**Summer Reading Challenge - 1/12/14-28/2/15** Showing 651-700 of 1,029

[Mary]

Amber wrote: "3. Australia Day: Aussie Author - A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute ★★★★"

I loved that book

[Mary]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Angela wrote: "I've just finished The Fault in Our Stars.

Here is the shortest review I've ever written: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

C..."

Wow! Clearly I can't read that before February.

[Hannah]

Ace wrote: "Han wrote: "Ace wrote: "Haven't updated my slow reading progress lately but this is where I am at. U is next on my hitlist!

Oooh I am putting
onto my to rea..."

Thanks Ace! I've actually gotFlying The Coop: A Free Range Tree Change or Has She Made the Worst Mistake of Her Life here to read as well, so I guess I'm about to get to know this author! :)

[Angela]

Mary wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Angela wrote: "I've just finished The Fault in Our Stars.

Here is the shortest review I've ever written: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Why's that Mary?

[Carolyn]

I've read two books for this challenge this week from the S and E of SUMMER:

Solar by Ian McEwan 3.5★
Was a bit disappointed with this. I'm not very good at reading books with unlikeable characters.
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng 4.5★
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I really enjoyed this sensitive novel about a family unravelling after a favourite daughter dies.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mary wrote: "I've been seconded to work in Bourke for 6 months. Packing up and moving has seriously interfered with my reading goals. Not sure I'm going to achieve this challenge after all."

Good luck with your move Mary:) I hope you find some time to read your books, but don't stress about the challenge!

[Carolyn]

Mary wrote: "I've been seconded to work in Bourke for 6 months. Packing up and moving has seriously interfered with my reading goals. Not sure I'm going to achieve this challenge after all."

Good luck with the move Mary. Hope Bourke proves to be interesting for you!

[Patricia]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "MaryG2E wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "MaryG2E wrote: "After the Christmas New Year hiatus, I've resumed working my way through the Summer Reading Challenge. Have had to substitute a new title for my Spe..."

I think Clive James is a much better poet than writer of prose. I love his recent translation of Dante's "Divine Comedy".

[Dana]

Sally906 wrote: "RitaSkeeter wrote: "I'm back to the challenge after a short hiatus to deal with the bundle of library books that arrived all at once.

I read These Broken Stars, which I had been du..."

These Broken Stars was fabulous. If you plan on reading #2 this This Shattered World don't forget to read the linking story #1.5 This Night So Dark available as a free ebook I have even put the link in for you :)

http://www.amazon.com.au/This-Night-D...

[Dana]

RitaSkeeter wrote: "Dana wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "RitaSkeeter wrote: "I'm back to the challenge after a short hiatus to deal with the bundle of library books that arrived all at once.

I read [book:These Broken Stars|..."

Ha, of course you read it! I was thinking as I was typing my reply "These are book people, they already know this" but I thought I had better say it anyway (just in case).
Believe it or not I don't really know anyone else who reads much, so I forget sometimes.

[Amber]

Dana wrote: "These Broken Stars was fabulous. If you plan on reading #2 this This Shattered World don't forget to read the linking story #1.5 This Night So Dark available as a free ebook I have even put the link in for you :)

http://www.amazon.com.au/This-Night-D... "

I didn't know about it, so thanks for posting the link Dana :-)

[Trevor]

Finished my 7th book for the challenge, Summer U book - An Underground Life: Memoirs of a Gay Jew in Nazi Berlin by Gad Beck - 3★.

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

[Sally906]

Dana wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "RitaSkeeter wrote: "I'm back to the challenge after a short hiatus to deal with the bundle of library books that arrived all at once.

I read These Broken Stars, wh..."

Ooooooh nooooooooo - thank you, I've just downloaded it, missed this one! Now I have to fit it in to my agenda. Still, This Shattered World is still being processed at library so will be a week or so before I get it. Then have it for a month - is do able ;)

[Dana]

I love that you have a reading agenda, I am more of a spur of the moment kinda girl that is why I have avoided the challenges in the past. I am finding that the challenge is helping me broaden my reading horizons though.

[Sally906]

Dana wrote: "I love that you have a reading agenda, I am more of a spur of the moment kinda girl that is why I have avoided the challenges in the past. I am finding that the challenge is helping me broaden my r..."

I always have an agenda - keeping to it though is another story - I am a mood reader too and sometimes something comes along and the Agenda is put to one side while I read it ;)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Have finished my 9th for this challenge:

#4 Valentine's Day: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion 5★s+

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

Next up is #9 Historical Fiction: Bereft by Chris Womersley

[Janine]

I have finished my 13th
#9 Historical Fiction Girl of Shadows by Deborah Challinor 3*

[Dana]

I have just finished
E and R of spell it out SUMMER. Both were good reads, I was having trouble finding an "R" when I remembered that I had been wanting to read The Railway Children for ages and it did not disappoint 4★.

1.
S. Saving Wishes 5★'s
U. UnEnchanted 1★
M. My So-Called Afterlife 2★
M. Mr. Miracle 3★
E. Etiquette & Espionage 3.5★
R. The Railway Children 4★

2.Christmas
Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm Read 14th December 2★'s

3. Australia Day
Anzac Girls: The Extraordinary Story Of Our World War 1 Nurses

4.Valentines Day
Passionfruit & Poetry

5. Literature Map = Ben Aaronovitch = Kate Griffin =
A Madness of Angels

6.TBA

7. New Release Aussie
The House at the Bottom of the Hill 4★

8. Summer
The House on Burra Burra Lane 4★

9. Historical Fiction
The Signature of All Things

10. TBR Fav Genre = YA
Snow Like Ashes

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking good Dana:)

[Jenn]

So this is what I have read so far...


1. S Saving Grace 4 stars & Snuff
1. U Ulysses & UnEnchanted 3 1/2 Stars
1. MMagic in the Shadows & The Magician's Guild
1. M Monkeewrench & A Mommy for Christmas 4 stars
1. E Equal Rites & Eric 3 1/2 Stars for both
1. R The Replacement & Redeemed 3 1/2 Stars (a great end to the series)

2. Christmas Book
a. The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding 3 stars
b. The Brands Who Came For Christmas 3 1/2 stars

3. Book by an Aussie Author
a. Time Will Tell 4 1/2 stars
b. Meant To Be 4 1/2 stars

4. Romance
a. Secrets and Lies 4 stars
b. Brand-New Heartache (Silhouette Intimate Moments #1117) 3 1/2 stars

5. Literature Map - Laurell K Hamilton
a. The Witch With No Name 4 stars
b. Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson 3 1/2 stars

6. Aussie Reader Friend top 5 favourites for 2014 (Pick 1)
a. Outback Ghost by Rachael Johns on Sally906 list
b. Middlemarch by George Eliot on Michael's list 4 Stars

7. New Release by Aussie Author
a. Darkness Falls
b. The Millionaire by Victoria Purman

8. book with Summer in title or set in summer written by and Aussie Author
a. Nobody But Him 4 stars
b. Someone Like You 4 stars

9. Historical fiction
a. Evergreen Falls
b. One Hundred Years of Solitude

10. Favourite Genre
a. Water Bound 4 stars
b. Clariel

[Jenn]

I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Jennifer wrote: "I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound"

Any star ratings Jennifer? Just like to know which ones you like most or not so much so we can chech 'em out for possible inclusions to our own :)

[Jenn]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound"

Any star ratings Jennifer? Just like to know which ones you like most or not so much so we can chech 'em out for possi..."

I have added my star rating to the previous post

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Jennifer wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound"

Any star ratings Jennifer? Just like to know which ones you like most or not so much so we can chech '..."

Sorry, I didn't see that one.... I have Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum which is #2 in series on my tbr but don't have the first book, do you think I should read #1 first?

[Jenn]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound"

Any star ratings Jennifer? Just like to know which ones you like most or not so much ..."

I put the ratings up when you asked for them. The 3 books in the Button Jar series are like one big book. The story would make more sense if you read Saving Grace first.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound"

Any star ratings Jennifer? Just like to know which ones you like most or not so much ..."

Most definitely Julie. It's a series in the full sense of the word:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Jennifer wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound"

Any star ratings Jennifer? Just like to know which ones you like most..."

That's good, glad to see you rated it so well, my copy of Time Will Tell is a signed copy from the author :) and that's why I don't yet have book #1

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I am starting my 14th book today Water Bound"

Any star ratings Jennifer? Just like to know which ones you like most..."

Thanks Brenda, I will definately get book #1 and start at the beginning :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 21st - first #5 Literature Map - Michael Connelly = Jonathan Kellerman - Flesh and Blood 2.5★s

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

[Carolyn]

Finished my 9th, the second M of SUMMER, Mercy 6 by David Bajo 3★.
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This book grabbed my attention because it was described as a literary medical thriller but I didn't enjoy as much as I expected. It was literary but wasn't really a thriller or even much of a mystery, although the original premise of six people all dropping dead suddenly at exactly the same time sounded interesting!

[Sharon]

Finished my 8th #4 - Valentine's Day: Operation Valentine by Loretta Hill 4★

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

[Veronica ⭐️]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Thanks Brenda, I will definately get book #1 and start at the beginning :)"

I picked up Saving Grace on iBooks for free " first in a series"

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yaya!! That's fantastic Veronica:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Veronica wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Thanks Brenda, I will definately get book #1 and start at the beginning :)"

I picked up Saving Grace on iBooks for free " first in a series""

Well spotted Veronica, its not there now :(

[Dana]

Just finished Passionfruit & Poetry I am sorry to say only 2.5★ from me, I am sure that plenty of people will love it but I just found the lead female character to be to ditsy for my liking.
I then started my Australia Day read but it might have to be replaced with something else as I can't get into the headspace required for this type of book. So I have now started The Signature of All Things and can I just say only 8% in, I am really enjoying it.


1.
S. Saving Wishes 5★'s
U. UnEnchanted 1★
M. My So-Called Afterlife 2★
M. Mr. Miracle 3★
E. Etiquette & Espionage 3.5★
R. The Railway Children 4★

2.Christmas
Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm Read 14th December 2★'s

3. Australia Day
Anzac Girls: The Extraordinary Story Of Our World War 1 Nurses

4.Valentines Day
Passionfruit & Poetry 2.5★

5. Literature Map = Ben Aaronovitch = Kate Griffin =
A Madness of Angels

6.TBA

7. New Release Aussie
The House at the Bottom of the Hill 4★

8. Summer
The House on Burra Burra Lane 4★

9. Historical Fiction
The Signature of All Things

10. TBR Fav Genre = YA
Snow Like Ashes

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Dana!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Dana wrote: "Just finished Passionfruit & Poetry I am sorry to say only 2.5★ from me, I am sure that plenty of people will love it but I just found the lead female character to be to ditsy for m..."

Powering through them Dana!

[Lynxie]

Up to reading my last two books:

1. Spell it out:
S Sun Poisoned
U Uprush
M Meritropolis
M Manslaughter and Other Tears
E Endgame
R The Road

2. Christmas: Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

3. Australia Day: Let Sleeping Gods Lie by Dianne F. Gray

4. Valentine's Day Romance: Complementary Colors by Adrienne Wilder

5. Literature Map: Michael J. Sullivan -> Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses eSampler

6. Pick an Aussie Readers friend - then check out the thread of Top 5 Favourites of 2014: Stardust thanks to Angela

7. New Aussie release: Bloodlines by Vanessa Skye Release date: January 2015

8. Aussie Summer: Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum

9. Historical Fiction: Girl With a Pearl Earring

10. Favourite Genre: Dystopian (coz I haven't read any recently!) Impetus by Scott M. Sullivan

The last two books I've read. Almost finished now :)

Endgame ★★★

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

Stardust ★★★

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

[Lynxie]

So I finished 5. Literature Map: Michael J. Sullivan -> Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses eSampler because it was only 40 pages long and the full book isn't due out till May 2015.

I'm keen to read the rest of the book though, so I've added it to my TBR list. ★★★★

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

[Dana]

Lynxie wrote: "Up to reading my last two books:

1. Spell it out:
S Sun Poisoned
U Uprush
M Meritropolis..."

Hi Lynxie. I felt the same way about Stardust as you did, the movie was great and like you I saw the movie before reading the book which was a let down. I just don't get Neil Gaiman I want to like him, I feel as if I should love his work but I just don't. You are right reading the book just makes me want to watch the movie:(

[Lynxie]

Dana wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Up to reading my last two books:

1. Spell it out:
S Sun Poisoned
U Uprush
M [book:Meritro..."

Glad I'm not alone in that Dana. I'll try others of his work and see how I go.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

@Rita, Lynxie and Dana (and anyone else who feels the same!)

Don't stress about liking Neil Gaiman or not you guys! That's why everyone has different tastes...of course he's not for everyone, and just because he's very popular doesn't mean that EVERYONE loves him! The Ocean at the End of the Lane is being read ATM by my bookclub group and I have heard several of them say "I just can't get into this book"! I hadn't read a Gaiman until last year and found I really enjoyed it. But as I said, not everyone will enjoy him! So, be happy you're unique and that you will always love some and not others:)

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: "@Rita, Lynxie and Dana (and anyone else who feels the same!)

Don't stress about liking Neil Gaiman or not you guys! That's why everyone has different tastes...of course he's not f..."

So true Brenda. I have read one of his short stories - it's set in the nursery rhyme land called: The Case of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds. That one I enjoyed. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I haven't read that one Lynxie..I'll check it out, thanks:)

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: "I haven't read that one Lynxie..I'll check it out, thanks:)"

It's available free online. http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuf...

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "@Rita, Lynxie and Dana (and anyone else who feels the same!)

Don't stress about liking Neil Gaiman or not you guys! That's why everyone has different tastes...of course he's not f..."

I find I either Love his books or Loathe them - I have not read one I am middle of the road about. I have his book The Ocean at the End of the Lane on my TBR pile.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "@Rita, Lynxie and Dana (and anyone else who feels the same!)

Don't stress about liking Neil Gaiman or not you guys! That's why everyone has different tastes...of co..."

I really enjoyed that one Sally!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I haven't read that one Lynxie..I'll check it out, thanks:)"

It's available free online. http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuf..."

Thanks Lynxie!! (I think;))

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Brenda wrote: "Sally906 wrote: "Brenda wrote: "@Rita, Lynxie and Dana (and anyone else who feels the same!)

Don't stress about liking Neil Gaiman or not you guys! That's why everyone has differe..."

I think it would be easy to like one of his books and not another because he writes in so many different styles. American Gods is so far from Stardust you would not think it the same author.

[Odette]

Just updating progress for this challenge. I have four more books to read.

1.
S The Sound of One Hand Clapping by Richard Flanagan
U The Unlikely Savior by Tammy Seley Elliott
M Murder At The Rocks by Jill Paterson
M A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters
E Empire Day by Diane Armstrong
R Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
2. Book relating to Christmas: The Santa Shop by Tim Greaton
3. Australia Day Aussie Author: Book of Lost Threads by Tess Evans
4. Valentine's Day Romance: The House on Burra Burra Lane by Jennie Jones
5. Literature Map: (K Freeman - C B Kline) Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
6. Aussie Readers friend top 5: (thanks Angela) The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
7. New Aussie release: Volcano Street by David Rain
8. Summer in Title: The Last Rose Of Summer by Di Morrissey
9. Historical Fiction: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
10. Favourite Genre - Historical Fiction: An Indecent Obsession by Colleen McCullough.