March Madness Challenge!

[Jude]

I need to clear some of my half-reads before I start another, but my first Challenge book will be the Phryne Fisher mystery which is sitting on my dining room table begging me to read it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kerrie wrote: "I think I'll start with The Chocolate Promise by Josephine Moon. It's been tempting me since I got it out of the library!"

The Chocolate Promise is a popular one Kerrie! Enjoy:)

[Ashleigh]

I am starting with > #4 Panic Day - The Death Cure by James Dashner

I got the box set of The Maze Runner recently and I am re-reading my way through the trilogy then I can read The Kill Order & get ready for the 2016 release of The Fever Code

[Chloe]

I've started my first book for this challenge! Sweetheart

[Christy]

TBR over a year - Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

International Earth Day - Private London by James Patterson

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

As most of you know I'm starting with The Girl in the Spider's Web

[PattyMacDotComma]

5★s for The Rosie Project by Aussie author Graeme Simsion, which has been on my TBR list for far too long, so I've tagged it as #2, Old Stuff Day.

I have flogged it to death, meeting several challenges with a thoroughly deserving book. I loved the portrayal of Don Tillman, a university professor with Asperger's Syndrome who decides he needs a wife, so develops an (in)appropiate questionnaire to weed out the applicants.

Funny, and poignant in parts, as he begins to understand a bit of how neurotypical people think.

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

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

I'm a little late. Didn't think I'd have time to do this, but I'll try.

I'll read old stuff I added this to my TBR when it came out over a year ago. Aussie author.

International Earth Day Set in Rome obviously. Aussie author.

Reader's choice. Aussie author.

[Stef]

1). Harmony Day: Read an Indigenous book (fiction or non fiction), either by an Indigenous author or about Indigenous people OR a book with an ORANGE cover - Aussie Author

2). Old Stuff Day: Read a book which has been on your TBR list for at least a year! Orientalism

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

3). International Earth Day: Read a book which is set in any country but your own. Most Loving Mere Folly

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... a romance that didn;t suck!

4). Panic Day: Read a book that makes you panic for whatever reason, whether it’s a thriller or crime novel, the size of the book or just a novel with a general unsettling topic!

Peter Kennedy. The Man Who Threatened Rome Made me panic because I expected it to be a dry and badly written hagiography (it wasn't). Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5). Reader’s Choice: Read any book of your choice - Aussie Authorr

[Jenny]

Carolyn, I loved "Tiddas" by Anita Heiss. I hope you enjoy it :)

I think the March challenge is awesome, but the 4th option, the book that makes you panic, made me smile. This whole challenge made me panic. I can't sign up this month, but I hope I can clear some time for April.

Meantime, I'll sneak in my current read, as my panic read for March. It such a big book and covers such a vast geographic and time scale that digesting it all makes me panic :)

Some great reading ideas in this thread. Thank you, everyone!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jenny wrote: "Carolyn, I loved "Tiddas" by Anita Heiss. I hope you enjoy it :)

I think the March challenge is awesome, but the 4th option, the book that makes you panic, made me smile. This whole challenge mad..."

That's great Jenny..you made me smile with your version of panic;) Enjoy your big tome! I'm sure you will:)

[Janine]

I am in now that I am home from India
1. Harmony Day (Orange Cover) - Kakadu Sunset by Annie Seaton
2. Old Stuff Day (On TBR over 1 year) - The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
3. International Earth Day (set in another country) - The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz
5. Reader's Choice - The Governor's House by J.H. Fletcher

[PattyMacDotComma]

#3 Earth Day - another country (boy, I'll say!)
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...

[Ashleigh]

I have finished my 1st book for this challenge . . .

4). Panic Day: The Death Cure by James Dashner ☆☆☆☆ 4th March

Still love it as much as I did the first time I read it!

[Odette]

Just finished the first book for this challenge. I enjoyed reading this book very much.

3). International Earth Day: (This book is set in England's Lake District.)
All That is Lost Between Us by Sara Foster - 5★

[PattyMacDotComma]

#5 Reader's Choice - Running Against the Tide by Aussie author Amanda Ortlepp was a 3.5★ read for me. I have made it do triple duty in challenges. Always glad to promote an Aussie author.

It's a story of a mum and teenage sons who leave Dad (for good reasons) and go to South Australia's Eyre Peninsula to start over. Lots of oyster farming and some odd mysterious goings-on.

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

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Just finished my Old Stuff book, . Loved it. 4 1/2 out of 5. Highly rec. My review is here if anyone is interested: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[MichelleG]

Hi Brenda/ Mod's,
Question - can I switch out my "harmony day" book - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough? I had it reserved from my local library, but there's a 2-3 week wait (someone had it reserved before me). However, I found Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington is available, so I was hoping that can be substituted?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes of course Michelle:) Anything can be substituted, so long as it still fits the criteria. And that one is perfect!

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "Yes of course Michelle:) Anything can be substituted, so long as it still fits the criteria. And that one is perfect!"

Fantastic, thanks Brenda. I'll get started today :)

[Jenny]

I finished my panic read -- and as panic-inducingly long as the book was, was a great read.

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

I'm relieved the my one fifth commitment to the month's challenge has been met :) Maybe in April I'll dare two fifths :)

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update, I finished books 1 and 2 of the challenge :)

March Madness Challenge
Completed: 2/5

• 1. Harmony Day: Read an Indigenous book (fiction or non fiction), either by an Indigenous author or about Indigenous people OR a book with an ORANGE cover - Aussie Author Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington ~ Indigenous book (fiction). Rated: 3★ stars

• 2. Old Stuff Day: Read a book which has been on your TBR list for at least a year! Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez. Rated: 1★ stars

#Currently reading: 3. International Earth Day: Read a book which is set in any country but your own. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan ~ Aussie Author ~ Country: Japan.

4. Panic Day: Read a book that makes you panic for whatever reason, whether it’s a thriller or crime novel, the size of the book or just a novel with a general unsettling topic!
Who's Afraid? by Maria Lewis ~ Panic: blood thirsty paranormal drama.

5. Reader’s Choice: Read any book of your choice - Aussie Author The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Covers in reading order: ~~
To be read:

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my first - International Earth Day - Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb 5★s

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

[Odette]

Finished two books for this challenge:

2). Old Stuff Day:
The Hambledown Dream by Dean Mayes - 4★
Has been on my tbr list since 25 January 2015

3). International Earth Day:
All That is Lost Between Us by Sara Foster - 5★
This book is set in England's Lake District.

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update, I finished my 3rd book of the challenge :)

March Madness Challenge
Completed: 3/5

• 1. Harmony Day: Read an Indigenous book (fiction or non fiction), either by an Indigenous author or about Indigenous people OR a book with an ORANGE cover - Aussie Author Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington ~ Indigenous book (fiction). Rated: 3★ stars

• 2. Old Stuff Day: Read a book which has been on your TBR list for at least a year! Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez. Rated: 1★ stars

• 3. International Earth Day: Read a book which is set in any country but your own. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan ~ Aussie Author ~ Country: Japan. Rated: 3★ stars

4. Panic Day: Read a book that makes you panic for whatever reason, whether it’s a thriller or crime novel, the size of the book or just a novel with a general unsettling topic!
Who's Afraid? by Maria Lewis ~ Panic: blood thirsty paranormal drama.

5. Reader’s Choice: Read any book of your choice - Aussie Author The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Covers in reading order:
To be read:

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 2nd - #2 On TBR 1 year+ - Evan's Gallipoli by Kerry Greenwood 5★s

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

[Kerrie]

I finished the 1st book a while ago but forgot I was supposed to share the review. So here it is. 5 stars to The Chocolate Promise

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great you enjoyed it Kerrie:) Good review!

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick update, I finished my 4th book of the challenge :)

March Madness Challenge
Completed: 4/5

• 1. Harmony Day: Read an Indigenous book (fiction or non fiction), either by an Indigenous author or about Indigenous people OR a book with an ORANGE cover - Aussie Author Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington ~ Indigenous book (fiction). Rated: 3★ stars

• 2. Old Stuff Day: Read a book which has been on your TBR list for at least a year! Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez. Rated: 1★ stars

• 3. International Earth Day: Read a book which is set in any country but your own. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan ~ Aussie Author ~ Country: Japan. Rated: 3★ stars

#4. Panic Day: Read a book that makes you panic for whatever reason, whether it’s a thriller or crime novel, the size of the book or just a novel with a general unsettling topic!
Who's Afraid? by Maria Lewis ~ Panic: blood thirsty paranormal drama.

• 5. Reader’s Choice: Read any book of your choice - Aussie Author The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. Rated: 5+★ stars

Covers in reading order:
To be read:

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're doing very well Michelle:) Have you written any reviews or are they just rated?

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "You're doing very well Michelle:) Have you written any reviews or are they just rated?"

haha thanks to the read-a-thon ;) I haven't written any full reviews per se... just a few thoughts. I had a couple days off work, so I thought I would make the most of the quiet reading time while I have it :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sounds good:) Enjoy!

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,
Sorry - I'm reposting with initial reviews, which are more just my thoughts/reactions to the books, but it's all I've had time to do thus far.

March Madness Challenge
Completed: 4/5

• 1. Harmony Day: Read an Indigenous book (fiction or non fiction) Aussie Author Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington ~ Indigenous book (fiction). Rated: 3★ stars.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

• 2. Old Stuff Day: Read a book which has been on your TBR list for at least a year! Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez. Rated: 1★ star!!!
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

• 3. International Earth Day: Read a book which is set in any country but your own. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan ~ Aussie Author ~ Country: Japan. Rated: 3★ stars.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#4. Panic Day: Read a book that makes you panic for whatever reason, whether it’s a thriller or crime novel, the size of the book or just a novel with a general unsettling topic! Who's Afraid? by Maria Lewis ~ Panic: blood thirsty paranormal drama.

• 5. Reader’s Choice: Read any book of your choice - Aussie Author The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. Rated: 5+★ stars.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Covers in reading order:
To be read:

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "Sounds good:) Enjoy!"

Hopefully i'll get motivated to expand on what I have so far, but I've posted what I've done :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

#1 doesn't have a rating showing yet:)

Great reviews:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michelle wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Sounds good:) Enjoy!"

Hopefully i'll get motivated to expand on what I have so far, but I've posted what I've done :)"

You don't really need any more than that I don't think:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Michael:)

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "#1 doesn't have a rating showing yet:)

Great reviews:)"

Thanks Brenda, I fixed the rating, and expanded a little on the review. :)

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Sounds good:) Enjoy!"

Hopefully i'll get motivated to expand on what I have so far, but I've posted what I've done :)"

You don't really need any more than that I d..."

Thanks Brenda :)

[MaryG2E]

I'm somewhat shocked to be writing this, but I've managed to complete all the tasks set for this month's March Madness Challenge, and it's only 9th March. I have last weekend's Read-a-thon to thank for ploughing through so many titles in such quick time. So, I'm finished, and here are my results:

1). Harmony Day - Aussie Author
Swallow the Air by indigenous author Tara June Winch 4.5★s

2). Old Stuff Day: On your TBR list for at least a year
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler (since 9th Dec 2014) 4.5★s

3). International Earth Day: Set in any country but your own
Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks (Set in USA) 2★s

4). Panic Day: Book that makes you panic for whatever reason
The Master Butchers Singing Club by Louise Erdrich (Panic because one of the nicest characters, 16yo Markus, gets buried underground in a cave-in, and we don't know for many pages if he survives. My heart was in my mouth!) 4.5★s

5). Reader’s Choice - Aussie Author
Girl of Shadows by Deborah Challinor 4★s

[MichelleG]

Wow, well done Mary... That's fantastic! :)

[Suzie]

I read my Old Stuff book: Double Indemnity by James M. Cain 3★

[Ashleigh]

WOW! I am jelly :)

MaryG2E wrote: "I'm somewhat shocked to be writing this, but I've managed to complete all the tasks set for this month's March Madness Challenge, and it's only 9th March. I have last weekend's Read-a-thon to thank..."

[PattyMacDotComma]

MaryG2E wrote: "I'm somewhat shocked to be writing this, but I've managed to complete all the tasks set for this month's March Madness Challenge, and it's only 9th March. I have last weekend's Read-a-thon to thank..."

Oh wow! And a long Deborah Challinor one too! Girl of Shadows is on my list for something.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

MaryG2E wrote: "I'm somewhat shocked to be writing this, but I've managed to complete all the tasks set for this month's March Madness Challenge, and it's only 9th March. I have last weekend's Read-a-thon to thank..."

Congratulations Mary! Great effort:)

[MaryG2E]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "MaryG2E wrote: "I'm somewhat shocked to be writing this, but I've managed to complete all the tasks set for this month's March Madness Challenge, and it's only 9th March. I have last weekend's Read..."

Patty, have you read the first instalment of the series, Behind the Sun? Although the novels can easily be read as standalones, I honestly think it would help anyone's understanding of some of the issues in Girl of Shadows to have read the previous book. It is a terrific series, and I eagerly await my opportunity to read the third volume The Silk Thief

[Zoey]

Finished my 1st one for March

4. Panic Day (unsettling topic) - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 5★

[Jenn]

Just finished my 3rd book Rough Justice by Jack Higgins. As always a great story Jack Higgins never lets you down. 4 stars.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Love all Jack Higgins books:) I've got my hubby hooked on them now!

[Jenn]

Brenda wrote: "Love all Jack Higgins books:) I've got my hubby hooked on them now!"

I love them too :) I convinced one of the ladies at work to get her husband to read them and now he is hooked. Has to read them all :P

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

:) My hubby is nearly up to date with the Sean Dillon series - as I am of course. Now we're both waiting for the next. Which should be this year as he publishes one every 2 years!