An additional Annual Challenge for 2017 - A-Z

[K]

Brenda wrote: "Kiera wrote: "I'VE DONE IT! Lol. Thanks to Li'l Owl for helping me find four Aussie authored novels for the challenge. Put my name down, Brenda! :D"

Well done! Can you add which ones are AA too pl..."

Done so.

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "Jane, Maureen, Owl and Janine - great choices so far!


And Owl, thanks so much for helping Kiera :) You're definitely an honourary Aussie!"

Awww, you guys are the greatest! Thanks! =o)

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "Valerie wrote: "Here's my list, I've had so much fun compiling it!

A - Z Challenge
Duration: 01/01/2017 – 12/31/2017
Progress: 0/26

A - Read a book that has won an Award
[book:Chanson douce|3155..."

Wow Valerie, that's impressive! =o)

[Dree]

Brenda (or anyone!) quick question - is there anyway to link an alternative cover or do you only have the one option? -

Sometimes the covers I have aren't what is shown on the GR cover link & thus doesn't fit challenge guidelines?

[Li'l Owl]

I've discovered this little trick for typing lists of challenge books, quite by accident, but I thought someone else might find it handy.

I write up most of it on an email draft, then copy and paste it to the GR post. The places that you want to be BOLD , crossed out, etc, typing the characters will work from your draft.

You can type out the book(s) info on the thread using the add book/author, then copy/paste them to the email draft.
When you copy and paste the books back onto the thread, they will show the cover, links, that you want, just like they do on the thread. I list my books a few at a time then save them to the draft. During the challenge, each book that I've finished, I add the characters for the line through it on the draft, my rating, review,etc. that I want, then copy/paste it to my GR post.

I save my email drafts in a folder so I can copy and paste either pieces, or the entire thing at the end of the challenge. I'm not a fan of writing stuff over again if I lose it, which happens more often than I'd like to admit, or, typing the same info time and time again. I use this for longer posts, too, not just challenges.

This way I have a copy of my entire challenge, and my progress, on one page in my email draft. (or a saved copy I've emailed to myself)
I can't keep track of all my challenge books without it.

Anyway, I don't know if this would be helpful to anyone? I just thought I'd share it with my friends. =o)

[Li'l Owl]

Dree wrote: "Brenda (or anyone!) quick question - is there anyway to link an alternative cover or do you only have the one option? -

Sometimes the covers I have aren't what is shown on the GR cover link & thu..."

I think I can help you, Dree.
When you go to 'add book/author'
and it finds the book you want, then right underneath where it says 'ADD',
it says 'other editions' in green. You should get a choice of covers. Let me know if that works.

[Kathryn]

Li'l Owl wrote: "I've discovered this little trick for typing lists of challenge books, quite by accident, but I thought someone else might find it handy.

I write up most of it on an email draft, then copy and pa..."

This works in a Word doc as well, Li'l Owl, and that's what I do. I don't think the bold/strikethroughs etc come across in my program, though, but you can easily add them in Word so they copy and paste across by using the <s> and </s> before and after the relevant text (for strikethrough, or replace "s" with "b" for bold, "i" for italics or "u" for underscore).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

J.A. wrote: "Wow - this is a great way to find some new reads. I never knew planning your reading could be so thrilling. I'm a bit excited. (bear with me it's my first challenge). Guys, what happens if I start ..."

You can read in any order you like Jay, and if you have a DNF - just substitute it for another :) Hopefully that won't happen though :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dree wrote: "Brenda (or anyone!) quick question - is there anyway to link an alternative cover or do you only have the one option? -

Sometimes the covers I have aren't what is shown on the GR cover link & thu..."

Dree, when you do your search, you see a little printed "other editions". Click on that and you'll find the one you want :)

EDIT: Thanks Owl :) I see you've let Dree know already :)

[Mell]

A - Z Challenge
Duration: 01/01/2017 – 12/31/2017

Complete: 12/26

✔ A - Read a book that has won an Award
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 5.2.17 ★★★★★
✔ B - Read a Best selling novel
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 21.1.17 ★★★★★
C - Read a book with a Colourful Cover
D - Read a book with a Dog on the cover
✔ E - Read a book where someone is trying to Escape from someone or something
A Time to Run 10.1.17 ★★★★★ AA
✔ F - Read a book where the characters Fight and make up
Razer's Ride 27.1.17 ★★★
✔ G- Read a book that was a Gift
The Rosie Project 5.2.17 ★★★★ AA
H - Read a Horror book
I - Read a book by an author with the same Initials as you
Bad Boy of New Orleans/The Halo Effect/Arena One: Slaverunners/Turned/A Different Kind Of Fairy Tale
✔ J - Read a book written by an author whose name starts with J
Happy Accidents: A Memoir 17.1.17 ★★★★★
K - Read a book where people are Kissing on the front cover
✔ L - Read a book from a friends TBR List
When I'm With You 13.1.17 ★★★★
✔ M - Read a book that is set in Multiple countries
Honeymoon for One 23.1.17 ★★★
✔ N - Read a book that you have Neglected to read
Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres 8.1.17 ★★★
✔ O - Read a book with an Orange cover
Loving From Afar 28.1.17 ★★★★
P - Read a book with Paranormal aspects
Q - Read a book with a Question in the title
✔ R - Read a book with a Goodreads Rating higher than 4
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between 5.1.17 ★★★★★
✔ S - Read a book which is part of a Series
The Sign of Four 1.2.17 ★★★★
T - Read a Time Travel book
Voyager
U - Read a book which you know will be Uncomfortable to read
V - Read a book with a Violet cover
Little Black Dress
W - Read a book that features a Witch
X - Read a book with an X in the title
Y - Read a book by an author who is Younger than you
Halo AA
Z - Read a book with Zoo in the title OR a Zoo is a big part of the story
The Zookeeper's Wife

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

J.A. wrote: "Wow - this is a great way to find some new reads. I never knew planning your reading could be so thrilling. I'm a bit excited. (bear with me it's my first challenge). Guys, what happens if I start ..."

So glad you joined us Jay :) I've linked your post (along with everyone else's) in the second post of the challenge. You just need to click on your name and it'll take you to your original post :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Li'l Owl wrote: "I've discovered this little trick for typing lists of challenge books, quite by accident, but I thought someone else might find it handy.

I write up most of it on an email draft, then copy and pa..."

That's clever Owl! I wouldn't have thought of emailing it to myself!

[Li'l Owl]

Kathryn wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "I've discovered this little trick for typing lists of challenge books, quite by accident, but I thought someone else might find it handy.

I write up most of it on an email draft,..."

Hi Kathryn,
Sorry, I should have clarified. I don't have word document, so I do all of my stuff off my phone. Thanks for the info, though. =o]

[Loz]

I have four TBAs and I'm really at a loss! Look forward to checking out all your lists for inspiration :)

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "I've discovered this little trick for typing lists of challenge books, quite by accident, but I thought someone else might find it handy.

I write up most of it on an email draft,..."

I don't have word document and do most things on my phone. I use my tablet, too, but I use the same thing on it. I've got another trick for keeping track of my challenges. I have a Samsung smartphone note 5. So recently I've started taking screen shots of my challenge lists that go in a folder in my Google drive. As I finish books, I just use the screen write and cross it off! =o)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Loz wrote: "I have four TBAs and I'm really at a loss! Look forward to checking out all your lists for inspiration :)"

Award - If you're not sure how to find if a book has received an award - on each book's page the information is there with the other details - page count, publication date etc. Just a little lower. Here's an example - Burial Rites - scroll down and see "Literary Awards" - there are a lot of them for this particular book.

Gift - No one has gifted you a book Loz? Not an ebook; from an author; from your best friend; mum; sister.....

Multiple Countries - More than one is fine - so maybe Australia and the US - actually the one I'm reading now would fit. The Foundation by Steve P. Vincent Aussie author and the MC is Australian; set in US, China, Shanghai, Taiwan, etc etc... you get the drift!

Author Younger than you - I don't know your age so it's hard to help you there Loz ;) But if you can give me some idea I might be able to help :)

[Loz]

Brenda wrote: "Loz wrote: "I have four TBAs and I'm really at a loss! Look forward to checking out all your lists for inspiration :)"

Award - If you're not sure how to find if a book has received an award - on e..."

Thanks Brenda. I think my brain was a little fried after working on my list lol

Thanks for the tip on the award info, will look into it more.
I do have a couple gifted books available, but they're not grabbing my attention atm.... I'll keep searching and for my multiple countries book too...

.....shhh.. I'm nearly 36 ;) I just saw Belle Aurora's bio state she's "twenty-something" so winner! Bonus AA too!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Oh you spring chicken you!!! Only a baby ;) Good luck with them :)

[Dree]

Thank you Brenda and Lil Owl - that's too easy ☺ Also thanks to lil owl for tip regarding copy and paste. I actually do that with several other documents but for some reason it never occurred to me here! And yes, i am forever losing half typed posts too

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL! It's a challenge isn't it Dree ;)

[Li'l Owl]

Dree wrote: "Thank you Brenda and Lil Owl - that's too easy ☺ Also thanks to lil owl for tip regarding copy and paste. I actually do that with several other documents but for some reason it never occurred to me..."

I'm glad to help. Some of my questions were easy answers, too!
Like asking Brenda what AA means after her book link? Uh, Aussie Author!
Feathers for brains that day! =o)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL! But how do you learn Owl?!

[Anna]

IN but will be back with my list :)

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "LOL! But how do you learn Owl?!"

Yep! You got me there!!! =o)

[Kathryn]

Li'l Owl wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "I've discovered this little trick for typing lists of challenge books, quite by accident, but I thought someone else might find it handy.

I write up most of it on..."

That's OK, Li'l Owl - now I see! I don't know how you manage with just using your phone and tablet - that would drive me crazy!! But it's what you get used to, I guess :-)

[J.A.]

Brenda wrote: "J.A. wrote: "Wow - this is a great way to find some new reads. I never knew planning your reading could be so thrilling. I'm a bit excited. (bear with me it's my first challenge). Guys, what happen..."

Brenda wrote: "J.A. wrote: "Wow - this is a great way to find some new reads. I never knew planning your reading could be so thrilling. I'm a bit excited. (bear with me it's my first challenge). Guys, what happen..."

Thanks heaps Brenda :)

[J.A.]

Brenda wrote: "J.A. wrote: "Wow - this is a great way to find some new reads. I never knew planning your reading could be so thrilling. I'm a bit excited. (bear with me it's my first challenge). Guys, what happen..."

Perfect! Thanks again, Brenda :) :)

[J.A.]

I'm nearly done - only 2 to go. I just need to remember a book I might have been gifted in the past - yikes! And find one where the author's initials are J.H. Oh, and one has to be by an Aussie author. Everybody's lists have been so helpful, and I'm sure I'll discover some great reads!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

J.A. wrote: "I'm nearly done - only 2 to go. I just need to remember a book I might have been gifted in the past - yikes! And find one where the author's initials are J.H. Oh, and one has to be by an Aussie aut..."

Somewhere Far from Iris by John Holland gives you your JH and he's an Aussie, Jay :) I read that one and loved it. He has other titles too. Just be careful as there are other authors with the same name. This is the correct one :)

[J.A.]

Brenda wrote: "J.A. wrote: "I'm nearly done - only 2 to go. I just need to remember a book I might have been gifted in the past - yikes! And find one where the author's initials are J.H. Oh, and one has to be by ..."

Thank you Brenda!! I'm going to pop that one in. Only one to go :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent! Well done :)

[Li'l Owl]

I actually managed to get 6 Aussie authors! Only had 5 until I realized that Monty and Me by Louisa Bennet is one, too! Yea! =o)

[Noelene]

I was having trouble finding authors with my same initials. Came across this site where you can search for famous people with your initials http://peoplebyinitials.com/ ( links up to Wikipedia). It covers all categories of fame so you may see straight away some authors you know. In my case only one so I opened up the biographies of others. So be aware that you may find some of the famous people have careers as porn stars. Had a bit of a chuckle.

[Kerri]

I'm only going to pencil a few of these in from my TBR for now and fill in the rest over the course of the year.

26/26

✔A - Read a book that has won an Award The Berlin Boxing Club
✔B - Read a Best selling novel The Last Song
✔C - Read a book with a Colourful Cover The Animators
✔D - Read a book with a Dog on the cover The Guardian
✔E - Read a book where someone is trying to Escape from someone or something All These Perfect StrangersAA
✔F - Read a book where the characters Fight and make up The Spare Room
✔G- Read a book that was a Gift An Isolated Incident
✔H - Read a Horror book Heart-Shaped Box
✔I - Read a book by an author with the same Initials as youGirl Unknown by Karen Perry
✔J - Read a book written by an author whose name starts with J Life is But a Dream by Brian James
✔K - Read a book where people are Kissing on the front cover 22 Britannia Road
✔L - Read a book from a friends TBR List: Kathryn's Sycamore Row
✔M - Read a book that is set in Multiple countries The Midnight Watch: A Novel of the Titanic and the Californian AA
✔N - Read a book that you have Neglected to read Memoirs of a Geisha
✔O - Read a book with an Orange cover The Survivors Club
✔P - Read a book with Paranormal aspects The First Prophet
✔Q - Read a book with a Question in the title Can You Keep a Secret?AA
✔R - Read a book with a Goodreads Rating higher than 4BlameAA
✔S - Read a book which is part of a Series Darkly Dreaming Dexter
✔T - Read a Time Travel book Time's Echo
✔U - Read a book which you know will be Uncomfortable to read Damaged: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Forgotten Child
✔V - Read a book with a Violet cover These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901
✔W - Read a book that features a Witch Into the Water
✔X - Read a book with an X in the title Darkly Dreaming Dexter
✔Y - Read a book by an author who is Younger than you Sundays Child: A Richard Nelson Detective Novel AA
✔Z - Read a book with Zoo in the title OR a Zoo is a big part of the story The Last Crocodile Hunter: A Father and Son Legacy AA

[Kathryn]

Noelene wrote: "I was having trouble finding authors with my same initials. Came across this site where you can search for famous people with your initials http://peoplebyinitials.com/ ( links up to Wikipedia). It..."

Did you find a suitable one in the end, Noelene? I just ordered my TBR list on Goodreads in alphabetical order and scrolled down to where the authors surnames started with the same initial as mine and then looked for anyone starting with "K". Still might be a bit tricky if your TBR list is small.

[Noelene]

Kathryn wrote: "Noelene wrote: "I was having trouble finding authors with my same initials. Came across this site where you can search for famous people with your initials http://peoplebyinitials.com/ ( links up t..."

Found two so far Nickolai Tolstoy and Newton Thornburg. Probably go with Newton as that was my maiden name. Local library has none of his books so will have to buy something.

Update Well I have to change my mind about Newton Thornburg apparently I will need to have deep pockets - most are $100 per copy unless I can find a used one or do an inter-library loan

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

This link is good - it has more modern authors as well.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/lis...
Although it doesn't help with NT. Who would have thought that combination would be rare!!!

[Li'l Owl]

Noelene wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Noelene wrote: "I was having trouble finding authors with my same initials. Came across this site where you can search for famous people with your initials http://peoplebyinitials.c..."

Noelene wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Noelene wrote: "I was having trouble finding authors with my same initials. Came across this site where you can search for famous people with your initials http://peoplebyinitials.c..."

YIKES!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Li'l Owl wrote: "I actually managed to get 6 Aussie authors! Only had 5 until I realized that Monty and Me by Louisa Bennet is one, too! Yea! =o)"

Love that book Owl!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Noelene wrote: "I was having trouble finding authors with my same initials. Came across this site where you can search for famous people with your initials http://peoplebyinitials.com/ ( links up to Wikipedia). It..."

Hahaha! That's a great link Noelene!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kerri wrote: "I'm only going to pencil a few of these in from my TBR for now and fill in the rest over the course of the year.

0/26

A - Read a book that has won an Award
B - Read a Best selling novel
C - Read..."

I'm a little confused Kerri - your "I" - author with the same initials as you is Christine Piper but your name starts with "K"....

But a great list so far! Some good titles :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Noelene wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Noelene wrote: "I was having trouble finding authors with my same initials. Came across this site where you can search for famous people with your initials http://peoplebyinitials.c..."

Good heavens! Keep looking Noelene!! Good luck!

[Noelene]

Found an author that is easy to access Nicole Trope and her books are reasonably priced.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Noelene wrote: "Found an author that is easy to access Nicole Trope and her books are reasonably priced."

Yes! Why didn't I think of her! She's an Aussie too Noelene! I loved Hush, Little Bird - in my opinion it's her best :)

Good find :)

[Valerie]

VL was almost impossible !

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes it would have been difficult!

[Kerri]

I'm a little confused Kerri - your "I" - author with the same initials as you is Christine Piper but your name starts with "K"....
..."
I used my surname Brenda, both start with a P

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kerri wrote: "I'm a little confused Kerri - your "I" - author with the same initials as you is Christine Piper but your name starts with "K"....
..."
I used my surname Brenda, both start with a P"

Oh I see - it's supposed to be your full initials Kerri :) As in KP ...

[Kathryn]

KE was tricky as well - and it was in the Aussie author challenge last year as well! And I haven't read the one I found for it yet - not sure if I'll get to it or not in the next 9 days! At least KE is a bit easier with authors from other countries!

[Dree]

Wow I didn't realise how lucky I was with my initials AR! I had 3 in my TBR without trying: Anne Rice, Anne Rule and Ann Rand