**Autumn Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And it was very good, IMO!!

[Bec]

Ok I know I'm a bit behind but just finished my 1st book off this challenge (and also my April Challenge book) Nurses of the Outback by Annabelle Brayley which I loved - will post a review shortly

[Rachael]

I thought I should put in an update on this challenge - being my first. I have read 5 so I think I am on track although I feel a bit slow compared to some who are posting!

4*
4*
4*
5*
3*

I seem to be enjoying everything I pick up at the moment!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rachael wrote: "I thought I should put in an update on this challenge - being my first. I have read 5 so I think I am on track although I feel a bit slow compared to some who are posting!

[bookcover:Open|6480781..."

Looking good Rachael:)

[Chris]

Completed my April TBR: The Lavender Keeper 4 ★
I'm not sure I'm going to get this challenge completed, Brenda. I still have 9 books to go and work is getting in the way.;-)

[Sharon]

Finished my 10th #9 - Whaleshark Festival - sea creatures : Safe Harbour by Helene Young 5★

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christina wrote: "Completed my April TBR: The Lavender Keeper 4 ★
I'm not sure I'm going to get this challenge completed, Brenda. I still have 9 books to go and work is getting in the way.;-)"

Don't worry Christina, it's not a problem. Just do what you can - we still all of May to go, and you may be able to slot some into the Winter Challenge if you decide to participate:) Just enjoy what you're reading:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Finished my 10th #9 - Whaleshark Festival - sea creatures : Safe Harbour by Helene Young 5★

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

And it was perfect for this category, wasn't it!

[Chris]

Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Completed my April TBR: The Lavender Keeper 4 ★
I'm not sure I'm going to get this challenge completed, Brenda. I still have 9 books to go and work is getting in t..."

:-)

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Finished my 10th #9 - Whaleshark Festival - sea creatures : Safe Harbour by Helene Young 5★

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

It certainly was, Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my 24th - 2nd #4 (Canberra Day) - The Mish by Robert Lowe 3★s

Review to follow

2 to go!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished my 24th - 2nd #4 (Canberra Day) - The Mish by Robert Lowe 3★s

Review to follow

2 to go!"

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

[Trevor]

Finished my 6th book of the challenge, my ANZAC book Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain, which I give 3★s, my review is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Steve]

I have finished my twentieth, my first 4. Canberra Day, Benang: From the Heart, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

In a somewhat nicely timed move, up next is my second 6. Easter, Chocolate Wishes.

[Kathryn]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my twentieth, my first 4. Canberra Day, Benang: From the Heart, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

In a somewhat nicely timed move, up ..."

I think Chocolate Wishes sounds like a light, fun, chick-lit kind of read and I like the sound of it (in small doses), but it doesn't sound like a typical "guy" kind of read, Steve! And certainly the first page of reviews which I just glanced through are all from women - not that they are all positive. Hope you enjoy, and don't feel overwhelmed by sickly sweetness!!

[Carolyn]

Two more finished for this challenge:

Moomba: Don Juan in Hankey, PA by Gale Martin 3.5★, a light, funny read about a struggling small town American Opera company (review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)

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

Sadly, I read after finishing the book that Doris Pilkington Garimara died a week ago of ovarian cancer at the age of 76.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Two more finished for this challenge:....Sadly, I read after finishing the book that Doris Pilkington Garimara died a week ago of ovarian cancer at the age of 76.

..."

Oh I didn't know that Carolyn. That's very sad:(

[Rosie]

I have finished 3 more for this challenge:

Girt: The Unauthorised History of Australia

Letters From Home

Lost and Stolen

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my second #9 - Whaleshark Festival - The Beach by Jaye Frances 3★s

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

[Kathryn]

Sounds like people are powering on and getting some good reading in.

I've finished three more, taking my current total to 8:

3. Moomba Festival - The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick which surprised me by how much I enjoyed it - 3.5 stars

4. Canberra Day - Sarah Thornhill by Kate Grenville - not as good as the first 2 in this trilogy, but still a good read - 3.5 stars

11. From my TBR pile - The Tom Hanks Enigma: The Biography of the World's Most Intriguing Movie Star by David Gardner - 3.5 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my final book for this challenge - 2nd #13, TBR #98 (randomiser) - Gone by Lisa Gardner 5★s

Review to follow

Here's my final list:

#1. Labour Day - EMBRYO 3: RANEY & LEVINE by J.A. Schneider - Doctor/Nurse ★★★★★
Like This, For Ever by S.J. Bolton - Detective ★★★★★

#2. St Patricks Day (Ireland/Irish character) -
Concealed in Death by J.D. Robb ★★★★★
An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor ★★★★

#3. Melbourne Moomba Festival - Fun activity - Slave Girl by Alexa Moses ★★★★
Susie’s Adventures On The Magic Island by Susan Valentine ★★.5

#4. Canberra Day - Indigenous - The Last of the Nomads by W.J. Peasley ★★★★★
The Mish by Robert Lowe ★★★

#5. April Fool's Day - Humour - Football Mambo by Peter Tonkin ★★★
Terms & Conditions by Robert Glancy ★★★

#6. Easter - family - Dance In the Outback by S.E. Gilchrist ★★★★
Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller ★★★

#7. ANZAC - War/Military Fiction - Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os ★★★★★
Fromelles: The Final Chapters by Tim Lycett ★★★★

#8. Captain Cook Festival - Historical Fiction - Crimson Dawn by Fleur McDonald ★★★★★
Bereft by Chris Womersley ★★★★★

#9. Whaleshark Festival - Sea Creatures - The Beach by Jaye Frances ★★★
Safe Harbour by Helene Young ★★★★★

#10. Colours of Autumn - Words in title/colour (red, gold, brown, orange, yellow) - Fear Nothing by Lisa Gardner ★★★★★
Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod ★★★★★

#11. TBR - Randomiser - #706 The Death Trade by Jack Higgins ★★★★★
#701 just_a_girl by Kirsten Krauth ★★★

#12. TBR - Randomiser - #322 The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume ★★★
#84 Blacklands by Belinda Bauer ★★★

#13. TBR - Randomiser - #272 Three Strikes by Scott Soloff ★★★★
#98 Gone by Lisa Gardner ★★★★★

[Sharon]

Congratulations, Brenda. You've had some great reads in this challenge and finishing well a dead of time. Well done :) Looking forward to your review on Gone

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Congratulations, Brenda. You've had some great reads in this challenge and finishing well a dead of time. Well done :) Looking forward to your review on Gone"

Thank you Sharon:) I was going to write the review when we got home from our family day, but I think my brain is fried....will do it later! But it most definitely had that WOW!! factor:)

[Sharon]

Sounds like you need to put your feet up and relax the review can wait. Hope you had an enjoyable day with the family :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

We had a lovely day thanks Sharon:) Sitting in the sunshine, kids racing everywhere, us eating, drinking, laughing - no wonder I'm worn out;) Too old I reckon!! Sitting here now, reading emails and eating little crunchie eggs;) Yum!

[Sharon]

Haha good on you. Enjoy :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My review for Gone by Lisa Gardner

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

[Jenn]

Finished my 13th book The Bronze Horseman...my 14th book is A Fortunate Life

[Chris]

I finished my #7 Anzac Day: The Last Man Standing: Herb Ashby and the Battle of El Alamein 3★

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "My review for Gone by Lisa Gardner

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

Great review Brenda and having read your synopsis I realised I have already read this book some time in my murky past. However there are still others in that series I have not read. More for my TBR shelf.

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my twenty-first, my second 6. Easter, Chocolate Wishes, with my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 10. Colours of Autumn, Loyalty in Death.

[Trevor]

Finished my Moomba book for the challenge Bedsit Disco Queen: How I Grew Up and Tried to Be a Pop Star by Tracey Thorn, which was great 4★.
Short review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "My review for Gone by Lisa Gardner

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

Great review Brenda and having read your synopsis I realised I have..."

Thanks Phrynne:) That's why I love GR - I can just check here to see if I've read it or not;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "My review for Gone by Lisa Gardner

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

Great review Brenda and having read your synopsis I..."

I can't rely on Goodreads yet because I only joined a year or so ago and it only has those books I could remember I had already read. If you know what I mean! I keep adding more as I come across them.

[Sharon]

Finished my 11th #12 - TBR - No Safe Place by Jenny Spence 4★

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "My review for Gone by Lisa Gardner

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

Great review Brenda and having read ..."

I definitely know what you mean, and I know there are heaps and heaps of mine not on here from years ago. But it certainly helps with the last few years anyway:)

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished my final book for this challenge - 2nd #13, TBR #98 (randomiser) - Gone by Lisa Gardner 5★s

Review to follow

Here's my final list:

#1. Labour Day - [b..."

Well done. I am struggling to finish just one book for each challenge. But still have 6 weeks to go so have not abandoned hope :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Sally:) You should try to adapt your ARCs to the challenges...I do that when I can!

[Sharon]

Finished my 12th #6 - Easter - family : The Kissing Season by Rachael Johns 4★

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

[Trevor]

Hi Brenda and fellow librarians, would it be possible to add the correct Text Classics cover to this book, which I've just started reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Hi Brenda and fellow librarians, would it be possible to add the correct Text Classics cover to this book, which I've just started reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2......"

Done Trevor:)

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Hi Brenda and fellow librarians, would it be possible to add the correct Text Classics cover to this book, which I've just started reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2......"

Thanks Brenda

[Nicola]

Finished another non-randomised TBR
Seven Forges / James A. Moore
Interesting story, looking forward to the next one!
I've almost finished another 3 books, just need some real time away from my prac, work and study!

[Steve]

I have finished my twenty-second, my first 10. Colours of Autumn, Loyalty in Death, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

In a somewhat nicely timed move, up next is my second 7. ANZAC Day, The Book Thief.

[Zoey]

Update :)

8 read, 5 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)- currently reading
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 3★
12. TBR - The Virgin's Lover Philippa Gregory
13. TBR - P is for Peril Sue Grafton 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Zoey!

[Nicola]

Have finished my Easter read
The Blind Man of Seville / Robert Wilson
good psychological thriller set in Easter week in Seville, Spain
and
also my Anzac Day read
Tobruk / Peter FitzSimons
well researched and emotional read...

[Melanie]

Autumn Reading Challenge 2014 - Melanie.

1. Labor Day -

2. St Patrick's Day 17th March - The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
5 stars.

3. Melbourne's Moomba Festival March -

4. Canberra Day Second Monday in March -

5. April Fools' Day -

6. Easter - April - Charlie And The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
5 stars

7. ANZAC Day 25th April -

8. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival May -

9. The Whaleshark Festival May -

10. Colours of Autumn -

11, 12 & 13 Read 3 books from your TBR list -

[Bec]

If its ok I am going to change my book for No. 6 - but I've replaced it with 2 novellas which I have read - The Kissing Season by Rachael Johns (family fun!) and one for Chocolate - Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Café by Rebecca Raisin (actually I read her 1st one too which was definitely also a chocolate book!)- both were great - will post reviews very soon!