Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Lewis! Me and Mr. Booker by Cory Taylor I'll mark that one for future reference :)

[Thomas]

Cheers, Lewis.
I've added it to my WTR list, but don't know if I'll actually get to it. As you said, there aren't a lot of ACT books out there.

[Thomas]

Finished
Boy Swallows Universe
as my Qld read. I honestly did not think I'd enjoy it so much.
My review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've placed a hold at my local library on his second book. Trent Dalton just might become my favourite author.
I've had Kal, by Judy Nunn on order for weeks, They kept sending it to the wrong library! Finally got my hands on it today.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Glad you enjoyed it Thomas :)

[Clare]

I finished Booklover level with Tasmania
12. Clunes P is for Pearl by Eliza Henry-Jones Read 28/8. 4★

But don't tick me off yet. I'm trying for the next level. Who knows if I'll get there 🙂

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good luck Clare!!

[Em__Jay]

I have finished book 23 of 36. I've also now completed my WA trio with The Lucky Galah by Tracy Sorensen. I give it 3*.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Em!

[Em__Jay]

Brenda wrote: "Doing well Em!"

Thanks. Slowly, but surely. :-)

[Lewis]

Just trying to be helpful again.
"You Belong Here" by Laurie Steed is set in the suburbs of Perth during the 80's and 90's. Basically a Gen X family memoir. I loved it and i've chatted to the author online, he seems like a cool guy.
So if anyone's looking for another WA book....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lewis wrote: "Just trying to be helpful again.
"You Belong Here" by Laurie Steed is set in the suburbs of Perth during the 80's and 90's. Basically a Gen X family memoir. I loved it and i've chatted to the auth..."

You Belong Here by Laurie Steed

Thanks Lewis.

[Deb]

I really, really enjoyed this fun little, 1920's mystery from WA
by Alexander Thorpe

The historical setting was so well done, it is kind of everything you could want from a historically set. cosy little mystery in the great dusty outback of WA

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

[Lewis]

Hey, just me putting my two cents worth in again.
I notice that the bulk of the books people are talking about in this challenge are novels.
Has anyone thought of reading short story collections?
There is a really good list "Short Story Collections by Australian Authors" that is worth looking at.

[Thomas]

Hi, Lewis.
Is that list on Goodreads? I looked but didn't find it. Can you show a link?
I'm working on a short story collection myself, (between writing my prequel to GOLD!) that I plan to use as a giveaway reader magnet.
Personally, I don't mind shorts. They're less demanding in commitment.
PS: I did find this list after googling it. Thanks for sharing.

[Em__Jay]

Thomas wrote: "Hi, Lewis.
Is that list on Goodreads? I looked but didn't find it. Can you show a link?
I'm working on a short story collection myself, (between writing my prequel to GOLD!) that I plan to use as a..."

I assume this is the list Lewis is referring to.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[Em__Jay]

Lewis wrote: "Hey, just me putting my two cents worth in again.
I notice that the bulk of the books people are talking about in this challenge are novels.
Has anyone thought of reading short story collections?..."

I have a couple of the books on that list I am using for this challenge, but they are all 'extras'.

Given the challenge requires the majority of the book to take place in a particular state, a book of short stories can make it harder to identify ahead of time where the book might fit. :-)

[Lewis]

Em__Jay wrote: "Lewis wrote: "Hey, just me putting my two cents worth in again.
I notice that the bulk of the books people are talking about in this challenge are novels.
Has anyone thought of reading short stor..."

Yeah valid point that.
If people are struggling to find enough books per state it's worth looking at the lists people have made on listopia. There is at least one, sometimes several, list per state. Just type the state or territory into the "search lists" box and away you go.
I know the NT and WA lists are very complete and thorough, i assume the other state lists are as well.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lewis wrote: "Em__Jay wrote: "Lewis wrote: "Hey, just me putting my two cents worth in again.
I notice that the bulk of the books people are talking about in this challenge are novels.
Has anyone thought of re..."

We have our own states lists in one of the challenge folders Lewis :) Thanks for your help...

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

[Em__Jay]

I've finished 24 of 36 books.

My most recent addition was also the first of my chosen books set in Tasmania: The Last of the Apple Blossom by Mary-Lou Stephens. A thoroughly enjoyable story - 4.5*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That one was fabulous wasn't it Em!

[Em__Jay]

Brenda wrote: "That one was fabulous wasn't it Em!"

It certainly was.

[Deb]

I finally got a hold of a couple of books to add to the ACT list;
by Kel Robertson
Was great fun! A good thriller mystery that was well written and very enjoyable.

But was a huge, one star fail. I DNFed it, in fact, but I am still counting it because I slogged through 147 pages of misery before I could bear it no longer.

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

[Thomas]

Kal
I just finished Kal, by Judy Nunn, as my WA read. Sorry to say I didn't really enjoy it.
My review here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Meg]

Really enjoyed my second ACT read - Where the Trees Were

[Clare]

Meg wrote: "Really enjoyed my second ACT read - Where the Trees Were"

That book is amazing! I need to read her other books

[Deb]

I just finished my third from NT, which means I am in reach of finishing the easy level of challenge at least.

by Adrian Hyland
Blew me away! It was so well written, so lyrical in the way it portrayed the land and so skilled at representing central Australian communities. Five stars, one of the best books I have read all year.

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

[Trish]

By finishing When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett , (Tasmania) I have completed the challenge of 36 books, with a minimum of 3 per state/territory. However, for fun, I will keep adding as I have a number of books I still hope to read by end of year. It has been such a great challenge, reading favourite authors and discovering new ones. Thank you as always to our modetators 🤗👏

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Trish - let us know how you've ended up at the end of the year, and I'll tick you off now :)

[Trish]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Trish - let us know how you've ended up at the end of the year, and I'll tick you off now :)"

Thank you Brenda, hopefully will remember to let you know ☺

[Deb]

Trish wrote: "By finishing When the Night Comes by Favel Parrett , (Tasmania) I have completed the challenge of 36 books, with a minimum ..."

I always do that too Trish! I think to myself that I do not want to overcommit, I will try for the easy level, then I complete that level and decide to see how far I can run with it...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trish wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well done Trish - let us know how you've ended up at the end of the year, and I'll tick you off now :)"

Thank you Brenda, hopefully will remember to let you know ☺"

I'm sure you'll be excited and will definitely let us know :)

[Trish]

Brenda and Deborah 🤗😃

[Deb]

If anyone out there is struggling to find one from QLD; I just finished by Tabitha BirdAA and it was enchanting!

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

[Jane]

Deborah wrote: "I just finished my third from NT, which means I am in reach of finishing the easy level of challenge at least.



I don't know about the easy level Deborah - easy level was 12 books - you've read over 24 and I think you are definitely into the hard category by now!

[Zoey]

Finished :)

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Lover
12/12

1. W.A - Talk Of The Town by Rachael Johns 5★
2. W.A - The Road to Hope by Rachael Johns 5★
3. S.A - Queen of the Road by Tricia Stringer 3.5★
4. TAS - Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie 5★
5. TAS - Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie 5★
6. N.T - Memoirs of an Arresting Woman by Wendy Laing 3.5★
7. ACT - Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern 4.5★
8. NSW - Dead Man Switch by Tara Moss 4★
9. NSW -The House at the End of the Street by Jennie Jones 4★
10. VIC - Just One Wish by Rachael Johns 5★
11. QLD - Arson at the Art Gallery by Grace York 4★
12. QLD - The Body in the Beach House by Grace York 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Zoey!!

[Jane]

With a review of my books so far this year, I have upped my challenge to 'Book Worm' and finished the 24 books required. Updated post is against my original post.

Finished off with:

WA - The Family Man by Anna Willett 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great work Jane!!

[Em__Jay]

This challenge!
I truly am reading a good amount of Aussie authors, but all the books are based in states I've already filled. :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Em__Jay wrote: "This challenge!
I truly am reading a good amount of Aussie authors, but all the books are based in states I've already filled. :-)"

I know - NSW is the heaviest, or was in mine!!

[Em__Jay]

Brenda wrote: "Em__Jay wrote: "This challenge!
I truly am reading a good amount of Aussie authors, but all the books are based in states I've already filled. :-)"

I know - NSW is the heaviest, or was in mine!!"

NSW and VIC are my frontrunners by the proverbial mile.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! I believe you :)

[Meg]

This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield - I'm counting this for SA, even though it wasn't clear to me where it was set. But the author lives in Adelaide and I've seen it on a South Australian list.

And for Tasmania I read: Vanishing Falls by Poppy Gee

I gave them both 3.5★. Just three more books to go for this challenge.

[Barbara]

Finished :)
Thanks for the fun challenge Brenda.

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Lover
12/12

1. The Housemate by Sarah Bailey - VIC 4.5★
2. The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth - VIC 3.5★
3. The Family Inheritance by Tricia Stringer - SA 3★
4. Peace by Garry Disher - SA 4★
5. Honeybee by Craig Silvey - WA 3★
6. Vengeance Blind by Anna Willett - WA 3.5★
7. Diamond Dove by Adrian Hyland - NT 3★
8. Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie - TAS 2★
9. Only Daughter by Anna Snoekstra - ACT 2★
10. A Place to Remember by Jenn J. McLeod - QLD 1.5★
11. Trust by Chris Hammer - NSW 4★
12. The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty - NSW 3★

]

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Barbara!

[Deb]

I am limping my way through another Western Australia with The Secrets We Keep byShirley Patton it is totally failing to wow me.

I still need another Tasmania before completing the most basic level, but here is hoping, I have a couple on order at the library.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good luck Deborah!

[Deb]

I was underwhelmed by my fifth from Western Australia by Shirley Patton

I would call it 2 1/2 stars.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Em__Jay]

I've now finished 28 of 36 books.

I've also finished my tour of Queensland by reading:
- Stone Sky Gold Mountain by Mirandi Riwoe. I struggled with this one. The subject is fascinating but it didn't hold my interest.
- White Throat by Sarah Thornton. Another interesting setting. I liked it but I think the first Clementine Jones book was better.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Almost there Em :)