**Spring Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Mary]

Brenda wrote: "Mary that's great! If you click on "edit" at the bottom of that post you just did, you'll see in the box you are typing in on the top right hand side, "add book/author". Click on that and type your..."
Is there a benefit to others if i do it again? Or should i just leave it now? And does that work for links to reviews which i notice you also drop in?

[Steve]

Nicola wrote: "Finished my Rainbow Red read:
The Subtle Knife / Philip Pullman"

What did you think of it?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mary wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Mary that's great! If you click on "edit" at the bottom of that post you just did, you'll see in the box you are typing in on the top right hand side, "add book/author". Click on tha..."

You can either do it again, or edit your original post Mary. It is very beneficial:)

Reviews are another way completely...I'll explain that when you need it if you like:)

[Chris]

Over the last two weeks I have finished No 2: New Release: Hello From the Gillespies, 3C: Yellow: They're a Weird Mob and No 10-Another TBR: Burning For Revenge all very enjoyable reads.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Christina:)

[Kira]

I've made quicker progress on this challenge than I thought I would. I finished my rainbow reads last night and now I just have three more to go. I need to hit the library this week :)

[Trevor]

Finished my new aussie book My Story by Julia Gillard - 4★s.

I really enjoyed this autobiography, and would recommend it to anyone interested in recent Australian politics, my review is -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Finished my new aussie book My Story by Julia Gillard - 4★s.

I really enjoyed this autobiography, and would recommend it to anyone interested in recent Australian ..."

Really good review Trevor..

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Finished my new aussie book My Story by Julia Gillard - 4★s.

I really enjoyed this autobiography, and would recommend it to anyone interested in rec..."

Thanks Brenda, it was a good book to read too

[Lynxie]

Finished my #10th 4. YA by an Aussie: Finnikin of the Rock ★★★

Quite underwhelmed...

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

[Janine]

I have finished my 13th #7 Remembrance Day
Nightingale by Fiona McIntosh 4*
I had this book down for my Spring Release but it fits this category perfectly so I will be able to read The Rosie Effect for the Spring Release instead.

[Lynxie]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Finished my #10th 4. YA by an Aussie: Finnikin of the Rock ★★★

Quite underwhelmed...

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/rev..."

I'll be interested to see if you agree Rita. I went in hoping for awesome, and I hadn't read anything else by Melina, but really, not impressed.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 25th - second 3a (Red) - The Survivors Club by Lisa Gardner 4.5★s

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

[Steve]

Last night, because of some, um helpful people running a generator for an hour at 2am, I finished my twenty-second book, my second 8. Goodreads friend (Sally) Mistborn: The Final Empire, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I made a start on the next book I picked, my first 2. Brisbane Writer's Festival, Jazz Baby.

[Elaine]

Finished my 9th, Labour Day, The Perfect Husband , which I quite enjoyed except that I was a bit disappointed about Rainie. Those who have read it will know what I mean. 4 stars for me.

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my twenty-third, my first 2. Brisbane Writer's Festival, Jazz Baby, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my second 6. Labor Day, Reunion in Death.

[Nicola]

Lynxie wrote: "RitaSkeeter wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Finished my #10th 4. YA by an Aussie: Finnikin of the Rock ★★★

Quite underwhelmed...

My review: https://w..."

I really enjoyed it - something a bit different I thought. I hadn't read any others of hers so didn't know what to expect either. I also recently finished the second one and enjoyed that as well.
It's lovely to see all the different tastes that we have and how differently we feel about the same books!

[Nicola]

I've finished my Purple/violet read - 4 ★
A Darkness More Than Night / Michael Connelly
and also a TBR (had been on order and it then turned up unexpectedly!
The House of the Four Winds / Mercedes Lackey
Not many left now!

[Kathryn]

Nicola wrote: "Not many left now! ..."

I was just thinking that! I finished by GR friend read - Mrs. Kennedy and Me: An Intimate Memoir by Clint Hill, which was an interesting read (thanks, Elaine!) and I just have 5 to go now - am hoping my copy of my no. 2 - new release read - The Rosie Effect - comes in to the library in the next week so I can take it up the beach with me!!

[Lynxie]

Nicola wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "RitaSkeeter wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Finished my #10th 4. YA by an Aussie: Finnikin of the Rock ★★★

Quite underwhelmed...

My re..."

That's really interesting Nicola. Do you read a lot of fantasy? I wonder if it has to do with previous reading in the genre as much as tastes?

[Jenn]

What I have read so far

1.Spring clean TBR shelf
a. Haunted by Kelley Armstrong
b. Dune by Frank Herbert

2. Aussie New release for Spring
a. The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
b. Already Dead by Jaye Ford

3. Read a rainbow
a. red
Broken by Kelley Armstrong
Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong

b. Orange
Living with the Dead by Kelley Armstrong Dime Store Magic

c. Yellow
Frostbitten Colours of Gold

d. Green
The Shadow Year Waking the Witch

e. Blue
Secrets of the Tides Turbulent Sea

f.purple/violet
Fated Bitten


4.Young Adult By Aussie Author
a. On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
b. The Journey by John Marsden

5. A book with 'Wattle' in the title
a. Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum
b. Black Wattle Creek by Geoffrey McGeachin

6.Labour Day - Policeman
a. An Evil Mind by Chris Carter
b. Dishonour by Gabrielle Lord

7. Remembrance Day
a. Captain Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières
b. The Story Of Gallipoli by Patrick Carlyon

8. Good Reads Friend - Ashlee
a. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
b. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

9. Favourite Genre
a. Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong
b. Stolen by Kelley Armstrong

10. TBR Shelf
a. The Immortal Crown: An Age of X Novel by Richelle Mead
b. Bones Never Lie: by Kathy Reichs

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennifer wrote: "What I have read so far

1.Spring clean TBR shelf
a.Haunted by Kelley Armstrong
b.Dune by Frank Herbert

2. Aussie New release for Spring
a. [bo..."

You're doing very well Jennifer...great list!

[Kathryn]

Jennifer wrote: "What I have read so far

1.Spring clean TBR shelf
a.Haunted by Kelley Armstrong
b.Dune by Frank Herbert

2. Aussie New release for Spring..."

I'm planning on reading The Shadow Year for my favourite genre read - what did you think of it, Jennifer?

[Sally906]

There is still another month to go isn't there? Going into my quarterly panic mode - will I finish or not??

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Yes still a month. No need to panic yet. I have a little list of books labelled MUST read in November.

[Jenn]

Kathryn wrote: I'm planning on reading The Shadow Year for my favourite genre read - what did you think of it, Jennifer?

I really enjoyed this book. It's not really my Genre I read a fair bit of Fantasy/Paranormal fiction and Crime fiction but this book held my attention all the way to the end. I am pretty sure I gave it 4-5 stars.

[Sally906]

Good. Had a mental blank for a while.

The next month is usually check what I've read ans see if I can substitute instead of what I picked :)

[Kathryn]

Sally906 wrote: "There is still another month to go isn't there? Going into my quarterly panic mode - will I finish or not??"

I can't believe that there's only another couple of months left in the YEAR! I guess from about a month's time onward, all the different 2015 yearly challenges will be appearing in all the various groups...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I think you're probably right Kathryn! Scary how close Christmas is, then 2015!

[Jenn]

Just finished my first No. 7 Remembrance Day - Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Unabridged and am half way through Spell Bound.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Just finished The Sunnyvale Girls by Fiona Palmer which I will most likely add as a TBR choice for this challenge as it somehow jumped the reading queue!
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Next up is 3b. Orange cover, the much anticipated (at last!! :D) Mr Wigg by Inga Simpson

[Kathryn]

Jennifer wrote: "Kathryn wrote: I'm planning on reading The Shadow Year for my favourite genre read - what did you think of it, Jennifer?

I really enjoyed this book. It's not really my Genre I read a fair bit o..."

Good to hear - will look forward to it!

[Janine]

I have finished my 14 #4 YA by Aussie Author
Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James 3*

[Lynxie]

Great review Rita. I'm glad it wasn't just me that felt underwhelmed!

You're a greater fan than I, I won't be going on with the series.

[Lynxie]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Thanks Lynxie :) We do seem to be in a minority!!! My sister and my DH swear by the series which is why I'm thinking of giving number two a try, but we'll see...!"

Yeah, I just can't. I still plan on reading Looking for Alibrandi at some point and if I click with that, probably her others, but perhaps fantasy just isn't her forte??

[Janine]

Challenge Complete
#2 Aussie Author Spring Release
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 4*

[Leonie]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Fair call. She definitely seems better at contemporary from my reading so far. Alibrandi is a fantastic book. My personal favourite is On the Jellicoe Road though it is a tad confu..."

I heard Melina Marchetta speak at the NSW Writers Centre Speculative Fiction Festival a couple of years ago, and she said then that she felt embarrassed about Looking for Alibrandi, and how poorly she'd written it. (As far as I can see, she's the only one who thinks that. I haven't yet read it, but I plan to.)

She seemed much more comfortable with Finnikin of the Rock, and now having seen both your reviews, I'm really wondering about it. I shall still read it, but I'm really interested to see how it stacks up. I've read a lot of fantasy, so I've a fair bit to compare it to.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Janine wrote: "Challenge Complete
#2 Aussie Author Spring Release
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 4*"

Congratulations Janine! Some relaxing reading for you now until the Summer challenge starts:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

You finished very early Janine. Well done:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I finished another of my books for this challenge Kraken by China Miéville. My head is still spinning.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 26th - 2nd 3f (Purple) - Curve My Song by Sarah Gai 4.5★s

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

[MaryG2E]

Hooray! Finished my wish list for the Spring Challenge with a whole month to spare. This was the first time I've embarked on a big reading challenge and I'm so glad I participated. It has been very interesting to see on this forum what other readers are up to.

Here's my final list with ratings:
1. A long TBR: Looking for Alibrandi Melina Marchetta 4 ★ s



3. Rainbow colours:
(a) red: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Alan Bradley 2 ★ s

(b) orange: Bonito Deputy by Jack Slade, which is a Western 2 ★s

(c) yellow: Milk Fever by Lisa Reece-Lane 4 ★ s

(d) green: The Honey Queen by Cathy Kelly 3 ★ s

(e) blue: The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson 3 ★ s

(f) purple: Prunella: the authorised biography of Prunella Scales Prunella 2 ★ s

4. YA: Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden 4 ★ s


5. Wattle: Black Wattle Creek by Geoffrey McGeachin 4 ★ s


6. Labor Day: Cross Country by James Patterson 1 ★


7. Remembrance Day: Postcards From No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers 3.5 ★ s


8. From a Friend's List: Still Alice by Lisa Genova 5 ★s


9. Fav genre - crime fiction: In Her Blood by Annie Hauxwell 2 ★s


10. Another TBR - A Graphic Novel:
Frist time I've ever read a graphic novel, and I was charmed by its quirkiness.
The House that Groaned by Karrie Fransman 3 ★s

[Leonie]

You certainly had a bit of variety there, MaryG2E!

[Carolyn]

Finished two of my rainbow books:
Green Murder At The Rocks by Jill Paterson 3.5★
review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and Red The Bellamy Bird by Clare Havens 4★
review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Still got 5 books to go for this challenge so will have to get my skates on!

[Nicola]

Steve wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Finished my Rainbow Red read:
The Subtle Knife / Philip Pullman"

What did you think of it?"

Steve, Loved it!
I'm just about the start the 3rd one (The Amber Spyglass) and hope the trilogy really holds up to the end...

[Nicola]

Lynxie wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "RitaSkeeter wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Finished my #10th 4. YA by an Aussie: Finnikin of the Rock ★★★

Quite underwh..."

Have to admit my first passion is for science fiction but do read a lot of fantasy as well. However, I have only recently hit the YA genre and have found it to be really interesting. I found it to be interesting as it was well paced and with new ideas and characters - there was a real mix of children/teenagers and adults. And while I do enjoy a lot of retelling of fairy tales it was nice to see an original tale.
But it's wonderful to see the different opinions of everyone - I have some absolutes hates that other absolutely loved!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished 27th - 2nd 3b. (Orange) - Amalfi Echo by John Zanetti 3★s

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

(3 to go)

[Trevor]

Have finished another couple of books for the challenge:

3 yellow: which gets 4 ★'s

my short review is: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

7 Remembrance Day: The Absolutist by John Boyne which also gets 4 ★'s

[Steve]

While somewhere between the coast of Australia and Dubai, I finished my twenty-fourth, my second 6. Labor Day, Reunion in Death, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I've made a start on my second 3f. Read a Rainbow (Purple), Furies of Calderon

[Zoey]

Getting there....


1. TBR - The Ice Cream Girls Dorothy Koomson 3★
2. Aussie New Release - Mothers Grimm Danielle Wood 3★
3a. Red - The Merzetti Effect Norah Wilson
3b. Orange - Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Helen Fielding 3.5★
3c. Yellow - The LawmanLily Graison3★
3d. Green - Bernese Mountain Dog Esther Verhoef - currently reading
3e. Blue - FocusAlyssa Rose Ivy4★
3f. Purple - White Lion's LadyTina St. John3★
4. Aussie YA - Playing Beatie Bow Ruth Park 4★
5. Wattle Day - Silver Wattle Belinda Alexandra
6. Labour Day (Lawyer) - In Safe HandsLee Christine4.5★
7. Remembrance Day - Atonement Ian McEwan
8. Friends List (michael) - Prime Cut Alan Carter - currently reading
9. Fav. Genre (Hist Fict) - Lady of the EnglishElizabeth Chadwick4★
10. TBR - Found Alyssa Rose Ivy 4★