**Autumn Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Christy! Great effort! Still 10 days left of Autumn;)

[Rosie]

Finished Peter Pan which was my last book for this challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Rosie! Excellent:)

[Kathryn]

I've finally started my last for this challenge - The Light Between Oceans for no. 9 - the Whaleshark Festival, and there is already mention of whales on the first page! I'm only up to chapter 2, but I like it so far!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "I've finally started my last for this challenge - The Light Between Oceans for no. 9 - the Whaleshark Festival, and there is already mention of whales on the first page! I'm only up..."

Enjoy Kathryn:) I loved it!

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I've finally started my last for this challenge - The Light Between Oceans…"

Enjoy Kathryn:) I loved it!..."

I just finished my this - my final book for the challenge - my mind is still a jumble of incoherent thoughts about the book, but 5 stars, I think. So, unless I start and finish The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (which was an additional choice I was hoping to read for the April Fools' Day read) before the beginning of June (not likely), I think I'm finished. So this was my final list:


1. Labor Day - March in some states
The Ghost Map: A Street, an Epidemic and the Two Men Who Battled to Save Victorian London by Steven Johnson - anaesthetist turned public health advisor - 3 stars

2. St Patrick's Day - 17th March
An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor - 3.5 stars

3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival - March
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick - dancing - 3.5 stars

4. Canberra Day - Second Monday in March
Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville - 3.5 stars
Other People's Country- A woman's journey from suburbia to life as a remote area nurse by Maureen Helen - 3.5 stars

5. April Fools' Day
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson - 3.5 stars

6. Easter - April
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan - 3.5 stars

7. ANZAC Day - 25th April
Bereft by Chris Womersley 2 stars

8. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival - May
A Woman Transported by Sharon Robards - 3 stars

9. The Whaleshark Festival - May
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - 5 stars

10. Colours of Autumn
House for all Seasons by Jenn J. McLeod - 3.5 stars

11, 12 & 13 - Read 3 books from your TBR list for these. The Tom Hanks Enigma: The Biography of the World's Most Intriguing Movie Star by David Gardner - 3.5 stars
Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy by Anneke Companjen - 3.5 stars
The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith - 3.5 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I've finally started my last for this challenge - The Light Between Oceans…"

Enjoy Kathryn:) I loved it!..."

I just finished my this - my final book..."

Congratulations Kathryn! Fabulous result:) So glad you enjoyed The Light Between Oceans

[Megan]

With only a few days left of autumn I think this is as far as I'm getting this season - 7 books through...

And with the first snow this winter blowing past outside (not settling yet) I'm getting ready for the winter challenge...

1. Labour Day Doctor Zhivago

2. St Patrick's Day Howards End

3. Melbourne Moomba Festival The Night Circus

4. Canberra Day The Lizard Eaters

5. April Fool's Day Emma

6. Easter Eat, Pray, Love

7. Anzac Day Mansfield

8. Captain Cook Festival The Luminaries

9. The Whaleshark Festival Typhoon

10. Autumn Color The History Of Danish Dreams

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Megan! Great effort:)

[Bec]

quick update before I get an early night (back to work tomorrow!) I read four books while I was away!! (although I didn't realise when I picked it that The Empty Nest was only a very short story!) I read Safe Harbour (on the flight over), The Empty Nest, Down Outback Roads and Mountain Ash (flight home). Loved them all - will post proper links and reviews this week, now just to finish Mullimbimby and read Rosie Project and House for All Seasons and I'm finished!! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The Empty Nest by Fiona Palmer
Safe Harbour by Helene Young
Down Outback Roads by Alissa Callen
Mountain Ash by Margareta Osborn
Mullumbimby
The Rosie Project
House for all Seasons

There you go Bec! Great you enjoyed your "travel" books:) Enjoy work again tomorrow!

[Carolyn]

Finally finished the last book for this challenge:
True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey 4.5★

This was a book my son had kept from Y12 English that I've meaning to read sometime, so I'm glad this challenge spurred me on to read it as I really enjoyed it.
My review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

Final list read for this challenge (really enjoyed all of them):

1. Labour Day: Violent Exposure by Katherine Howell 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. St Patrick's Day: The Fields by Kevin Maher 3★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3. Moomba: Don Juan in Hankey, PA by Gale Martin 3★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4. Canberra Day: Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5. April Fool's Day: Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

6. Easter: The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

7. Anzac Day: Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

8. Captain Cook: True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey 4.5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

9. Whale Shark Festival: Breath by Tim Winton 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

10. Colours of Autumn: Dust by Dust 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

11. TBR: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? 1 by Philip K. Dick
4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

12. TBR: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

13. TBR: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman 5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Finally finished the last book for this challenge:
True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey 4.5★

This was a book my son had kept from Y12 English that I've meani..."

Great review Carolyn. I've had this book here for a long time and keep putting it off! Your review has given me a little push towards it:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations on finishing your challenge too Carolyn! Great job!!

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Finally finished the last book for this challenge:
True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey 4.5★

This was a book my son had kept from Y12 English..."

Thanks Brenda - my son finished school 2y ago so it's taken me a while to get round to it! I'm glad I finally did as it was a really interesting book.

[Nicola]

I've finished another read. It fits under the Labour day category as well as the St Patrick's Day category
An Irish Nurse in Africa / Brian Ross
Interesting read of the 2nd Boer War by a family friend
And almost finished my last 3 for this challenge! Full list post when done...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I have finished!!!
My last one was Ronan's Echo which was a lovely read.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


1. Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb Police 5 stars

2. The Neon Court by Kate Griffin Green cover 5 stars

3. Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders by Kate Griffin 4 stars

4. Shadow Dreaming by Jan Hawkins 1 star

5. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe byDouglas Adams 4 stars

6. The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny 4 stars

7. Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os 4 stars
8. The Secret River by Kate Grenville 3 stars

9. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 4 stars

10. Red Rising by Pierce Brown 4 stars

11. The Minority Council by Kate Griffin 5 stars

12. Cat Out of Hell by Lynne Truss 4 stars

13. Lirael by Garth Nix 4 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Phrynne! A great book to finish on too:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Phrynne! A great book to finish on too:)"

Yes - that's one reason I left it to last. Nice to go out on a high!

[Kathryn]

Kathryn wrote: "...unless I start and finish The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (which was an additional choice I was hoping to read for the April Fools' Day read) before the beginning of June (not likely), I think I'm finished...."

So after saying I probably wouldn't be starting or finishing The Eyre Affair before the end of May, I did start it a few days ago and managed to finish it today. It was...different - good, but not great, and not good enough to make me want to keep going with the series.

[Bec]

Brenda wrote: "The Empty Nest by Fiona Palmer
Safe Harbour by Helene Young
Down Outback Roads by Alissa Callen
[bo..."
Thanks Brenda :) Will try and post my reviews on the weekend

[Chris]

I finished Eona: The Last Dragoneye by Alison Goodman which I'm putting down as a my Easter read - new beginnings. It's a bit of stretch but I think I can justify it. 5 ★

[Nicola]

I've finished (well I still have 20 minutes to go to finish listening to my last book, but I'll do that on the way home tonight!
My final list is as follows:
1. Labour Day - Police man
The Sands of Windee / Arthur W. Upfield
The Girl in the Hard Hat / Loretta Hill
2. St Patricks Day
The Picture of Dorian Gray / Oscar Wilde
An Irish Nurse in Africa / Brian Ross
Falling Glass / Adrian McKinty
3. Moomba
Wet Magic / Edith Nesbit
4. Canberra Day
That Deadman Dance / Kim Scott
5. April Fools Day
The Big Over Easy / Jasper Fforde
6. Easter
The Blind Man of Seville / Robert Wilson
7. Anzac Day
Tobruk / Peter FitzSimons
8. Captain Cook Festival
The Secret River / Kate Grenville adaptation for stage by Andrew Bovell
9. Whaleshark Festival
The Stranding / Karen Viggers
The Dolphins Of Pern / Anne McCaffrey
10. Autumn colour - Yellow
The Girl with All the Gifts / M.R. Carey
The Mystery Of A Hansom Cab: Text Classics / Fergus Hume
Eva Luna / Isabel Allende
11. TBR
Non-randomised
The Paris Winter / Imogen Robertson
Something Wicked This Way Comes / Ray Bradbury
The Catcher in the Rye / J.D. Salinger
Watching You / Michael Robotham
The Magic Pudding / Norman Lindsay
Seven Forges / James A. Moore
The Late Scholar / Jill Paton Walsh
Randomised
Devil's Gate / Clive Cussler
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin / Erik Larson
Topper Takes a Trip / Thorne Smith

Now to finish my May challenge book by tomorrow!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow Nicola!! Well done:) You read 25 books! Over and beyond I think;)

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Wow Nicola!! Well done:) You read 25 books! Over and beyond I think;)"

My running total for the 3 months is actually 32 - the others are from my Aussie Challenge! As I finish Uni next week and move house the week after I hope to be able to get many more read for the rest of the year!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you! At least you're enjoying your reading:)

[Trevor]

After a few changes of book, and some short stories from my TBR pile, I've finished with a few hours to spare:

1) Labour Day Let It Bleed by Ian Rankin 4★
2) St Patrick's Day - The Commitments by Roddy Doyle 4★
3) Moomba - Bedsit Disco Queen: How I Grew Up and Tried to Be a Pop Star by Tracey Thorn 4★
4) Canberra Day - The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith by Thomas Keneally 3★
5) April Fool's Day - Two Pints by Roddy Doyle 4★
6) Easter - A Lifetime on Clouds: Text Classics by Gerald Murnane 3★
7) ANZAC - Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain 3★
8) Captain Cook - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin 3★
9) Whaleshark Festival - Breath by Tim Winton 4★
10) Colours of Autumn - The Watch Tower by Elizabeth Harrower 3★
TBR - Blood by Tony Birch 4★
TBR - A Small Town In Germany by John le Carré 4★
TBR - Love in the Night & The Swimmers by F. Scott Fitzgerald 4★
TBR - Like the Taste of Summer by Kaje Harper 4★
TBR - By Chance by Cat Grant 4★

[Steve]

Trevor wrote: "After a few changes of book, and some short stories from my TBR pile, I've finished with a few hours to spare:

Nice work!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Trevor! Looks like you enjoyed most of your reads:)

[Trevor]

Steve wrote: "Trevor wrote: "After a few changes of book, and some short stories from my TBR pile, I've finished with a few hours to spare:

Nice work!"

Thanks

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Trevor! Looks like you enjoyed most of your reads:)"

After I dropped a couple that I wasn't enjoying, it was a good challenge :-) now I'm looking forward to starting all over again.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well done Trevor! Looks like you enjoyed most of your reads:)"

After I dropped a couple that I wasn't enjoying, it was a good challenge :-) now I'm looking forward to starting all o..."

Haha! Only a few more hours now;)

[Sally906]

Well done to everyone for joining in the Autumn challenge. There were some great books chosen. I am always amazed at the different books found to meet the different criteria.

Now the Winter Challenge begins - woo hoo!

[Bec]

I almost finished the Autumn Challenge - I'm still reading Mullumbimby and The Rosie Project and didn't get to start House for all Seasons (although I still really want to read this). I'm hoping to at least get the two I started finish this week anyway. Will try to start the Winter Challenge a bit earlier :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "I almost finished the Autumn Challenge - I'm still reading Mullumbimby and The Rosie Project and didn't get to start House for all Seasons (although ..."

You can add House for all Seasons to the Winter challenge, Bec and call it TBR if you want:)

[Chris]

I finished Insurgent last night. My no.12 read. 5★

[Zoey]

Final Update - unfortunately 1 short, but never mind, will have to fit it in another time :)

1. Labour Day - As Darkness Falls Bronwyn Parry(Detective)5★
2. St Patricks Day - TreespeakerKatie W. Stewart(Green Cover)4★
3. Moomba - Honeymoon For OneChris Keniston(cruise ship)3★
4. Canberra Day - The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf Ambelin Kwaymullina
5. April Fools Day - Fifty Shames of Earl Grey Fanny Merkin 3★
6. Easter - The Queen's FoolPhilippa Gregory(Religion - The rivalry between Queen Mary I - Catholic & her sister, soon to be Queen Elizabeth I - Protestant5★
7. ANZAC Day - The Bronze HorsemanPaullina Simons(World War 2)5★
8. Captain Cook - Destiny's PathAnna Jacobs3rd in a trilogy about sisters who were shipped to the Swan River Colony4★
9. Whaleshark Festival - Back to Blue Virginia McKenna 4★
10. Colours of Autumn - The Fiery Cross Diana Gabaldon 5★
11. TBR - The Exiled Posie Graeme-Evans 3★
12. TBR - The Virgin's LoverPhilippa Gregory4★
13. TBR - P is for Peril Sue Grafton 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Zoey wrote: "Final Update - unfortunately 1 short, but never mind, will have to fit it in another time :)

1. Labour Day - As Darkness Falls [author:Bronwyn P..."

Congratulations Zoey! Great result:)

[Bec]

I finally got The Rosie Project finished (couldn't sleep - finished it at 4.30 this morning) was a good book

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Definitely, The Rosie Project is good! Well done!