An additional Annual Challenge for 2018 - A-Z

[Odette]

Finished 19th book for this challenge. Another great read from Australian authors.

P - Read a book where the author uses a PSEUDONYM:
The Painted Sky by Alice Campion - 4★ AA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Odette :) And I agree - that was a good book!

[Nicola]

Book 25 done
M - Read a book where MAGIC is a main part
Steadfast / Mercedes Lackey4*

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Jazzy wrote: "20 books read, 6 books to go. Still looking for one with a knife on the cover. I thought I found one, but it was an icepick."

Try The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz. It’s good!

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Just finished Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Was pretty disappointing. Review here

[Jacm]

22/26!
D: a book with dark themes = The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris 4★
I don't quite have the words for this true story just yet. Only to say that Morris has done brilliant job of translating the real life story into a beautifully written tale of love and loss.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Jacm and yes, a brilliantly written and researched book :)

[Krystal]

I DNF my borrowed book, Rise Sister Rise: A Guide to Unleashing the Wise, Wild Woman Within by Rebecca Campbell at 40% so I'm substituting it with The Power Is Within You by Louise L. Hay.

Both books were borrowed from Mum, who seemed to appreciate RSR a lot more than me.

Here are my reviews:

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

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

[Odette]

Finished 12/26 books:

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good:
(Music plays a part in the background of this book. In the short chapter titled The Musicians, on page 146, 'xylophone' is in the text.)
The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury - 4★

[Marianne]

Two left to do, and this morning I realised, to my delight, that my next up read, The Fireflies of Autumn, and other tales of San Ginese has a season in the title :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "Finished 12/26 books:

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good:
(Music plays a part in the background of this book. In the short chapter titled The Musicians, o..."

Good job finding xylophone in the text Odette!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marianne wrote: "Two left to do, and this morning I realised, to my delight, that my next up read, The Fireflies of Autumn, and other tales of San Ginese has a season in the title :)"

Good when that happens isn't it!

[Marianne]

And then I realised that a bit further on, I have The Last Summer of Ada Bloom. Now I just need to come across a queen...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ha! Yes the queen is a little harder...

[Marianne]

I've seen a queen referred to in the text now and then, but it didn't feel like a proper mention.
Also, if I find a "yellower" cover...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Here's a good yellow cover for you - Let Us Prey

[Marianne]

LOL, I'm hoping to come across something in my actual TBR, not add to it!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Funny! I knew you'd say that ;)

[Jazzy]

Marianne - You could always read The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes and it's free over here:

http://library.globalchalet.net/Autho...

[Jazzy]

Phrynne wrote: "Jazzy wrote: "20 books read, 6 books to go. Still looking for one with a knife on the cover. I thought I found one, but it was an icepick."

Try The Word Is Murder by [author:Anthon..."

thanks Phrynne I'll see if i can find the book!

[MaryG2E]

Odette wrote: "Finished 12/26 books:

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good:
(Music plays a part in the background of this book. In the short chapter titled The Musicians, o..."

Well spotted Odette! I have a book in mind to fulfil X in the challenge, but it is just a book relating to music.

[Marianne]

Jazzy wrote: "Marianne - You could always read The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes and it's free over here:

http://library.globalchale..."

???

[Marianne]

MaryG2E wrote: "Odette wrote: "Finished 12/26 books:

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good:
(Music plays a part in the background of this book. In the short chapter titled T..."

We See the Stars by Aussie author Kate van Hooft also has a xylophone in the text

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marianne wrote: "Jazzy wrote: "Marianne - You could always read The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes and it's free over here:

http://libra..."

It's a PDF on the link Jazzy gave :)

[Odette]

Oops! made a typo in the previous posting should have been 21/26 not 12/26. Must have been more excited about finding the xylophone!

Now, I have read 22/26 books for this challenge, after finishing:

O - Read a book with a ONE word title:
Daintree by Annie Seaton - 4★ AA
This was a quick read for me and enjoyed the location, suspense and romance. Now I will have to read her book about Dru, the third sister.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Bonus Odette! Good job - and yes Annie's sister trilogy is really good! Her latest - Whitsunday Dawn - was brilliant IMO!

[Odette]

I did not know about Whitsunday Dawn and only recently published. Will have to add that to my TBR to read after Diamond Sky!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "I did not know about Whitsunday Dawn and only recently published. Will have to add that to my TBR to read after Diamond Sky!"

I'm sure you'll love it..it was excellent 😊

[Jazzy]

Odette, have you read Marcel Proust? He must have liked your name as it is the same the one Swann was so enamoured with. Or maybe it was a connection with Swan Lake - Swann?

[Jazzy]

Finished my 21st (and smallest) book chug chug chugging along!

Books read: 21/26
Australian Authors: 4/4

Harold and Maude by Colin Higgins
Rating: ★★★★★

Harold is 19, Maude is 79. What is age other than a number?

[Kylie]

Finished number 11. :)

W - Read a book set in WAR time - Nightingales at War by Donna Douglas.

I cannot get enough of this remarkable and captivating series! 5 stars. :)

[Marianne]

25. S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title The Fireflies of Autumn, and other tales of San Ginese by AA Moreno Giovannoni 4★s
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

nearly there!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

One to go Marianne - months to spare :)

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Just finished number 14. Still have a few to go. Hope I can finish.

Lost by Michael Robotham

5 out of 5 Review here

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

A concerted effort Lee - I'm sure you'll do it!

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Finished E for emerald cover.

The Right Place by Carla Caruso

Loved it. 4 and 1/2 out of 5. Review here

[Kylie]

Just finished number 12!

N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title - Three Gold Coins by Josephine Moon AA. Completed 19/08 - 5 stars. I found this the most delightful read, with just the right mix of drama, romance and suspense. It was a beautiful story set in (for the most part) gorgeous Italy. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Kylie :)

[Christy]

Again, WAY overdue for an update but so far I'm on track!!

A - Z Challenge
Duration: 01/01/2018 – 31/12/2018
Progress: 16/26

A - Read a book by an AUTHOR from a country you've never visited - Japan - Pachinko by Min Jin Lee - 5*

B - Read a book which you BORROWED - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman - 5*

C - Read a book with a CAT on the cover - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman - 5*

D - Read a book which has DARK themes - Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi 5*

E - Read a book with an EMERALD cover - Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling by Ross King

F - Read a book which is FIRST in a series - The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

G- Read a book from a GENRE you don't usually read - Spy Novels - The Soul of Viktor Tronko by David Quammen 1*

H - Read a HISTORICAL book set in two different time periods - Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon 3*

I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman - Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Gortner

J - Read a book where the main character goes on a JOURNEY - Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran 4*

K - Read a book with a KNIFE on the cover - Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson

L - Read a book which is your LATEST purchase - The Tea Gardens by Fiona McIntosh

M - Read a book where MAGIC is a main part - The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title - 72 Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell 4*

O - Read a book with a ONE word title - Beloved by Toni Morrison 4*

P - Read a book where the author uses a PSEUDONYM - Pekoe Most Poison by Laura Childs - 4*

Q - Read a book with a QUEEN either on the cover or in the text - The Queen's Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile by C.W. Gortner

R - Read a book which has been RECOMMENDED to you -
The Nix by Nathan Hill Currently Reading

S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title - Summer in Tuscany by Elizabeth Adler 4*

T - Read a book which has lingered on your TBR for too long - The Lavender Keeper by Fiona McIntosh 5*

U - Read a book with an UMBRELLA on the cover - Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend 5*

V - Read a book with a VIVID cover - Arcadia by Lauren Groff1*

W - Read a book set in WAR time - The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris 5*

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good - The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Y - Read a book with a YELLOW cover - The Memory of Lemon by Judith Fertig - 5*

Z - Read a book with ZANY characters - Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well here too Christy :) Shame about the couple of 1star reads you've had.

[Christy]

Brenda wrote: "Doing well here too Christy :) Shame about the couple of 1star reads you've had."

I’ve read so many amazing books this year, I’m not too upset about the 1 stars, although they did waste time for other good ones 😉

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's really good - there's so much talent out there!

[Kylie]

Brenda wrote: "Doing well Kylie :)"

Thanks Brenda. :) This one kinda slipped off the rails a bit, so I've made it more of a focus in the latter half of the year. :)

16/26 is well on the way Christy! You're most certainly on track to achieve it before the end of this year! :)

[Christy]

Kylie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Doing well Kylie :)"

Thanks Brenda. :) This one kinda slipped off the rails a bit, so I've made it more of a focus in the latter half of the year. :)

16/26 is well on the way Chris..."

Thanks Kylie!!
This seems to be my year of books as I haven’t done much of anything else in my free time ;)
Good luck with your challenge!!!

[Jazzy]

24/26 only 2 to go!

Just finished The Knife Slipped by Erle Stanley Gardner
K - A book with a KNIFE on the cover


Brilliant little hardboiled detective story by the creator of Perry Mason.

Intended to be the second in the Cool & Lam series, this book was lost for 75 years due to being rejected by the publisher and was eventually released in 2016.

[Kerri_M]

Jazzy wrote: "24/26 only 2 to go!

Just finished The Knife Slipped by Erle Stanley Gardner
K - A book with a KNIFE on the cover


Brilliant li..."

I’ve never heard of this series before Jazzy, going to see if I can find them, thanks!

[Jazzy]

Kerri, it's my pleasure, treasure! I've never read Erle Stanley Gardner before (that I can remember) and thought this was a clever little gem.

[Jenn]

Hi Everyone,

will Poppy's Dilemma work for the historical book set in 2 different time periods? It is set in present day and WW1.

Or maybe If Wishes Were Horses

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sorry for the late reply Jennifer - either of them would work :)

[Jenn]

Brenda wrote: "Sorry for the late reply Jennifer - either of them would work :)"

Thanks Brenda :)