Aussie Author Challenge 2014 Showing 151-200 of 1,146

[Mish]

Sharon wrote: "Thanks Mish :)"

You're welcome Sharon and good luck with your list :)

[Janine]

I will be attempting Bronze status as I have committed to a few other year long challenges already.
My list:
Female Authors: The Perfect Wife by Katherine Scholes and The Best Man by Dianne Blacklock
Male Authors: The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas and A Man's Got To Have A Hobby: Long Summers With My Dad by William McInnes
Debut Novel: Fractured by Dawn Barker
2014 New Release: The Girl in the Yellow Vest by Loretta Hill and The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones
Classic: Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally
Fantasy: Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth
Historical Fiction: The Persimmon Tree by Bryce Courtenay
Favourite Genre: The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton and Thornwood House by Anna Romer

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "I will be attempting Bronze status as I have committed to a few other year long challenges already.
My list:
Female Authors: The Perfect Wife by Katherine Scholes an..."

You only have 11 there Janine...a great list though:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

******I HAVE JUST CHANGED THE CRITERIA FROM (1) ONE FAVOURITE GENRE TO (2) TWO, BECAUSE OF THE CONFUSION TO SOME:)******

[Janine]

Brenda wrote: "Janine wrote: "I will be attempting Bronze status as I have committed to a few other year long challenges already.
My list:
Female Authors: The Perfect Wife by [author:Katherine Sch..."
oops didn't even count them so have added one more

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Janine wrote: "I will be attempting Bronze status as I have committed to a few other year long challenges already.
My list:
Female Authors: The Perfect Wife by [autho..."

Thanks Janine:) My fault I think, and hopefully I've fixed it now:)

[Zara's Retreat]

Janine wrote: "I will be attempting Bronze status as I have committed to a few other year long challenges already.
My list:
Female Authors: The Perfect Wife by Katherine Scholes an..."

Hi Janine,

I read The Secret Keeper a number of months ago and I really enjoyed it. It's a lot better than her first book (I think it's her first book) The Shifting Fog. I'll be interested to read your thoughts and comments on this book. Welcome to this challenge and I hope you do well with your goal.

[Sharon]

My list for Silver level. Completed

New Release:

The Girl in the Yellow Vest by Loretta Hill5★
The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers5★
Fairway to Heaven by Lily Malone5★

Male Authors:

Blood Witness by Alex Hammond4★
Bereft by Chris Womersley4★
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak5★

Female Authors:

Outback Fear by Suzanne Brandyn5★
Hope's Road by Margareta Osborn4★
Into My Arms by Kylie Ladd4★
Mallee Sky by Kerry McGinnis5★
Poppy's Dilemma by Karly Lane5★
Dear Ruth by Bronwyn Parry4★

Classic:

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough5★

Historical:

Matilda's Freedom by Téa Cooper4★

Debut:

Sinister Intent by Karen M. Davis5★
Suspect by Michael Robotham5★
North Star by Karly Lane5★
As Darkness Falls by Bronwyn Parry4★

Fantasy:

Forget Me Not by Stacey Nash4★

Favourite Genre:

Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell5★
The Spare Room by Helen Garner4★
The Alphabet Sisters by Monica McInerney4★
Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith5★
Addition by Toni Jordan3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Sharon! That is a fantastic list!! Enjoy!

[Sharon]

Thanks Brenda. I will enjoy and I hope you enjoy yours as well :) Going to be busy little readers :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Thanks Brenda. I will enjoy and I hope you enjoy yours as well :) Going to be busy little readers :)"

We most certainly are:) Yay!!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Rachel wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I'm still going to allocate my books to the 12 months of the year like we did last year. I like structure and this will spread the books out and give me chance to do other challenge..."

That is on my list of things to do this weekend as well.

[Trevor]

My Bronze list, with 3 still to be decided upon, is:

Female:
Monkey Grip by Helen Garner
The Watch Tower by Elizabeth Harrower

Male:
Blood by Tony Birch
Making Laws For Clouds by Nick Earls

Debut:
Vernon God Little by D.B.C. Pierre

New release - TBA

Classic:
Wake in Fright by Kenneth Cook

Fantasy - TBA

Historical:
My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin

Favourite genre:
Fairyland by Sumner Locke Elliott
A Lifetime on Clouds: Text Classics by Gerald Murnane

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestions list I have been leaning towards: Treespeaker by Katie W. Stewart.

My past preferences in this genre (outside of Tolkien) include Robert Holdstock...Lavondyss and Mythago Wood, both of which I liked very much...'though I must say scared the absolute tripe out of me at the time! 0_0 Lol.

Terri Windling...The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest and The Wood Wife

Fair to say that I love things involving Woodland Creatures and Myth :)
.

[Kathryn]

Julie wrote: "I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestions list I have been leaning towards: ..."

Julie, have you tried any Fiona McIntosh books? She has written some recent non-fantasy books, but has written quite a few earlier fantasy works. I'm not sure whether they involve woodland creatures, and fantasy is not a genre I know much about, but they might be worth a glance. Another option is to find a fantasy author you like the style of and go to their author page and click the "Similar authors" link just below the heading ".....'s books". Of course, then you'd have to check all the authors to find out whether they're Australian or not... And you could do the same with the literature map as well.

[Leonie]

Julie wrote: "I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestions list I have been leaning towards: [book:Treespeaker|1118..."

I really enjoyed Treespeaker if that's any help!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Julie wrote: "I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestions list I have been leaning towards: [book:Treespeaker|1118..."

Judging by what you like I think Treespeaker will suit you too

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Phrynne wrote: "Julie wrote: "I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestions list I have been leaning towards: [book:Tr..."

@ Kathryn, Leonie & Phrynne, thanks for your input, I'll probably stick with Treespeaker then..for now as this is not a genre I have followed for some time and hadn't planned to expand on at this point...plus your reviews sound good ;-)

.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Julie wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Julie wrote: "I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestions list I have been leaning t..."

Treespeaker was brilliant - it's one of the books which converted me to liking fantasy! The one following it just came out this year, and it's amazing too! Song of the Jikhoshi

Good luck Julie!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "My Bronze list, with 3 still to be decided upon, is:

Female:
Monkey Grip by Helen Garner
The Watch Tower by Elizabeth Harrower

Male:..."

Great choices there Trevor!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rachel wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I'm still going to allocate my books to the 12 months of the year like we did last year. I like structure and this will spread the books out and give me chance to do other challenge..."

We had it set out like that this year, so we thought a change would be nice for next year! It's true the old saying you can't please all the people all the time (or words to that effect! LOL

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I'm still going to allocate my books to the 12 months of the year like we did last year. I like structure and this will spread the books out and give me chance to do ..."

At least this allows for a bit more flexibility, and those who want a more controlled timeframe for their reading can set that for themselves. I like it, I think all you moderators have done a great job!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes I don't mind at all Kathryn.. it's a personal choice and if that suits others better, that's fine:)

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "My Bronze list, with 3 still to be decided upon, is:

Female:
Monkey Grip by Helen Garner
The Watch Tower by [author:Elizabeth Harrower|..."

Thanks, I'm already looking forward to my reading for next year

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "My Bronze list, with 3 still to be decided upon, is:

Female:
Monkey Grip by Helen Garner
The Watch Tower by [author:Eliz..."

That's good Trevor!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I'm still going to allocate my books to the 12 months of the year like we did last year. I like structure and this will spread the books out and give me chance to do ..."

Yes - I wasn't criticising!!! I just thought I would still read one book per month for this particular challenge because I do join in quite a lot of other challenges too. And I also like to have time to read books by non Aussie authors.
I didn't mean to offend anyone!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Julie wrote: "I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestions list I have ..."


Thanks Brenda, you never know I might get back into the Fantasy books again :)) if I like it I will for sure look for the second one.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I'm still going to allocate my books to the 12 months of the year like we did last year. I like structure and this will spread the books out and give m..."

Misunderstanding Phrynne! I wasn't upset at all, it's perfectly fine because the challenge is NOT structured like this year, so you can read them any way you want. Sorry I sounded like I was upset! Never;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Julie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Julie wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Julie wrote: "I'm stuck on my choice for Fantasy and would love some suggestions based on my previous reads in this genre.
From the goodreads suggestio..."

I hope you enjoy it Julie:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I'm still going to allocate my books to the 12 months of the year like we did last year. I like structure and this will spread the book..."

:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fantastic list Annezel! The only one I can see you'll have to change is Paullina Simons as she isn't Aussie.

by Tony Park
by Peter Watt

There's the other two you didn't have linked too:) Can you also just pop up the top that you're doing SILVER? Thanks....

[Carolyn]

This is a great challenge! So many great Aussie authors to choose from, so e already in my tbr pile and my wish list. Going to try for silver to start with -

Female authors:
Questions of Travel by Michelle de Kretser 4★
Mr Wigg by Inga Simpson 5★
Sisters Of Mercy by Caroline Overington 4★
Yours Truly by Michaela McGuire and Marieke Hardy

Male authors:
Breath by Tim Winton 4★
The Tournament by Matthew Reilly
The Trout Opera by Matthew Condon
Jack of Diamonds by Bryce Courtenay

Debut:
Beneath The Shadows by Sara Foster 4★
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent 5★

Published in 2014: TBA x 3
Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os 4★
Through the Cracks by Honey Brown 4.5★

Fantasy:
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth 5★

Historical:
True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey 4★
The Daughters of Mars by Thomas Keneally 4★
The Lavender Keeper by Fiona McIntosh 4★
Maralinga by Judy Nunn

Classics:
Cosmo Cosmolino by Helen Garner 3★
The Women In Black by Madeleine St. John 4★

A favourite genre (Crime):
Watching You by Michael Robotham 5★
The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howell 4★
Sinister Intent by Karen M. Davis 4★
Murder and Mendelssohn by Kerry Greenwood 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "This is a great challenge! So many great Aussie authors to choose from, so e already in my tbr pile and my wish list. Going to try for silver to start with -

Female authors:
[book:Questions of Tra..."

Fantastic list Carolyn! You only have 3 more to add:) Well done!

[Carolyn]

Thanks Brenda - thought I'd reserve a few places for 2014. If 2013 is anything to go by, it should be a great year!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Thanks Brenda - thought I'd reserve a few places for 2014. If 2013 is anything to go by, it should be a great year!"

I'm sure it will be:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Bronze for me!

Female authors:
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty 4 stars
Havenstar by Glenda Larke 4 stars

Male authors:
Sabriel by Garth Nix 4 stars
Suspect by Michael Robotham 4 stars

Debut novel:
Thin Blood by Vicki Tyley 5 stars

2014 new releases:
Deserving Death by Katherine Howell 5 stars
Present Darkness by Malla Nunn 5 stars

Classic:
Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park 4 stars

Fantasy:
The Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth 4 stars

HF:
Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os 4 stars

Favourite genre:
Cold Grave by Kathryn Fox 4 stars
Siren by Tara Moss 3 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Bronze for me!

Female authors:
The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey
Havenstar by Glenda Larke

Male authors:
Sabriel by [au..."

Nice list Phrynne!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Bronze for me!

Female authors:
The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey
Havenstar by Glenda Larke

Male authors:
[book:Sabrie..."

Yes but having told myself I am going to read them one a month I now have this terrible urge to read them all at once! Starting now!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Bronze for me!

Female authors:
The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey
Havenstar by Glenda Larke

Male author..."

Haha! Patience Phrynne;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Alex wrote: "Hi Brenda, I'm going to give this a go but, as stated previously, I don't like the fantasy genre. Would Peter Carey's The Unusual Life Of Tristan Smith be considered literary fantasy?..."

Probably not - but then again maybe! ;) I'd say "go for it" (as long as you don't tell anyone;P)

[Leonie]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Bronze for me!

Female authors:
The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey
Havenstar by Glenda Larke

Male author..."

I've found my self almost salivating over my list, and contemplating which one I'll start with as soon as January rolls round. I don't have to be back at work until the 2nd, so there's potential for a whole book on New Year's Day!

And then I'm off work on holiday for five weeks, with two very long plane trips...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sounds like an exciting reading time ahead for you Leonie:)

[Leonie]

Will be excellent, Brenda! Skiing at Whistler and then theme parking in LA:)

[Leonie]

And reading all the way there and back and while hot chocolating in the snow!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Leonie wrote: "Will be excellent, Brenda! Skiing at Whistler and then theme parking in LA:)"

Awesome! I'm jealous:) Leaving this terrible heat....have a wonderful time!

[Sally]

Alex wrote: "Hi Brenda, I'm going to give this a go but, as stated previously, I don't like the fantasy genre. Would Peter Carey's The Unusual Life Of Tristan Smith be considered literary fantasy?..."

If I may venture an opinion, I'd say The Unusual Life Of Tristan Smith (my favourite Peter Carey book) is definitely fantasy - the 'simulacra' certainly aren't currently existing or ever likely to be! Plus, Tristan Smith himself is a biologically impossible being, and the nations involved, while obviously thinly veiled references to big America and small Australia, are not actually existing countries. And the allegory of American cultural imperialism over Australia is, I think, a great theme to be reading in an Aussie Readers challenge :-)

I'm having a great time composing my list for the bronze challenge, and will post it soon. So many books to choose from, and I'm not often accused of being terribly decisive ;-) Thanks to the moderators for creating such a fun challenge with so much room to move!

[David]

This is my first challenge and I am going for Bronze.

Female authors



Male authors



Historical fiction


Classics


Fantasy


Favourite genre

18 Hours

3 to be advised

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally wrote: "Alex wrote: "Hi Brenda, I'm going to give this a go but, as stated previously, I don't like the fantasy genre. Would Peter Carey's The Unusual Life Of Tristan Smith be considered lite..."

Thanks Sally for your words on the fantasy choice of Peter Carey's book...not having read it, it's not easy to identify a genre. So I very much appreciate your help:)

I can't wait to see your choices as well...Thanks!

[Sally]

This is my first reading challenge, too, so I'm very excited! I'm going for the bronze challenge. Here is my list:

2 x FEMALE AUTHOR
March by Geraldine Brooks
The Man Who Loved Children by Christina Stead

2 x MALE AUTHOR
Eyrie by Tim Winton
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

1 x DEBUT NOVEL
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

2 x 2014 NEW RELEASE
Unforgivable by Sharon Robards
Claiming the Rebel's Heart by Alison Stuart

1 x CLASSIC
Picnic At Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay

1 x FANTASY
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

1 x HISTORICAL FICTION
Schindler's Ark by Thomas Keneally

2 x FAVOURITE GENRE (Literary Fiction)
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
The Chemistry of Tears by Peter Carey

(For some reason, I could find Schindler's Ark in the general search box and added it to my TBR shelf, but it only appears as Schindler's List when using the 'add book/author' function.)

[Neil]

Hey Brenda, I'm going to opt out of the Aussie challenge this year as plenty of non Australian authors I need to read. The first book though will be Aussie - Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts.