Armchair August - Travelling Challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Enjoy Deborah :)

[Laura Tenfingers]

Just finished #9 (9/10), only one more to go!
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr ★★★★★

Beautiful book!!

[Li'l Owl]

Suzie wrote: "Li'l Owl wrote: "MichelleG wrote: "Owl, your motivation sounds delicious! I've very jealous ;)"

I kept over reaching my reading challenges, always going for the most difficult levels then wasn't a..."

It's working for me so far, Suzie!

[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..."

No 1 and final readThe Women in the Castle
5 stars, loved it. Small review added.
This has been quite a challenge for me even though compared to others who are more knowledgeable in literary circles and seem to be able to put their hands onto titles with ease. It takes me hours to find books that appeal and fit the criteria for challenges. I have enjoyed the challenge and many thanks to all those who have the task of inventing such challenges. I will give it a break for the moment may look at another small one as soon as I have completed the illustration for a book cover for a friend. I have spoken to her about Goodreads and emerging authors. I will press it further when the book is published, her 2nd book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "Just finished #9 (9/10), only one more to go!
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr ★★★★★

Beautiful book!!"

Glad you enjoyed it Laura :) I loved it too!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jeanette wrote: "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 ..."

Congratulations Jeanette!

[Kylie]

Just finished my third book for this challenge; task #4 - read a book with a place name in the title - River Run by Nicole Alexander. Took a little longer to complete than I thought due to a nasty illness, but thoroughly enjoyed my first read of hers, 5 stars. :)

One to go, which I have got about 1/4 listened to. :)

[MaryG2E]

Laura wrote: "Just finished #9 (9/10), only one more to go!
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr ★★★★★

Beautiful book!!"

I agree, Laura, one of my best of all time reads.

[MaryG2E]

MichelleG wrote: "Love your photo Mary :)"

Thanks Michelle. My gorgeous Golden Retriever, Angel. <3

[Amanda]

Have finished my second - am clearly not going to achieve 4! And it was a left over from July. Kimberley Sun by Di Morrissey. Most enjoyable.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished:)
Travelling Challenge

10/10

TASKS

1). Geographical Setting: Read a book set in a different country than your own.
Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham AA. 5 stars
2). Travel: Read a book where the main character travels to another country.
In the Company of Strangers by Liz Byrski AA 4 stars
3). Cover Hunt: Read a book with a picture of a mode of transport on the cover.
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly 4 stars
4). Title: Read a book with a PLACE NAME in the title.
Daintree by Annie Seaton AA 4 stars



SPELL-IT-OUT
A A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George 5 stars
L The Last Confession of Thomas Hawkins by Antonia Hodgson 4 stars
A Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine 4 stars
S Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo 4 stars
K Killer Takes All by Erica Spindler 4 stars
A Alloria by David Staniforth 3 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Phrynne :)

[Icewineanne]

Yes, congrats, almost all of your books were 4 star reads, you lucky gal :)

[Diana]

Well done Phyrnne.

[Jenn]

All finished we a couple of days to spare :)
Level: Hard
Read: 11/11

I Isla's Inheritance by Cassandra Page AA 4 stars

R Kel Robertson ---Smoke and Mirrors: A Brad Chen Novel 2 AA 4 stars

E Janet Evanovich ----Notorious Nineteen 3.5 stars

L Loretta Hill --- The Maxwell Sisters AA 4 stars

A Keri Arthur by Chasing the Shadows AA 4 stars

N Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper 4.5 stars

D Dark Heart by Jamie Garrett 3.5 Stars

Tasks
1. Geographical setting - Outside Australia
Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich 3.5 stars

2. Travel - main character travels to another country
Drink with the Devil by Jack Higgins 4.5 stars

3. Cover hunt - Picture of mode of transport on the cover Along Country Roads by Mandy Magro AA has a car on the cover 5 stars

4. Title has a place name in it
Daintree by Annie Seaton AA 5 stars

[Nicola]

No 3 finished
3). Cover Hunt: Read a book with a picture of a mode of transport on the cover. Steamship
Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World / Matthew Goodman
and 1/2 way through the last one!

[Kylie]

Terrific work Jennifer!

Laura, I'm sure you'll get your last one read before the end of Thursday. :) I'm glad you enjoyed the penultimate read for the month. :)

And snap Nicola! I'm pretty much in the same boat as you! :) We can do it! :) The only difference is I'm currently about two thirds through task #3 now!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Jennifer! Great job :)

[Connie]

Finished my last book Life of Pi Yann Martel

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Connie :)

[MaryG2E]

I finished my four for the Easy level, but realise I have read sufficient other books to satisfy the requirements of the Medium level, which is Spell-It-Out.

I've always wanted to visit the Bahamas, and before the end of August, I think I might just have got there in my armchair!
Progress: 7/7
B: The Blackhouse by Peter May 3★s
A: Angels by Marian Keyes 3.5★s
H: After the Darkness by Honey Brown (AA) 3.5★s
A: Battle Lines by Andy McNab 4★s
M: Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham (AA) 5★s
A: A Man's Got To Have A Hobby: Long Summers With My Dad by William McInnes (AA) 3.5★s
S: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 5★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Mary! Fantastic effort!

[Helen]

Everyone is doing so well ihave read 3 out of the 4 I have picked so far I will put the list up when I can 😀

[Deb]

M from MALTA is done by Maureen Walsh AA

I was delighted to read the biography of the woman who created such very iconic images - it was also a very nice biography about an Australian woman trying to establish a career in a male dominated time.

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

And my second A is byAgatha Christie
review; https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Which means I am all done:)


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<?s> byClifford D. Simak

[Suzie]

I finished my replacement book for #3 Cover by Colson Whitehead. Contrary to popular opinion, it was only a 2 star read for me. Now onto my final book for the challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Deborah! And you're on the home run Helen and Suzie (and all the others who are on their last!) Still a couple of days!

[Zoey]

Unfortunately not going to make it this month. 3 out of 4 for me. Will have to save Crimson Lake for another time

3/4
1). Geographical Setting: Tiger Paw by Charles A. Cornell (set in US) 3★
2). Travel: Mount! by Jilly Cooper (travels from UK to L.A, Dubai & Melb) 2★
3). Cover Hunt: Serendipity by Lisa Clark O'Neill (Car) 4.5★
4). Title: Crimson Lake by Candice Fox AA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Zoey - three is excellent!!

[Diana]

Well done Zoey.

[Laura Tenfingers]

I'm not a book quitter... but there's a first time for everything.

My last book is King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett. I'm up to page 422 of 721 (and miniscule font!) and I just can't do it! I really wish I could but it's too much!

I love Dorothy Dunnett but simultaneously feel like I'm being mentally thrashed while reading her work.

So, I'm sticking a fork in it and calling it done.

[Li'l Owl]

Laura wrote: "I'm not a book quitter... but there's a first time for everything.

My last book is King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett. I'm up to page 422 of 721 (and miniscule font!) a..."

I'm not either, Laura, but I had to give up on one this year, too, as it seems there's always one in every batch along the way! Good for you to call it quits! Life's too short =o)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Laura wrote: "I'm not a book quitter... but there's a first time for everything.

My last book is King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett. I'm up to page 422 of 721 (and miniscule font!) a..."

Well done Laura! You have well and truly gone above and beyond if it's that bad! The amount of pages you've already read completely covers a "normal" book length! Life's far too short to keep reading something you're not enjoying... so great decision!

[Nicola]

2nd last book is done.
2016 The Lord of Ireland / E.M. Powell
I'll be pushing the last book to the midnight hour on Thursday but will do my best to finish it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Nicola! Good luck with your last :)

[Kylie]

Wise decision Laura, and yes - I'd count that as a completed book (even if you didn't finish it) for the number of pages read. :) I'd have done the same thing... and I'm very much with your line of thinking on sticking with it. :)

I hope you can finish Nicola! :)

On a personal note, I now can mark this challenge complete, having just finished Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn. My first read by her, and it was brilliant - 5 stars. :)

****

COMPLETED 30/08! :)

4/4

TASKS

1). Geographical Setting: Read a book set in a different country than your own. The Returning Tide by Liz Fenwick. Set in Cornwall, England. Completed 15/08, 5 stars.

2). Travel: Read a book where the main character travels to another country. Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen MC leaves Ireland for America. Completed 10/08, 3.5-4 stars.

3). Cover Hunt: Read a book with a picture of a mode of transport on the cover. Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn AA. Completed 30/08, 4 stars.

4). Title: Read a book with a PLACE NAME in the title. River Run by Nicole Alexander AA. Completed 26/08, 5 stars.

[Amanda]

Brenda wrote: "Laura wrote: "Just finished #9 (9/10), only one more to go!
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr ★★★★★

Beautiful book!!"

Glad you enjoyed it Laura :) I love..."
It's interesting how many people love that book but I didn't finish it. Didn't hate it, just lost interest!

[Amanda]

Have made some progress with Ghost Empire by Richard Fidler for my travel to different places. I'm 65% there, but it's a longish book, nearly 500 pages. So that will be 3 out of 4. I set the bar low!

[Li'l Owl]

Well done, Kylie!! =o)

[Li'l Owl]

Amanda wrote: "Have made some progress with Ghost Empire by Richard Fidler for my travel to different places. I'm 65% there, but it's a longish book, nearly 500 pages. So that wil..."

Hang in there, Amanda!

You can do it, Nicola!

[Kylie]

Li'l Owl wrote: "Well done, Kylie!! =o)"

Thank you Owl! :)

Keep going Amanda, I'm sure you'll get it completed! :)

[Carolyn]

I finished my last two books for this challenge yesterday (reviews to follow), a very enjoyable trip to Spain!

✔ S The Other Girl by Erica Spindler 4★
✔ P Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat AA 3★
✔ A Prime Cut by Alan Carter AA 3.5★
✔ I Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews 4★
✔ N Before the Fall by Noah Hawley 5★



Tasks:
✔ 1. Geographical: Daring to Drive: A Saudi Woman’s Awakening by Manal al-Sharif 5★
✔ 2. Travel: Feel Me Fall by James Morris (mc travels from the US to the Amazon) 4★
✔ 3. Transport: A Sunburnt Childhood by Toni Tapp Coutts (rider on a horse) AA 4★
✔ 4. Place: The Girl from Munich by Tania Blanchard AA 3★

[Richard]

Updated msg 31.

Completed 5/8 books.

[Brad]

Huzzah! Finished the "Easy" challenge

1). Geographical Setting: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
2). Travel: The Mahogany Ship by AA Christopher Cartwright.
3). Cover Hunt: by D.A. Wearmouth.
4). Title: This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I say "Easy" but reading two classic pieces of literature in a month was tough!
However I enjoyed the 796p Russian tome "The Brothers Karamazov" much more than the last book "This Side of Paradise" (Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)

Have to read a short story now to fill in time before the next challenge which starts tomorrow!!!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Finished my last, Cover Hunt (boat), with Sami Shah's informative, entertaining The Islamic Republic of Australia. Read and learn from a smart, ex-Muslim, Australian comedian!
4.5★ Link to my review

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Kylie, Carolyn, Brad and Patty!

Great effort everyone who finished, almost finished and just enjoyed another month of reading :)

[MichelleG]

Hi all,

I finally finished my last book for the challenge just in the nick of time last night. Many thanks as always to the Mod's for the fantastic challenge :)

Armchair August - Travelling Challenge

Level: Hard - TASKS and SPELL-IT-OUT (Read min 9 books) three Aussie authors

Progress: 14/14

TASKS

✔ 1). Geographical Setting: - Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella. Read: 14 Aug 2017, Rated: 3 stars
✔ 2). Travel: - The Undead Pool Kim Harrison. Read: 2 Aug 2017, Rated: 4 stars
✔ 3). Cover Hunt: - Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh. Read: 24 Aug 2017, Rated: 4 stars
✔ 4). Title: - Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond by Kim Harrison. Read: 2 Aug 2017, Rated: 4 stars


SPELL-IT-OUT: Seychelles
✔ S - Soulless by Gail Carriger. Read: 14 Aug 2017, Rated: 5 stars
E - Elianne by Judy NunnAA
✔ Y - The Yearbook Committee by Sarah AyoubAA. Read: 26 Aug 2017, Rated: 4 stars
✔ C - Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull. Read: 18 Aug 2017, Rated: 5 stars
✔ H - The Hating Game by Sally Thorne AA. Read: 17 Aug 2017, Rated: 4 stars
✔ E - Empower by Jessica ShirvingtonAA. Read: 31 Aug 2017, Rated: 4 stars
✔ L - The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand. Read: 15 Aug 2017, Rated: 5 stars
✔ L - Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare. Read: 14 Aug 2017, Rated: 5 stars
✔ E - Elantris by Brandon Sanderson. Read: 10 Aug 2017, Rated: 5 stars
✔ S - The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Read: 17 Aug 2017, Rated: 3 stars

[Sally906]

In by the skin of my teeth - sat up until just before midnight to finish my last one!!!

Here is my completed August Challenge:

Geographical Setting: Queen of America by T.J. Slee - Aussie author - - 2★s
How it fits: set in Europe and USA

Travel: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick - 5★s
How it fits: MC travels from England to Paris and on to India as part of his journey

Cover Hunt: The Secrets She Keeps: The life she wanted wasn't hers . . . by Michael Robotham - Aussie Author - 5★s
How it fits: There is a pram on the cover – used to transport babies

Title: Australia Day by Melanie Cheng - 2★s
How it fits: Yorkshire is a place name

[Ace]

Well done Michelle and Sally. I failed miserably as I have guests on board and no time for reading.

Thanks to the moderators for another creative challenge.

[MichelleG]

Thanks Ace and well done Sally. I too was reading right up til the wire.

[Helen]

Well I got 3 out of the 4 done thoroughly enjoyed the ones I read and will get to the one with a form of transport on it soon :)

Thanks

Have Fun
Helen