Annual A-Z Challenge 2023 - Follow the Clues!

[Kim]

Finished my 1st of this Challenge with:-

'L' - Read a book where the title is written in LOWER case:-
The Girl Who Left by Jenny Blackhurst

Rated this one as 4* (8.5/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

I’m a bit late to the party but I’d like to give this one a try. (Will be back to fill in the books)

A - Z Challenge - Follow the Clues!
Duration: 1/1/2023 – 31/12/2023
Progress: 26/ 26 (min 4 AA)

✔ A - Read a book by an AUTHOR new to you
Wildflowers by Peggy Frew AA (read 30 Jan) 3.5★

✔ B - Read a book which you BOUGHT
Who Cries for the Lost by C.S. Harris (read 7 Jun) 5★

✔ C - Read a book with CLOUDS on the cover (post cover)
A Winter Grave by Peter May (read 5 Jan) 5★

✔ D - Read a book which has DARK themes
Black River by Matthew Spencer AA (read 20 Jun) 4.5★

✔ E - Read a book you've been EAGER to read
Witch King by Martha Wells (read 15 Jan) 5★

✔ F - Read a book which is FIRST in a series
Treasure & Dirt by Chris Hammer AA (read 7 Oct) 5★

✔ G- Read a book which was a GIFT
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (read 27 Nov) 4★

✔ H - Read a HISTORICAL book (can be fiction or non-fiction)
Murder at Midnight by Katharine Schellman (read 9 Aug) 4★

✔ I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman
Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See (read 18 July)

✔ J - Read a book where someone is in or has been in JAIL
Dark Corners by Megan Goldin AA (read 13 July)

✔ K - Read a book with a KNIFE on the cover (post cover)
Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge (read 6 Apr) 4★

✔ L - Read a book where the title is written in LOWER case (post cover)
Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood AA (read 12 Mar) 4★

✔ M - Read a book which has a MOON on the cover (post cover)
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham (read 20 Nov) 5★

✔ N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title
Three Widows by Patricia Gibney (read 10 Jan) 4★

✔ O - Read a book with a ONE word title
Fallen by Karin Slaughter (read 12 Jan) 5★

✔ P - Read a book with a PARAMEDIC in the text (quote text and page/% number) first line, chapt 4, 10% “The paramedics arrived with in minutes” in All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny (read 17 Jan)

✔ Q - Read a book which is a QUICK read - under 200 pages (post page count)
Cozy Up To Death by Colin Conway 192 pages (read 29 Mar) 4★

✔ R - Read a book which you would RECOMMEND to your friends
The Beautiful Words by Vanessa McCausland AA (read 30 Oct) 4.5★

✔ S - Read a book with a minimum of four S's in the title
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger (read 22 Jan) 4 ★

✔ T - Read a book which has a TEACHER in the text (quote text with page/% number)
After the Smoke Clears by Kylie Kaden, a main character is a teacher - first mentioned @ 4% - "You're his teacher."(read 2 April) AA 4.5★

✔ U - Read a book with an UGLY cover (in your opinion) (post cover)
A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths (red 7 Feb) 4★

✔ V - Read a book with a VETERINARIAN character
Six Ostriches by Philipp Schott (read 25 Apr) 4★

✔ W - Read a book with a WINDOW on the cover (post cover)
Murder at Home by Faith Martin (read 3 Apr) 4★

✔ X - Read a book which has an X anywhere on the cover (post cover)
Fire with Fire by Candice Fox AA (read 23 Apr) 5★

✔ Y - Read a book which has a YELLOW title (post cover)
In the Dark by Cara Hunter (read 11 Aug) 5★

✔ Z - Read a book with ZANY characters
A Hard Day for a Hangoverby Darynda Jones (read 30 Nov) 4★

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome Carolyn - you're linked :)

[Lauren D]

I'm a little late to the party, but I'm going to give this a go :)

A - Z Challenge - Follow the Clues!
Duration: 1/1/2023 – 31/12/2023
Progress: 26/26

A - Read a book by an AUTHOR new to you Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly 26/02/23 ****
B - Read a book which you BOUGHT Love and Other Puzzles by Kimberley Allsopp AA 18/2/23 ***
C - Read a book with CLOUDS on the cover A Work in Progress by Connor Franta 22/4/23 *

D - Read a book which has DARK themes Echo Burning by Lee Child 10/03/23 ****
E - Read a book you've been EAGER to read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams 17/01/23 ****
F - Read a book which is FIRST in a series The Passage by Justin Cronin 20/6 ****
G- Read a book which was a GIFT Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult 13/2/23 ****
H - Read a HISTORICAL book Homecoming by Kate Morton AA 26/5/23 *****
I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama 25/3/23 ****
J - Read a book where someone is in or has been in JAIL Sparring Partners by John Grisham 18/3/23 ***
K - Read a book with a KNIFE on the cover How to Pronounce Knife: Stories by Souvankham Thammavongsa 23/1/23 ***

L - Read a book where the title is written in LOWER case
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan 25/4/23 ***

M - Read a book which has a MOON on the cover Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren 19/4/23 **

N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin1/4/23 *****
O - Read a book with a ONE word title Exiles by Jane Harper AA 30/1/23 *****
P - Read a book with a PARAMEDIC in the text The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Emma Carey " While we were waiting for the paramedics to arrive" Pg 12 AA 6/2/23 *****
Q - Read a book which is a QUICK read - under 200 pages Rebel Talk: The art of powerful conversations by Jane Hutcheon 126 Pages AA 15/3/23 ****
R - Read a book which you would RECOMMEND to your friends Love This For You by Deni Todorović AA 4/3/23 ***
S - Read a book with a minimum of four S's in the title Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne 8/4/23 ***
T - Read a book which has a TEACHER in the text Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling"Professor Binns, their ghost teacher, had a wheezy droning voice" Pg 161 11/01/23 *****
U - Read a book with an UGLY cover (in your opinion) From Where I Fell by Susan Johnson AA 30/5/23 ***

V - Read a book with a VETERINARIAN character The Vet from Snowy River by Stella Quinn AA 25/6/23 ***
W - Read a book with a WINDOW on the cover Wild Place by Christian White AA 2/7/23 ***

X - Read a book which has an X anywhere on the cover The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas 20/1/23 *****

Y - Read a book which has a YELLOW title The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham 3/5/23 *****

Z - Read a book with ZANY characters The Guy Who Decides: Australia's funniest social media sensation by Jimmy Rees AA *** 12/1/23

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome Lauren, you're linked :)

[Mish]

I just started listening to Frantic on audiobook for P – Paramedic in Text.

Wow! What a fantastic start!! A bit of an adrenaline rush when the Paramedic’s get called out to an emergency.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's a great read Mish!

[Janine]

Finished my 1st for this challenge

X - Read a Book with an X on the Cover
Exiles by Jane Harper(AA) 4*

[Jackmeister]

Finished my first 2, E and M

E - Read a book you've been EAGER to read - Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb - 4⭐️ - 2/1/23
M - Read a book which has a MOON on the cover - Fool Moon by Jim Butcher - 3⭐️ - 11/1/23

[Janine]

Finished J - Read a book where someone has been in Jail

All That’s Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien(AA) 4*

[Janine]

Finished E - Read a Book I have been Eager to read

No Plan B by Lee Child 4*

[Mish]

Janine wrote: "Finished J - Read a book where someone has been in Jail

All That’s Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien(AA) 4*"

Janine, you're flying through this challenge. Well done!
I like your choice for J. This book caught my eye so i might pick this one as an option

[Mish]

I finished Frantic by Katherine Howellfor P PARAMEDIC in text. That was superb. 5 🌟
I will definitely be reading more of her books

I'm currently reading Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time for Q QUICK read

And Gemini Falls for Y YELLOW title

I'm giving A Game of Thrones a break. Not sure if it's for me....Still thinking on it

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mish wrote: "I finished Frantic by Katherine Howellfor P PARAMEDIC in text. That was superb. 5 🌟
I will definitely be reading more of her books

I'm currently reading ..."

I love Katherine Howell's books Mish, and was sad when she decided to stop writing to focus on her career. I think there are 5 or 6 in that series, so you have a few to go :)

You Quick read is also a good one! Enjoy :)

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "Mish wrote: "I finished Frantic by Katherine Howellfor P PARAMEDIC in text. That was superb. 5 🌟
I will definitely be reading more of her books

I'm currently readin..."

Oh that's sad for her fans that she stopped writing.
Yeah i just discovered her, so im in for a treat!
😊

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes it sure is.

[Janine]

Finished B - Read a Book which I bought

Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb 3*

[Janine]

Finished Q - Read a book that is a quick read

My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream by Janine Marsh 3*

[Jackmeister]

Finished 2 more, J and X.

J - Read a book where someone is in or has been in JAIL
The Investigator by John Sandford - 4⭐️ - 20/1/23

X - Read a book which has an X anywhere on the cover
Exiles by Jane Harper - 4⭐️ - 17/1/23

[Jackmeister]

Finished another 2, A and I.

A -Read a book by an AUTHOR new to you
Headland by Ged Gillmore - AA - 4⭐️ - 26/1/23

I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman
Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb - 4⭐️ - 15/1/23

[Janine]

Finished R - Read a book I would recommend

The Wrong Sister by Fiona Palmer(AA) 4*

[Janine]

Finished W - Read a book with a Window on the cover

At the End of the Day by Liz Byrski(AA) 4*

[Jackmeister]

Finished another two, H and Y.

H - Read a HISTORICAL book (can be fiction or non-fiction)
Murder in the Dark by Kerry Greenwood - AA - 3⭐️ - 29/1/23

Y - Read a book which has a YELLOW title
Treasure of Khan by Clive Cussler - 5⭐️ - 24/1/23

[Kim]

Finished my 2nd of this Challenge with:-

'I' - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman:
The Woolgrower’s Companion by Joy Rhoades

Rated this one as 4* (8.5/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Janine]

Finished P - Read a Book with a Paramedic in the text (as one of the MC is a Paramedic there are mentions all through the book)

Silent Fear by Katherine Howell(AA) 4*

[Janine]

Finished L - Read a book with a Lower Case Title

Wish You Were Here by Karly Lane(AA) 5*

[Janine]

Finished V - Read a book with a Veterinarian Character

You Can Lead a Horse to Murder by Tara Meyers 4*

[Janine]

Finished I - Read a book about an Interesting woman

The Orphans by Fiona McIntosh(AA) 4*

[Jackmeister]

Finished another 2, D and N.

D - Read a book which has DARK themes - Grave Peril by Jim Butcher - 4⭐️ - 9/2/23

N - Read a book with a NUMBER in the title - The Zero Night by Brian Freeman - 4⭐️ - 6/2/23

[Clare]

This book has symbols on the cover and one is X like. Can I use it for X on the cover

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I can't see an X Clare, where is it exactly? Thanks :)

[Clare]

In the blue circle under the bird there are red symbols. the X is at 11o'clock

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Wow! Good eyes Clare! I had to zoom in and yes, you can use it!

[Janine]

Finished A - Read a book by an Author new to me

The Homestead on the River by Rosie Mackenzie(AA) 4*

[Clare]

Brenda wrote: "Wow! Good eyes Clare! I had to zoom in and yes, you can use it!"

It helps looking at the cover at book size!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Clare wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Wow! Good eyes Clare! I had to zoom in and yes, you can use it!"

It helps looking at the cover at book size!"

Yes for sure - and now that we can't enlarge the cover pic as we used to, I have to enlarge this way (and then sometimes I can't see it!)

[Clare]

Brenda wrote: "Yes for sure - and now that we can't enlarge the cover pic as we used to, I have to enlarge this way (and then sometimes I can't see it!)..."

I just found this out. Why would they get rid of enlarging!?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Goodness knows Clare! Why would they change the whole look of GR??? Especially when it's universally hated!

[Janine]

Finished G - Read a book which was a gift

The Work Wives by Rachael Johns(AA) 4*

[Jane]

Half-way through this challenge already with 13 of 26 books read!

Todays was :
Isla by Annie Seaton AA 4*

A short but sweet ending to an enjoyable, easy to read series.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're doing well Jane! And I agree - a palate cleanser of a series :)

[Kim]

Finished my 3rd and 4th of this Challenge with:-

'C' - Read a book with CLOUDS on the cover:-
Safe House by Jo Jakeman

Rated this one as 4* (9/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

'E' - Read a book which you have been EAGER to read:-
All the Broken Places by John Boyne

Rated this one as 5* (10/10). My review is here:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Catsalive]

I didn't mean to do it so quickly but I have finished this one. Still, I have a few others to work on 😃

A - Z Challenge - Follow the Clues!
Duration: 1/1/2023 – 31/12/2023
Min. 4AA
Progress: 26/26

*A - an AUTHOR new to you: Every Version of You by Grace Chan 7/1 3.5★ (AA)
*B - which you BOUGHT: Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood 20/1 5★ (AA)
*C - with CLOUDS on the cover: The Irish Nanny by Sandy Taylor 17/1 3.5★

*D - has DARK themes: The Lily and the Rose by Jackie French 16/1 4★ (AA)
*E - been EAGER to read: The Librarian of Crooked Lane by C.J. Archer 14/1 3.5★ (AA)
*F - FIRST in a series: Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson 1/1 2.5★
*G- was a GIFT: Naked in Death by J.D. Robb 22/1 4.5★
*H - HISTORICAL: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 10/1 5★
*I - an INTERESTING woman: Polgara the Sorceress by David Eddings 2/1 3★
*J - someone is in or has been in JAIL: No Plan B by Lee Child 8/1 2.5★
*K - a KNIFE on the cover: Cooking the Books by Kerry Greenwood 9/1 5★ (AA)

*L - title in LOWER case: A Chance Of Stormy Weather by Tricia Stringer 3/1 3.5★ (AA)

*M - has a MOON on the cover: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris 12/1 4★

*N - a NUMBER in the title: The Pool of Two Moons by Kate Forsyth 21/2 4★ (AA)
*O - ONE word title: Johnno by David Malouf 6/1 4★ (AA)
*P - PARAMEDIC in the text: My Husband's Wives by Faith Hogan 4/1 4★
The paramedic tucked Kasia's arm beneath the blanket. p.292
*Q - a QUICK read - under 200 pp: I Work at a Public Library by Gina Sheridan 14/1 3★
*R - would RECOMMEND to friends: The Irish Boarding House by Sandy Taylor 15/1 5★
*S - four S's in the title: The Last Wish of Sasha Cade by Cheyanne Young 1/2 2★
*T - a TEACHER in the text: Shop Girl by Mary Portas 13/1 3★
...who became my form teacher... p.35
*U - an UGLY cover: Still Life by Louise Penny 11/1 3.5★
- I hate when they put these stickers on covers, it would be nice otherwise
*V - with a VETERINARIAN character: Trail of Murder by Christine Andreae 24/2 3.5★ - Cory Johnson
*W - a WINDOW on the cover: After the Rain by Lucy Dillon 5/1 3★

*X - an X anywhere on the cover:Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout 11/2 2★
- it does say A Lux Novel above Obsidian
*Y - has a YELLOW title: A Different Dawn by Isabella Maldonado 19/1 3★
*Z - ZANY characters: Death at the Belvedere by Sue Williams 13/1 3.5★ (AA)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Good grief Kylie! You'd best do another of these then ;) Well done!

[Janine]

Finished M - Read a book with a Moon on the cover

Jasmine Nights by Julia Gregson 2*

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Yay Kylie!!! Fantastic work:)

[Janine]

Finished T - Read a book with a Teacher in the text. (MC is a teacher so mentioned throughout the book)

The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern(AA) 3*

[Jackmeister]

Finished 2 more, B and Q.

B - Read a book which you BOUGHT
Hover Car Racer by Matthew Reilly - AA - 5⭐️ - 2/3/23

Q - Read a book which is a QUICK read - under 200 pages (197)
The Handyman Homicide by Libby Howard - 3⭐️ - 11/2/23

[Janine]

Finished N - Read a book with a Number in the title

Seven Sisters by Katherine Kovacic(AA) 4*

[Krystal]

Hit the halfway mark nice and early!

Progress: 13/26
AA: 4/4

A - Read a book by an AUTHOR new to you: Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky 4/2; 4 stars. Review Here

D - Read a book which has DARK themes: Unsolved Australia: Lost Boys, Gone Girls by Justine Ford (AA) 6/1; 2 stars. Review Here

F - Read a book which is FIRST in a series: Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth 14/1; 3 stars. Review Here

H - Read a HISTORICAL book (can be fiction or non-fiction) : The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley 1/2; 3 stars. Review Here

I - Read a book about an INTERESTING woman: Thrill City by Leigh Redhead (AA) 17/1; 2 stars. Review Here

J - Read a book where someone is in or has been in JAIL: One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern 23/1; 4 stars. Review Here

L - Read a book where the title is written in LOWER case: Life Before by Carmel Reilly (AA) 9/1; 3 stars. Review Here

M - Read a book which has a MOON on the cover: The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan 1/3; 4 stars. Review Here

O - Read a book with a ONE word title: Revival by Stephen King 11/2; 2 stars. Review Here

Q - Read a book which is a QUICK read - under 200 pages: All Systems Red by Martha Wells 26/1; 3 stars. Review Here

U - Read a book with an UGLY cover (in your opinion): The Golden Age by Joan London (AA) 1/3; 1 star. Review Here

W - Read a book with a WINDOW on the cover: Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews 14/2; 4 stars. Review Here

X - Read a book which has an X anywhere on the cover: The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi 17/2; 5 stars. Review Here