**Spring Reading Challenge - 2013**

[Lynxie]

Finished my first...

#2 Spring colours: Roseblood ★★

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

[Elaine]

Just finished my second for this challenge and boy did I love it!!! 5 stars to no.8 favourite genre Before I Go To Sleep. Thanks Michael and Brenda for your recommendation. So glad now that I read it. I did write a short review but in spite of Brenda's countless attempts at showing me how to do it I still can't link it!!! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Just finished my second for this challenge and boy did I love it!!! 5 stars to no.8 favourite genre Before I Go To Sleep. Thanks Michael and Brenda for your recommendation. So glad now that I read ..."

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

So glad you enjoyed it Elaine! It's such an amazing book...it certainly makes you think!

[Michelle]

Finished my first book for this challenge which was my number 8: favourite genre . I gave it 4 stars and will be putting my review up soon.
I recently started which I changed my number 10 to.

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Just finished my second for this challenge and boy did I love it!!! 5 stars to no.8 favourite genre Before I Go To Sleep. Thanks Michael and Brenda for your recommendation. So glad n..."

Thanks for that Brenda. I knew you'd come to my rescue!!! :) I loved this book. I think it may have to go on top of my list as my favourite book so far this year. It's gonna take a pretty awesome read to knock it out of first place.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Just finished my second for this challenge and boy did I love it!!! 5 stars to no.8 favourite genre Before I Go To Sleep. Thanks Michael and Brenda for your recommenda..."

You're welcome:) I agree, something extra special would be needed!

[B the BookAddict]

Just finished my #2 Empire Falls; my sixth book for challenge. Review to follow.

With so, so much to say about Empire Falls, I was in danger of retelling the whole story so I have settled for this. Review:

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

[B the BookAddict]

My updated list (cos I've changed so many)

1. TBR Swimming Home 4★
2. Color 4★
3. New life The Night Strangers
4. Aussie author The Best Man
5. Romance Nights in Rodanthe
6. Social event A Wedding in December
7. Y/A The Wind in the Willows
8. Literary Fiction So Much for That
9. Letter 'B' The Book Club 1★
10. Fantasy/sci-fi Picnic at Hanging Rock
11. TBR The Violets of March 1★
12. TBR The Breakdown Lane 2★
13. TBR Bridge of Sighs 4★

[B the BookAddict]

Michael wrote: "Bette wrote: "Okay, some shuffling to my list here.

Yesterday I finished my #1 Swimming Home TBR. My review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

And thank you to Michael (..."

I loved it! I have to check out her others.

[B the BookAddict]

Just starting So Much for That.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 4th, favourite genre: Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb

Review to follow

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished MaddAddam: A Novel. Five stars. Loved it. Gosh that woman can write!
Moving on to The Shadowy Horses because I borrowed it from the library and they may want it back some time.

[Kathryn]

I wasn't going to do the Spring Challenge, but a friend has talked me into it!! I have enjoyed reading through everybody's lists, but am obviously quite a bit behind some other people since I've only just started my first 2 today (and I'm still finishing off a book I started in August). So I'm starting a little late and am still to decide on some books, but here's my list so far.

1. Spring clean - The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I started this one this evening - I think I'm going to like this!

2. Spring Colours - TBA - I have lots of red and yellow covered books on my list, but they are all quite in demand at the library, so I'll just have to see.

3. New life of some description - Perfume from Provence by Winifred Fortescue - author starts a new life in Provence.

4. Aussie new release - The Tailor's Girl by Fiona McIntosh. I loved The Lavender Keeper and enjoyed The French Promise so this one should float my boat as long as I can get my hands on it!

5. Romance -
Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman (this is actually my October read for the Annual Aussie Author Challenge).

6. Book related to element/s of Melbourne Cup - Flowers for Mrs Harris (think it's also called Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris) by Paul Gallico - Mrs Harris (a poorly paid cleaner) wants to buy a Dior dress. I read this about 15 years ago and am keen to revisit it!

7. YA book - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

8. Favourite genre - historical fiction - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - it's also my September read for the Annual Aussie Author Challenge and I started it earlier today. It's an odd beginning - I've heard such great things about it but at the moment it just seems strange. I do hope it improves!

9. I only have 2 books beginning with "K" on my TBR, so I think I'll go with The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy by Mark Logue

10. Fantasy/sci-fi (these are not my favourite genres but I know right now that paranormal books would be a complete and unenjoyable waste of my time so they aren't even an option!) - I think I only have one sci-fi/fantasy on my TBR list and it is by an Aussie author - Out of Time by Lesley Dimmock - I can't find it to link it normally, but this links to it: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

Not sure that I will be reading it though - I would need to reserve it as it isn't at my nearest library branch. If either of these are any easier, I may go with one of them:

Contest by Matthew Reilly
The Puzzle Ring by Kate Forsyth

And as for 11, 12 and 13 - the extra TBR's - well, I have an abundance to choose from - even from the leftovers of the making of this list (believe me, the ones I left off were many!) - if I get that far each month!!

My TBR's may look like this:
11.
Good Girls Do Swallow: The Darkly Comic True Story of How One Woman Stopped Hating Her Body by Rachael Oakes-Ash
12. Empty Cradles/Oranges & Sunshine by Margaret Humphreys (same book, different names)
13. Booked To Die by John Dunning

Or they may be completely different choices when it comes to the crunch!!

Happy reading to all - sounds like there have already been some very enjoyable reads so far for quite a few people!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Kathryn! Looks like it was a challenge for you to find them first, so that's all part of the fun!

[Kathryn]

Not so much a challenge to work them out for the challenge - although it was a bit of a challenge to narrow down the options! But I think it will be a challenge to actually find them at the library when I want them!! All of them, bar the sci-fi/fantasy were either already on my TBR or sitting in my bookshelves (so technically they SHOULD be on my TBR, but they don't always get added until I've read them!).

[Lesley]

Finished my second read, No Regrets: The Life of Edith Piaf which included many of the lyrics of her wonderful songs. No shortage of romance there, so it will be my #5. I loved it, giving it five stars, and now I want to visit Paris again!

[Diane]

Kathryn wrote: "I wasn't going to do the Spring Challenge, but a friend has talked me into it!! I have enjoyed reading through everybody's lists, but am obviously quite a bit behind some other people since I've o..."

Great list! You have 2 great books on your list that I have read and enjoyed (The Thirteenth Tale and The Fault in Our Stars). I also have The Book Thief on my list, but I put it in the fantasy/sci-fi category. Not sure if this is accurate, but Fantasy is one of the genres that Goodreads put it in. I think it has something to do with Death being a character. (I struggle with the fantasy/sci-fi category also....)

[B the BookAddict]

Kathryn wrote: "Not so much a challenge to work them out for the challenge - although it was a bit of a challenge to narrow down the options! But I think it will be a challenge to actually find them at the library..."

I loved The Thirteenth Tale; hope you enjoy it.

[Amber]

I have started reading Brumby's Run for my no. 6 Melbourne Cup book and I'm finding the writing style to be very simple or unsophisticated compared to other books I've read recently. I'm only on page 23. Is it YA fiction? I don't have anything against YA, I just wasn't expecting it from the blurb. On the book's page, the only genre listed is "romance". How do you add genres, anyone?

[Chris]

Finished my second book for this challenge . Considering it's a classic and I'm an animal lover I couldn't believe I hadn't read it before. It was well worth it. 4 stars.

[Chris]

Bette wrote: "My updated list (cos I've changed so many)

1. TBR
Swimming Home
4★
2. Color 4★
3. New life The Night Strangers
4. Aussie author TBA
5. Romance Nights in Rodan..."


Bette, how do you you do the 'stars'?

[Amber]

Christina wrote: "Bette, how do you you do the 'stars'?"

I usually copy and paste them. Not sure how other people do it :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "I have started reading Brumby's Run for my no. 6 Melbourne Cup book and I'm finding the writing style to be very simple or unsophisticated compared to other books I've read recently. I'm only on pa..."

It's not YA Amber, I've just recently finished it, and loved it. It's rural romance IMO:) Where you are "currently reading" it will say "add shelves" at the bottom of your drop-down list. You can add as many of your own shelves as you want, calling them whatever you want:) Good luck, I do hope you find it improves for you...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christina wrote: "Bette wrote: "My updated list (cos I've changed so many)

1. TBR
Swimming Home
4★
2. Color 4★
3. New life The Night Strangers
4. Aussie author TBA
5. Romance N..."

In our BASIC HOW DO YOU DO THIS THREAD, at the top of the group page http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Christina wrote: "Finished my second book for this challenge . Considering it's a classic and I'm an animal lover I couldn't believe I hadn't read it before. It was well worth it. 4 stars."

I read it many years ago and seem to remember it was very sad in parts. I hate it when animals are suffering!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Geoff wrote: "9. How about a book with the first letter of the title beginning with the first letter of your name.

Finished Good-Bye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton. This is a story i re-read every few years, and it..."

Haha! Yes I'm looking, and yes, novellas do count Geoff:D I've never read it, but apparently it's a great book!

[Chris]

Phrynne wrote: "Christina wrote: "Finished my second book for this challenge . Considering it's a classic and I'm an animal lover I couldn't believe I hadn't read it before. It was we..."

You remember correctly, Phyrnne. It is very sad in places. The way the horses were treated by some owners was heart wrenching.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Geoff wrote: "Hooray :)"

I'm not THAT bad Geoff;)

[Chris]

Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Bette wrote: "My updated list (cos I've changed so many)

1. TBR
Swimming Home
4★
2. Color 4★
3. New life The Night Strangers
4. Aussie author..."


Thanks Brenda.

[Amber]

Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "I have started reading Brumby's Run for my no. 6 Melbourne Cup book and I'm finding the writing style to be very simple or unsophisticated compared to other books I've read recently. ..."

"It's not YA Amber, I've just recently finished it, and loved it. It's rural romance IMO:) Where you are "currently reading" it will say "add shelves" at the bottom of your drop-down list. You can add as many of your own shelves as you want, calling them whatever you want:) Good luck, I do hope you find it improves for you... "

I'm enjoying it a lot Brenda, I didn't mean to imply I wasn't :-) I just feel that although the protagonist Samantha is an adult (only just 18), she's a very naive and inexperienced character, and still lived at home with her mum at the start of the book. The whole tone of the novel seems YA to me, or I guess you could call it New Adult :-)

I didn't realise Goodreads used users shelf names to classify books into genres, I thought it was something you had to edit in the book info...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "I have started reading Brumby's Run for my no. 6 Melbourne Cup book and I'm finding the writing style to be very simple or unsophisticated compared to other books I've ..."

No it's our shelf names which classify them, that's why there are often so many for one book!

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

[Steve]

I have finished my third, my first 5. Romance, Star of the Morning, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Up next is my first 2. Spring Colours, Naked in Death.

[B the BookAddict]

Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Amber wrote: "I have started reading Brumby's Run for my no. 6 Melbourne Cup book and I'm finding the writing style to be very simple or unsophisticated compared to oth..."

Am I correct in assuming that this is where our Recommendations come from as well? Honestly, sometimes I've found them to be so off the mark: i.e. I'm finding that lots of fiction based in say 1950 is being recommended as Historical Fiction!!

To my mind, that is so incorrect: are babies reading these books?? To that end, I'm using only my own shelves as the basis for my Recs. At least I know what I'm getting then.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my third, my first 5. Romance, Star of the Morning, with my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

Up next is my first 2. Spring Colours, Naked in Death."

Have you read J.D. Robb before Steve?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished my fifth book for this challenge 6.A book to do with horses The Shadowy Horses. This is the second time I have tried this author. She is very popular but I am still not really enthused. It was okay. 3 stars.

[Steve]

Brenda wrote: "Have you read J.D. Robb before Steve?"

Nope, this is my first. In fact, it's due to your review of a later book that I got curious and added Naked in Death to my TBR.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Have you read J.D. Robb before Steve?"

Nope, this is my first. In fact, it's due to your review of a later book that I got curious and added Naked in Death to my TBR."

I hope you like it Steve. I started in the middle somewhere, a book from the library. After reading a few I decided to go back to the beginning and read (the ones I hadn't read) in order. I just love them....I'm right up to date now with finishing Calculated in Death on the weekend. Her latest is due out this month, Thankless in Death.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Steve wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Have you read J.D. Robb before Steve?"

Nope, this is my first. In fact, it's due to your review of a later book that I got curious and added Naked in Death to my TBR."..."

One of my favourite authors - I've read them all and am anxiously awaiting the new one. I have also got my husband into reading them. He's about half way through.

[Nicola]

Done a couple so far - slow start to the month due to an assignment!

5. Romance
The Marriage Bargain / Jennifer Probst Quite enjoyed it!

TBR September
The Last Days Of The National Costume / Anne Kennedy This was my book club book and I can not describe in polite comapny how bad I thought it was!

Now onto the next ones!

[Amber]

6. Melbourne Cup - Brumby's Run ★★★ (I would give it 3.5 if I could).

This is not really a review, but a comment on the book: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Amber]

Question, does the October TBR have to be read in October (and the November TBR likewise read in November)? I'm shuffling my list around a bit, and need to know :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Question, does the October TBR have to be read in October (and the November TBR likewise read in November)? I'm shuffling my list around a bit, and need to know :-)"

Preferably Amber, that's officially when they are set out for:)

[Amber]

I just calculated the likelihood of getting All the Birds, Singing (my choice for a title starting with A) from the library anytime soon, and since they only have 2 copies and there are 42 people ahead of me in the queue, I don't think it will be this Spring! So then I was going to swap it for And the Mountains Echoed (originally my October TBR) and then I could slot in The Husband's Secret as my October TBR instead, which I read this week although it wasn't on my challenge list. What do you reckon, Brenda? :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "I just calculated the likelihood of getting All the Birds, Singing (my choice for a title starting with A) from the library anytime soon, and since they only have 2 copies and there are 42 people a..."

Sounds alright Amber:) Have you read your Sept TBR yet? Swap the two if you haven't, but if you have leave it as you say because the main thing is you're enjoying your reading:)

[Amber]

Yep I've read my September TBR already. I just read them in whichever order I can get them from the library. I'm really hoping I'll get The Rosie Project before the end of Spring, but it will be too late for my September challenge :-(

I've read 4 books so far this month. This is the "fastest" I've read in ages! (And I'm enjoying it a lot). Thanks Brenda :-)

[B the BookAddict]

Late yesterday, I finished #8 So Much for That my genre Literary Fiction; my seventh book completed.

My review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/...

[Elaine]

Finished my 3rd for this challenge. TBR My James: The Heartrending Story of James Bulger by His Father. by Ralph Bulger, Rosie Dunn. Gave it 3 stars, would have given it 3.5 if I could. It was a very heart breaking and difficult read. Not sure if I'll write a review. Started my 4th No.10 Dragon's Child.

[B the BookAddict]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my 3rd for this challenge. TBR My James: The Heartrending Story of James Bulger by His Father. by Ralph Bulger, Rosie Dunn. Gave it 3 stars, would have given it 3.5 if I could. It was a ve..."

I think you're very brave to have tackled the James Bulger book.

[Elaine]

I struggled with the decision Bette believe me.I don't think bravery had anything to do with it. Funny thing is I kind of felt compelled to read it. I remember
20 years ago when it happened my son was 8 months old and reading about this poor little boy was devastating. I couldn't even begin to imagine what those poor parents were going through. It was the reason I stopped reading news papers and watching the news.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my 3rd for this challenge. TBR My James: The Heartrending Story of James Bulger by His Father. by Ralph Bulger, Rosie Dunn. Gave it 3 stars, would have given it 3.5 if I could. It was a ve..."

I'm afraid I couldn't read that book Elaine. Well done on doing so...