**Spring Reading Challenge - 2013**

[Heather]

I have completed the challenge for 13. November TBR I read
Long book and my November historical novel is long as well.

[Chris]

Finished my 12th book which was my November TBR. City of Fallen Angels 2★

[Sally906]

I am currently reading my last challenge book:
3. Spring brings new life - choose a book depicting new life of some description.

I am reading Blameless by Gail Carriger - the main character is pregnant and the pregnancy is the cause of the predicament she is in!!!

[Nicola]

I've finished my November TBR book and really enjoyed it!
Old Filth / Jane Gardam
Only leaves me 2 left to do plus 3 that I replaced if I have enough time!

[Kelly]

1. Pulse
2.44 Scotland Street
3.The Blood of Flowers
4.Barracuda
5.The Notebook
6.Black Beauty
7.A Killing Frost
8. Horror: The Amityville Horror
9. King Lear
10. Obernewtyn
11. The Yellow Birds
12.Doctor Sleep
13. Ten Thousand Saints

I finished my challenge. I had to change a couple of books because there was a queue for both books at the library.

[Sally906]

FINISHED!!!!!!! For a while there I didn't think I was going to finish it at all - then just swapped some of the books I had earmarked and not got around to reading for ones that I actually HAD read in the time frame and fitted the challenge. Moral of that? Your lists don't have to be set in concrete - let them be fluid :)

1. Spring clean your bookshelves by reading a book from your TBR
A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison

2. Spring colours are predominantly red and yellow, so choose a book with either a red or yellow cover, (posting the image as well), so everyone can see.
Gold by Chris Cleave

3. Spring brings new life - choose a book depicting new life of some description.
Blameless by Gail Carriger - main character is pregnant.

4. Brisbane Writers' Festival is on 4th-8th September - choose a New Release written by an Aussie author, published within these three months of Spring.
Outback Dreams by Rachael Johns

5. Romance is in the Spring air - Pick from romantic thrillers, love and romance, romantic suspense, historical romance, classical romance, vampire romance, paranormal romance, YA first love, poetry of love...
The Vampire and the Virgin by Kerrelyn Sparks - Paranormal romance

6. The Melbourne Cup will be held on 5th November this year...your choices are many! A social event, gambling, horses, horse racing, fashion! Make sure you put WHY you've chosen your particular book!
The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley - title has horses in it

7. Choose a Young Adult book for this selection, not necessarily Aussie Young Adult
The Selection by Kiera Cass

8. Choose a book from your favourite GENRE here - make sure you state what that is!
I love all genres but Cosy Paranormal mysteries are a favourite at the moment so - Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell

9. How about a book with the first letter of the title beginning with the first letter of your name
'S' for Sally - Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford

10. Read a fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi book by an Aussie author for this one:)
The Last Girl by Michael Adams - Science Fiction

Extra Challenge


11. For September read from your TBR - How Hedley Hopkins Did a Dare... by Paul Jennings
12. For October read from your TBR - Blood Rites by Jim Butcher
13. For November read from your TBR - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

[Amber]

It doesn't look like I'll get the last book I had originally picked for my challenge from the library in time to read it, so I did a switcheroo and now I am finished too :-)

1. Spring clean TBR - Gone Girl ★★★

2. Spring colours cover - Eyrie ★★★

3. New life - Left Neglected ★★★

4. Aussie Spring new release - Barracuda ★★★★

5. Romance - The Rosie Project ★★★★★

6. Melbourne Cup - Brumby's Run ★★★

7. Young Adult - Wonder ★★★★

8. Favourite genre ("literary fiction") - The Narrow Road To The Deep North ★★★

9. Starts with A - And the Mountains Echoed ★★★★

10. Aussie fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi - Fairytales for Wilde Girls ★★★

11. September TBR - The Night Guest: A Novel ★★★

12. October TBR - The Husband's Secret ★★★★

13. November TBR - Questions of Travel ★★½

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

My last book to read for this challenge arrived yesterday - Raising Steam. Really looking forward t0 this one.

[Sally906]

Amber wrote: "It doesn't look like I'll get the last book I had originally picked for my challenge from the library in time to read it, so I did a switcheroo and now I am finished too :-)

What did you think of the Moriarty book The Husband's Secret? I have been eyeing it off!!!

[Amber]

Sally906 wrote: "Amber wrote: "It doesn't look like I'll get the last book I had originally picked for my challenge from the library in time to read it, so I did a switcheroo and now I am finished too :-)

What did you think of the Moriarty book The Husband's Secret? I have been eyeing it off!!!"

I really liked it! I'm not good at reviews, but I felt this was a notch above the the "beach read" or chick-lit genres I was expecting it to fall into (no offence intended to anyone who enjoys those genres :-))

[Zoey]

All done except for New Release which I am waiting for from the library.
I have The Young Lion, Blood Secret, Outback Dreams,The Outback Heart & Thornwood House all on hold & waiting to see which one comes in first.

[Steve]

Phrynne wrote: "My last book to read for this challenge arrived yesterday - Raising Steam. Really looking forward t0 this one."

Me too! But it isn't on this challenge. :-( Hoping I can squeeze it into the Summer challenge. *prods Brenda about when we get to unwrap that one ...*

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Steve wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "My last book to read for this challenge arrived yesterday - Raising Steam. Really looking forward t0 this one."

Me too! But it isn't on this challenge. :-( Hoping I..."

It was on my TBR list to remind me to read it when it came out, so I am fitting it in as my November TBR read :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Big congratulations to Kelly, Sally and Amber on the completion of your challenges....over 2 weeks to spare! Well done!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "My last book to read for this challenge arrived yesterday - Raising Steam. Really looking forward t0 this one."

Me too! But it isn't on this challenge. :-( Hoping I..."

Two more days to wait Steve;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

All of you who are almost finished...you'll do it easily!

[Trevor]

Two more books to go, not sure if I'm going to get this challenge finished in time, anyway I'm enjoying my current book Turbulence by Giles Foden.

[B the BookAddict]

Trevor wrote: "Two more books to go, not sure if I'm going to get this challenge finished in time, anyway I'm enjoying my current book Turbulence by Giles Foden."

You'll do it:)

[Steve]

I have finished my twenty-fourth, my second 3. New Life, Belong to Me, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 4. Aussie New Release, Blood Secret.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Two more books to go, not sure if I'm going to get this challenge finished in time, anyway I'm enjoying my current book Turbulence by Giles Foden."

You've still got two weeks Trevor! You'll get it done:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my twenty-fourth, my second 3. New Life, Belong to Me, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 4. Aussie New Release, [b..."

Hope you enjoy that one Steve, I loved it! You must be nearly finished too?

[[deleted user]]

1. Spring Clean TBR - The Catcher in the Rye
2. Cover -
3. New Life - The Singer of All Songs (becaue she apparently starts a new life outside of her convent, or whatever it is.)
4. Aussie author new release - TBA
5. Romance - A Suitable Boy (currently reading)
6. Horses - TBA
7. YA - My Sister Sif
8. Favourite genre (fantasy) -Sun of Suns
9. First Letter of Name (T) -Things Fall Apart
10. SF/Fantasy/Para - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

[Sharon]

Finished my 12th #8 Favourite Genre: The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson

Only 1 more to go :)

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

[Steve]

I have finished my penultimate book, my first 4. Aussie New Release, Blood Secret, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my final book for the challenge, my second 4. Aussie New Release, Elianne.

[Katrina]

So i finally have time to update my spring challenge. All read....can't do strikeout text without my phone having hissy fit :)
1. Spring cleanThe Lady of the Rivers
2. Yellow cover
3. New life The Shelley Beach Writers Club (can't find link....but that may be my phone!
4. New release by aussie author.....TBC anyone have suggestions?
5. Romance The Farmer's Wife
6. Melbourne Murder in the Dark
7. Young Adult Victoria and the Rogue
8. Fav genre - rom com Chocolate Shoes and Wedding Blues
9. Book starting with K Knockabout Girl
10. Aussie sci-fi Full Moon Rising
Oct TBR Burial Rites
Nov TBR Matthew Flinders' Cat

So only one to go! Bring on the summer challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Katrina wrote: "So i finally have time to update my spring challenge. All read....can't do strikeout text without my phone having hissy fit :)
1. Spring cleanThe Lady of the Rivers
2. Yellow cover [..."

Doing well Katrina:) Check out the Aussie New Release thread and you may find something to interest you. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Katrina]

Awesome, thanks Brenda. I knew there would be somewhere to look, just didn't know where...i'll let you know what i find :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Katrina wrote: "Awesome, thanks Brenda. I knew there would be somewhere to look, just didn't know where...i'll let you know what i find :)"

Good luck!

[Katrina]

I actually have a copy of The Prey by Tony Park....signed by him as well! Didn't know if it had been released in the right month tho! So glad it was Nov....can start reading it now...yay!

[Kathryn]

Katrina wrote: "So i finally have time to update my spring challenge. All read....can't do strikeout text without my phone having hissy fit :)
1. Spring cleanThe Lady of the Rivers
2. Yellow cover [..."

Katrina, I enjoyed [book:The Inheritance|18208798] by Jo-Anne Berthelsen - 4★ - which was released in Sept, I think.

[Kathryn]

Katrina wrote: "I actually have a copy of The Prey by Tony Park....signed by him as well! Didn't know if it had been released in the right month tho! So glad it was Nov....can start reading it now...yay!"

Oh hooray! Didn't refresh my page before I posted! Hope you enjoy!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Katrina wrote: "I actually have a copy of The Prey by Tony Park....signed by him as well! Didn't know if it had been released in the right month tho! So glad it was Nov....can start reading it now...yay!"

Great! I've been wondering about The Prey - love to know your thoughts when you've finished....

[Elaine]

I'm signing off on this challenge with 3 books left to go. I won't get it finished now, as I just received my copy of The Luminaries from the library and I only have it for a short time so I'll read this instead. I have enjoyed it though and got to read quite a few good books.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "I'm signing off on this challenge with 3 books left to go. I won't get it finished now, as I just received my copy of The Luminaries from the library and I only have it for a short ..."

Congratulations Elaine! A fantastic result anyway!!

[Elaine]

Thanks Brenda. :)

[Kathryn]

Well done, Elaine! I've still got one to go, but I'm trying to finish a couple of other books first...! Can you use your remaining three books in the Summer challenge?

[Elaine]

Kathryn wrote: "Well done, Elaine! I've still got one to go, but I'm trying to finish a couple of other books first...! Can you use your remaining three books in the Summer challenge?"

Congrats, Kathryn you've done well and I'm sure you'll get it done. Yes I will use 2 in the Summer challenge and try and read the third one at some stage too. It's just that I managed to reserve The Luminaries from the library before it won the Man Booker prize and ended up with over 100 reserves on it and it's quite a big book so I don't think I'll manage to fit another book in this month.

[Kathryn]

Elaine wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Well done, Elaine! I've still got one to go, but I'm trying to finish a couple of other books first...! Can you use your remaining three books in the Summer challenge?"

Congrats,..."

That's a good idea, Elaine - certainly if you took the book back unread or partly read you wouldn't be getting it back in your hands for quite a while with that many reserves! Hope you enjoy it!

[Trevor]

Just finished Turbulence by Giles Foden - 4★

On to my last novel for the challenge The Innocent by Ian McEwan

[Lynxie]

FINISHED!!! Yay! I swapped out my last book though. Ultimately, not the best run of books I've had, but there was still some beacons of awesomeness in there. So glad I got there too, NaNo is taking all my reading time from me. 0_o

1. TBR The Nightlife: New York ★★
2. Spring Colour Roseblood ★★
3. New Life Flesher - The protagonists are after a cure to a disease to bring about new life to a post apocalyptic world ★★★★
4. New release in Spring Dangerous Desire by Annie Seaton ★★★★
5. Romance Rainy Days ★★
6. Melbourne Cup The Chariots Slave by R. Lynn - lots of horses in this one. ★★
7. YA Featherfoot by Victoria Collins - Victoria is an Aussie too for those who need an Aussie author. ★★★
8. Favourite genre The Tower's Alchemist - Fantasy is only one of my favourite genres... there are too many to pick from. ★★★
9. Title starting with L Lethal Inheritance - also a YA Aussie author. ★★★★
10. Aussie paranormal/fantasy Soul's Child - Young Adult, paranormal and Aussie. ★★★★★
11. September TBR The Kure by Jaye Frances ★★
12. October TBR The Dying Sun by John Elwood ★★
13. November TBR The Bite by Angela Horn ★★★

I really seem to be digging the Aussie authors this challenge! Go Aussie!!

[Ashleigh]

Trevor wrote: "Two more books to go, not sure if I'm going to get this challenge finished in time, anyway I'm enjoying my current book Turbulence by Giles Foden."

I have three more books, Trevor & I'm afraid I'm not going to make it either.

I'm really enjoying this challenge though. Up to my third last book #8 The Day of the Triffids.

[Elaine]

Lynxie wrote: "FINISHED!!! Yay! I swapped out my last book though. Ultimately, not the best run of books I've had, but there was still some beacons of awesomeness in there. So glad I got there too, NaNo is taking..."

Well done on finishing Lynxie. Can I ask a stupid question? What's NaNo?

[Amber]

Elaine wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "FINISHED!!! Yay! I swapped out my last book though. Ultimately, not the best run of books I've had, but there was still some beacons of awesomeness in there. So glad I got there too,..."

I'm guessing it's NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writers Month) http://nanowrimo.org

[Elaine]

Amber wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "FINISHED!!! Yay! I swapped out my last book though. Ultimately, not the best run of books I've had, but there was still some beacons of awesomeness in there. So glad I..."

Oh, thanks Amber. That's probably it.

[Lynxie]

Thank you Elaine, and thanks Amber, you are correct. :)

NaNo is when I go slightly insane for the 30 days of November, case in point:
Less than 3,000 words behind target today - that's a little over 27,000 words written in 18 days. Phew! 12 days to go!

[Trevor]

Ashleigh wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Two more books to go, not sure if I'm going to get this challenge finished in time, anyway I'm enjoying my current book Turbulence by Giles Foden."

I ha..."

Yes I always enjoy the challenge, even if I don't manage to finish reading all the books I plan too

[Elaine]

Lynxie wrote: "Thank you Elaine, and thanks Amber, you are correct. :)

NaNo is when I go slightly insane for the 30 days of November, case in point:
Less than 3,000 words behind target today - that's a little ov..."

How awesome to be able to write Lynxie. I love reading but do not think I could ever write. I think you have to be very disciplined to do that, amongst other qualities of course. :)

[Steve]

I've finished too! My second 4. Aussie New Release, Elianne is done, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Congratulations to all have finished, and encouragement to all that have yet too!

1. Spring Cleaning ★★★★★ ; ★★★★★
2. Spring Colours ★★★★★ ; ★★★★☆
3. New Life ★★☆☆☆ ; ★★★★☆
4. Aussie New Release ★★☆☆☆ ; ★★★★☆
5. Romance ★★★☆☆ ; ★★★☆☆
6. Melbourne Cup (horse racing) ★★★★☆ ; (gambling) ★★★★★
7. Young Adult ★★★★★ ; ★★★★☆
8. Favourite Genre (Fantasy/Sci-Fi) ★★★★☆ ; ★★★☆☆
9. Books starting with S ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★★
10. Australian Fantasy/Sci-Fi ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★★
11. September TBR ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★☆
12. October TBR ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★☆
13. November TBR ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★★

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished! There were some really good books in there. A few not so good too but you can't win them all

1.Spring clean my TBR shelf. Chosen To Die by Lisa Jackson. 1 star
2. red or yellow cover. Thankless in Death by J.D. Robb 4 stars

3. New life. MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood 5 stars
4. Aussie new release. Murder and Mendelssohn byKerry Greenwood 5 stars
5. Romance. Mistress by Amanda Quick 3stars
6. Horses. The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley 3 stars
7. YA Underdog by Markus Zusak 3 stars
8. Fave genre.(mystery/crime) Violent Exposure by Katherine Howell 4 stars
9. Title begins with P. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville 5 stars
10. Aussie fantasy/ sci fi. Kinslayerby Jay Kristoff 2 stars
11. TBR September. Dust by Hugh Howey 4 stars
12. TBR October. Allegiant by Veronica Roth 2 stars
13. TBR November Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett 5 stars

[Lynxie]

Elaine wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Thank you Elaine, and thanks Amber, you are correct. :)

NaNo is when I go slightly insane for the 30 days of November, case in point:
Less than 3,000 words behind target today - tha..."

Well we'll see about that ability to write once NaNo is over, it could just be a big mess of words that don't make sense. Here's hoping it's not. :)

Congrats to all those who have finished their lists :D Keep reading for those who haven't, you're nearly there!