Aussie Author Challenge 2015

[Nicola]

My 3rd Debut novel.
The Bark Cutters / Nicole Alexander
Enjoyed it even though not a genre I read often!

[MaryG2E]

For this challenge my goal was to complete the ‘Busy’ category, i.e. 2 x 12 books in 12 different genres. What a fantastic challenge! I’ve steadily worked my way through the wish list, making changes as required. I feel a great sense of accomplishment, intellectual stimulation and also a great affection for the talents of our great Australian authors. Of those 24 books, 14 were authors that were new to me.

1. Travel
Strange Country by Mark Dapin 4.5 ★s
Is That Thing Diesel?: One Man, One Bike and the First Lap Around Australia on Used Cooking Oil by Paul Carter 1 ★

2. Non-fiction
The Dig Tree: The Story of Bravery, Insanity, and the Race to Discover Australia's Wild Frontier by Sarah Murgatroyd 4.5 ★s
This House of Grief by Helen Garner 3.5 ★s

3. Biography/Memoir
Unreliable Memoirs by Clive James 3 ★s
Carry a Big Stick by Tim Ferguson 4 ★s

4. Classic Australian
Dimboola by Jack Hibberd 1 ★
The Shiralee by D'Arcy Niland 4 ★s

5. Suspense/Mystery
Beautiful Malice by Rebecca James 4.5 ★s
Bereft by Chris Womersley 3.5 ★s

6. Crime Fiction
The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howell 4 ★s
St Kilda Blues by Geoffrey McGeachin 4 ★s

7. Literary Fiction
A World of Other People by Steven Carroll 4.5 ★s
Book of Lost Threads by Tess Evans 4 ★s

8. Historical Fiction
The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough 3 ★s
Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os 5 ★s

9. Young Adult
Something in the World Called Love by Sue Saliba 4.5 ★s
The Third Day, the Frost by John Marsden 3.5 ★s

10. Humour
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 4 ★s
All That Happened At Number 26 by Denise Scott 4 ★s

11.Romance
Wattle Creek by Fiona McCallum 3 ★s
Above The Fold by Peter Yeldham 4 ★s

12. Contemporary Fiction
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty 4 ★s
Addition by Toni Jordan 4.5 ★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Mary! Fabulous effort... some great reads there too:)

[Carolyn]

Finished my third book in Scifi/speculative genre:

An Ordinary Epidemic by Amanda Hickie 4★

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

Quite an interesting idea, focusing on the story of one Australian family trying to survive a deadly epidemic. Mostly about family relationships and the ways people react under extreme stress.

[Carolyn]

I've read my last book in the Fantasy genre Sabriel by Garth Nix 4★.

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

Starting to close in on this challenge with only four books in three genres left to read:

SciFi/speculative: Eden, Dawn by Archer Swift

True Crime: This House of Grief by Helen Garner

Romance: Safe Harbour by Helene Young
Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I have two more to go:

Laid Back level....

1. Thriller ....................Can You Keep a Secret? by Caroline Overington 3.5★s
2. Young Adult ............Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith 4★s
3. New Adult ...............Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta 5★s
4. Historical Fiction ... The Silk Thief by Deborah Challinor 5★s.
5. Contemporary ........The Secrets in Silence by Nicole Trope 4★s
✽6. Non Fiction .............Last Woman Hanged by Caroline Overington
7. Mystery ...................Sleight Malice by Vicki Tyley 5★s.
8. Crime ......................Tell Me Why Sandi Wallace 4★s.
9. Literary Fiction .......When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett 4★s.
10. Romance ...............The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. 5★s+
✽11. Fantasy ..................Mark of the Dragon Queen by Katie W. Stewart
12. Suspense ...............Already Dead by Jaye Ford4★

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Carolyn wrote: "I've read my last book in the Fantasy genre Sabriel by Garth Nix 4★.

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

Starting to close in on this challenge wi..."

I bet you'll still beat me to the finish line Carolyn :)

[Carolyn]

Don't know about that Jools. I've got a few other challenges to finish as well. The race is on to fit them all in before the end of the year!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Carolyn wrote: "Don't know about that Jools. I've got a few other challenges to finish as well. The race is on to fit them all in before the end of the year!"

It gets a bit like that at the end of the year doesn't it. Plus I leave the less interesting stuff till last. Not good.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

That's why I opted out of the last two monthly challenges, because I had so much else on in the last few months I have got way behind with my reviews etc. I might have to make a galley book challenge just to make a dent those!

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Don't know about that Jools. I've got a few other challenges to finish as well. The race is on to fit them all in before the end of the year!"

It gets a bit like that at the end of..."

I always leave my least favourite genres to last and then reading feels like a bit of a chore. Getting on top of it now and have accepted that I won't finish my personal challenge (50 owned paperbacks).

[Nicola]

Finished my 3rd Classic/cultural read. Lovely story 4*
The Golden Age / Joan London
only 7 books left for the Out of Control level!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Going well Carolyn and Jools! Not many left at all...

and Nicola, you're going great too!

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Going well Carolyn and Jools! Not many left at all...

and Nicola, you're going great too!"

Having a few days off and for the first time this year will be able to relax and read, read, read! (all my other holidays were heading into the wild blue yonder and busy!)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's exciting news:) (the read, read, read bit;))

[Mary]

I know it's incredibly late but I'm going to have a run at this before the end of the year - just the laid back of course.

1. Crime

Katherine Howell 3* https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Women's fiction

The Husband's Secret Liane Moriarty 4*

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

3. Historical

The Narrow Road to the Deep North Richar[author:Richard Flanagand

4. Contemporary

The Secret Keeper Kate Morton

5. Suspense

Tara Moss 3*
Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

6. Non fiction

Batavia Peter FitzSimons

7. Literary

Something by Geraldine Brooks

8. YA

by Garth Nix 3*
Review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

9. Romance

The Winter Sea Di Morrissey

10.Fantasy

The Iron Tree Cecilia Dart-Thornton

11. Mystery

Bitter Wash Road Garry Disher

12 True crime

This House of Grief: The Story of a Murder Trial/Helen Garner

[Carolyn]

Wow Mary! You are a late starter. You make me feel guilty whinging about having four to go! Good luck with it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good luck Mary!!! That's a fabulous challenge to yourself...

[Mary]

Thanks Brenda and Carolyn. I've been off work so i decided to take advantage. I'm sure it will do me good. :)

I went into the library and made the librarian's day this afternoon! He's never been involved in something like this and i decided i could only do it if i could find books to hand.

Of course if other good titles come up I'll just swap them in!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Oh that's great Mary! Good to hear you challenged his "usual boredom":) He'll be talking about it for awhile...good luck!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I just saw you've added to your list too...some good books there!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Some terrific choices there Mary, you should get plenty of enjoyment out of them whether you finish or not, goodluck! :)

[Veronica ⭐️]

I just need to read 2 childrens books by the end of the year and I've completed the busy level of this challenge Yay!!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Veronica wrote: "I just need to read 2 childrens books by the end of the year and I've completed the busy level of this challenge Yay!!"

That shouldn't be too difficult eh Veronica? Well done :)

[Sally906]

Mary wrote: "I know it's incredibly late but I'm going to have a run at this before the end of the year - just the laid back of course.

1. Crime

The Darkest Hour [author:Katherine Howell|129..."

Wow some good books in that list - you're in for a treat for the next couple of months :)

[Mary]

I know. Lucky for us both hey? I've made a start already so I'm feeling pretty good about it. Can't get strike through on my tablet though so will just add stars and review.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Mary wrote: "I know. Lucky for us both hey? I've made a start already so I'm feeling pretty good about it. Can't get strike through on my tablet though so will just add stars and review."

Are you reading them in order of your list Mary or just choosing as you go?

[Mary]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Mary wrote: "I know. Lucky for us both hey? I've made a start already so I'm feeling pretty good about it. Can't get strike through on my tablet though so will just add stars and review."

Are you ..."

So far i have just picked them up in order Julie, but I'm really not that tidy! Partly too it's about format. I'm away this weekend so I'll take one paperback, an audio and an ebook. It'll be all about convenience.

[Carolyn]

I enjoyed my last book in the true crime genre: This House of Grief by Helen Garner 4★

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

So that's it for you Carolyn? Congratulations!!! Great effort!

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "So that's it for you Carolyn? Congratulations!!! Great effort!"

No, not yet Brenda! Another genre ticked off but three books in two more genres to go - one SciFi/speculative and two Romance. Closing in though :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "So that's it for you Carolyn? Congratulations!!! Great effort!"

No, not yet Brenda! Another genre ticked off but three books in two more genres to go - one SciFi/speculative and two..."

Ohh well I'll just congratulate you again soon! :)

[Carolyn]

I hope so Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

:)

[Nicola]

Another 2 finished
Childrens
Seven Little Australians and the Family at Misrule (the Sequel to Seven Little Australians) Illustrated / Ethel Turner
Biography
Boganaire: The Rise and Fall of Nathan Tinkler / Paddy Manning

[Kathryn]

I completed my challenge this morning with an Aussie classic, The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay.

My favourites were The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey and Heading Home by Naomi Reed, but all were good reads - nothing below 3 stars.

Busy level

1. Historical Fiction: Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra - 4 stars
Nightingale by Fiona McIntosh - 4.5 stars

2. Mystery: Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os - 4 stars
Fractured by Dawn Barker - 5 stars

3. YA: Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French - 4.5 stars
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - 4 stars

4. Fantasy: The Happy Endings Book Club by Jane Tara - 3 stars
Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh- 3.5 stars

5. Contemporary: The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey - 5 stars
The Magpie's Nest by Jacqueline Perry-Strickland - 3 stars

6. Chick-Lit: The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon - 4 stars
Family Secrets by Liz Byrski - 4 stars

7. Crime: Death by Water by Kerry Greenwood - 3.5 stars
Promise by Tony Cavanaugh - 3 stars

8. Classic: The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay - 3 stars
The Far Country by Nevil Shute - 4 stars

9. Romance: Lovesong by Alex Miller - 4 stars
The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth - 4 stars

10. Memoir/Biography: Heading Home by Naomi Reed - 5 stars
One Life: My Mother's Story by Kate Grenville - 3.5 stars

11. Christian fiction: Helena by Jo-Anne Berthelsen - 3 stars
Angelguard by Ian Acheson - 4 stars

12. Suspense: Ice Station by Matthew Reilly - 4.5 stars
Life or Death by Michael Robotham - 4.5 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Kathryn! Great job:)

[Anna]

just going to aim for the LAID BACK level now. then I have a chance of finishing.

1. Non fiction
Call Me Sasha by Geena Leigh
2. Short Story
Holiday in Cambodia by Laura Jean McKay
3. Young Adult
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
4. Historical Fiction
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
5. Science Fiction
The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly
6. Crime
KILLING JODIE by Janet Fife-Yeomans
7. Romance
Me and Mr. Booker by Cory Taylor
8. Fantasy
Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody
9. Biography/Memoir
The Fictional Woman by Tara Moss
10. Thriller
White Walls by H.M.C.
11. Mystery
Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
12.Literary Fiction
A Small Madness by Dianne Touchell

[Elaine]

Kathryn wrote: "I completed my challenge this morning with an Aussie classic, The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay.

My favourites were The Opal Desert by [author:Di M..."

Wow that's great Kathryn. Well done and with time to spare too and you did well with that last one didn't you?

[Kathryn]

Elaine wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I completed my challenge this morning with an Aussie classic, The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay.

My favourites were The Opal Desert..."

Yes - it's very quick read, Elaine! Lots of white space on the pages!

[Carolyn]

I've finished two more books for this challenge.

In the SF/fantasy genre Eden, Dawn by Archer Swift 3.5★

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

and a romance The French Prize by Cathryn Hein 3.5★

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

Just one book left to go now!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Carolyn!

[Trevor]

Finished my Aussie Challenge:


1) Humour – Shawn's Law by Renae Kaye - 4★
2) Contemporary – Useful by Debra Oswald - 3★
3) Short stories – Merciless Gods by Christos Tsiolkas - 4★
4) Literary Fiction – The Spare Room by Helen Garner - 3★
5) Classic - The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume - 3★
6) War - A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute - 4★
7) Historical - Dark Places by Kate Grenville - 4★
8) MM Romance - Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy - 4★
9) Travel - 30 Days in Sydney: A Wildly Distorted Account by Peter Carey - 3★
10) Mystery > Detective - Flying Too High by Kerry Greenwood - 3★
11) Autobiograpy > Memoir - Holding The Man by Timothy Conigrave - 5★
12) Mystery > Crime – Bad Debts by Peter Temple -3★

Thank you to the moderators for a great challenge, will there be a similar one for 2016?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Trevor and there certainly will be a new challenge for 2016!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent Trevor! You can look forward to the 2016 release in under a month:)

[Kerri]

My sad and sorry Laid Back Level for 2015 is starting to look a little possible. I'm sure there will be a rush the last week of the year though.
I don't know how to do strikethrough:

1. Historical Fiction:The Book Thief The Book Thief
2. Non-Fiction:Kinglake-350Kinglake-350
3. Contemporary:Desert Fish - completed
4.Fantasy:Snow, Fire, Sword - completed
5. Young Adult: Boys of Blood & BoneBoys of Blood & Bone - completed
6. Science Fiction: ParklandParkland - completed
7.Literary Fiction:Monkey GripMonkey Grip
8. Classic: The Power of OneThe Power of One - completed
9. Adventure: Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs, She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a WhorehouseDon't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs, She Thinks I'm a Piano Player in a Whorehouse - completed
10. Romance:48 Shades of Brown48 Shades of Brown
11Crime: The Case of the Chinese BoxesThe Case of the Chinese Boxes - completed
12. Memoir:His Stupid Boyhood: A MemoirHis Stupid Boyhood: A Memoir

[Sally906]

Anna wrote: "just going to aim for the LAID BACK level now. then I have a chance of finishing.

..."

I loved A Small Madness was a brilliant story

[Carolyn]

That's it! It's taken all year but I've finally finished this challenge with my last read in the Romance genre Band of Gold by Maggie Christensen 3.5★

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

My complete list:

1. Crime
Cold Grave by Kathryn Fox 3★
Web of Deceit by Katherine Howell 4★
Vodka Doesn't Freeze by Leah Giarratano 3★
Promise by Tony Cavanaugh 4★

2. Sci Fi
Clade by James Bradley 4★
TimeStorm by Steve Harrison 4★
Eden, Dawn by Archer Swift 3.5★
An Ordinary Epidemic by Amanda Hickie 4★

3. Historical
Wild Wood by Posie Graeme-Evans 5★
The Diggers Rest Hotel by Geoffrey McGeachin 4★
The Golden Age by Joan London 5★
Bereft by Chris Womersley 4★

4. Contemporary
Claiming Noah by Amanda Ortlepp 4★
Hello From the Gillespies by Monica McInerney 4★
Golden Boys by Sonya Hartnett 4.5★
What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty 4★

5. Suspense
Fatal Liaison by Vicki Tyley 4★
A Time to Run by J.M. Peace 5★
Deadly Messengers by Susan May 4★
Hush, Little Bird by Nicole Trope 5★

6. Non fiction
Kinglake-350 by Adrian Hyland 5★
We're All Going To Die by Joel Meares 3★
Village Vets by Anthony Bennett and J Carroll 4★
Under the Microscope by Earl Owen 5★

7. Literary
The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane 4.5★
When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett 5★
After Darkness by Christine Piper 4★
The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene 4★

8. YA
The Midnight Dress by Karen Foxlee 5★
Laurinda by Alice Pung 4★
Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil 4★
The Heir by Lynne Stringer 4★

9. Romance
By The Sword by Alison Stuart 4★
The Saddler Boys by Fiona Palmer 4★
The French Prize by Cathryn Hein 3.5★
Band of Gold by Maggie Christensen 3.5★

10.Fantasy
Treespeaker by Katie W. Stewart 4★
Twiceborn: An Urban Fantasy Adventure by Marina Finlayson 4★
The Witches of Eileanan by Kate Forsyth 5★
Sabriel by Garth Nix 4★

11.Mystery
Life or Death by Michael Robotham 5★
A Dissection of Murder by Felicity Young 4★
Bereft by Chris Womersley 4★
Mistake Creek by Rachel Amphlett 4★

12. True Crime
This House of Grief by Helen Garner 4★
Eugenia by Mark Tedeschi 4★
Nice Girl by Rachael Jane Chin 5★
The Fall by Amy Dale 4★

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Wow Carolyn! What an achievement:) Now I know where to come for ideas for Aussie authors!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Carolyn! What a fabulous effort!!!