Aussie Readers discussion
Archive Annual Challenges
>
A - Z Authors 2022
I am halfway there now on this challenge :)Just finished my 13th
The Vet's Country Holiday Lily Malone
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Brenda wrote: "Good job Helen!!"Thanks Brenda :)
I am also halfway through the challenge!S - Astrid Scholte (AA) - Four Dead Queens gets 3.5🌟 from me.
Mod
can you please add me to my first annual challenge, I have a list in which I have already started.Thanks
I just realised I'm half way thru too, and I have been for 3 weeks 😄R ✔ Sheilas: Badass Women of Australian History by Eliza Reilly Read 5/4. 5★ Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... AA
Mod
Thanks"
I have put your name in the list Rebecca. It would be nice to see your list though!!!
Mod
Thanks"
Make sure you edit this post Rebecca as post #207 is linked for you :)
Mod
R ✔ Sheilas: Badass Women of Australian History by Eliza Reilly Read 5/4. 5★ Review: https://..."
Good job Clare!!
Being stuck on the couch with coiled has been a great opportunity to tick another Aussie author off my list:L - Liane Moriarty with Apples Never Fall 4 ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
B Julian BarnesI loved The Sense of an Ending, about a man whose memory is as fallible as everyone's. Wonderful story with an ending that has generated a lot of discussion since it won the Booker Prize in 2011.
5★ My review of The Sense of an Ending
Jacm wrote: "Being stuck on the couch with coiled has been a great opportunity to tick another Aussie..."You mean covid, don't you. I am too, but if you did mean coiled, I prefer lying flat out on the couch, covid or not 😁
Mod
I have completed other two books: G - George Saunders with Lincoln in the Bardo - 4⭐️ - 02/04/2022
I knew Lincoln in the Bardo was a novel about the strong feeling of grief Lincoln went through when his son William ("Willie") died at a young age because of a fever, and the reader indeed finds that, most poignantly in the pages where Lincoln goes back to the graveyard to cradle his son's body just another time. But the book was a surprise nonetheless. Saunders used this event - and the fact Willie's soul is trapped in the Bardo (a sort of world in between death and the afterlife), to introduce several different characters - souls also trapped in the Bardo - and their stories, some of them very sad. Despite the tone is sometimes very gloomy and sad, I liked that element of novelty and experimentation in the writing of this novel. I couldn't help but cheer for the souls of the Reverend Everly Thomas, Hans Vollman and Roger Bevins as they try to help Willie to reach the afterlife.
T - Trent Daltonwith Boy Swallows Universe - 4⭐️ - 25/04/2022
I liked this novel, and I now regret not having read it before. I think I'd have liked to see the theatre adaptation but now it's too late - hope the play will be re-scheduled at QPAC in the future. There were some points not well resolved (for example, I was not super convinced about the explanation for the red telephone) but the plot was engaging and some exchanges between the two brothers simply great. However, I couldn't feel the same 'magic' and love that many other Brisbane readers felt about it, probably because I grew up in a different country and I couldn't fully relate to the socio-cultural background of Brisbane in the '80s.
Disappointed in H - Sally Hepworth The Younger Wife. Only 2★ for this one I'm afraid.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Clare wrote: "Jacm wrote: "Being stuck on the couch with coiled has been a great opportunity to tick another Aussie..."You mean covid, don't you. I am too, but if you did mean coiled, I prefer lying flat out o..."
Oops! Maybe I'll claim that typo as a new symptom?? Yes, I meant COVID.
Finished my 10th of this Challenge with:-'A' -
The Bird Eater by Ania Ahlborn
Rated this one as 4* (8.5/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished this challenge - much faster than I thought I could!A-Z Authors
1/1/22 - 31/12/22
26/26 9/AA
✔A Anthony Doerr - Cloud Cuckoo Land 29/1 4*
✔B Brené Brown - Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead 19/1 4*
✔C Charlotte Brontë - Jane Eyre 14/1 4*
✔ Dinuka McKenzie - The Torrent (AA) 13/3 4.5*
✔E Eddie Ayres - Whole Notes (AA) 15/2 5*
✔F Fiona McIntosh - The Spy's Wife (AA) 4/1 3.5*
✔G Dave Grohl - The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music 21/2 3*
✔H Hannah Kent - Devotion (AA) 9/1 4*
✔I Kazuo Ishiguro - Klara and the Sun 28/3 4*
✔J Taylor Jenkins Reid - Malibu Rising 12/3 4*
✔K T.J. Klune - The House in the Cerulean Sea 5/2 3.5*
✔L Kate Langbroek - Ciao Bella!: Six Take Italy (AA) 21/1 4*
✔M Liane Moriarty - Apples Never Fall (AA) 12/4 3.5*
✔N T.J. Newman - Falling 8/2 3.5*
✔O Richard Osman - The Thursday Murder Club 3/3 3.5*
✔P Nita Prose - The Maid 11/5 3.5*
✔Q Kate Quinn - The Diamond Eye 30/4 4*
✔R Sally Rooney - Beautiful World, Where Are You 19/4 4*
✔S Sujata Massey - The Bombay Prince 2/1 3.5*
✔T Tracey Lange - We are the Brennans 5/1 4.5*
✔U Lisa Unger - Confessions on the 7:45 22/4 3.5*
✔V Hugh van Cuylenburg - Let Go: It's time for us to let go of shame, expectation and our addiction to social media (AA) 1/2 4*
✔W Christian White - Wild Place (AA) 5/3 4*
✔ X Alexander McCall Smith - How to Raise an Elephant 16/1 3.5*
✔ Y Yumiko Kadota - Emotional Female 7/4 4*
✔Z Michelle Zauner - Crying in H Mart 3/4 4.5*
Mod
Mod
Finished my 11th of this Challenge with:-'X' -
Paul Theroux - The Mosquito Coast
Rated this one as 3* (7/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
All done.A-Z Authors
1/1/22 - 31/12/22
26/26 (6AA)
A-
B-
C-
D-
E-
F-
G-
H-
I-
J-
K-
L-
M-
N-
O-
P-
Q-
R-
S-
T-
U-
V-
W-
X-
Y-
Z-
Mod
Mod
I've completed other two books:K - Kate Quinn with The Huntress - 4⭐️ - 21/05/2022 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
V - V.E. Schwab with The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - 4⭐️ - 14/05/2022 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished 2 more, I’m only halfway through! 😬S - John Sandford with Shock Wave - 4⭐️ - 27/4/22
Y - Grace York with Arson at the Art Gallery - AA - 4⭐️ - 24/5/22
Mod
We are not half way though the year yet so you are doing just fine!
N I really enjoyed the characters in The Secret World of Connie Starr, Aussie author Robbi Neal's new novel. It begins during the Depression and goes to 1952 in the small country town of Ballarat, Victoria. It's hard to keep secrets in a small town.
4★ My review of The Secret World of Connie Starr
B Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch 5 ⭐️I am LOVING this series. I was somewhat worried that the sequel may not live up to the awesomeness of the first book but I honestly had nothing to worry about.
Ben Aaronovitch's writing is superbly paced with gritty realism intertwined with fantasy and acerbic wit. I can't wait for the next instalment.
Mod
I am LOVING this series. I was somewhat worried that the sequel may not live up to the awesomeness of the first book but I ..."
It's a brilliant series and it won't let you down at all!
Finished my 12th of this Challenge with:-Confessions on the 7:45 by Lisa Unger
Loved this one - rated it 5* (9.5/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Jacm wrote: "B Moon Over Soho by Ben Aaronovitch 5 ⭐️I am LOVING this series. I was somewhat worried that the sequel may not live up to the awesomeness of the first book but I ..."
I am a total fan of this series. Have you tried the audiobooks? The narrator is fabulous.
Brenda wrote: "That's interesting Kim - I'm looking forward to your review. I've been uncertain about this one as there are both good and bad reviews :)"Hi Brenda - my review now posted on message 235. Found it absolutely breathtaking personally!
Perhaps one of those 'Marmite' books (or is it 'Vegemite' over there?!) - there were several characters pretending to be someone else to get your head round!
Finished my 13th of this Challenge with:-'Z' -
Bad Apple by Zoje Stage
Warning - this book also released as Baby Teeth
Rated this one as 4* (9/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Wouldn't think of killing a child but could make an exception for 'Hanna' in this book!!
Mod
Hi Brenda - my review now posted on messag..."
Thanks Kim - about to read it :) (And yes, Vegemite it is ;) )
Challenge completed:A-Z Authors
1/1/22 - 31/12/22
26/26
A -
B -
C -
D -
E -
F -
G -
H -
I -
J -
K -
L -
M -
N -
O -
P -
Q -
R -
S -
T -
U -
V -
W -
X -
Y -
Z -
Mod
Mod
This is my second round of A-Z Authors Challenge 2022, but this time I’ve decided toselect the authors/books based on specific themes. All the authors are Australian, living
in Australia & writing about Australia. The major themes that interested me were IDENTITY
& MARGINALISATION.
IDENTITY, as it relates to the indigenous, the invaders, the immigrants & the incapacitated.
Those terms are not meant to be offensive to anyone but are merely used similar to a media
headline. The issues of identity within those groups are underlying fundamentals of what is
part of Australia’s national fabric
MARGINALISATION as it relates to some of those groups who have been & who are still being
marginalised in Australian society. There are many other marginalised groups I could not include.
Being limited to 26 books within the confines of an alphabetic qualifier for the author means
that those books do not represent an extensive treatise of those themes but provided me with
some interesting reading choices.
I’ve selected books from 15 indigenous authors, 5 books from authors who are migrants or with
migrant backgrounds, a biography of an indigenous man, an autobiography from a disabled author,
& 4 books from authors of a white anglo saxon background of which 2 feature an indigenous person as a main character.
I’ve also selected authors based on their first name except for U. I found a few Australian authors
with first names beginning with U but they didn’t quite fit my criteria.
I won’t comment on any specific book but can say that the reading experience was enhanced by
the bond that these books shared in meeting my theme brief.
A Alexis Wright;The Swan Book; Read 15/3/22;3*
B Bruce Pascoe:Earth; Read 18/3/22; 4*
C Claire G Coleman;Terra Nullius;Read 21/3/22; 3*
D Dylan Coleman; Mazin Grace; Read 23/3/22; 4*
E Ellen Van Neerven; Heat and Light; Read 26/3/22; 2*
F Felicity Castagna; No More Boats; Read 29/3/22; 4*
G Gary Lonesborough; The Boy from the Mish; Read 31/3/22; 3*
H Henry Lawson; Henry Lawson Selected Stories; Read 3/4/22; 3*
I Ion Idriess; The Red Chief; Read5/4/22; 4*
J Julie Janson; The Crocodile Hotel: Novel About a Young Aboriginal Woman in 1970s Australia Northern Territory; Read 7/4/22; 4*
K Kim Scott; That Deadman Dance; Read10/4/22; 4*
L Larissa Behrendt; Home; Read12/4/22; 4*
M Melissa Lucashenko; Too Much Lip; Read 15/4/22; 3*
N Nino Culotta; They're a Weird Mob; Read17/4/22; 4*
O Ouyang Yu; Billy Sing;
Read 19/4/22; 4*
P Peter Carey; A Long Way from Home; Read22/4/22; 4*
Q Quentin Kenihan; Quentin, Not All Superheroes Wear Capes; Read 25/4/22; 3*
R Robert Hillman; Gurrumul; Read 28/4/22; 4*
S Sally Morgan; My Place; Read1/5/22; 4*
T Tony Birch; The White Girl: A Novel; Read 4/5/22; 4*
U Mudrooroo; Balga Boy Jackson; Read 8/5/22; 3*
V Veronica Gorrie; Black and Blue: A Memoir of Racism and Resilience; Read 11/5/22; 4*
W Warrigal Anderson; Warrigal's Way; Read 14/5/22; 3*
X Xavier Herbert; Seven Emus; Read 17/5/22; 2*
Y Yumna KassabThe House of Youssef; Read 21/5/22; 3*
Z Zoe Boccabella; Joe's Fruit Shop Milk Bar; Read10/6/22; 4*
Mod
Thanks Brenda. I enjoyed reading the stories of the authors & there was a lot of inter-connectedness in their books. Music also tells stories similar to a book, so I have matched the books with songs from Australian artists, most of whom I've seen perform :-The Swan Book: Spirit Bird by Xavier Rudd;
Earth: Eulogy For A Black Man by Kev Carmody;
Terra Nullius: Treaty by Yothu Yindi;
Mazin' Grace: Amazing Grace by Jessica Mauboy & Gurrumul:
Heat And Light: Better In Blak by Thelma Plum;
No More Boats: Lost At Sea by Midnight Oil;
The Boy from The Mish: Down In The Kitchen by Mission Songs
Project;
Timeless Land: The Drover's Wife by Luke O'Shea;
The Red Chief: Pumulwuy by Russell Morris;
Crocodile Hotel: Dead Heart by Diesel N'Dub/Emma Donovan;
That Deadman Dance: A Black Man's Crying by Frank Yamma;
Home; Going Home by The Stiff Gins;
Too Much Lip: Back On Country by Troy Cassar-Daley;
They're A Weird Mob: Shaddap You Face by Joe Dolce;
Billy Sing: Gallipoli Rosemary by Mick Thomas;
A Long Way From Home: Blackfella/Whitefella by Warumpi Band;
Quentin:Not All Superheroes Wear Capes: Teach Me How To Fly
by Jeff St.John;
Gurrumul: Gurrumul History by Saltwater Band;
My Place: Tap Sticks by Emily Wurramara;
White Girl: Took The Children Away by Archie Roach;
Balga Boy Jackson: Big City, Mean Streets by Buddy Knox;
Black And Blue: I Can't Breathe by Dobby &Barkaa;
Warrigal's Way: Move by Baker Boy;
Seven Emus: Get Back Up Again by Kutcha Edwards;
The House Of Youssef: Assimilate by Omar Musa:
Joe's Fruit Shop & Milk Bar: Sorrento Moon by Tina Arena.
I haven't included any links to these songs but they are all avaialble for view on Youtube
Mod
Phil wrote: "This is my second round of A-Z Authors Challenge 2022, but this time I’ve decided toselect the authors/books based on specific themes. All the authors are Australian, living
in Australia & writing..."
Phil wrote: "Thanks Brenda. I enjoyed reading the stories of the authors & there was a lot of inter-connectedness in their books. Music also tells stories similar to a book, so I have matched the books with son..."
What a terrific resource you have shared here, Phil! Also, what an excellent extra challenge you set yourself.
I have to say that these challenges may seem silly when we all have plenty to read, but I have stumbled across so many interesting authors and books because I was looking for a letter or a colour or a cover or something. Now I have even more authors I'm interested in, especially Aussie and especially indigenous.
I am in awe of your accomplishment!
V I am very fond of Aussie author Emma Viskic's Caleb Zelic, but this is said to be the deaf investigator's last story. (I tweeted to her that Kat and the ancestors will pester her to continue!) Those Who Perish is excellent, and I want more!
4.5~5★ My review of Those Who Perish
Finished 2 more.Q - Emily Queen with The Case at Barton Manor - 3⭐️ - 27/6/22
U - D.W. Ulsterman with Bonita - 3⭐️ - 27/5/22
All done, that was a good one :) Cleared a lot out of my TBR list this time around! A-Z Authors
01/01/22 - 31/12/22
26/26
Aussie Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
Here's to Us (other topics)The Love That Split the World (other topics)
Graceling (other topics)
Adventures of a Young Naturalist: The Zoo Quest Expeditions (other topics)
Shadow and Bone (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Claire Zorn (other topics)Leigh Bardugo (other topics)
David Attenborough (other topics)
Emily Henry (other topics)
Kristin Cashore (other topics)
More...
'Y' -
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
Rated this one as 3* (6.5/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...