**Spring Reading Challenge - 2014**

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "Good reviews! I liked The Bone Season more than you did Carolyn and I am looking forward to the sequel The Mime Order."

Possibly I just wasn't in the right mood for it Phrynne, but I'm not sure I'll read the rest of the trilogy. Unless they get better - might see what you think of it first :)

[Carolyn]

Here's my completed list:

1. Spring Clean: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 5★

2. Brisbane Writers Festival, new Spring release: The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 4★

3. Read a Rainbow:
Red: The Bellamy Bird by Clare Havens 4★
Orange: The Full Ridiculous by Mark Lamprell 4★
Yellow: The Bees: A Novel by Laline Paull 4★
Green: Murder At The Rocks Jill Paterson 4★
Blue: Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown 4★
Purple/violet: Mark of the Dragon Queen by Katie W. Stewart 4★



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

5. National Wattle Day: Black Wattle Creek by Geoffrey McGeachin 4★

6. Labor Day: police and forensic pathologist: Death Mask by Kathryn Fox (buddy read with Julie) 4★

7. Remembrance Day: A Fatal Tide by Steve Sailah 4★

8. GR friend – Elaine Gall: Tollesbury Time Forever by Stuart Ayris 4★

9. Favourite Genre - Sci Fi: Adulthood Rites by Octavia Butler 4★

10. TBR: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon 3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Carolyn! Excellent job and some great reads there:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Well done Carolyn! and only one 3 star, so you enjoyed them all ;)

[Carolyn]

Yes they were all good Jules. I just got annoyed with the last one - probably not in the right mood for it!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Carolyn wrote: "Yes they were all good Jules. I just got annoyed with the last one - probably not in the right mood for it!"

I have that one on my kindle so I will find out in time.

[Carolyn]

Well done Rita! It's a good feeling to be on the home stretch :)
I had to pick up the pace a bit the last few weeks to get all mine finished. Could be why I didn't enjoy The Bone Season as much as others did, so don't be put off by my opinion, Julie & Rita.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Carolyn. I could actually read your list as if it was my own. There are so many of the books I like to read on there:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Me also. Picked it up when it was only 99c, so thankfully not too much money wasted if I don't like it.

I should be on track to start my last book for the challenge tonight, and feeling a bit thri..."

That's fantastic Rita! 8 days to finish your last...woohoo!

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "Well done Carolyn. I could actually read your list as if it was my own. There are so many of the books I like to read on there:)"

Your list looks good too Phrynne! I've read some and have a couple on my Kindle as a result of reading your reviews - Festive in Death and The Lies of Locke Lamora.

[Sharon]

Finished (c) Yellow: Friends, Family and Other Strangers From Downunder by Liza Perrat 4★

3 more to go :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're doing well Sharon:)

[Sharon]

Thanks Brenda :)

[Kathryn]

Carolyn wrote: "Here's my completed list:

1. Spring Clean: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini 5★

2. Brisbane Writers Festival, new Spring release: [book:The Rosie Effect|21844..."

Congratulations, Carolyn! Looks like you enjoyed the last 3 months of reading!

[Mary]

One and three quarters to go: have to finish Angela's Ashes and then move on to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyThe Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Live

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Mary wrote: "One and three quarters to go: have to finish Angela's Ashes and then move on to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyThe Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Live"

Hopefully this finale will give you a big laugh to finish on Mary! :D

[Katrina]

So excited that I finished my challenge last night! I have never had time to spare...a whole week now to read anything :). So exciting.
Thanks for a great challenge Brenda....had some great reads. Will try to post my list later today.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Have just finished my #3 Yellow cover: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce and what a beautiful choice this was! 5★s
Thank you AR friends for convincing me to read this one...especially Michael :)

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Katrina wrote: "So excited that I finished my challenge last night! I have never had time to spare...a whole week now to read anything :). So exciting.
Thanks for a great challenge Brenda....had some great reads...."

Congratulations Katrina! So glad you enjoyed it too:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have just finished my #3 Yellow cover: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce and what a b..."

Can't wait to read it Julie:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have just finished my #3 Yellow cover: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by [author:Rachel Joyce|53098..."

I will do that review a little bit later Brenda, when I've had time to fully absorb it all.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

@ Rita, it is already on my Christmas list! I didnt even bother with dropping hints...I just said straight out that this...The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy... is a book I NEED! ;)

[Kathryn]

Katrina wrote: "So excited that I finished my challenge last night! I have never had time to spare...a whole week now to read anything :). So exciting.
Thanks for a great challenge Brenda....had some great reads...."

Congratulations, Katrina! Enjoy your week of "free" reading!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

As promised, my review of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

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

[Sharon]

Finished #4 Young Adult: The Bellamy Bird by Clare Havens 4★

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

Only 2 more to go. I might just finish in time. Fingers crossed :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Sharon wrote: "Finished #4 Young Adult: The Bellamy Bird by Clare Havens 4★

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

Only 2 more to go. I might just finish in..."

Ive decided to read this next Sharon.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I've made an adjustment to my challenge list and exchanged my original choice for #3a Red, to this The Bellamy Bird which I am reading next.

[Sharon]

Hope you enjoy it, Julie. Look forward to reading your review :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sharon wrote: "Finished #4 Young Adult: The Bellamy Bird by Clare Havens 4★

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

Only 2 more to go. I might just finish in..."

Good luck!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "I've made an adjustment to my challenge list and exchanged my original choice for #3a Red, to this The Bellamy Bird which I am reading next."

Good choice - a great read!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "I've made an adjustment to my challenge list and exchanged my original choice for #3a Red, to this The Bellamy Bird which I am reading next."

Good choice - a great ..."

Thanks Brenda, trying to rush through and at least get my Rainbow finished! :O

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Make sure you enjoy it though:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Make sure you enjoy it though:)"
Oh I will read every word, always do :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

:)

[Nicola]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have just finished my #3 Yellow cover: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce and what a b..."

I listened to this one and Jim Broadbent as the narrator was just fantastic!

[Kathryn]

Nicola wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have just finished my #3 Yellow cover: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by [author:Rachel Joyce|53098..."

He would make a good Harold Fry! Glad you enjoyed the experience, Nicola!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Nicola wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have just finished my #3 Yellow cover: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by [author:Rachel Joyce|53098..."

I imagine it would be a good book to listen to Nicola, I watched the trailer on YouTube and it came across very well.

[Nicola]

Finished my second last book -
2. Brisbane Writers' Festival
The Family Court Murders / Debi Marshall
Was so interesting and yet disturbing at the same time - I remember having to attend Parramatta Family Court for my divorce hearing in 1987 and thinking about the bombing in 1984!

[Nicola]

Kathryn wrote: "Nicola wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have just finished my #3 Yellow cover: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by [author:Rac..."

Love my audio books! He was especially perfect for the part.

[Trevor]

Spring challenge finished, thank you Brenda and all the other moderators, for another great challenge. My final list was:

1. Spring clean time! - Casino Royale by Ian Fleming - 4★
2. Brisbane Writers' Festival - My Story by Julia Gillard - 4★
3. Read a Rainbow -
3a. Red - Bran's Story by Maculategiraffe - 2★
3b. Orange – Something Like Summer by Jay Bell - 5★
3c. Yellow – Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan - 4★
3d. Green – Patient: The True Story of a Rare Illness by Ben Watt - 4★
3e. Blue – Night Games: Sex, Power and Sport by Anna Krien - 3★
3f. Purple/Violet - Little Tales of Misogyny by Patricia Highsmith - 3★



4. Choose a Young Adult - Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta - 4★
5. National Wattle Day - Black Wattle Creek by Geoffrey McGeachin -3★
6. Labor Day (main character is a doctor) - How to Be Good by Nick Hornby - 2★
7. Remembrance Day - The Absolutist by John Boyne - 4★
8. Choose a Goodreads friend (Ben) - The Pearl by John Steinbeck - 4★
9 Favourite genre! (contemporary gay) - Punch-Drunk Love by Nico Jaye - 3★
10. TBR - Game Day by Miriam Sved -3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Trevor! Excellent result...a week to go before the summer challenge starts!

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Trevor! Excellent result...a week to go before the summer challenge starts!"

Thanks Brenda, I had some really good enjoyable reads for the challenge, looking forward to the Summer one - my books are already piled up.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Trevor! Excellent result...a week to go before the summer challenge starts!"

Thanks Brenda, I had some really good enjoyable reads for the challenge, looking forward..."

That's great! You can relax for a week;)

[Sally906]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "As promised, my review of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

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

Fabulous review :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Sally906 wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "As promised, my review of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

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

Fabulous review :)"

Thanks Sally, its a fabulous book! :)

[Steve]

I have finished my penultimate (twenty-ninth) book, my second 9. Favourite Genre, The Demon King, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my final book, my second 2. Brisbane Writer's Festival, Wife on the Run.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "I have finished my penultimate (twenty-ninth) book, my second 9. Favourite Genre, The Demon King, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Up next is my fin..."

You'll make it with days to spare Steve!!

[Katrina]

So finally getting to post my books. Here is my completed list
1. Spring clean The Nanny by Melissa Nathan 4*
2. Aussie new release The Magpie's Nest by Jacqueline Perry-Strickland 4* (this is a friend of mine and is her debut novel set in Perth WA!!)
3. Red Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding 3*
Orange Adam's Empire by Evan Green 4*
Yellow The Help by Kathryn Stockett 5*
Green Lost and Found by Brooke Davis 4* (another great book set in Perth :) )
Blue The House of Memories by Monica McInerney 4*
Purple The Girl in the Hard Hat by Loretta Hill



4. Aussie YA So Much to Tell You by John Marsden 4*
5. Book with Wattle in the title Silver Wattle by Belinda Alexandra
6. Labour Day Sycamore Row by John Grisham 3*
7. Remembrance Day An Anzac's Story by Roy Kyle 4*
8. Read something on a friend's list (from Kathryn) The Inheritance by Jo-Anne Berthelsen 4*
9. Fav genre (chick lit) Unspoken by Dee Henderson 4*
10. clean TBR The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon by Alexander McCall Smith 4*

Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie J. Davis 3*
Artistic License by Katie Fforde 4*
The Medici Secret by Michael White 2*
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson 2*
Me and You by Niccolò Ammaniti 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Katrina wrote: "So finally getting to post my books. Here is my completed list
1. Spring clean The Nanny by Melissa Nathan 4*
2. Aussie new release The Magpie's Nest b..."

Congratulations Katrina! Well done - you've read more than you needed too! Extra bonus:)

[Kathryn]

Katrina wrote: "So finally getting to post my books. Here is my completed list
1. Spring clean The Nanny by Melissa Nathan 4*
2. Aussie new release The Magpie's Nest b..."

Looks like some good reading! Glad you enjoyed The House of Memories, The Help and The Inheritance - all ones I've enjoyed!