January challenge 2018 Something New!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trish wrote: "I have amazed myself by actually finishing this challenge! January gets so busy, I thought I was being too ambitious.

1. Choose one of your favourite books that you read in 2017 and read another b..."

Well done Trish :)

[Diana]

One more book to go to complete this challenge. I just finished book number 4 A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

[Li'l Owl]

Good job, Trish! And with lots of time to spare, too!

[Sharon]

Congratulations to Bec, Phrynne and Trish 😊

[Bec]

Sharon wrote: "Congratulations to Bec, Phrynne and Trish 😊"

Thanks, Sharon :)

[Deb]

Just finished The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

A very nice book indeed, thank you whoever recommended it. And local! set just a few streets from me, at least partially

Only one to go, it is a big one, I hope I make it. All Australian authors for me too.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Deborah!! Especially with all AAs :)

[Deb]

Brenda wrote: "Doing well Deborah!! Especially with all AAs :)"

Thanks Brenda, I am pretty happy with that. I started trying to get more AA's into my challenges last year, but I think this might be the first one I complete with all Australians.

If I complete it that is; I have saved Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey for last and I suspect it will not be a fast read.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Currently reading A Long Way From Home by Peter Carey Deborah and that is certainly not a quick read. I remember I enjoyed Oscar and Lucinda.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deborah wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Doing well Deborah!! Especially with all AAs :)"

Thanks Brenda, I am pretty happy with that. I started trying to get more AA's into my challenges last year, but I think this might b..."

You'll make it Deborah - just over a week to do it in :)

[Carolyn]

Completed my challenge - some good reads this month!

✔ 1. A favourite book in 2017 - Small Favor by Jim Butcher so I will read his The Aeronaut's Windlass 4★

✔ 2. Similar author from Literature map - Charlaine Harris so I'll give the first book in her Sookie Stackhouse series a go (I know Marianne loves these!) Dead Until Dark 4★

✔ 3. Book from top 5-10 books - Year One by Nora Roberts (Sally) 3.5★

✔ 4. An author new to you - The Girl in Kellers Way by Megan Goldin AA 4★

✔ 5. Own choice - The Secrets at Ocean's Edge by Kali Napier AA 4★

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Sally!

[Valerie]

1/5

Finished my first of this challenge, The Remains of the Day, and what a beautiful book it was! Each sentence was so perfectly crafted, such an incredible talent to write like that.
And just as I finished that one, an email arrived from the library, notifying me that The Choke epub has been checked out to me, after a LONG wait!

1. Favourite book: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
By same author: The Subtle Knife
2. Literature map: A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
3. List of top 5-10 Aussie books: The Choke by Sofie Laguna AA
4. Author never read before: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro 5★
5. Any book: Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty AA

[Diana]

Finished this challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Well done Sally!"

Carolyn ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Completed my challenge - some good reads this month!

✔ 1. A favourite book in 2017 - Small Favor by Jim Butcher so I will read his [book:The Aeronaut's Windlass|248762..."

Congratulations Carolyn!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Diana wrote: "Finished this challenge."

Well done!

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "Well done Sally!"

Thanks Brenda ;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Well done Sally!"

Carolyn ;)"

Lol! My only excuse is that I am flat chat at the moment looking after crying three year olds. I will try again!

Well done Carolyn:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Great work Diane!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Well done Sally!"

Thanks Brenda ;)"

Hahaha!!!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Well done Sally!"

Carolyn ;)"

Lol! My only excuse is that I am flat chat at the moment looking after crying three year olds. I will try again!

Well done Carolyn:)"

That's above and beyond Phrynne!!! I thought they went home after 5pm?!

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Completed my challenge - some good reads this month!"

Thanks Brenda!

[Carolyn]

Valerie wrote: "1/5

Finished my first of this challenge, The Remains of the Day, and what a beautiful book it was! Each sentence was so perfectly crafted, such an incredible talent to write like that.
And just a..."

I loved that book Valerie! You're right - each sentence was exquisitely crafted. Must read it again sometime.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Well done Sally!"

Carolyn ;)"

Lol! My only excuse is that I am flat chat at the moment looking after crying three year olds. I will try again!

Well..."

Very funny Brenda;) After the day I had today I am surprised I am functioning at all.

[Kylie]

Congratulations to everyone who's completed their first challenge of 2018. :)

I'm not sure I'll get this one done... still got two to go...

Completed my third. :)

1. Favourite books read in 2017 & read another book by that author Water Gypsies by Annie Murray 5 stars.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Three is good Kylie!!!

[Sharon]

Carolyn wrote: "Completed my challenge - some good reads this month!

✔ 1. A favourite book in 2017 - Small Favor by Jim Butcher so I will read his [book:The Aeronaut's Windlass|248762..."

Congratulations Carolyn 😊

[Li'l Owl]

Congratulations Diane and Carolyn =o)

[Li'l Owl]

Kylie wrote: "Congratulations to everyone who's completed their first challenge of 2018. :)

I'm not sure I'll get this one done... still got two to go...

Completed my third. :)


1. Favourite books read in ..."

If I remember correctly, you'r very busy this month? Three is more than halfway! Good job! =o)
xx

[Kylie]

Brenda wrote: "Three is good Kylie!!!"

Thanks Brenda, I knew I may struggle to get all 5 read this month.

Li'l Owl wrote: "Kylie wrote: "Congratulations to everyone who's completed their first challenge of 2018. :)

I'm not sure I'll get this one done... still got two to go...

Completed my third. :)


1. Favourite b..."

Aww, thank you dear Owl! Yes, somewhat busy with sorting and packing in preparation for the move on Monday week (5th Feb)! :)

I may get one more read - as the other 2 left on my list for this month are audiobooks. We'll see. :)

[Jenny]

I finished this challenge

05 / 05

1. Choose one of your favourite books that you read in 2017 and read another book by the same author.

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

2. Now take the author of this book and go to http://www.literature-map.com/
Choose another author whose name is close to your chosen author and read a book by that author.

The Silent Dead by Tetsuya Honda - 3 ★
Date: 23 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3. Choose a book to read from our lists of top 5 -10 Aussie or International books
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

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

4. Read a book by an author you have never read before.

Claiming Grace by Susan Stoker - 4 ★
Date: 13 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5. Read any book of your choice.

Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn - AA - 5 ★
Date: 15 / 01 / 2018
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Jenny!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Jenny:)

[Kerrie]

3 down and two to go: it's going to be tight :)
So far have completed:

3. The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green 3* but after reading the Victoria Purman book I feel like reevaluating this to a 3.5. Review posted.

4. The Three Miss Allens by Victoria Purman 3*

5. Up Until Now by Petrea King 4.5* Review posted.

[Li'l Owl]

Kylie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Three is good Kylie!!!"

Thanks Brenda, I knew I may struggle to get all 5 read this month.

Li'l Owl wrote: "Kylie wrote: "Congratulations to everyone who's completed their first c..."

I still have two to read and I don't have as good of an excuse. However, my reading buddy Crumb and I just squeezed in Daisy in Chains as we couldn't wait to read it! And, Oh My! Was it worth it!

[Jenny]

Thanks, Brenda and Phrynne.

[Kerri]

Just finished my third Leap
Wonderful! Such a realistic exploration of grief.
I'm certain I won't get my final two read.
It took lots of market stall exploring to find a copy of The Satanic Verses I will start today but really don't have the time with packing.
Oh the pain of spending my summer break trolling through second hand books......ROFL! Now to find somewhere to put the new additions. Scanning them to my good reads to read list is the easy part.
I couldn't find a copy of Infinite Jest I will try online when I get home.

[Nicola]

2 more down
1. Same author

Crimson Lake / Candice Fox AA 5*

3. Top 5 Aussie

The Husband's Secret / Liane Moriarty AA 5*
and almost finished my last!

[Kate]

And finished up my AA selection - not as originally intended - but it hadn't arrived so substituted Richard Flanagan's FIRST PERSON. I must say I found it bleak and uncompromisingly cruel, not a pleasant read but, nevertheless, admirable with its superb prose. I suspect a taste for Flanagan's 'voice' needs to be acquired.
And that's it for January.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Kate!

[Valerie]

2/5

Finished my second of this challenge, The Choke. Never cried like this before while reading. Absolutely brilliant.

1. Favourite book: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
By same author: The Subtle Knife
2. Literature map: A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
3. List of top 5-10 Aussie books: The Choke by Sofie Laguna AA 5★
4. Author never read before: The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro 5★
5. Any book: Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty AA

[Karina]

Karina wrote: "Sorry I’m late to the party. My list for January is as follows:
(5/5 with 2xAA)

1. One of my favourite reads from last year was Silence Fallen By Patricia Briggs and..."

Finished my books and have fallen in love with a new Aussie Author Maria Lewis. Thanks for the fun challenge Phrynne!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

You are very welcome Karina!
And it's so nice to find a new favourite author isn't it:)

[Sharon]

Jenny wrote: "I finished this challenge

05 / 05

1. Choose one of your favourite books that you read in 2017 and read another book by the same author.

Hindsight by [author:Melanie Casey|4408238..."

Congratulations Jenny 😊

[Nicole]

To say I am struggling to complete this month's challenge is a bit of an understatement! I still have 2 books to finish. At least I have started them both and one of them is a 'hard to put down' book.

The books I have managed to complete, though, are:

1) Book by one of my favourite authors this year was The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty-AA. Really enjoyed this one, so have given it 4★s

2) A top 5 - 10 Aussie book was Salt Creekby Lucy Treloar- AA. 3.5★s

3) A book by an author I have never read before was My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella and, for me, that was also a 4★ read.

[Sally906]

Where I am at:


1. Choose one of your favourite books that you read in 2017 and read another book by the same author.
Sanctuary by Judy Nunn - AA - 5★s

2. Now take the author of this book and go to http://www.literature-map.com/
Choose another author whose name is close to your chosen author and read a book by that author.
Storm Clouds by Bronwyn Parry- AA - Currently reading, will finish in time

3. Choose a book to read from our lists of top 5 -10 Aussie or international books (insert links)
TBA - haven't even thought about this one - will see what I can slip in - still 3 days!!!

4. Read a book by an author you have never read before.
His to Protect by Elena Aitken - 4★s

5. Read any book of your choice.
Skyfire by Michael Adams – AA - 3★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well girls :)

[Kerrie]

4/5 completed: nearly made it.

A name close to your chosen author and read a book by that author.

Di Morrissey
3*

I wanted to like this more but a few niggles here and there meant it's just not quite a 4.

Adding last book to my list for the rest of the year.
One of my favourite books of 2017. Judy Nunn Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn
Another book by same author. Kal by Judy Nunn

[Nicole]

Book 4 finished ... read any book of your choice. I decided to go with another author I haven't read and chose one with the same first name as me Nicole Trope and read her book >b>The Boy Under the Table. While I really enjoyed this book, I also found it very disturbing in parts. 4★s