**Spring Reading Challenge - 2013**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some brilliant choices and lists here everyone:)

[Elaine]

Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "10.Fantasy The Ocean at the End of the Lane "

Sorry to break it to you, Elaine, but Neil Gaiman isn't Australian :P"

I didn't realise the choice had to be an Aussie author...bummer!! Clearly I totally missed the bold black writing that said AUSSIE AUTHOR!!!! I knew Neil Gaiman isn't Australian. So any recommendations Liam? I don't really do fantasy/scifi.
So I'm a bit confused now??!! Do the others all have to be Aussie authors?

[Nicola]

Elaine wrote: "Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "10.Fantasy The Ocean at the End of the Lane "

Sorry to break it to you, Elaine, but Neil Gaiman isn't Australian :P..."

Only where mentioned!
Brenda started a new thread for Aussie sci fi/sci fan authors, check it out
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

[Elaine]

Nicola wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Liam wrote: "Elaine wrote: "10.Fantasy The Ocean at the End of the Lane "

Sorry to break it to you, Elaine, but Neil Gaiman isn'..."

Thanks Nicola. I will. :)

[Myra]

1. TBR: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
2. Spring Colour: TBA
3. New Life: TBA
4. New release in Spring: Kinslayer by Jay Kristoff Expected publication is in September.
5. Romance: TBA
6. Melbourne Cup: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
7. YA: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
8. Favourite Genre (Fantasy): TBA
9. Title starting with M: Mercy by Rebecca Lim
10. Aussie Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-fi: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
11,12,13. TBR Septemeber, October, November: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan, TBA, TBA

[Elaine]

Thanks Liam for pointing out the error of my ways. Although I'm disappointed that I cannot read Neil Gaiman I think I found something that qualifies thanks to Melanie.I will be reading Dragon's Child for my Aussie fantasy choice.

[[deleted user]]

Elaine wrote: "Thanks Liam for pointing out the error of my ways. Although I'm disappointed that I cannot read Neil Gaiman I think I found something that qualifies thanks to Melanie.I will be reading Dragon's Chi..."

I love M.K Hume probabaly one of my best random finds.

How she came up with the story is just at interesting

[Elaine]

Melanie wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Thanks Liam for pointing out the error of my ways. Although I'm disappointed that I cannot read Neil Gaiman I think I found something that qualifies thanks to Melanie.I will be readi..."

It sounds really interesting Melanie and I must say I have an interest in Arthurian history. Will you tell me how she came to write it?

[[deleted user]]

Elaine wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Thanks Liam for pointing out the error of my ways. Although I'm disappointed that I cannot read Neil Gaiman I think I found something that qualifies thanks to Melanie..."

So she spent 20 years researching Arthurian ledgens, her friends always pestered her to write a book but she should never find something that really sparked her imagination.
Then she found an odd text refering to in inscription on a grave uncovered in Glastonbury the translation was :

"Here lies King Arthur
And Guinevere, his second wife"

Basically because she had never heard of the grave saying second wife, her imagination went into over drive.

I think its cool that just the addition of one word in 20 years of studies created such an awesome book.

[Elaine]

Melanie wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Thanks Liam for pointing out the error of my ways. Although I'm disappointed that I cannot read Neil Gaiman I think I found something that qualifies th..."

It's got me curious now, too!!! It definitely is an interesting story. I didn't realise Arthur had two wives. Don't recall reading that anywhere. I read The Mists of Avalon and must say really enjoyed that. Hopefully this will be a s good.

[Emily]

Liam wrote: "Hmm it's hard to find a cold-looking YA book that doesn't look absolutely terrible."

What sort of YA do you like to read? I can definitely help you out, YA is my forte.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Emily wrote: "Liam wrote: "Hmm it's hard to find a cold-looking YA book that doesn't look absolutely terrible."

What sort of YA do you like to read? I can definitely help you out, YA is my forte."

I managed to shoehorn The Fault in Our Stars in, since I've been meaning to read it for ages. Thanks, though :)

[Julieanne]

1. The Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney


2. Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra


3. Secrets and Shadows by Mary Nickson


4. Elianne by Judy Nunn


5. Watch Over Me by Tara Silvec


6. Paycheque by Fiona McCallum


7. 45 Pounds by K.A. Barson


8. Barra Creek by Di Morrissey (Australian drama)

9. Jilted by Rachel Johns
10. Going Home by Patti Roberts


11. Man Drought by Rachel Johns


12 The Indigo Sky by Alison Booth


13. A Stranger in My Street by Deborah Burrows

[Belinda]

I'm going to try and kick through a few books this Spring, we will see how we go. There are plenty on the TBR shelf at home!

[Mish]

Hi Julieanne and Belinda. I see that you are new to the group. Would you like to introduce yourself in the thread here so we can all say Hello and welcome you to the group

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

[Mish]

Julieanne wrote: "1. Those Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney

2. Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/...

3. Secrets & Shadows by Mary Nickson

4. Elia..."

Julieanne, It would be great if you could link your books so everyone can see what you're reading.

All you need to do is
1 click on 'edit' in your post.
2 Click on 'add book/author
3 Type in the book title or authors name, then click 'Add'


A Stranger in My Street

[Sally906]

Here are my selections:

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

[Sharon]

1. Spring Clean TBR: Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd

2. Spring Colour - red or yellow cover: Odd One Out by Monica McInerney

3. Spring - new life: Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos

4. New Release: The Outback Heart by Fiona Palmer

5. Romance: Burning Lies by Helene Young

6. Melbourne Cup - horses: Last Horse Standing by Mike Keenan

7. Young Adult: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

8. Favourite Genre: The Woman He Loved Before by Dorothy Koomson

9. First letter of my name: Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes

10. Fantasy / Sci-Fi / Para: Sabriel by Garth Nix

11. Sep TBR: Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

12. Oct TBR: Night Road by Kristin Hannah

13. Nov TBR: Still Missing by Chevy Stevens

No sleep for me during spring :)

[Heather]

Nicola wrote: "Heather wrote: "Well I'll certainly be able to knock off a lot of my wanted to read with this challenge.
1.TBR - TBA depending on where I get through this month
2.Colours [bookcover:The Shining Gir..."

Thanks for that Nicola I will watch what is published each month and what is then available as an ebook

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations everyone on fantastic lists and choices. Should be a great 3 months of reading by the looks of it....10 days to go before we can all get stuck into it!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

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. 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
10. Aussie fantasy/ sci fi. Lifeboat by A.B. Shepherd
11. TBR September. Dust by Hugh Howey 4 stars
12. TBR October. Allegiant by Veronica Roth
13. TBR November Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I see your #10 Phrynne...I hope you enjoy it, I think you will:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Yes thanks Brenda. I did check out your review and you convinced me!
My number 4 isn't linked because it will be out in October but does not seem to be on Goodreads yet.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Yes thanks Brenda. I did check out your review and you convinced me!
My number 4 isn't linked because it will be out in October but does not seem to be on Goodreads yet."

Murder and Mendelssohn...you needed to put 2 "s"s in Mendelssohn Phrynne:)

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations everyone on fantastic lists and choices. Should be a great 3 months of reading by the looks of it....10 days to go before we can all get stuck into it!"

Looking forward to it Brenda. Thanks also for creating a another fantastic challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Congratulations everyone on fantastic lists and choices. Should be a great 3 months of reading by the looks of it....10 days to go before we can all get stuck into it!"

Looking forw..."

You're welcome...we hope you all enjoy them when we 'nut' them out;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Yes thanks Brenda. I did check out your review and you convinced me!
My number 4 isn't linked because it will be out in October but does not seem to be on Goodreads yet."

Murder an..."

Thank you Brenda! Goodreads is very picky. Just becos I canot spel.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Yes thanks Brenda. I did check out your review and you convinced me!
My number 4 isn't linked because it will be out in October but does not seem to be on Goodreads y..."

Hahaha!!! It is TOO picky! If you put "its" instead of "it's" it won't pick it up....if you forget the fullstop after the author's initials, it won't pick it up!!! So much easier using the ISBN!!

[Katie]

I will be very busy this Spring with a newborn ;) but I will still make a list and see how much I can get done :)

[Elaine]

Catherine wrote: "I've been thinking about this challenge and the enthusiastic response from fellow readers. But gosh, it's SO hard to commit to a reading plan when I'm such a slow and picky reader. I graze constant..."

Catherine believe me just cause the books are on a list doesn't mean they all get read. Some of us here are awesome readers, getting through lots and lots of books. Others like myself just do what we can and have fun with it. I've yet to finish a challenge, although I'm only a book and a half away from finishing the Winter challenge but that will be my first if I do it!!! So join in and have fun...that's what one very wise lady (Brenda) told me and it is fun!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Catherine wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I've been thinking about this challenge and the enthusiastic response from fellow readers. But gosh, it's SO hard to commit to a reading plan when I'm such a slow a..."

Don't be daunted Catherine...we all read in different ways and at different speeds. The whole purpose of the challenges is to have fun:)

[Laura]

1. Spring clean - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2. Spring colours - Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher Hitchens
3. New life - Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
4. Aussie New Release - Eyrie by Tim Winton
5. Romance - The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes
6. The Melbourne Cup - All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
7. Young Adult - Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
8. Favourite GENRE - Questions of Travel by Michelle de Krester (Literary Fiction)
9. Name - Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
10. Aussie fantasy - Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

[[deleted user]]

Laura wrote: "1. Spring clean - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2. Spring colours - Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher Hitchens
3. New life - [book..."

Days of blood and starlight! so great! the beginning may seem slow and long but trust me it picks up to freaking amazing stick with it, you wont be disappointed

[Trevor]

Brenda a question - Book 10 Aussie fantasy/Sci-fi does Neville Shute count? Born in the UK, died in Australia. I'd really like to read On the Beach, but not sure if it would count

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda a question - Book 10 Aussie fantasy/Sci-fi does Neville Shute count? Born in the UK, died in Australia. I'd really like to read On the Beach, but not sure if it would count"

That's a ticklish one Trevor...he was here from 1950 until 1960 when he died, but is called a "British novelist" on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevil_Shute

I'll ask my other mods to step in here too with their opinions, as it's a 50/50 result! Probably it will be ok as he lived in both countries, even though he didn't take out Australian citizenship, but...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda a question - Book 10 Aussie fantasy/Sci-fi does Neville Shute count? Born in the UK, died in Australia. I'd really like to read On the Beach, but not sure if it would count"

One of my co-mods has agreed that you can read him Trevor, as he spent some time living here:) Enjoy!

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Brenda a question - Book 10 Aussie fantasy/Sci-fi does Neville Shute count? Born in the UK, died in Australia. I'd really like to read On the Beach, but not sure if it would count"

..."
Brenda, thank you so much :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Brenda a question - Book 10 Aussie fantasy/Sci-fi does Neville Shute count? Born in the UK, died in Australia. I'd really like to read On the Beach, but not sure if it..
...Brenda, thank you so much :-) ."

You're welcome:)

[Trevor]

1) Spring clean The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
2) Spring colours The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
3) New life The Innocent by Ian McEwan
4) New release - TBA
5) Romance - Persuasion by Jane Austen
6) Melbourne Cup Eleven Seasons by Paul D. Carter - because it is about Melbourne's other great passion - footy :-)
7) Young adult - The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
8) Favourite genre - detective - The Light of Day by Graham Swift
9) Title begins with T Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
10 Sci-fi On the Beach by Nevil Shute - with many thanks to Brenda and Michael

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

More great lists guys:)

[Laura]

Melanie wrote: "Laura wrote: "1. Spring clean - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2. Spring colours - Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher Hitchens
3. New..."
Thanks for the tip - I absolutely LOVED Daughter of Smoke and Bone, so I'm really excited about the next installment. It was just so much better written than a lot of the YA fantasy out there at the moment!

[Ben]

Catherine wrote: "I've been thinking about this challenge and the enthusiastic response from fellow readers. But gosh, it's SO hard to commit to a reading plan when I'm such a slow and picky reader. I graze constant..."

I often change some of my picks as I work through the challenges, it's not about finishing at all, its a great way to work through my enormous TBR list and also pick up some other things that I wouldn't necessarily read otherwise like Aussie authors.

Also, if anyone is looking for Aussie scifi/fantasy recommendations, Will Elliott is pretty good.

[[deleted user]]

Laura wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Laura wrote: "1. Spring clean - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
2. Spring colours - Hitch-22: A Memoir by Christopher..."

Ah I know! she is amazing with words.
It took me twice to get started with Days of blood and starlight because the beginning its still amazing, but slower, but god once you hit the point the book just all makes sense and basically crying from gloriousness

[Michelle]

Catherine wrote: "I've been thinking about this challenge and the enthusiastic response from fellow readers. But gosh, it's SO hard to commit to a reading plan when I'm such a slow and picky reader. I graze constant..."

I decide to join in on these challenges all the time and have never finished a single one ;-) I always start off with such good intentions but then get sidetracked and never get to the books I've allocated for the challenge.
I usually am lucky if I get to read around 4 books a month with running my own business from home as well as trying to keep my two year old busy so before I know it three months has passed and I've barely read a single book I choose because I had to get through some others instead!
I still have fun trying to come up with books that I own that fit each challenge category and this is the main reason I try to join every time.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michelle wrote: "Catherine wrote: "I've been thinking about this challenge and the enthusiastic response from fellow readers. But gosh, it's SO hard to commit to a reading plan when I'm such a slow and picky reader..."

As long as you have fun Michelle, that's the main thing!

[Mish]

1. Spring clean your bookshelves by reading a book from your TBR -

2. Spring colours are predominantly red and yellow -

3. Spring brings new life -

4. New Release written by an Aussie - TBA

5. Romance is in the Spring air -

6. The Melbourne Cup - , detective is an international fashion model

7. Choose a Young Adult -

8. Favourite Genre - I don't have a favourite but I'm starting to really like crime

9. How about a book with the first letter of the title beginning with the first letter of your name (M) -

10. Read a fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi book by an Aussie -

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Mish! The book choices by everyone are wonderful:)

[[deleted user]]

1. Spring
[[book:The Taming of the Rake|10385123]
2. Spring
[ [bookcover:Heartsick|657034]
3. Spring
The Clan of the Cave Bear
4. New Release
5. Romance is in the Spring
Fallen
6. The Melbourne Cup
[[book:Black Beauty|3685]
7. Young
The Hunger Games
8. favourite GENRE
Romance
Love Only Once
9. How about a book with the first letter of the title beginning with the first letter of your name
[[book:All He Ever Needed|14714484]
10. Read a fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi
Science Fiction & Paranormal
The Ruins of Gorlan
For those who have enjoyed pushing yourselves, we'll have this again:
11. September Devil's Bride
12. October Never Seduce a Scot
13. November A Kiss at Midnight

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Michelle wrote: "I decide to join in on these challenges all the time and have never finished a single one ;-) I always start off with such good intentions but then get sidetracked and never get to the books I've allocated for the challenge."

This is why I cleverly allocate myself books that I want to/was planning to read anyway :P

[Mish]

Arena wrote: "1. Spring
The Taming of the Rake (Blackthorn Brothers, #1)
Michaels, Kasey
2. Spring
Heartsick (Gretchen Lowell, #1)
Cain, Chelsea
3. Spring
The Clan of the Cave Bear
Auel, Jean M.
4. New Rel..."

Great list Arena, I liked the The Hunger Games. Are you able to link your books?