**Summer Challenge: Favourite Things**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Jane and Bec :)

[Tanu]

May I sign up, please? On mobile at the moment so I will link my books as I go :)

Summer 2024 Challenge - My Favourite Things

Duration: 1 December 2024-28 Feb 2025

Level - Easy (6/7, 2/2 AA read so far)

Favourite Genre - Crime - The Creeper by Margaret Hickey (AA) ✅
Favourite Author: Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie ✅
Favourite Colour Cover - The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths (green) ✅
Favourite Place as Main Setting - The Spider and Her Demons by sydney khoo - author + character of Malaysian-Chinese descent ✅ (Sydney) AA
Set in Favourite Time Period - Victorian - A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon ✅
Set During Favourite Season - The Reformatory by Tananarive Due (Summer) ✅
7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year - favourite genre (horror) Deathless Divide

[Sarah]

Just a quick query, Brenda. Is split or dual timeframe a legitimate choice for "favourite time period"? (I love books that combine the past and present).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sarah wrote: "Just a quick query, Brenda. Is split or dual timeframe a legitimate choice for "favourite time period"? (I love books that combine the past and present)."

That would probably fit better in Favourite Genre Sarah?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Tanu wrote: "May I sign up, please? On mobile at the moment so I will link my books as I go :)

Summer 2024 Challenge - My Favourite Things

**Duration: 1 December 2024/28 Jan 2025**

Level - Easy (0/7, 0/2 AA..."

Of course Tanu :) With your Favourite Place as Main Setting - TBA for AA, I need a book set in Sydney or the South Island! I assume you mean Tasmania as South Island? If so, I just finished one set in Tassie - The Writing Class - Australian author and new release. I really enjoyed it :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Tanu wrote: "May I sign up, please? On mobile at the moment so I will link my books as I go :)

Summer 2024 Challenge - My Favourite Things

**Duration: 1 December 2024/28 Jan 2025**

Level - Easy (0/7, 0/2 AA..."

You're linked up Tanu - welcome to the challenge :)

[Sarah]

I'll join too please :)

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Easy
3/7 (2AA)

#1 Your favourite genre: Fantasy
The Pool of Two Moons by Kate Forsyth (AA) 5 stars


#2 Written by one of your favourite authors: Juliet Marillier
A Dance with Fate by Juliet Marillier (AA)



#3 Your favourite colour cover: (Pink)
Taboo: Conversations we never had about sex, body image, work and relationships by Hannah Ferguson (AA) 4 stars


#4 Your favourite place as the main setting: (Japan)
The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki


#5 Takes place during your favourite time period: (Victorian)
Shadows in the Moonlight by Santa Montefiore


#6 Takes place during your favourite season: (Summer)
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca
5 stars

#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Sarah. I hope you don't mind, but I linked you as Sarah #2 :)

[Cherie]

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Easy 7/7

#1 Your favourite genre

Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas - YA Genre 2 stars 14/12/24

#2 Written by one of your favourite authors

Bikinis and Murder by H.Y. Hanna AA 3.5 stars 12/12/24

#3 Your favourite colour cover

United States of Japan by Peter Tieryas (black) 3 stars 17/12/24

#4 Your favourite place as the main setting

Vendetta by Sarah Barrie (Australia) AA 3 stars 9/12/24

#5 Takes place during your favourite time period

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell (90's) 3 stars 2/12/24

#6 Takes place during your favourite season

Playing for Love by H.Y. Hanna AA - Summer 2.5 stars 8/1/25

#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas 5 stars 29/12/24

[Tanu]

Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "May I sign up, please? On mobile at the moment so I will link my books as I go :)

Summer 2024 Challenge - My Favourite Things

**Duration: 1 December 2024/28 Jan 2025**

Level - Easy..."

Hi Brenda, thanks for linking me up! I've sadly never been to Tassie but do want to go on a tour at some point :)

I actually meant the South Island in NZ as (IMHO) that's one of the most beautiful places on earth. Not sure if there are any Aussie authors that have written books set in NZ.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "May I sign up, please? On mobile at the moment so I will link my books as I go :)

Summer 2024 Challenge - My Favourite Things

**Duration: 1 December 2024/28 Jan 2025*..."

Male author J.P. Pomare is a NZ native, lives in Australia now, so classed as an Aussie author and has written books set in NZ. (don't know which island though!) One I'm reading in the New Year is In the Clearing and one I've read - 17 Years Later - which was fantastic IMO!! But he has other books too so you might want to check him out :) Good luck!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Cherie wrote: "**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Easy
0/7

#1 Your favourite genre

Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas - YA Genre

#..."

Welcome to the challenge Cherie!

[Sarah]

No worries Brenda, thank you!

[Heather]

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Easy
0/7

#1 Your favourite genre Crime - The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais 3 ☆
#2 Written by one of your favourite authors: For Our Sins by James Oswald 5 ☆
#3 Your favourite colour cover- Blue: Endgame by Sarah Barrie - AA 4 ☆
#4 Your favourite place as the main setting: The Netherlands - The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas 4 ☆
#5 Takes place during your favourite time period - 19th century - When Maidens Mourn by C.S. Harris 5 ☆
#6 Takes place during your favourite season - Autumn: The Creeper by Margaret Hickey - AA 5 ☆
#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year: The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson 5 ☆

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Heather :)

[Kylie H]

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Medium
14/14

#1 Your favourite genre - Thriller
One Dark Night by Hannah Richell 3/1/25 4★ AA
The Hidden Child by Camilla Läckberg 14/1/25 4★


#2 Written by one of your favourite authors
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny 24/2/25 4★
Verses for the Dead by Douglas Preston 8/1/25 4★


#3 Your favourite colour cover - Green
Ghosts by Mark Dawson 31/1/2025 4★
Gone to Darkness by Barbara Nickless 20/1/25 4★


#4 Your favourite place as the main setting - Australia
The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser 6/12/24 4★ AA
Evie by Annie Seaton 20/12/24 4★ AA


#5 Takes place during your favourite time period - present
More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova 26/1/25 4★
The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith 6/12/24 4★


#6 Takes place during your favourite season
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton 10/2/2025 4★
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus 6/12/24 4★


#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year
Akarnae by Lynette Noni 2/2/25 4★ AA
The Silk House by Kayte Nunn 22/1/25 4★AA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Kylie! Some great choices there :)

[Jacinta]

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**

Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25 December/January/February

Level: Easy
7 /7 ( 3 / 2AA)

Your favourite genre - Historical fiction
#1 The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store-James McBride 5/12 4★

Written by one of your favourite authors
#2 Juice - Tim Winton (AA) 23/1 4.5★

Your favourite colour cover - Blue
#3 Funny Story - Emily Henry 12/12 4★

Your favourite place as the main setting - Australia
#4 Tipping Point - Dinuka McKenzie (AA) 26/1 3.75★

Takes place during your favourite time period - Christmas
#5 The Wake-Up Call-Beth O'Leary 20/12 3.5★

Takes place during your favourite season - Summer
#6 Bluebottle - Belinda Castles (AA) 16/1 3.5★

Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year
#7 Pineapple Street - Jenny Jackson 5/1 4★

[Tanu]

Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "May I sign up, please? On mobile at the moment so I will link my books as I go :)

Summer 2024 Challenge - My Favourite Things

**Duration: 1 December 2024..."

Thanks Brenda! His books have been 50/50 for me - I read and really enjoyed two and was lukewarm on the third one I tried. But I will give 17 Years Later a go :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jacinta wrote: "I would like to join - will add my books in when I get a chance.
Thanks,

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**

Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25 December/January/February

Level: Mediu..."

Welcome to the challenge Jacinta!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "Thanks Brenda! His books have been 50/50 for me - I read and really enjoyed two and was lukewarm on the third one I tried. But I will give 17 Years Later a go :) ..."

It's funny isn't it! I only discovered his writing with 17 years - I really hope you enjoy it :)

[Jasmine's]

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Easy
7/7 at least 2AA

#1 Your favourite genre
Watching You by Lisa Jewell 4* 19/01/25

#2 Written by one of your favourite authors
The Black Mountain by Kate Mosse 4* 30/12/24

#3 Your favourite colour cover
The Bee and the Orange Tree by Melissa Ashley AA 5* 18/12/24

#4 Your favourite place as the main setting
Red Dust by Fleur McDonald AA 5* 09/02/25

#5 Takes place during your favourite time period
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly 4* 25/12/24

#6 Takes place during your favourite season
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai 5* 09/12/24

#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year
The Tea Gardens by Fiona McIntosh AA 5* 07/12/24

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome Jasmine!

[Clare]

Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "It's funny isn't it! I only discovered his writing with 17 years - I really hope you enjoy it :)..."

I read that as you discovered his writing 17 years ago 🙈

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Clare wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Tanu wrote: "Brenda wrote: "It's funny isn't it! I only discovered his writing with 17 years - I really hope you enjoy it :)..."

I read that as you disco..."

Hahaha!!!! Sorry Clare!!

[Kim]

**Summer 2024/2025 Challenge - My Favourite Things**
Duration: 1/12/24 - 28/2/25
Level: Easy
Progress: 7/7 (AA 2/2) - COMPLETED 21/2/25

#1 Your favourite genre - Crime:
Spring Tide by Cilla Börjlind -
- FINISHED 21/1/25 - 4* (9/10)

#2 Written by one of your favourite authors:
Down Among the Dead by Damien Boyd -
- FINISHED 5/2/25 - 4* (9/10)

#3 Your favourite colour cover - Red - :
The Trials of Koli by M.R. Carey -
- FINISHED 21/2/25 - 4* (9/10)

#4 Your favourite place as the main setting - Australia:
The Way It Is Now by Garry Disher - AA -
- FINISHED 15/1/25 - 4* (9/10)

#5 Takes place during your favourite time period - Modern day:
The Donor by Helen Fitzgerald - AA -
- FINISHED 17/2/25 - 4* (9/10)

#6 Takes place during your favourite season - Christmas:
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren -
- FINISHED 2/1/25 - 2* (4/10)

#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year - since 2017:
The Mistake by K.L. Slater -
- FINISHED 12/1/25 - 4* (9/10)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Kim :)

[Kim]

Brenda wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Kim :)"

Thanks Brenda. Looking forward to it!

[Jonquil]

Summer Challenge-Favorite Things
12/1/24 - 1/31/25

14/14 DONE
10/4 AA

1 Favorite genre - mystery Wake Shelley Burr 12/5 ★★★★ AA
2 Favorite genre - mystery Two Down, Bun to Go H.Y. Hanna 12/9 ★★★ AA

3 Favorite author Grave Intent Fiona Tarr 1/16 ★★★★ AA
4 Favorite author The Bookstore at Rivers End Phillipa Nefri Clark 1/7 ★★★★★ AA

5 Favorite color cover - blue The Fatality at the Funeral Grace York 1/2 ★★★ AA
6 Favorite color cover - blue Dark Edges Catherine Lee 1/10 ★★★★★ AA

7 Favorite place as the main setting - small town The Girl by the Grave Grace York 1/12 ★★★ AA
8 Favorite place as the main setting - small town Surfboards and Suspects Stacey Alabaster 12/13 ★★★

9 Favorite time period - now Marco's Temptation Fiona McArthur 12/7 ★★ AA
10 Favorite time period - now Smoky Mountains Mystery Lena Diaz 1/9 ★★★★★

11 Favorite season - Spring Scandal in Spring Lisa Kleypas 1/17 ★★★★
12 Favorite season - Spring Spring in Sweetwater County Ciara Knight 1/17 ★★★★

13 Favorite 1+ year on TBR Murder at the Carnival Helen Goltz 1/9 ★★★★★ AA
14 Favorite 1+ year on TBR The Dastardly Debutante Helen Goltz 1/12 ★★★★★ AA

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Jonquil :) Funny - when I do a challenge from over your way, I change Favorite to Favourite, and change my dates around. You do the same with ours! Makes me smile :)

[Jonquil]

Brenda wrote: "Welcome to the challenge Jonquil :) Funny - when I do a challenge from over your way, I change Favorite to Favourite, and change my dates around. You do the same with ours! Makes me smile :)"

Life these days can be so exhausting that even little things like that can help with coping.
Spellcheck "helpfully" highlights those words in red as "misspellings" when they are spelled in the correct British/Australian manner which is a lot like a toddler saying "Mummy, Mummy, Mummy, Mummy...." Aaackk!!!
To quote poet Shel Silverstein "Some kind of help is the kind of help that helping's all about. Some kind of help is the kind of help we all can do without!"

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Great quote!! Yes, spell check is US based (who knows why we can't have Aussie/British computers!!) and I'm always getting that lovely red line underneath my words!

[Amy]

Please count me in for EASY. DID NOT COMPLETE.

1 Your favourite genre
#2 Written by one of your favourite authors
#3 Your favourite colour cover
#4 Your favourite place as the main setting (Australia) Australia's Worst Disasters by Malcolm Brown (AA) - finished 7 January 2025 - 3 Stars ⭐️
#5 Takes place during your favourite time period
#6 Takes place during your favourite season. (Summer)
Black Summer by Michael Rowland (AA) - finished 31 December 2024 - 4 star ⭐️
#7 Read a favourite of your choice, that has been on your TBR for at least a year

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Amy :)

[Carol]

Hi
Please sign me up for an Easy: Books to follow
♡ Your favourite genre - historical fiction
♡ Written by one of your favourite authors - Kristin Hannah
♡ Your favourite colour cover - TBC
♡ Your favourite place as the main setting - India
♡ Takes place during your favourite time period
♡ Takes place during your favourite season - Autumn
♡ Read a favourite of your choice - TBC

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome to the challenge Carol :)

[Janine]

Finished my first 2

5/ Favourite Time Period - Christmas
Snowflakes Over The Starfish Café by Jessica Redland 4*

The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan 4*

[Odette]

Read first book

#4 Your favourite place as the main setting: Australia
1. Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth - 5* - AA

[Tanu]

Finished my first - The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths (favourite colour) green 💚🍏🦜 📗

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Finished my first book, one from my favourite genre - mystery/thriller.

Wild Place by Christian White

Bit of a disappointing read, 3 out of 5. My review is here

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Finished my second book, one from one of my favourite authors - The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth

An entertaining 4 1/2 out of 5

My review is here

[Odette]

Finished 2 more books:

#3 Your favourite colour cover: Purple
3. The Time of Thunder by Greg Barron - 4* AA


#4 Your favourite place as the main setting: Australia
3. Opal by Patricia Wolf - 5* - AA


I read both books over the 3 days of the Readathon.
Opal was a very enjoyable read despite some negativity in the reviews. I am sure there will be further books in the series and looking forward to reading them.
I have read a number of Greg Barron books. His books cover a wide range of topics, mainly set in northern Australia and always interesting reads.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You're doing well Odette! I agree, I enjoy Greg's books as well.

[Janine]

A few more finished

1/ Favourite Genre - Crime
Storm Child by Michael Robotham(AA) 4*

2/ One of my favourite Authors - Barbara Freethy
All Your Loving 4*
Before I Do 3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doing well Janine :)

[Odette]

Read another one for this challenge:

#1 Your favourite genre: Literary Fiction
3. book:The Echoes|202908611] by Evie Wyld - Read 10 Dec - 4*

[Janine]

Finished another by one of my favourite authors

Falling Into You by Barbara Freethy 4*

[Lee at ReadWriteWish]

Finished my favourite time period book -- future/alternate/space scifi -- Rules of Redemption by T.A. White

Unfortunately this will not be on of my favourite books ever. 2 1/2 stars. My review is here

[Bec]

I couldn't work my favourite genre as I like lots of different ones, but according to my goodreads 'Your Year in Books' for 2024, my top are romance, thriller and fiction. So I'll go with one of these!

[Tanu]

Finished my second - favourite author Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie 🎄