**Autumn Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've finished my 14th - my first #3 (Moomba-fun activity) - Susie’s Adventures On The Magic Island by Susan Valentine 2.5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I've finished my third - first #10 (colours of Autumn) - Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod 5★s

Review to follow closer to pu..."

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

[Bec]

Brenda wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I've finished my third - first #10 (colours of Autumn) - Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod 5★s

Review to foll..."
I just won a copy of this - looking forward to my mail arriving!

[Steve]

I have finished my eleventh, my first 7. ANZAC Day, Hornet Flight, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 6. Easter, Chocolat.

[Sally906]

Time for an update:

3. Melbourne's Moomba - Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart by Carol Wall (Gardening is a fun activity)

4. Canberra Day – The Nargun and the Stars by Patricia Wrightson

5. April Fools' Day - Dead, Actually by Kaz Delaney

7. ANZAC Day – Anzac Biscuits by Phil Cummings

10. Colours of autumn - Red Wolf by Jennifer Dance (Red Cover plus Red in title)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I've finished my third - first #10 (colours of Autumn) - Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod 5★s
..."

Wow! Congratulations Bec! What a fabulous win:)

[Sharon]

Finished my 7th #2 - St Patricks Day - Green cover: Upside Down, Inside Out by Monica McInerney 3★

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great review Sharon:)

[Sharon]

Thanks Brenda :)

[Jenn]

My List so far...
1. Labour Day
a) Unlucky 13: - Police Officer
b) Dangerous Tides - Nurse & Policeman

2. St Patrick's Day - Irish Character
a) The President's Daughter
b) The White House Connection

3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival
a) The Silver Linings Playbook
b) Safe Harbour


4. Canberra Day
a) Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time
b)My Place

5. April Fool's Day
a) Catch-22
b) Northanger Abbey

6. Easter - Chocolate
a) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
b) Chocolat

7. Anzac Day
a) The Bronze Horseman
b) Sniper One: The Blistering True Story of a British Battle Group Under Siege

8. Captain Cook 1770 Festival
a) A Fortunate Life
b) Lighthouse Bay

9. The Whaleshark festival
a) Wake
b) Oceans of Fire

10. Colours of Autumn
a) Witch Flame
b) Slices of Night (the copy I have is half red and half orange)

11. March TBR Shelf
a) Insurgent
b) Allegiant

12. April TBR Shelf
a) The Jane Austen Book Club
b) Murder of Crows

13 May TBR Shelf
a) Heart of Darkness
b) The Secret Life Of Bees

[Jenn]

Finished my 9th book The White House Connection. My next book is The President's Daughter

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennifer wrote: "My List so far...
1. Labour Day - Police Officer
a) Unlucky 13:
b) TBA

2. St Patrick's Day - Irish Character
a) The President's Daughter
b) [book:The White House Con..."

Looking good Jennifer:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my 15th - second Easter (family) - Dance In the Outback by S.E. Gilchrist 4★s

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

[B the BookAddict]

Brenda,

#7 Anzac Day - is that Historical Fiction (Australian based) or just plain Historical Fiction? I'm confused.

Some selections in the thread seem not to be related to our early days. I see The Bronze Horseman for example has been picked by a few other ARs - is that okay? Or I might use Outlander which I'm currently reading.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette Book Babble wrote: "Brenda,

#7 Anzac Day - is that Historical Fiction (Australian based) or just plain Historical Fiction? I'm confused.

Some selections in the thread seem not to be related to our early days. I se..."

Well the criteria states: Choose War or Military Fiction tying in to our Aussie Diggers so if your choice remotely covers that, all will be well:)

[B the BookAddict]

thanks for the clarification.

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my twelfth, my first 6. Easter, Chocolat, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival, Full Tilt.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my 16th - 2nd #2 St Patrick's Day - Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb 5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette Book Babble wrote: "thanks for the clarification."

Bette, I just realized you had asked "historical fiction" in relation to #7 Anzac Day - #8 is the Historical Fiction one...

[B the BookAddict]

Brenda wrote: "Bette Book Babble wrote: "thanks for the clarification."

Bette, I just realized you had asked "historical fiction" in relation to #7 Anzac Day - #8 is the Historical Fiction one..."

Scrap my Historical Fiction reference; I did mean #7 Anzac Day, that was the reason for my asking. I'm not sure that The Bronze Horseman would feature Aussies yet it has been selected by other ARs .

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I changed my selection when I read your comment Bette. I had not read it properly and only saw the reference to war, not to Aussies in the war. I have this habit of reading too fast and missing bits!!!

[B the BookAddict]

Phrynne wrote: "I changed my selection when I read your comment Bette. I had not read it properly and only saw the reference to war, not to Aussies in the war. I have this habit of reading too fast and missing bit..."

Honestly, Phrynne, I didn't see your post. I saw a couple of others. Was kind of hoping that Brenda said it was okay because I do want to read that book. I'm struggling to find an Anzac related one that I want to read:(

[Kathryn]

Bette Book Babble wrote: "Was kind of hoping that Brenda said it was okay because I do want to read that book. I'm struggling to find an Anzac related one that I want to read:( ..."

Well, I wouldn't recommend Bereft by Chris Womersley, Bette. I finished it last night and it went strange towards the end...

This takes me to 3 complete for this challenge:
1. Labor Day - 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 - An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor - 3.5 stars

7. ANZAC Day - Bereft by Chris Womersley 2 stars

I think I need to get a wriggle on with this challenge!

[Sally906]

Phrynne wrote: "I changed my selection when I read your comment Bette. I had not read it properly and only saw the reference to war, not to Aussies in the war. I have this habit of reading too fast and missing bit..."

Oh welcome to my world Phrynne :) I am glad I am not the only one - LOL!

[Sally906]

Bette Book Babble wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I changed my selection when I read your comment Bette. I had not read it properly and only saw the reference to war, not to Aussies in the war. I have this habit of reading too fast..."
Australians fought in : Boer War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam war, Gulf War (aka Desert Storm), Iraq War and Afghanastan

So if you can find a book set in any of these wars as a background setting then you will have it covered. Hope this helps. The newly release Ronan's Echo is set against a back ground of WWI.

[Janine]

Finished my 8th - #8 Early Settlement
Behind the Sun by Deborah Challinor

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Sally906 wrote: "Bette Book Babble wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I changed my selection when I read your comment Bette. I had not read it properly and only saw the reference to war, not to Aussies in the war. I have this..."

I selected Ronan's Echo because Brenda used it as one of her selections soI knew it must be safe!!!
And don't worry Bette - I was pleased to discover my mistake! I like to do these challenges correctly or there is no point to them :)

[Zoey]

Maybe I didnt read it quite as literal as others , as I picked The Bronze Horseman because it is set in WW2 & our Aussie Diggers fought in WW2, that is the tie in. Didnt take it to mean it HAD to include Aussie diggers.
Am I wrong, Brenda, Sally, Michaels :) ? If so I will pick something else, but for now, here is my update so far
6 down, 7 to go
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 Fool Philippa Gregory(Religion - The rivalry between Queen Mary I - Catholic & her sister, soon to be Queen Elizabeth I - Protestant
7. ANZAC Day - The Bronze Horseman Paullina Simons(World War 2)
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 Third Day, The Frost John Marsden(Red Cover)
11. TBR - The Exiled Posie Graeme-Evans - currently reading
12. TBR - The Virgin's Lover Philippa Gregory
13. TBR - P is for Peril Sue Grafton

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my thirteenth, my first 3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival, Full Tilt, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 9. The Whaleshark Festival, Forgive My Fins.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished Concealed in Death. It was so good!

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

[Sally906]

I am calling The Bronze Horseman as acceptable for ANZAC day challenge - it is set in WWII which is a war that Aussies were involved with.

So Zoey you can certainly use it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette Book Babble wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I changed my selection when I read your comment Bette. I had not read it properly and only saw the reference to war, not to Aussies in the war. I have this habit of reading too fast..."

Go for it Bette! It's fine:)

[Carolyn]

Finished my third for this challenge TBR: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 4★.
review https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Finished my third for this challenge TBR: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 4★.
review https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit..."

Here's the link to your review Carolyn - the one above doesn't go quite there;)

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

[Carolyn]

Oops! Thanks :)

[Trevor]

Finished my third book for the challenge, my Whaleshark festival book Breath by Tim Winton which I loved and give 4★
my review is : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Zoey]

Sally906 wrote: "I am calling The Bronze Horseman as acceptable for ANZAC day challenge - it is set in WWII which is a war that Aussies were involved with.

So Zoey you can certainly use it :)"

Thanks Sally :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Finished my third book for the challenge, my Whaleshark festival book Breath by Tim Winton which I loved and give 4★
my review is : https://www.goodreads.com/review/sh..."

Great review Trevor!

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Finished my third book for the challenge, my Whaleshark festival book Breath by Tim Winton which I loved and give 4★
my review is : https://www.goodread..."

Thanks Brenda, its a great book

[Carolyn]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Finished my third book for the challenge, my Whaleshark festival book Breath by Tim Winton which I loved and give 4★
my review is : https..."

I'm also currently reading Breath for my Whaleshark challenge. About 3/4 through so I won't look at your review until I finish, but I'm also really enjoying it so far.

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my fourteenth, my first 9. The Whaleshark Festival, Forgive My Fins, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 8. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival, Four Fires.

[Sally906]

Steve wrote: "Last night, I finished my fourteenth, my first 9. The Whaleshark Festival, Forgive My Fins, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 8. ..."

Wow - you're racing along there Steve :)

[Carolyn]

Finished my fourth for this challenge 9. Whaleshark festival Breath by Tim Winton 4★. Plenty of sea and surf in the story and even a great white shark called Barney.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Finished my fourth for this challenge 9. Whaleshark festival Breath by Tim Winton 4★. Plenty of sea and surf in the story and even a great white shark called Barney.
R..."

Excellent review Carolyn!

[Nicola]

Another couple of TBRs done
The Catcher in the Rye / J.D. Salinger 2 stars - not a fan at all
and
Bad Debts / Peter Temple 3 stars, very enjoyable and close to the TV show!

[B the BookAddict]

I finished my eighth #6 Easter Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller 4★

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

At last I am making progress on this challenge! Last night I finished Red Rising by Pierce Brown. This is his first book and it is getting very good reviews. I liked it.

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

[Sally906]

I've just started:

1. Labor Day - If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell - a paranormal cosy mystery - has a main character who works in construction – well professional renovator.

[Janine]

I have finished my 9th - #9 Whaleshark Festival
Silver Bay by Jojo Moyes
3* but absolutely perfect for the topic

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've never read a Jojo Moyes but lots of people seem to enjoy the books...