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]

Andrea wrote: "Brenda wrote: Has anyone started yet??"

I settled on Zeitoun in the end, and am flying through it. Maybe I will have time for a few of my other picks, after all?"

Good for you! Looks like you will :)

[Jacinta]

Ok, I started early and now have finished Jasper Jones. A wonderful book, beautifully written and the audio book performance was also excellent.

I rated the book **** and feel a bit mean as perhaps I am being a bit picky. I always have a problem with adult language being used to describe young people's emotions, reactions and thoughts which is why I generally avoid YA titles. This book however is written so beautifully that it would be a shame to drop the language level so I will live with the compromise.

Notwithstanding the above, I would recommend this to any fan of Australian literature.

[Sharon]

I've started Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
Only 50 pages in and I'm hooked.
Thanks Brenda for suggesting this one :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "I've started Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
Only 50 pages in and I'm hooked.
Thanks Brenda for suggesting this one :)"

I'm glad you're enjoying it Sharon:)

[Janine]

I have just finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
Loved it. 5*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have this one to read too Janine...good to know you enjoyed it:)

[Heather]

I've just started reading The Book Thief
At first I thought it was long but the format has a lot of spaces in it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Enjoy Heather:)

[Donna R]

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler

Pattern Recognition by William Gibson

Starting Pattern Recognition today.

[Sharon]

Just finished Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

I really enjoyed this book.
I was saddened when the truth was discovered at the end :(

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Glad you enjoyed it Sharon:)

[Sharon]

Thanks Brenda :)
I think this is my first YA book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm quite enjoying YA at the moment...there are so many of them out there!

[Sharon]

I would love some recommendations if you get a spare moment.( no fantasies)
Thank you :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "I would love some recommendations if you get a spare moment.( no fantasies)
Thank you :)"

Destiny Road by Melissa Wray
Akropolis by Catherine McCallum
Saving Wishes (Book 1) by G.J. Walker-Smith
Second Hearts (Book 2) by G.J. Walker-Smith with book 3 out soon:)
The Hunger Games (Books 1,2 & 3) by Suzanne Collins (I've only read book 1 so far)
The Unicorn Tree by Cynthia Collins
Twerp by Mark Goldblatt
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
Trapped in Gondwana(Book 1) and Trapped in Gondwana (Book 2) by J.B. Rowley
Virals (Book 1), Seizure (Book 2) and Code (Book 3) by Kathy Reichs
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

There are obviously a lot more, but these are the ones I've read and enjoyed, and marked as YA on my shelf:)

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "I would love some recommendations if you get a spare moment.( no fantasies)
Thank you :)"

Destiny Road by Melissa Wray
Akropolis by Catherine McCallum
Saving Wishes (Book 1) by G.J...."

Thank you so much Brenda. I really appreciate it they all sound great.
Time to increase my TBR list :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Have fun;)

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Have fun;)"

I did its now at 316. OH DEAR ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Have fun;)"

I did its now at 316. OH DEAR ;)"

Well you'd better start reading;) lol

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Have fun;)"

I did its now at 316. OH DEAR ;)"

Well you'd better start reading;) lol"

Yes I think I'd better. You did say sleep was over rated didn't you?
I might be agreeing with you on that soon ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha!! Go for it;)

[Michelle]

Anyone else reading 'Infinite Jest'?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

Is it good Michelle?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Michelle wrote: "Anyone else reading 'Infinite Jest'?"

No because I think the author is the one having the infinite jest at our expense. Over 1000 pages. Makes me tired just to think about it.

[Michelle]

Brenda wrote: "Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

Is it good Michelle?"

I am enjoying it so far, but I am only 370 pages in and have been reading it for more than a month!

[Michelle]

Phrynne wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Anyone else reading 'Infinite Jest'?"

No because I think the author is the one having the infinite jest at our expense. Over 1000 pages. Makes me tired just to think about it."

Very true! It's difficult to read more than a few pages at a time too... long term project.

[Elaine]

Janine wrote: "I have just finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
Loved it. 5*"

I've just started it Janine, both for this challenge and for my book club and I must say I'm really enjoying it. Glad to see you enjoyed it so much.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Janine wrote: "I have just finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
Loved it. 5*"

I've just started it Janine, both for this challenge and for my book cl..."

We are reading it for our bookclub too this month Elaine! I haven't started yet...

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Janine wrote: "I have just finished The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.
Loved it. 5*"

I've just started it Janine, both for this challenge and..."

That's cool Brenda. He was actually speaking at the Nunawading library here in Melbourne tonight. Unfortunately I couldn't go but one of the girls I work with had to go on behalf of Dymocks so I will be interested to see what she has to say. Apparently he's a really nice guy and so far I've only heard positive reviews about his book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's good news:) Bad luck you missed seeing him, but I'm sure he'll be back with his next book...I won't get to start it now before we go away (I'm only taking my kindle for space) so I'll read it when we return.

[Elaine]

I've obviously missed something!!! Where are you off to, Brenda?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "I've obviously missed something!!! Where are you off to, Brenda?"

We are leaving on Friday for Adelaide and return on the 19th August Elaine. Visiting family:) I'll be online while we're away (of course) but not as often...

[Elaine]

Sounds lovely Brenda. Enjoy your holiday and your time with your family. It's nice to know that you'll still be in touch but you probably deserve a bit of a break from all the work you do for all of us here on GR!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Elaine, it should be fun. We haven't seen the twins since they were 5 months old and they are over 2 now!

[Elaine]

Wow!!! Well that makes it even more special then. Enjoy!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks..will do :)

[Michael]

Michelle wrote: "Anyone else reading 'Infinite Jest'?"

I really enjoyed Infinite Jest, how are you managing it

[Janine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I've obviously missed something!!! Where are you off to, Brenda?"

We are leaving on Friday for Adelaide and return on the 19th August Elaine. Visiting family:) I'll be online while ..."
Enjoy your time with your family

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I've obviously missed something!!! Where are you off to, Brenda?"

We are leaving on Friday for Adelaide and return on the 19th August Elaine. Visiting family:) I'll b..."

Thanks Janine:)

[Elaine]

I finished The Rosie Project last night. I absolutely loved it. 5 stars for this one!!!

[Jen]

I have started reading The Power Of One Bryce Courtenay

[Mish]

Jen wrote: "I have started reading The Power Of One Bryce Courtenay"

The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

Great choice Jen.

[Michelle]

Michael wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Anyone else reading 'Infinite Jest'?"

I really enjoyed Infinite Jest, how are you managing it"

It is taking me much longer than i expected. I find I can only read a few pages at a time. I am writing lots of sticky notes about my thinking... enjoying it though!

[Adhityani]

I finished Cloudstreet yesterday and I have mixed feelings about it. I love AND hate it. May need a few days to think about what to write in the review and how to rate it.

[Andrea]

I finished Zeitoun during the week. I had watched the video of the panel's review/discussion before I started, and while normally some of the observations they made (eg flat writing) might have put me off, I'm glad I read it. It was completely frightening and I have been thinking of little else for days. Living as we do in a country prone to natural disaster, I am so thankful that by comparison, our emergency services institutions 'know the drill'.

[Andrea]

Now I am reading

[Donna R]

Finally started Pattern Recognition by William Gibson

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dhitri wrote: "I finished Cloudstreet yesterday and I have mixed feelings about it. I love AND hate it. May need a few days to think about what to write in the review and how to rate it."

I think Cloudstreet seems to be one of those love or hate books Dhitri. I really enjoyed it though:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Andrea wrote: "Now I am reading "

Great choice there Andrea:)

[Heather]

I finished The Book Thief on Friday, It's not what I would normally read and as I love a good thriller I got annoyed with the spoilers (not the ultimate one at the start).