**Winter Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished my August TBR The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness.
Disappointed :(
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Starting Present Darkness by Malla Nunn now. This should be good! Fingers crossed:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Starting Present Darkness by Malla Nunn now. This should be good! Fingers crossed:)"

Enjoy Phrynne:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Have finished #5 Non Fiction: When Fraser Met Billy by Louise Booth 4★
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A gorgeous s..."

That sounds like an awesome little book Carolyn:) Thanks for your great review!

[Sally906]

Phrynne wrote: "I finished my August TBR The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness.
Disappointed :(
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

My copy hasn't arrived yet - I had it on pre-order. Hopefully will be here this week. I am avoiding all reviews until I have finished it :)

[Trevor]

Just started Barracuda by Christos Tsiolkas my book written by an Aussie author showing a warm, summery cover. Really looking forward to reading this.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Sally906 wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "I finished my August TBR The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness.
Disappointed :(
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

My copy h..."

That's a good idea . I think the reviews are all over the place as so often happens when a book is as hyped as this one.

[Sally906]

Darn! I requested All the Birds, Singing from the library and I am 5th in the queue!

There are a few copies of it, so hopefully I'll get it before the end of August.

[Steve]

I have finally finished my twenty-fifth, my second 8. Literature Map, Troubled Waters, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 2. New Release, Lethal Sky.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I have finally finished my twenty-fifth, my second 8. Literature Map, Troubled Waters, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 2. New ..."

Enjoy Lethal Sky Steve:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished my new release - Present Darkness by Malla Nunn. So good. So far the series has maintained a level of excellence!
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "I finished my new release - Present Darkness by Malla Nunn. So good. So far the series has maintained a level of excellence!
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/rev..."

Good to hear Phrynne:)

[Sally906]

Steve wrote: "I have finally finished my twenty-fifth, my second 8. Literature Map, Troubled Waters, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 2. New ..."

Gosh Steve - you're going great guns!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have finished my 28th - second #3 Miles Franklin - Drylands by Thea Astley which I really enjoyed. 4★s

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

Here is my completed list:)


1. Buddy Read Stardust by Neil Gaiman with Liam 4★s
2nd Buddy Read Cicada by Moira McKinnon 5★s (with Sharon)

2. New Release Aussie author - Deeper Water by Jessie Cole (1/8/14) 4.5★s
Lethal Sky by Greg Barron (1/7/14) 5★s

3. Miles Franklin - My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin 3★s
Drylands by Thea Astley 4★s

4. International Childrens - YA - Coraline by Neil Gaiman 5★s
The Dragon Tree by A.C. Kavich 4★s

5. Real & Fake - (a) Non-Fiction - Judy: A Dog In A Million by Damien Lewis 4★s
Another Chapter by David J. Delaney 4★s

(b) Fiction - Once Upon A Lie by Jill Paterson 4★s
(b) Fiction - Ridgeway Murder by Robin Hillard 3★s

6. Winter cover or word in title - The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey 5★s
Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo 5★s

7. National Tree Day - Aussie author - ebook
Lord Somerton's Heir by Alison Stuart 5★s
Dance with the Devil by Sandy Curtis 5★s

8. Literature Map - Karin Slaughter = Tess Gerritsen Harvest 5★s
Alex Kava = P.D. Martin = Kiss Of Death 4.5★s

9. Warm summery cover - Aussie author - Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum 3★s
The Dying Trade by Peter Corris 3★s

10. Naughty & Nice - (a) Murder etc! Standoff by David Rollins 4★s
Phantom Instinct by Meg Gardiner 4★s
(b) Romance etc! Nobody But Him by Victoria Purman 4★s
Moonlight Plains by Barbara Hannay 4★s

11. TBR - Justice for Sara by Erica Spindler 5★s
Strictly Murder by Lynda Wilcox 3★s

12. TBR - The Silent Sea: A Novel of the Oregon Files. Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul by Clive Cussler 5★s
Deadly Virtues by Jo Bannister 4★s

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished my 28th - second #3 Miles Franklin - Drylands by Thea Astley which I really enjoyed. 4★s

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

He..."

Looks like some good reading happening for you since June started, Brenda!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Kathryn yes!! And my winter challenge is complete with 3 weeks before the next one!!!

[Nicola]

Got 4 left to complete the challenge but also got another 3 on the list - just waiting on one of my new releases arriving tho! (got a choice of 2).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Got 4 left to complete the challenge but also got another 3 on the list - just waiting on one of my new releases arriving tho! (got a choice of 2)."

You'll romp it in Nicola!

[Chris]

Completed my No.7: National Tree Day: The Third Day, the Frost by John Marsden 4★

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "I have finished my 28th - second #3 Miles Franklin - Drylands by Thea Astley which I really enjoyed. 4★s

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

He..."

Well done, Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thank you Sharon :)

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Yeah I'm throwing in the towel on this one. Nearly finished Perdido Street Station, but no way I'll be able to read 8 more books between now and the end of the month :P

I -did- finally read Perdido though, so I consider it a personal success.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Liam! And don't worry - you might be able to slot them into the Spring challenge:)

[Sally906]

Personal successes are very important Liam - you've done well.

[Steve]

I have finished my twenty-sixth, my second 2. New Release, Lethal Sky, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 3. Miles Franklin, My Brilliant Career.

[Nicola]

Just finished another No. 4 YA novel (also for my bookclub)
Prisoner of Night and Fog / Anne Blankman
Excellent weaving of fictitious characters with real life history

[Sharon]

Finished my 14th # 11 TBR: Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell 5★

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

Only 1 to go :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Finished my 14th # 11 TBR: Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell 5★

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

Only 1 to go :)"

Woohoo!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Sharon wrote: "Finished my 14th # 11 TBR: Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell 5★

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

Only 1 to go :)"

Well done Sharon! I still have three to go:(

[Elaine]

Finished my 7th for this challenge, TBR The Promise . A 4 star read for me. I don't think I'm going to manage to complete this challenge but I have enjoyed it, having read some really good books.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my 7th for this challenge, TBR The Promise. A 4 star read for me. I don't think I'm going to manage to complete this challenge but I have e..."

As long as you're enjoying the challenge Elaine, the number to the end is irrelevant! :)

[Elaine]

Thanks Brenda and yes I am enjoying it. I always do regardless of how far I get. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Thanks Brenda and yes I am enjoying it. I always do regardless of how far I get. :)"

:)

[Sarah]

1b. TBR List Musicophilia Tales of Music and the BrainOliver Sachs

2. Aussie New Release: TBA

3. Miles Franklin winner All the Birds Singing Evie Wyld

4. YA Book Dorothy Must Die Dorothy Must Die 1 Danielle Page

5. Real and Fake - (a) Read a Non-Fiction Law Disorder John Douglas PLUS (b) a Fiction book The Interestings Meg Wolitzer

6. Winter Book Magic Breaks Ilona Andrews

7. Aussie E Book: Night Games Sex Power and Sport Anna Krien

8. Literary Book: Not sure if it counts but We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Karen Joy Fowler

9. Summer Australian Book:

10. Naughty and Nice - (a) Thriller The Bones of Avignon Jefferson Bass (b) Funny TBA

Update: 15/8. One more Down!

[Renee V]

1b. TBR List: The Curse of Chalion Read Jul 27 ****

2. Aussie New Release: Dancing on Knives

3. Miles Franklin winner (2007): Carpentaria

4. YA Book: These Broken Stars Read Jun 11 **

5. Real and Fake -
(a) Read a Non-Fiction: Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Football Read Jul 18 *****
(b) a Fiction book: The Spinning Heart Read Jun 27 *****

6. Winter Book: A Spell of Winter

7. Borrowed Aussie Book: Just Between Us Read Jul 28 *****

8. Literature Map: (I had a Patrick Rothfuss book on my desk so I used him and got Brandon Sanderson which worked well as this one had been on my shelf for awhile) Mistborn: The Final Empire Read Jul 4 ****

9. Aussie Author warm summer book: We of the Never-Never

10. Naughty and Nice -
(a) Mystery: The Silkworm Read Jun 23 ****
(b) Chicklit: Top Secret Twenty-One Read June 17 ***

Only have 4 to go and I have 3 of them from the Library as of yesterday. I have also got my TBR down by about 24 not including the ones above.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

...Amended and updated...
Winter Reading Challenge 2014

1. Buddy read with Carolyn....Malicious Intent by Kathryn Fox 3.5★s

2. New Release Aussie Author: The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon 3.5★s

3. Miles Franklin Winner: All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld

4. International Children's: YA Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein 5★s

5. Real: Hannah By Raymond W. Clarke 3.5★s
&
Fake: Lost and Found by Brooke Davis 5★s

6. Winter: The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey 3.5★s


7. Nat Tree Day Aussie Author: Lifeline/Used: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman 5★s +

8. Literature Map: Nicole Alexander = Fiona McIntosh The French Promise 4★s

9. Warm Summery Cover Aussie Author: Sunset Ridge by Nicole Alexander 5★s


10. Naughty: Skin and Bone by Kathryn Fox 4★s
&
Nice: The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin 5★s +

11. TBR:
Blood Born by Kathryn Fox 3.5★s

12. TBR:
#1 Small Blessings: A Novel by Martha Woodroof 4★s
#2 The Crane Wife by Patrick Ness5★s


*Subject to change ;-)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "...Amended and updated...
Winter Reading Challenge 2014."

Only two main ones to go, which I will get to after my current August challenge read The Crane Wife.
YAY!! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Everyone is doing very well:) Just under 3 weeks left until the finish....then it'll be onto the Spring Challenge:)

[Sally906]

spring? SPRING!!!!!! Eeeeek - I had better do an update as not sure where I am at right now.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "spring? SPRING!!!!!! Eeeeek - I had better do an update as not sure where I am at right now."

Hahaha!! Don't panic Sally - 3 weeks I said;)

[Sally906]

OK here is my update - 9 read, 1 reading now and 2 to go after that

1. (b) Long time TBR - The Seventh Witch by Shirley Damsgaard

2. New Release - When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett (August release)

3. Miles Franklin winner - TBA

4. Young Adult - The Garden of Darkness by Gillian Murray Kendall

5. Real and Fake –
(a) TBA
(b) The Ghoul Next Door by Victoria Laurie

6. Cover depicting winter - Good Tidings by Terri Reid

7. Library Book - Boy, Lost by Kristina Olsson

8. Literature Map - Currently reading Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - (Search term was Chinua Achebe)

9. A warm, summery cover - A Ring Through Time by Felicity Pulman (the young girl on the cover is lying on the grass – something very summery and is set in summer)

10. Naughty and Nice -
(a) Containment by Vanda Symon
(b) No Sex in the City by Randa Abdel-Fattah

11. TBR - Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich

12. TBR - Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

See, that's not so bad Sally:) It's looking good!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I've still got three to go. Plenty of time:)

[Nicola]

Ok.... so my new release and my Fake choises are being very slow arriving and I was beginning to 'panic'! Solution achieved..... looked at some others new releases and checked with my libraries for availability - now I have 3 to pick up... roll on my long weekend! So happy...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Ok.... so my new release and my Fake choises are being very slow arriving and I was beginning to 'panic'! Solution achieved..... looked at some others new releases and checked with my libraries fo..."

Well done Nicola!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Is everyone looking forward to the release of the Spring Challenge? Won't be long......

[Bec]

Ok I'm struggling a bit to get through this challenge, haven't been too well so struggling to get much reading done :( but I did finally get to finish reading Red Sand Sunrise Fiona McArthur it was a great read (if you liked Nurses of the Outback you will love this I reckon) have also done my review (had to do it tonight or I would forget!)

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Is everyone looking forward to the release of the Spring Challenge? Won't be long......"

Want a 'Like' Button!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bec wrote: "Ok I'm struggling a bit to get through this challenge, haven't been too well so struggling to get much reading done :( but I did finally get to finish reading ..."

Here's your review Bec! Sorry to hear you've been unwell too...concentrate on getting better - you can slot unfinished Winter reads into Spring if they'll fit!

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Is everyone looking forward to the release of the Spring Challenge? Won't be long......"

Want a 'Like' Button!"

How's this Nicola?