**Winter Reading Challenge - 2013**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda: Yes we took millions of photos! And this morning after a good night's sleep in my own bed I am much happier to be home...."

Maybe you could put some of your favourites in the favourite photo thread when you have time Phrynne? So glad you had such a good time, and yes, it is good to be home in your own bed again:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my first author born in Winter... 44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel (born 14th Aug). I used to love these, and bought each of them when they were newly released. I will read the two that I have left here, and no more! They are all pretty much the same now, and I stopped buying about 18 months ago :/

[Janine]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my first author born in Winter... 44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel (born 14th Aug). I used to love these, and bought each of them when they were newly released. I will read the two that..."
I feel the same about her books and only read them now as I was given lots. Seems to write to a formula and repeats things as if the reader is stupid.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my first author born in Winter... 44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel (born 14th Aug). I used to love these, and bought each of them when they were newly released. I will read the two that..."

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Finished my first author born in Winter... 44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel (born 14th Aug). I used to love these, and bought each of them when they were newly released. I will re..."

Yes that's annoying how she repeats so much...it's almost as if she needs to do that to fill up a book, otherwise it would be a novella! Very easy to skim!!

[Christy]

Yikes, I'm getting a slow start on this, but nonetheless I've finished 2 so far!

TBR: The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell - absolutely fabulous!! 5* and will post review soon!

Also read my Graphic Novel in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Vol. 1 by Denise Mina Interesting, but totally not my thing. I thought I'd give it a try and it was ok, but won't be reading any more graphic novels - guess I'm just a little old school!

On another note, I finished a FANTASTIC book in Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim and thought it might be good for those looking for other books to read.
Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Happy reading!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Going well Christy:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Michael wrote: "Yay another book down. :)

1: Black Ice by Leah Giarratano****
2: If Snow Hadn't Fallen by S.J. Bolton
3: Brenda Black Ice by Sandy Curtis
4: Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag
5: TBA
6: TBA
7: Quie..."

I finished Shades of Earth the other day. The trilogy ended quite well - better than I expected after the not very good middle book. I hope you enjoy it too.

[Nicola]

Thought it was time to repost my entire list!

1.Read an Aussie author with a reference to Winter.

In the Winter Dark / Tim Winton

2. Read a NON Aussie author with a reference to Winter.

Blackberry Winter / Sarah Jio Currently reading

3. Pick a friend, and read a book from their list which you haven't read before. Louise

The Long Earth / Terry Pratchett

4. Love the Literature Map... Isaac Asimov got to Orson Scott Card

Earth Unaware / Orson Scott Card Currently reading

5. Choose a New Release
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald / Therese Anne Fowler

A Game of Throne: The Graphic Novel Vol2 – Volume 2 / George R R Martin

6. Graphic Novel

A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel, Vol.1 / George R.R. Martin

7. Read anything Non Fiction
The Red Sailor / Patrick O'Hara
Clive Cussler and Dirk Pitt Revealed / Clive Cussler
The Folklore of Discworld / Terry Pratchett

8. Mystery/thriller
The Drop / Michael Connelly Audible edition
The Inner Circle / Brad Meltzer
The Fifth Assassin / Brad Meltzer

9. Check out these links - Authors Born July!

Brave New World / Aldous Huxley

10. International Children's Day

The Phantom Tollbooth / Norton Juster

11. extra TBR book
Lola Bensky / Lily Brett

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're doing well Nicola:)

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "You're doing well Nicola:)"

Thank you! Have had some excellent reading space recently and have taken advantage of it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "You're doing well Nicola:)"

Thank you! Have had some excellent reading space recently and have taken advantage of it!"

That's good! Lovely when that happens:)

[Elaine]

Finished my second for this challenge, no.7 Non-fiction Christina Stead, A Biography . It took me a while to get through it but I did enjoy it and gave it 3 stars. Starting my third, The Kite Runner: Graphic Novel . Not sure how I'll go with this style of book. Not really a fan.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my second for this challenge, no.7 Non-fiction Christina Stead, A Biography. It took me a while to get through it but I did enjoy it and ga..."

It is enjoyable Elaine, but I would recommend The Kite Runner is read first:)

[Elaine]

Oh I've read The Kite Runner twice Brenda and seen the movie. It is one of my favourite books of all time. I think the fact that it's such an amazing story and probably lends itself to quite a few different mediums is the only redeeming factor of the graphic version. I don't think I would rush to read any others in this style. I'm only doing this for the challenge!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Oh I've read The Kite Runner twice Brenda and seen the movie. It is one of my favourite books of all time. I think the fact that it's such an amazing story and probably lends itself to quite a few ..."

Well, that's good Elaine:) I had never read a graphic novel before Maus and I loved it. The Kite Runner: Graphic Novel was only my second.

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Oh I've read The Kite Runner twice Brenda and seen the movie. It is one of my favourite books of all time. I think the fact that it's such an amazing story and probably lends itself ..."

It sounds like you've had a much more positive experience with the graphic novel than I have Brenda or maybe you're just more open minded than me!!! I really am struggling with it. I guess it's like audiobooks...I can't do those either whereas I have friends who swear by them.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I don't like audio books Elaine..I have tried two, and hated them! But I'm sorry you're struggling with it...but everyone is different:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "I don't like audio books Elaine..I have tried two, and hated them! But I'm sorry you're struggling with it...but everyone is different:)"

It's ok....it's good to be able to do something out of my comfort zone. It's one of the reasons I do the challenges. Otherwise we would probably never try anything new or different.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I don't like audio books Elaine..I have tried two, and hated them! But I'm sorry you're struggling with it...but everyone is different:)"

It's ok....it's good to be able to do somet..."

That's very true, I love trying different things:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my first Non Aussie winter title The Black Ice by Michael Connelly

Review to follow

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "I don't like audio books Elaine..I have tried two, and hated them! But I'm sorry you're struggling with it...but everyone is different:)"

Love my audio books! Means I can do things like the gardening and housework at the same time! Great for action adventure novels!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I don't like audio books Elaine..I have tried two, and hated them! But I'm sorry you're struggling with it...but everyone is different:)"

Love my audio books! Means I can do things..."

I agree but they have to be really good books. You can speed read a boring book but you have to listen to every single word of an audiobook at reading aloud speed. It can be tedious! I often walk in the mornings listening to my audiobook and muttering "Oh for goodness sake get on with it!"

[Nicola]

Phrynne wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I don't like audio books Elaine..I have tried two, and hated them! But I'm sorry you're struggling with it...but everyone is different:)"

Love my audio books! Means ..."

Very true, Michael Connelly and Clive Cussler are my favourites! and some oldies but goodies like Hitchhikers Guide and Dr Who talkies.

[Steve]

Phrynne wrote: "I often walk in the mornings listening to my audiobook and muttering "Oh for goodness sake get on with it!""

Haha! I get the same thing with authors who like to spend two or three paragraphs (or pages, in Tolkien's case) describing everything.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "...I often walk in the mornings listening to my audiobook and muttering "Oh for goodness sake get on with it!"..."

LOL! I can read a lot faster than the narrators of audio books too!

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Just added another book to my challenge (kill me)

5b. New Release - Angelfall by Susan Ee Let's see what all the fuss is about.

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "...I often walk in the mornings listening to my audiobook and muttering "Oh for goodness sake get on with it!"..."

LOL! I can read a lot faster than the narrators of audio books too!"

But I can't read in the car when I'm driving to work tho'. That's another place where my Kindle is indispensable. I can get through a Harry Bosch novel inabout 2 weeks just driving to and from home. Beats listening to a bunch of people yakking on the radio

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "...I often walk in the mornings listening to my audiobook and muttering "Oh for goodness sake get on with it!"..."

LOL! I can read a lot faster than the narrators of..."

That's true!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "...I often walk in the mornings listening to my audiobook and muttering "Oh for goodness sake get on with it!"..."

LOL! I can read a lot faster than the narrators of audio books too!"

Yes but I would fall over if I tried to read a book while walking my dog in the dark at 6.00.am.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Liam wrote: "Just added another book to my challenge (kill me)

5b. New Release - Angelfall by Susan Ee Let's see what all the fuss is about."

It's a lot of fuss about nothing:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "...I often walk in the mornings listening to my audiobook and muttering "Oh for goodness sake get on with it!"..."

LOL! I can read a lot faster than the narrators of..."

Haha! I would fall over if I tried to read and walk ANYWHERE!!! lol

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Phrynne wrote: "Liam wrote: "Just added another book to my challenge (kill me)

5b. New Release - Angelfall by Susan Ee Let's see what all the fuss is about."

It's a lot of fuss about nothing:)"

Figured it would be. Short, though.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Liam wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Liam wrote: "Just added another book to my challenge (kill me)

5b. New Release - Angelfall by Susan Ee Let's see what all the fuss is about."

It's a lot of fuss about nothing:)"

..."

True. It's not a bad book. Just not as good as some of the hype suggests.

[B the BookAddict]

Started my first ever Graphic Novel

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 by Stephenie Meyer.

Am liking this graphic concept.

[Janine]

I have finished my 11th for the challenge
#1 Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano 4*
I now have only my July and August TBR

[Nicola]

Finished my non Aussie Author Winter book
Blackberry Winter / Sarah Jio
Was way more enjoyable than I thought it wold be seeing as it was billed as a Romance! That was the basis for the story but the mystery the 'heroine' was researching was very good!

Onto my Literature Map book now....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette wrote: "Started my first ever Graphic Novel

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 by Stephenie Meyer.

Am liking this graphic concept."

Glad you're liking the concept Bette! It's certainly different, and I wouldn't say I didn't like it either:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "I have finished my 11th for the challenge
#1 Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano 4*
I now have only my July and August TBR"

Well done Janine!! Couple of days and you can read July's too!!

[Lesley]

Just started my literature map choice The Catcher in the Rye. Everyone seems to have read this classic in their earlier years, except me it seems.

[Nicola]

Lesley wrote: "Just started my literature map choice The Catcher in the Rye. Everyone seems to have read this classic in their earlier years, except me it seems."

And me!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

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

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

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my second New Release Unseen by Karin Slaughter 5★s

5 down now:)"

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my first Non Aussie winter title The Black Ice by Michael Connelly

Review to follow"

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

[Ben]

Another one down, I loved the world-building in the first 1/3 or so of Ship Breaker, but it kind of put that all aside for a pretty standard plot. Hoping the sequel explores the world a bit more effectively.

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

[Elaine]

Finished my third for this challenge, The Kite Runner: Graphic Novel. I only gave it 2 stars and only because I didn't like this style. This is a book I've read and love and I gave the novel 5 stars but I just could not get my head around this genre. I also felt that it was a bit hard to follow the story and only the fact that I'd read the book before helped me.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my third for this challenge, The Kite Runner: Graphic Novel. I only gave it 2 stars and only because I didn't like this style. This is a book I've read and love and I gave the novel 5 star..."

My son only told me this this afternoon Elaine, exactly the same. It brushes very lightly across the story, without any depth, so if you hadn't read the book initially, it wouldn't mean a lot. He also gave it only 2 stars.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my second non-Aussie Winter Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson (mid winter in the US)

Review to follow

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my third for this challenge, The Kite Runner: Graphic Novel. I only gave it 2 stars and only because I didn't like this style. This is a book I've read and love and I gave t..."

Interesting. Well you did say that you thought you needed to have read the book to enjoy it and you were spot on Brenda. I really wanted to like it cause I am a huge fan of both his books ( haven't got the new one yet) but I just couldn't!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my third for this challenge, The Kite Runner: Graphic Novel. I only gave it 2 stars and only because I didn't like this style. This is a book I've read and lo..."

It's a shame:( I've got his new one, but I haven't read it yet. I think Michael (Frankenstein) is reading it at the moment though.