**Winter Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Valerie wrote: "Another one crossed off the list 6. Winter cover or title. I read The Winter Palace. This is a book I would not have picked up were it not for the challenge, but I'm really pleased..."

So glad you're loving the challenges Valerie!!

[Steve]

I have finished my sixteenth, my second 10b. Nice, Can You Keep a Secret?, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 7. Aussie National Tree Day, The Magicians' Guild.

[Kira]

Nicola wrote: I also found it interesting as an audio book as the person narrating I thought had a great voice for it, and it was good to hear the spoken Noongyar language as well

I can see how that might help and I felt a bit guilty too because it is such an important part of our history but oh well...

[Kira]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my sixteenth, my second 10b. Nice, Can You Keep a Secret?, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 7. Aussie National Tree..."

I just finished that one too. I have to wait for some of the other books on my list to arrive so I picked up another Sophie Kinsella book at the library to tide me over :)

[Mario]

I am very behind, but still optimistic.

1b. Animal Farm by George Orwell read
2. I'm still undecided between Lethal Sky by Greg Baron, The Secrets in Silence by Nicole Trope and Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
3. Breath by Tim Winton
4. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
5a. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell read - I changed this one as I wanted to kill two birds with one stone and this was my book club book for the month
5b. Mala onda by Alberto Fuguet
6. Ice Station by Matthew Reilly
7. Still TBA
8. Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice (from Stephen King)
9. Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
10a. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill although this one might change
10b. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen reading

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mario wrote: "I am very behind, but still optimistic.

1b. Animal Farm by George Orwell read
2. I'm still undecided between Lethal Sky by Greg Baron, [book:The Secrets in Silence|2151..."

I'm sure you'll do it Mario! As long as you're enjoying it, that's the main thing:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 21st - #5a Real (2nd) - Judy: A Dog In A Million by Damien Lewis 4★s

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

[Nicola]

Starting to feel as if I'm getting through my lists!
6. Winter - Winter / Simon Brown
TBR - The Collected Works of A.J. Fikry / Gabrielle Zevin
both enjoyable books

[Kathryn]

I'm not sure I've posted any updates for this challenge so far and I've realised I'm almost halfway through!

1a. Buddy Reads
With Katrina – A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - 4.5★
5. Real and Fake - (a) Read a Non-Fiction PLUS (b) a Fiction book
a) Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by Fiona, Countess of Carnarvon - 3★
b) A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini - 4.5★
6. A book which has a cover depicting Winter or has a Winter word in the title
The Sins of the Father – Jeffrey Archer - 4★
8. Literature Map
Diane Setterfield → Geraldine Brooks - March - 3.5★
10. Naughty and Nice - (a) Read a murder/suspense/thriller/mystery book
a) Naughty - Joyland by Stephen King - 3.5★
11. Lower the long suffering TBR
Farther Afield by Miss Read - 3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Kathryn!

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my seventeenth, my first 7. Aussie National Tree Day, The Magicians' Guild, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 7. Aussie National Tree Day, The Novice.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Man I am so far behind. Got caught up watching an internet series and I spend every spare moment doing that instead of reading.

[B the BookAddict]

Catching up on a few I haven't marked off.

My fourth #8 Literature Map Philippa Gregory = Antonia Fraser The Wives of Henry VIII 5★. A brilliant historical biography

Fifth is #6 Winter cover TheLion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C S Lewis 5★. Still a brilliant read!

My sixth is #9 Summery cover Gone Fishing by Susan Duncan 3★. I found it to be not as good as her first two novels.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 22nd - second #2 - New Release - Deeper Water by Jessie Cole (1/8/14) 4.5★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Chris]

Completed my No.10-Murder, suspense,thriller:Sisterby Rosamund Lupton 5★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christina wrote: "Completed my No.10-Murder, suspense,thriller:Sisterby Rosamund Lupton 5★"

Excellent book that one Christina:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 23rd - 1st #12 TBR - The Silent Sea: A Novel of the Oregon Files. Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul by Clive Cussler 5★s

Review to follow

[Steve]

After some excitement with a trip to the emergency room last night (cut my finger, would not stop bleeding, but nothing serious), I finished my eighteenth, my second 7. Aussie National Tree Day, The Novice, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Started on my second 10a. Naughty, Betrayal in Death.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're getting up there with the In Death series Steve...#12 - only about 27 left to read;)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Finished my 6th for this challenge "Winter cover" The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey 3.5★s
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Nicola]

Finished my second No. 10 Naughty read
The Skin Collector / / Jeffery Deaver
Excellent as always!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 23rd - 1st #12 TBR - The Silent Sea: A Novel of the Oregon Files. Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul by Clive Cussler 5★s

Review to follow"

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

[Kira]

I've just finished Lethal Sky. I gave it 3.5*.

I only have two more books to go but I've ordered them. they should arrive this week. In the meantime I will just read some others on my TBR.

[Chris]

Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Completed my No.10-Murder, suspense,thriller:Sisterby Rosamund Lupton 5★"

Excellent book that one Christina:)"
Absolutely loved it, Brenda. ;-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christina wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Completed my No.10-Murder, suspense,thriller:Sisterby Rosamund Lupton 5★"

Excellent book that one Christina:)"
Absolutely loved it,..."

Ahh that's good to hear:) Have you read Afterwards yet?

[Chris]

Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Completed my No.10-Murder, suspense,thriller:Sisterby Rosamund Lupton 5★"

Excellent book that one Christina:)"
Ab..."
No! But have just added it to my TBR. :-) Thank You!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christina wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Christina wrote: "Completed my No.10-Murder, suspense,thriller:Sisterby Rosamund Lupton 5★"

Excellent book that one ..."

You're welcome:) Let me know what you think when you get to it...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I finished my 24th - 1st #3 Miles Franklin - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin 3.5★s

Review to follow

[Steve]

I have finished my nineteenth, my second 10a. Naughty, Betrayal in Death, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is either my second 9. Aussie Summer Cover, Taking a Chance, or if the library doesn't have it, my first 3. Miles Franklin, My Brilliant Career.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I finished my 24th - 1st #3 Miles Franklin - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin 3.5★s

Review to follow"

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

[Chris]

Completed 10b: Nice:Will Grayson, Will Grayson 5★

[Trevor]

Finished my:

10a - The Scarlet Pimpernel by Emmuska Orczy 4★
10b - A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon 3★

now onto my new Aussie book The Boy's Own Manual to Being a Proper Jew by Eli Glasman

[Rachael]

Here is my update - hardly any of them are the books I put down initally but going OK.

1b Long term TBR 2*
2 New Release 3.5*
4. Childrens Day 4*
5a Non-fiction 4* (although this is fiction based on some known facts so perhaps slightly dubious for this category)
5b Fiction 4.5*
7. National Tree Day - borrowed from the library 4* (as I borrow the majority of my books from the library these days it was not too tough a "challenge" for me)
10a Naughty - 2* - very disappointing after The Dinner
10b Nice (comedy) 4.5*

Only 4 to go so - all things being equal - I should make it easily this time.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rachael wrote: "Here is my update - hardly any of them are the books I put down initally but going OK.

1b Long term TBR 2*
2 New Release 3.5..."

Doing well Rachael, though like you said for 5a ;)

[Sharon]

Finished my 9th # 7 National Tree day - Aussie author - library : Mallee Sky by Kerry McGinnis 5★

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

[Rachael]

I know Brenda - if I get time I will swap it back to my original pick !

[Mell]

Books 5 & 6 - both from my TBR

11. TBR: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella 3★
12. TBR: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rachael wrote: "I know Brenda - if I get time I will swap it back to my original pick !"

Only if you have time Rachael - I'm sure you want to read that one though:) You could add Burial Rites to your Aussie authors challenge (if you haven't already!)

[Elaine]

Just finished my fifth for this challenge, Buddy read with Kathryn. The Cuckoo's Calling . I really enjoyed it. 4 stars.

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

[Steve]

I have finished my twentieth, my second 9. Aussie Summer Cover, Taking a Chance, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 2. New Release, The House on Carnaval Street.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my twentieth, my second 9. Aussie Summer Cover, Taking a Chance, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 2. New Release..."

You're doing well Steve!

[B the BookAddict]

Finished my seventh #3 Miles Franklin winner Prochownik's Dream by Alex Miller

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bette BookAddict wrote: "Finished my seventh #3 Miles Franklin winner Prochownik's Dream by Alex Miller"

What did you think of it Bette?

[B the BookAddict]

Forgot to rate it; it's only a 3★ this time for my wonderful Alex Miller.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Finished my 7th for this challenge which was another good buddy read with Carolyn: #10 Naughty Skin and Bone by Kathryn Fox 4★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 25th - second #12 TBR - Deadly Virtues by Jo Bannister 4★s

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

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Nearly finished Daemon - finally getting a wriggle on.

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

And finished. 10 more to go in 44 days.

Oh dear.

[Tien]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 25th - second #12 TBR - Deadly Virtues by Jo Bannister 4★s"

oh, err, can we repeat tasks? Or are you on your second round with this challenge, Brenda?

I've just been ticking off or changing my books on my original listing...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

If you look at my original post Tien you'll see I double up the challenge for myself. So two of everything :)