Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia

[Deb]

Yes! fist-punch in the air (I think that is what the cool kids do)

I have finally completed a third book in Tasmainia , the quite wildly wonderful by Sarah Barrie

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

And with that, I have my minimum three books per state and am on track for Book Connoisseur.

[Em__Jay]

Deborah wrote: "Yes! fist-punch in the air (I think that is what the cool kids do)

I have finally completed a third book in Tasmainia , the quite wildly wonderful by [author:S..."

Well done!

I still have Tassie spots to fill, so might check this out. It looks good.

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

I've finished my challenge, with 38 books read. Thank you, Brenda, for organising this

[Meg]

Finished these two:
ACT: Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern★4★
South Australia: From the Wreck by Jane Rawson★5★

Just one left!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennifer (JC-S) wrote: "I've finished my challenge, with 38 books read. Thank you, Brenda, for organising this"

Well done Jennifer!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Deborah wrote: "Yes! fist-punch in the air (I think that is what the cool kids do)

I have finally completed a third book in Tasmainia , the quite wildly wonderful by [author:S..."

Good job Deborah!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Meg wrote: "Finished these two:
ACT: Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern★4★
South Australia: From the Wreck by Jane Rawson★5★

Just one left!"

How exciting Meg!

[Deb]

Em__Jay wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Yes! fist-punch in the air (I think that is what the cool kids do)

I have finally completed a third book in Tasmainia , the quite wildly wonderful was the third. It worked very, very well as a standalone though and I would recommend reading it that way. The "#1" in the series is Bloodtree River and I am working through that at the moment. The authors writing skills were vastly HUGELY better in Deadman's Track though.

[Kylie H]

Finished! - I probably could have added a lot of other books to this, but sort of forgot about it :|

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

1. ACT - Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern 4★
2. NSW - A Devious Mind by Brigid George 4★
3. NSW - Elizabeth & Elizabeth by Sue Williams 4★
4. NT - Territory by Judy Nunn 4★
5. QLD - Death at the Dog Show by Grace York 4★
6. QLD - The Beekeeper's Secret by Josephine Moon 4★
7. SA - The Model Wife by Tricia Stringer 4★
8. TAS - The Survivors by Jane Harper 4★
9. VIC - Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood 4★
10. VIC - Kickback by Garry Disher 4★
11. WA - Secrets Between Friends by Fiona Palmer 4★
12. WA - Sisters and Brothers by Fiona Palmer 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Kylie! All 4 stars - that must be some kind of record!

[Carol]

First annual challenge (EVER) finished

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great work Carol!!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished

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

1. NSW. Her Last Words by Kim Kelly 5 stars 15/1/21
2. NSW. Dark Justice by Catherine Lee 5 stars 13/1/21
3. Queensland. The Emporium of Imagination by Tabitha Bird 4 stars 6/4/21
4. Queensland.Whitsunday Dawn by Annie Seaton4 stars 11/3/21
5. SA. Cabernet and Confessions by Daisy Linh 4 stars 6/1/21
6. SA. The Kookaburra Creek Cafe by Sandie Docker 4 stars 26/7/21
7. WA. Diamond Sky by Annie Seaton 4 stars 8/4/21
8. WA Tooting Moon by Brigid George 3 stars 22/11/21
9. Victoria. Kickback by Garry Disher 4 stars 5/3/21
10. NT Hidden Valley by Annie Seaton 4 stars 1/6/21
11. ACT Melpomene's Daughter by Cassandra Page 3 stars 22/4/21
12. Tasmania The Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney 3 stars 6/2/21

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Phrynne!

[Elisabeth]

Finished my 12 books!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Elisabeth. Would you mind, starting next year perhaps, putting your book's finish date and star rating next to each book when you've finished it? It's just that the way you've left it now, it looks the same as when we start, plus other members can't see whether you liked them or not. It's like a recommendation :) Thanks!

[Veronique]

Challenge completed! And with 1 month to spare. This was such a good challenge, thank you Brenda.
Now to finish my second yearly challenge, the A-Z locations...5 books to go...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Veronique! And you'll be right with 5 to go!

[Trevor]

Challenge finished, and it included a couple of stand out five star books, both of which I would highly recommend. Thanks to the moderators for yet another enjoyable challenge.

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book lover
0/12

1) ACT - The Eleventh by Alex Mann - 4★
2) ACT - Joe Cinque's Consolation: A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law by Helen Garner - 4★
3) NSW - The Lebs by Michael Mohammed Ahmad - - 4★
4) NSW - The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough - 5★
5) NT - All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton - 2★
6) QLD - A Day At The Race by Matt Dray - 3★
7) SA - Salt Creek by Lucy Treloar - 4★
8) SA - Consolation by Garry Disher - 4★
9) TAS - The Sound Of One Hand Clapping by Richard Flanagan - 4★
10) VIC - Stiff by Shane Maloney - 4★
11) WA - Honeybee by Craig Silvey - 4★
12) WA - Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard - 5★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great job Trevor!!

[Joanne Farley]

I have finally finished my challenge. This is the first challenge that I have participated in and I really enjoyed it. I have to say there were some really good books in the below list and some new authors for me.
Thanks for a wonderful challenge

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


1. VIC Earthly Delights Read 27/5/21 4 stars
2. Vic The Way it is Now Re 26/10/21 4 Stars
3. ACT Honeysuckle Creek : The Story of Tom Reid, a Little Dish and Neil Armstrong's First Step Read 31/1/21 4 stars
4. SA Craven Read 1/3/21 4 stars
5. SA Hindsight Read 21/3/21 4 stars
6. WA The Last Bookshop 13/12/21 4 stars
7. NT Still read 1/4/21 4 stars
8. QLD Sink, Drift, or Swim Read 30.1.20 4.5 stars
9. NSW The Soldier's Curse Read 11/3/21 3 stars
10. NSW Dark Heart Read 14/2/20 3 stars
11. Tasmania The Bluffs- Read 25/1/21 2 .5 stars
12.Tasmaina The Crossing Read 24/2/21 3 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Joanne! Glad you enjoyed your first challenge, and hope you'll join many more :)

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

Joanne wrote: "I have finally finished my challenge. This is the first challenge that I have participated in and I really enjoyed it. I have to say there were some really good books in the below list and some new..."

Congratulations!

[Jenn]

Finished :)

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Connoisseur
36/36

Western Australia - Completed
1. Fairway to Heaven by Lily Malone 4 stars
2. The Iron Road by Charlotte Nash 4 stars
3. White Horses by Rachael Treasure 4 stars


South Australia - Completed
1. The Good Woman of Renmark by Darry Fraser 5 stars
2. Stone Country by Nicole Alexander 3.5 stars
3. Consolation by Garry Disher 5 stars
4. Queen of the Road by Tricia Stringer 5 stars
5. The Shearer's Wife by Fleur McDonald 5 stars
6. Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney 5 stars

Tasmania - Completed
1. Bloodtree River by Sarah Barrie 5 stars
2. Deadman's Track by Sarah Barrie 5 stars
3. The Survivors by Jane Harper 5 stars

Northern Territory - Completed
1. Kakadu Sunset by Annie Seaton 5 stars
2. The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green 5 stars
3. Brumby Plains by Joanne van Os 3.5 stars


Australian Capital Territory - Completed
1. The Grass Castle by Karen Viggers 4 stars
2. Dead Cat Bounce byPeter Cotton 3.5 stars
3. The Marmalade Files by Steve Lewis 2 stars


New South Wales - Completed
1. Desert Flame by Janine Grey 4 stars
2. Snowy Mountains Daughter by Alissa Callen 5 stars
3. What Love Sounds Like by Alissa Callen 4 stars
4. Take Me Home by Karly Lane 4 stars
5. The Vet from Snowy River by Stella Quinn 4 stars
6. Starting from Scratch by Penelope Janu 4 stars
7. Crackenback by Lee Christine 4 stars


Victoria - Completed
1. The Last Of The Bonegilla Girls by Victoria Purman 5 stars
2. The Widow of Ballarat by Darry Fraser 4 stars
3. Where the Murray River Runs by Darry Fraser 3.5 stars
4. Hell's Bell by Keri Arthur 5 stars
5. Hunter Hunted by Keri Arthur 5 stars
6. Wicked Wings by Keri Arthur 5 stars
7. Deadly Vows by Keri Arthur 5 stars
8. Magpie's Bend by Maya Linnell 5 stars

Queensland - Completed
1. Home Sweet Home by Mandy Magro 4 stars
2. The Beekeeper's Secret by Josephine Moon 5 stars
3. Meet Me at Lennon's by Melanie Myers 4 stars

[Jennifer (JC-S)]

Jenn wrote: "Finished :)

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Connoisseur
36/36

Western Australia - Completed
1. [book:Fairw..."
Congratulations!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great work Jenn!!

[Joanne Farley]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Joanne! Glad you enjoyed your first challenge, and hope you'll join many more :)"

Thanks Brenda I am planning on.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Joanne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Joanne! Glad you enjoyed your first challenge, and hope you'll join many more :)"

Thanks Brenda I am planning on."

Wonderful :)

[Andrea]

I didn't read all of the books I originally planned, but I have read enough to say I've completed Book Lover level

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Lover
14/12

1. WA - Gilgamesh by Joan London 4.5★
2. WA - Cloudstreet by Tim Winton 2★
3. Tas - Bruny by Heather Rose 3★
4. Tas - The Crossing by B. Michael Radburn 3★
5. Vic - And Fire Came Down by Emma Viskic 4★
6. Vic - The Falls by B. Michael Radburn 4★
7. ACT - Only Daughter by Anna Snoekstra 2★
8. NSW - Shaw Initiation by Xavier Wallace 3★
9. NSW - The Reach 4.5★
10. SA - Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher 3.5★
11. SA - Devotion by Hannah Kent 4★
12. QLD - Crimson Lake by Candice Fox 3★
13. NT - The Curlew's Eye by Karen Manton 2.5★
14. NT - The Other Side of Beautiful by Kim Lock 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Andrea :)

[Carolyn]

Just finished my last book for this years AA challenge!
All set for 2022!

Read 36/ 36 (min 3/state)

NSW (8 books)
✔ Silver by Chris Hammer 5★ (read 29 Jan)
✔ Trust by Chris Hammer 5★ (read 24 April)
✔ Either Side of Midnight by Benjamin Stevenson 4★ (read 22 June)
✔ The Family Doctor by Debra Oswald 5★ (read 23 August)
✔Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty 4★ (read 16 August)
✔ The Enemy Within by Tim Ayliffe 4★ (read 7 July)
✔ The Second Son by Loraine Peck 4★ (read 22 Sept)
✔ The Way it is Now by Garry Disher 5★ (read 13 Oct)

VIC (8 books)
✔ Kittyhawk Down by Garry Disher 4★ (read 27 Jan)
✔ Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood 4★ (read 9 Feb)
✔ A Million Things by Emily Spurr 5★ (read 16 March)
✔ The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth 5★ (read 26 April)
✔ The Long Game by Simon Rowell 4★ (read 5 July)
✔ An Ill-Fated Invitation by Grace York 4★ (read 11 Sept)
✔ Wild Place by Christian White 5★ (read 5 Oct)
✔ The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth 5★ (read 16 Oct)

Qld (5 books)
✔ The Emporium of Imagination by Tabitha Bird 5★ (read 29 March)
✔ The Codebreakers by Alli Sinclair 4★ (read 21 March)
✔ The Perfect Family by Jacquie Underdown 4★ (read 30 Jan)
✔ The Attack by Catherine Jinks 4★ ( read 10 Aug)
✔ Dead Regular by Harry Colfer (read 30 Aug)

WA (4 books)
✔ The Last Bookshop by Emma Young 4★ (read 8 May)
✔ The Widows of Broome by Arthur W. Upfield 4★ (read 24 August)
✔ Invisible Boys by Holden Sheppard 5★ (read 22 May)
✔ Small Town Nightmare by Anna Willett 4★ (read 22 Nov)

SA (3 books)
✔ The Chosen Seven by Gill D. Anderson 4★ (read 15 March)
✔ The Other Side of Beautiful by Kim Lock 5★ (read 15 June)
✔ Devotion by Hannah Kent 5★ (read 11 Oct)

TAS (3 books)
✔ The Better Son by Katherine Johnson 5★ (read 12 Dec)
✔ The Power Game by Meg Keneally & Tom Keneally 4★ (read 30 Sept)
✔ The Last of the Apple Blossom by Mary-Lou Stephens 4★ (read 18 Oct)

ACT (3 books)
✔ Mayan Mendacity by L.J.M. Owen 4★ (read 13 Dec)
✔ The Land Before Avocado by Richard Glover 4★ (read 13 April)
✔ Dead Letters by Michael Brissenden 4.5★ (read 16 Dec)

NT (3 books)
✔ Still by Matt Nable 4★ (read 25 Oct)
✔ Gunshot Road by Adrian Hyland 4★ (read 26 Nov)
✔ The Curlew's Eye BY Karen Manton 4★ (read 6 Dec)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great work Carolyn!!

[Genevieve]

All done :)

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

ACT:
1. Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern 4.5★

NSW:
2. The Wreck by Meg Keneally 4★
3. The Night Whistler by Greg Woodland 4.5★

NT:
4. The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club by Sophie Green 4★

QLD:
5. Khaki Town by Judy Nunn 4.5★

SA:
6. Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher 4.5★

Tasmania:
7. The Power Game by Meg Keneally and Tom Keneally 4★
8. The Better Son by Katherine Johnson 5★

Victoria:
9. The Autumn Murders by Robert Gott 4★
10. The Shifting Landscape by Katherine Kovacic 4★

WA:
11. Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington, Nugi Garimara 4★
12. The History of Mischief by Rebecca Higgie 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Genevieve!

[Clare]

Finished! I tried for Book Worm, but I only got 18/24, so Book Lover it is.

Level: Book Lover
12/12

WA
1. Perth The Edward Street Baby Farm by Stella Budrikis Read 20/1. 4★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. Fremantle That Was My home: voices from the Noongar camps in Fremantle and the western suburbs by Denise Cook Read 12/8. 5★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

SA
3. Adelaide All That Impossible Space by Anna Morgan Read 17/3. 3★

NT
4. The Swan Book by Alexis Wright Read 7/5. 4★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Queensland
5. Kelly's Crossing Waterhole by Fiona Bell Read 29/4. 2★ Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

6. Runagate Qld Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings Read 11/9. 4★

NSW
7. Sydney The Angel of Waterloo by Jackie French Read 27/2. 5★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

8. Sydney Love Objects by Emily Maguire Read 20/6. 4★

ACT
9. Canberra Where the Trees Were by Inga Simpson Read 24/4. 3★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Victoria
10. Melbourne The January Stars by Kate Constable Read 22/2. 4★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

11. Melbourne The Gaps by Leanne Hall Read 15/6. 4★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tasmania
12. Clunes P is for Pearl by Eliza Henry-Jones Read 28/8. 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Clare!

[Deb]

Tah Dah! Just completed Book Connoisseur - 36 books with only a couple of wees to spare.

And, sorry Brenda! I see now that you wanted star ratings and the read date. I have added the ratings - though ALL of them have reviews for people to read if they rally want to know what I thought of them. I am not going to give them all dates though, it would take too long. I will try and remember them for next years challenges though.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Next year's challenges are okay thanks Deborah!! And well done!!! Though you should read your first sentence again ;) lol

[Deb]

Brenda wrote: "Next year's challenges are okay thanks Deborah!! And well done!!! Though you should read your first sentence again ;) lol"

Ahah ha... not quite to the point of weeing myself.... made me laugh though!

In my defence, I am typing one handed, as my cockatiel is in firm possession of my left forearm, for an important nap that cannot be delayed.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Hahaha!!!!!

[Em__Jay]

I just completed my SA trio by reading Bitter Wash Road by Garry Disher. A 4* read for me.

I've still got 5 books to go to fulfil the challenge. I am not giving up yet! 😊

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Go girl! You can do it!!!

[Meg]

All done, just in time!

Books completed 24/24

ACT:
1. Six Minutes by Petronella McGovern★4★
2. Where the Trees Were by Inga Simpson★4.5★
3. The Beach Caves by Trevor Shearston★3★

New South Wales:
4. A Month of Sundays by Liz Byrski★3.5★
5. A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu ★2.5★
6. A Room Made of Leaves by Kate Grenville★3.5★

Northern Territory:
7. All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton ★5★
8. The Mother Fault by Kate Mildenhall★4.5★
9. Tracker by Alexis Wright★2.5★

Queensland:
10. Oyster by Janette Turner Hospital ★3★
11. Riptides byKirsten Alexander ★3.5★
12. Being Black 'n Chicken, and Chips by Matt Okine ★3.5★

South Australia:
13. From the Wreck by Jane Rawson★5★
14. This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield★3.5★
15. Melting Moments by Anna Goldsworthy★3★

Tasmania:
16. The Hunter by Julia Leigh★3.5★
17. The Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan★3★
18. Vanishing Falls by Poppy Gee★3.5★

Victoria:
19. The Dressmaker's Secret by Rosalie Ham ★3★
20. Black Rock White City★2★
21. Not Bad People★3★

Western Australia:
22. Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts★3.5★
23. Cloudstreet by Tim Winton ★4★
24. The Spill by Imbi Neeme★3.5★

[TheMadHatter]

Finished my final annual challenge. One book to go in the December challenge and then I am done for the year.

Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Easy (Book Worm)
12/12 as of 24 December

1. QLD The Shack by the Bay by Lea Davey
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4.5 Stars)
2.QLD Silkworm Secrets by Lea Davey
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (5 Stars)
3.NSWSaving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (5 Stars)
4.NSW The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (5 Stars)
5.ACTSix Minutes by Petronella McGovern
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... (4 Stars)
6.VICCocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... (3.5 Stars)
7.TAS Bruny by Heather Rose
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3 Stars)
8.TASWildflower Hill by Kimberley Freeman
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3.5 Stars)
9.SA The Three Miss Allens by Victoria Purman
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3 Stars)
10.WA Sanctuary by Judy Nunn
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (2 Stars)
11.WA The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (3.5 Stars)
12.NT All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (4 Stars)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Meg and MH!!

[Jasmine's]

Finished 28/12/21

Jasmine's wrote: "Annual Challenge 2021 - Read Around Australia
AUSSIE AUTHORS ONLY
Duration: 1st January - 31st December 2021
Level: Book Worm
24/24

VIC
Shantaram
Bad Debts
[book:Picnic..."

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Jasmine!

[Sarah]

Sadly, I'll have to admit defeat on this challenge. I read Dead Letters by Michael Brissenden in December, anticipating that it would fill my ACT-shaped gap. Unfortunately, the book was set almost entirely in Sydney, with only a couple of brief scenes at Parliament House in Canberra. As I'm also missing an SA title, I've run out of time to complete.

Thanks for a great challenge, anyway - I'll look forward to its reappearance in future years...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Bad luck Sarah - better luck next time round :)

[Em__Jay]

I finally finished my third NT book, Still by Matt Nable. What a slog that turned out to be! 2 stars from me.

Even with 2 and 2/3 books to go, and just over 48 hours until the new year, I am still not giving up on this challenge. 🤣