**Summer Reading Challenge - 2013/2014**

[Angela]

@Phrynne and @Bette - I hear you!

If I have a list, I become focused and develop tunnel vision until everything is ticked off and completed!

I want to make sure I savour the books - not churn and burn through them like dreaded school assignments.

[Steve]

I have finished my seventh book, my second 11. December TBR, Lord Sunday, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 6. Young Adult, Charmed Thirds.

[Mish]

I have just finished my #11 - Read a book in December from TBR
Murder on the Orient Express I haven't reviewed it yet but I loved it - 4 stars

Now onto my #9 favourite genre - Mystery
Reading The Last Man by Vince Flynn

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "I have just finished my #11 - Read a book in December from TBR
Murder on the Orient Express I haven't reviewed it yet but I loved it - 4 stars

Now onto my #9 favourite genre - Mystery..."

So glad you loved the time you spent with Poirot Mish;) He's an amusing character! Enjoy your next one too:)

[Sharon]

Finished my 3rd # 3 New release - December's Wish by Karly Lane

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

[Rosie]

I have finished my second book for this challenge.

Dark Witch

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "Mish wrote: "I have just finished my #11 - Read a book in December from TBR
Murder on the Orient Express I haven't reviewed it yet but I loved it - 4 stars

Now onto my #9 favourite ge..."

He made me laugh Poirot & what a clever man. I have no hesitation to pick up another :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Mish wrote: "I have just finished my #11 - Read a book in December from TBR
Murder on the Orient Express I haven't reviewed it yet but I loved it - 4 stars

Now onto my ..."

It'd be interesting to have a coffee with him, wouldn't it;)

[Kristy]

Just finished my first one #2 Beautiful Disaster. I am also starting my #10 The Book Thief.

[Nicola]

I've done my list - subject to change as usual and have already finished a couple. Loving the no study and therefore having more reading time!
1. Celebrate Summer in Australia

TBR

2. It's Valentine's Day

Circle of Fire / Keri Arthur
Circle of Death / Keri Arthur
Circle of Desire / Keri Arthur

3. New Release

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy / Karen Foxlee

4. Literature Map

The Puppet Masters / Robert A. Heinlein

5. Christmas Themed book

A Christmas Guest / Anne Perry

6. Young Adult book

Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony / Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox / Eoin Colfer

7. Mardi Gras

Moab Is My Washpot / Stephen Fry

8. Australia Day

Murder and Mendelssohn: Phryne Fisher's Murder Mysteries 20 / Kerry Greenwood

9. Favourite genre

Magician's End / Raymond E. Feist
Raising Steam / Terry Pratchett

10. Book which has been made into a Movie

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo / Stieg Larsson

11. December - Reduce your TBR!

Born to Rule: Five Reigning Consorts, Granddaughters of Queen Victoria / Julia P. Gelardi
The Sunne in Splendour - A Novel of Richard III / Sharon Kay Penman

12. January - Reduce your TBR!
TBR

13. February - Reduce your TBR!
TBR

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice list Nicola!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my sixth book, first #11 TBR December - The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

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

[Elaine]

Finished my first for this challenge. No.6 Young adult Mockingjay . Gave it 3 stars...would have given it 3.5 if I could. I rather enjoyed it but am sad the trilogy has come to an end now. Oh well will just have to wait for the movie!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my first for this challenge. No.6 Young adult Mockingjay. Gave it 3 stars...would have given it 3.5 if I could. I rather enjoyed it but a..."

I've got to read this one in the same place as you Elaine:) I'll get to it soon!

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished my sixth book, first #11 TBR December - The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Did you expect to like it more than you did Brenda? I have heard very mixed reviews about this one.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mmm! That's a difficult question to answer Elaine. I had thought about possibly reading it but I haven't read HP or The Casual Vacancy (not really interested) so it was just a book that was one of those MAYBEs! Then we had to read it for our bookclub, so that's why...

So I thought I might like it as it's a genre I usually enjoy, but because of who wrote it, I didn't know if I'd enjoy it! Does that make sense?

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my first for this challenge. No.6 Young adult Mockingjay. Gave it 3 stars...would have given it 3.5 if I could. I rather e..."

Will look out for your review when you do get to it Brenda. Most people that have read all three said this one was the weakest one. I think I enjoyed them all equally.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my first for this challenge. No.6 Young adult Mockingjay. Gave it 3 stars...would have given it 3.5 if I co..."

I've heard that too....we will see;)

[Mell]

This is my first challenge and I am looking forward to it :)

1. Summer in Australia - Nobody But Him 3★
2. Valentine's Day - Hearts in Darkness 4★
3. New Release - Essie's Way 2★
4. Literature Map>Nicholas Sparks - The Secret Life of Bees 3★
5. Christmas - Twelve Days of Christmas 3★
6. Young Adult - The Book Thief
7. Mardi Gras - Will Grayson, Will Grayson
8. Australia Day - White Walls
9. Favourite Genre>Chick Lit - The Devil Wears Prada
10. Book made into movie - To Kill a Mockingbird
11. Dec TBR - The Help 3★
12. Jan TBR - Still Alice
13. Feb TBR - Schindler's List

updated a couple of the options after trying to find them in my preferred format - ebook!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great list Melissa! Glad you are joining us, and welcome to the group:) Wonderful to have you with us... you might like to introduce yourself here https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... so everyone can say hi:)

[Mell]

Thanks Brenda, will do :)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Mmm! That's a difficult question to answer Elaine. I had thought about possibly reading it but I haven't read HP or The Casual Vacancy (not really interested) so it was just a book ..."

Yes it does make sense. I only read the first HP but only because I had to see what all the fuss was about. Must say just couldn't get it. The Casual Vacancy is on my TBR but no one I know who has read it liked it. Some couldn't even finish it. I will be reading it at some stage so we'll see. The thing is I find J.K. Rowling really fascinating...just the life she's had and to come from nothing and then have all this success. Maybe if she wrote a memoir that would actually be a good read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Agreed, a memoir would probably work well. Hard to say though I guess!

[Jenn]

on to my 5th book The Help

[Angela]

I've finished The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and am now reading The Night Guest.

I loved my first taste of Poirot! :)

[Steve]

I've finished my eighth, my second 6. Young Adult, Charmed Thirds, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 9. Favourite Genre, Raising Steam.

[Kathryn]

I've finally finished my first books for this challenge - no. 9 - favourite genre - Mr. Churchill's Secretary (OK, but not great - 3 stars) and no. 1 - summer in Australia - Lighthouse Bay which I really enjoyed. I think I'll give it 5 stars and I'm now keen to read more Kimberley Freeman!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my 7th - #7 Mardi Gras (gay character) - Blood Test by Jonathan Kellerman

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

[Christy]

Hooray!!! I've finished my first!! and gave it 4 stars.
I'll be starting my Aussie bookshelf read in

[B the BookAddict]

Finished my seventh #10 Books into Movies The Secret Life of Bees. 4★

I picked this after reading Sharon's review. A really enjoyable read. Thank you Sharon!

[Sharon]

You're welcome Bette, glad you enjoyed it.

[Jo]

I am reading secret life of bees and really enjoying it too Bette.

[Sharon]

Finished my 4th # 4 : Literature Map: Home Front by Kristin Hannah

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

[B the BookAddict]

I've finished my eight #1 Summer in Australia The Perfect Location by Kate Forster

My amended review is at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Finished my Christmas themed choice: The Christmas Train The Christmas Train by David Baldacci.
Thoroughly enjoyed it...a sort of Agatha Christie meets David Baldacci!

Next up is my New Release choice: Unforgivable by Sharon Robards.

[Angela]

I have finished the haunting novel by Fiona McFarlane- The Night Guest. Review to follow after I have processed my thoughts!

Am now on Little Women :)

[Sharon]

Just finished my 5th #5: Christmas Theme: A Bush Christmas by Margareta Osborn

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great review Sharon!

[Sharon]

Thank you Brenda :)

[Nicola]

Finished a few over the last few days!
4. Literature Map
The Puppet Masters / Robert A. Heinlein
5. Christmas Themed book
A Christmas Guest / Anne Perry
9. Favourite genre
Raising Steam / Terry Pratchett
11.December TBR
Crusader Castles / Hugh Kennedy
All enjoyed!
Onwards to the next book - the pile is still not getting any smaller...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Nicola:)

[Rosie]

Finished my third book for this challenge

Key Lime Pie Murder

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rosie wrote: "Finished my third book for this challenge

Key Lime Pie Murder"

Looking good!

[Kathryn]

Nicola wrote: "Finished a few over the last few days!

Onwards to the next book - the pile is still not getting any smaller... "

Yes - what's with that?! I have the same problem!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! They multiply while we are sleeping;P

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Haha! They multiply while we are sleeping;P"

Is THAT what it is, Brenda?!! ;-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL

[Christy]

Nicola wrote: "Finished a few over the last few days!
4. Literature Map
The Puppet Masters / Robert A. Heinlein
5. Christmas Themed book
[bookcove..."

My pile NEVER gets smaller!! ;)

[Jo]

Just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to the movie. Also she has another book coming out 14/01/14. The Invention of Wings.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jo wrote: "Just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to the movie. Also she has another book coming out 14/01/14. The Invention of Wings."

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Invention of Wings