Armchair August - Travelling Challenge!

[Deb]

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..."

Good Money sounds like a ripping good read. I am glad you DNFed the one you were not enjoying. Forcing yourself to sit down and read, I have decided, is going against the soul of the reading challenge. A couple of times I have forced myself to keep going with a challenge book I would have abandoned otherwise, so I know the feels.

[Brad]

Well we are halfway through August, and I am still on book one of the challenge: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I am on page 582 of 796. Some days it is a real struggle to make headway, but other days the story flies by! Let's hope it is a good finish!

[Icewineanne]

Brad wrote: "Well we are halfway through August, and I am still on book one of the challenge: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. I am on page 582 of 796. Some days it is ..."

Cheers to you for attempting such a long classic during August :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 7th - "C" of SCOTLAND - The Country Wedding by Barbara Hannay 5★s

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

[Laura Tenfingers]

Has anybody read On the Blue Train by Kristel Thornell? I'm struggling but don't like quitting a book. Did you enjoy it?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I enjoyed it very much Laura when I read it last year :) Here's my review if you're interested.

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

[Connie]

Finished my first book The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum 5 stars

[Laura Tenfingers]

Brenda wrote: "I enjoyed it very much Laura when I read it last year :) Here's my review if you're interested.

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

Thanks Brenda. I'm going to keep on it!

[Jenny]

Finished my third book

Spell-it-out

"H"


House of Spies by Daniel Silva - 5 ★

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

[Kylie]

I've been struck down with a nasty headcold over the last few days so haven't felt like doing too much reading, particularly actual traditional paperbacks! However I had to go to Melbourne yesterday for an eye check up (a good 4 hour + train ride one way) so managed to get my second book for this challenge completed - Task #1 - The Returning Tide by Liz Fenwick. One of my best reads for 2017 so far, 5 stars. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I enjoyed it very much Laura when I read it last year :) Here's my review if you're interested.

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

I do hope it picks up for you Laura :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kylie wrote: "I've been struck down with a nasty headcold over the last few days so haven't felt like doing too much reading, particularly actual traditional paperbacks! However I had to go to Melbourne yesterda..."

Bad luck about the cold Kylie - great you had such a good read though :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 8th - place name in title - Murder in Calistoga by Dianne Harman 3★s

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

[Janine]

Finished 9/10

U (of RUSSIA)
Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard 3*

[Deb]

Well, by Penelope Green is done and dusted, I am most of the way through my last book too.... I might have to escalate this challenge :)

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

[Suzie]

Finished my second book #1 Geographical All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven 4 stars, bit of a tear jerker

[Calzean]

Six down six to go.

[Janine]

Challenge Complete

1). Geographical Setting: Read a book set in a different country than your own. USA
You Can't Hide by Karen Rose READ 4*

2). Travel: Read a book where the main character travels to another country.
Beneath the Parisian Skies by Alli Sinclair(AA) READ 3*

3). Cover Hunt: Read a book with a picture of a mode of transport on the cover.(Scooter)
The Rome Affair by Karen Swan READ 4*

4). Title: Read a book with a PLACE NAME in the title
The Paris Wedding by Charlotte Nash(AA) READ 4*



SPELL-IT-OUT

R - Scared to Death by Rachel Amphlett(AA) 4*READ
U - Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard READ 3*
S - Secrets of the Tulip Sisters by Susan Mallery READ 3*
S - Look Again by Lisa Scottoline READ 3*
I - Never let me go by Kazuo Ishiguro READ 3*
A - Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo READ 5*

[Laura Tenfingers]

Done with #6 (6/10)! On the Blue Train by Kristel Thornell AA ★★★☆☆

I really enjoyed her writing style and how she interwove tidbits about the trials and tribulations of being human. And yet, at the same time I wasn't really engaged and had a hard time sticking to it. Not sure why, but overall it was alright and I'd give her another go.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Janine!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Done with #6 (6/10)! On the Blue Train by Kristel Thornell AA ★★★☆☆

I really enjoyed her writing style and how she interwove tidbits about the trials and tribulati..."

Glad you finally managed to get through it Laura!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 9th (last task) - #3 vehicle on cover (cars) - After She's Gone by Sheryl Browne 4.5★s

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

[Deb]

Time to escalate!!

Since I finished my easy challenge last night with, I am going to try and squeeze in a Hard challenge with the remainder of August - There is a weekend coming up after all.

For my spell it out I am going to MALTA. Perhaps not the place I most want to visit in Europe, but it is definitely in my top ten and I can fill it from my Acquired-as-yet-unread bookshelf.

M - May Gibbs, Mother Of The Gumnuts by Maureen Walsh AA
A - A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
L - Life In Hanoi by Pam Scott AA
T - They Do It With Mirrors by Agatha Christie
A - All Flesh is Grass byClifford D. Simak

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice Deborah :) I have linked you in again as Part 2 :)

[Amanda]

Well, I'm about half way through my first for this month! Kimberley Sun by Di Morrissey. Aussie of course. I'm really enjoying it. I've always wanted to go to Broome & now I REALLY REALLY want to go. Especially as it's cold & wet in Melbourne. ⛈❄️🌈. I have read another book though that's not on any of my challenge lists - Commonwealth by Ann Patchett. It's set in America. Can I put that one in?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Amanda wrote: "Well, I'm about half way through my first for this month! Kimberley Sun by Di Morrissey. Aussie of course. I'm really enjoying it. I've always wanted to go to Broome ..."

It looks like it would fit #1 Amanda, so you can change your original choice to this one if you want :)

[Ace]

Finished my 4th of 9 for GIBRALTAR

Roseblood by Paul Doherty

[Laura Tenfingers]

Just finished my 7th (7/10). Takes place in a country not your own: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young ★☆☆☆☆

[Ace]

Laura wrote: "Just finished my 7th (7/10). Takes place in a country not your own: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young ★☆☆☆☆"

Ooh. Hope your next book is better!

[Diana]

After two or three swaps I have finally settled on my last book for this challenge. The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue Des Martyrs. I am a Francophile so this one really appeals to me. A couple of chapters in and so far, so good.

[Laura Tenfingers]

Ace wrote: "Laura wrote: "Just finished my 7th (7/10). Takes place in a country not your own: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young ★☆☆☆☆"

Ooh. Hope your next book is better!"

Thanks! I should have known better... but it was quick at least.

[Nicola]

2nd book of the challenge done
4). Title: Read a book with a PLACE NAME in the title,
In Tasmania: Adventures at the End of the World / Nicholas Shakespeare AA

[Brad]

Finally finished book 1. Yay!
The Brothers Karamazov.
Starting Book 2, The Mahogany Ship by Australian author Christopher Cartwright.

And unless I am struck blind, it shouldn't take 19 days to read.

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

[Amanda]

Brenda wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Well, I'm about half way through my first for this month! Kimberley Sun by Di Morrissey. Aussie of course. I'm really enjoying it. I've always wanted t..."
Thanks Brenda. I will do that!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 10th - "S" of SCOTLAND - The Choke by Sofie Laguna 5★s

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

[Jane]

After spending the first week of August down with the flu I've managed to get through more books than I thought so upping my challenge to HARD and heading off to SPAIN :

S - The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 5* AA
P - The Kraken Project by Douglas Preston 4*
A - The Activist by John Grisham 4*
I - The Innocent by Harlan Coben 4*
N - Need You Dead by Peter James

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Jane! One to go :)

[Dree]

Yay finished my challenge!

Read some really good books this time - so that was an extra bonus :) :)
I might add some extras if I can

1) ✔ Different country (England) - Silent Child by Sarah A Denzil ★★★1/2
2) ✔ MC travels abroad - Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter ★★★★
3) ✔ Transport on cover - The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham ★★★★
4) ✔ Place name - The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman ( AA) ★★★★1/2

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Dree!

[Connie]

Finished Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

[Laura Tenfingers]

Done with #8 (8/10)-geographical setting- Lord John and the Haunted Soldier by Diana Gabaldon ★★★☆☆

[Kylie]

Congratulations to you Dree! Well done! I'm halfway through my third of my four, so hoping I'll get them both completed in the last 11 days of this month. :)

I can certainly sympathise with you Jane (still struggling with my bout of sickness at present), but what an awesome effort to up your challenge to hard, especially after battling the flu! :)

[Jane]

Kylie wrote: "Congratulations to you Dree! Well done! I'm halfway through my third of my four, so hoping I'll get them both completed in the last 11 days of this month. :)

I can certainly sympathise with you Ja..."

Thanks Kylie - it was sleep, read, sleep, read! Get better soon.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Travel to another country:
Fun! Wish You Were Here - a Thelma and Louise (no Louise) sorting-herself-out, warts-and-all road trip across America in a bright red, 1989 muscle car!

By Sheridan Jobbins, Aussie journalist, screenwriter, TV presenter.
4★ Link to my review

[Lynxie]

Finished my second book for the challenge:

1). Geographical Setting: The Mistake I Made by Paula Daly - UK ★★★

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

[Suzie]

Brenda, would cover count as a mode of travel? There are tracks but no train

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 11th - "O" of SCOTLAND - One Dark Night by Anna Faversham 5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Suzie wrote: "Brenda, would cover count as a mode of travel? There are tracks but no train"



Suzie I think there might be an engine under Oprah's sticker ;) No problems :) And I'll be curious as to your thoughts when you're done!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Lol ! It's a very tiny engine;)
It's a very good book though.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Extremely Phrynne - couldn't you see the nose of it? ;P