**Spring Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kira wrote: "I still have a few to figure out but here is my list so far:


1. TBR:

2. AA NR: TBD

3. Read a Rainbow
3a. Red
3b. O..."

Great list Kira:)

[Elaine]

Finished my sixth for this challenge. New release The Rosie Effect , which I thoroughly enjoyed. A five star read for me.

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

[Kathryn]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my sixth for this challenge. New release The Rosie Effect, which I thoroughly enjoyed. A five star read for me.

My review : https://ww..."

Wow, you're tearing along, Elaine! I seem to have gotten a bit stuck!! I'm in the middle of 3 and have been for over a week, but can't seem to manage finishing any of them for a bit yet!

And great review - I'm looking forward to reading it whenever my copy comes in at the library!

[Nicola]

Finished a Spring Clean book - has been on my TBR (and bookshelf) for over 2 years
Blood Sisters: The Women Behind the Wars of the Roses / Sarah Gristwood

[Elaine]

Kathryn wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my sixth for this challenge. New release The Rosie Effect, which I thoroughly enjoyed. A five star read for me.

My revi..."

Thanks Kathryn. I really did enjoy it and sorry I didn't wait for you. To be honest I read it mainly for work as so many customers are asking about it. Both books are selling really well at the moment. I've got a few that I'm stuck on too Kathryn so you're not alone. I'm just fitting some in, in between. I don't think I'm going to get all 15 read though for this challenge as there are a few massive ones to get through.

It didn't help that I did this quiz on FB book about how long it would take to read the Game of Thrones series and the end result was aside from reading all 6 books in 67 days ( the average was something like 465 days) I should be reading about 99 books a year!!!

So now the pressure's on, although I know I won't get anywhere near that amount. Also I apparently read about 300 words a minute which is very poor. The bench mark is set at at least 600 words a minute to have any chance at all!!! I'm curious now though to see how long it would take to read the series...that's if I even like it and how many other books I read as well. I'm open to a challenge though. Makes it interesting. Might make that one of next year's personal challenges.

[Kathryn]

Elaine wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my sixth for this challenge. New release The Rosie Effect, which I thoroughly enjoyed. A five star read ..."

Don't be sorry about not waiting for me, Elaine!! No worries at all.

I haven't read A Game of Thrones and don't really think I'll start, although I admit I'm a little curious about it, but it's not a genre I generally like, and they seem big books to read for a genre I'm not overly interested in... Good luck if you tackle it!

[Carolyn]

Have been really busy with work over the last couple of weeks so moving a bit slowly with my challenge books (and writing up reviews!). Need to get my skates on!

I've managed to read my #4 YA novel:Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden. Not sure why I haven't read this before when it's such a classic (and both my boys read it at school). Glad I finally got round to it but don't know when I'll get to the other 6 books in the series!
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've also read #3 Yellow, a very entertaining book called The Bees: A Novel by Laline Paull. The publisher calls it The Handmaid's Tale meets The Hunger Games but if you ignore that hype it's just a very original story set in the world of a bee hive that tells the story of an individual bee and her colony's struggle to survive. Lots of fun and a good read 4★
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Nice reviews Carolyn.
Did you see the movie of Tomorrow, When the War Began? It was really good and very close to the book.

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "Nice reviews Carolyn.
Did you see the movie of Tomorrow, When the War Began? It was really good and very close to the book."

No Phrynne, I somehow missed that too but I think that's mainly where I knew the plot from. My younger son would have been about the right age for it but maybe he saw it with friends. I should have a look for the DVD.

[Leonie]

Phrynne wrote: "Nice reviews Carolyn.
Did you see the movie of Tomorrow, When the War Began? It was really good and very close to the book."

Our family really liked it. And we loved the soundtrack!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have the DVD at home which I bought as soon as it was released on DVD, but I've never watched it!

[MaryG2E]

Working happily through my list for the Spring Reading Challenge, I have just finished my Rainbow: Purple book, Prunella, the Authorised Biography of Prunella Scales. It was OK, but did not really grab me, so 2 stars.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

One thing I liked about reading this book was that it is a biography, a genre of books that I rarely read. I did enjoy the story, but wished it were a little more insightful.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

MaryG2E wrote: "Working happily through my list for the Spring Reading Challenge, I have just finished my Rainbow: Purple book, Prunella, the Authorised Biography of Prunella Scales. It was OK, but did not really ..."

Prunella: The Authorised Biography of Prunella Scales by Teresa Ransom

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my seventeenth, my second 5. National Wattle Day, Silver Wattle, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 3f. Read a Rainbow (Purple), Spellwright.

[Sally906]

Phrynne wrote: "Nice reviews Carolyn.
Did you see the movie of Tomorrow, When the War Began? It was really good and very close to the book."

I agree. I enjoyed it, and even hubby liked it :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Sally906 wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "Nice reviews Carolyn.
Did you see the movie of Tomorrow, When the War Began? It was really good and very close to the book."

I agree. I enjoyed it, and even hubby like..."

My husband liked that one too. I'm taking him to see Gone
Girl tomorrow night. Not sure what he will think of that.

[Chris]

Another one bites the dust.
3a: Red-Catching Fire 5★

[Trevor]

Does My Story by Julia Gillard count for the new book by an Aussie writer?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Does My Story by Julia Gillard count for the new book by an Aussie writer?"

Yes Trevor, it certainly does:)

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Does My Story by Julia Gillard count for the new book by an Aussie writer?"

Yes Trevor, it certainly does:)"

Thanks Brenda, I've got it at the library waiting for me, so will be onto it next week :-)

[Trevor]

Finished my 3d green cover book which was great - 4★

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

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "Nice reviews Carolyn.
Did you see the movie of Tomorrow, When the War Began? It was really good and very close to the book."

Have ordered the movie!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 19th - first 3c (Yellow) - The Twelfth Child by Bette Lee Crosby 5★s

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

[Sally906]

Have finished my green book:

Green - Forbidden Fruit by Ilsa Evans

[Sharon]

So far for this challenge I've read:

1. TBR:The Alphabet Sisters by Monica McInerney 4★
2. New A.A. Release:Country at Heartby Mandy Magro 5★
3. Read a Rainbow(a) Red:Outback Fear by Suzanne Brandyn 5★
5. National WattleDay:Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum 4★
6. Labour Day:Dark Country by Bronwyn Parry 4★
7. Remembrance Day:The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank 4★
8. Goodreads friend (Brenda):Billabong Bend by Jennifer Scoullar 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Sharon! Well done:)

[Sharon]

Thanks Brenda :)

[Lily]

I'll try and do it! I'll at least get a few things done.

[Lynxie]

So this is what my list currently looks like:

1. Spring clean: Blood Guilt ★★★★

3. Books of the rainbow
3a. Red: Inside the Fire DNF
3b. Orange: Saving Grace
3c. Yellow: Secrets in Time ★★★★
3d. Green: The Kings Ward
3e. Blue: Sunbolt ★★★★★
3f. Purple/Violet: Blood of Angels ★★

4. YA by an Aussie: Finnikin of the Rock

5. National Wattle Day:Behind the Wattles

6. Labor day: Smokescreen - FBI agent ★★★

8. Friend TBR: Bleeds My Desire Friend and author: Nenia Campbell

9. Fav genre: Fantasy: Invincible ★★

10. TBR again: Life Lived Twice ★★★

My latest one being Secrets in Time.

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

[Janine]

I have finished my 8th, #9 (Romantic Suspense)
To the Edge by Cindy Gerard 3*

[Steve]

I have finished my eighteenth, my first 3f. Read a Rainbow (Purple) Spellwright, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 3c. Read a Rainbow (Yellow), Fool's Assassin.

[MaryG2E]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my eighteenth, my first 3f. Read a Rainbow (Purple) Spellwright, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 3c. Read a Rain..."

Dear Steve, that's darned good going, seeing as how we're only part way through October. Well done! I'll be happy to finish the single list of titles by the end of Spring.

[MaryG2E]

Brenda wrote: "MaryG2E wrote: "Working happily through my list for the Spring Reading Challenge, I have just finished my Rainbow: Purple book, Prunella, the Authorised Biography of Prunella Scales. It was OK, but..."

Thanks Brenda for locating the correct link for this book. I've re-assigned my review and star rating. My edition of the book has a strong violet coloured cover, unlike the one in the Goodreads catalogue.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

No problem Mary:) If you have an ISBN I could add it to the database for you...

[MaryG2E]

Brenda wrote: "No problem Mary:) If you have an ISBN I could add it to the database for you..."

Thanks Brenda, but I've dispatched it back to the library from whence it came!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fair enough:)

[MaryG2E]

Brenda wrote: "Fair enough:)"

I've commenced The Book Thief The Book Thief today as my Australian YA choice. The prose is so lively it is leaping off the page at me. I remember you said to me you thought I'd love it, and ou were right Brenda. Prefer to concentrate on that than tidying up the review on the rather lacklustre Prunella Scales biog.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

So glad you're enjoying it Mary! It's wonderful, one of the best books I've read in a long time, in my opinion:)

[Nicola]

Finished my No. 8 GoodReads Friend:
The French Postmistress / Julia Stagg
Lovely book - gave it 4 ★

[Adrian]

Hi, this is Adrian's wife here, (I post a lot of stuff on his behalf). I thoroughly enjoyed the series, though it's been a while since I read it. I recommended it to family and friends who read, and they too were hooked. I must say that I preferred this series from Robin Hobb to The Liveship Traders series. I found that one a little harder to get in to.

[Sally906]

I have started to read my "Red" book:


Natalia by Jenni Boyd really enjoying it so far!!!

[Steve]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "I'll be interested to read your thoughts on Fool's Assassin."

I've not finished it yet, I'm about 75% the way through, but I can't put it down! That said, I've always thought of the Six Duchies stories as my "first love", but like any Robin Hobb book, I just devour it.

[Steve]

Adrian wrote: "Hi, this is Adrian's wife here, (I post a lot of stuff on his behalf). I thoroughly enjoyed the series, though it's been a while since I read it."

Might you be thinking of Fool's Errand, and the other two in that series, Golden Fool and Fool's Fate?

Fool's Assassin is the first book in a new trilogy, it came out in August this year.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Adrian wrote: "Hi, this is Adrian's wife here, (I post a lot of stuff on his behalf). I thoroughly enjoyed the series, though it's been a while since I read it. I recommended it to family and friends who read, ..."

Hi Adrian's wife! I'm not sure what series you're recommending plus this is a challenge thread - perhaps you could go to the correct thread for recommendations - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group... - either Aussie author or International recommendations:) Thanks!!

If you were responding to previous comments here, just hit the "reply" button which will link your comment to the relevant one:)

[Nicola]

After 40 hours of listening (not all at once, but in the car to/from work) I have finally finished
6. Labor Day
Dragonfly in Amber / Diana Gabaldon
Enjoyed it much more than the first one! Looking forward to listening to the next one (at another 40+ hours!)

[Kathryn]

40 hours, Nicola!!! I get a bit twitchy after 14!!

[Janine]

I have finished my 9th #6 (Policewoman)
Gone Missing by Linda Castillo 4*

[Carolyn]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Steve wrote: "I have finished my eighteenth, my first 3f. Read a Rainbow (Purple) Spellwright, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my first 3..."

I have Fool's Assassin lined up to read as well Rita. I loved both Robin Hobb's Assassin and Fool series (as Adrian's wife said both were better than the Liveship Traders series!) so I hope it's as good.

[Nicola]

Kathryn wrote: "40 hours, Nicola!!! I get a bit twitchy after 14!!"

I think that was why I felt I didn't enjoy Outlander as much (33 hours). This time I knew what the long haul was like!

[Nicola]

Carolyn wrote: "RitaSkeeter wrote: "Steve wrote: "I have finished my eighteenth, my first 3f. Read a Rainbow (Purple) Spellwright, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

U..."
I read Robin Hobb's years ago and enjoyed them very much - haven't read any recently tho' (too much other stuff on my TBR!)