**Spring Reading Challenge - 1/9/15 - 30/11/15**

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my sixth, Random TBR from 3 down, Lost, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I made a start on Child on the cover from 5 across, Whisper.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 4th (Part 2) - #2 Down Aussie Author - Paracosm by Anya Allyn 5★s (More if I could!)

Review to follow closer to publication

[Trevor]

Finished my 6th book for the challenge - 3 Down "Published this year" - Trust by Mike Bullen 3★

I was given an advance copy of the book, hopefully it will be published in November, my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Steve]

Finished my seventh last night, Child on the cover from 5 across, Whisper, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is Friend's TBR (Brenda) from 3 down, Cold Shoulder.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Finished my seventh last night, Child on the cover from 5 across, Whisper, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is Friend's TBR (Brenda) from 3..."

I'll be interested in your thoughts Steve as I have had this one for a very long time, still unread :/

[Carolyn]

Finished #3 of 2 down: historical fiction
A Famine of Horses by P.F. Chisholm4★

I enjoyed this very much and have already started the sequel.

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

[Trevor]

Finished book number 7, 4 Down - Male main character Nail Polish and Feathers by Jo Ramsey - 4★

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

[Steve]

While waiting for my sister's computer to sort its things out and actually work today, I finished my eighth, Friend's TBR (Brenda) from 3 down, Cold Shoulder, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is Set in Australia from 5 across, What Alice Forgot.

[Lynxie]

Third book done and dusted...

Fave genre: (fantasy) Scrapplings by Amelia Smith ★★★

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

[Odette]

Getting through this challenge well. Only two more to go to complete 1 across and 2 down.

1(a) across - Shortlisted or has won a Prize
Questions of Travel by Michelle de Kretser Read - 3.5 Stars.

1(b) across and 2(a) down - Love that Cover
The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley Read - 3.5 stars.

1(c) across - Published this Year
At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen Read - 4 stars

1(d) across - Male Main Character
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith - To Read

1(e) across - By an Aussie Author you have never read
The Sunnyvale Girls by Fiona Palmer Read - 4.5 stars

2(b) down - By An Australian Author
Bitter Nothings by Vicki Tyley Read - 3.5 stars

2(c) Historical Fiction
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons - To Read

2(d) down - Favourite Genre - Historcal Fiction
The Perfumer's Secret by Fiona McIntosh Read - 3.5 stars

2(e) down - One Word Title
Villette by Emily Brontë Read - 3 stars

[Odette]

I realise it is three books to go. I need to read two books for 'Love that Cover'!

[Sally906]

OK - well at the almost half-way point I only have 3 more to read to finish the challenge:

3 Across:
Young Adult by an Aussie Author – Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan
Historical Fiction – Palace of Tears by Julian Leatherdale 5★s
Random Book from TBR – The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 5★s
A novella - Princesses Don't Get Fat by Aya Ling
A book turned into movie - Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook

3 Down:
Published this year - The Kingdom of the Sun and Moon by Lowell H. Press 4★s
Currently on the best seller list – The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns 5★s
Random Book from TBR – The Good Master by Kate Seredy 4★s
From a friend’s TBR – The Werewolf Meets His Match by Kristen Painter (Kate's TBR Shelf) 5★s
Set in Australia - They Found A Cave by Nan Chauncy 4★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "I realise it is three books to go. I need to read two books for 'Love that Cover'!"

Doing very well Odette! I bet you have another with a delightful cover there somewhere!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "OK - well at the almost half-way point I only have 3 more to read to finish the challenge:

3 Across:
Young Adult by an Aussie Author – Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan
H..."

Screaming along Sally!

[Odette]

Brenda wrote: "Odette wrote: "I realise it is three books to go. I need to read two books for 'Love that Cover'!"

Doing very well Odette! I bet you have another with a delightful cover there somewhere!"

I am sure I will find one!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 5th (Part 2) - #2 Down (Love that Cover) - Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Nicola]

Finished 1 Down - Number 5 - Science Fiction
The Atlantis Gene / A.G. Riddle

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 6th (part 2) #2 Down - One Word Title - Nirvana by J.R. Stewart 3★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Lesley]

I have finished a few more and shuffled things around a little.

1 across

Prizewinner Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore read Sep, 1 star
Love the cover The Swan Thieves read Sep, 4 stars
2015 pub Buy Me the Sky: The remarkable truth of China’s one-child generations read Sep, 3 stars
Male character The Buddha of Suburbia read Sep, 2 stars
New Aus author Blindsided

2 across

Everyone read The Time Machine read Sep, 2 stars
Aus author Mary Poppins
Current bestseller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising read Sep, 3 stars
Reread All Quiet on the Western Front re-read Sep, 4 stars
OS set A Beautiful Mind read Sep, 4 stars

3 across

Aus YA Seven Little Australians
HF The Return of the Native
TBR The Adventures of Tom Sawyer read Sep, 3 stars
Novella Zadig
Book to movie The African Queen read Sep, 4 stars

4 across

Longterm TBR Sons and Lovers read Oct, 3 stars
Fave genre
TBR Falling Man read Oct, 2 stars
Red cover
Female character What Maisie Knew read Oct, 2 stars

5 across

SF Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? read Sep, 2 stars
One word Shame read Oct, 2 stars
Aus set Grace's Table read Sep, 3 stars
Child cover
Crime,suspense The 39 Steps

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It looks like you haven't had a lot of enjoyable reads Lesley...what a shame! Hopefully what you have left will improve for you...

[Steve]

Last night, I got my first bingo when I finished Set in Australia from 5 across, What Alice Forgot, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next, I will read my last book, Set in Australia from 3 down, Stolen: A Letter to My Captor.

[Lesley]

Yes, I've had some disappointing reads lately Brenda. I am rather stingy(?) with my stars though..

[Lynxie]

Fourth read done:

Female MC: Love, Desire and Betrayal by Margaret Lynette Sharp ★★

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

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished. Not sure why so early - I usually spread my books out over the time period. Maybe because they were all books I really wanted to read:)

2 Down
Love that cover. Unbound by Jim C. Hines✓ 4 stars
Aussie author Foreign Correspondence: A Pen Pal's Journey from Down Under to All Over by Geraldine Brooks ✓ 3 stars
HF. The Perfect Rake by Anne Gracie ✓ 4 stars
Fave genre. One False Move by Harlan Coben ✓ 4 stars
One word title Hexed by Kevin Hearne✓ 4 stars




4 Across
TBR over two years The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams✓ 4 stars
Fave genre. A Song of Shadows by John Connolly✓ 5 stars
Friends TBR.(Marianne) Cold Justice by Katherine Howell ✓ 4 stars
Red cover. A Dangerous Witch by Debora Geary✓ 5 stars
Female MC. Assassin by Tara Moss ✓ 3 stars




5 Down
New to me Aussie author. The Diggers Rest Hotel by Geoffrey McGeachin ✓ 4 stars
Set in another country. The Leopard by Jo Nesbø ✓ 5 stars
Made into a movie. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton ✓ 3 stars
Female MC. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews✓ 5 stars
Crime. Trunk Music by Michael Connelly✓ 4 stars

[Lynxie]

Phrynne wrote: "Finished. Not sure why so early - I usually spread my books out over the time period. Maybe because they were all books I really wanted to read:)

2 Down
Love that cover. Unbound b..."
Well done Phrynne!!

I'm pretty sure I'll fail miserably this time - I've committed to doing NaNoWriMo in November, so unless I finish all my reading in the last two weeks of October it won't be happening!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Phrynne! Great effort:) Relaxing reading time;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

No- other challenges to complete:) I think I have seven books to read by the end of October. Still two weeks to go......

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "No- other challenges to complete:) I think I have seven books to read by the end of October. Still two weeks to go......"

You'll do it! Piece of cake for you;) Enjoy!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 2nd (Part 2) - #3 Down - Published 2015 - So Far Into You by Lily Malone 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication"

Here it is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 7th (Part 2) - #3 Down - from friend's TBR - Australia's Most Murderous Prison: Behind the Walls of Goulburn Jail by James Phelps (Julie) 4★s

Review to follow

[Jenn]

Finished Dark Lover by J.R. Ward★★★★

On to my next book has been on my TBR for more than 2 years Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett

[Anna]

two down
Love that Cover
Pretty Girl by J.C. Burke

Aussie Author
KILLING JODIE by Janet Fife-Yeomans

Historical fiction
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell

Favourite Genre
The Selection by Kiera Cass

One Word Title
Contest by Matthew Reilly

four down
Male Main Character
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Reread Something
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

A Novella
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

With a Red Cover
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

With a Child on the Cover
Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

been a tough few weeks.... just finished my 4th and am halfway through the 5th

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 4th (Part 2) - #2 Down Aussie Author - Paracosm by Anya Allyn 5★s (More if I could!)

Review to follow closer to publication"

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 3rd (Part 2) - #3 Down Set in Australia - Emergency Response by Nicki Edwards 4.5★s

Review to follow closer to publication"

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 7th (Part 2) - #3 Down - from friend's TBR - Australia's Most Murderous Prison: Behind the Walls of Goulburn Jail by James Phelps (Julie) 4★s

Review to..."

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

[Carolyn]

second book in 1 Down: a book everyone has read The Princess Bride by William Goldman 3.5★

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

Also last book in 1 Down: SciFi Redshirts by John Scalzi 5★ A really fun read!

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

[Steve]

I have finished my last, Set in Australia from 3 down, Stolen: A Letter to My Captor, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I wasn't expecting to finish a single list at roughly the half way point. Given I have a work trip to Tokyo for a week leaving next weekend, I will pick another two lines from the square.

[Steve]

My list, part two. I wasn't expecting to be able to choose this quickly!

4 across
Has been on your TBR longer than two years ★★☆☆☆
Favourite genre ★★★☆☆
From a friend's TBR (Phyrnne) ★★★★☆
With a red cover ★★★★☆
Female main character ★★★★★

5 down
Aussie author never read ★★☆☆☆
Set in another country ★★★★☆
Book turned into a movie ★★★★☆
Female main character ★★★★★
Suspense or Crime ★★★★★

[Andrea]

Over the past week I've finished two more from 5Down. Mornings in Jenin (set in another country) and Baking Cakes In Kigali (female main character).

I'm starting to wonder whether I'll finish this challenge, but will push on regardless.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my last, Set in Australia from 3 down, Stolen: A Letter to My Captor, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I wasn't expecting to finish ..."

Congratulations Steve! And well done choosing another two rows! Enjoy your reads especially on your travels!

PS...great choices:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Andrea wrote: "Over the past week I've finished two more from 5Down. Mornings in Jenin (set in another country) and Baking Cakes In Kigali (female main character).

I'm starting to w..."

Definitely keep going Andrea...still a fair way to go yet; I'm sure you'll put a pretty big dent in it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 8th (Part 2) - #3 Down - Random TBR - Three Lives Down by Rachel Amphlett 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Steve]

I have finished my first (Part 2), Female main character from 5 down Flirting With Danger, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is With a red cover from 4 across, one of the longest titles I've seen, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.

[Trevor]

Finished my 8th book 3 Down - Set in Australia - Crucifixion Creek by Barry Maitland 3★ - a good solid police story, with a slightly far fetched ending.

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

[Jenn]

Starting my second last book for this challenge B>Historical FictionMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

[Lynxie]

Another book read:

TBR over two years: Blood Tide by Angela Horn ★★★

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

[Sally906]

Well after a marathon reading effort this weekend I now have only 1 book to go to finish the challenge.

Here is my list as at now:
I am doing 3 across and 3 down

3 Across:
Young Adult by an Aussie Author – The Drowned Kingdom by Kate Forsyth 4★s
Historical Fiction – Palace of Tears by Julian Leatherdale 5★s
Random Book from TBR – The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 5★s
A novella - Princesses Don't Get Fat by Aya Ling 4★s
A book turned into movie - Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook

3 Down:
Published this year - The Kingdom of the Sun and Moon by Lowell H. Press 4★s
Currently on the best seller list – The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns 5★s
Random Book from TBR – The Good Master by Kate Seredy 4★s
From a friend’s TBR – The Werewolf Meets His Match by Kristen Painter (Kate's TBR Shelf) 5★s
Set in Australia - They Found A Cave by Nan Chauncy 4★s

[Lynxie]

Awesome work Sally!! Looks like you had some crackers on your list :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Sally!

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "Doing well Sally!"

Makes a change - normally I am going into melt down by now :)