Deborah's 2019 local affair

[Deb]

I have learned from 2018! I need a nice, focused, narrow band challenge or I get lost. SO;
2019, I will concentrate on Australian authors, I have 37 on my 'read' shelf at the moment, I will see how many I can read and review in the coming year. I would like to bulk it to 70 at least.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good challenge Deborah :) Many talented AAs! Good luck!

[Deb]

Brenda wrote: "Good challenge Deborah :) Many talented AAs! Good luck!"

Thanks Brenda. I think I have sorted out the problems I was having with GR now too, so I have a better chance of sharing my results.

[Veronica ⭐️]

Good luck Deborah.

[Sharon]

Good luck and happy reading in 2019!

[Carolyn]

Good luck Deborah! I'm always looking for good Aussie reads so I look forward to seeing your reviews :)

[Kylie]

Love this idea Deborah! Good luck, happy reading! xo :)

[Krystal]

Good luck Deborah! I'm with Carolyn, here - always on the lookout for good Aussie reads!!

[Deb]

Krystal wrote: "Good luck Deborah! I'm with Carolyn, here - always on the lookout for good Aussie reads!!"

Thanks Krystal! I must remember to check out you book lists in that case - I am sure I will find some inspiration there.

[MaryG2E]

It is so rewarding to read books written by local authors which tell Australian stories. I hope you really enjoy this challenge in 2019 Deborah.

[Deb]

Thanks Mary! I think I will.

[Tanya]

If anyone can do this, you can!!!

[Deb]

For my first in this challenge by Tim Winton, an author whose formidable writing never fails me.

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

[Deb]

#2) Read and reviewed by Michael McGuireAA

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

This is an 'Australian Author" but not so much an 'Australian novel' as most of it takes place overseas.

[Deb]

#3 for the challenge and 40 for the shelf)

I was in the mood for some romance... of the literary kind at least so I picked up one for the Love&Lust category by Kylie ScottAA I gave it four stars for enjoyment.

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

[Deb]

#4 brings me to 41

by K.M. Golland was a disappointment, if you want to see why, I worked out my frustration in this review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Deb]

#5 and 42
by Kylie Scott

[Deb]

Finished Nine Summers: Our Mediterranean Odyssey by Rina HuberAA
It was a touching, charming story of a couples last years together, zestfully seizing every moment. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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

#6 takes me up to 43 books on the shelf.

[Deb]

This Brilliant book!
by this amazing author Mary-Rose MacColl.

I must read more of hers - I hope the library can help me with this as I am too skint to be buying books at the moment.

Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#7 and 44...

[Deb]

#8 takes me to 45 with this magnificent ARC from Allen & Unwin

by Peggy Frew

[Deb]

Now my most recent book; by Peter Godfrey-Smith
I did not think I was reading an Australian Author, initally, but I am going to call him in as one. He is a professor at the University of Sydney and dived NSW extensively. He is ours I say! If we can claim Russel Crowe we can certainly claim this brilliant writer.

Recaptured some of my marine biology mojo with this one; #9 to 46

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

[Deb]

Just finished by AA Tim Winton
Five stars, because GR does not go higher than five.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#10 to 47

[Deb]

I just finished an ARC from S&S
by Todd Alexander

If it is possible to be effervescently agricultural, I think this book is it. A lot of fun;
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#11 takes me to 48 with an author that is completely new to me

[Kathryn]

Deborah wrote: "Just finished by AA Tim Winton
Five stars, because GR does not go higher than five...."

I know I'm in the minority with this one - one star, because Goodreads does not go lower than one! In fact, I think I only made it 1/4 of the way through before deciding I could go no further!

Glad you enjoyed it - looks like you're enjoying most of your Aussie authors so far this year!

[Kerri]

You are powering through this challenge Deborah. I see the 2 recent ARC's from Allen & Unwin rated highly with you, I will have to bump these up on my list.

[Deb]

Kerri wrote: "You are powering through this challenge Deborah. I see the 2 recent ARC's from Allen & Unwin rated highly with you, I will have to bump these up on my list."

Islands and The True Story of Maddie Bright? Those were really good ones. Are you coming to the next meed up - because I would be happy to pass my copies on...

[Deb]

Kathryn wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Just finished by AA Tim Winton
Five stars, because GR does not go higher than five...."

I know I'm in the minority with this one - o..."
I can see that Kathryn, it took me a while to really commit to this one, and a know a few people who never actually did.

[Deb]

Have just finished another one; it came highly recommended by a few of my GR buddies ;)
by Annie Seaton

Was a very good read; four stars and
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Which takes me up to... #12 and 49

[Deb]

#13 and 50
Blood by AA Tony Birch

Wow! Amazing book and author!

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

[Deb]

51 ; I realised that a book I read a year or two ago is an Australian author ; by the incredibly disinterested Australian traveler Ann Rickard

[Deb]

#14 (read and reviewed this year) and 51st on the shelf: thanks to whoever recommended to me...

by Marion LennoxAA

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

[Deb]

#15 and 52
by Sally PiperAA

I gave it only one star, as I really did not enjoy it at all, which I resent, as I can see that it is actually a really good book;
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Suz]

You are going well Deborah! Love your challenge.

[Deb]

Suzanne wrote: "You are going well Deborah! Love your challenge."

Thanks Suzanne, sadly my most recent one has an American author. I thought a book about the dolphins of Monkey Mia was bound to work for this challenge, but no!

[Deb]

For #16 I finished another Australian story. It was frustrating; the story was great, the location one I know well, but the writing was terrible.

by Emma Pearse

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

This brings my Australian Authors shelf up to 73 - It is a big jump I know; I went through my 'read' shelf and added books that I read from before I joined Aussie Readers and started making the distinction.

While on a technicality I have met my challenge, I am going to see if I can tip it over the 100 mark :)

[Deb]

#17 bringing me up to 74; I was delighted to read a brilliant book by brand new Australian author Kerri Turner who did a brilliant job with the historic fiction


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

[Deb]

#18 carrying me forward to 75 in the folder.

by Paul CarterAA
Another author that one could argue about status: Born overseas (UK, I think) but he came to Australia as a kid and though it sounds he has spent more time EVERYWHERE else in the world bar Australia, I think he counts as a Sydney boy.

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're going exceptionally well Deborah 😊

[Deb]

Thanks Brenda, I have the Winter challenge and the A to Z challenge to go yet, that will help boost things too :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

:)

[Deb]

#19 and up to 76

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

[Deb]

#20 takes me to 77

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

[Kerri]

I really liked this one too Deborah. I can't wait to see what your final total will be given that you were aiming for 70 and it's only June.

[Deb]

Kerri wrote: "I really liked this one too Deborah. I can't wait to see what your final total will be given that you were aiming for 70 and it's only June."
Yes, I really enjoyed it, even more than I expected to. Thank you.

I am happy to have made it past 70, but I am a bit excited to see how far it goes too :)

[Deb]

OK!
I have a couple more that did not get posted immediately due to electricity fails:
by Lynne Stringer Which I really enjoyed
by Kali Napier which, sadly, I really didn't enjoy.
by Tom Keneally which was beautifully written
up to 23 this year and 80 books!

[Deb]

81st book was a beauty!

by Petronella McGovern

[Deb]

25th this year, 82 books on the shelf with this lovely, fun read:
by Annie Seaton

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

[Mari]

Great challenge. I must confess I have not heard of most of these books so it has been fun looking through your list. Thanks for sharing 😊.

[Deb]

Mari wrote: "Great challenge. I must confess I have not heard of most of these books so it has been fun looking through your list. Thanks for sharing 😊."

Thanks for commenting Mari - I hope you find a few of the books suit you :)

[Deb]

And, here is my 26th, bringing me up to 83.

The beautifully written, amazing debut novel by Brisbane author Amanda Niehaus
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...