Annual Aussie Authors Challenge 1/1/18 - 31/12/18

[Nicola]

2 Female authors done

Crimson Lake / Candice Fox AA 5*

The Husband's Secret / Liane Moriarty AA 5*

[PattyMacDotComma]

Just enjoyed Luke Slattery's "imagined history", as he calls it, Mrs. M, which I've counted as Historical Fiction (a favourite genre).

It's an entertaining, completely fabricated romance between a couple of historical figures in early Sydney town. Such a painless way to learn a bit of history. :)
4★ Link to my review

[Odette]

Finished 5th book for this challenge.

I really enjoyed this beautifully written book, which was a 5 star read for me.

Favourite Genre - Historical Fiction
The Railwayman's Wife by Ashley Hay - 5★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I completely agree with you Odette - 5 stars for me too :)

[Odette]

Brenda wrote: "I completely agree with you Odette - 5 stars for me too :)"

I just loved the writing and also the depth of this book.

Now have been notified that Under the Cold Bright Lights by Garry Disher is ready to pick up at the Library. So with Marlborough Man on Borrow Box have two male Aussie authors now lined up to read.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nice!!

[Mell]

There’s a bunch of Australian books on sale on iBooks for Australia Day! I just got Working Class Boy for $4.99 so that will be added to my list!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Enjoyed my introduction to short stories by award-winner (female author) Jennifer Down. Colourful people in Pulse Points: Stories.
4★ Link to my review

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 12th - Fav. Genre (Historical Fiction) - Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat 5★s

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

[Kathryn]

I think I'm unlikely to finish any more books for this challenge this month, so this is my update for the first month of 2018.

Completed 4/24

Female authors
1. The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey - 4★



New releases
1. The Sisters' Song by Louise Allan - 4★



Favourite genre - Historical fiction
1. Stars Across the Ocean by Kimberley Freeman - 3.5★
2. We That Are Left by Lisa Bigelow - 3.5★

[Amanda]

Just finished my fourth. Z for Zany characters. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. Hilarious! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ace]

Finished my 3rd.

Male Authors
1. Tim Winton - Cloudstreet
5 shiny stars ⛤⛤⛤⛤⛤

[Carol]

Finished my first The Governesses: Letters From The Colonies 1862 1882 by Patricia Clarke
For a lover of Australian History like me it was an interesting read. It included many excerpts from these letters with commentary by the author. I particularly liked the grumpy ones who complained about everything! A serious work with some entertaining moments.

[Janine]

Finished 10/24

Male Authors
Lost by Michael Robotham 3*

[Kim]

Finished my second book in this challenge:-
Foal's Bread by Gillian Mears


Really enjoyed it - 4* (9/10).
My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Cheryl]

Level One

7/12
I've decided to abandon this challenge. I am finding it too difficult to find 2018 new releases that appeal to me!

Male Authors
1.
2.
3.

Female Authors
✔ 1. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
✔ 2. The Memory Stones by Caroline Brothers
✔ 3. New Guinea Moon by Kate Constable


Favourite Genre - Non-Fiction
✔ 1. The Dragon's Voice: How Modern Media Found Bhutan by Bunty Avieson
✔ 2. Offshore: Behind the wire on Manus and Nauru by Madeline Gleeson
✔ 3. Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall by Anna Funder

2018 New Releases
✔ 1. The Motivation Hoax: A Smart Person's Guide to Inspirational Nonsense by James Adonis
2.
3.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome Cheryl :) You're linked!

[Cheryl]

Brenda wrote: "Welcome Cheryl :) You're linked!"

Thank you Brenda!

[Jenny]

Finished the first three male authors.

Male Authors


1. And Fire Falls by Peter Watt - 4 ★ - 13 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Dark Heart by Tony Park - 4 ★ - 12 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3. Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher - 5 ★ - 17 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny]

Finished my first six Female Authors

Female Authors

1. The Medici Mistress by Clare Connelly - 4 ★ - 07 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Hindsight by Melanie Casey - 5 ★ - 06 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3. Craven by Melanie Casey - 5 ★ - 06 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4. Fortune's Son by Jennifer Scoullar - 5 ★ - 22 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5. The Greek Tycoon's Forbidden Affair by Clare Connelly - 4 ★ - 10 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

6. Spirits Of The Ghan by Judy Nunn - 5 ★ - 17 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny]

Finished my first New Releases

2018 New Releases

1. In Deep by Sage Nottley - 4 ★ - 3 / 1 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny]

Finished my first two Romantic Suspense

Favourite Genre - Romantic Suspense

1. The Kalista Diamond by Erin Moira O'Hara - 5 ★ - 15 / 1 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Come Rain Or Shine by Tricia Stringer - 4 ★ - 2 / 1 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Marie]

I'll go for Level 3 - 36 authors :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marie wrote: "I'll go for Level 3 - 36 authors :)"

I only link you to your post when you've said you'll join Marie - so I'll link post #326, which means you'll need to edit that one with your books :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And you're linked :)

[Krystal]

Finished my first AA fantasy for the year with the much anticipated Graevale by Lynette Noni

I loved it so much I gushed all over my review haha

Read it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Janine]

Finished 11/24

Male Authors
The Broken Shore by Peter Temple 3*

[Marie]

Brenda wrote: "Marie wrote: "I'll go for Level 3 - 36 authors :)"

I only link you to your post when you've said you'll join Marie - so I'll link post #326, which means you'll need to edit that one with your book..."
Level Three

33/36

Male Authors (6/9)
1. Winter John Marsden
2. Mrs Whitlam Bruce Pascoe
3. Songs That Sound Like Blood Jared Thomas
4. Maybe Morris Gleitzman
5. Loathing Lola Will Kostakis
6. Leviathan Scott Westerfeld
7.
8.
9.

Female Authors (9/9)
1. The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie May Gibbs
2. Fake Geek Girl Tansy Rayner Roberts
3. The Secret Science of Magic Melissa Keil
4. In the Dark Spaces Cally Black
5. Yellow Megan Jacobson
6. Whisper Chrissie Keighery
7. The Outsiders S.E. Hinton
8. No Limits Ellie Marney
9. Graffiti Moon Cath Crowley

2018 New Releases (9/9)
1. The Last Days Of Us Beck Nicholas
2. Tin Heart Shivaun Plozza
3. Lifel1k3 Jay Kristoff
4. Amelia Westlake Erin Gough
5. Obsidio Amie Kaufman Jay Kristoff
6. After the Lights Go Out Lili Wilkinson
7. Catching Teller Crow Ambelin Kwaymullina
8. Paper Cranes Don't Fly Peter Vu
9. Undying Amie Kaufman

Favourite Genre - young adult (9/9)
1. Lifespan of Starlight Thalia Kalkipsakis
2. Ida Alison Evans
3. Their Fractured Light Amie Kaufman Meagan Spooner
4. Take Three Girls Cath Crowley Simmone Howell Fiona Wood
5. Ballad for a Mad Girl Vikki Wakefield
6. Frayed Kara Terzis
7. When Michael Met Mina Randa Abdel-Fattah
8. A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares Krystal Sutherland
9. Untidy Towns Kate O'Donnell

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're linked Marie :)

[Deb]

Just starting a 'male author' for this challenge by Tim Winton

Looking forward to it, and apparently there is a film on the way too.

[Mish]

I'm off to a good start in the first month! 2 books ticked off from the list and I've given them both 4* !!

Annual Aussie Authors Challenge - Level 1

Male Authors
1. King of the Road by Nigel Bartlett
2. The Windy Season by Sam Carmody
3. Tom Houghton by Todd Alexander

Female Authors
1. Stars Across the Ocean by Kimberley Freeman - Finished 4*
2. Pig Boy by J.C. Burke
3. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta



2018 New Releases
1. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
2. Before I Let You Go by Kelly Rimmer
3. TBA

Favourite Genre - Contemporary
1. The Secret Recipe for Second Chances by J.D. Barrett
2. Breathing Under Water by Sophie Hardcastle Finished 4*
3. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 15th - Favourite genre (Mystery/Crime) - All That's Left Unsaid by Rowena Holloway 5★s

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

[Tien]

You know, Brenda, you're almost halfway to the goal which was supposed to be annual and it's only the beginning of Feb! can we have a super goal set up just for you? ha ha ha

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL! I'll probably do it again - and again!! I did that last year :)

[Tien]

:O :O :O you are amazing, Brenda!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha thanks Tien 😊

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 16th - 2018 New Releases - The Secret Vineyard by Loretta Hill 5★s

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

[Janine]

Finished my 12 & 13/24

Favourite Genre
Eden by Candice Fox 3*

Female Authors
The Traitor's Girl by Christine Wells 4*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 17th - 2018 New Releases - The Memories That Make Us by Vanessa Carnevale 5★s

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

[Kerrie]

Finished first by Di Morrissey
3* Mixed feelings. A good read for people wanting to get a feel of Vietnam but got very annoyed with some of the characters.
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Krystal]

Ticked off another fella with The Suspect by Michael Robotham

Sadly not the greatest thriller I've ever read.

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 18th - 2018 New Releases - Water Under the Bridge by Lily Malone 4.5★s

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

[Kathryn]

Hello! I'm a bit late to register for this challenge too, but could you please add my name. Kathryn W as there is another Kathryn :)

I have made a start, and am happy to have read a few wonderful Australian authors this year already.

I'll start with two sets, but will see how I go. Off to check out what others are reading. Best wishes.

13/24

Male Authors
1. John Marsden - Tomorrow, When the War Began
2. Richard Fidler and Kari Gislason Saga Land
3. Alan Carter Marlborough Man
4. Tim Winton Island Home
5. Steven Lang Hinterland
6. Kim Scott Taboo

Female Authors
1. Susan Mitchell Margaret and Gough
2. Heather Rose The Museum of Modern Love
3. Penni Russon Indigo Girls
4. Liane Moriarty Big Little Lies
5. Jane Harper Force of Nature
6. Liane Moriarty What Alice Forgot

2018 New Releases
1. Lisa Walker Paris Syndrome to be released in March
2. Penni Russon The Endsister released January
3. Louise Allan The Sisters' Song released January
4. Natasha Lester The Paris Seamstress expected release March
5. Holly Ringland The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart release March
6.

Favourite Genre/s
historical fiction
1. Hannah Kent The Good People
2. Kate Grenville The Secret River
3.
non fiction
4. Helen Garner Everywhere I Look
5. Jessica Sepel Living the Healthy Life
6.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome Kathryn :) You're linked! But Force of Nature was released in September 2017 here in Australia (I notice you're an Aussie) so perhaps you could put that in the Female Author slot? I think the one showing Feb is the US version :)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Welcome Kathryn :) You're linked! But Force of Nature was released in September 2017 here in Australia (I notice you're an Aussie) so perhaps you could put that in the Female Author..."

aha, thanks Brenda. Will do. And thanks for super speedy. cheers!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're welcome :)

[Nicola]

my first Genre - Scifi/Fan
Time Machines Repaired While-U-Wait / K.A. Bedford 5*

[Deb]

I had better get cracking on those 2018 releases so I can escalate to a new level. I am having a hard time with 'favourite genera' though; I have so many favourites....

Male Authors
1.The Unmourned by Thomas Keneally
2.Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey
3. Breath by Tim Winton


Female Authors
1. Tower of Thorns by Juliet Marillier
2. Closing Down bySally Abbott
3. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton


2018 New Releases
1.
2.
3.


Favourite Genre
1. A Life Underwater by Charlie Veron
2.
3.

[MaryG2E]

Second week of February and I'm half way through this year-long challenge! I did not expect this rapid progress at all. Lots of excellent writing from excellent Aussie Authors.
Annual Aussie Author Challenge 2018
Level One
Progress: 6/12

Male Authors
1. The Unbroken Line by Alex Hammond
2. First Person by Richard Flanagan 4★s
3. Certain Admissions: A Beach, a Body and a Lifetime of Secrets by Gideon Haigh

Female Authors
1. Force of Nature by Jane Harper 4★s
2. At Home With the Templetons by Monica McInerney 4.5★s
3. The Lone Child by Anna George 5★s

2018 New Releases
1.
2.
3.

Favourite Genre (Historical fiction)
1. Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks 5★s
2. The Unmourned by Meg Keneally and Thomas Keneally 5★s
3. Beyond the Orchard by Anna Romer

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Deborah and Mary! We certainly have a lot of talented writers in Australia :)