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January Challenge - Aussie Readers Book Recommendations PLUS lots from your TBR!
I've chosen Saving Francesca as my recommended read, and I'm really enjoying it, but I have to ask you Aussies, what is a "dropkick"? I'm assuming it's a loser (boy, girl, both?)...
Roxanne wrote: "I've chosen Saving Francesca as my recommended read, and I'm really enjoying it, but I have to ask you Aussies, what is a "dropkick"? I'm assuming it's a loser (boy, girl, both?)..."Assuming it isn't in the context of dropkicking a ball, yes, it would be implying the person is a loser, not worth spending time with for some reason, that the person has done something that has really irritated the person that is calling someone (man or woman)'dropkick' or something in a similar vein.
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Yes a loser is a good description Roxanne;) Glad you're enjoying it!
I finished The Snow Child and really enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars, my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...and read a few more from my TBR:
The Returned by Jason Mott, definitely an interesting concept. 3 stars (probably would have given it 3.5 if I could) Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Then Takedown Twenty the latest Stephanie Plum book, I really don't know why I am still reading these...they don't even make me laugh any more, 2 stars. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
and finally a trip back in time to my childhood with Charlotte Sometimes which I enjoyed revisiting as an adult, review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Patricia wrote: "and finally a trip back in time to my childhood with Charlotte Sometimes which I enjoyed revisiting as an adult..."I've never heard of that one, but it sounds quite interesting. I see it's the 3rd in a trilogy - does it stand alone? I might look out for it and read it myself.
Hi Andrea, yes it's definitely stand alone, I never even knew there were others, I don't think I ever read them.
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It sounds delightful. I am going to read it too.
I've read my selected book from the top 5 listsThe Harp In The South
Not sure if I'll get any of my to-read list done.
I will try and get one of these read before January ends
The Dressmaker
Hades
Jasper Jones
OK - well I have started The Cry by Helen Fitzgerald as my recommendation - and so far have finished Unnatural Habits by Kerry Greenwood from my TBR pile.
Kadi wrote: "I think I will start with The Tournament as I have it here to read.
Then my TBR list Joyland
I Am Legend"
I have read most of these. This month I have read
Joyland, The Moaning of Life: The Worldly Wisdom of Karl Pilkington, The Postman Always Rings Twice, Parasite and I am currently reading I Am Legend.
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The Tournament as I have it here to read.
Then my TBR list Joyland
I Am Legend"
I have read most of these. Thi..."
I really enjoyed I Am Legend but I always like vampires sparkly or otherwise.
I might as well give my update, as nothing is going to change before the end of the month (you'll see why in just a sec).My recommended read was The Rosie Project; recommended by Phrynne and a few others. It took me until halfway through to really warm to the main character, but in the end I gave it ★★★★.
From my TBR I read The Signature of All Things which I thoroughly enjoyed - in fact it is my first ★★★★★ read of the year, and a new addition to my Favourites bookshelf.
And now I have cracked open Wolf Hall at last, and there I imagine I will stay for the next few weeks at least. (I'm liking it a lot, but I tend to be a slow reader, so...) Actually, what convinced me to finally pick it up is that it's the inaugural read for the WSJ's new Twitter bookclub. Sounds like a bit of fun. They said we should aim to finish by 24 Feb, and I reckon that's manageable. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
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My recommended read was The Rosie Project; recommended by ..."
Sounds good Andrea...good luck:)
My progress so far -Recommended read
Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth
TBR
Farewell To The East End by Jennifer Worth
Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth
In the Midst of Life by Jennifer Worth
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Hana's Suitcase by Karen Levine
Blame by Michelle Huneven
Just One Evil Act by Elizabeth George
Bette wrote: "My progress so far -Recommended read
Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth
TBR
Farewell To The East End by [..."
You're doing well there - good work on freeing up the space to put more books!! :)
Finished my Top 2013 read - loved it, but that was always on the cards as I love this period in history (and my family is heavily involved with the Richard III club), plus it was the chosen book for my bookclub to review in February - so it's all come together very nicely!!
The Sunne in Splendour - A Novel of Richard III / Sharon Kay Penman
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Recommended read
Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth
TBR
Farewell To The East End by [..."
Congrats Bette! Doing well:)
Nicola wrote: "Finished my Top 2013 read - loved it, but that was always on the cards as I love this period in history (and my family is heavily involved with the Richard III club), plus it was the chosen book fo..."So glad you loved it Nicola. I have to say that it's the best book I've read to date on that period and especially on Richard III. It's kind of hard to top it I think.
Elaine wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Finished my Top 2013 read - loved it, but that was always on the cards as I love this period in history (and my family is heavily involved with the Richard III club), plus it was the..."It is! There's lots out there but you can tell the research is more thorough than some other authors. I've been meaning to read it for the past 20 years, but as the SKP Australia fan club (and I am a member!) is having their annual meeting in Perth this year I thought I should make time to ready my first SKP novel!
Nicola wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Finished my Top 2013 read - loved it, but that was always on the cards as I love this period in history (and my family is heavily involved with the Richard III club), ..."That's awesome Nicola. When is the meeting? How exciting for you. I actually had a customer come in the other day who's a big Richard III and Wars of the Roses fan and she was telling me there's a Richard III group that meets monthly here in Melbourne and invited me to go along but I'm not sure my knowledge would be up to par. Mind you it would be fascinating.
Elaine wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Finished my Top 2013 read - loved it, but that was always on the cards as I love this period in history (and my family is heavily involved with the Rich..."You don't have to be up to par on your knowledge - just have a interest! The Melbourne R3 Society are wonderful, I used to see them quite often when I lived over there - and now we catch up at the bi-annual conference, which was held in Sydney last year. I go along with the WA Society as 'the rent a crowd' for the banquet! The SKP AGM is in October here in Perth. It'll be my first one, and Sharon skypes the group on the Saturday morning before we go out to have some more fun! The WA R3's are hosting a medieval banquet for us as well...
Wow,that is really cool Nicola. Do you have to dress up as well? That would be fun!! I got the impression that they are a friendly bunch at the society. Maybe I'll take your advice and look into it a bit more.
Hey Elaine and Nicola, have either of you seen this - Consent and Discontent: What Will Become of Richard III's Bones?I posted the link on your wall, Elaine, but you might have missed it with being away last week, and it seemed topical to interrupt your Richard III conversation with it!!
Thanks Kathryn. I must have missed it. I'll look at it now and get back to you. :)
Elaine wrote: "Thanks Kathryn. I must have missed it. I'll look at it now and get back to you. :)"It's all good, Elaine - no reply needed. I just thought it was interesting reading, especially for Richard III enthusiasts!
Happy to chat to you about it, Kathryn and yes it is an interesting article. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Not sure that I really have an opinion about it one way or another. I would think that maybe they would bury him with his wife Anne who is supposed to be buried in an unmarked grave at Westminster Abbey. I wonder why that wasn't proposed as an option? Maybe they're not allowed to do that anymore or can't?
Elaine wrote: "Happy to chat to you about it, Kathryn and yes it is an interesting article. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Not sure that I really have an opinion about it one way or another. I would thin..."Sounds like there's a bit of a storm brewing over it all! I can't really see that where a body is interred matters, except to relatives, and there aren't any that close in this case. Of course, it is terribly relevant from a tourism perspective and anyone hoping to make money off it. Does it make me cynical to say that??
Not at all and the article actually alludes to that. As someone with an interest in that period and a bucket list wish to one day visit the UK and tour many of these places, that hold a lot of the history of that period seeing Richard III would be a highlight. So I guess you would want it to be somewhere that's easily accessible and central London would probably be a good place from a tourist perspective. But that's just my personal opinion. (She says after saying she didn't have one!!!)
Better perhaps for the tourists being more accessible, as you say, but not better for the Leicester or York coffers!!
Kathryn wrote: "Better perhaps for the tourists being more accessible, as you say, but not better for the Leicester or York coffers!!"It's the never ending battle on where to bury him - personally I think he's been in Leicester for 500 years so it sounds like a good place to keep him! The Queen is the one who has said that he doesn't need to be buried in Westminster - as not all Monarchs are.
But very interesting topic and raises lots of peoples angst! Some of the discussions get v personal, which is sooo not necessary!
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Good on you Phrynne! Now, let's hope you enjoy it:)
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I have started it and I am not decided yet what I think...............
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Good luck!!
Just finished my second for this challenge 11/22/63
, which was awesome. Again I have to credit my GR's friend Kathryn for putting me onto it. Both book recommendations that I read for this challenge came from her and I must say they were both spot on.
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, which was awesome. Again I have to credit my GR's friend Kathryn for putting me onto it. Both book ..."I agree with your description of awesome :)
Elaine wrote: "Just finished my second for this challenge 11/22/63, which was awesome. Again I have to credit my GR's friend Kathryn for putting me onto it. Both book ..."Glad you enjoyed it, Elaine :-)
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, which was awesome. Again I have to credit my GR's friend Kathryn for putting me onto it. Both book ..."Great review Elaine!
Elaine wrote: "Just finished my second for this challenge 11/22/63, which was awesome. Again I have to credit my GR's friend Kathryn for putting me onto it. Both book ..."Yes, I agree with awesome too! Great review.
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From my TBR I have had a ball!
Doctor Sleep 5 stars
Siren 3 stars
Furies of Calderon 2 stars :(
The Amber Spyglass 3 stars
Innocence 3 stars
Bitterblue 4 stars
Kind of Cruel 5 stars
The White Luck Warrior 5 stars
Cold Grave 4 stars
Mr. Murder 5 stars
The Darkest Hour 5 stars
Nine Dragons 4 stars
Fear Nothing 5 stars
Matilda Is Missing 5 stars
The Killing Kind 4 stars
The White Road 4 stars
Twilight Eyes 3 stars
Phrynne wrote: "My recommended book was If on a Winter's Night a Traveler which I gave three stars although I would give five stars to some of the outstanding reviews it has!From my TBR I have had a..."
Wow, Phrynne - you've been a busy little bee this month!
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From my TBR I have had a..."
Wow Phrynne! Well done:)
I think it would be overly optimistic to hope that I would finish any more books in January so I think I'll have to say I've completed all the books I'm going to complete this month.My final list is:
Aussie Readers’ Book Recommendations The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - 5 stars
+ TBR books:
The Cleverness of Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith - 3 stars
Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin - 4 stars
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch - 3 stars
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini - 5 stars
The Secret River by Kate Grenville - 4 stars
Unforgivable by Sharon Robards - 3 stars
The Green Mill Murder by Kerry Greenwood - 3 stars
Different Seasons by Stephen King - 3 stars
I'm very tempted to turn this monthly challenge into a yearly challenge, because lots of the suggestions are on my list for some time during the year!!
Same here Katherine. I may not have read all the books that I wanted to read in this monthly challenged but I've bought several of books mentioned here and connected/friended with lovely people whom have similar taste in books.I really liked this challenge :)
anyhow here's my updated list:The Bell Jar - Recommended by Angela & Michael KL, 5 Stars
Read from TBR:
The Last Winter of Dani Lancing - 4 Stars (also recommended by Brenda)
The Crane Wife - 5 Stars
In a Cat's Eye - 4 Stars
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With one more day to go, I'll update my list tomorrow:)
Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Flowers on Main (other topics)Thornwood House (other topics)
Swimsuit (other topics)
Secret Daughter (other topics)
The Perfect Wife (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Shilpi Somaya Gowda (other topics)Sherryl Woods (other topics)
Donna Milner (other topics)
Katherine Scholes (other topics)
James Patterson (other topics)
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For my Book recommendation part of the challenge I read The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots by Loretta Hill
My TBR so far:
Always Watching by Chevy Stevens
In Safe Arms by Lee Christine
Poppy's Dilemma by Karly Lane
The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
Until Death by Sandy Curtis
Dark City Blue by Luke Preston
Desert Fish by Cherise Saywell
The Sword of Demelza by J.E. Rogers
A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice by Caroline Stoessinger
Unforgivable by Sharon Robards
Red Queen by Honey Brown
Music Box by Anya Allyn
The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
A Savage Garden by Chris Muir