Aussie Author Challenge 2014 Showing 401-450 of 1,146

[Kerri]

Yes will start with bronze and take it from there, hopefully read a lot more than those I've listed. I will definitely be checking everyone else's lists, especially for new releases.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kerri wrote: "Yes will start with bronze and take it from there, hopefully read a lot more than those I've listed. I will definitely be checking everyone else's lists, especially for new releases."

Good luck Kerri! Enjoy:)

[Sally]

I finished my second, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, my debut author. It absolutely knocked my socks off, some of the best writing I've seen in a very long time. It was melancholy, atmospheric and utterly haunting. Five stars, at least! Now I am off to become one of Hannah Kent's followers - when she publishes again, I want to know about it!

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "#21 - Female Author - Operation Valentine by Loretta Hill 5★s

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

I'm planning on reading this Friday night with a glass of wine in hand :)

[Sally906]

Sally wrote: "I finished my second, Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, my debut author. It absolutely knocked my socks off, some of the best writing I've seen in a very long time. It w..."

I'm planning on reading this one for my debut author as well. I have very high expectations as everyone is raving over it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "#21 - Female Author - Operation Valentine by Loretta Hill 5★s

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

I'm planning on reading this..."

Perfect timing Sally;) Enjoy!

[Janine]

I have finished my 5th, Female Author

The Best Man by Dianne Blacklock

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 24th - Historical Fiction - The Railwayman's Wife by Ashley Hay 5★s

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

[Janine]

I have finished my 6th, Historical Fiction
The Persimmon Tree by Bryce Courtenay

[Rosie]

I have finished my first book for this challenge.

Beneath the Southern Cross

[Bec]

if there is one of the categories you really don't want to read from is that ok? The rest are all good but I don't read 'fantasy' books?? Could I maybe read a comedy instead?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "if there is one of the categories you really don't want to read from is that ok? The rest are all good but I don't read 'fantasy' books?? Could I maybe read a comedy instead?"

No, I'm sorry but you need to read at least one fantasy Bec. Go through the lists as there are so many out there which don't necessarily scream fantasy, and you may find one you enjoy. I could offer a few suggestions, as could others, if you let us know what you lean towards in your genre preference?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Bec wrote: "if there is one of the categories you really don't want to read from is that ok? The rest are all good but I don't read 'fantasy' books?? Could I maybe read a comedy instead?"

Do you like Historical Fiction? Because time travel can be classified as fantasy. There's Outlander and The Time Traveler's Wife and one of my favourite books of all time Doomsday Book.

[Kathryn]

Phrynne wrote: "Bec wrote: "if there is one of the categories you really don't want to read from is that ok? The rest are all good but I don't read 'fantasy' books?? Could I maybe read a comedy instead?"

Do you l..."

I am also not into fantasy, and I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife and loved it - however for this challenge it would need to be an Aussie author writing about time travel. I think the author, Audrey Niffenegger, is American.

I've read The Puzzle Ring by Aussie author Kate Forsyth last year - it is a children's book, but I still found it an enjoyable read. I have another book of hers, Bitter Greens, down for this challenge...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Oh yes! Forgot that bit :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Oh yes! Forgot that bit :)"

LOL

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

LOL indeed!!!!
However Bitter Greens might be the solution to Bec's dilemma!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Hopefully she can let us know if she needs further help toward another genre encompassing fantasy too:)

[Kathryn]

Did you get so caught up with suggestions, Phrynne, that you forgot which thread you were in?!!

And I forgot to say that The Puzzle Ring also involves time travel - into Scotland several hundred years ago, and Bitter Greens is set in Louis XIV's court of Versailles and seems to involve time travel back to Renaissance Venice - I'm optimistic it will be good!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Kathryn wrote: "Did you get so caught up with suggestions, Phrynne, that you forgot which thread you were in?!!

And I forgot to say that The Puzzle Ring also involves time travel - into Scotland ..."

Yes I am easily confused!
I am part way into her series called The Witches of Eileanan and it is very good. I am adding The Puzzle Ring to my TBR list now :)

[Bec]

Thanks girls - will have to have another look at the list - see if there is anything I can find before I definitely commit to this one

[Bec]

Ok I'm going to start with Bronze - I finally found a fantasy book I think I will read - The Rabbits by Sean Tan - I know we have that in the school library. Will try and post the rest of my list later

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "Ok I'm going to start with Bronze - I finally found a fantasy book I think I will read - The Rabbits by Sean Tan - I know we have that in the school library. Will try and post the rest of my list l..."

The Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan

When you post your list Bec, make sure you link your books so we can check your choices out:) (If you're not sure how, we will help you!)

[Bec]

Is Don't Fence Me In: Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl by Rachael Treasure count (I was going to use it for favourite genre) since its not actually a novel??

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "Is Don't Fence Me In: Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl by Rachael Treasure count (I was going to use it for favourite genre) since its not actually a novel??"

That would be fine - you can use it as one of the Female Authors if you want...they don't have to be novels:)

[Bec]

Cool - thanks Brenda. I think I have my list now, I've tried to pick different books from the Autumn Challenge to try and make it interesting.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "Cool - thanks Brenda. I think I have my list now, I've tried to pick different books from the Autumn Challenge to try and make it interesting."

Good on you Bec:)

[Bec]

Ok here is my Bronze List
1. Female Author: Wings of Fear by Helene Young
2. Female Author: What Alice Forgot by Laine Moriarty
3. Male Author: Bereft by Chris Womersley
4. Male Author: Cloudstreet by Tim Winton This will be my first attempt at reading Tim Winton since I was in year 12 (just a 'few' years ago!) this is a new book for our year 12's this year so I thought it would be a good idea
5. Debut Novel: Cicada by Moria McKinnon
6. 2014 Release: Rocking Horse Hill by Cathryn Hein
7. 2014 Release: Time Will Tell by Fiona McCullum
8. Classic: They're a Weird Mob by Nino Culotta & John O'Grady
9. Fantasy: The Rabbits by John Marsden & Shaun Tan
10. Historical Fiction: Elianne by Judy Nunn
11. Favourite Genre (Rural Romance): Don't Fence Me In: Grassroots Wisdom From a Country Girl by Rachael Treasure
12. Favourite Genre (Rural Romance): The Farmer's Wife by Rachael Treasure
I decided to pick different books from my Autumn Challenge List to add some variety. Looking forward to ticking off these ones - I might make a dint in my TBR pile!

[Sally906]

Bec wrote: "Ok here is my Bronze List
1. Female Author: Wings of Fear by Helene Young


2. Female Author: What Alice Forgot by Laine Moriarty


3. Male Author: Bereft by Chris Womersley


4. Male Auth..."

Nice selection there :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished #25 - Female Author - Friends, Family and Other Strangers From Downunder by Liza Perrat 4★s

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

[Bec]

I've read my first book for the challenge! I found The Rabbits in the library and read that during some quiet time (only year 12s were in quietly studying away) considering I picked it for my fantasy option it was quiet interesting - will post a review soon

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "I've read my first book for the challenge! I found The Rabbits in the library and read that during some quiet time (only year 12s were in quietly studying away) considering I picked it for my fanta..."

So glad you enjoyed The Rabbits Bec!

[Sally]

Finished my third book (male author) , I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. It was a fun, quirky read. The premise was brilliant and generally well-executed, though a bit too 'light' in places - if it had had a bit more depth, it would have completely lived up to its potential. The ending was great, though, so unexpected that it made me do a double take, LOL! And it was fun seeing the first signs of that unique writing style that made The Book Thief great!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally wrote: "Finished my third book (male author) , I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. It was a fun, quirky read. The premise was brilliant and generally well-executed, though a bit..."

I enjoyed that one too Sally:)

[Janine]

#7 Male Author
A Man's Got To Have A Hobby: Long Summers With My Dad by William McInnes

[Chris]

Finished my first male author:Cairo by Chris Womersley 4★

[Trevor]

Have now finished three books for my bronze challenge:

Male author - Making Laws For Clouds by Nick Earls 3★
Classic - Wake In Fright: Text Classics by Kenneth Cook 4★
Debut - An Elegant Young Man by Luke Carman 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished 14th - New Release - Beams Falling by P.M. Newton 3★s

Review to follow closer to publication"

Here's my review for this one:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 26th - New Release (26/3/14) - Tracking North by Kerry McGinnis 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Janine]

#8 2014 New Release
The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones

[Sharon]

Finally started this challenge :)

Finished #1 New Release : The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers 5 ★

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

[Bec]

This is a great book Janine - you will love it!

[Deb]

Brenda wrote: "Good on you Deb! I'm sure you will enjoy:)"

Only 2 left to complete the 12 required books!!! Yay...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deb wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Good on you Deb! I'm sure you will enjoy:)"

Only 2 left to complete the 12 required books!!! Yay..."

Sounds like you'd better up your challenge from Bronze to at least Silver then Deb;)

[Jess]

Completed part of my challenge so far :)

2 x Female Authors


2 x Male Authors


1 x Debut Novel


2 x 2014 New Release


1 x Fantasy
- it has paranormal elements.

2 x Favourite Genre

[Sally906]

Jess wrote: "Completed part of my challenge so far :)

2 x Female Authors


2 x Male Authors
[bookcover:The..."

Great list you're doing great :)

[Kathryn]

After starting on the bronze level challenge, I've now added so many books to my list that I decided a couple of weeks ago to upgrade my challenge to silver level!!

So this is my silver level challenge list:

9/24 completed

Female authors
The Secret River by Kate Grenville 4 stars
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Streets on a Map: Journey Through Changes by Dale Harcombe - 3.5 stars
The Shadow Year by Hannah Richell
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Male authors
The Street Sweeper by Elliot Perlman
Suspect by Michael Robotham

Debut novel
Far Horizon by Tony Park - this was my original choice, but I've just read:
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - so if I run out of time, I'll use this as my debut novel! Loved this one - 5 stars
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent - Just downloaded as an audiobook
Thornwood House by Anna Romer

New releases
Unforgivable by Sharon Robards - 3 stars (3.5, if I could) and another TBA, depending on availability
Possibilities:
Losing Kate by Kylie Kaden

Classic
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - 4 stars
Seven Little Australians by Ethel Turner - 3 stars
The Women In Black by Madeleine St. John

Fantasy
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth - 3.5 stars

Historical fiction
It Takes A Village by Christine Stinson - 4 stars
A Woman Transported by Sharon Robards
Bereft by Chris Womersley

Favourite genre - mystery
Poet's Cottage by Josephine Pennicott
The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood - 3 stars
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
House for all Seasons by Jenn J. McLeod

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well both Jess and Kathryn:) Good on you for updating Kathryn!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "#15 - New Release - The Lost Girls by Wendy James 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication"

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

#27 - Male Author - Voodoo Dawn by Greg Barron 5★s

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