August Challenge - Read a book discussed on ABC's The Book Club or their 'Top 10 books to read before you die'

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Our challenge for August is to read a book discussed on ABC's The Book Club or from their list of 'Top 10 books to read before you die'



Link to all books discussed: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday...




List of 10 chosen in December 2012
*******************************************
#1... Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
#2... The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
#3... A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey
#4... The Harp in the South Trilogy by Ruth Park
#5... The Power Of One by Bryce Courtenay
#6... Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
#7... The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay
#8... The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
#9... The Secret River by Kate Grenville
#10.. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
***********************************************



For those who wish to view OUR discussion on the books mentioned and about the show..

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

Also our thread on the voting and discussions of the Top 10 books..

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/8...



Snuggle up with an author....oops...a book and enjoy!

[Lisa]

I've only read 2 of these. I must read more!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

From the top ten books there's only two I haven't read and one of them I am not going to! (The Slap)
So it will be A Fortunate Life for me! I have been waiting for an opportunity to read it.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

And I would willingly snuggle up with that author....sorry - book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes, he'd be pretty good to snuggle up with wouldn't he...oh, his book I mean. lol

I went through the years of discussed books, and found The Silence of the Lambs which was discussed in May 2012. I have a copy of it here which I must get to, so this could be my opportunity:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lisa wrote: "I've only read 2 of these. I must read more!"

Yes you must Lisa, but you've still got time;)

[Elaine]

Phrynne wrote: "From the top ten books there's only two I haven't read and one of them I am not going to! (The Slap)
So it will be A Fortunate Life for me! I have been waiting for an opportunity to read it."

That's a brilliant book Phrynne and one every Aussie should read. Such a gorgeous,humble man who no matter what life dealt him kept a smile on his face. I loved it. Hope you do too.

[Elaine]

I will be reading The Rosie Project which is also our book club book for August so that's perfect.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've decided to read A Fortunate Life as well..just reserved it at the library:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "I've decided to read A Fortunate Life as well..just reserved it at the library:)"

Good choice Brenda. Look forward to hearing what you think. I hope you love it too!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm sure I will Elaine:)

[Donna R]

Phrynne wrote: "And I would willingly snuggle up with that author....sorry - book."

Do you mean Mr Facey?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Donna wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "And I would willingly snuggle up with that author....sorry - book."

Do you mean Mr Facey?"

I think she means Markus at the top Donna;)

[Zara's Corner]

I read A Fortunate Life a number of years ago and I absolutely loved it then.

[Sharon]

I'm undecided between Jasper Jones and The Secret River

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "I'm undecided between Jasper Jones and The Secret River"

They are both fantastic reads Sharon:) But try Jasper Jones if you need help deciding;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zara wrote: "I read A Fortunate Life a number of years ago and I absolutely loved it then."

It seems to be a well-loved book Zara.

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I'm undecided between Jasper Jones and The Secret River"

They are both fantastic reads Sharon:) But try Jasper Jones if you need help deciding;)"

Thanks Brenda I will give that one a go.Jasper Jones

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I'm undecided between Jasper Jones and The Secret River"

They are both fantastic reads Sharon:) But try Jasper Jones if you need help deciding;)"

Thanks Brenda I w..."

I hope you enjoy it Sharon...I really did:)

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I'm undecided between Jasper Jones and The Secret River"

They are both fantastic reads Sharon:) But try Jasper Jones if you need help deciding;)"

Th..."

Looking forward to it.

How many more days to wait ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Eleven more Sharon;)

[Sharon]

Oh goodie ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

:) lol

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Donna wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "And I would willingly snuggle up with that author....sorry - book."

Do you mean Mr Facey?"

Brenda understands me. We are both very keen on Mr. Zusak's books.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Donna wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "And I would willingly snuggle up with that author....sorry - book."

Do you mean Mr Facey?"

Brenda understands me. We are both very keen on Mr. Zusak's books."

Haha!! I think you're right there Phrynne;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

:)

[Amber]

The only one of 10 of the top Aussie books to read before you die that I haven't read is The Magic Pudding, I'll have to decide if I want to read it, or choose from Sharp Objects, The Rosie Project, or perhaps The Metamorphosis... Plenty to choose from!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good luck choosing Amber:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Amber wrote: "The only one of 10 of the top Aussie books to read before you die that I haven't read is The Magic Pudding, I'll have to decide if I want to read it, or choose from Sharp Objects, The Rosie Project..."

Oh that's easy - The Rosie Project. It's a delightful book.

[Amber]

Phrynne wrote: "Amber wrote: "The only one of 10 of the top Aussie books to read before you die that I haven't read is The Magic Pudding, I'll have to decide if I want to read it, or choose from Sharp Objects, The Rosie Project..."

Oh that's easy - The Rosie Project. It's a delightful book."

It's the one I was leaning towards, Phrynne :-) Being the highest-rated and most appealing of the four titles!

[Trina]

Come up with a list of six on the website that I own:
Middlemarch
1984
Great Expectations
Anna Karenina
Revolutionary Road
The Shadow of the Wind
Surely I can fit one of them in in August.

Amber, Sharp Objects is great, but seriously intense.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trina wrote: "Come up with a list of six on the website that I own:
Middlemarch
1984
Great Expectations
Anna Karenina
Revolutionary Road
The Shadow of the Wind
Surely I can fit one of them in in August.

Amber, ..."

The Shadow of the Wind is my choice for you Trina;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Here's a difference in taste Brenda - The Shadow of the Wind would be my last choice out of Trina's list. I would probably choose Great Expectations although they are all good books. 1984 is good if you like weird!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Here's a difference in taste Brenda - The Shadow of the Wind would be my last choice out of Trina's list. I would probably choose Great Expectations although they are all good books. 1984 is good i..."

:) I enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind more than the others I read out of her list:)

[Deb]

I've read eight of the books as well. Need to read The Slap and The Secret River. I have picked up The Slap several times, but haven't really been able to stick with it.

[Donna R]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Here's a difference in taste Brenda - The Shadow of the Wind would be my last choice out of Trina's list. I would probably choose Great Expectations although they are all good books..."

Imagine being able to visit a setting from a favourite book - one I would love to step inside would be the Cemetary of Forgotten Books from The Shadow of the Wind

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Just finished reserving A Fortunate Life from the library. While I was there I also reserved The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes for my graphic novel in the winter challenge. Thank heavens for libraries and long may they last.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Just finished reserving A Fortunate Life from the library. While I was there I also reserved The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes for my graphic novel in the winter challenge. Thank heavens ..."

Totally agree, it sure is good to be able to do that :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Donna wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Here's a difference in taste Brenda - The Shadow of the Wind would be my last choice out of Trina's list. I would probably choose Great Expectations although they are..."

That would be unbelievable!

[Amber]

The Rosie Project has 138 people on the waiting list at my library! I'll be lucky to get it during August. We'll have to wait and see.

[Zara's Corner]

This is a great challenge. I would like to participate but I have one problem: there are soooooo many good books to choose from. I hate making decisions. lol.

by the way where's the top 10 list? Is that on The Book Club site or is it a GRs one?

Never mind the above question. I figured it out. Thanks.

[Kadi]

I'll start with these 3. I have put them on hold at the library already so should be in next week. All had a free book just at another library. Then I will have the books from this month to still read. So a busy month!

[Mish]

First I'll be reading Cloudstreet for this challenge and if I have time I'd like to read

The Age of Miracles and The Big Sleep

[Elaine]

Ashleigh wrote: "I might re-read The Magic Pudding. I also have lots of other books to read, such as Cross Stitch and some Juliet Marillier - I am doing a course in November with Kate Forsyth and it sounds like she..."

That sounds great Ashleigh and not nerdy at all. How exciting for you!!! I love Cross Stitch and to be able to discuss with and take pointers from another author would be awesome. Haven't read any of author.Kate Forsyth's books but she's been coming up a lot in many discussions. Have heard mixed reviews about her latest book but I always like to decide for myself.

[Amber]

Ashleigh wrote: "I've read her latest book, The Wild Girl and loved it. It is dark and upsetting in some places but it is historical fiction. There is one series for adults she has written I haven't read, and need ..."

I only just discovered Kate Forsyth when I read Bitter Greens and loved it. The Wild Girl just arrived at the library for me, I'm looking forward to it.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Amber wrote: "Ashleigh wrote: "I've read her latest book, The Wild Girl and loved it. It is dark and upsetting in some places but it is historical fiction. There is one series for adults she has written I haven'..."

I have Bitter Greens on my TBR list. Must get around to reading it.

[Elaine]

Ashleigh wrote: "I've read her latest book, The Wild Girl and loved it. It is dark and upsetting in some places but it is historical fiction. There is one series for adults she has written I haven't read, and need ..."

Good for you. I'm sure you'll have a ball!!!

[Trina]

Haha Brenda and Phrynne, maybe I'll read all three!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Trina wrote: "Haha Brenda and Phrynne, maybe I'll read all three!"

Good plan :)

[Andrea]

I just read The Book Thief last month, so I think I'll take Jasper Jones off my bookshelf for this challenge.