An additional Annual Challenge for 2018 - A-Z

[Icewineanne]

Michele wrote: "Finished H, book set in two different time periods The Address 2★ I was so looking forward to this book, but what a disappointment. I can't stand historical fiction written in a mod..."

So disappointing to read that you didn’t enjoy this book Michele. It’s one that I’ve been looking forward to for some time now. I dislike modern terms/language in historical books as well.

[Krystal]

Finished my 10th: Knife on the cover

The Richmond Conspiracy by AA Andrew Grimes

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

[Michele]

Icewineanne wrote: "Michele wrote: "Finished H, book set in two different time periods The Address 2★ I was so looking forward to this book, but what a disappointment. I can't stand historical fiction ..."

I was just happy I picked it up on sale at amazon for 1.99 rather than the $15 I was going to pay.

[Belinda]

Finished my 4th. B (borrowed book)



1 * Really didn't like it. I have struggled for more than a month with it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's a shame Belinda 😞 I hope your next is much better.

[Nicola]

Finished another one
A - Read a book by an AUTHOR from a country you've never visited - Ireland
Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony / Eoin Colfer

[Ace]

Finished my 6th which was great fun!

Z - Read a book with ZANY characters
Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood
AA

4 stars from me ⛤⛤⛤⛤

[Ace]

I have to change my book which I "borrowed" as this is now a book that I've "nicked" from a marina. Oops.
Can I used a book that I borrowed from the library? I just had Middlemarch out on Overdrive so would that be an ok substitute?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I am sure that will be fine Ace.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ace wrote: "I have to change my book which I "borrowed" as this is now a book that I've "nicked" from a marina. Oops.
Can I used a book that I borrowed from the library? I just had Middlemarch out on Overdrive..."

I always use the "borrowed" as from the library Ace :)

[Bec]

I've decided to update my progress every few months instead of posting everytime I finished one book (can you believe a quarter of the year has gone already?!). Here's what I've read so far this year:

Progress: 10/26

A - Read a book by an AUTHOR from a country you've never visited
☒ Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood (Canada) 4*

B - Read a book which you BORROWED
☒ From the Outer: Footy Like You've Never Heard It by Alicia Sometimes (AA) 5*

D - Read a book which has DARK themes
☒ Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 2.5*

G- Read a book from a GENRE you don't usually read
☒ Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (Classic/Romance) 4*

H - Read an HISTORICAL book set in two different time periods
☒ The Road Between Us by Nigel Farndale (1939 & 2012) 4.5*

M - Read a book where MAGIC is a main part
☒ The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien 4.5*

N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title
☒ The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie 5*

U - Read a book with an UMBRELLA on the cover
☒ The Complete Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton 3*

V - Read a book with a VIVID cover
☒ I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson 3.5*

W - Read a book set in WAR time
☒ On The Beach by Nevil Shute (AA) 5*

An average of 4.1 so I'd say I'm doing pretty well! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looks good Bec!

[Bec]

Thanks, Brenda!

[Kylie]

So many of you absolutely flying through this challenge! And very, very well done to both Janine and Brenda on finishing already! That is a remarkable achievement given we're only two days into April!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Kylie :)

[Kylie]

Finished my third; E - Read a book with an EMERALD cover – A Cornish Affair by Liz Fenwick. A most engaging read, and one that got better as the story progressed. A worthy 4 stars!

[Icewineanne]

Finished my 5th Murder Your Darlings J.J. Murphy

3.5 ⭐️

Light on mystery but lots of wisecracking quips & sarcastic humour 😉

[Odette]

Finished 11th book for this challenge:

R - Read a book which has been RECOMMENDED to you:
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders - 4★

[Jacm]

Finished W: A book set in War time...The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. 4.5 ★

Glad I finally got around to crossing this one off my TBR

[Nicola]

Finished my 'H' book
H - Read a HISTORICAL book set in two different time periods
The House at Riverton / Kate Morton AA 3*

[Sarah]

Finished my 5th book- 'V' for Vivid cover-

by Melissa Marr 3 stars.

It was good and I do like Devlin/Ani, a couple of the romance scenes were sweet. Though, I got a little bored in parts, especially at the beginning.

[Ace]

Finished my 8th book, which had lingered on my shelf for too long (T), Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta. 4 stars!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Just finished my W for War book. All Clear by Connie Willis

Loved. 5 out of 5 Review if you're interested

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Lee wrote: "Just finished my W for War book. All Clear by Connie Willis

Loved. 5 out of 5 Review if you're interested

"

All her books are really good Lee:)

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Phrynne wrote: "Lee wrote: "Just finished my W for War book. All Clear by Connie Willis

Loved. 5 out of 5 Review if you're interested

"

All her books ..."

Yes, I just adore her style.

[Jacm]

After a long slog, I managed to finish H (Historical novel set in 2 different time periods): An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon 3.5★
I enjoyed this one more than the last in the series. I'm hoping that things will continue to pick up from here.

[Krystal]

Ha! I found a book with xylophone in the text but it's not about music lol. Drat!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It must have some kind of music in it Krystal to have the word mentioned :) Go for it! I don't think anyone else has encountered the word xylophone, so you'll be the first!

[Krystal]

Brenda wrote: "It must have some kind of music in it Krystal to have the word mentioned :) Go for it! I don't think anyone else has encountered the word xylophone, so you'll be the first!"

Oh goodie! It's about vampires but they lure people with music lol if you say it counts I'm counting it! :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It sounds fair to me - music and a xylophone :) Enjoy!!

[Nicola]

W - Read a book set in WAR time

Designated Targets / John Birmingham AA 4*

[Sarah]

I finished my 6 & 7th this weekend-

N- Number in the title- Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

4 stars. I enjoyed it more than I thought would. I recommend it if you want a fun and sometimes silly read containing an often annoying, yet also insightful ghost from the 20's called Sadie :)

A- Author from a country you've never visited (America)- Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr

Also 4 stars. It was a great ending to the series that I think tied off the loose ends nicely.

[Rachael]

Just finished X - Xylophone ... Danger Music AA 3.5* ... didn't find a xylophone but lots of other instruments ...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

We've only had one person who has found a xylophone as far as I know Rachael :)

[Odette]

Finished 13th book - half way there now. I was not sure what to expect when I picked up this book from the library. I was very impressed with the story and the style of writing which transported me to a different country and reality.

V - Read a book with a VIVID cover:
Here Comes the Sun by Nicole Y. Dennis-Benn - 4★

[Mish]

Haven't made good progress here! Only 7/26 books read.

Here's my update:

A - Read a book by an AUTHOR from a country you've never visited
Britian - When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman Finished 5*


B - Read a book which you BORROWED
Library - The Good People by Hannah Kent (Audio) AA - Finished 3*

C - Read a book with a CAT on the cover
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Fishing for Tigers by Emily Maguire

D - Read a book which has DARK themes
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris Finished 3*

E - Read a book with an EMERALD cover
- Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain
Mr Chen's Emporium by Deborah O'Brien

F - Read a book which is FIRST in a series
The Gunslinger by Stephen King

G- Read a book from a GENRE you don't usually read
Science Fiction - One Way by S.J. Morden Finished 3*

H - Read a HISTORICAL book set in two different time periods
The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (Audio) AA
South of Darkness by John Marsden AA

I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman
Leila's Secret by Kooshyar Karimi or
Death at Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood (Audio) AA

J - Read a book where the main character goes on a JOURNEY
The Sun in Her Eyes by Paige Toon

K - Read a book with a KNIFE on the cover
Summer House with Swimming Pool by Herman Koch (Audio)

L - Read a book which is your LATEST purchase
White Teeth by Zadie Smith or
Weightless by Sarah Bannan

M - Read a book where MAGIC is a main part
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title
The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty AA Finished 4*

O - Read a book with a ONE word title
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen or
Dublinesque by Enrique Vila-Matas

P - Read a book where the author uses a PSEUDONYM
Stars Across the Ocean by Kimberley Freeman - Finished 4*

Q - Read a book with a QUEEN either on the cover or in the text
The King byJ.R. Ward

R - Read a book which has been RECOMMENDED to you
Julie - Tom Houghton by Todd Alexander - AA

S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title
Winter Journey by Diane Armstrong - AA

T - Read a book which has lingered on your TBR for too long
Border Crossing by Pat Barker - Finished 4*

U - Read a book with an UMBRELLA on the cover
Exposure by Helen Dunmore (Audio)

V - Read a book with a VIVID cover
Gold by Chris Cleave

W - Read a book set in WAR time
Girl at War by Sara Nović

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good
Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon or
The Best of Adam Sharp by Graeme Simsion AA or
Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy by Mike Love

Y - Read a book with a YELLOW cover
- The Memory Artist by Katherine Brabon AA

Z - Read a book with ZANY characters
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

, , , , , ,

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You still have 7.5 months to read the rest Mish so I wouldn't worry ;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I think she has 8.5 Brenda:) Mathematically you are on track to succeed Mish!!!

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "You still have 7.5 months to read the rest Mish so I wouldn't worry ;)"

That is true. I'll get there :)

[Mish]

Phrynne wrote: "I think she has 8.5 Brenda:) Mathematically you are on track to succeed Mish!!!"

Whoo hoo! That sounds even better!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "I think she has 8.5 Brenda:) Mathematically you are on track to succeed Mish!!!"

Haha! Oops!! Perhaps I left December off cos she'll be too busy celebrating ;)

[Jacm]

Finished my 15th already! K - Knife on the cover: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness 5★

A fascinating concept underlying a dystopian world told with a unique storytelling voice. I look forward to continuing with this series.

[Odette]

Finished my 14th book for the challenge. It has been some time since I read a Fleur McDonald book. I enjoyed the mystery set in a rural environment and was a welcome change of pace for me. I am looking forward to reading her latest book Fool's Gold.

S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title:
Suddenly One Summer by Fleur McDonald - 4★ AA

[Odette]

Finished 15th book for this challenge. This amazing book with a gothic feel set in tropical far north Queensland appealed to me so much that I just had to keep reading. Castle of Dreams is set mainly in two different timelines, second world war years in Queensland and in the 2000's spanning three generations of the same family.

H - Read a HISTORICAL book set in two different time periods:
Castle of Dreams by Elise McCune - 5★ AA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I loved that one too Odette!! She must be close to having another out too :)

[Odette]

Brenda wrote: "I loved that one too Odette!! She must be close to having another out too :)"

Hope so! Look forward to it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'll have to keep an eye out :)

[Jacm]

Just finished number 16.. I feel like I may actually finish this challenge this year!
Z -Zany Characters: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. What better adjective for Magnus Bane than 'zany'?
3★ I enjoyed this re-read. While I still love the series & the world Cassandra Clare has created for her Shadowhunters, by listening to the audiobook this time round, I've realised just how much she overuses the word 'incredulous' and it's derivatives... Thankfully her characters are engaging enough to make up for it!

[Jenny]

Finished book 11

Z - Read a book with ZANY characters


Redemption Point by Candice Fox - 4 ★ - 05 / 04 / 2018 - AA
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenn]

I only have one title left so I will put up a new list soon :)

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

A - Read a book by an AUTHOR from a country you've never visited
Judgment Road by Christine Feehan (USA) 5 stars

B - Read a book which you BORROWED
Snapshot by Garry DisherAA 4.5 stars

C - Read a book with a CAT on the cover
The Amazing Maurice & His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett 4 stars

D - Read a book which has DARK themes (MC kidnapped and nearly sold into the sex trade in another country)
Burning the Past by Jamie Garrett AA 4 stars

E - Read a book with an EMERALD cover
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty AA 4.5 stars

F - Read a book which is FIRST in a series
Blood Kissed by Keri Arthur AA 5 stars

G- Read a book from a GENRE you don't usually read
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (Classics) 3.5 stars

H - Read a HISTORICAL book set in two different time periods
The Stockmen by Rachael Treasure AA (Jumps from present day to 1860's) 5 stars

I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman
Flameout by Keri Arthur (Main character is a female Phoenix) AA 4.5 stars

J - Read a book where the main character goes on a JOURNEY
Cleanskin Cowgirls by Rachael Treasure AA 4 stars

K - Read a book with a KNIFE on the cover
Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward4.5 stars

L - Read a book which is your LATEST purchase
Shadow Reaper by Christine Feehan 5 stars

M - Read a book where MAGIC is a main part (main Character is a witch)
Hell's Bell by Keri Arthur AA 5 stars

N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title
Fifty Fifty by James Patterson & Candice Fox AA 4 stars

O - Read a book with a ONE word title
Eden by Candice FoxAA 5 stars

P - Read a book where the author uses a PSEUDONYM
Lover Mine by J.R. Ward (Actual name Jessica Rowley Pell Bird Blakemore) 5 stars

Q - Read a book with a QUEEN either on the cover or in the text
King of Ashes by Raymond E. Feist (Queen first mentioned in the prologue) 5 stars

R - Read a book which has been RECOMMENDED to you
Morgan's Law by Karly Lane AA 4 stars

S - Read a book with one of the four SEASONS in the title
Suddenly One Summer by Fleur McDonald AA 5 stars

T - Read a book which has lingered on your TBR for too long
A Darker Place by Jack Higgins 4 stars

U - Read a book with an UMBRELLA on the cover
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend AA 4.5 stars

V - Read a book with a VIVID cover
Fall by Candice Fox 4.5 Stars

W - Read a book set in WAR time
The Diggers Rest Hotel by Geoffrey McGeachin 4.5 stars

X - Read a book about music - finding a XYLOPHONE in the text would be good
Too Many Rock Stars by Candy J. Starr 4 stars

Y - Read a book with a YELLOW cover
The Messenger by Markus Zusak 5 stars

Z - Read a book with ZANY characters
The Princess Bride by William Goldman 5 stars