An additional Annual Challenge for 2018 - A-Z

[Nicola]

2nd one down
L - Read a book which is your LATEST purchase
The Wrong Side of Goodbye / Michael Connelly 5*

[Michele]

Finished my second: Book with a knife on the cover: Three's a Crowd 2.5 ★ I really didn't enjoy this one. The characters were unoriginal and predictable, and not particularly likeable

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's a shame Michele :) Hopefully your next will be better!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 7th - "L" Latest purchase (16/1/18) - The Jigsaw Man by Leigh Goodison 4★s

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

[Rachael]

Read my 2nd (V - vivid cover) 3.5 ★ - an horrific period in very recent Native American history that I knew nothing about - amazing what people will do for money.

[Janine]

Finished my 8th

C - Cat on Cover
The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop by J.A. Whiting 3*

[Marianne]

My 7th:
D - Read a book which has DARK themes Blackwater Moon AA 4★s

and that makes four Aussie Authors, so the rest are bonus :)

[Christy]

A - Z Challenge
Duration: 01/01/2018 – 31/12/2018
Progress: 4/26

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

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

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

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

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 - The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

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

O - Read a book with a ONE word title - Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

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 -

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

T - Read a book which has lingered on your TBR for too long

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

V - Read a book with a VIVID cover - Arcadia by Lauren Groff

W - Read a book set in WAR time - Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum

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]

You're linked Christy :) You already were so I changed the link to this one :)

[Zoey]

2nd one done

P - Read a book where the author uses a PSEUDONYM
Dawn on a Distant Shore by Sara Donati 4★

[Christy]

Brenda wrote: "You're linked Christy :) You already were so I changed the link to this one :)"

Thanks!!!!!

[Sarah]

A - Z Challenge
Duration: 01/01/2018 – 31/12/2018
Progress: 17/26

A - AUTHOR from country never visited (The US) - Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr 4 stars
B - BORROWED book - Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares4☆
C - CAT cover - The Keeping Place by Isobelle Carmody AA
D - DARK themes - Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan4 stars
E - EMERALD cover - My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
F - FIRST in a series - Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb5☆
G- GENRE don't usually read - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty AA 5 ☆
H - HISTORICAL set in two different time periods - Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
I - INTERESTING woman - Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham 5 stars
J - MC goes on a JOURNEY - Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed 4 ☆
K - KNIFE on the cover - Before the Storm by Christie Golden
L - LATEST purchase - Still Me by Jojo Moyes 5☆
M - MAGIC - The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater4 stars
N - NUMBER in the title - Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella4 stars
O - ONE word title - Hunted by Meagan Spooner 3 stars
P - PSEUDONYM - The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
Q - QUEEN - Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
R - RECOMMENDED to you - Ladies in Black by Madeleine St. John AA 4 stars
S - SEASON in the title - Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
T - TBR for too long - Beyond the Hanging Wall by Sara Douglass AA
U - UMBRELLA on the cover - The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend AA
V - VIVID cover - Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr 3 stars
W - WAR time - The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson
X - MUSIC - Roomies by Christina Lauren 5 stars
Y - YELLOW - Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella3 stars
Z - ZANY characters - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 9th - "N" Number in title - Year One by Nora Roberts 5★s

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Sarah :) And you're linked!

[Janine]

Finished my 9th

S - Season in the Title
When Summer Comes by Brenda Novak 2*

[Nicola]

3rd book finished
S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title
Winter Pilgrims / Toby Clements 4*

[Khenan]

First book down. The Egyptian - Y

[Marianne]

Number 8:
B - Read a book which you BORROWED The End of the World Running Club 5★s

[Michele]

Just finished #3 : Latest Purchase Sleeping Giants , interesting I think 4 ★, I didn't love the way it was written but I enjoyed the story

[Marianne]

number 9:
T - Read a book which has lingered on your TBR for too long The Liar 4★s won last year April, should have read before this!

[Niamh]

Number 5 finished! Humans Wanted by Vivian Caethe gets 4.5★ from me. Humans are portrayed as very zany and unusual in the intergalactic community :D

[Jacm]

Finished P - When Did You See Her Last? by Lemony Snicket. 4.5★
Another hilarious mystery described in the cynical voice that only Snicket can get away with while still being an endearing narrator. I love the language used in all the Snicket books - such a clever way of introducing new and interesting vocabulary to children in way that is just (if not more) funny as an adult reader.

[Sarah]

Brenda wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Sarah :) And you're linked!"

Thanks, Brenda! :)

[Valerie]

January Update

A - Z Challenge
Duration: 01/01/2018 – 31/12/2018
Progress: 3/26

A - Read a book by an AUTHOR from a country you've never visited
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro 5★
B - Read a book which you BORROWED
The Choke by Sofie Laguna AA
C - Read a book with a CAT on the cover
A Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton
D - Read a book which has DARK themes
Fractured by Dawn BarkerAA
E - Read a book with an EMERALD cover
A Christmas Guest by Anne Perry 3★
F - Read a book which is FIRST in a series
L'Homme aux cercles bleus by Fred Vargas
G- Read a book from a GENRE you don't usually read (SHORT STORIES)
Australian Love Stories by Cate Kennedy AA
H - Read a HISTORICAL book set in two different time periods
14-14 by Silène Edgar
I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
J - Read a book where the main character goes on a JOURNEY
Neige by Maxence Fermine 4★
K - Read a book with a KNIFE on the cover
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
L - Read a book which is your LATEST purchase
Les Misérables : Tome I by Victor Hugo
M - Read a book where MAGIC is a main part
Les Fiancés de l'hiver by Christelle Dabos
N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title
7 ans après... by Guillaume Musso
O - Read a book with a ONE word title
Demain by Guillaume Musso
P - Read a book where the author uses a PSEUDONYM
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
Q - Read a book with a QUEEN either on the cover or in the text
Marie Stuart by Stefan Zweig
R - Read a book which has been RECOMMENDED to you
La Vérité sur l'affaire Harry Quebert by Joël Dicker
S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title (SUMMER), taking liberties here with French word for summer
Tout un été sans Facebook by Romain Puértolas
T - Read a book which has lingered on your TBR for too long
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan
U - Read a book with an UMBRELLA on the cover by
D'eau et de feu by Françoise Bourdin
V - Read a book with a VIVID cover
Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion AA
W - Read a book set in WAR time
Petit pays by Gaël Faye
X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good
Music And Freedom by Zoë Morrison
Y - Read a book with a YELLOW cover
En attendant Bojangles by Olivier Bourdeaut
Z - Read a book with ZANY characters
The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith

[Loren]

Finished my first: Third Witch by Jackie French - 4 stars

[Odette]

Read my 2nd book for this challenge. A great find and a 5 star read for me. Four Norwegian women in their 60s are invited to travel to Fiji to reunite with old school friends. There is so much in this book including culture, relationships, old age etc.

B - Read a book which you BORROWED - (from the Library): Pieces of Happiness: A Novel of Friendship, Hope and Chocolate by Anne Østby - 5★s

[Christy]

Absolutely LOVING this challenge and have 3 out of 4 read as 5 stars!! Lucky me although there are bound to be some duds too. Finished my 4th this morning - another 5* - Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

[Janine]

I have finished my 10th

V - Vivid Cover
After the Night by Linda Howard 2*

[Khenan]

Second one down with Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft - F

Really enjoyable, there is a sequel i've had a hankering for but will trying complete a few more from the challenge before i do!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Absolutely LOVING this challenge and have 3 out of 4 read as 5 stars!! Lucky me although there are bound to be some duds too. Finished my 4th this morning - another 5* - [book:Eleanor Oliphant is C..."

Glad you're enjoying the challenge Christy :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 10th - C - cat on cover - Miss Spelled by Morgana Best 5★s

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

[Khenan]

3rd book down, and will stay unchallenged as my best book of the year I have no doubt.

The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb - D

[Marianne]

My 10th:
N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title Year One 5★s

[Janine]

Finished my 11th

X - About Music (but alas no mention of a xylophone)
The Sisters' Song by Louise Allan(AA) 5*

[Jacm]

Finished R - The Locksmith's Daughter by Karen Brooks (AA). Recommended by my Mum.
A great historical fiction tale set in Elizabethan England - a period of history that I find quite fascinating. Rather than the typical romance (although there is a romantic subplot) this focuses on the tension of being a well educated woman with the skills of a master locksmith, therefore lock pick, in an era where women were so often disregarded & overlooked for anything other than breading the next generation. 3★

[Nicola]

D - Read a book which has DARK themes

Crimson Lake / Candice Fox AA 5*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Finished my 11th

X - About Music (but alas no mention of a xylophone)
The Sisters' Song by Louise Allan(AA) 5*"

Drat!!! lol ;)

[Krystal]

Finished my 2nd: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

This book (and series, really) was Recommended to me by many friends on GR.

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

[Marianne]

Is this enough to qualify for Y. Yellow cover?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I just did the % test Marianne and it's only just over 25% yellow. So no, sorry :(

http://labs.tineye.com/color/962f6c36...

[Marianne]

LOL, fair enough, I though not, but it was worth a try

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Definitely worth asking :)

[Jacm]

Nicola wrote: "3rd book finished
S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title
Winter Pilgrims / Toby Clements 4*"

I absolutely loved this series!

[Janine]

Finished my 12th

I - About an Interesting Woman
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng 5*

[Kathryn]

My update for this challenge for the month of January:

Completed 7/26

B - Book which you BORROWED
The Dark Lake by Sarah Bailey - AA - 4★

C - Book with a CAT on the cover
Buried in a Bog by Sheila Connolly - 3★


J - Book where the main character goes on a JOURNEY
Stars Across the Ocean by Kimberley Freeman - AA - 3.5★

L - Read a book which is your LATEST purchase
Friendship Bread by Darien Gee - 4★

T - Read a book which has lingered on your TBR for too long
The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee has been on my list since the end of Dec 2012!

W - Read a book set in WAR time
We That Are Left by Lisa Bigelow - AA - 3.5★

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good
The Sisters' Song by Louise Allan - AA - 4★
- unless I read Music And Freedom by Zoë Morrison (AA) or
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
and find one of them includes a xylophone!


A D E F G H I K M N O P Q R S U V Y Z

[Khenan]

4th down.
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton - R - 4★

Really enjoyed it. Never knew he was the author of Lockie Leonard though....

[Janine]

Finished my 13th

B - A Borrowed Book
By My Side by Alice Peterson 4*

[Nicola]

Finished V
V - Read a book with a VIVID cover
The Husband's Secret / Liane Moriarty AA 5*
and my Z Book
Z - Read a book with ZANY characters
A Blink of the Screen: Collected Shorter Fiction / Terry Pratchett

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 11th - G (Genre not usually read - SHORT STORIES) - A Maigret Christmas by Georges Simenon 4★s

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

[Belinda]

Book #3 done. Letter C: Cover that includes a cat



3.5 stars. Good, but could have been so much better. I guess I had high expectations as The Shining is one of my favourite books