March Challenge - Reduce that TBR!

[Vickie]

Just finished my first book over the lunch break, #9 first book in a series new to me, Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers (1923), a classic murder mystery and the first of Lord Peter Wimsey. The story alternated between 4 stars and 3 for me; ended on a 3. I will still probably try the sequels.


★★★☆☆

Original post updated with rating and link to 20-word review.

[Mary]

#1. A book on your TBR for a long time
by Emma Donoghue 5*

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

[Mary]

Vickie wrote: "Just finished my first book over the lunch break, #9 first book in a series new to me, Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers (1923), a classic murder mystery and the first ..."

I read this series in my teens, then my 20s, and 30s, and .... lol I'm too old to continue! But Dorothy L Sayers was a pivotal part of my love for the English detective story and my parents had the set.

[Janine]

Finished my 3rd

#7 Published in 2017
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox(AA) 5*

[Janine]

Finished my 4th

#3 Animal on Cover
The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb 3*

[Nicola]

Ok, only signing up for 3 this month - need to get organised!
#6. A book involving travel
A Pirate of Exquisite Mind: Explorer, Naturalist, and Buccaneer: The Life of William Dampier / Diana Preston
#7. A book published in 2017
The Demons of Butte Crack County: A Dave vs the Monsters Anthology / John Birmingham (Jan 17)*
#8. A book by an author from a country you've never visited
Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil / Deborah Rodriguez

[Karen]

Janine wrote: "Finished my 4th

#3 Animal on Cover
The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb 3*"

That is one interesting, funny sounding title! Was it any good?

[Vickie]

Mary wrote: "I read this series in my teens, then my 20s, and 30s, and .... lol I'm too old to continue! But Dorothy L Sayers was a pivotal part of my love for the English detective story and my parents had the set. "

I've only been reading Agatha Christie before Dorothy L Sayers and find myself comparing the two a lot as I read the first of the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I prefer the former author, but I think I will try more of the latter, particularly since one of my favourite books (To Say Nothing of the Dog) heavily referenced work from both of them. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Karen wrote: "Janine wrote: "Finished my 4th

#3 Animal on Cover
The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb 3*"

That is one interesting, funny so..."

I quite enjoyed it when I read it Karen :)

[Li'l Owl]

3/6 for this challenge


#3. Animal on the Cover
There's an Owl in the Shower Jean Craighead George ★★★★★

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

#9. First in a Series New to Me
Hades by Candice Fox ★★★★★

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

[Li'l Owl]

Janine wrote: "Finished my 4th

#3 Animal on Cover
The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb 3*"

Aww What fun. I must read this series. =o)

[Stef]

8. A book by an author from a country I have never visited (Japan)


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

Sadly not an aussie book

[Deb]

Finished the second, and very glad I finally got around to it. It has actually been on my to-read shelves since about 2007

Unreliable Memoirs by Clive James AA, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Mary]

Deborah wrote: "Finished the second, and very glad I finally got around to it. It has actually been on my to-read shelves since about 2007

Unreliable Memoirs by Clive James AA, https..."

Thanks for the review. I love listening to Clive James but wondered whether or not to read this. I'll make the effort now. Well, I will when I get that far down my list!

[Valerie]

I've started three of mine at the same time for some unknown reason, but I'm enjoying them all so far

[Kathryn]

I've finished 2 of my books for this challenge, and am currently in the middle of 2:

Finished
#2. A season in the title – Autumn Manor by Helen Goltz (AA) - 4★
#6. Involving travel – The Amber Trail by M.J. Kelly (AA) - 4★
Reviews still pending for both.

Current reads
#8. By an author from a country you've never visited – Freedom Fighter: One Man's Fight for One Free World by Majed El Shafie - at least, I think the author seems like he comes from countries I haven't visited - somewhere in Asia/the Middle East - but I haven't quite worked out where he comes from yet!
#10. Wartime novel - The House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Banner

[Mary]

Vickie wrote: "Mary wrote: "I read this series in my teens, then my 20s, and 30s, and .... lol I'm too old to continue! But Dorothy L Sayers was a pivotal part of my love for the English detective story and my pa..."

Yes. Mum and Dad had all the Agatha Christie's too so I've read them many times too. When I was young I preferred Hercule Poirot but as I got older I definitely became more of a Miss Marple fan. I think that they are quite different writers and I can enjoy both writers still. I haven't read the Connie Willis book but I read your review and put it on my TBR list.

[Li'l Owl]

Finished my 4th of 6

Eden by Candice Fox ★★★★

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

[Renee V]

Finished my second and third reads for this challenges
7) A book published in 2017:
Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
Sad that this series is finally over but I always enjoy Anne Bishop's books.

8) A book by an author from a country you've never visited:
Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs

[Mary]

Finished
#5. A bestseller from a genre you don't normally read
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin 2.5*
Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Sorry all you GOT lovers. I see the attraction but I just had too many problems with it.

[Vickie]

After quite a bit of struggle, I've finally finished my book for #3 animal on the cover: The Swan Book by Alexis Wright (2013), an Indigenous Australian author. The novel was a Miles Franklin nominee and in the shortlist for the 2014 Stella Prize.

This is where I show my ignorance and possibly foreignness by admitting that I have no idea what's going on in the book half the time. There's very justified anger towards the Australian Government for how they continually mistreat the Indigenous people. There's traumatisation from gang rape. And also pollution? Climate change? Black swans in the swamp? I tried but couldn't fully comprehend.


★★☆☆☆

Rating only shows book compatibility with me: not very compatible at all. Perhaps when my reading taste matures I would be able to understand and enjoy books like this. But for now, I can't foresee myself rereading it.

Original post updated with rating and link to 20-word review.

[Jenn]

Ok This is what I have read so far:

#1. A book on your TBR for a long time

#2. A book with one of the four seasons in the title Summer Knight by Jim Butcher 5 stars

#3. A book with an animal on the cover Lured by the Bear by Ashlee Sinn 3.5 stars

#4. A book by an author who uses a pseudonym The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) Currently reading

#5. A bestseller from a genre you don't normally read Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (Historical Fiction) 5 stars

#6. A book involving travel The Amber Trail by M.J. Kelly AA

#7. A book published in 2017 The Long Paddock by Alissa Callen AA 5 stars

#8. A book by an author from a country you've never visited Fool Moon by Jim Butcher 4 stars

#9. The first book in a series new to you Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry AA 5 stars

#10. A novel set in wartime Maggie's Kitchen by Caroline Beecham AA 4 stars

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Doing well Jennifer!

[Leonie]

Vickie wrote: "After quite a bit of struggle, I've finally finished my book for #3 animal on the cover: The Swan Book by Alexis Wright (2013), an Indigenous Australian author. The ..."

I have this book on my TBR. I've heard really good things about it, but also confusion, like yours :) I'll let you know where I end up on the scale of things when I've read it!

[Vickie]

Leonie wrote: "I have this book on my TBR. I've heard really good things about it, but also confusion, like yours :) I'll let you know where I end up on the scale of things when I've read it! "

The writing is undeniably beautiful but felt too deliberate. I actually hope everyone else would love it, because I appreciate the theme of the story a lot. Do let us know how you feel later!

[Loz]

I've finished my three. Will attempt to tackle more but I swear for every one TBR I read, I add another 3! It's never ending :)

3/3 Complete

#1. A book on your TBR for a long time -
Deep by Kylie Scott AA (TBR Nov 23, 2015) 3.5★
#2. A book with one of the four seasons in the title -
Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton (TBR Feb 15, 2017) 3★
#8. A book by an author from a country you've never visited -
The Soldier's E-Mail Order Bride by Cora Seton (US) (TBR April 15, 2015. Incidentally, my oldest TBR! It's about time!!) 3.75★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Loz! Not even half way through the month!

[Sally906]

Completion Post

I did Easy - and had 2 Aussie authors

#3. A book with an animal on the cover:
Who Killed The Bride? by Lily Malone (Cow on cover) – Aussie author - 4★s

#8. A book by an author from a country you've never visited:
Hex on the Beach by Gina LaManna (USA) - 4★s

#9. The first book in a series new to you:
A Time to Run by J.M. Peace – Aussie Author - 5★s (already downloaded the second book in the series>

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Sally:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congrats Sally!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Loved 11/22/63 because Stephen King is such a good writer, and he can be quite the romantic!

5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Second book for challenge: #5 - not usual genre (Science Fiction)

[Deb]

I have started , which feels a bit like a cheat, since it has not been on my 'to read' shelf for that long, only a couple of months.

[Mary]

Completed Medium
#1. A book on your TBR for a long time
by Emma Donoghue 5*

#3. A book with an animal on the cover
The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna AA 5*



#5. A bestseller from a genre you don't normally read
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin TBR

#6. A book involving travel by Helene Young AA TBR

#7. A book published in 2017 by Nicola Moriarty AA


#9. The first book in a series new to you by Kylie Scott AA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Mary!

[Mary]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Mary!"

Thanks Brenda. I'm pretty chuffed as it is the first I have actually completed in ages.

I've added another book to take me to the hard level. I've added Middlesex which I have had on my TBR list since 2014. That will feel very satisfying to get it read!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mary wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Mary!"

Thanks Brenda. I'm pretty chuffed as it is the first I have actually completed in ages.

I've added another book to take me to the hard level. I've added Mid..."

Oh lovely! Still 2 weeks to go :)

[Janine]

I have finished my 5th and final book for this challenge

#1. A book on your TBR for a long time
The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay(AA) 3*

#3. A book with an animal on the cover
The Anteater of Death by Betty Webb 3*

#4. A book by an author who uses a pseudonym
Echoes in Death by J.D. Robb 4*

#6. A book involving travel
Mrs. Pollifax and the Hong Kong Buddha by Dorothy Gilman 4*

#7. A book published in 2017
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox(AA) 5*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 4th - #8 Country never visited - Faithful Place by Tana French 4★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Janine!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Janine:)

[Jane]

Finished this challenge with:
#7. A book published in 2017 Crimson Lake by Candice Fox AA 4.5*

Really great book, but I couldn't quite stretch to 5 stars. I read the reviews before I read it and I think they set my expectations to high, but the story flowed well, some good twists and amazing in-depth characters.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 6th - #7 Published 2017 - The Hidden Hours by Sara Foster 5★s

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

Two to go :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Jane!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Great work Jane!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I still have three to go but it is only the 19th!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have 10 all up for March challenges which includes 2 from this one!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I think I have about six left altogether for March. And I have a couple I seriously want to read that are not in my challenges. Oh well just means less sleep:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Sleep is definitely over-rated ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Forgot to add here - finished my 7th - #4 Author uses a pseudonym - The Shifting Light by Alice Campion 4 Book club ladies from Sydney 4★s

[PattyMacDotComma]

Lucky last for me for this challenge # 6 A book involving travel, and by golly there was plenty of that.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is an amazing, award-winning debut.

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