An additional Annual Challenge for 2017 - A-Z

[Mary]

Once again I am joining late but this is too good to pass up!

A - Read a book that has won an Award - A Cold Day For Murder by Dana Stabenow 4*
B - Read a Best selling novel The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins 5*
C - Read a book with a Colourful Cover ] Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green TBR

D - Read a book with a Dog on the cover - Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog by John Grogan
E - Read a book where someone is trying to Escape from someone or something - Room by Emma Donoghue TBR
F - Read a book where the characters Fight and make up Family Secrets by Liz Byrski AA 3*
G- Read a book that was a Gift - Life or Death Michael Rowbotham AA TBR 4*
H - Read a Horror book – Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill TBR
I - Read a book by an author with the same Initials as you – Churchill's Hour by Michael Dobbs TBR
J - Read a book written by an author whose name starts with J - The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing by Mira Jacob TBR 4*
K - Read a book where people are Kissing on the front cover – The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
L - Read a book from a friends TBR List - When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman
M - Read a book that is set in Multiple countries – Barkskins by Annie Proulx TBR
N - Read a book that you have Neglected to read – Eucalyptus by Murray Bail AA TBR
O - Read a book with an Orange cover – Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese TBR
P - Read a book with Paranormal aspects - Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs
Q - Read a book with a Question in the title - Scared Yet? by Jaye Ford 4.5*
R - Read a book with a Goodreads Rating higher than 4 – The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna AA
S - Read a book which is part of a Series – Cold Justice by Katherine Howell AA READ 3*
T - Read a Time Travel book – Divine by Nichole Van 3*
U - Read a book which you know will be Uncomfortable to read – A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin TBR
V - Read a book with a Violet cover – Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant : Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone by Jenni Ferrari-Adler TBR 2.5*
W - Read a book that features a Witch - The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
X - Read a book with an X in the title – Xenocide by Orson Scott Card TBR
Y - Read a book by an author who is Younger than you – Before We Met by Lucie Whitehouse TBR
Z - Read a book with Zoo in the title OR a Zoo is a big part of the story – Zoo by James Patterson TBR

[Odette]

Finished first book for this challenge:

R. Read a book with a Goodreads Rating higher than 4: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mary wrote: "Once again I am joining late but this is too good to pass up!

A - Read a book that has won an Award - A Cold Day For Murder by Dana Stabenow
B - Read a Best selling ..."

Glad you're joining us Mary! I was going to suggest that one for your "Q" :) I've added you to the name links at the beginning too :)

[Mary]

Thanks Brenda. It's easy when you're on the last page but it quickly gets difficult after that, doesn't it? It's a great idea. I've been inspired by your plan to read your owned books and I'm going through my Calibre list to see if I can edit my list with books I own so that will help a lot.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mary wrote: "Thanks Brenda. It's easy when you're on the last page but it quickly gets difficult after that, doesn't it? It's a great idea. I've been inspired by your plan to read your owned books and I'm going..."

I try to do that with every challenge - remove as many as I can with the added incentive of the challenge as the push ;) Good luck!

[Asa-Marie]

Oh goodness me I would love to join in with this challenge! Is that ok? I have only just joined this group and feel a little apprehensive as I have only just become what I would call a 'reader' really.
In any case, I'm keen to give this challenge a go but I'm wondering where you find out all of these things about books? Is the information on books that have won an award, or have an x in their title available on some mysterious search bar on good reads or must I google all of this to find it out?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's great Asa-Marie! You are most welcome :)

Here's how you find if a book has awards - every book profile has all the details: for example; The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna - click on the book link and read down the book's information. You'll see "Literary Awards" and that this book has two awards. To find out about any of the books you want to read, just look at the book page :)

Listopia is a good backup to find specific things - you'll find that under "Browse" (at the top of the page) and "lists" on that drop down section. I typed in "X in title" once on that page and came up with this - https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8...

Scroll down to see the "X" ones and search for something you might like which fits the criteria.

To find Aussie authors, our bookshelf here has only Aussie authors - https://www.goodreads.com/group/books... - plus there are many threads within the group where you'll find recommendations of varying genres etc.

Take your time and also look over other lists already in this thread. You'll probably get lots of ideas there too :)

Good luck and give us a yell if you need more help :)

[Janine]

Finished my 6th

U - Uncomfortable to Read
The Good People by Hannah Kent(AA) 3*

[Asa-Marie]

Brenda wrote: "That's great Asa-Marie! You are most welcome :)

Here's how you find if a book has awards - every book profile has all the details: for example; The Eye of the Sheep by [author:Sofi..."

Oh Brenda thank you so much for your help, I don't feel nearly as apprehensive about all this now. I did end up finding the listy thing and have already selected an X story that has tugged my heart strings with its extended blurb. Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how to find these things out and especially the awards - that was starting to escape me, it really was.

Oooh so now I get to go and make a list! Yay!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Do you know how to link your books? I look forward to seeing your choices :)

[Asa-Marie]

Brenda wrote: "Do you know how to link your books? I look forward to seeing your choices :)"

I think I can just use this little add book/author thingo to do that but I was wondering how I get the little pictures to come up? Is that just pasting the picture?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

"add book/author" is absolutely correct. And you will see at the bottom of the box "link" and "cover". After you've put the book link in, you go back in and swap it from "link" to "cover" and click "add" again :) And there you go!

[Asa-Marie]

Brenda wrote: ""add book/author" is absolutely correct. And you will see at the bottom of the box "link" and "cover". After you've put the book link in, you go back in and swap it from "link" to "cover" and click..."

Oh brilliant I did think that adding the covers looked better. Thanks again Brenda. Looking forward to sharing my list!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 10th - "I" same Initials as me - Drum Dance by Bonnie Turner 4★s

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

[Niamh]

I'm needing help finding a book for the "I - Same initials as me" category. My initials are NC. If anyone can suggest an author, I would really appreciate it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'll have a look for you Niamh - any genre preferences?

[Niamh]

Brenda wrote: "I'll have a look for you Niamh - any genre preferences?"

Thanks Brenda! I'd prefer fantasy, but at this point, anything that fits the category would be good. Wouldn't mind diversifying my library :)

[Dree]

Niamh wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'll have a look for you Niamh - any genre preferences?"

Thanks Brenda! I'd prefer fantasy, but at this point, anything that fits the category would be good. Wouldn't mind diversify..."

Maybe something by Nino Culotta Niamhn. He has some pretty funny books - and Aussie as well! ☺

[Niamh]

Dree wrote: "Niamh wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'll have a look for you Niamh - any genre preferences?"

Thanks Brenda! I'd prefer fantasy, but at this point, anything that fits the category would be good. Wouldn't ..."

Thanks for the recommendation Dree! I'll check out his books :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Niamh wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'll have a look for you Niamh - any genre preferences?"

Thanks Brenda! I'd prefer fantasy, but at this point, anything that fits the category would be good. Wouldn't mind diversify..."

Here's some I've found - Nicky Charles and Nick Caistor (which probably won't suit!)

Noah Child, Noël Coward, Nicola Claire, Nicola Cornick, Nicolas Chapuis, Nicole Christie, Nigel Cawthorne, Netta Cason


Wow look at them all!!! Hope this helps Niamh :)

[Niamh]

Brenda wrote: "Niamh wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I'll have a look for you Niamh - any genre preferences?"

Thanks Brenda! I'd prefer fantasy, but at this point, anything that fits the category would be good. Wouldn't ..."

Wow, that's a lot of authors to choose from! Thank you Brenda! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome :)

[Maureen]

Finished 9 out of 26

L - Read a book from a friends TBR List: Curious Minds by Janet Evanovich

I wound up giving it 4 ★

3 for a good read and 1 for what I hope to be a 'typical Janet Evanovich quirky, sassy, fun read!

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

[Irene]

Have just finished selection for A - Award winning author - The Eye of the Storm by Patrick White
I have only given it 3 stars
Here's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That doesn't take us to your review Irene - only your edit page :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Irene wrote: "Have just finished selection for A - Award winning author - The Eye of the Storm by Patrick White
I have only given it 3 stars
Here's my review https://www.goodreads.c..."

Here it is :) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Irene]

Brenda wrote: "Irene wrote: "Have just finished selection for A - Award winning author - The Eye of the Storm by Patrick White
I have only given it 3 stars
Here's my review https://w..."

Thanks Brenda.

[Li'l Owl]

Karen wrote: "Thank you so much for the suggestions Owl! I think you may have put more effort in your search for me than I did for myself, awkwardly enough.
I read Eragon ages ago, it was one of my favourites as..."

You're very welcome. I'm glad to help anytime. If you end up reading Swordbird, let me know how it is. It sounds interesting! =o)

[Niamh]

I finished my fourth book for this challenge: "M - Set in Multiple Countries" by reading A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray, which I give 4.5★.

[Asa-Marie]

Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about not being able to find an author with the same initials as me?
I'm A.M.M.W
And I while I'm at it I'm also wondering if I can have one book cover two letters? For instance my copy of To Kill A Mockingbird is Orange and of course, it won awards. Could I use that for both or not?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

For the first question just use AW or AM if your surname is hyphenated.
For the second, no, you can only use a book once in each challenge though of course you can use the same book in different challenges.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 11th - "O" - Orange cover - Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie 5★s

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

[Mary]

I feel like a complete slacker! Read S - Read a book which is part of a Series – Cold Justice by Katherine Howell AA TBR 3*

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

[Asa-Marie]

Phrynne wrote: "For the first question just use AW or AM if your surname is hyphenated.
For the second, no, you can only use a book once in each challenge though of course you can use the same book in different ch..."

Aww thanks for your help with that Phrynne, my last name isn't hyphenated but my first one is - I will keep on with the hunt!

[Mary]

Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about not being able to find an author with the same initials as me?
I..."

Lol. I did wonder at one stage if I would spend more time planning than reading. :)

[Asa-Marie]

Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about not being able to find an author with the same ..."

Oh Mary you have hit the nail on the head by recounting that sentiment. I am having so much trouble finding an author with the same initials as me! I am Asa-Marie Margeret Webster so it's been a tricky test. Even AW is apparently non existent and AMW is no better so far. Do you have any suggestions?

[Li'l Owl]

Phrynne wrote: "For the first question just use AW or AM if your surname is hyphenated.
For the second, no, you can only use a book once in each challenge though of course you can use the same book in different ch..."

Nice try though! LOL =o)

[Kathryn]

Asa-Marie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about not being able to find an author w..."

Asa-Marie, I'd use AW, if I was you. And on my list of books, I've found The Color Purple by Alice Walker and The Perfect Prince: The Mystery of Perkin Warbeck and His Quest for the Throne of England by Ann Wroe (not sure how easy that one would be to get hold of, but the first one should be very easy, if you haven't already read it!).

[Li'l Owl]

Asa-Marie wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "For the first question just use AW or AM if your surname is hyphenated.
For the second, no, you can only use a book once in each challenge though of course you can use the same book..."

Nice try though! LOL! =o)

[Asa-Marie]

Asa-Marie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about not being able to find an author w..."

Finally I have found that The Martian - the one recently at the movies with Matt Damon, was written by Andy Weir and that is good enough for me. Now to try and find Australian authors with either Violet or Orange covers!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Asa-Marie wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about not being able t..."

That one is perfect :) And Kathryn has given you some to help too.... now you have a few to choose from!

[Asa-Marie]

Kathryn wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about not being able t..."

Oh Kathryn thanks so much! I did eventually come across Alice Walker. Is the Colour Purple really uncomfortable to read? It seems it would be. I was thinking I could use it for that category as I have now found The Martian by Andy Weir and I'm very interested in that because I really loved the movie and usually books are better than their screen counterparts. The Perfect Prince sounds very interesting and I do love my historical fiction. I'm sure I'll put it on my TBR even if I can't fit it into this list somehow. Thanks again!

[Asa-Marie]

Brenda wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do abou..."

Oh yes and now I think I'm almost there it's time to snoop at other people's lists. I need to get some Aussies in there! I already have Mark Zusak, Geraldine Brooks and does Mark Shearman count because he was a ten pound pom?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It would be perfect for that category - The Color Purple is quite an old book now, so probably not as uncomfortable as it once would have been.

BTW Asa-Marie, to link your books, just click on "add book/author" in the comment box and go from there :)

[Li'l Owl]

Hiya Asa-Marie,

I have a couple of suggestions for authors with your initials A W

A.J. Waines
Inside the Whispers

Alice Wallis-Eton
The Cryptographer

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Asa-Marie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering..."

Hmmm! It doesn't say on Mark Shearman's profile how long he was in Australia. Whether he actually lived here for any length of time or just visited....

Does anyone else know if this author lived in AU for any number of years?

[Kathryn]

Asa-Marie wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Mary wrote: "Asa-Marie wrote: "Oooh I'm having a lovely time reading lots of wonderful blurbs for my booklist for this challenge but I'm wondering what I do about ..."

I read it ages ago, and can't remember whether it was actually uncomfortable to read. I do remember it was difficult to read because it wasn't written well (with proper grammar and spelling etc) and I'm sure this impacted on how much I liked it (which wasn't as much as I'd hoped!)

[Kathryn]

Asa-Marie wrote: "I do love my historical fiction..."

And I know you're sorted for AW now, but just in case The Martian doesn't work for whatever reason, there's also anything by Alison Weir - lots of historical fiction...

[Asa-Marie]

Li'l Owl wrote: "Hiya Asa-Marie,

I have a couple of suggestions for authors with your initials A W

A.J. Waines
Inside the Whispers

Alice Wallis-Eton
[book:The..."

Oh Owl thank you so much! I am thoroughly spoilt for choice now. Although I have to say I think I'm far too much of a coward to read a psychological thriller. How does anyone read those things? I'd be a nervous wreck.