March Challenge - Aussie Author Month

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Phrynne wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Well done Phrynne, shame is was hard work.
I have one more to go, which I hope to start maybe tomorrow."

At least I picked up a new author to read in Helen Goltz"

Yes, I like the sound of Mastermind Phrynne.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Phrynne wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Well done Phrynne, shame is was hard work.
I have one more to go, which I hope to start maybe tomorrow."

At least I picked up a new author to read in [author:Helen ..."

I love her work!!

[Regina]

Odette wrote: "Regina wrote: "Odette wrote: "Regina wrote: "Just finished 1 of 2. Empire Day by Diane Armstrong, which was author new to me.

I should make a start soon on my Tribu..."


I'll have to get onto Trove and check it out.

[Regina]

Go Phyrnne.

I only have chosen 2 books and so far have only managed to read one of them...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Regina wrote: "Go Phyrnne.

I only have chosen 2 books and so far have only managed to read one of them..."

I always attack my challenge books first and then read what I like for the rest of the month:)

[FrenzieMcKenzie]

I'm really struggling with The First Man in Rome.
I don't care about any of the characters anymore, the ones I did care about turned on their allies, no one can be trusted. The descriptions of life itself are good. There's just not enough of them. I was enjoying Gaius Marius but apparently he's a brilliant strategist and I'm just supposed to accept that. I have seen no evidence of it in the character development and it's a bit tedious to keep being told that he is over and over again.

I'm tempted to ditch it for Angel, Carolyn your review was that good.

[Regina]

Phrynne wrote: "Regina wrote: "Go Phyrnne.

I only have chosen 2 books and so far have only managed to read one of them..."

I always attack my challenge books first and then read what I like for the rest of the m..."

Phyrnne that is the logical and best thing to do, but alas I'm afraid I tend to throw logic out the window at times (my husband would say nearly all of the time)

[Carolyn]

Frances wrote: "I'm really struggling with The First Man in Rome.
I don't care about any of the characters anymore, the ones I did care about turned on their allies, no one can be trusted. The descri..."

Sounds like a good idea Frances. The First Man in Rome sounds like hard work. Angel was very easy to read (and it's shorter!)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Carolyn wrote: "Frances wrote: "I'm really struggling with The First Man in Rome.
I don't care about any of the characters anymore, the ones I did care about turned on their allies, no one can be tru..."

I'll second that! Loved Angel aka Angel Puss!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Frances wrote: "I'm really struggling with The First Man in Rome.
I don't care about any of the characters anymore, the ones I did care about turned on their allies, n..."

Ditto to that Jools!!

[Regina]

Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Frances wrote: "I'm really struggling with The First Man in Rome.
I don't care about any of the characters anymore, the ones I did care about turned on..."

I'll fourth it!

[FrenzieMcKenzie]

Lol, ok that decides that then :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Frances wrote: "Lol, ok that decides that then :)"

Haha, be sure and let us know how you go with it Frances :)
I must say I thought The First Man in Rome was a bit ambitious for this challenge, but I haven't read it either so don't know ;)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Frances wrote: "Lol, ok that decides that then :)"

Haha, be sure and let us know how you go with it Frances :)
I must say I thought The First Man in Rome was a bit ambitious for this..."

You need to be a Historical Fiction fan otherwise it would be heavy going. I read them all and liked them better than her other books (especially Tim)

[MaryG2E]

I've finished three of my four books for the March challenge, and i'm very pleased with everything I've read so far.

1. A debut novel: Addition by Toni Jordan 4.5★s
2. An author new to me: A Rose for the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French 5+ ★s
4. A male Aussie author: The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 4★s

Book 3, the tribute to Colleen McCullough, is sitting on my bookshelf right now, waiting to be started. The Ladies of Missalonghi

I must say how grateful I am to other Aussie Readers for their comments, recommendations and reviews. I would never have found Addition if not for star ratings and nice comments on these threads. It is a great read, and has so much substance that I have used it this week in an assignment for my Disability Studies at uni. Thanks everyone.

My review of Addition is actually an excerpt from my assignment, for your consideration. I hope you give me good marks! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosie]

I have finished my books for this challenge

Bittersweet

The House on Burra Burra Lane

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Rosie!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Have finished my four for this challenge all very enjoyable reads at 4★s each.


a) A debut novel ............. Tell Me Why by Sandi Wallace 4★s
b) An author new to you.. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith 4★s
c) As a tribute, ................ The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough 4★s
d) A male author ............. The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion 4★s

[Andrea]

Finished Bereft by Chris Womersley (d) this morning - really enjoyed it, 4 stars.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Andrea wrote: "Finished Bereft by Chris Womersley (d) this morning - really enjoyed it, 4 stars."

Glad to hear it Andrea, it was a favourite of mine too :))

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have finished my four for this challenge all very enjoyable reads at 4★s each.


a) A debut novel ............. Tell Me Why by Sandi Wallace 4★s
b) An author new to..."

Congratulations Jools:) Well done!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Have finished my four for this challenge all very enjoyable reads at 4★s each.


a) A debut novel ............. Tell Me Why by Sandi Wallace 4★s
b) ..."

Enjoyed them all Brenda! :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's the main thing Jools!

[MaryG2E]

Pleased to announce I've completed the March challenge, reading four very different books by Australian authors. It was a very enjoyable challenge and I'm grateful for the opportunity to pursue home-grown writers in a purposeful way.

1. Debut novel: Promise by Tony Cavanaugh (crime) 4★s
2. Author new to me: A Rose for the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French (historical fiction/YA) 5★s
3. Tribute to Colleen McCullough: The Ladies of Missalonghi (historical fiction) 3★s
4. Aussie male author: The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion (romance/humour) 4★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Mary! Well done...great they were all pretty good reads too:)

[Regina]

Have finally started my 2nd and last challenge book for March - tribute read.
The Thorn Birds

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Regina wrote: "Have finally started my 2nd and last challenge book for March - tribute read.
The Thorn Birds"

Enjoy Regina:)

[FrenzieMcKenzie]

I loved Angel, thanks everyone for the recommendation :)

I did a bit of background reading on Gaius Marius, (yay Wikipedia) and found out he was a real person. The reason his exploits weren't explained in detail is because they are well known. Duh! Now I understand what historical fiction is I think I'll revisit The First Man in Rome in the near future.

I've never read any historical fiction! How did that happen to me? What a pleasant surprise to discover a whole new genre.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Frances wrote: "I loved Angel, thanks everyone for the recommendation :)

I did a bit of background reading on Gaius Marius, (yay Wikipedia) and found out he was a real person. The reason his exploit..."

Historical Fiction is wonderful Frances:) So glad you've found it!!! Though there are some out there that are not so wonderful:)

[Odette]

I have finished this challenge now

1. Debut Novel
The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane 4.5★s

2. New Author to me
White Gold by Rachel Amphlett 3.5★s

3. Tribute to Colleen McCullough
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough 4★s

4. Male Author
Eyrie by Tim Winton 3★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Odette!

[Zoey]

Finished this challenge with my 4th book

c) Tribute to Colleen McCullough

Angel Puss Colleen McCullough 3★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Zoey!!

[Nicola]

Finished
a) A debut novel - Prime Cut / Alan Carter (also a new author to me)
and
c) As a tribute, a title by Colleen McCullough The Song of Troy
almost finished the last one as well!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congrats Nicola:)

[Nicola]

Brenda wrote: "Congrats Nicola:)"
Thanks! I've been so busy working and organising my trip that I really feel behind on the reading - but a few long flights coming up so will catch up!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's OK - life often gets in the way;)

[Odette]

Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Congrats Nicola:)"
Thanks! I've been so busy working and organising my trip that I really feel behind on the reading - but a few long flights coming up so will catch up!"

I know what you mean, I have long flights coming up mid April. Also catch up on the bus between Canberra and Sydney.

[Nicola]

Odette wrote: "Nicola wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Congrats Nicola:)"
Thanks! I've been so busy working and organising my trip that I really feel behind on the reading - but a few long flights coming up so will catch..."

Ooohh! You're lucky - I can't read in cars or buses, ok on trains, boats and airplanes tho! Thank goodness for audio books!

[Nicola]

Finished number 4 for the challenge
Blood / Tony Birch
Not a bad read at all! New author to me as well...

[Carolyn]

I've finished d) Male author by reading Life or Death by Michael Robotham 5★
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and am now half way through my last book a) Debut novel After Darkness by Christine Piper, which would also be an excellent book for the April historical novel challenge.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "

and am now half way through my last book a) Debut novel After Darkness by Christine Piper, which would also be an excellent book for the April historical novel challenge. ..."

I really enjoyed that one too Carolyn:)

[Regina]

Still working my way through The Thorn Birds.
Long read, hopefully i finish in time.
All very melodramatic.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Still got a few days Regina:) Good luck!

[Carolyn]

I've finished my 4th for this challenge a) Debut novel After Darkness by Christine Piper 4★
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now back to the Autumn challenge!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Carolyn!!!

[Sally906]

All finished!

I was only going to do 2 - but ended up doing all four!!!

A tribute - The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough 4★
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Author new to me - The Country Practice by Meredith Appleyard 4★
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

A male author - The Last Place by Michael Adams 5★
Not released yet - review will come later

A debut novel - Lost and Found by Brooke Davis 2★
Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sally906 wrote: "All finished!

I was only going to do 2 - but ended up doing all four!!!

A tribute - The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough 4★
Review here: https://www.goodrea..."

You have linked my review for your second review Sally;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And congratulations on doing all four! Great effort:)

[Bronwyn]

Joe Cinque's Consolation, A True Story of Death, Grief and the Law Finally got around to reading this by great Aussie non fiction writer and journalist, Helen Garner. Again she takes us right inside this tragedy, revealing the impact of this terrible crime on not only the families and friends of perpetrator and victim, but herself.