**Autumn Challenge - 1st March- 31st May 2016**

[Anna]

ok. is this brown enough Brenda?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That will be good Anna...Autumn leaves as they fall;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Who is excited to start Autumn's challenge? I have a couple to finish before I can start, but I'm looking forward to getting stuck in!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Just finished a book so I will go to sleep early tonight rather than start anything else. Then I will be all ready to start fresh tomorrow:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ah that's the way Phrynne:)

[Anna]

am going to start with as soon as i finish

[Carolyn]

I've started my first book for this challenge The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald. So exciting to start a new challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good on you Carolyn:)

[Steve]

Kicking off this challenge with 4. International Women's Day, Billionaires Prefer Blondes!

[Valerie]

Starting off with the longest book on the list, RECYCLE, recycled from the February challenge :)
Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Valerie wrote: "Starting off with the longest book on the list, RECYCLE, recycled from the February challenge :)
..."

Did you get it from the library Valerie?

[Valerie]

Brenda wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Starting off with the longest book on the list, RECYCLE, recycled from the February challenge :)
..."

Did you get it from the library Valerie?"

Yes Brenda, and I hope I can renew it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Valerie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Starting off with the longest book on the list, RECYCLE, recycled from the February challenge :)
..."

Did you get it from the library Valerie?"

Yes Brenda, and I ho..."

Oh I hope you can too! Such a great book which has been highly recommended by many of our members :) Enjoy!

[Kathryn]

Valerie wrote: "Starting off with the longest book on the list, RECYCLE, recycled from the February challenge :)
Seven Types of Ambiguity by Elliot Perlman"

That was on one of my challenges for last year, Valerie, and I never got around to it. Hopefully I'll manage it this year!

[Stef]

Ok Bring it! (dunno if I will sink or swim)

[Jenn]

My first book is Death by Chocolate by Sally Berneathy

[Valerie]

Brenda and Kathryn, very much looking forward to starting it tonight. I'm amazed that I hadn't heard of this Australian writer, from Melbourne even, and it was a Canadian friend who told me about the book, of which he had a translated French version.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Valerie wrote: "Brenda and Kathryn, very much looking forward to starting it tonight. I'm amazed that I hadn't heard of this Australian writer, from Melbourne even, and it was a Canadian friend who told me about t..."

Isn't that funny!? Quite often the way...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 1st - #4 - Int Women's Day (strong female character) - Tailor Made by Clare Havens 4.5★s

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

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 1st - #4 - Int Women's Day (strong female character) - Tailor Made by Clare Havens 4.5★s

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

Well done Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Michelle:)

[MichelleG]

I finished my first book also - Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood, 5★ stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done! A fabulous read that one:)

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "Well done! A fabulous read that one:)"

Thanks - i loved it... and such a quick read too :)

[Jude]

Michelle wrote: "I finished my first book also - Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood, 5★ stars
"

My first book will be a Kerry Greenwood, too! Flying Too High

[Kathryn]

Valerie wrote: "Brenda and Kathryn, very much looking forward to starting it tonight. I'm amazed that I hadn't heard of this Australian writer, from Melbourne even, and it was a Canadian friend who told me about t..."

If you like Seven Types of Ambiguity (or possibly even if you don't), I can highly recommend The Street Sweeper - a very powerful book... In the meantime, I hope you (and I, whenever I get to it) like this one!

[MichelleG]

Jude, that looks fantastic, you'll have to let us know how you go :)

[Kathryn]

Michelle wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well done! A fabulous read that one:)"

Thanks - i loved it... and such a quick read too :)"

And proof again that we're all different - it took me 10 days to wade through this one! Needless to say I'm not continuing with the series! And yet I enjoy her Phryne Fisher mysteries...

[MichelleG]

Kathryn wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well done! A fabulous read that one:)"

Thanks - i loved it... and such a quick read too :)"

And proof again that we're all different - it took me 10 days to wade t..."

So very true Kathryn. I've only read the first book of each series this far, so I'm not the best judge or critic but I've been making my way through the Miss Phyrnne Murder Mystery to series and it's good fun :)

I feel your pain though re wading for days through books. I'm struggling with my Feb book - The Bird's Child - every time I get 20 or so pages in, I start to fall asleep, doesn't matter where I am or what time or day... And yet the reviews seems perfectly fine :(

I guess some books just grab you more than others.

[Valerie]

Kathryn wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Brenda and Kathryn, very much looking forward to starting it tonight. I'm amazed that I hadn't heard of this Australian writer, from Melbourne even, and it was a Canadian friend who..."

Thanks Kathryn, I just noticed that I have The Street Sweeper on my list but can't remember why. ABC bookckub perhaps?

[Kathryn]

Valerie, I added it because of Bette reading it several years ago. Maybe you saw her review?

[Jenn]

Finished my first book Death by Chocolate by Sally Berneathy... I chose this book for number 6 a book associated with Easter. I really enjoyed reading this book and I give it 3.5 stars It was so easy to read and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 2nd - #8 - Mother's Day (Mothers/Grandma/Family) - Baby Girl by Bette Lee Crosby 5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my first, 4. International Women's Day, Billionaires Prefer Blondes, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is 10. Colours of Autumn, Invincible.

[Mell]

Sally906 wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I am putting together a tentative list now and will post soon, even though I'm sure it will change!"

Mine usually change - to be honest I put up my list as a guidance rather than a..."

I am so slack! I just saw this while trying to find my post at work.
I always change my books, but it's nice to have a list to try and work to anyway :)

I am starting with my International Women's Day book: Clockwork Prince

I also started one of my bonus books from my TBR on Audible while I'm walking/driving: The Cowboy's Surrender

[Christy]

Here's my list:

Labour Day - Swimsuit by James Patterson - Policeman

Reduce - Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

Recycle - The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

International Women's Day - 14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson

St Patrick's Day - Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

Easter - Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke - Helloooo....Chocolate - Chocolate Easter Bunnies! Ok only if it's GOOD chocolate - otherwise I may prefer the cookies. Nothing worse than bad chocolate!!

Anzac Day - Evan's Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood

Mother's Day - Beloved by Toni Morrison

Captain Cook - The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville

Colors of Autumn - Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson

TBR - Private London by James Patterson for starters

I'll be starting with

Happy Reading!!!

[Stef]

#1. Labour Day (March in some states) - Choose a book whose lead characters are workers in construction, office, health, police force or teachers. Please mention their occupation when you post your list The Monogram Murders with police officers. 3 Stars. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Clean Up Australia Day (6th March)
#2. REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf Orientalism
4 stars review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#3. RECYCLE - Read any book from the library Most Loving Mere Folly 3 stars review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#4. International Women's Day (8th March) - Read a book with a strong female character My Forbidden Face: Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story 5 stars review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#5. St Patrick's Day (17th March) - Choose a book with a GREEN COVER OR is set in Ireland/has Irish characters. Wolves of the Witchwood green cover. Australian 3 stars. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#6. Easter (25th-28th March) - Choose a book that YOU would associate with Easter...explain why you've chosen that particular book when posting your choice . To me this book is about Easter from a Christian perspective as I associate it with resurrection/renewal and as it challanges power structures. Australian. Three stars. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#7. ANZAC Day (25th April) - Read a book with connections to the Military - Fiction or Non Fiction - Aussie author

#8. Mother's Day (8th May) - Read a book depicting mothers/grandmothers and family The Last Elephant A truly beautiful depiction of an intelligent mother and the protagonists bond to her. Even though it is not the main point of the story I was very aware of it as I read this book. Four stars. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#9. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival (May) - Read an Historical Fiction novel set around our early settlement days - Aussie author

#10. Colours of Autumn - Choose a book which has the words, red, gold, brown, orange or yellow in the title OR whose cover is primarily one of those colours Cold Comfort Farm Orange stars review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

OPTIONAL: #11, #12, #13 - Finish the challenge with at least three books from your TBR list - Just because you can!!

I ALWAYS need to be mindful to get to my TBRS. I have featured three that I enjoyed and that were wor th reading

11. School Choice: How Parents Negotiate the New School Market in Australia Really well worth reading. 5 stars. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

12. Trumpet 4 stars. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

13. Time Keepers 4 stars. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You haven't chosen any of your other books yet Stef? Having our lists up means others can be inspired to choose one (or more) that might be on your list, and not thought of until then:)

[PattyMacDotComma]

<5★s for my recycled library book The Rosie Project by Aussie author Graeme Simsion. A funny, sometimes poignant story of an immovable object meeting an irresistible force. (Or is it the other way around?)

A University professor with Asperger's Syndrome (think of Dr Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory) is on the hunt for a wife.

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

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update, I just finished my second book - Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. It was a huge book, but fun and easy to read.

**Autumn Challenge - 1st March- 31st May 2016**
Completed 2/13

#1. Labour Day: The Last Will and Testament of Henry Hoffman by John Tesarsch (Henry Hoffman is a retired Professor of Mathematics)
#2. Clean up Australia (6 March) - REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf: The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham
#3. Clean up Australia (6 March) - RECYCLE - Read any book from the library: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
#4. International Women's Day (8 March): Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
#5. St Patrick's Day (17 March): A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
#6. Easter (25-28 March): - I chose this book, because who wouldn't want to be part of a chocolate club :)
The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews
#7. ANZAC Day (25 April): - MaryG2E's ANZAC list (Thanks Mary!) - After Darkness by Christine Piper
#8. Mother's Day (8 May): The Women's Pages by Debra Adelaide
#9. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival (May): Morgan's Run by Colleen McCullough
#10. Colours of Autumn: Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood. Rated: 5 stars

OPTIONAL:
#11. From TBR: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. Rated: 5 stars
#12. From TBR: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
#13. From TBR: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

[PattyMacDotComma]

#7 - War connection (a really bloody one)
5★s for a completely different novel. Beneath the Darkening Sky is the horrendous, 'fiction' which could have been the true story of Sudanese refugee, author Majok Tulba.

He didn't meet the height requirement (as tall as an AK-47) so escaped, moving between refugee camps with other boys until coming to Australia at 16.

Bloody, frightening, and the truth. I suggest giving this to any potential ISIS recruits to show them the true value of kids to these barbarous "armies", no matter what country they're in.

My review, with a long quotation that will give you a good idea:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 3rd - #5 - Irish Character - Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb 5★s

Review to follow

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update, I just finished my 5th - A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, and just started on my 6th book- After Darkness by Christine Piper

**Autumn Challenge - 1st March- 31st May 2016**
Completed 5/13

#1. Labour Day: The Last Will and Testament of Henry Hoffman by John Tesarsch (Henry Hoffman is a retired Professor of Mathematics)
•#2. Clean up Australia (6 March) - REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf: The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham. Rated: 3 stars
#3. Clean up Australia (6 March) - RECYCLE - Read any book from the library: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
•#4. International Women's Day (8 March): Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. Rated: 5 stars
• #5. St Patrick's Day (17 March): A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Rated: 5 stars
#6. Easter (25-28 March): - I chose this book, because who wouldn't want to be part of a chocolate club :)
The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews
+ #7. ANZAC Day (25 April): - MaryG2E's ANZAC list (Thanks Mary!) - After Darkness by Christine Piper ~ Currently reading
#8. Mother's Day (8 May): The Women's Pages by Debra Adelaide
#9. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival (May): Morgan's Run by Colleen McCullough
•#10. Colours of Autumn: Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood. Rated: 5 stars

OPTIONAL:
•#11. From TBR: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. Rated: 5 stars
#12. From TBR: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
• #13. From TBR: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. Rated: 3 stars

Covers in reading order:
~
Books to read:

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my second, 10. Colours of Autumn, Invincible, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..., and my third, 6. Easter, Sweets to the Sweet, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I made a small start on 1. Labour Day, Bleed for Me.

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update, I just finished - After Darkness by Christine Piper.

**Autumn Challenge - 1st March- 31st May 2016**
Completed 7/13

#1. Labour Day: The Last Will and Testament of Henry Hoffman by John Tesarsch (Henry Hoffman is a retired Professor of Mathematics)
• #2. Clean up Australia (6 March) - REDUCE - Read a book from your TBR shelf: The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham. Rated: 3 stars
#3. Clean up Australia (6 March) - RECYCLE - Read any book from the library: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
• #4. International Women's Day (8 March): Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. Rated: 5 stars
• #5. St Patrick's Day (17 March): A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness. Rated: 5 stars
#6. Easter (25-28 March): - I chose this book, because who wouldn't want to be part of a chocolate club :)
The Chocolate Lovers' Club by Carole Matthews
• #7. ANZAC Day (25 April): - MaryG2E's ANZAC list (Thanks Mary!) - After Darkness by Christine Piper
#8. Mother's Day (8 May): The Women's Pages by Debra Adelaide
#9. The Captain Cook 1770 Festival (May): Morgan's Run by Colleen McCullough
• #10. Colours of Autumn: Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood. Rated: 5 stars

OPTIONAL:
• #11. From TBR: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare. Rated: 5 stars
#12. From TBR: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
• #13. From TBR: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. Rated: 3 stars

Covers in reading order:

Books to read:

[Heather]

I've finished my first The Snow Kimono as my Clean up Australia Day read. 5 ★ I know I need reread this again as I got caught up in the writing and missed some of the "clues".

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my fourth, 1. Labour Day, Bleed for Me, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is 3. Recycle, The Liar's Key.

[K]

Thanks for this. Although I never complete challenges in the allotted timeframe, I love to write them down in an exercise book so that I can complete them at my own pace. It really helps me organise my TBR. So, I love new criteria! Thanks, folks.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome Kiera:) Will you try to finish it in the Autumn seasonal time frame this time?

[K]

I make no promises. I have not been reading much lately. I've been way too focused on writing my novel.