**Summer Reading Challenge - 2013/2014**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Summer is here (even though we've had no spring in much of Australia!) and we have a new challenge to work our way through. So put your thinking caps on and make yourselves a list, ready to start our newest challenge on December 1st:)




1. Celebrate Summer in Australia - choose a book by an Aussie author with a summery cover OR relating to summer in the title OR set in the summer months from the Aussie Readers Bookshelf for this one!

2. It's Valentine's Day on the 14th February - challenge yourself to choose a romance! (as long as there's a hint of romance in the air, your interpretation is fine!) Variations of Romance

3. Choose a book which is being released in either December 2013, or January/February 2014 for our New Release section - check out New Aussie Author Releases OR Up & Coming New Releases to help your search.



4. The Literature Map is very popular, so give it another go this challenge - Type in the name of a favourite author, choose the author closest to him/her and select one of their books to read.

5. With Christmas on the way (once again!), choose a Christmas Themed book, whatever the hemisphere!


6. We have schoolies, school holidays and family holidays over the summer months, so choose a Young Adult book with children/teens/families as the characters...



7. The biggest party of the year, the Mardi Gras is on again in February - choose a book with a gay character or author for this one LGBT - List of LGBT Authors - LGBT Characters

8. Australia Day is on January 26th - choose a book either by an Aussie Author, or anything relating to our special day.

9. Your choice of your favourite genre right here! Whether it be thriller, sci-fi, fantasy or anything in between, make it one you can devour:)

10. Choose a Book which has been made into a Movie There are many, many books out there, including The Book Thief's movie coming to the big screen very soon! More Books Made Into Movies



GO FOR BROKE!

11. December - Reduce your TBR!

12. January - Reduce your TBR!

13. February - Reduce your TBR!

RELAX AND ENJOY A SUMMER OF READING ENTERTAINMENT!

[Ben]

My picks:

1. An Open Swimmer 3 stars
2. Aloha from Hell 4 stars
3. Something More Than Night 2 stars
4. A Dance with Dragons 4 stars
5. There's Probably No God: the Atheists' Guide to Christmas 3 stars
6. Absolute Midnight 3 stars
7. 2312 4 stars
8. And the Ass Saw the Angel 2 stars
9. Promise of Blood 3 stars
10. Horns 4 stars
11. Death's Head: Maximum Offense 3 stars
12. Death's Head: Day of the Damned 3 stars
13. Terminal World 3 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looks good Ben!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Excellent challenge as always Brenda! I will plan mine at the weekend.

[Sally906]

Here's my list - some are still to be announced (TBA) but will add them as I go or as the mood takes me and I pick them on the day :)

1. Celebrate Summer in Australia -
Right As Rain by Tricia Stringer

2. It's Valentine's Day choose a romance! –
The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones

3. New Release -
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman (release date 01/12/13)

4. The Literature Map -
Christmas Crumble by M.C. Beaton (typed in Rhys Bowen)

5. A Christmas Themed book -
A Bush Christmas by Margareta Osborn

6. Choose a Young Adult book -
The Elite by Kiera Cass

7. Book with a gay character or author –
Keepers of the Cave by Gerri Hill

8. Australia Day is on January 26th -
Unnatural Habits by Kerry Greenwood

9. My favourite genre - This time of the year my favourite genre is actually any light and fluffy genre with a christmas theme:
The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

10. A Book which has been made into a Movie -
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas Movie was ‘Christmas with Holly’

Reduce my TBR pile:

11. December - A Family for Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor

12. January - Shakespeare's Christmas by Charlaine Harris

13. February - Threadbare by Cindi Gale

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking forward to your choices Phrynne and Sally:) It's good to get those creative juices flowing!

[Ben]

Brenda wrote: "Looks good Ben!"

Thanks Linda, hopefully all 5 star reads

[Amber]

Does no. 1 have to be from the Aussie Readers Bookshelf? Sorry, I'm just a bit confused by the wording :-)

[Kelly]

1.Territory
2.A Walk to Remember
3.Lost Lake
4.And Then There Were None
5. Skipping Christmas: Christmas with The Kranks
6.City of Bones
7.The Importance of Being Earnest
8.The Tournament
9.It
10.The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
11.Splintered
12.The Tomb of Hercules
13.Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape

[Steve]

I am so in!

1. Summer ★★★★★ ; ★★★☆☆
2. Valentine's Day ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★☆
3. New Release (31st Dec) ★★★☆☆ ; (28th Jan) ★★★☆☆
4. Literature Map (Anne Bishop) ★★☆☆☆ ; (J.D. Robb) ★★★★☆
5. Christmas ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★★
6. Young Adult ★★★★★ ; ★★★★☆
7. LBGT ★★★★☆ ; ★★★☆☆
8. Australia Day ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★☆
9. Favourite Genre ★★★★☆ ; ★★★★★
10. Book into a Movie ★★★★★ ; ★★★☆☆
11. December TBR ★★★★★ ; ★★★★★
12. January TBR ★★★★★ ; ★★★★☆
13. February TBR ★★★☆☆ ; ★★★★★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amber wrote: "Does no. 1 have to be from the Aussie Readers Bookshelf? Sorry, I'm just a bit confused by the wording :-)"

I think you'll find that pretty much all of the Aussie books in the database (hopefully) are there, so whatever you choose should be Amber.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fantastic lists Kelly and Steve!

[Janine]

1. Summer Ember Island by Kimberley Freeman
2. Romance Flowers On Main by Sherryl Woods
3. Summer NR The Far Side of the Sun by Kate Furnivall
4. Literature Map (JD Robb) The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
5. Christmas Theme Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson
6. YA After River by Donna Milner
7. LBGT Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman
8. Aussie Author The Tailor's Girl by Fiona McIntosh
9. Favourite genre Deadline by Sandra Brown
10. Book into a Movie Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
11. December TBR The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais
12. January TBR Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda
13. February TBR Dreams of Joy by Lisa See

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some excellent choices everyone!

[Mish]

Here are my picks

1 Summer in Australia - Shattered Sky or Rotten Gods chosen mainly for the colours

2 Valentine's Day - The Bed I Made

3 New Release - TBA

4 Literature Map - Gillian Flynn, came up with Megan Abbott , Bury Me Deep

5 Christmas - TBA

6 Young Adult - The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf

7 Mardi Gras - For Today I Am a Boy

8 Australia Day - After the Darkness

9 Favourite Genre - Mystery The Last Man Done - 2 Stars

10 Book into a Movie - Mildred Pierce

And if I have time - 3 TBR

December - Murder on the Orient Express Done - 4 Stars
January - The Weight of Blood
February - The Bell Jar Done - 5 Stars

[Zara's Corner]

Here are my picks for this challenge. I'm really going to challenge myself and attempt to do the extra three TBR ones as well this time around.

N.B. I've had to change some of my picks due to availability etc. So please find my revamped list below.

Completed: 3/13

1. Summer:
by Judy Nunn (the cover reminds me of an outback station in the summer)

2. Valentine's Day:
by Francine Rivers

3. New Release:
by Robyn Kienzle (from one of your lists provided)

4. Literature Map:
Michelle Moran = C. W. Gortner -


5. Christmas Theme:
by Debbie Macomber

6. Young Adult:
by Megan Shepherd completed 25th December 2013

7. Mardi Gras etc:
by Benjamin Law

8. Australia Day:
by Lucy Christopher completed 4th December 2013

9. Favourite Genre:
by Vicki Myron completed 10th December 2013

10. Book into a Movie:
by Alice Walker



GO FOR BROKE! (Optional)
11. December TBR:
by Gerard Stone completed - 18th January

12. January TBR:
by Chris Jackson

13. February TBR:
by Elissa Wall

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Here's my list:)

1. Summer in AU - Burnt by Karly Lane ★★★★★

Desert Fish by Cherise Saywell ★★★★

2. Valentine's Day - romance - Currawong Creek by Jennifer Scoullar ★★★★★
Eliza's Home: A Cypress Hollow Novella Rachael Herron ★★★★

3. New Releases D, J or F - The Last Savanna by Mike Bond ★★
The Girl in the Yellow Vest by Loretta Hill ★★★★★

4. Literature Map - Harlan Coben = Lee Child Never Go Back ★★★★★
Tami Hoag = Lisa Gardner The Next Accident ★★★★★


5. Christmas theme - December's Wish by Karly Lane ★★★★★
Merrie Axemas by M.R. Sellars ★★★★★

6. YA - children, teens, families - Phoenix Island by John Dixon ★★★★★
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins ★★★★★

7. Mardi Gras - gay character - Silent Partner by Jonathan Kellerman ★★
Blood Test by Jonathan Kellerman ★★★★

8. Australia Day - Aussie Author - A Fortunate Life by Albert B. Facey ★★★★★
Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood ★★★★★

9. Favourite Genre - Gone by James Patterson ★★★★★
Dead Beat by Val McDermid ★★★★

10. Book made into a Movie - The Call of the Wild by Jack London ★★★★★
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie ★★★★

11. Dec TBR - The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith ★★★
Thankless in Death by J.D. Robb ★★★★★

12. Jan TBR - Until Death by Sandy Curtis ★★★★★
Always Watching by Chevy Stevens ★★★

13. Feb TBR - Killer by Jonathan Kellerman ★★★★★
Swipe by Kathy Reichs ★★★★

[Kathryn]

I'm in! I've started my list but my picks aren't far enough advanced to post just yet - too many options for some categories, no options chosen yet for others!

[Elaine]

I'm in too. Some on my list are:

No.2 Valentine's Day- The Perfect Location ( which I didn't get to read for two other challenges!!!).

No.4 Literature Map- put in Suzanne Collins and got J K Rowling. So I'll be reading The Casual Vacancy

No.6 Young Adult- Mockingjay

No.8 Australia Day/Aussie author- The Husband's Secret

No.10 Book made into a movie- TBA ( a few to choose from).

No.12 Jan TBR- The Cuckoo's Calling and The Narrow Road To The Deep North

[Zoey]

Another great challenge :)

1. Summer - Beyond The Sunset Anna Jacobs
2. Valentines Day - A Man To Call My Own Johanna Lindsey
3. New Release - Virgins Diana Gabaldon
4. Literature Map - (Jean Plaidy)The Kingmaker's Daughter Philippa Gregory
5. Christmas - A Bush Christmas Margareta Osborn
6. YA - Shiver Maggie Stiefvater
7. LGBT - Survival of the Fittest Jonathan Kellerman
8. Aussie - The Silent Country Di Morrissey
9. Favourite Genre - (Hist. Fiction)The Innocent Posie Graeme-Evans
10. Made into Movie - Mansfield Park Jane Austen
11. TBR - A Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin
12. TBR - Sanctus Simon Toyne
13. TBR - A Clash of Kings George R.R. Martin

[Karen]

I love the sound of this challenge Brenda. As I will be on holidays over summer, I am hoping to be able to join you all.
Will have to think long and hard about my choices, so will add a list when I am organised.

1 SUMMER - Gone Fishing by Susan Duncan
2 VALENTINES DAY - The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans
3 NEW RELEASE - TBA
4 LITERATURE MAP - TBA
5 CHRISTMAS - A Bush Christmas by C. J. Dennis
6 YA - The Mortal Instruments #1 - City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare
7 LGBT - TBA
8 Australia Day - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin
9 Favourite Genre - TBA
10 Made Into A Movie - TBA
11 TBR - The Passage by Justin Cronin
12 TBR - The DoveKeepers by Alice Hoffman
13 TBR -

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

More great choices from you all! Well done:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zara wrote: "Here are my picks for this challenge. I'm really going to challenge myself and attempt to do the extra three TBR ones as well this time around.

1. Summer:
by Maeve..."



Zara, I don't think any of the authors in your #1 choice/s are Aussie? That was a specification for #1:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ben wrote: "My picks, with a couple I haven't settled on just yet:

1. On the Steel Breeze
2. Aloha from Hell
3. Something More Than Night
4. [book:A Dance with ..."


Ben I've just realized your #1 choice isn't an Aussie author either:)

[Zara's Corner]

Brenda wrote: "Zara wrote: "Here are my picks for this challenge. I'm really going to challenge myself and attempt to do the extra three TBR ones as well this time around.

1. Summer:
[bookcover:Firefly Summer|34..."

Hi Brenda, the way the first category is written it sounds like you can choose a book by an Aussie author OR is relating to summer in the title OR set in the summer months. I therefore opted for the 'summer in the title' option as I interpreted the comment as giving us the choice of what we wanted to go for.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zara wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Zara wrote: "Here are my picks for this challenge. I'm really going to challenge myself and attempt to do the extra three TBR ones as well this time around.

1. Summer:
[bookcover:Fi..."

Yes the choices are there, but the Aussie Readers bookshelf is all Aussie books by Aussie authors:):)

[Zara's Corner]

Brenda wrote: "Zara wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Zara wrote: "Here are my picks for this challenge. I'm really going to challenge myself and attempt to do the extra three TBR ones as well this time around.

1. Summer:
..."

OK. Would Poor Fellow My Country fit the criteria? I got that straight off the bookshelf.

Once again my apologies for the mix-up.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

No problems Zara:)

[Macarra]

My picks for this challenge :)

1. Steal My Sunshine or Wildlife
2. Hush, Hush
3. These Broken Stars
4. 13 Little Blue Envelopes
5. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
6. Crescendo
7. Boy Meets Boy
8. Finnikin of the Rock
9. Divergent
10. The Hobbit
11. Silence
12. Paper Towns
13. Shiver

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some great picks there Macarra:)

[Amber]

Zara wrote: "Hi Brenda, the way the first category is written it sounds like you can choose a book by an Aussie author OR is relating to summer in the title OR set in the summer months. I therefore opted for the 'summer in the title' option as I interpreted the comment as giving us the choice of what we wanted to go for. "

I found the wording a bit confusing too :-)

I'm working on my list though. So far, subject to change:

1. Summer cover or title or set in summer (Aussie author) -

2. Romance -

3. Summer new release - or or or ...

4. Literature Map - Tim Winton -> Kate Grenville

5. Christmas themed -

6. YA with children/teens/families as characters -

7. LGBT author or character -

8. Australia Day - by Max Barry

9. Favourite genre -

10. Book turned movie - re-read

11. TBR -

12. TBR -

13. TBR -

[Macarra]

Brenda wrote: "Some great picks there Macarra:)"

Thank you! Looking forward to some old favourites and hopefully some new ones :)

[Kathryn]

I'm looking at my emerging list and was just wondering about no. 10 - book made into a movie - does it have to be a movie, or is a mini-series acceptable?

[Binari]

I think this is my finalised list :)
1. Against The Tide
2. Where She Went
3. These Broken Stars
4. United We Spy
5. A Christmas Carol
6. The Fiery Heart & Tidal
7. Will Grayson, Will Grayson
8. Growing Up Asian in Australia
9. Skin Deep
10. The Great Gatsby
11.TBR- Richard III
12.TBR- Of Mice and Men
13.TBR- Allegiant

[Mish]

Kathryn wrote: "I'm looking at my emerging list and was just wondering about no. 10 - book made into a movie - does it have to be a movie, or is a mini-series acceptable?"

Yes mini-series is fine Kathryn.

[Mish]

BinariW wrote: "1. The Summer I turned Pretty
2. where she went
3. TBD
4.Dreaming of Amelia-Jaclyn Moriarty
5. A Christmas Carol
6. The Fiery Heart
7. Will Grayson, Will Grayson
8.Growing up Asian in Australia
9. ..."

Binari are you able to link the title of your books. All you need to do is edit your post - click on add book/author - type in the title of the book and then search - click add tn the correct book

Allegiant

[Mish]

I've made my selection on post #15

[Kathryn]

Mish wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I'm looking at my emerging list and was just wondering about no. 10 - book made into a movie - does it have to be a movie, or is a mini-series acceptable?"

Yes mini-series is fine ..."

Thanks, Mish!

[Ben]

Brenda wrote: "Ben I've just realized your #1 choice isn't an Aussie author either:)"

Oh whoops I misread the description. Will have a think and pick another.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Here are my choices.

1. Aussie book set in the summer months Heartland by Cathryn Hein 3 stars
2. Romance The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 4 stars
3. New release. Fear Nothing by Lisa Gardner 5 stars
4. Literature map. Neil Gaiman gave me Philip Pullman The Amber Spyglass 3 stars
5. Christmas theme Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher 3stars
6. YA Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody 3 stars
7. LGBT author The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith 2 stars
8. Aussie book Beyond Fear by Jaye Ford 4 stars
9. Favourite genre The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson 5 stars
10. Book made into a movie Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 4 stars
11. December TBR TBA Scared Yet? by Jaye Ford 4 stars
12. January TBR Doctor Sleep by Stephen King 5 stars
13. February TBR The Goldfinch 1 star

[Kathryn]

I've made most of my choices, so here's my list, at the moment – I will fill TBA spots depending on library availability and how I feel at the time! And the whole list is subject to change, as usual!

1. Summer in AU -
Lighthouse Bay by Kimberley Freeman

2. Valentine's Day - romance -
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

3. New Release -
The Spy by James Phelan

4. Literature Map - I put in Kerry Greenwood and selected Ariana Franklin - Mistress of the Art of Death

5. Christmas theme - not an Australian-Christmas-appropriate theme, but it's the only Christmas-related read on my TBR list!
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
If I get time to read another before or around Christmas, I'm liking other people's choices of A Bush Christmas by Margareta Osborn

6. YA - children, teens, families -
The Children of the King by Sonya Hartnett

7. Mardi Gras - LGBT author -
The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

8. Australia Day - Aussie Author - TBA - far too many options to choose this far ahead!!

9. Favourite Genre - Am loving historical fiction at the moment (although this choice is set not so long ago, but I guess WWII is still history...
Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal

10. Book made into a Movie -
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

11. Dec TBR -
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome

12. Jan TBR -
The Cleverness of Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith

13. Feb TBR - TBA - again, too far ahead!

And it's always fun to see everyone else's choices!

[Kathryn]

Phrynne wrote: "Okay I will make a start.

1. Aussie book set in the summer months Heartland by Cathryn Hein
2. Romance TBA
3. New release. Fear Nothing by [author:..."

Snap - for our Christmas book, Phrynne!

[Binari]

Mish wrote: "BinariW wrote: "1. The Summer I turned Pretty
2. where she went
3. TBD
4.Dreaming of Amelia-Jaclyn Moriarty
5. A Christmas Carol
6. The Fiery Heart
7. Will Grayson, Will Grayson
8.Growing up Asian ..."

Thanks :) all done now

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Kathryn wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Okay I will make a start.

1. Aussie book set in the summer months Heartland by Cathryn Hein
2. Romance TBA
3. New release. [book:Fear Nothing|18044..."

I'm not actually sure I haven't read it before some time long ago. But if I have I have forgotten it so it won't matter! And she is a good author.

[Amber]

BinariW wrote: "hmm struggling with no. 3. Anyone got any young adult new release suggestions
Thanks :)"

Hi Binari, you could try http://yalit.com for some ideas :-)

[Chris]

Here are my choices for the Summer Challenge.

1. Summer: The Shadow Year
2. Valentines: The Lavender Keeper
3. New Release: Essie's Way or Poppy's Dilemma
4. Literature Map Jane Austen The Handmaid's Tale
5. Christmas: Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas
6. YA: The Dead of Night
7. LGBT character: City of Lost Souls or Eona
8. Aussie Author: Cairo
9. Favourite Genre: The Tailor's Girl
10. Book to Movie: Atonement
11. Dec TBR: Divergent
12. Jan TBR: The Light Between Oceans
13. Feb TBR: The White Princess

[Binari]

Amber wrote: "BinariW wrote: "hmm struggling with no. 3. Anyone got any young adult new release suggestions
Thanks :)"

Hi Binari, you could try http://yalit.com for some ideas :-)"
Thank you so much amber that list is perfect

[Trevor]

Here's my list for the summer challenge:


1) Summer - Making Laws For Clouds by Nick Earls
2) Valentine's Day - Desert Sons by Mark Kendrick
3) New release - TBA
4) Literature map - typed in William Boyd - Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
5) Christmas - The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen
6) Young Adult - After January by Nick Earls
7) LGBT - American Studies by Mark Merlis
8) Australia Day - Wake in Fright by Kenneth Cook
9) Favourite genre - detective - The Kill by Richard House
10 ) Book to movie - Death in Brunswick by Boyd Oxlade

and if I get a chance the following TBR:

11) A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers
12) The Confidential Agent: An Entertainmentby Graham Greene
13) If I Die Before I Wake by Sherwood King

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ben wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Ben I've just realized your #1 choice isn't an Aussie author either:)"

Oh whoops I misread the description. Will have a think and pick another."

I notice you've chosen a Tim Winton book instead Ben - great choice:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Absolutely fantastic lists from everyone! I've had a lovely time browsing all the choices:)