2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2015
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Kathryn's 2015 Challenges and Reading List
Personal Challenge - Link to challenge in Aussie Readers' GroupYearly challenges
1. Annual Aussie Author Challenge (Aussie Readers' Group)
2. The Listopia Challenge (2015 Reading Challenge)
3. I Spy Challenge (2015 Reading Challenge)
4. The ReadWomen Challenge (2015 Reading Challenge)
5. Reading Bingo Challenge (Bound Together)
Seasonal challenges for Aussie Readers
1. Summer 2014/2015 - January/February - Link to my challenge below
2. Autumn - March/April/May - Link to my challenge below
3. Winter - June/July/August - Link to my challenge below
4. Spring - September/October/November - Link to my challenge below
5. Summer 2015/2016 – December - Link to my challenge below
Quarterly Challenges for 2014 Reading Challenge group
Link to Twin Reads below
Links to monthly reading lists and challenges below:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Aug
September
October
November
December
Personal Yearly ChallengeDuration: 1 January, 2015 – 31 December, 2015
Link to post in Aussie Readers' group to update
I am doing a personal challenge this year with a mix of different tasks. Books for some tasks may overlap with other tasks.
As always, all books subject to change throughout the course of the year depending on availability and mood.
Throughout this year, I'm hoping to read:
1. 12 Christian fiction
2. 6 non-fiction
3. 12 Australian authors
4. 10 books from Listopia lists
5. 12 books from series I’m in the middle of
6. 6 books from my second-choice shelf
7. Aussie Readers’ Top Reads from 2014
8. 4 fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian
9. 15 books written by authors from or about particular countries/continents/regions
10. 4 books from my ABC book club shelf
Personal Yearly Challenge1. 12 Christian fiction
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?The Patmos Deception by Davis Bunn
Personal Yearly Challenge2. At least 6 non-fiction
Completed 15/17
1) The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston
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4) Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain
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Personal Yearly Challenge3. 12 Australian authors:
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Would still like to read Morgan's Run sometime...
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6) Elliot Perlman – Seven Types of Ambiguity
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Personal Yearly ChallengeCompleted 10/11
Best Historical Fiction of the 21st Century
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Have Passport Will Travel
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6) Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain
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Australian Christian Authors
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Personal Yearly Challenge5. 12 books from series I’m in the middle of
Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood
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Mistress of the Art of Death Series by Ariana Franklin
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The Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer
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The Irish Country series by Patrick Taylor
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The Railway Detective - Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck series by Edward Marston
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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
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The Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte series by Arthur W. Upfield
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The Detective Ella Marconi series by Katherine Howell
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Personal Yearly Challenge6. 6 books from my second-choice shelf
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Personal Yearly Challenge7. Aussie Readers’ Top Reads from 2014:
Completed 12/13 Temporarily abandoned 1/13
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11) Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel – recommended by Andrea - started, but temporarily abandoned
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Personal Yearly Challenge8. 4 fantasy/sci-fi/dystopian -- COMPLETED:
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Personal Yearly Challenge9. 15 books written by authors from or about particular countries/continents/regions:
1) Switzerland –
2) Mountains of Africa –
3) West Africa –
4) Other Africa –
5) Antarctica -
6) France -
7) Uzbekistan -
8) Tibet - Running a Hotel on the Roof of the World: Five Years in Tibet by Alec Le Sueur
9) North Korea -
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Other country options - Spain, Russia, the Arctic Circle, Canada, Cambodia, 13) Island life e.g. the Seychelles, Maldives, Caribbean, global
Book options - Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick (Cambodia – child soldier)
The Map of Lost Memories by Kim Fay (Cambodia)
The Disappeared by Kim Echlin (Cambodia)
Walking Free by Munjed Al Mudaris (Iraq – refugee)
My Name Is Not Easy by Debbie Dahl Edwardson (?set in the Arctic, N/A MBRL or BCC)
First They Kiled My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers
Still Life by Louise Penny (Canada)
One Night in Winter by Simon Sebag Montefiore (Russia)
360 Degrees Longitude (global)
Ice Bound: One Woman’s Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole (CAB)
Personal Yearly Challenge10. 4 books from my ABC book club shelf -- COMPLETED
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Yearly Challenge -- COMPLETED1. Annual Aussie Author Challenge
Duration: 1 January, 2015 - 31 December, 2015
For 2015 we have an annual Aussie author challenge with a difference! This one we will call the Aussie Genres Challenge:)
Here's how the latest annual challenge will work :
To qualify for the Laid Back Level you need to read TWELVE (12) books, the Busy Level is TWENTY FOUR (24) or you can choose to be Out of Control with the highest level and read THIRTY SIX (36) books.
Now there's a catch (of course!) you will need to read your books from 12 different genres - well it IS an Aussie GENRE challenge- so this will mean you will need to read THREE (3) books from each of your chosen genres if you are going to be Out of Control, TWO (2) if you're Busy and ONE (1) to be Laid Back.
FIRST, you need to decide on your choice of the twelve (12) genres
SECOND, choose which level you'd like to read
THIRD, choose your books and make sure they are written by an Australian Author.
Some examples of genres you can choose from;
Contemporary, Historical, Non Fiction, Crime, Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Young Adult, Chick-Lit, Classic, Literary fiction
Completed 24/24
Busy level
1. Historical Fiction:
2. Mystery:
3. YA:
4. Fantasy:
5. Contemporary:
6. Chick-Lit:
7. Crime:
8. Classic:
9. Romance:
Originally
10. Memoir/Biography:
11. Christian fiction:
12. Suspense:
Yearly Challenge 2. The Listopia Challenge - 2015
Duration: 1 January, 2015 - 31 December, 2015
It's back! After popular demand, the Listopia challenge is returning for another year! Feel free to carry on your goal from 2014, or to update with new goals and new lists. :)
Goodreads features a number of user created lists.
Besides the featured and popular lists on the main page you can see lists your friends have voted on as well as search for lists with topics that interest you.
The number of lists you choose and the number of books you read from each is entirely up to you. One person might choose to read the Top 100 books from one list, another person may choose to read the Top 5 books from 10 lists. You decide and mix it up any way you like.
Rules :
Choose your list (or multiple lists!) and the number of books you plan to read from each.
State your goals in your first post (posting a link to your lists is recommended*).
Any format of book, cross challenging etc. are all fine.
You can keep track in your Member's Corner or update here.
When you finish off a list, post your completed list here so we can all congratulate you!
Completed 10/11
Best Historical Fiction of the 21st Century
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Have Passport Will Travel
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6) Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain
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Australian Christian Authors
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Yearly Challenge 3. I Spy Challenge
Duration: 1 January, 2015 - ??? - this may end up running over 2 years
Read 25 books that contain a word in their titles that fit each of the 25 categories below. If you're having trouble with a particular category, ask other members what they are reading for it. You may also use the name of the series for up to three categories.
Here are the 25 categories with examples. The examples are just to get you started - any word that fits the category is fair game.
Completed 24/25
1. Color -
2. Number -
3. Things That Grow –
4. Seasons -
5. First Name -
6. Places –
7. Body Part –
8. Weapon - knife, poison, arrow
9. Body of Water -
10. Form of Water -
11. Product of Fire -
12. Celestial Body –
13. Architecture –
14. Senses -
15. Royal Title -
16. Family Member –
17. Elements -
18. Time of Day –
19. Metal - gold, bronze, steel –
20. Emotion/Feeling –
21. Animal/Insect –
22. Something to Read –
23. Gender Identifier –
24. Paranormal Being –
25. Occupation -
Yearly Challenge 4. #readwomen2015 (2015 Reading Challenge)
Duration: 1 January, 2015 - 31 December, 2015
#readwomen2015 is a movement started by Joanna Walsh who was tired of the status quo. In her own words, this is what the movement is all about:
It’s a truth universally acknowledged, and confirmed by VIDA, that, though women read more books than men, and female authors are published in comparable numbers, they are more easily overlooked: a smaller presence in literary journals both as reviewers, and the reviewed, they also account for fewer literary translations.
It’s not whether women are published (because they are) but how they are published. Are men more likely to write what’s considered ‘important’ literary fiction, or could it be that more are regarded that way? I’ve heard female writer friends grouse when their books are given flowery covers though their writing’s not, when reviews, even press-releases, describe their work as “delicate” when it is forthright, “playful” when it is experimental, “delightful” when it is satirical, “carving a niche” when it is staking a claim (none of these examples is made up).
For this challenge, decide how many new-to-you female authors you would like to read. Once your goal is set, read! And come back and tell us who your favorites were to get great female authors more exposure. Each author can only count once.
Completed 50/50
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May yet get to:
Yearly Challenge 5. Reading Bingo Challenge (Bound Together)
Duration: 1 January, 2015 - 31 December, 2015
See bingo card here
Rules are very few:
1. Begins Jan 1 2015, ends Dec 31, 2015.
2. One book can cover a maximum of 2 squares, no more.
3. Create as many bingos as possible, ideally covering the whole board by year-end.
4. Keep us updated in this thread how you're doing and what you're reading to cover your squares.
5. Have fun!
HELPFUL GIFT ANIMAL Q X Z CHILD PERSPECT
'15 MOVIE BORROWED BUD READ 60+ REC TO ME
AUTHOR
CLASSIC PUBL 2000- FREE 2014 BT DIFF SUBJ
2005 AUTHOR
WARM 250 PGS COLD RED COVER TBR 2+ YRS
CLIMATE CLIMATE
YA FOOD/BEV FUN CELEBRITY 2014 GR
COVER WINNER
Row 1
B. Something helpful - Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman - 3.5★
I. Book rec'd as a gift - Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting - 3★
N. About an animal - Matthew Flinders' Cat by Bryce Courtenay - 5★
G. Q, X or Z in title - Q & A by Vikas Swarup - 4★
O. Written from a child's perspective - Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French
Row 2
B. Becoming a movie in 2015 - Room by Emma Donoghue - 5★
I. Borrowed from a friend - Friends and Lovers by Helen MacInnes - 3★
N. Create or join a Buddy read in BT - The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
G. Present day author still writing after age 60 - Victim of the Aurora by Thomas Keneally - 2★
O. Recommended to you - Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra - 4★
Row 3
B. Classic - The Far Country by Nevil Shute - 4★
I. Published between 2000 - 2005 - Away With the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood - 3★
N. Free space - Angelguard by Ian Acheson - 4.5★
G. Author from 2014 BT - Sheltering Rain by Jojo Moyes - 4★
O. Difficult subject to read - I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai - 3.5★
Row 4
B. Set in warm climate - Elianne by Judy Nunn - 4.5★
I. Under 250 pages - Helena by Jo-Anne Berthelsen - 3★
N. Set in cold climate - The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker - 4.5★
G. Mostly red cover - Passion Play - the Oberammergau Tales by Valerie Volk - 4★
O. On TBR list more than 2 years - The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty - 4★
Row 5
B. YA - Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein - 4.5★
I. Food or beverage on cover - The Heavy: A Mother's Battle Against her Seven-year-old Daughter's Obesity by Dara-Lynn Weiss - 4★
N. Something fun - Death by Water by Kerry Greenwood - 3.5★
G. Written by a celebrity(not normally known as an author) - Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie - 3★
O. Any 2014 Goodreads Choice Award winner - Mr Mercedes by Stephen King - 4★
2014 BT author reads (G3):
Tim Winton (January)
John Grisham (February)
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (March)
Christopher Moore (April)
Joe R Lansdale (May)
Jojo Moyes (June)
Diane Chamberlain (July)
Anna Quindlen (August)
Mary Alice Monroe (September)
Jack Ketchum (October)
Sarah Jio (November)
Mitch Albom (December)
2014 Good Reads Choice Award Winners (O5):
Fiction - Landline
Mystery & Thriller - Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
Historical Fiction - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Fantasy - The Book of Life
Romance - Written in My Own Heart's Blood
Science Fiction - The Martian
Horror - Prince Lestat
Humor - Yes Please
Nonfiction - The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories
Memoir & Autobiography - This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl
History & Biography - The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra
Business Books - #GIRLBOSS
Food & Cookbooks - Make It Ahead: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Graphic Novels & Comics - Serenity: Leaves on the Wind
Poetry - Lullabies
Debut Goodreads Author - Red Rising
Young Adult Fiction - We Were Liars
Young Adult Fantasy - City of Heavenly Fire
Middle Grade & Children's - The Blood of Olympus
Picture Books - The Pigeon Needs a Bath!
Possibilties for B2 - book to movie in 2015
Room by Emma Donoghue
A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
The Secret in Their Eyes by Eduardo Sacheri
Possibilities for G5 - written by a celebrity
Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie
Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale by David Duchovny
Seasonal Challenge 1. Summer Reading Challenge (Aussie Readers’ Group) -- COMPLETED
Duration: 1 December, 2014 – 28 February, 2015
Completed 10/10
Books in italics read in 2014
1. Spell It Out!
S –
U – The Undertaking – Audrey Magee
M –
M – The Middle Window – Elizabeth Goudge
E –
R –
2. Christmas is getting closer - I have several Christmas reads!
Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories – L.M. Montgomery
Hercule Poirot's Christmas – Agatha Christie
Christmas at Harrington's – Melody Carlson
An Irish Country Christmas – Patrick Taylor
Guideposts for the Spirit: Christmas Stories of Faith by Julie K. Hogan
3. Australian author
4. Romance
5. Literature Map
Diane Chamberlain →
6. Top 5 Aussie Readers Favourites of 2014
7. Aussie New Release
N/A
8. "Summer" in the title OR set in Summer - an Aussie author as well...
9. Choose Historical Fiction for this one
10. Favourite genre from your TBR!
Poet's Cottage – Josephine Pennicott
Seasonal Challenge 2. Autumn Reading Challenge (Aussie Readers’ Group)
Duration: 1 March, 2015 – 31 May, 2015
Completed 10/10
1. Make a cup of tea!
a) Boil the water - Read a book which is "steamy", set in a hot climate or makes you feel warm inside. Or books where the author's name or book title begins with B, O, I or L .
b) Choose your tea - Read books with a colour on the cover to match the type of tea you choose:
Black - black tea
Green - green tea
White - white tea
Brown - oolong tea
Red - rooibos tea
Orange - herbal tea
Black –
c) Steep the tea - Read a book with page counts to indicate how strong you like your tea:
Weak - under 150 pages
Medium - 151 to 300 pages
Strong - 301 pages or more
Medium –
d) Sweet? - Read a book to indicate how sweet you like your tea:
No sugar - Stand alone novel
One spoonful - Book one in a series
Two spoonfuls - Book two in a series
Honey - Book three in a series
Artificial sweetener - Book four in a series
Artificial sweetener –
e) Black or white? - Read a book to indicate what else to add to your tea:
No milk - General fiction
Just a dash - Romance/chick lit
Lots of milk - Young Adult/new adult
Cream - Fantasy/sci fi
Soy milk - Mystery/thriller
Lemon - Non fiction
Just a dash of milk – changed to
Now your cuppa is made, you're ready to continue reading!
2. March 4th is Clean up Australia Day - read at least one book by an Aussie Author from your TBR list...
3. March 20th is International Day of Happiness so pick up a book you've been desperate to read OR re-read an old favourite - either will make you HAPPY
4. April 22nd is International Mother Earth Day - save the earth by reading a library book, or a book borrowed from a friend...
5. May 15th is International Family Day - read a book which has family featured...
6. New Release by an Aussie Author - Read a book that is released in Autumn 2015 - March, April or May...
Seasonal Challenge 3. Winter Reading Challenge (Aussie Readers’ Group)
Duration: 1 June, 2015 – 31 August, 2015
Completed 10/12
Spell it Out! Read 6 books whose titles spell out WINTER. Don't count the, a, and an - for example:
1...
W – While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax or Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
I –
N –
T –
E –
R –
2... Read a NEW RELEASE which is published in JUNE, JULY or AUGUST 2015
TBA
?The Beast’s Garden by Kate Forsyth
?Mistake Creek by Rachel Amphlett
3... For International Children's Day choose a YOUNG ADULT title by an AUSSIE author
4... Choose a book written by an AUSSIE author who is independently published - an AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR
5... From your OWNED TBR books choose one SPECULATIVE FICTION, one HISTORICAL FICTION and one MYSTERY for JUNE, JULY and AUGUST (to be read in your month of choice!)
June - Mystery –
July - Historical Fiction –
August - Speculative fiction –
Seasonal Challenge 4. Spring Reading Challenge (Aussie Readers’ Group)
Duration: 1 September, 2015 – 30 November, 2015
Completed 25/25
Our Spring Challenge for 2015 is something a little different. Let's have a Mini Book Bingo:)
The Rules:
#1. Read a minimum of two (2) rows - either across or down but not diagonal (a total of ten (10) squares) - therefore 10 books!
#2. Where the squares overlap (if they do) you must read that square twice.
#3. Choose your rows; then list (and link) your books in this challenge thread.
Feel free to read as many rows as you want (minimum two)
BOOK LOVE PUB 2015 MALE CHAR NEW AUS
PRIZE COVER AUTH
POPULAR AUS AUTH CURRENT REREAD OTHER COUNTRY
BESTSELLER
AUS YA HF FREE NOVELLA MOVIE
TBR FAV GENRE FRIEND'S RED COVER FEMALE
2YRS+ TBR CHAR
SCI-FI ONE WORD AUST CHILD SUSPENSE/
SETTING CRIME
Column 1
Shortlisted or won a book prize –
Book that “everyone” but you has read –
YA by an Aussie author –
Has been on your TBR for 2+ years –
Sci-fi –
Column 2
Love that cover –
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: A Memoir, a History by Lewis BuzbeeBy an Australian author –
HF –
Favourite genre –
With a one word title –
Column 3
Published this year –
Currently on the bestseller list –
Random TBR book –
From a friend’s TBR –
Set in Australia –
Column 4
Male main character –
Reread something –
A novella –
With a red cover –
Earthly Delights by Kerry GreenwoodWith a child on the cover –
Room by Emma DonoghueColumn 5
By a new (to you) Aussie author –
Set in another country –
Book turned into a movie –
Female main character –
Suspense or crime –
Seasonal Challenge 5. Summer Reading Challenge (Aussie Readers’ Group)
Duration: 1 December, 2015 – 28 February, 2016
Completed 10/10
Books in italics are intended to be read in 2016
For our Summer Seasonal Challenge we're going to try something a little different! Let's do My Favourite Book Challenge in Summer
How It Works:
1). Take the name of your favourite book (or any book you really love if you can't choose a favourite) and read a book that starts with each letter of that book . It’s that simple!
2). If you finish your first title quickly, challenge yourself to choose your second favourite book title and start over! See how many of your favourite book titles you can complete! :)
3). To make it more challenging, try to choose books relating to Summer - title, cover or content...
4). Ideally your book won't be something like It or Us (for obvious reasons!)
Favourite Australian book of 2015 - Matthew Flinders' Cat
M -
A -
T -
T -
H -
E - Emma by Alexander McCall Smith
W - Who We Were by Lucy Neave
F - Following the Equator by Mark Twain
L -
I - Ivory by Tony Park or The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville or The Islands by Di Morrissey or Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke
N - Nefarious Doings by Ilsa Evans
D - A Dublin Student Doctor by Patrick Taylor
E -
R - Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
S -
C -
A -
T - The Hot Zone: The Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola Virus by Richard Preston or The Last Christian by David Gregory
TBR Twin ReadsJanuary
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala YousafzaiFebruary
The Golem and the Djinni by Helene WeckerMarch
Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain by David EaglemanApril
N/A
May
N/A
June
N/A
July
N/A
August
N/A
September
N/A
October
N/A
November
N/A
December
N/A
Listopia lists I like the look of:Best Books Set In Australia
Great Australian Novels
Queensland Fiction
Australian Christian Authors
Best Christian Inspirational Fiction
Family Saga
Best Historical Fiction of the 21st Century
Favourite Christmas Books
Beach Reads
Oh, Royalty
Modern Medical Science Non-Fiction
You Read A Book About What?
The Best of Jeffrey Archer
Books That Exceeded Your Expectations
Best Books About Loving Books
Books About Books
Best Traveling Vicariously
Have Passport Will Travel
London Calling
Books About Paris
Paris, Je T'aime
French Allure
Paris Tales: Memoirs About The City of Lights
Best Novels Set In Paris
Becoming Culturally Literate
Behaviour change and social psychology: how people make decisions
Series I am currently reading:Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear
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4. Messenger of Truth
5. An Incomplete Revenge
6. Among the Mad
7. The Mapping of Love and Death
8. A Lesson in Secrets
9. Elegy for Eddie
10. Leaving Everything Most Loved
11. The White Lady (expected publication 2015)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
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16. The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
The Isabel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith
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3. The Right Attitude to Rain
4. The Careful Use of Compliments
5. The Comforts of a Muddy Saturday
6. The Lost Art of Gratitude
7. The Charming Quirks of Others.
8. The Forgotten Affairs Of Youth
9. The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
10. The Strange Habits of Happiness (expected publication April 1, 2015)
The Irish Country series by Patrick Taylor
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6. A Dublin Student Doctor
7. An Irish Country Wedding
8. Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor
9. An Irish Doctor in Peace and at War
10. The Wily O'Reilly: Irish Country Stories
11. An Irish Doctor in Love and at Sea: An Irish Country Novel
The Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood
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18. Dead Man's Chest
19. Unnatural Habits
20. Murder and Mendelssohn
The Railway Detective - Detective Inspector Robert Colbeck series by Edward Marston
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6. The Silver Locomotive Mystery
7. Railway to the Grave
8. Blood on the Line
9. The Stationmaster's Farewell
10. Peril on the Royal Train
11. A Ticket to Oblivion: A Railway Detective Novel
The Mistress of the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin
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The Detective Ella Marconi series by Katherine Howell
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4. Violent Exposure
5. Silent Fear
6. Web of Deceit
7. Deserving Death
The Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer
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4. Be Careful What You Wish For
5. Mightier Than the Sword
The Inkworld trilogy by Cornelia Funke
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3. Inkdeath
The Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte series by Arthur W. Upfield
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4. Murder Down Under
5. Winds of Evil
6. The Bone is Pointed
7. The Mystery of Swordfish Reef
8. No Footprints in the Bush
9. Death of a Swagman
10. The Devil's Steps
There are actually 29 in this series, but this will do for the moment!!
The Dr Anya Crichton series by Kathryn Fox
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2. Without Consent
3. Skin and Bone
4. Blood Born
5. Death Mask
6. Cold Grave
7. Fatal Impact
Favourite authors from 2014Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Diane Chamberlain
Leah Fleming
Kate Grenville
Jojo Moyes
Elliot Perlman
Jeffrey Archer
Liane Moriarty
Anna Quindlen
Naomi Reed
Tony Park
Paul Torday
JANUARYMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Something New
Aussie Readers’ –
RETURNS - Choose a book that you've read in the last 12 months that you rated 5 stars. Read another book by the same author. I read Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and Salmon Fishing In The Yemen by Paul Torday and gave 5 stars to both, so I will select one of these authors to read next month. I will post my choice once I decide.
EXCHANGES - Choose a book that you've read in the last 12 months that you rated 5 stars. Select a book from the "Readers Also Enjoyed" selection on that book's main page and read it. I chose The Light Between Oceans for my 5 star read in the last 12 months, and apparently readers of this also enjoyed The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty so this will be on my list for January. Finished 11 January - 4 stars
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice - The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin - read in Nov 2014
2. Off the Shelf - "Inanimate Object
Find a book from your actual or virtual "to be read" shelf with only inanimate object(s) on the cover. No people, nothing living, just a 'thing' or 'things'"
Longbourn by Jo Baker3. Author read - Kent Haruf - possibly Plainsong
January Reads
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty Helena by Jo-Anne Berthelsen
Shall We Tell the President? by Jeffrey Archer
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson
Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os Death by Water by Kerry Greenwood I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
The Undertaking by Audrey Magee
The Happy Endings Book Club by Jane Tara
FEBRUARYMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Saints
Aussie Readers’ – Dystopian/Apocalyptic
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice - The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - N/A
2. Off the Shelf - "Title Askew
Find a book from your actual or virtual "to be read" shelf where the title is not in a straight line. It's jumbled, or slanted, or 'handwritten' or just off a bit...askew! Multiple lines do not necessarily count, unless they are askew.
The Lady's Maid: My Life in Service by Rosina Harrison3. Author read – Ken Follett - N/A
February Reads
Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra
The Opal Desert by Di Morrissey The Lady's Maid: My Life in Service by Rosina Harrison
Lovesong by Alex Miller The Golem and the Djinni by Helene Wecker Longbourn by Jo Baker Elianne by Judy Nunn
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord Victim of the Aurora by Thomas Keneally
MARCHMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – The Oscars
Aussie Readers’ – N/A
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice - N/A
2. Combo Topic - Off the Shelf: Covers & Author
March is National Women's History Month. The theme this year is 'Weaving the Stories of Womens Lives' so find a book to read from your actual or virtual TBR shelf that is written by a woman AND has a woman on the cover. Bonus point if it's about a strong woman. Should be interesting to see what we all come up for this combo category!
Goodbye Piccadilly by Cynthia Harrod-EaglesMarch Reads
Away With the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood Q & A by Vikas Swarup
Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman
The Death Maze by Ariana Franklin Friends and Lovers by Helen MacInnes Goodbye Piccadilly by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles Angelguard by Ian Acheson Passion Play - the Oberammergau Tales by Valerie Volk
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson Sheltering Rain by Jojo Moyes
APRILMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Chocolate
Aussie Readers’ – The criteria is to read a minimum of two (2) this month.
a) Historical Fiction which is set in Australia -
b) Historical Romance -
c) Historical Mystery -
As a bonus part of the challenge, make sure each of them is by an Australian author, but we won't hold it against you if you don't/can't;)
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice - A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler - N/A
2. Off the Shelf - "April Showers"
Find a book from your actual or virtual "to be read" shelf with anything related to rain on the cover. An umbrella, a puddle, rain boots, lightning...anything related to rain.
N/A
3. Author read – Karen White - N/A
April Reads
Alice Brown's Lessons in the Curious Art of Dating by Eleanor Prescott
Hotel du lac by Anita Brookner
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
Matthew Flinders' Cat by Bryce Courtenay
Big Brother by Lionel Shriver
Black Forest Redemption by Amanda Deed
Murder in Montparnasse by Kerry Greenwood
The Iron Horse by Edward Marston
Heading Home by Naomi Reed
An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor
Family Secrets by Liz Byrski Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie
MAYMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Classics
Aussie Readers’ –
MAY is our SciFi/Fantasy/Paranormal month BUT with a difference!
This month you are challenged to read one of each of the above genres by using at least three of the following challenge suggestions:
a) One by an Aussie author
b) One that was released over ten (10) years ago (by any author)
c) One which was released in the last five (5) years (by any author)
d) One from your Goodreads owned TBR
Possibles:
Sci-fi -
Fantasy -
Paranormal -
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice - The Widow's War by Sally Cabot Gunning - N/A
2. Off the Shelf - "May Flowers - a book from your actual or virtual "to be read" shelf with at least one flower on the cover. Plants, trees, and cactus don't count....unless they are flowering :)"
Walking on Trampolines3. Author read – Graham Joyce - N/A
May Reads
Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell The Far Country by Nevil Shute
The Promise by Naomi Reed
One Life: My Mother's Story by Kate Grenville
The Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting
Bellman and Black: A Ghost Story by Diane Setterfield
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Angel Puss by Colleen McCullough
Before I Go by Colleen Oakley
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
JUNEMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – The Longest Day
Aussie Readers’ – For our June challenge we will be reading Literary Fiction and/or picking up some Classics!
To qualify for the challenge you must read three (3) out of the five (5) listed...
1. Read a Literary Fiction that has won or been shortlisted for an Australian Award -
2. Choose a Classic you've wanted to read for awhile -
3. Choose a book that has won or been shortlisted for a Literary Award, but not necessarily Australian...Literary Awards Winners & Nominees - name the literary award as well as the book:)
4. Readers choice Literary Fiction novel.
5. Anything of any genre at all from your TBR :) - Nightingale by Fiona McIntosh
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice -
2. Off the Shelf - "Something to Eat - Find a book from your actual or virtual "to be read" shelf with something to eat on the cover." -
The Heavy: A Mother's Battle Against her Seven-year-old Daughter's Obesity by Dara-Lynn Weiss3. Author read – Catherine Ryan Hyde - N/A
June Reads
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
A Corpse in the Koryo by James Church
Nightingale by Fiona McIntosh
Ice Station by Matthew Reilly
The Handsome Man's De Luxe Café by Alexander McCall Smith
The White Monkey by John Galsworthy
The Forsyte Saga: The Silver Spoon by John Galsworthy
The Forsyte Saga: Swan Song by John Galsworthy
Fractured by Dawn Barker
Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton
The Castlemaine Murders by Kerry Greenwood
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Sands of Windee, The by Arthur W. Upfield
JULYMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Americana
Aussie Readers’ – For July (in the midst of winter) we're going to be cosy-ing up to some of the Crime/Mystery/Suspense/Thriller genres
Complete 3 of the 5 categories below - **ALL IN THE THEME FOR THIS MONTH**:
1). Title: Read a book that has any of these winter themed words in the title; ‘Snow’, ‘Winter’, ‘Ice’ or ‘Cold’.
2). Cover: Read a book that has one of the following winter colours predominately on the cover; Blue, White, Grey or Navy. (show the cover pic)
by Kathryn Fox3). Set in Winter: Read a novel which has been set in winter.
4). New Release (themed) by Aussie author (2015)
5). Reader’s Choice by Aussie author: Read any (themed) book of your choice.
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice - The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson
2. Off the Shelf - "One Word Title
Find a book from your actual or virtual "to be read" shelf with a one word title."
Mule by S.A. Tawks3. Author read – Tami Hoag - N/A
July Reads
Murder on the Brighton Express by Edward Marston
Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin Mule by S.A. Tawks
The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howell The Heavy: A Mother's Battle Against her Seven-year-old Daughter's Obesity by Dara-Lynn Weiss
Me Without You by Kelly Rimmer
Cold Justice by Katherine Howell Pennies for Hitler by Jackie French
Malicious Intent: Anya Crichton Novel 1 by Kathryn Fox
AUGUSTMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Holidays Abroad
Aussie Readers’ – Clean up the TBR!
1) The book that's been on your list the longest - Following the Equator by Mark Twain
2) A book recommended by a GR friend – The Magpie's Nest by Jacqueline Perry-Strickland
3) A book from your favourite genre -
4) A book with over 400 pages – Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
5) A book by an author new to you –
6) The book you want to read the most –
7) A book by a male author –
8) A book by one of your favourite authors –
9) A book by a female author –
10) A book with a cover you love -
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: A Memoir, a History by Lewis BuzbeeBound Together:
1. Member's Choice -
2. Off the Shelf - "Movement
Find a book from your actual or virtual "to be read" shelf that suggests movement on the cover. It could be someone's hair blowing in the wind, a vehicle, a waterfall, anything!"
Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh3. Author read –
August Reads
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Relics of the Dead by Ariana Franklin
Enemy In The Room by Parker Hudson
The Legacy of Hartlepool Hall by Paul Torday
My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman
Though the Bud Be Bruised by Jo Wanmer
Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers
An Irish Country Courtship by Patrick Taylor Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh
SEPTEMBERMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Time To Learn
Aussie Readers’ – For September we are going to read (and support) our Aussie authors for the whole month!
To qualify you need to read at least three (3) books by Australian authors from the following genres - and only ONE PER GENRE
Young Adult -
Historical -
Crime/Suspense/Mystery/Thriller -
Fantasy/SciFi -
Contemporary -
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice -
2. Off the Shelf - "
3. Author read –
September Reads
And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
My Sister Sif by Ruth Park The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
Life or Death by Michael Robotham While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax
The Humans by Matt Haig
Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough
OCTOBERMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Fall Back
Aussie Readers’ –
1). Geographical Setting: Read a book set in a different country than your own.
2). Travel to a Different Genre: Read a book from a genre you haven't explored before/for a long time.
3). Cover Hunt: Read a book with a picture of a mode of transport on the cover.
4). Title: Read a book with a PLACE NAME in the title, such as the name of a country, state, city, town, etc. Titles with words like ‘woods’, ‘beach’, ‘mountain’, ‘river’, ‘garden’, ‘park’, etc, in the title would count as places too.
5).Reader’s Choice: Read any book of your choice.
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice -
2. Off the Shelf - "
3. Author read –
October Reads
Questions of Travel by Michelle de Kretser The Forsyte Saga: Maid in Waiting by John Galsworthy
The Forsyte Saga: Flowering Wilderness by John Galsworthy
The Forsyte Saga: Over the River by John Galsworthy Simmering Season by Jenn J. McLeod Wings Above the Diamantina by Arthur W. Upfield A Carpet Ride to Khiva: Seven Years on the Silk Road by Christopher Aslan Alexander The Secret Chord by Geraldine Brooks The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
NOVEMBERMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Remembrance
Aussie Readers’ – w
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice -
2. Off the Shelf - "
3. Author read –
November Reads
Promise by Tony Cavanaugh
Gorillas in the Mist: A Remarkable Story of Thirteen Years Spent Living with the Greatest of the Great Apes by Dian Fossey Outlander by Diana Gabaldon The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: A Memoir, a History by Lewis Buzbee
Pattern Recognition by William Gibson
The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon Room by Emma Donoghue
The Magpie's Nest by Jacqueline Perry-Strickland
The Assassin's Prayer by Ariana Franklin
The Magic Pudding by Norman Lindsay Night by Elie Wiesel
Gods and Kings by Lynn Austin
Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light by Amy Thomas
Hitler's Daughter by Jackie French
DECEMBERMonthly Challenges/Themes
2015 Reading Challenge – Presents
Aussie Readers’ –
Bound Together:
1. Member's Choice -
2. Off the Shelf - "
3. Author read –
December Reads
Mr Mercedes by Stephen King
The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell
A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher
The Tea House On Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens
Area 7 by Matthew Reilly
The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
The Spare Room by Helen Garner
The Currency Lads by Peter Yeldham
A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer by Caroline Stoessinger
Miniskirts, Mothers & Muslims: A Christian Woman in a Muslim Land by Christine A. Mallouhi
The Visitors by Sally Beauman
Lost and Found, Stories of Christmas by Wendell E. Mettey
On this Holy Night by Max Lucado, Rick Warren, David Jeremiah, John Maxwell, Jacky Hayford, Bill Hybels
Eve by Wm. Paul Young
Murder in the Dark: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (16): Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood
It's 2015 here in Australia (in spite of the time on Goodreads!), and I'm kicking off my reading year with Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os which I am thoroughly enjoying so far at about a quarter of the way through!
It's the last day of January, and I can't see myself finishing any of my current reads in the next 4 hours of the day! So I have updated my month's reads and the challenges I am undertaking and am looking forward to February's reads!
Updated for February and planned reads for March (including a large batch of library books that are sure to spill over into April!).
I've updated my reads for March and what I'm hoping to read in April. I can't see myself finishing anything else with one day left in the month!
Hi Katheyn- if you like christian fiction try out the author Gilbert Morris. I just finished my first book of his. He writes historical christian fiction. I'm not sure what the series is called that I'm reading, but the book I just finished is Heart of a Lion.
Alison wrote: "Hi Katheyn- if you like christian fiction try out the author Gilbert Morris. I just finished my first book of his. He writes historical christian fiction. I'm not sure what the series is called tha..."Thanks, Alison - I remember reading some of Gilbert Morris' many years ago, but he seems to mainly write series, and I get a bit frustrated with Christian series as I mostly borrow books from my library - and it's hard enough to find Christian books at the library randomly, but if I want to read the whole series through from beginning to end, then it just becomes annoying - especially when some books aren't in the library's collection!
My library doesn't seem to have the Heart of a Lion series at all :-(
April reads and challenges all updated.
May reads and challenges all updated.
I have updated my reading list and challenges for June - I don't think I'll be finishing any more reads in the remaining 10.25 hours of June!
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Murder in the Dark (other topics)Miniskirts, Mothers, and Muslims: A Christian Woman in a Muslim Land (other topics)
Murder in the Dark (other topics)
Area 7 (other topics)
Eve (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kerry Greenwood (other topics)Christine A. Mallouhi (other topics)
Kerry Greenwood (other topics)
Wendell E. Mettey (other topics)
Max Lucado (other topics)
More...
I'm going to start by aiming for 75 books this year. Books for some challenges will overlap with other challenges.
I’m hoping that I will be a bit more relaxed this year, and not feel the need to plan out my challenges to the nth degree and can go with the flow a bit more!
All lists subject to change throughout the course of the year depending on availability and mood.
My Year in Books