**Winter Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Jenn]

Finished my Summery covers books The Briny Cafe and Gone Fishing. I really enjoyed these two books can't wait for more.

Starting my 7th book - The Undead Pool

[Sharon]

Brenda wrote: "I'm a few pages in Sharon and I'm really enjoying it so far:)"

Oh my this is really good so far. I'm on page 50 and hope to get a bit more read tonight :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'm a few pages in Sharon and I'm really enjoying it so far:)"

Oh my this is really good so far. I'm on page 50 and hope to get a bit more read tonight :)"

It sure is! I'll be heading to bed shortly to read more too:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished my summery cover - The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty. It was a pleasant but unexciting read.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Christy]

Finished my #1 - Buddy read with Valerie The Cuckoo's Calling - great read and I gave it 4*

and my Borrow a book with Time Will Tell which I gave a big 5* to - I loved it!

Will start my Fake book with Steeped in Evil

Happy reading and stay warm!!!

[Janine]

I have completed my 4th for this challenge #1b Long-time TBR
I have finally struggled through this book which was #1 on my TBR list
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver 2*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "I have completed my 4th for this challenge #1b Long-time TBR
I have finally struggled through this book which was #1 on my TBR list
[book:Poisonwood Bible|180391..."

I didn't enjoy that one either Janine!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My review for Phantom Instinct by Meg Gardiner which I read on the 9th June. It's the 2nd 10a. (Naughty - murder)

[Steve]

I have finished my ninth, my second 12. TBR, Rogue, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 11. TBR, Magic Bites.

[Kelly]

I have finished My Brilliant Career and Picnic at Hanging Rock. I really enjoyed both.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I finished my buddy read with Sharon - Cicada by Moira McKinnon Absolutely breathtaking!!! 5 ★s

Review to follow

[Mell]

Book 2 & 3 complete

5b. Fake: Consequences by Aleatha Romig 3★

10b. Romance/Chick-Lit/Comedy: Crush on You by Christie Ridgway 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I finished my buddy read with Sharon - Cicada by Moira McKinnon Absolutely breathtaking!!! 5 ★s

Review to follow"

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

(This was my 14th)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished my fiction read which was Balancing Act by Joanna Trollope. I love this author but this one did not quite make the usual grade.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Valerie]

Finished my first for the challenge. This was a buddy read with Christy The Cuckoo's Calling
We both loved this book. Well written characters and intricate plot, so typical of JK Rowling.

[Kathryn]

That's good to hear, Valerie - Elaine and I are reading it for our buddy read in July. I'm looking forward to it!

[Steve]

I have finished my tenth, my first 11. TBR, Magic Bites, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 6. Winter, The Phantom of the Opera.

[Sharon]

Finished my 3rd #6 Winer Cover or or word in title : Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio 4★

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

[Sharon]

Finished my 4th #1(a) Buddy read with Brenda : Cicada by Moira McKinnon 5★

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great review Sharon!

[Sharon]

Thanks Brenda :)

[Bec]

well I have done it again - its almost the end of june and I haven't been able to start on my list yet :( have school holidays coming up soon so hopefully can make a dint in the list

[Elaine]

Finished my fourth for this challenge b)Nice: The Hypnotist's Love Story , which I thoroughly enjoyed.
My review here:

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

[Carolyn]

Finished my 4th for this challenge, #9 Book with a summery cover
the sizzling hot Burning Lies by Helene Young 4.5★
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

Also finished my 5th, #5 Fiction We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler 3★
review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I seem to be in the minority here, but I didn't enjoy it much and struggled to finish it. Now I've posted my review I can watch this month's ABC bookclub (that I recorded) and see what they thought.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Finished my 4th for this challenge, #9 Book with a summery cover
the sizzling hot Burning Lies by Helene Young 4.5★
review: https:/..."

Excellent review Carolyn:) I expect you'll be reading more by Helene now? :)

[B the BookAddict]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my fourth for this challenge b)Nice: The Hypnotist's Love Story, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
My review here:

https://www.goo..."

Thank you, Elaine, an idea for my Nice selection:)

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Finished my 4th for this challenge, #9 Book with a summery cover
the sizzling hot Burning Lies by Helene Young 4.5★..."

I'd certainly like to Brenda! It's a question of when I'll fit them in :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Finished my 4th for this challenge, #9 Book with a summery cover
the sizzling hot Burning Lies by [author:Helene You..."

It's always the way isn't it!!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I've just finished my 4th for this challenge #2 New Release Aussie Author: The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon a nice easy paced read.

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

[Steve]

I have finished my eleventh, my first 6. Winter, The Phantom of the Opera, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 5a. Real, Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My fifteenth, first #9 (AA warm, summery cover) - The Dying Trade by Peter Corris 3★s

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

[Sharon]

Finished my 5th # 5(a) Real or Fake - Non fiction : A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley 5★

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

[B the BookAddict]

Finished my third #8 Literature Map The Queen's Fool by Philippa Gregory

[Janine]

I have finished my 5th and 6th for this challenge
10b Romance/Chick-lit Me Before You by Jojo Moyes 5*
12. Lower TBR Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo 4*

[Nicola]

Feel as if I'm so far behind! Have finished my degree, and moved house, all in the last 3 weeks, and as you can imagine my reading has suffered. But now as I unpack I can get back into doing enjoyable past times - like reading! But have finished these ones so far:
9. Summer cover Aussie Author - That Summer / Sarah Dessen
10. Naughty - The Gods of Guilt / Michael Connelly
Nice - Darkness Hunts / Keri Arthur
TBR 419 / Will Ferguson

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Feel as if I'm so far behind! Have finished my degree, and moved house, all in the last 3 weeks, and as you can imagine my reading has suffered. But now as I unpack I can get back into doing enjo..."

Well done on finishing your degree Nicola, that's great! And moving house too...wow! You deserve a good relaxing book or 3 right about now;)

[Jenn]

Starting my 2nd for No. 7..Borrow a book by an Australian author Silver Wattle..This is a new author for me recommended by a friend.

[Mell]

Read number 4 overnight:

2. Australian new release: Devotion: The Beauty in Between by Lilliana Anderson 5★

[Kelly]

I had to change one of my books. Mein Kampf was like a sedative. I just couldn't finish it.

[Janine]

7th completed, #11 Lower TBR (a bit of a joke with so many new books due to be released this week)
A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by Dina Nayeri Another struggle 2*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I finished my 12th late last night - #2 New Release - by Greg Barron 5★s Brilliant!

Review to follow closer to publication date"

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "7th completed, #11 Lower TBR (a bit of a joke with so many new books due to be released this week)
A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by [au..."

Hope you can pick up a satisfying read soon Janine:)

[Sally906]

Here's an update of where I am at:



1. (b) Long time TBR - Containment by Vanda Symon - currently reading

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

3. Miles Franklin winner - Swords And Crowns And Rings by Ruth Park??

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

5. Real and Fake –
(a) Up With the Larks: Starting Again in Cornwall by Tessa Hainsworth
(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 - 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) Of Merlot & Murder by Joni Folger
(b) No Sex in the City by Randa Abdel-Fattah

11. TBR - Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich

12. TBR - Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

[Sharon]

Finished my 6th # 10(a) Naughty & Nice - Murder/ Mystery : Blood Witness by Alex Hammond 4★

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

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Days Like This finished - avoid, avoid, avoid. 1★.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Just announced today 26th June, Miles Franklin winner for 2014 is All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld - #3 in our Winter Challenge:)

I've added it into the original post at the beginning of the challenge:)

[Janine]

Finished my 8th. #10a Murder/Mystery
Stay Close by Harlan Coben 4*

[Elaine]

Hey Brenda, I need a good Aussie read to fit into No.7 for this challenge, National Tree Day borrow an Aussie book as I've changed my mind about mu original choice. Any suggestions? You recently recommended Cicada to me. Do you think that's a good one or should I try St Kilda Blues?

[Carolyn]

For those still looking for a Franklin award winner for this challenge (and have a Kobo reader or app), Kobo has a special on today on many past winners for $4.99

(Brenda I'll post this in the free/cheap ebooks thread as well)