**Winter Reading Challenge - 1/6/15 - 31/8/15**

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "I'm calling my challenge done at 10 out of 12 of my books.

I'll finish my 10th today :)

I'm in :)

1. Spell it out
W - When Angels Cry by Melanie Nilles (Indie) ★★..."

Congrats Lynxie but you've still got 10 or so days till the end of winter:)

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: Congrats Lynxie but you've still got 10 or so days till the end of winter:)


I know, but I'm really wanting to get the August challenge completed so I'm putting my efforts into reading the last 5 books for that instead. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Fair enough:) A shame they don't overlap!

[Trevor]

Book number seven finished, my TBR historical fiction Dark Places by Kate Grenville 4★s
My short review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've abandoned my TBR speculative fiction The Time Machine by H.G. Wells as it was a really bad choice of a book, I just couldn't get into it.

[MaryG2E]

I’ve finished this most enjoyable Winter Challenge in good time and have a great sense of achievement on completion. My final list is greatly different from my original list of titles - a result of trying to obtain books sourced solely from my local library.

1. Spell It Out - six books whose titles spell out WINTER
W: A Waltz for Matilda by Jackie French 4★s
I: Is That Thing Diesel?: One Man, One Bike and the First Lap Around Australia on Used Cooking Oil by Paul Carter 1★
N: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks 4★s
T: The Two Minute Rule by Robert Crais 2★s
E: Empire Day by Diane Armstrong 4★s
R: Round Robin by Jennifer Chiaverini 4★s

2. Read a New Release, published in June, July or August 2015: N/A
3. International Children’s Day - Young Adult title by an Aussie author:
Contest by Matthew Reilly 3★s
4. A Book written by an Aussie author who is independently published:
Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche 4★s (originally self-published, before being taken up by an international publisher)
5. TBR books - choose one Speculative Fiction, one Historical Fiction and one Mystery for June, July and August (to be read in your month of choice)
June - Speculative Fiction: The White Earth by Andrew McGahan 4.5★s
July - Historical Fiction: A World of Other People by Steven Carroll 4.5★s
August - Mystery: Family Baggage by Monica McInerney 3.5★s

[Marianne]

Well, this is how my Winter Challenge ends up, as I can't see an I book or an R getting read in the next 10 days....
1 Spell it out:
W The Last Winter of Dani Lancing 5★s
I
N Nothing Gold Can Stay 5★s
T Troubling Love 2.5★s
E Endurance 4★s
R
2 New Release My Mother's Secret 5★s
3 Aussie YA Molly and Pim and the Millions of Stars 4.5★s
4 Aussie Indie Sisters and Rivals 3.5★s
5 Owned TBR
Speculative (June) A Cure For Suicide: A Novel 3.5★s
Historical (July) A Dangerous Place 4.5★s
Mystery (August) The Unbroken Line 4.5★s

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Good work Mary and Marianne:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congrats Mary and Marianne!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Finished my 9th for this challenge:
I : Ignoring Gravity by Sandra Danby 4★s

Review to follow..,

[Jenn]

Finished My list.......

1. Spell it out..

W - Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer★★★★

I - I'll Be Slaying You by Cynthia Eden★★★

N - Nightshade by Andrea Cremer★★★★

T - Torrent by Gemma James★★

E - Eternal Flame by Cynthia Eden★★★

R - Riverboat Point by Tricia Stringer★★★★

2. Winter New Release
Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton★★★★

3. Young Adult by Aussie Author
Ashling by Isobelle Carmody★★★★

4. Aussie Indie author
Raw by bella aurora★★★★

5. June - speculative fiction
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood★★★

July - Mystery
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter★★★★

August - Historical fiction
Caradoc of the North Wind by Allan Frewin Jones★★★★

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Great work Jennifer. Looks like you didn't like The Handmaid's Tale as much as I did:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Jennifer!

[Suzie]

Just finished my Mystery book The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen, 4 stars. Sadly, I'm not going to complete this Winter challenge (only read 6 of 12 so far) but I will add some of the unread titles to the Spring challenge as I still want to read them!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The Sinner was a book I really enjoyed too Suzie:)

[Ace]

I'm not going to finish this challenge either, however I enjoyed the ones I attempted. I got a few read, but since I am never able to finish these, I will give up but in a couple of seasons I might join back in... thanks for all your efforts putting these challenges together Brenda you do such a good job!

W The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (halfway through this)

E Eagles at War by Ben Kane
(DNF but will try to read this again in a few months)

New Release
My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman
5 Stars

YA Aussie Author
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta 3 stars

Speculative Fiction:
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 4 stars

Historical Fiction:
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
4 Stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Great work on what you've read for the challenge Ace! Some good reads there:)

[Anna]

W - What Have I Done? by Amanda Prowse
I - I Work at a Public Library: A Collection of Crazy Stories from the Stacks by Gina Sheridan
N - Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
T - The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon
E - Evidence of Love by Elisabeth Rose
R - The Redemption Of Rico D'Angelo by Michelle Douglas

NEW RELEASE: You're Never Weird on the Internet - Almost by Felicia Day

YOUNG ADULT: Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR: Life Lived Twice by Sherrie Wouters

OWNED TBR:
SPEC FICTION - The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold completed in June (more or less)
HISTORICAL FICTION - The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
MYSTERY - Mistake Creek by Rachel Amphlett completed in July

[Elaine]

Finished my 7th, R book. Red Queen . 4 star read for me. I've started my 8th, Salt Creek and probably my last for this challenge. So won't complete it in time but have enjoyed it.

[Steve]

Last night, I finished my last for the challenge, my first 2. New Release, Fool's Quest, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

A little disappointed that I only managed a single list this time around, but a good portion of my books ended up on the Spring challenge.

My completed list:

1a. Spell it Out (W): ★★★★☆
1b. Spell it Out (I): ★★★★☆
1c. Spell it Out (N): ★★☆☆☆
1d. Spell it Out (T): ★★★★★
1e. Spell it Out (E): ★★★☆☆
1f. Spell it Out (R): ★★★☆☆
2. New Release: (August 11) ★★★★★
3. International Children's Day: ★★☆☆☆
4. Aussie Indie Author: ★★★★☆
5a. Mystery: ★★★★★
5b. Speculative: ★★★★★
5c. Historical: ★★★☆☆

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Elaine wrote: "Finished my 7th, R book. Red Queen. 4 star read for me. I've started my 8th, Salt Creek and probably my la..."

Oh you'll enjoy that one Elaine! Such a great and profound story!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Steve wrote: "Last night, I finished my last for the challenge, my first 2. New Release, Fool's Quest, with my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

A little disappointed tha..."

Congratulations Steve! Don't worry - life kept happening for you didn't it!

[Lynxie]

It is so great to see you all enjoying your indie books too :)

Great lists everyone!! Well done to those who've finished reading already!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "It is so great to see you all enjoying your indie books too :)

Great lists everyone!! Well done to those who've finished reading already!"

I think there are far more indie books out there than we realize Lynxie...plus a big majority of them are very good:)

[Nicola]

Finished my I read
I Am Number Four/ Pittacus Lore

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: I think there are far more indie books out there than we realize Lynxie...plus a big majority of them are very good:)"

So very true... too many for any one person to read in their life, except for maybe you, Brenda. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL! Even me Lynxie:)

[Elaine]

Brenda wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Finished my 7th, R book. Red Queen. 4 star read for me. I've started my 8th, Salt Creek and..."

I'm only a short way in Brenda but it's so exquisitely written that I just know I'm going to enjoy it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's the word for it Elaine - exquisite! Perfect:)

[Rebecca]

Well, I haven't done as well as I hoped. With any luck I might be able to fit one or two more in before the end of the challenge. In my defense, I work full time, have three kids and am in the middle of planning my wedding which is three and a half short weeks away!

1...
W A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
I Identity by Ted Dekker
N Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
T The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
E Eight Cousins byLouisa May Alcott
R A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

2... Read a NEW RELEASE which is published in JUNE, JULY or AUGUST 2015 : A Bullet Apiece: Saint Louis Noir by John Joseph Ryan 80% of the way through

3... For International Children's Day choose a YOUNG ADULT title by an AUSSIE author: Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden



4... Choose a book written by an AUSSIE author who is independently published - an AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR: Boy, Lost by Kristina Olsson

5... From your OWNED TBR books choose one SPECULATIVE FICTION, one HISTORICAL FICTION and one MYSTERY for JUNE, JULY and AUGUST (to be read in your month of choice!)

Historical: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Speculative: American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Mystery: Caught by Harlen Coben

[Lynxie]

Rebecca wrote: "Well, I haven't done as well as I hoped. With any luck I might be able to fit one or two more in before the end of the challenge. In my defense, I work full time, have three kids and am in the midd..."

That's a fantastic effort given all your 'extra' activities... work always gets in the way of my reading.

Congrats on the upcoming wedding :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rebecca wrote: "Well, I haven't done as well as I hoped. With any luck I might be able to fit one or two more in before the end of the challenge. In my defense, I work full time, have three kids and am in the midd..."

Well done on a brilliant effort so far Rebecca:) As Lynxie says, you have lots of extra happenings there; the wedding alone would take up the majority of your "spare" time! Congratulations and all the very best for your big day:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Brenda wrote: "Finished my 23rd - second N - Never Forgotten by Stacey Nash 4★s

Review to follow closer to publication

I'm currently reading my last one! Yay!"

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kira]

Four days to go and I'm on my last book. I can do this... ;)

[Sally906]

Kira wrote: "Four days to go and I'm on my last book. I can do this... ;)"

Go Kira - easy peasy - you have 5 days - plenty of time!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kira wrote: "Four days to go and I'm on my last book. I can do this... ;)"

You'll do it easy Kira:)

[Jess]

Just finished my second last book 'The Lovely Bones'. As much as I would love to finish my last book in the challenge I have a pile of letters that I muat catch up on. So that will be my focus for the next 3 days. Im not participating in the next challenge due to end of year uni work, but definitely looking forward to the summer challenge since uni finishes in october and starts back the end of February!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jess wrote: "Just finished my second last book 'The Lovely Bones'. As much as I would love to finish my last book in the challenge I have a pile of letters that I muat catch up on. So that will be my focus for ..."

The The Lovely Bones was a book I enjoyed Jess! Congratulations on your great result...good luck with your uni work and make sure you pop in to visit now and then:)

[Sally906]

Jess wrote: "Just finished my second last book 'The Lovely Bones'. As much as I would love to finish my last book in the challenge I have a pile of letters that I muat catch up on. So that will be my focus for ..."

Did well Jess

Good luck with your uni studies for the rest of the year

[Kira]

Done :)

1. W - Witch's Brew 2.5★
I - Imperfectly Perfect 3★
N - Never Buried 3★
T - Take One <1★
E - Extermination Day 4★
R - Reinventing Mona 3★

2. NR - Only We Know 4★
3. AA YA - Isla's Oath 3★
4. Aussie Indie - Fall For Me 4★
5.Owned TBR:
Speculative Fiction - Airel: The Awakening 2★
Historical Fiction - Ridiculous 4★
Mystery: Murder in the Winter <1★

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Kira! And with two days to spare:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Kira! You had a few "not so good" reads this quarter, which is bad luck! I hope your next challenge means more enjoyable reads for you:)

[Kira]

Thanks :)
I'm having much better luck with Aussie authors than overseas ones at the moment, so the September challenge should be better.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ahh that's really good!

[Heather]

Finished the challenge! After a great start of five books in June things got a bit busy.
1.W - Wild Storm4 ★
I - In the Blood 5 ★
N - That Night - 5 ★ Great book I'd be tempted to say this is a YA novel not for those who need to like the central character
T - The Target 4 ★
E - Entry Island 4 ★
R - Red Sparrow 4 ★

2. New Release - Pretty Girls 5 ★

3. YA - On the Jellicoe Road 4 ★

4. Indie Author - Fatal Liaison 3 ★

5. Speculative Fiction - Neverwhere 5 ★ - Thankyou Brenda I would never had read this otherwise
Historical Fiction - The Fatal Flame 4 ★
Crime and Mystery - Flash and Bones 5 ★

[Kira]

Nice list Heather. I've added some of those to my TBR.

[Heather]

They were great reads

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Heather! So glad you enjoyed Neverwhere :)

[Anna]

am stuck into a non Winter challenge book. unlikely to finish anymore so i'll accept 9/12 for my first seasonal challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Anna:) Great job!

[Anna]

Brenda wrote: "Well done Anna:) Great job!"

thanks Brenda. next month i can aim to beat it :)