Armchair August - Travelling Challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes Jenny :)

[Jenny]

Thank you, Brenda

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 4th - "T" of SCOTLAND - I Know A Secret by Tess Gerritsen 5★s

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

[Laura Tenfingers]

Odette wrote: "Finished my first book for this challenge. Set at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow over a number of years I found this a very pleasant read.

1). Geographical Setting:
[book:A Gentleman in Moscow|2587..."

I really enjoyed that one! It surprised me.

[Nicola]

Finished my first
1). Geographical Setting: Read a book set in a different country than your own.
The Tombs / Clive Cussler

[Li'l Owl]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kylie wrote: "Hi Brenda, does Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn count for Task #3?"

Sorry for the delay Kylie but I see my esteemed mod answered for m..."

LOL!

I like your mode of transport Kylie! Very clever!! ت

[Li'l Owl]

Lynxie wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have started my first... I feel like im a bit behind already."
Nah... I'm in the same boat as you Deborah, plodding along while the other speedy Gonzales' rip through their lists...."

Lynxie's right, Deborah. In my attempts to finish my challenges I found I was putting pressure on myself, then discovering that I wasn't having much fun reading as I once was. All my own doing, of course!
So I just kicked some of the challenges to the curb and am starting fresh. I'm also choosing the 'easy' levels from now on!

Remember, too, that you can edit your challenges and increase or decrease the levels, as well as, switching out books with others whenever, and however often you want. You can even use the same book for multiple challenges if you'd like to. I do it a lot!

You're doing well as long as you are having FUN reading. That is all that matters, my friend, so no worries. ت
I have just finished my first for this challenge as well. =o)

[Diana]

Li'l Owl wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have started my first... I feel like im a bit behind already."
Nah... I'm in the same boat as you Deborah, plodding along while the other speedy Gonzales' rip throu..."

I also found I was trying to rip through titles to meet challenges and not just enjoying the books so now I always plump for 'easy'. I am slogging my way through a very descriptive rich, big book (600 pages or so) so feel a bit behind on this challenge.

[Valerie]

SPELL-IT-OUT

Finished my first, which was ok but a bit ridiculous tbh !

F D'espoir et de promesse by Françoise Bourdin
R Unforgivable by Sharon Robards AA
A The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
N Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie 2★
C Chanson douce by Leïla Slimani
E In Certain Circles by Elizabeth Harrower AA

2

[Janine]

Finished my 4th

A of RUSSIA
Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo 5*

[Janine]

Finished my 5th

S of RUSSIA
Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Finished my 4th

A of RUSSIA
Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo 5*"

I just finished the next one in the series Janine! Such a fabulous series!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Set in another country: A Thousand Splendid Suns, is the story of two Afghan girls, by acclaimed author Khaled Hosseini, who wrote The Kite Runner about two Afghan boys. Literature and history. Win-win!
4.5★ Link to my review

[Laura Tenfingers]

I just finished my 4th (4/10) - the C in CANADA - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough AA ★★★★★
Absolutely stellar. I'm in shock.

[Li'l Owl]

Diana wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have started my first... I feel like im a bit behind already."
Nah... I'm in the same boat as you Deborah, plodding along while the other speedy Go..."

We seem to have learned the same thing regarding our challenges, Diana! Good for us! Lol

[Li'l Owl]

Finished my 2nd (2/4) Tasks

Geographical
Violent Exposure by Katherine Howell AA
5★'s

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

[Janine]

Finished my 6th

Tasks #1
Book Set in different country (USA)
You Can't Hide by Karen Rose 4*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 5th - "D" from SCOTLAND - Dark Secrets by Catherine Lee 4.5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "I just finished my 4th (4/10) - the C in CANADA - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough AA ★★★★★
Absolutely stellar. I'm in shock."

I remember loving this one many years ago Laura :)

[Carol]

I've just finished my second for this challenge (Cover), by Amitav Ghosh. Not as good as 'Sea of Poppies'. 3 stars from me.

[Kylie]

I've completed my first for this challenge. Task #2 (MC travels to another country) - Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen. 3.5 - 4 stars.

[Jenny]

Finish my second book - Spell-It-Out - M

My review for Master's Mates by Peter Corris - 5★

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

[Laura Tenfingers]

Brenda wrote: "Laura wrote: "I just finished my 4th (4/10) - the C in CANADA - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough AA ★★★★★
Absolutely stellar. I'm in shock."

I remember loving ..."

Now to read everything she's ever written 😍

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Not everything of hers is to that standard, but she certainly was a great writer. A big loss when she passed a couple of years ago...

[Jane]

Well in theory I've finished the easy level of 4 books with:

Place Name in Title: Mistake Creek by Rachel Amphlett AA 4*

However its only 11th August and I might be able to wrangle enough books together (read and planned) to sneak in SPAIN by the end of the month! Watch this space.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Go Jane!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 6th - "L" of SCOTLAND - The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman 5★s

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

[Diana]

I am tearing my hair out trying to get through my first book The Summer Before the War I can't tell you the number of times I've wanted to quit reading this book. It's taken me 11 days to get to page 328 and I still have around 250 more pages to go. I'm resisting quitting because it would be the first book I couldn't get through for an online book based group. I'm going to give it a good kick tomorrow and if I can't get more into it I will quit. It's holding up all my other reading and leaving me feeling drained. :(
What happens to a 'did not finish' on a challenge?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You've read enough of it to include it Diana. You would rate it with the amount you've read. IMO I wouldn't force myself to read it - life's too short and there are too many great books out there to persevere with one you're not enjoying!

[Diana]

Brenda wrote: "You've read enough of it to include it Diana. You would rate it with the amount you've read. IMO I wouldn't force myself to read it - life's too short and there are too many great books out there t..."

Thanks Brenda, I have quit and started a new book Good Money

[Icewineanne]

Laura wrote: "I just finished my 4th (4/10) - the C in CANADA - The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough AA ★★★★★
Absolutely stellar. I'm in shock."

One of my favourites too Laura :)

[Deb]

Finished my cover hunt with and it's Faster Than Light travel gate. great space opera book.

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

[Icewineanne]

Finished my 1st one - Yeay!!

The Seagull Ann Cleeves (Geograhical setting)

Excellent 4.5 Stars
Here's a link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[PattyMacDotComma]

Icewineanne wrote: "Finished my 1st one - Yeay!!

The Seagull Ann Cleeves (Geograhical setting)

Excellent 4.5 Stars
Here's a link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit......"

Here's your review Anne.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Diana]

After struggling through The Summer Before the War and declaring it a DNF 2 ★ I raced through Good Money 5 ★ my second book in this challenge. Loved the local references especially my favourite Vietnamese restaurant Thien An.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Diana wrote: "Brenda wrote: "You've read enough of it to include it Diana. You would rate it with the amount you've read. IMO I wouldn't force myself to read it - life's too short and there are too many great bo..."

Great decision Diana :) Enjoy your new one.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Diana wrote: "After struggling through The Summer Before the War and declaring it a DNF 2 ★ I raced through Good Money 5 ★ my second book in this challenge. Loved the local refere..."

And wow! I see you did!!

[Icewineanne]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Icewineanne wrote: "Finished my 1st one - Yeay!!

The Seagull Ann Cleeves (Geograhical setting)

Excellent 4.5 Stars
Here's a link to my review:

https://www.goodreads..."

Thanks so much for helping me out Patty. I posted the link late last night so i may have had a brain fart at that late hour :)

[Jeanette]

Jeanette wrote: "1). Geographical Setting: Read a book set in a different country than your own.
2). Travel: Read a book where the main character travels to another country.
3). Cover Hunt: Read a book with a pictu..."

A World of Other People FINISHED AA
The Alice Network FINISHED
Both books 5 star great reads. I have done a small review but forgotten how to link.

[Lynxie]

Finished my first:

4). Title: Read a book with a PLACE NAME in the title: The Girls From Alcyone by Cary Caffrey ★★★

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

[Suzie]

Finished my first book for this challenge #2 Travel. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. 3 1/2 stars

[Diana]

Finished book three Wrong About Japan: A Father's Journey with His Son by Peter Carey This slim volume journeys into Tokyo with an emphasis on anime and manga. A prelude to my trip there next year.

[Ace]

My update so far for GIBRALTAR

G Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood AA

T Tamar by Deborah Challinor AA

A Carpentaria by Alexis Wright AA DNF!!!!!
Replacement book The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

6 to go!!

[Laura Tenfingers]

I just finished my 5th (5/10) - 'A' in CANADA - Atonement by Ian McEwan ★★★★★

Quite amazing. Not until the end do you get the whole breadth of its amazingness. Really wow.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Going well everyone!!!

[Li'l Owl]

Finished my 3rd (3/4)
The Dick Francis Treasury of Great Racing Stories by Dick Francis
4★'s

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

[Janine]

Finished my 7th

S (of RUSSIA)
Look Again by Lisa Scottoline 3*

[Janine]

Finished my 8th

I (of RUSSIA)
Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Some great results so far everyone!

[Odette]

Finished 3rd book for this challenge.
This is the August read for my bookclub meeting this Thursday. I had to pace myself with this one, 50 pages a day. Happy Valley is Patrick White's first novel and was not to be re-published in his lifetime.

4: Title:
Happy Valley by Patrick White - 4★ AA