Merry Month of May Challenge

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Andrea:) Not even half way through the month!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished this challenge with my final read being #1 May Day - Historical Fiction - The Wife's Tale by Christine Wells 5★s

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


1. May Day - Historical Fiction partially set in AU by an Aussie author - The Wife's Tale by Christine Wells 5★s

2. Mother's Day - Strong Female Protagonist - The Perfect Girl by Gilly Macmillan 5★s

3. Kiss Goodbye to MS - Red Cover - Blood Ties by J.D. Nixon 5★s

4. National Sorry Day - Aussie Author - Indigenous - Nanberry: Black Brother White by Jackie French 5★s

5. Reader's Choice - Aussie Author owned TBR - Out of the Ice by Ann Turner 5★s

[MichelleG]

Well done Brenda and Andrea :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Michelle:)

[PattyMacDotComma]

4★ for the perfect choice for Sorry Day, Anita Heiss's autobiography Am I Black Enough for You?.

She describes the upsetting circumstances of columnist Andrew Bolt accusing her and other 'white' Aborigines of choosing to identify as Aboriginal to further their careers.

I'm glad those accused won the court case against him. And I'm glad she wrote the book, a warm, interesting account of her life and family, both Austrian and Wiradjuri, and upbringing. My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Connie]

Connie wrote: "My three books for this May challenge are
1.Elianne Elianne by Judy Nunne
2. Seven Sisters: Spiritual Messages from Aboriginal Australia by Laine Cunningham [book:Seven Sisters: Spi..."

Sorry I don't know how to mark the books as read.I have read two of the three so far

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Connie wrote: "Connie wrote: "My three books for this May challenge are
1.Elianne Elianne by Judy Nunne
2. Seven Sisters: Spiritual Messages from Aboriginal Australia by Laine Cunningham [book:Sev..."

Click on (some html is ok) just above the comment box. It explains all you need to know:)

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

My first completed book for this challenge:

The Household Guide To Dying


Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

In summary: I loved this book! 5 stars

[Connie]

Connie wrote: "My three books for this May challenge are
1.Elianne Elianne by Judy Nunne
2. Seven Sisters: Spiritual Messages from Aboriginal Australia by Laine Cunningham [book:Seven Sisters: Spi..."

I have read all my books but can't work out how to mark them as read on this site.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Connie!

If you edit your original post, then at the beginning of the book link put < s > then at the end < / s > (without any spaces in each)

To do the star - say it's a 3 star... 3< b >& # 9 7 3 3;< / b >s (again without any spaces)

[Carolyn]

Have finished my second for this challenge, #4 a book about indigenous Australia Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn 4.5★

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

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I have finished my third for this challenge:

#5. Reader's Choice - Tom Houghton by Todd Alexander

I really like this book, it needs to be read! 5★s

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

[Suzie]

I changed my 5. Readers choice to Where the Trees Were by Inga Simpson 4★ a beautifully-written story

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have that one yet to read Suzie - so glad to hear you enjoyed it:)

[Suzie]

Brenda wrote: "I have that one yet to read Suzie - so glad to hear you enjoyed it:)"
She is such an evocative writer, I really enjoy reading her books :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Suzie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have that one yet to read Suzie - so glad to hear you enjoyed it:)"
She is such an evocative writer, I really enjoy reading her books :)"

I loved her first two...can't wait to read this one!

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

My second completed book for this challenge:
Is That You, Ruthie?



Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4 stars.

[Odette]

Finished the three books I had planned to read for this challenge. I really enjoyed The Light on the Water. However, the other two books were flat for me and perhaps did not meet expectations.

2. Mother's Day is 8th May - Read a book about family/mothers/relationships
The Light on the Water by Olga Lorenzo - 5★


3. Read a book with a RED cover OR the word KISS OR GOODBYE in the title.
Keeper of the Light by Diane Chamberlain - 3★


5. Reader's Choice - Read a book of your choice
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion - 3★

[Anna]

been MIA for a while - car crash and a bunch of other dramas kept me busy. lets see how i go with this

1. May Day:
South of Darkness by John Marsden
2. Mother's Day:
3. Kiss Goodbye to MS Day:
I Came to Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington
4. National Sorry Day:
Nanberry: Black Brother White by Jackie French
5. Reader's Choice:
Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Anna wrote: "been MIA for a while - car crash ad a bunch of other dramas kept me busy. lets see how i go with this

1. May Day:
South of Darkness by John Marsden
2. Mother's Day:..."

I've actually been wondering if all was well in your world Anna...so sorry to hear about the accident. I do hope you're alright - and the rest of your family? Take care and happy reading :)

[Anna]

Brenda wrote: "Anna wrote: "been MIA for a while - car crash ad a bunch of other dramas kept me busy. lets see how i go with this

1. May Day:
South of Darkness by John Marsden
2. ..."

thanks Brenda. it was just me in the crash- glasses fell off- it was dark and i have -8.5 vision so couldnt see and veered into a parked car :( both cars written off. but i am ok thankfully!

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone, Happy Mid May'ish ;)

Anna, glad to hear your ok. Take care :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Anna wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Anna wrote: "been MIA for a while - car crash ad a bunch of other dramas kept me busy. lets see how i go with this

1. May Day:
South of Darkness by [author:John Mar..."

Oh heavens! So glad you're alright.... how scary for you :(

[Leonie]

Anna wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Anna wrote: "been MIA for a while - car crash ad a bunch of other dramas kept me busy. lets see how i go with this

1. May Day:
South of Darkness by [author:John Mar..."

Glad to hear you're OK.

[Anna]

thanks everyone :) so nice to have this community to come back to!!!!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I finished my 4th for this challenge, a very moving memoir:

#4- National Sorry Day Is That You, Ruthie? by Aussie author Ruth Hegarty

Well worth reading I gave it 4★s

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

[Sally906]

Anna wrote: "it was just me in the crash- glasses fell off- it was dark and i have -8.5 vision so couldnt see and veered into a parked car :( both cars written off. but i am ok thankfully! .."

Glad you're ok - must have shaken you up somewhat!!!

[Nicola]

Not sure I posted a list but I've finished my first one and working both the others..
2 Mothers Day
Back to Blue Gum Flat: An Australian Rural Romance / Tea Cooper

[Stef]

1. May Day. I read Peter Carey's

Carey's exceptional skill but the characters failed to appeal to me. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have also changed my Indigenous author to Glenyse Ward as money is tight for me at the moment but I managed to get a free (2nd hand) copy of

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,

Sorry, I've been a bit slow this month, but I finally started on book 3 and 4 for this month's challenge - Spirits of the Ghan and The Wild Girl... Lucky there's still another week or so left in May :)

Merry Month of May Challenge - 2/5 books completed

1. May Day Read a Historical Fiction novel set at least partly in Australia, by an Aussie author: Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar

2. Mother's Day is 8th May - Read a book about family: The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns

3. Kiss Goodbye to MS Day is in May ("wear red lipstick and help kiss goodbye to MS") - Read a book with a RED cover: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Currently reading ~ 4. National Sorry Day is 26th May - Read a book about Indigenous Australia: Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn

Currently reading ~ 5. Reader's Choice - Aussie author and from your TBR: The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's fine Michelle - life happens! Three is the minimum requirement, so you only have to finish one more and you're done anyway:)

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "That's fine Michelle - life happens! Three is the minimum requirement, so you only have to finish one more and you're done anyway:)"

Yay - Just finished :)

Thanks Brenda ;)

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,

Just finished my 3rd book for the challenge - Spirits of the Ghan :)

Merry Month of May Challenge - 3/5 books completed

1. May Day Read a Historical Fiction novel set at least partly in Australia, by an Aussie author: Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar. Rated: 5★ stars.

2. Mother's Day is 8th May - Read a book about family: The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns. Rated: 5★ stars.

3. Kiss Goodbye to MS Day is in May ("wear red lipstick and help kiss goodbye to MS") - Read a book with a RED cover: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

4. National Sorry Day is 26th May - Read a book about Indigenous Australia: Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn. Rated: 4★ stars.

Currently reading ~ 5. Reader's Choice - Aussie author and from your TBR: The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth

[MichelleG]

Hello to all lovely AR readers :)

I just finished reading my fourth for this challenge - The Wild Girl. I feel like I've accomplished something huge by actually finishing this mammoth book in a weekend, plus it was such a lovely book that I want to bask for a few moments and share, before I dive into another book. So if you historical romance books with a lot of background, a strong backbone, a tough gritty side and a romance that's fought for tooth and nail, which has you hanging on right to the very end then before you can finally let your breathe and say thank goodness!!! Then this is for you :D

Merry Month of May Challenge - 4/5 books completed

1. May Day Read a Historical Fiction novel set at least partly in Australia, by an Aussie author: Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar. Rated: 5★ stars.

2. Mother's Day is 8th May - Read a book about family: The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns. Rated: 5★ stars.

3. Kiss Goodbye to MS Day is in May ("wear red lipstick and help kiss goodbye to MS") - Read a book with a RED cover: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

4. National Sorry Day is 26th May - Read a book about Indigenous Australia: Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn. Rated: 4★ stars.

5. Reader's Choice - Aussie author and from your TBR: The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Michelle :) So glad you so thoroughly enjoyed your last book!

[MichelleG]

It really was excellent. Thanks Brenda :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome :)

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

My third (and final) completed book for this challenge:

To Be Heirs Forever


Here's a link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Four stars, well worth reading.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congrats Jennifer :) A week of "free" reading until the June challenge starts ;)

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

Brenda wrote: "Congrats Jennifer :) A week of "free" reading until the June challenge starts ;)"

LOL ;-)

[MaryG2E]

Although I'd like to complete all five categories, the reality is I'm only going to finish the minimum of three in the time left available to me. So I'm declaring my Merry Month of May challenge complete with the following:

2. MOTHER'S DAY: Read a book about family/mothers/relationships AND with a strong female protagonist
Brumby's Run by Jennifer Scoullar 2.5★s
3. KISS GOODBYE TO MS DAY: Read a book with a red cover or with the word 'Kiss' or 'Goodbye' in the title
Goodbye Sweetheart by Marion Halligan 2.5★s
5. READER'S CHOICE: Read a book of your choice but make sure it's by an Australian author and from your own TBR
Life or Death by Michael Robotham 5+ ★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Mary! One out of three were great reads, and I'll definitely agree with you about that one! Bad luck about the other two though... Never mind, onward and upward :) Another challenge beckons!

[PattyMacDotComma]

My #1 Historical - in Australia -A Tattooed Heart by (reallyakiwibutweloveher) Deborah Challinor.

I gave it 3.5★, although she's a great researcher and a good writer. It seemed more repetitive than the previous 3 in the series - and an excellent series it is about Convict Girls in early Sydney. I rated them higher, I think.

Read the first 3 first.

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

[PattyMacDotComma]

Forgot to say, that's the merry end of my merry May!

#1) Historical fiction set in Oz - A Tattooed Heart by Deborah Challinor 3.5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#2 Mother's Day - What Lies Between Us by Nayomi Munaweera 5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... 5★

#4) Sorry Day - Am I Black Enough For You? by yes-she's-black-enough-for-me author Anita Heiss 4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congrats Patty!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Finished my 5th and final for this challenge #1. .... I saved the best for last! Although these were all very good reads, Deborah Challinor gets my vote every time and this did not dissapoint :))

#1. May Day Historical fiction - A Tattooed Heart by Deborah Challinor 5★s

#2. Mother's Day - What Matters Most by Dianne Maguire 5★s

#3. Kiss Goodbye to MS Day - You by Caroline Kepnes 4★s

#4. National Sorry Day - Is That You, Ruthie? by Ruth Hegarty 4★s

#5. Reader's Choice - Tom Houghton by Todd Alexander 5★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Jools! Great job with some excellent reads there :) Now you'll have to read Tamar - I'm trying everywhere to find (reasonably priced) copies of the other two in the series, White Feathers and Blue Smoke. And then there's another series starting with Kitty which I've discovered in my searching.....

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Jools! Great job with some excellent reads there :) Now you'll have to read Tamar - I'm trying everywhere to find (reasonably priced) copies of the other two in the ..."

Great reads! Especially my last :D
I have Tamar on kindle, and I have Band of Gold (which is the third in the Kitty trilogy) but I dont have Kitty or Amber which are 1&2....have to keep a look out for those ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Over $7 on kindle - all of them :( And new copies are up near the $20 mark....

[MichelleG]

Hello everyone :)

I just finished my final book for this challenge - Me Before You. And was blessed with another fantastic book :)

Merry Month of May Challenge - 5/5 books completed

1. May Day Read a Historical Fiction novel set at least partly in Australia, by an Aussie author: Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar. Rated: 5★ stars.

2. Mother's Day is 8th May - Read a book about family: The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns. Rated: 5★ stars.

3. Kiss Goodbye to MS Day is in May ("wear red lipstick and help kiss goodbye to MS") - Read a book with a RED cover: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. Rated: 5★ stars.

4. National Sorry Day is 26th May - Read a book about Indigenous Australia: Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn. Rated: 4★ stars.

5. Reader's Choice - Aussie author and from your TBR: The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth. Rated: 5★ stars.