BLK Autumn 2015 Challenge - Read the Rainbow

[Lesley]

Autumn is a time of changing colours with autumn leaves, rainbows, rain and darkening skies.

For Autumn before we reach those darkening skies, we will read the colours of the rainbow to brighten our days.

The rainbow colours are RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, INDIGO, VIOLET.

♠ Read a book for each colour of the rainbow where the colour is in the title, or the book cover is at least 75% of that colour.

Remember to link to the title and author, and tell us if you liked/disliked the book with a little review.

Happy Autumn Reading.

[Lesley]

If you intend to take part in this challenge indicate by creating a post with at least a partial list - colours listed - that you will record your challenge reading in. This gives me a post to link you to so you can easily find your way back when all that expected discussion gets going.

Participants
Sharlene
Erica
Sally906
Darkpool
Lesley
Kathleen
Grace
Carol
Sweetpea-1

[Sharlene]

Will try my best at this one. I finished a book in February called Indigo spell, so it would've fit perfect for this. Will have to find something else :)

read 14/3 ★★★★

[Erica]

Sounds like fun.

RED
read 14/03/15

ORANGE
read 07/04/2015

YELLOW


GREEN
read 09/04/15

BLUE
read 23/05/15

INDIGO

VIOLET

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

What date does the challenge start & finish.

I've just had a look at my tbr list here & the only "colour" mentioned is black!

Does it have to be the colour as stated for example would the Scarlet Pimpernel only be suitable if the cover was mostly red?

[Sally906]

OK - well I might jump straight into the deep end and join right on in.

RED - Thin Blood by Vicki Tyley

ORANGE – Bound by Vanda Symon

YELLOW - The Ship by Antonia Honeywell

GREEN - Curve My Attitude by Sarah Gai

BLUE – TBA

INDIGO - The Chardonnay Charade by Ellen Crosby

VIOLET - Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

[Lesley]

***Carol*** wrote: "What date does the challenge start & finish.
Let's try for all of Autumn - March through April. We don't get complicated with equinoxes. :)

I've just had a look at my tbr list here & the only "colour" mentioned is black!

Does it have to be the colour as stated for example would the Scarle..."

The shade of red in the cover is what you'd be looking for, whereas you'd use the actual word as a word in the title - not the shade of colour. Hope that's clear.

Otherwise there's no hard and fast rules, just as there are no prizes. Just FUN.

Of course over the 3 months you could work it in with other challenges like the bonus point earners on "How Many Pages" reading.

[Darkpool]

Yep, so in!!

RED

ORANGE
YELLOW

GREEN
BLUE
A mixed bag, some stories outstanding, and really capturing the personality of the Doctor they featured. Some were hugely disappointing. full review here: https://www.leafmarks.com/lm/#/users/...
INDIGO
Not sure why I waited so long to read this second instalment of the series. Marvellous.
VIOLET
I've previously read "Exit Music" - the book where Rebus retired from the force - so it has been interesting to go back to the first Rebus book. I liked it well enough to want to continue the series, though probably not immediately.

[Erica]

Those purple colours aren't easy...haha. I'll find a book for Indigo if I manage to get through all those other books!

[Lesley]

OMG I nearly forgot me! Been a long day at work ☺


RED by Carolina De Robertis Finished 31 Mar. 3.5 stars. I really want more than three and half stars but it took me a while to be drawn into this book. However, from just under half-way I had got used to the writing style and become involved in her story, wanting very much to know what happened in the end which carried a little bit of a twist I wasn't totally expecting.

ORANGE by Barbara Allan Finished 18 July. 3 stars. Cozy mystery. Not as good as many I've read, but liked it just the same.

YELLOW by William Kamkwamba. Finished 30 May. 4.5 stars. A tale of inspiration of one determined boy interested in science and who so badly wanted education. Set in poverty stricken Malawi this book had a special interest to me as I sponsor a child in this region. I feel I may well re-read this book again sometime in the future.

GREEN by Edie Claire Finished 13 July. 4 stars. Just a nice cozy mystery with a great mystery, likeable amateur sleuth and a little bit of humour.

BLUE by Lauren Willig Finished 3 Apr. 4 stars. This was a dual time line story that switches between the UK family's story and 2009. In 2009 a woman in US inherits a house from an aunt she never knew; goes to Britain to sell the house; learns of a supposed treasure in the family from the past. Historical fiction/mystery/bit of romance.

INDIGO by Nina Sankovitch Finished 20 March. 4 stars. I listened to this book and quite enjoyed it. It is about how the author couldn't get through the grief at losing her sister to cancer. She decided to seek refuge in doing what she and Anne Marie enjoyed most, and resolved to spend a year reading a book a day. She analysed, reviewed and considered what they both would have taken from each book. A little similar to The End of Your Life Book Club in some respects.

VIOLET
by Nancy Atherton Finished 22 May. 4 stars. Been lurking on my Kindle for quite a while. An amusing, light cozy mystery without a murder, but with the guiding spirit hand of recently deceased Aunt Dimity. Great setting, storyline and characters.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

RED

More than a Mistress by Mary Balogh. Finally a Regency that isn't by Heyer & doesn't make me want to hurl the book across the room in disgust! An engaging heroine & hero, but the book is spoilt a bit by a poorly edited first page & meandering finale. 3.5*. Finished 1/5/15

ORANGE

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. I was so disappointed in Blood & Beauty but this book is the Dunant I love & admire. She is far better with fictional characters in a smaller setting. In spite of the unecessary prologue I'm going to give this 5* Finished 19/03/15

YELLOW

by Turn it Up! I can't hear the words! by Bob Sarlin. Three chapters of Bob Dylan & once over lightly for everyone else. Should be 2.5* but I'm going to give another half star for intoducing me to the music of Laura Nyro. Finished 26/05/15.

GREEN

The Great NZ Cookbook Both a trip down memory lane for Kiwis & recipes from some of our finest chefs. Beautiful photos. 5* Finished 11/3/15

BLUE

Artists in Crime by Ngaio Marsh. Problematic read for me - & I don't mean the what would now be considered racist writing. (I have an old edition)This book is the start of the Alleyn/Troy romance which I never enjoyed & (view spoiler)[ the method used for one of the murders would be unlikely to be successful (hide spoiler)] & the usual snobbery. Some lovely descriptive prose though. Barely 3* Finished 10/04/15.

INDIGO

. Red Bones by Ann Cleeves A bit of a slow start but wonderful descriptions of the Shetlands & it builds to a genuinely surprising ending. 4* Finished 18/05/15.

VIOLET

Ultraviolet by RJ Anderson Perfect for this challenge about a young girl who can smell & taste colours. It was heading for a 5* from me but towards the end there was too much telling not showing. Still 4.5* Finished 23/05/15

[Erica]

Knocked off my first book (updated message 4)...I'm planning to tackle Fall of Giants next which is a whopper! so will try and read some shorties at the same time.

[Sharlene]

Am I the only one that had to check a colour chart for indigo and violet? I can never remember which one the bluer one is.!

[Lesley]

SharleneSays wrote: "Am I the only one that had to check a colour chart for indigo and violet? I can never remember which one the bluer one is.!"

:) No you are NOT. I've just been doing exactly that! But what I can't work out is how purple differs from indigo and violet, and do I have a violet cover...

[Erica]

Haha I totally had to check the difference between those three colours as well! I still haven't found a book for indigo yet

[Sharlene]

is the only book I know with it in the title. Unfortunately I read this book in February so I cant use it for this challenge!

[Grace]

Is this an open challenge? May I join?

[Darkpool]

Grace wrote: "Is this an open challenge? May I join?"

Please join!!

[Lesley]

Grace wrote: "Is this an open challenge? May I join?"

You certainly may join in. I'll add your name to the list of participants in message 2. Once you create a post post with a list of the colours that you will record your challenge reading in, link your name in message #2 to it so you can easily find your way back for updating.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm not listed in message 2, Leslie. Probably I didn't make it clear that I was intending to do the challenge. :)

[Lesley]

***Carol*** wrote: "I'm not listed in message 2, Leslie. Probably I didn't make it clear that I was intending to do the challenge. :)"

In now Carole.

[Grace]

Okay, cool, thanks.

RED/COMPLETE Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock


This book was so beautiful it had me up all night and bawling. Review here.

ORANGE The Knife of Never Letting Go



YELLOW On the Jellicoe Road



GREEN Fangirl



BLUE Wonder



INDIGO Eragon



VIOLET Angelfall

[Sweetp-1]

Hi Grace. We have super similar tastes in books :) WIll be interested to see what you think of jellicoe road - it's got quite a different tone to the YA I normally read and really loved it. I also LOVED the chaos walking series. Good luck with your challenge!

[Sweetp-1]

I'm going to join in but probably wont get far. About to embark on an inter-island house move....reading time is at an all time low.

RED - The Shining Girls

A thriller/mystery/horror/timetravel/historical mashup. Intriguing concept but maybe a little bit let down by the characterisations.


ORANGE - The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

Excellent classic sci-fi, a collection of short stories/vignettes. Really really enjoyed this and finding that some of the scenes are lingering in my mind. I quite like Bradbury's writing style.

YELLOW - Unbearable Lightness

Portia de Rossi's memoir which mainly deals with her struggles with eating disorders. It was an OK read but sometimes read like a how to manual for anorexia. I would have liked a bit more about her current life with Ellen and more happy to balance out all the earlier sad stuff. Interesting but probably wouldnt rush to recommend


GREEN - Georges Marvellous Medicine

Reading aloud to Miss 7 while we're on the road for the holidays. A fun read to Miss 7 (but was kind of surprised by some of the language used). Think we might read Charlie next :)

GREEN2 The Caller by Juliet Marillier


BLUE Children of the King

Reading aloud to Miss 9 while we're on the road for the holidays. I bought this as a childrens book but personally would peg this more like a YA. The themes and language are really not "children level" in my opinion. Set in the 1940's during the War but also retelling the historical story of "a misunderstood Duke (brother of a King who has 2 sons...)" who history buffs will quickly recognize. I'm reading this aloud but it's not the best kind of reading aloud book, the language and stilted 1940s conversational tone is a bit hard and I'm having to explain to Miss 9 about both complicated 1400 English history and WWII/the evacuation of children from London during the 1940s. I am really enjoying it but probably not the best choice for reading to my daughter. **DarkPool not sure if you read YA but this made me think of you.**

BLUE2: RavenFlight by Juliet Marillier

The second in the Shadowfell series. Marillier is one of my favourite authors and I loved the continuation of this story.

INDIGO Indigo by Alice Hoffman

A really lovely magical realism children's chapter story.

VIOLET
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
.
Examines the aftermath of a school shooting. Not as confronting or well written as 'We have to talk about Kevin' though. Picoult does write engaging stories though but I kind of felt like it wasn't raw enough.

[Lesley]

Grace and Sweetpea are linked up in message #2 now. Good to have you both joining in. ☺

[Sweetp-1]

Kathleen wrote: "What a task! Go well with your move."

Thanks Kathleen. Truck is arriving this time next week. Is a bit of a mission but will be good to be back on the mainland :)

[Sharlene]

Grace wrote: "Update!

RED/Complete..."
Hi Grace,
Instead of making another post, just edit your original list.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock. Sooo many tears. I don't think I finished it!

[Erica]

I'm three colours down...four more to go.

[Sweetp-1]

Ive just got to find a book for violet. Surprisingly doing Ok. Being homeless apparently is good for reading - no work,cooking or housework = lots of reading :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I'm unlikely to complete this by the end of the month. Any chance of an extension?

[Lesley]

***Carol*** wrote: "I'm unlikely to complete this by the end of the month. Any chance of an extension?"

This is an Autumn challenge so runs until the end of May.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Cool! I thought it was end of this month for some reason!

[Sharlene]

Have to change up my books for this challenge. I thought the library had a few of my picks but doesn't look like it. Might have to stop by the YA section to find some standalone easy reads!

[Lesley]

***Carol*** wrote: "Cool! I thought it was end of this month for some reason!"

Don't bring winter on any sooner than you need to is my motto! :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

SharleneSays wrote: "Have to change up my books for this challenge. I thought the library had a few of my picks but doesn't look like it. Might have to stop by the YA section to find some standalone easy reads!"

I think I have everything but indigo covered. Years ago I read by Marina Warner. I really enjoyed it, but notice reviews here are tepid, so maybe its dated? No longer at my library, but maybe still available at libraries in bigger centres.

[Lizzy]

Violet/Indigo is sorted just got a book from the Giveaways the Road to Lilyfields which is violet/indigo.

[Lesley]

How's everyone going with this challenge. Hopefully better than me. I seem to have dried up with reading books that have the colours I need! I must focus better.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Just finished my red! I'm not sure if I'll get this challenge finished by the end of May though. The 3 books I have so far for other challenges on GR don't fit in with the colours.

[Darkpool]

seems every book I want to read at the moment is some shade of blue or purple

[Lesley]

There are so few books with orange, yellow & green covers!! Well, that I'm reading anyway :)
I'm not caring if I haven't finished by the end of Autumn. I'll just keep going anyway!

[Darkpool]

one recent read had a bright yellow back cover. boy was I disappointed every time* I turned it over to find the front was blue.

*yes, this happened more than once.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Like EG, I don't think I'm going to get this challenge finished by the end of the month. I may sneak the violet in, but yellow is the colour I'm having trouble with!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Well done Kathleen!

& because imitation is the sincerest form of flattery... :D I just tried to get Songs of the Violet Cafe from my local library - & it has been out on loan since 2012. Computer glitch of course. I can get it from another branch but will wait till next month.

So I am reading my original violet choice. Good so far. :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Kathleen wrote: "Love the glitch! I've put your 'Ultraviolet' on my to-read list, but it could be years before I get to it....

Not my usual sort of read but I'm finding it very hard to put down!

[Erica]

I've knocked off my fourth book...a blue cover.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Finished! Would love to do another colours or metals challenge next year!

[Lesley]

Woohoo!! Finally finished making my rainbow. ☺

[Sharlene]

My reading slump went through autumn so my rainbow didn't make the cut but I'm slowly getting back on track. Thank you crappy winter weather for making me want to stay inside & read books.

[Deborah]

Bit late but will give this a shot:

I can't not include Colour :)

RED Me Before You

ORANGE

YELLOW The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories

GREEN A Dome of Many Colored Glass

BLUE

INDIGO

VIOLET