
Starting my #7 The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry tonight. My sixth book for challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette wrote: "Finished Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. Funny how books you dislike take the longest to read. empty flat words and one dimensional characters
Definitely wont ever be reading any of her books ag..."

Bad luck Bette:( You're doing very well though:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my second #10 YA/Childrens Marionette by Anya Allyn

Review to follow closer to publication date

and my second June TBR Evidence Of Life by Barbara Taylor Sissel

Review to follow

So 12 completed now:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Review for Evidence Of Life .. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Ben]

First one down... have had a busy couple of weeks so took a little longer than usual to get through Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days. I've chosen quite a few shorter books than in my last couple of challenges though so should be easy to catch up the time.

1. In the Winter Dark by Tim Winton
2. The Cold Commands by Richard K. Morgan
3. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain (from my dad Trevor)
4. The Looking Glass War by John le Carré (via Elmore Leonard)
5. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
6. Maus by Art Spiegelman
7. With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene B. Sledge
8. The Hunted by Elmore Leonard
9. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (b. 6/8/72)
10. The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi
11. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days by Alastair Reynolds ★★★
12. TBC
13. TBC

[Steve]

I have finished my third book, which is the first of #2. Non-Aussie Winter, Winter's Heart, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Next up is my first #12. July TBR, Crossroads of Twilight.

[Jackmeister]

4 down and 6 to go for me, I've finished reading,

2 - Non Aussie winter - Snowbound by Blake Crouch - 4 stars
6 - Graphic Novel - Simon's Cat: Beyond the Fence by Simon Tofield - 4 stars
7 - Non Fiction - Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalván - 5 stars
8 - Murder Mystery - Last Car To Elysian Fields by James Lee Burke - 4 stars

I'm still yet to name, Aussie author winter and author birthday books but will do soon.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Onto Abaddon's Gate, my #5.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jackmeister wrote: "4 down and 6 to go for me, I've finished reading,

2 - Non Aussie winter - Snowbound by Blake Crouch - 4 stars
6 - Graphic Novel - Simon's Cat: Beyond the Fence by Simon Tofield - 4 stars
7 - Non F..."

Doing well Jackie:)

[Amber]

Finished my fourth book of the challenge, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (born 22 June) - ★★★ or ★★★★, I can't decide yet!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Finished my fourth book of the challenge, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (born 22 June) - ★★★ or ★★★★, I can't decide yet!"

I've only read one of his Amber, and that was enough! But I'm glad you enjoyed it:)

[Amber]

Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "Finished my fourth book of the challenge, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (born 22 June) - ★★★ or ★★★★, I can't decide yet!"

I've only read one of his Amber, and that was enough! But I'..."

It's not great literature, but it was fun :-) I'll probably end up giving it 3 stars, but it was kind of an exhilarating ending!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "Finished my fourth book of the challenge, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (born 22 June) - ★★★ or ★★★★, I can't decide yet!"

I've only read one of his Amber, and that was..."

The main thing was that YOU enjoyed it:)