Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia

[Joanne Farley]

Brenda wrote: "Joanne wrote: "I have just finished my ACT read Honeysuckle Creek : The Story of Tom Reid, a Little Dish and Neil Armstrong's First Step. I can not put into words how much I enjoyed..."

Good lord I will eventually get the hang of this Brenda. I have edited the comment. Fingers crossed it is now ok. Thanks for letting know.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Don't worry - we all do things like that :) You're welcome!

[Odette]

Finished 4/12
Though, not my usual genre, I enjoyed reading this book.

12. WA: Flying the Nest by Rachael Johns - 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

For anyone who needs another one from Western Australia, I just came across Cockatoo Creek by Baden James Scholefield set in northern WA

[Trevor]

Just finished one of SA books - Consolation by Garry Disher - 3★, unfortunately let down by a narrative with too many distracting sub-plots.

[Tien]

Deborah wrote: "Does anyone have any good books set on Norfolk to recommend?"

If you like True Crime, there's this one: The Fatal Flaw

[Odette]

Finished 5th book:
I did not enjoy this one as much as the other books I have read by this author, which I really loved.

7. SA: The Shearer's Wife by Fleur McDonald - 3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's bad luck Odette.. onwards....

[Janine]

Finished 4/12

NSW - Where the Dead Go by Sarah Bailey 3*

[Joanne Farley]

I have finished Dark Heart. I feel like a kind of cheated a little with this book it was a NSW book but really it could have been set anywhere. I am giving this book 3 stars.

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

[Janine]

Finished my 5th

SA - Dust On The Horizon by Tricia Stringer 3*

[Janine]

Finished my 6th

SA - When Grace Went Away by Meredith Appleyard 5*

[Kim]

Febs been a good month for reading for this challenge.
So far
NSW- 2 more added.
Found a favourite in
The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey L borrowed Finished 10 Feb 4 Stars Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2 Benevolence by Julie Janson Finished 22 Feb 3 Stars

Victoria
another 5 star read
Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden Finished 10 Feb 5 Stars
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


ACT found another non-fiction set in the ACT

Rugged Beyond Imagination: Stories from an Australian Mountain Region by Matthew Higgins Finished 10 Feb 4 Stars

[Odette]

Finished 7th Book for this challenge:

VIC: Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden - 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "Finished 7th Book for this challenge:

VIC: Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden - 4★

"

Glad you enjoyed that one Odette :)

[Odette]

Brenda wrote: "Odette wrote: "Finished 7th Book for this challenge:

VIC: Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden - 4★

"

Glad you enjoy..."

Yes, I did enjoy it. I liked the ending which seemed to balance off some of the bleakness through the book.

[Deb]

I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them and can tell me.

I suspect Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher is SA but I really do not know where Smoky Joe's Cafe by Bryce Courtenay is set
?

[Veronique]

Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them and can tell me.

I suspect [book:Bitter Wash Road..."

Hi Deborah I believe you are correct re. Bitter Wash Road. I am intending to read it too and got it listed under SA. Sorry I can't help with the Courtenay.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them and can tell me.

I suspect [book:Bitter Wash Road..."

Garry D's is 100% SA Deborah, and with Smokey Joe, I thought it was Tasmania but I spotted something on Wiki that means it could be Q'ld. So not really sure unless someone else knows. Use either/or if no one knows, and once you've read it you should be able to tell us all!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Odette wrote: "Finished 7th Book for this challenge:

VIC: Wearing Paper Dresses by Anne Brinsden - 4★

"
..."

That's good - I was fascinated by how she created characters of the trees, the house, the walls, the fences – every inanimate object was described in ways of great beauty.

[Deb]

Brenda wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them and can tell me.

I suspect [book:..."

Hmmm... well I do want to read both of them. I guess I will just go ahead and accept that I will be escalating my challenge.

[Deb]

Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them and can tell me.

I suspect [book:..."

Thanks Veronique

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deborah wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them and can tell me.

I..."

Go for it!! Still 10 months to go ;)

[Veronique]

Deborah wrote: "Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them and can tell me...."

You're welcome! We'll have to swap notes for Bitter Wash Road - I am very partial to Garry Disher...

[Janine]

Finished my 7th

ACT
The Land Before Avocado by Richard Glover 4*

[Joanne Farley]

Just finished another book

Craven

Really enjoyed this book.

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

[Odette]

I am reading Outback Promise by Maggie Bolitho, which has been on my TBR for ever.
The first 50% of book is set in locations around Sydney, NSW, after which the main characters set off with camper trailer to Broken Hill and central Australia. Can I count this against NSW.
It is quite an interesting read so far, involving relationships and effect of grief.

[Deb]

Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here might have read them ..."

Bitter Wash Road was interesting! Disher's amazing ability to conjure Australian scenes, people and especially rural scenarios was there in strength - I remain undecided about his lead character though. The plot was more convoluted than anything else by the author that I have read.

What did you think?

[Odette]

Could these two books set in colonial NSW count against the ACT. The book by Sonya Heaney, a Canberra author is the first in the Brindabella series.
1. Cotter by Richard Begbie
2. The Landowner's Secret by Sonya Heaney

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "I am reading Outback Promise by Maggie Bolitho, which has been on my TBR for ever.
The first 50% of book is set in locations around Sydney, NSW, after which the mai..."

Yes definitely Odette :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "Could these two books set in colonial NSW count against the ACT. The book by Sonya Heaney, a Canberra author is the first in the Brindabella series.
1. Cotter by [author:Richard Beg..."

I read Cotter for our last read around AU, and yes it's definitely ACT. The Cotter Dam is situated there :) I haven't read the second but you judge Odette - if it's in and around the Brindabella Ranges it'll be ACT :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deborah wrote: "Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here mig..."

Loved that one Deborah, and also his MC!!

[Janine]

Finished #8

NSW - The Naturalist's Daughter by Tea Cooper 4*

[Deb]

One more for NSW - when what I really should be doing is going on a hunt for NT books. However, I have meant to read by Bryce Courtenay for ages and I am glad I did.

Courtenay is an odd one for me; I really love his plots and themes, but I really do NOT like his writing style, there is something about it that just really rubs me up the wrong way. Loved the theme and content of this book, not so much the execution.

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

[Janine]

Finished 9/12

WA - The Drifter by Anthea Hodgson(AA) 4*

[Veronique]

Deborah wrote: "Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Veronique wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I have two books that I want to read, I don't know what their state of origin (pardon the joke) is, I was hoping someone here mig..."

Haven't read it yet! Will let you know when I do.

[Veronique]

Brenda wrote: "Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021




There are
eight states/territories
in Australia - therefore:

Our challenge i..."


Hi Brenda, quick question - I went through the thread and couldn't see it so I don't think it's been asked, but if it has I do apologise: I have 2 books partially set in states and abroad, meaning one character or part of the action is in Australia and the other character or part of the action in a setting outside Australia,. Are they acceptable? (The Fragments by Toni Jordan and From Where I fell by Susan Johnstone)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The majority of the book needs to be set in a state of Australia, Veronique. At least 75% of the book. Just this particular challenge because it's Read Around Australia. Our other challenges are set out differently.

[Veronique]

Brenda wrote: "The majority of the book needs to be set in a state of Australia, Veronique. At least 75% of the book. Just this particular challenge because it's Read Around Australia. Our other challenges are se..."

Ok thanks. They are rather 50-50 so I'll swap them for other books!

[Kim]

Finished my 12th -it's a delightful and gentle, literary historical fiction set in Adelaide.


Melting Moments by Anna Goldsworthy AA 4.5 Stars Read 8/3/21

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Veronique wrote: "Brenda wrote: "The majority of the book needs to be set in a state of Australia, Veronique. At least 75% of the book. Just this particular challenge because it's Read Around Australia. Our other ch..."

Thanks Veronique :)

[Trevor]

Quick question, does anyone know where in Australia the following books are set:

Shelter by Catherine Jinks

The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough

Thanks

[Levi]

Trevor wrote: "Quick question, does anyone know where in Australia the following books are set:

The Boy from the Mish by [author:Gary Lo..."

I think the exact setting of The Boy from the Mish is not specified in the book, but the publisher's press release refers to "an Aboriginal mission next door to a small country town – not unlike the relationship between Wallaga Lake and Bermagui" (which is close to where the author grew up). So far south coast of NSW I'd say.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "Quick question, does anyone know where in Australia the following books are set:

Shelter by Catherine Jinks

The Boy from the Mish by..."

Shelter is NSW Trevor :)

[Trevor]

Thanks Brenda

[Trevor]

Levi wrote: "Trevor wrote: "Quick question, does anyone know where in Australia the following books are set:

The Boy from the Mish by [author:Gary Lo..."

I think the exact setting of The Boy f..."

Thanks Levi

[Deb]

Finally! I escaped SA, QLD and NSW...

One from West Australia by Judy Nunn

I really enjoyed it, 4*

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

[Odette]

Finished 11th book

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as Tea Cooper's The Woman in the Green Dress

NSW:
The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper - 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Odette wrote: "Finished 11th book

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as Tea Cooper's The Woman in the Green Dress

NSW:
The Cartographer's Secret by [author:Te..."

She's had some great historicals hasn't she Odette!

[Janine]

Finished 10/12

Tasmania
The Secrets Mothers Keep by Jacquie Underdown 3*