**Winter Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "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 re..."

Either one of those would be great Elaine - but I think I'd put Cicada first:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "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 fre..."

Thanks Carolyn:)

[Kira]

Here's where I am currently at (posting more for myself):

1b. TBR: A Collector of Affections: Tales from a Woman's Heart 1*
2. AA NR: Lethal Sky3.5*
3. Miles Franklin: That Deadman Dance 1*
4. YA: Tangi's Teardrops 2*
5. Non-fiction: Born to Run 4* &Fiction:Ashes, Ashes 2*
6.Winter: Winter Garden currently reading
7. AA (Library/Ebook): The Light Between Oceans 5*
8. Literature Map: Susanna Kearsley = Helen Hollick The Forever Queen
9. AA Summer: Someone Like You 4*
10. Naughty: Unseen4* & Nice: Can You Keep a Secret?4*
11. TBR: The Undomestic Goddess 4*
12. TBR: Sea Captain's Promise 2.5*

[Steve]

I have finished my twelfth, my second 5a. Real, Between Silk and Cyanide: A Codemaker's War, 1941-1945, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 4. Internation Children's Day, The Lightning Thief.

[Jenn]

Here is where I am currently at:


1. been on my TBR shelf for a long time
a. The Shining by Stephen King
b. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

2.New release by Aussie Author
a. Fireborn by Keri Arthur release date 1 July 2014
b. Deadly Obsession by Karen M. Davis

3. Miles Franklin Winners
a. Eucalyptus by Murray Bail 1999 winner
b. Truth by Peter Temple 2010 winner

4. Young Adult Book
a. Runelight by Joanne Harris
b. Runemarks by Joanne Harris

5a. Read a Non-fiction
i. The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir
ii. Dear Fatty

5b. Fiction
i. The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
ii. The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison

6.Cover depicting winter
a. Bleak-House. by M Charles Dickens
b. A Shiver of Light by Laurell K Hamilton

7. Borrow a book by an Australian Author
a. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
b. Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra

8. Literature maps Laurell K. Hamilton - Kelley Armstrong
a. No Humans Involved
b. Personal Demon

9.Aussie Author showing a warm, summery cover
a. The Briny Cafe
b. Gone Fishing

10a. Naughty - Crime/Thriller
i. Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
ii. Mr Mercedes by Stephen King

10b. Nice - Romance/Chic Lit
i. Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
ii. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

11. TBR
a. Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
b. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

12. TBR
a. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
b. All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld

[Steve]

I have finished my thirteenth, my first 4. International Children's Day, The Lightning Thief, with my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 9. Aussie Summer Cover, Medalon.

[Janine]

I have finished my 9th #5a Non-Fiction
Wild East: Travels in the New Mongolia by Jill Lawless 3*

[Chris]

Completed my second for the challenge: 5b: Fake-September by Rosamunde Pilcher 4 ★

[Janine]

I have finished my 10th #4 YA
Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot 3*

[Sharon]

Finished my 7th #5(b) Real & Fake - Fiction : North Star by Karly Lane 5★

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

[Bec]

Janine wrote: "I have finished my 10th #4 YA
Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot 3*"

I just read the final in this series for my June challenge - love these books!

[Heather]

For June I read some amazing books
1b. TBR : Always Watching 5 ★
I'm kicking myself it's been on my TBR for months
2. New Release : A Morbid Habit 5 ★
This series just gets better
4. YA : Wildlife 3.5 𗯑
6. Winter : Seven for a Secret 5 ★
Manhatten February 1846 - copper stars, slave traders and I learnt some "flash"
7. National Tree Day : The Holiday Murders 3 ★
10a. Naughty : Promise Me 4 ★
11. TBR : Darkest Fear 5 ★
I fell asleep trying to finish this book in one hit

[Trevor]

Have managed to finish four books so far, so feel as if I'm on track:

5 real - Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain by George Mahood 3★
6 - Roger Ascham And The King's Lost Girl by Matthew Reilly 3★
7 - Morse Code for Cats by Tom Conyers 4★
8 - Yvette by Guy de Maupassant 3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Everyone is doing well as our first month of winter draws to a close :) Well done!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My sixteenth - #6 Winter Cover - Breaking Silence by Linda Castillo 5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My seventeenth - #6 (2nd) Winter cover/title - The Winter Sea by Di Morrissey 5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My eighteenth - #9 (2nd) AA Warm summery cover - Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum 3.5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

My nineteenth - #8 Literature Map - put in Alex Kava = P.D. Martin with Kiss Of Death 4.5★s

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

[Valerie]

Here's an update on my (slow) progress
1a. Buddy read with ChristyThe Cuckoo's Calling read
2. The Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett
3. All That I Am
4. I Am the Messenger
5. Nonfiction: The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier. read
Fiction: Currawalli Street (has been on my list for a while) read
6. The Winter Palace read

7. TBA
8. Katie Fforde A French Affair (I chose Joanna Trollope as one on my favourites)
9. The Return by Silvia Kwon
10. Blood Witness for mystery/thriller Read
Balancing Act for chicklit

[Sharon]

Finished my 8th # 10(b) Naughty & Nice - Romance : Into My Arms by Kylie Ladd 4★

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great review Sharon:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "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? ..."

Thanks Brenda. I've reserved Cicada from the library.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "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. An..."

I'm sure you'll enjoy it Elaine! Amazing book!

[Sally906]

I've just finished my 1. (b) Long time TBR - it was Containment by Vanda Symon

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "I've just finished my 1. (b) Long time TBR - it was Containment by Vanda Symon"

Did you enjoy it Sally?

[Kelly]

I just finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

[Valerie]

Kelly wrote: "I just finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."

That's my new favourite series Kelly. Did you like it?

[Steve]

I have just finished my fourteenth, my first 9. Aussie Summer Cover, Medalon, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Not sure if Treason Keep counts as a summery cover.

Up next is my first 8. Literature Map, The Shining.

[Kelly]

Valerie wrote: "Kelly wrote: "I just finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency."

That's my new favourite series Kelly. Did you like it?"

I've only read the first book, but I really enjoyed it.

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "I've just finished my 1. (b) Long time TBR - it was Containment by Vanda Symon"

Did you enjoy it Sally?"

Yes. I haven't read one of her books and not been very happy with it. Even thought the murder victim was a bit gruesome it is not written in lots of detail and I was able to cope with the few paragraphs then settle down and enjoy the rest of the story.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I have just finished my fourteenth, my first 9. Aussie Summer Cover, Medalon, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Not sure if Treason Keep ..."

No I don't think so Steve! Sorry:) No excuse not to pick another now;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "I've just finished my 1. (b) Long time TBR - it was Containment by Vanda Symon"

Did you enjoy it Sally?"

Yes. I haven't read one of ..."

Thanks, it sounds really good!

[Kira]

I just finished That Deadman Dance, my Miles Franklin author. I picked it because it sounded interesting and had good reviews (normally I don't pick books that way but I did this time). Sadly I was very disappointed and found myself so bored I couldn't finish it. 1*

On to something else now....just have to decide which one.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kira wrote: "I just finished That Deadman Dance, my Miles Franklin author. I picked it because it sounded interesting and had good reviews (normally I don't pick books that way but I did this ti..."

I couldn't finish this one either Kira, and I've been quietly watching and waiting to see what your thoughts were. I'm glad it's not just me!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I finished my twentieth - 2nd #8 Literature Map - Karin Slaughter = Tess Gerritsen with Harvest 5★s

Review to follow

[Kira]

Brenda wrote: " I couldn't finish this one either Kira, and I've been quietly watching and waiting to see what your thoughts were. I'm glad it's not just me! ."

Me too :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "I finished my twentieth - 2nd #8 Literature Map - Karin Slaughter = Tess Gerritsen with Harvest 5★s

Review to follow"

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

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Kira wrote: "I just finished That Deadman Dance, my Miles Franklin author. I picked it because it sounded interesting and had good reviews (normally I don't pick books that way but ..."

I did that one by audio book - which made the whole experience so much better! I had heard it was a hard read but felt I owed it to Kim Scott to pursue, especially as he lectures at Curtin (where I work) and I have been to a couple of his talks.

[Nicola]

Finished a couple of books recently (house unpacking is going smoothly and reading is picking up!)
TBR - A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder / Shamini Flint
8. Literature Map - Pirate Latitudes / Michael Crichton

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kira wrote: "I just finished That Deadman Dance, my Miles Franklin author. I picked it because it sounded interesting and had good reviews (normally I don't pick book..."

That's interesting Nicola. I don't usually listen to audio books but might see what I can do with this one.

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kira wrote: "I just finished That Deadman Dance, my Miles Franklin author. I picked it because it sounded interesting and had good reviews (normally I ..."

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Nicola:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Kira wrote: "I just finished That Deadman Dance, my Miles Franklin author. I picked it because it sounded interesting and had good reviews (normally I don't pick books that way but ..."

I was the same with this one too Brenda and Kira. I started it but couldn't finish. I found it really boring as well. I feel a bit guilty and think I should give it another go but there's too many other books out there. Perhaps if I was on a desert island and that was the only book.....

[Chris]

Completed my Aussie Author-Summery Cover: North Star by Karly Lane 3★

[Janine]

I have finished my 11th #9 Aussie Author with summery cover
Cicada by Moira McKinnon 3*

[Steve]

I have finished my fifteenth, my first 8. Literature Map, The Shining, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

After that book, I need something light, so up next is my second 10b. Nice, Can You Keep a Secret?.

[Sally906]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my fifteenth, my first 8. Literature Map, The Shining, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

After that book, I need something light, so up ..."

That is certainly light and fluffy :)

[Lesley]

Read so far:

1. TBR Crime and Punishment read 27 June, 4 stars
4. YA 1984 read 10 June, 3 stars
5a. fake The Commandant read 4 July, 3 stars
5b. real Hazel's Journey read 21 July, 3 stars.
6. winter Frankenstein read 24 July, 3 stars
7. national tree day Mateship With Birds read 2 June, 2 stars
10b. nice Sense and Sensibility read 25 June, 3 stars
11. TBR The Color Purple read 6 June, 3 stars
12. TBR Emma read 10 July, 3 stars

Still to go:
2. new
3. Miles Franklin White Earth
8. literature map Drylands currently reading
9. Australian summer Barracuda
10a. naughty Beneath the Darkening Sky

[Carolyn]

Finished my 7th, 10.Romance: Still Life with Breadcrumbs by ANNA QUINDLIN 4★.
A lovely, gentle story about an older woman rediscovering what is important to her and maybe finding love along the way.
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Valerie]

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 I read it. I learned a lot about Russia, and the Imperial Court, and I also found the story enjoyable and intriguing.
I'm now moving on to my mystery/thriller Blood Witness which is another book I probably wouldn't read normally! (And this is why I love these challenges).