Aussie Author Challenge 2015

[Ryan]

Sarah wrote: "Can anyone tell me what a bindi-eye man might be? I looked it up and only found that bindi-eye is some type of a thorn. I don't understand!"

Yeah a bindi-eye is a type of bindi shaped like an eye, like a tiny little wheel of spikes maybe five to ten millimetres wide (about a quarter of an inch). Bindis are famous for hiding in the lawn. You never know when that inviting patch of grass might attack your bare feet with bindis.

I don't know what a bindi-eye man is though. What book is it in?

[Sarah]

Ouch. That sounds very unpleasant! So I'm thinking a bindi-eye man must be a man made out of these. It's a creature for a children's book so that would make sense. Thanks for the description, it makes the imagery a lot more vivid.

If I ever go to Australia I am NOT going barefoot on grass ;)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Sarah wrote: "Ouch. That sounds very unpleasant! So I'm thinking a bindi-eye man must be a man made out of these. It's a creature for a children's book so that would make sense. Thanks for the description, it ma..."

Haha, bindi's (Bindii) were the bane of childrens (and adults) lives in the Summer as thats when they were out and thats when most Aussies get around in bare feet and ALWAYS tempt fate by trying to navigate the lawn without getting pricked by them! And once you walk into a lawn infested with them....there is only one way out! For an "unshod" child with no other means of escape...such as a nearby adult, preferably a shod one....it could take ages just to traverse a distance of a few meters. It was/is not an uncommon sight to see people walking barefoot like trapeze artists across lawns in the summer, even dogs weren't immune!
Haha...memories :) You still get them here and there in dry patches, but mostly they have been eradicated in most cared for lawns.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

@Sarah, what is the book you are reading with the bindi eye man?

[Sarah]

Poet's Cottage It's an audiobook so I had to look around for spelling. The grandmother was a children's book writer and she had various creatures as part of her books. There was a kookaburra and a Tasmanian devil as well. Those ones I knew. There may have been others at the very beginning but I'm not sure. Oh, there was some kind of spider made of stone, I think. Or stone legs.

[Kathryn]

Didn't May Gibbs have a story with bindi-eye men? Or am I just getting confused with the Banksia Men?

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Sarah wrote: "Poet's Cottage It's an audiobook so I had to look around for spelling. The grandmother was a children's book writer and she had various creatures as part of her books. There was ..."

Oh I have this book Sarah! Though I can't remember reading it :/
I might have to revisit it ;)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Kathryn wrote: "Didn't May Gibbs have a story with bindi-eye men? Or am I just getting confused with the Banksia Men?"

Yes May Gibbs had the Banksia Men... The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie or maybe Gum Nut Babies ...I can't remember which, lol it was a looong time ago :)

[Sarah]

Are those children's books?

[Kathryn]

Sarah wrote: "Poet's Cottage It's an audiobook so I had to look around for spelling. The grandmother was a children's book writer and she had various creatures as part of her books. There was ..."

Oh yes!! I've just finished reading Poet's Cottage and I thought bindi-eye men sounded familiar, but couldn't place where I'd heard about them!!

And yes, May Gibbs is an author of children's stories. I haven't looked at them for ages, but they're worth checking out, Sarah!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I cut my teeth on May Gibbs books and
As did most Aussie kids....way back then. They are terrific children's books, about native bush creatures in the (specifically) Australian Bush. Some were pretty scary, but most were lovely...we adored those stories :D

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

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I finished my second - 1st Fantasy - Across the Bridge of Ice by Ruth Fox 4★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Sarah]

Those look so cute! The names are wonderful. :)

[[deleted user]]

Enjoying Darkness on the Edge of Town by Jessie Cole as my first book for this challenge :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 3rd - second Romantic Suspense - Outback Flames by Suzanne Brandyn 4.5★s

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

[Kathryn]

After originally posting this in last year's thread, I'll pop it in the correct thread this time!

I finished my first read for this challenge last night - Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os. It was very enjoyable and I certainly hope to read more works of Joanne van Os in the future.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lol! So glad you enjoyed it Kathryn :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I just realized that I hadn't finished entering my choices for this challenge, so here they are with two as yet still undecided...

I'm going for the Laid Back level....for starters.
*Updated*

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★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jools great list, but Rachel Joyce isn't Aussie my sweet;) and what title are you reading by Vicki Tyley (or is that a secret;))

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Jools great list, but Rachel Joyce isn't Aussie my sweet;) and what title are you reading by Vicki Tyley (or is that a secret;))"

Lol..see this is why I take so long!! I knew that about Rachel Joyce ...guess we just want to own her too!
I will get back to you soon with Vicki's ...yes its a secret! Lol

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Jools great list, but Rachel Joyce isn't Aussie my sweet;) and what title are you reading by Vicki Tyley (or is that a secret;))"

Lol..see this is ..."

LOL!!!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Jools great list, but Rachel Joyce isn't Aussie my sweet;) and what title are you reading by Vicki Tyley (or is that a secret;))"

L..."

How's it look now Brenda?

[Amber]

Last night I finished my first Aussie author, Literary genre:
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute ★★★★

[Marina]

I"m going to do the Laid Back challenge. Still deciding on my books and genres, but I have a question: do the 12 books all have to be by different authors as well as in different genres?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Marina wrote: "I"m going to do the Laid Back challenge. Still deciding on my books and genres, but I have a question: do the 12 books all have to be by different authors as well as in different genres?"

If your author crosses genres then there is no reason why they should not appear in your list twice. Different books of course:)

[Lynxie]

Marina wrote: "I"m going to do the Laid Back challenge. Still deciding on my books and genres, but I have a question: do the 12 books all have to be by different authors as well as in different genres?"

As Phrynne said - I have Bryce Courtenay in a couple of genres, but different books.

[Odette]

I have decided to do the laid back version of this challenge to start with. Here are my choices.

1. Historical Fiction: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

2. Paranormal: The Hambledown Dream by Dean Mayes

3. Crime: The Celtic Dagger by Jill Paterson

4. Rural Fiction: Redstone Station by Therese Creed

5. Fantasy: The Dark Age by Traci Harding

6. War: After Darkness by Christine Piper

7. Biography: Through the Farm Gate: A Life on the Land by Angela Goode

8. Debut Novel: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

9. Contemporary: The Devils' Cradle by Darcy Daniel

10. Literary Fiction: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

11. Short Stories: Friends, Family and Other Strangers From Downunder by Liza Perrat

12. Classic: The Aunt's Story by Patrick White

[Sarah]

I have two of Melina Marchetta's

[Sarah]

Odette wrote: "I have decided to do the laid back version of this challenge to start with. Here are my choices,...

I absolutely loved Burial Rites! Enjoy :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marina wrote: "I"m going to do the Laid Back challenge. Still deciding on my books and genres, but I have a question: do the 12 books all have to be by different authors as well as in different genres?"

As the others said Marina, same authors are allowed - just so long as they're different genres:)

[Marina]

This is such a cool idea for a challenge. It's forcing me to venture outside my little sff comfort zone!

Here's my laidback challenge:

1. Short stories: Black Juice by Margo Lanagan
2. Sci fi: Contest by Matthew Reilly
3. Fantasy: The Lascar's Dagger by Glenda Larke
4. Historical: Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth
5. Crime: A Few Right Thinking Men by Sulari Gentill
6. YA: The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina
7. Thriller: The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly
8. Classic: The Man Who Loved Children by Christina Stead
9. Women's fiction: Odd One Out by Monica McInerney
10. Mystery: All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld
11. Humour: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
12. Literary: The Secret River by Kate Grenville

[Sarah]

Hmm... The Secret River looks really good.

[Kathryn]

Sarah wrote: "Hmm... The Secret River looks really good."

I read it about a year ago, Sarah, and really enjoyed it. The Lieutenant and Sarah Thornhill make up a "trilogy", of sorts. The Lieutenant doesn't follow on from The Secret River with the same characters, but it follows the theme from a different perspective. Sarah Thornhill does follow on with some of the same characters from The Secret River and also follows the next generation. They're all interesting reads.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Jools great list, but Rachel Joyce isn't Aussie my sweet;) and what title are you reading by Vicki Tyley (or is that ..."

Perfect:)

[Sarah]

Kathryn wrote: "I read it about a year ago, Sarah, and really enjoyed it. The Lieutenant and Sarah Thornhill ..."

Awesome, thanks :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Phew....that's my lists done! Now I can read :D
...loving it.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Kathryn wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hmm... The Secret River looks really good."

I read it about a year ago, Sarah, and really enjoyed it. The Lieutenant and Sarah Thornhill ..."

Totally agree Kathryn, a great trilogy.

[Sarah]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Hmm... The Secret River looks really good."

I read it about a year ago, Sarah, and really enjoyed it. The Lieutenant and [book:Sarah Thor..."

:) :) :) I'm finding so many fun things on this site.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Phew....that's my lists done! Now I can read :D
...loving it."

:D

[Marina]

My 16-year-old daughter is actually reading The Secret River right now. She asked me yesterday if we could go to the library because her English teacher had recommended it and she wanted to borrow it. I went down to the groaning TBR shelves instead and unearthed it -- ta-dah!

It's been there for a looong time! I'm glad it's getting some love now. And of course, now that someone else is reading it, it's doubly enticing to me, so after languishing for years it will probably get read in short order!

[Carolyn]

Marina wrote: "My 16-year-old daughter is actually reading The Secret River right now. She asked me yesterday if we could go to the library because her English teacher had recommended it and she wanted to borrow ..."

Clever Mum having a copy - must have impressed your daughter!

I saw the play last year at the STC and it was amazing. I'd recommend seeing it if it's staged again - very powerful with minimal stage props.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Carolyn wrote: "Marina wrote: "My 16-year-old daughter is actually reading The Secret River right now. She asked me yesterday if we could go to the library because her English teacher had recommended it and she wa..."

I saw the play too Carolyn! It was awsome wasn't it? Wonderfully done, it certainly was a powerful and moving story.
I would definately go again if they were to repeat it.

[Marina]

Fingers crossed they might put it on again. I'd score bonus Awesome Mother points if I took her to the play as well!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Marina wrote: "Fingers crossed they might put it on again. I'd score bonus Awesome Mother points if I took her to the play as well!"

Lol, I hope hope it does return Marina, if only to see you get bonus Awesome Mother points! :))

[Sarah]

Marina wrote: "My 16-year-old daughter is actually reading The Secret River right now. She asked me yesterday if we could go to the library because her English teacher had recommended it and she wanted to borrow ..."

Woo hoo!!! That's just so cool :)

[Marina]

I'm very happy to see her reading a "real" book for a change. She does most of her reading these days on Wattpad reading Sherlock fanfic.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Finished my 4th - first Science Fiction - The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly 4★s

Review to follow closer to publication

[Marina]

The book's already out, Brenda. Please share your review!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

NetGalley's publication isn't until 27th Marina:)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I think there is a different date for the paperback and the hardback editions?